#fermreader

He opens his eyes before the sun begins to enter through the curtain of the room. He lets out a long sigh, brushing several strands of hair out of his eyes as he rubs them, trying to wake up completely.

He lazily gets out of bed, shuffling his feet a bit as he picks up his cell phone and pack of cigarettes. He catches one of the cigarettes between his lips, the lighter illuminating his face for a few seconds as he inhales the smoke holding it in his lungs before slowly rolling it between his lips and sitting down at the living room table. He drums on the wood with his fingers, his eyes fixed on his cell phone, the hand holding his cigarette resting on his cheek. Lost in thought.

His fingers brush the screen of the device before unlocking it and searching the address book. He sucks back the smoke from his cigarette and stubs it out in the ashtray blowing the smoke out his nose like a sleeping dragon. The dial tone rings several times before he hears a sleepy voice on the other end.

"Dad?" The question echoes in the empty room as he activates the handsfree.

"Hi, Mingus...sorry if I woke you." He tells him sincerely, his fingers moving nervously across the surface of the table.

"No, it's okay, has something happened?" there's concern in his voice and Norman can't help but smile. "Do you want me to call Mom?"

"No, no, let your mother rest, I..." He is quiet for a moment and chews on his lower lip. "I needed to talk to someone." He confesses, Mingus on the other end of the line is still surprised, but tries to clear his mind completely.

"Okay... What do you need? what can I do?"

"Just... you know I'm going on a trip." Norman tells his son about the plan he has with you for his program.

"Yeah, I know, we've talked about it before, what's up?"

"I'm... God, I'm nervous as hell." He hones in and a nervous laugh escapes him.

"Come on, Dad, you've known her for a long time, you don't have to act any different than normal around her." He tries to encourage him and Norman nods even though the boy can't see him. He's about to reach for another cigarette, but holds back, placing it to his ear.

"I don't want to... fuck it up, you know? We're good friends, my intention isn't to take advantage of this trip, but..."

"Did you really call me for advice?" Mingus is still surprised by his father's words and Norman suddenly feels stupid.

"I'm sorry, I know you're just a kid, but I needed to talk to someone...say it out loud." His fingers brush the cigarrete in his ear again.

"No, let's see, I'm 22, I can give you advice on this, if you want, and I don't mind you calling me, I...I like that you trust me on this." He's assured by Mingus on the other end and Norman feels a little better, like he's not wasting his son's time.

"Sure, I'll take my chances." He laughs softly. "Tell me, what's your advice?"

"Well, I think..."

"Norman?" a female voice is heard from the living room door that cuts off both men's conversation.

Norman turns to see a pretty, slender woman leaning against the door frame completely naked, she has her arms crossed enhancing her chest, wanting to tease the man.

"What are you doing here?"

"Excuse me, I needed to talk to my son." he says pointing to the phone.

"Hello." Mingus' voice echoes in the living room and the woman unconsciously hides making Norman laugh.

"He can't see you, relax."

"Why don't you talk to him another time and go back to bed?" She offers him with a sly smile.

"Ugh, I don't want to hear this..." Mingus' voice rings through the house again.

"No, easy." Norman looks at the time on the clock. "I'm sorry, gorgeous, but I can't, I have a flight in three hours and I have to leave for the airport."

"What?" She looks at him dumbfounded.

"Have you booked the flight already?"

"Yes, I want to go see her and meet her family. Without the cameras, you know, they're simple people, I don't want her to feel uncomfortable or think I'm making fun of her." He shrugs.

"Are you talking about another... woman?" the girl standing there in front of him is surprised.

"Yeah, she's... she's a co-worker. Hey, if you want I can fix you some breakfast and give you a ride home before I go..." He offers, trying to be nice.

"Screw you, Norman, you're a dick." She says annoyed going back into the room to get dressed and slam the door out of the house.

"Okay, I don't think it was a good idea to talk about this in front of her." Mingus comments after a few seconds in silence. "Maybe you could have lied to her or hung up on me."

"I tried to be nice, I could have just told her to fuck off and that's it... I mean." He rubs his hair trying to find the words. "Do you really think I'm a dick?"

"For being a single guy who sleeps with a chick and then goes to go see another one he likes, but they're not a couple so he doesn't have to explain himself to her because she's probably doing the same thing?" There was a certain irony in his voice and Norman snorts rolling his eyes.

"You know, I'm going to have a serious talk with your mother, you've got a lot of nerve." The two men laugh at the same time, Norman feels a little better, to be honest. "Well, I think I have to hang up now kiddo, I have to shower and go get a plane." He says getting up from the table leaving the cigar on the table.

"Sure, dad, let me know anything, okay? Call me when you get there or text me." He asks and smiles looking at the phone.

"Don't worry, champ, I'll see you around." He says goodbye to Mingus hanging up the call. He brushes his bangs out of his eyes and walks to the bathroom to take a shower. He has to pack at least one carry-on bag before he leaves.

Showering he remembers the first time he introduced you to Mingus. It was nothing planned, actually it was a surprise for the three of you, as it was the first time you met in New York after a couple of seasons with the show.

Flash Back.

Norman had gone to pick up Mingus for a father and son day. Their relationship was good, they always had each other when they had some free time, but they were busy men, Mingus was finishing his studies and was starting to be important in the fashion world, something Norman didn't mind as long as it was what he liked, and his father was busy with the series, the documentary program and his own personal projects, but luckily that week he had some free days so he planned to spend them with his son. They would buy a few things, walk around their favorite areas of New York and then have a bite to eat and talk about things. He had realized that one of the things I could do most with Mingus without feeling too much of an idiot was just that, talk. It didn't matter what exactly, but they could spend hours, sometimes Mingus needed to disconnect from his own world, talk about everything and nothing at the same time, just letting off steam, to which Norman listened attentively, without saying anything, because that was not what the young man needed, other times it was a discussion between them, sharing opinions, laughing and sometimes Norman even had to pass his feet with some things because we have all had that feeling that everyone hates us but in reality it is just another stage to overcome in our lives.

Norman talked more about work, not because he had nothing else to talk about, but because it was what occupied his time the most. Sometimes talking about work would lead directly to talking about you, how you were resolving yourself on the set, how your character was evolving from season to season. You'd only been with them for two seasons, but you could see significant changes in your character. He wasn't aware, but sometimes his words rambled too much about you and Mingus listened with a small smile.

"Do you like her?" He would ask his father in surprise.

"I don't know." It was the answer he always gave him, and the most sincere.

When the subject drifted that way, Norman would try to change the subject because he himself didn't know what he wanted, not then, even now there were times when he had doubts whether he really wanted to risk your friendship for something he didn't dare name.

That morning Norman changed the subject by showing him several photos he had taken on the set, it wouldn't be long before he had a new exhibition and he wanted to include them in it. Mingus looked at them curiously, he liked his father's view of life.

"Is that your partner?" He asked then and Norman frowned looking at the photo, confused.

"Where?" the photo had Andrew and Scott in it with him, but perhaps from behind he had caught you unaware.

"Not there, there." He laughed pointing over his father's shoulder. Norman turned following the trajectory of his finger.

On the sidewalk across the street from where they had stopped for coffee for breakfast was a small neighborhood market, with a few stores pulled out into the street to sell their produce and there you were, next to a greengrocer's shop talking to the woman in charge of the stand, holding a tomato in your hand, smelling it enjoying its earthy, country smell, which hadn't been taken from a camera or a greenhouse that just smelled and tasted like plastic. You were a country girl, you liked the simple things, you enjoyed the little things and Norman learned a little from you to tell those kinds of things apart.

"Let's go say hello to her." He heard Mingus' voice next to him, bringing him back to reality.

"What? No, wait Mingus." He tried to stop his son, but he had already paid for the coffees and stood up from his chair, heading straight for you.

Norman got up like a spring going after his son, Mingus waited for him to catch up and when he got to your side he pushed Norman a bit who bumped into you, his father looked at him frowning and the blond looked at him apologetically, he didn't intend a rough encounter, but he hadn't thought of anything better.

"Sorry." He apologized to you and you looked at him surprised and excited, it had been almost a month since you two had seen each other because of the end of season hiatus.

"Norman! It's good to see you." You smiled and hugged him letting the man squeeze you tightly.

"Me too, I didn't know you lived around here."

"I just got back a little while ago." You explained and Norman touched his son's shoulder.

"Look, this is my son, Mingus." He introduced you and you smiled again squeezing the teenager's hand affectionately.

"My father has told me a lot about you." He said and you felt your cheeks redden.

"Oh yeah?"

"I talk about everyone." He inserted himself into the conversation so it wouldn't get awkward.

"Let's go for a walk and do some shopping, do you want to come with us?" Mingus offered surprising you and his own father.

Norman never knew for sure why that day Mingus offered you to accompany them, maybe he did it out of kindness, to make his father uncomfortable, maybe he wanted to fill in for himself information that Norman hadn't been able to give him or had been curious about you as a teenager. Something he would later make clear to you with a blunt:

"I can find a girl all by myself, Dad."

And Norman didn't doubt that.

End Flash Back.

He steps out of the shower feeling his skin burning from the high temperature at which he has let the water run over his entire body to completely clear his head. He shakes his head to get the excess water out of his hair before stepping out of the shower and wrapping a towel around his waist. In the bedroom he pulls out several pairs of pants and t-shirts, his most comfortable boots and a motorcycle jumpsuit and helmet. He stuffs all that into the travel suitcase, the rest of his clothes and a few things like his laptop, camera, sunglasses, some spare clothes to have on hand and some hats that he keeps in the backpack that he will take with him on the plane. He hesitates for a few seconds, he doesn't want to look like he's prepared to see you, he wants to be casual, normal, it's not the first time you share a ride or are together off set, but he feels nervous. Finally he grabs one of his T-shirts with the advertising of his program, some jeans and his boots. A meow makes him smile as he sees Eye in the Dark watching him lying on the bed, purring very softly. That reminds him to leave a small envelope of money with his son's name on it. He always takes his furry friend with him, but he's getting older and the long trips are testing his nerves and his health and Norman doesn't want to risk that something might happen to him, so he lets Mingus take care of the animal while he's gone. He strokes its head and the cat purrs a little louder, closing its big greenish eyes.

Flash Back.

Norman opened the door to his apartment dragging a huge suitcase. He was exhausted but he still couldn't relax, in a few hours he had an interview to comment on the episode that premiered that night and he had just enough time to take a shower and eat something. Right behind him you appeared with a suitcase similar in size to his, with the same tired gesture plastered on your face.

"I hate running back and forth..." you protested, carefully closing the door behind your back.

"You should be used to it, this isn't the first convention you've been to." He scoffed a little from somewhere on the wide floor.

"I know..." You muttered rolling your eyes. You'd never end up getting used to conventions, the presentations, the signings, the programs... It was something that just wasn't meant for you. "Oh my God, Norman, you have a cat!" You exclaimed with excitement upon discovering a cute black cat lying on the couch.

"Yes, technically it's my son's, but yes, I have a cat." His voice echoed through the floor again as he walked back towards the living room. "Be careful, he's a little surly around strangers and don't..." He fell silent in the doorway of the living room as he discovered you kneeling on the floor, half your body lying on the couch cushions with one hand outstretched towards the cat, but giving the animal its space to decide to approach or ignore you. Eye in the Dark had gotten up from his spot and sniffed your fingers resting his head against your hand, purring low. You looked up at Norman biting your lip, your face brimming with excitement. Norman smiled at that. "Wow, I wasn't expecting that." He said sincerely.

"He has chosen me." You whispered in fear that your voice might disturb him. "He's beautiful, and very gentle."

"Yes, he's a spoiled cat." He agreed and laughed. "I'm going to take a shower and order something to eat before we go. Just as if you were at home." He offered. "The kitchen is over there." He pointed. "And if you want you can take a shower when I'm done."

"Okay, thanks." You smiled gratefully without stopping petting the cat behind the ears.

For Norman it wasn't the first, it wouldn't be the last time he invited a co-worker to his home, you had overlapped on the flight home from a convention in Europe and you both had to be on the show that night, so he offered you his apartment which was closer so you could get ready there and then leave together for the interview. It seemed a little strange to you at first, since you had met that day he was with his son, it had become a little routine to go out together sometimes in the city, but that was his home, his intimacy, but it seemed to come so naturally from him that you couldn't refuse.

End Flash Back.

"Be good, furry." He says to Dark patting his head before adjusting the travel backpack on his arm. "See you in a couple of weeks." He promises him and leaves the house making sure he has everything important with him.

He hails a cab to take him to the airport and there he has to make an effort to be nice to people and get to the boarding of his flight on time. By showering and packing his bags he has had less than an hour to get everything ready before boarding the plane. He takes several pictures with some fans, smiles, signs blank papers and then says goodbye to everyone running towards the gate that takes him to his new destination. He breathes a little easier when his butt touches the seat of the plane and he closes his eyes rubbing them with some nervousness. He takes off his glasses and cap for a few seconds when the stewardess comes over to make sure he's okay. He asks her for a coffee and something light to eat and the woman walks away leaving him alone with his music and things. The seat next to him is empty and he smiles stretching a little, at least he can rest easy if he needs to.

It's funny how easily his mind wanders through all the memories he has with you. The first time you flew together discovering your great panic of heights and enclosed places.

Flash back.

He was watching you from his seat. You hadn't been on the show too long, neither of you had much more than a cordial greeting when you saw each other, kindness when it was your turn to work together and again when you said goodbye. It was all the interaction you were having that season, you were new and to top it off your first meeting was not the most pleasant, yet you have to travel to the presentation of the new season, the time of conventions, interviews, promotional events of the series arrives. And you looked like you were about to vomit. You weren't all going together, you didn't coincide neither in city nor in schedules, however Norman saw you getting on the plane, being a few seats ahead of where he was sitting. He wasn't sure if you had seen him or ignored him on purpose, but it was obvious that you were not comfortable. There was still time for the boarding gate to close and the plane to take off, he didn't have to butt in where he didn't belong, but he couldn't help himself. He unbuckled his seat belt getting up from his seat to walk over to yours.

"Hey, hi." He greeted you startling you a little, your eyes going wide when you realized who it was.

"Norman, h-hello." You stammered not expecting him to be there.

"Are you okay?" he asked with a worried smile and you reddened. "You don't look so good..."

"No, I..." You stammered not quite knowing what to answer. "I'm just a little nervous, that's all..."

"Are you sure?" You looked around and approached one of the stewardesses who were at the gate greeting travelers. It wasn't information they had, but Norman managed to get the seat next to his free and walked back to you. "Would you like to sit with me? Maybe a little conversation will help." He offered, gesturing with his head to a few seats further back.

"But...what if that seat is taken?" You hesitated looking at him not understanding his invitation.

"Don't worry, I've asked them to take your seat." He explained taking your hand. "Come on, I don't think the plane won't take long to take off and I can't be here in the middle." He insisted and you nodded nervously, unbuckling your seatbelt in a rush before following your fellow passenger to the seats further back.

Norman took his seat again, buckling up, you sat gingerly next to him. The nice thing about traveling in first class was the comfort of the seats, much more spacious, comfortable and almost individual so you could sleep if you needed to. You had never been able to make that choice, too tense to close your eyes and sleep. You glanced sideways at Norman who was fiddling with his cell phone while chewing on his lower lip. Maybe he wasn't sure what conversation he wanted to have with you either, maybe he had just been trying to be nice, but now he didn't know how to make conversation.

The boarding door closed then, your body tensed up much more, if that was possible, and Norman understood what was happening. You weren't nervous or anxious about the convention, you were scared to fly. You were scared of flying. Which was a bummer since it was practically day to day life, but Norman couldn't blame you. The flight attendant began to give the pre-flight instructions, Norman put the phone in his pocket and tapped your hand that gripped the armrest so tightly that your knuckles were white knuckled. You looked at him for a second to fix your eyes on the stewardess again, but then turned to pay attention to him.

"Hey... I know you're not a kid, but... I have a little trick I used on my son when he was a kid and had the occasional panic attack." He explained feeling a little uncomfortable about telling you that. "If you want..."

"I don't want to bother you..."

"I'd rather you bother me than have us end up full of vomit." He assured you and you sighed lowering your gaze. "Come, when you feel more comfortable just let me know."

You hesitated for a second, not quite sure what Norman wanted to do, you leaned back towards his seat and he covered your ears as he rested your head on his chest. You open your eyes wide, the position not exactly comfortable for either of you, but feeling his hands on your ears, muffling the sound of the engines starting, oddly enough, calms your being a little. Your hands twitch on his chest as the plane begins to accelerate into flight, but Norman's heartbeat is calm, leisurely, a gentle boom-boom that rocks you until the plane is fully airborne and your stomach no longer has that giddy feeling. Carefully, very slowly, you separate from him, both of you looking away, uncomfortable with the situation.

"Th-Thank you..." you whisper feeling much calmer than you expected.

"It was nothing... it's a bitch when we get blocked like that." He tried to understand you and you nodded your head.

"Yeah, because... well I like airplanes, but the first time I got on one... it wasn't exactly what I expected..."

You told it as an anecdote seeing that he nodded his head understanding what you meant, you were silent for a few seconds again, but then curiously the conversation flowed smoothly.

End Flash Back.

Norman wakes up after several hours of travel, the change in altitude has caused a ringing in his ears and that has woken him up. He yawns stretching in his seat and adjusts his cap and glasses before getting up to grab his backpack. He's not there yet, he has a car waiting for him and from there he has several more hours to get to your house. The company that rented him the car assured him that the route would be on the map in the car and that he would have no problem following it. Norman really hoped he wouldn't get lost. He had never been too bad at finding his way around, perhaps that was the only trait he had in common with his character Daryl Dixon. He gets off the plane, picks up his suitcase and walks out of the airport feeling the warm atmosphere of the city suffocate him for a second. There is a man waiting for him with a sign with his name on it. They understand each other although the man's English is not very good, but it is enough for Norman to understand that this is his car, that everything is organized so that he arrives at his destination without problems, that the deposit is full and that when he returns there will be when they make the payment for the rental days. Norman nods giving him an advance for the inconvenience and takes the keys, puts the suitcase in the trunk, leaves the backpack on the passenger seat and sets off on his way.

The trip from the capital to your parents' house is marked on the map and you still have several hours to travel. You have stopped at a service area for a coffee and a bite to eat. Some people have recognized him by taking pictures with him, asking him where he is going and what he is doing out there by himself. Norman hasn't answered too much, he's just on a trip, spending a few days away from the hustle and bustle of the city. He's back in the car and on his way.

It's a little over half a day when he arrives in your hometown, of course the landscape has changed completely since he has left the highway to go there. You let yourself be guided to a parking lot and get out of the car looking around. The heat is not too oppressive, in fact there is a very uncomfortable air that forces you to hold on to your cap so that it doesn't fly off. His head is up all the time contemplating the main square of the town, with the huge church, the town hall, the cobblestone floor, the bars sheltered inside some old arched porches. People have their routine, oblivious to the newcomer. Norman smiles, looking around once more before returning to the car for his backpack and pulling out his camera to take a few shots of the back of the church, right where he parked.

He knows exactly where he needs to go, though he doesn't know how to find it. You told him once that your sister's store was in the center of town, so he shouldn't get lost if he starts his search from where he is. He walks down the slope from the church to the square and approaches one of the bars, a waiter is fixing one of the tables that has just been vacated and he approaches him to ask about your sister's store. He tells you to continue just down the street from the corner of his bar, you will find another square and there it is. Norman nods his thanks for the directions and walks down the pedestrian street. There are stores on both sides, clothes, toys, a travel agency, other bars and even a barbershop. He stops for a second in front of a jewelry store attracted like a ferret by something shiny. He has to admit that there the prices of some items are much more affordable. He continues his way to the square where the waiter has indicated him discovering in its center a nice sculpture of a couple, the boy is lifting the young woman with his arms. He goes back a few steps looking for the angle and takes a couple of pictures. His eyes then catch the name of your sister's store and his hands sweat, but he can't back up, he's already there. He hangs the camera around his neck and moves forward, through the huge decorated window he spots you and another young woman, who he assumes is your older sister, sitting at the counter, talking animatedly. He smiles and opens the door. A tinkling of a soft bell welcomes him. You have your back to him, the first to see him is your sister and his eyes widen as he removes his glasses and places them on top of her cap.

"Finally I found you." He says feigning an exhausted tone and you turn around like a spring.

"Norman!"

To be Continued...

I hope you liked it!

I see you in the next chapter!