#rekindled

He put down the glass he'd just finished shining, and rushes over to the fallen man. Crouching down to get a look at his face. Perhaps for a fleeting moment, his own cheeks warm a little at the closeness, and he takes what is definitely a bit too much in of the details and the look on the exhausted passed out face. As he checks for a pulse, a sign of breath, and gently taps him on the cheek with the flat of his palm.

He's not dead at least. Jamie muses. But the tapping does little to stir the man. He must've been absolutely knackered to be so out cold.

The bar man stood, fixed the bar door shut, and flipped off his open sign. Thankful there were no customers to force out.

He went back to Shane, and after some debate, worked his way to shouldering the man, half lifting, half dragging, him towards the back room of the bar. It wasn't much. Just a break room; a couch, an old radio, and a table with a chair for lunch time needs.

He lugged Shane's body onto the couch. The man grunted softly, sagging into the old cushions. Jamie sighed lightly, stretching and wincing at the use of muscle he didn't really have.

He'd half a mind to call some sort of authority, but he didn't want to get Shane in trouble needlessly. So he went and grabbed a glass of water, and came back to try again to rouse Shane.

Turned out he needn't worry.

On his return from the bar Shane was up with a yell. A startled look across a pale face. The sound made Jamie jump, though years of handling liquids left the water thankfully in its cup.

Upon seeing him in the doorway, and getting his bearings it seemed Shane softly tried to put himself back together as Jamie approached. Swinging his legs off the couch and scrubbing at his face. Shaking his head a to clear it.

Jamie then walked up to him, offering out the glass with a look of concern.

"Christ I really ran all the way here.." Shane quietly groaned. Accepting the glass with a thanks.

'What exactly had you run all the way here for?' the bar man's fingers asked.

"Well for you of course." Shane stated it a bit bitterly, like it was plain as day, and then bit his tongue looking regretfully away from those curious stormy eyes.

' You seemed- like you thought I were in a predicament? Did something occur?'

"I.. thought you'd been hurt. Yeah." Shane swigs the last gobful of water as if to prevent himself being able to elaborate. Placing the glass down by his boots.

'Well, I am certainly in fine shape, so, whatever it was did not occur in this reality.'

Shane chuckles lightly. "Yeah. I can see that, thanks fer the, er, comfort."

Jamie lightly smiles, and nods. Looking briefly down at his pocket as he flips out his pocket watch briefly before snapping it shut and away.

There's a heavy pause before the barman decides to break the silence.

'Well if you aren't nearby, and it's technically my fault.. with it being so late, if I am to be so forward.. would you like to accompany back to mine? I'd much rather to have you get home safetly--well rested.'

Shane follows his hands and looks at him for a moment. A few different thoughts and feelings swirling behind those murky green eyes that Jamie simply cannot decipher.

"Yknow I really shouldn't.."

Jamie's brow furrows. 'What if I insist? Atleast come by and dry your clothes.'

Shane slumps slightly. Like he's deflated a little over the idea of putting up a fuss. He rolls his eyes, before shoving his arms on his thighs and standing up.

"Alright fine. Ye twisted my arm."

The next words barely above a whisper and Jamie misses it due to the loud creak of the floorboard and groan from the couch as Shane rises.