#somewhere nice

River had waited all night for a message or call from Lucas and he hadn't gotten one. He couldn't push back the worry that he felt, the fear that he felt. Part of him was terrified they would fire Lucas or force Lucas to do something he wouldn't want. He had tried calling Lucas, only for it to go straight to voicemail, the phone off. It was early morning and he sat at his desk on the Den, finally seeing publication on Lucas's page that he was no longer part of the band. 

That filled River with a mixture of guilt and dread. He had caused this, his actions had caused this. Getting up he tried to call Lucas again, only for it to go to voicemail once more. He worried Lucas might have done something silly.

River decided to open a portal to Lucas' house, hopefully to find him there well, but to both his disappointment and concern, the place was empty. Actually devoid of the very few personal possessions Lucas had. His perfume bottle was gone as well as his clothes.

River feared the worse. But he didn't know where to look for the starling. Suddenly, a hope crossed him, and he went straight to the shelter. It was still early and the place was empty, thanks to the warding spell he had placed on it during the night, to keep paparazzi and curious fans from coming over. Only his family or those seeking the shelter for the right reasons could cross his ward. And the moment he arrived, he felt someone did. He walked to the front door and unlocking it came in. The place was empty, and for a moment, he reasoned his hope had been misplaced.

With a sigh, he went to his office and put on a pair of scrubs, walking outside to unlock the back door. The moment he looked outside, a small sad smile crossed his lips. 

River: There you are! -he walked to Lucas, gently taking his hands- You had me worried! What happened?!

For a second or two, all he wanted was for River to wrap his arms around him so he could hide against his chest, but feeling his hands taken was enough, he could see how they glowed blue. 

Lucas: I'm sorry, I meant to call, but my phone was out of power. I came here because.. well you said it was a place for the unwanted and I just got myself fired and kicked out of the house.

It was the very short version, he hadn't been fired directly, they had given him options, that he had decided to turn down repeatedly. It had been a choice more than being fired in that manner. 

Lucas: Or well.. I told them no, they gave me an option, I told them no, another option.. and I told them no.. -he looks at River - I hope the offer stands.. to take in the unwanted?

His hands had a hold on River's as if afraid to be told no somehow. This place was his lifeline now, it was the only place he could think to come. He had no idea what to do now, he had no band, no obligations, and no music contract. He could work at the shelter full time.. if they would have him. River felt his mouth hang open at Lucas words, how they hit him inside. Unwanted... Nothing about him was unwanted. River pulled Lucas into a hug, wrapping his arms around him.