Isaac was relieved. At least Colin was being cordial, even kind, considering the situation. He could have been the kind of man who'd throw Isaac out without a second thought, but no. Instead the musician was going to escort his overnight guest back home. The student felt a twinge of regret. He really wished it wouldn't be a one time thing, but doubted even bringing up the idea would do any good.

So he settled his mind as he put on his rumpled clothes. That was a little treasure hunt in and of itself. The things Isaac had worn were scattered a bit everywhere. For the life of him he couldn't remember how exactly they'd gotten off. One thing was certain, Isaac knew he'd enjoyed whatever had happened. It was a shame there were no memories of it.

Awkwardly, he ambled down the stairs. The smell of pastries enticed him towards the bakery, but when he saw a woman behind the counter smiling at him, beckoning him over, Isaac panicked. He bolted for the door and took in the fresh air the moment he was outside. How embarrassing was that! Getting seen by the landlady, and not knowing how to react, what to say or do, and running instead.

After a few minutes, Colin looked toward the staircase and saw Isaac emerging, then sliding into the bakery and immediately bolting out. He snickered behind his untouched cup, stepping over and handing it to Isaac. "You make a habit of being jumpy during the day?" He asked, glancing in and waving to Josey. "She startle you...? Heh... She's no monster." He smiled at Isaac. "Head inside if you want, I'll go around the parking lot. Look for a green Buick." He patted the young man's shoulder and stepped away, finding the spoken-of car a few spaces down. He settled against it, staring down at the blacktop under his feet. It was dirty, cracked, old. It had been here a long time. Maybe longer than Colin, who had grown up in this city. He'd never been able to get up to the highrises and lounges and such, but he'd hoped to one day. He sighed and smiled rather sadly to himself.

Startled, he wasn't able to say he didn't usually drank coffee. He took a sip anyway, to cover how flustered he was. Isaac just nodded when Colin mentioned the car. "Right, a green Buick." It was hard to say why the sight of the smiling lady had been such a surprise. She just hadn't fit in with the morning after Isaac had imagined. Shaking his head, Isaac wandered into the café again.

"Finally coming in to talk I see," said Josey.

Isaac nodded a bit, and stared at some of the things for sale."Could I get a cinnamon roll, and .." Would he breaking some kind of rule if he bought a little something for Colin? "Whatever Colin usually likes?" It couldn't really hurt anything if he bought a little food for the guy.

As she slipped the pastries into brown bags, Josey smiled. "You're different then the ones he usually brings over."

Isaac mumbled a thank you, and paid for the pastries quickly. The ring of the cash register followed him outside. It took just a few minutes for Isaac to find the green Buick, which he wouldn't have recognized at all if Colin hadn't been standing right there. Wordlessly, he held out one of the pastry bags.

Colin rocked left and right while he waited, staring at a small line of ants between his feet. He couldn't help but glance up every few seconds to see if the guy was coming around the corner yet. Maybe it was good he'd come around that particular bar. It was a pretty safe one---strangers there usually looked after one another for the time being, the bartenders usually called a cab when someone needed it. Generally when he found someone and brought them back, he'd wake up first and give them a bit of time to sneak out. Other times, rarely, he woke up to find they got out before he had a chance to vanish. It was odd---not unwelcome but strange nonetheless---to find someone had remained even after waking up.

He glanced up again to see Isaac had crossed half the distance from corner to car while he was staring at the ants on the ground, and he managed a friendly enough smile. "Hey, thanks." He took the bag, glancing in. Josey had apparently gotten what he preferred every morning, an orange danish. She made the best in his opinion. Closing up the bag, he nodded, stepping around the car to unlock the door, then heading around to the driver side. "You live in the dorms, or nearby?" he asked, opening the door.

Alright, so buying Colin something didn't breach any kind of unwritten rules. Isaac smiled with relief. "The dorms," said the young man as he slid into the passenger seat. It felt more normal then he'd thought it would, sitting there with the man who'd been his first. Isaac blushed. "Hm ... So .. uh .. how does this usually work? We never talk to each other again after this?" If that were the case, then maybe he would be brave enough to let some of what he thought actually leave his lips for once.

Isaac snapped the seat belt into place, and leaned back. Really, he was being silly.

Getting in behind the wheel, Colin buckled the seat belt and started the vehicle. Isaac's words made him laugh a bit. "Well, guess it depends." He shook his head, letting his hair slide over to one eye. "Some guys I meet come back around if we frequent the same places. Some keep in touch from time to time, don't make it serious unless they find a solid relationship or move or lose the taste for it. Some I never see again. Guess I never really thought about it." He pulled onto the street, turning left and away from the cafe and his apartment. "You putting too much thought into it or something, Isaac?" Colin looked at him for a moment before turning his gaze back to the street. Maybe he was. A one night stand was definitely not something to go to for one's first time. But he'd had lowered inhibitions last night, and a pain behind his eyes this morning.

Isaac swallowed hard. Buildings wizzed by quickly. There weren't all that many people out on the streets. It was pretty early for a Saturday morning. "I think I am, but ..." The young man tilted his head so he could look at Colin. Even if he didn't really remember much of the night, he just knew everything had been perfect. "Damn, I really wish I remembered what happened." He sighed and looked to the carpeted car floor. "Then I would know what exactly to thank you for." He didn't mention the ache he felt at the thought that he'd be too afraid to ever go into that bar again. After their goodbyes, Isaac didn't think they would ever see each other again. It would hurt just a bit too much, for him anyway.

Colin was smiling, and didn't even know it until he caught himself in the rearview mirror. Then he shook his head. "Hell, don't thank me." He laughed. "You'll remember soon enough, just don't try to overthink it. That's when it's hard to remember. Usually I go half the day without remembering anything I did last night." He shrugged, then turned again, onto a wider road. The buildings started getting taller. "Y'know, you don't wanna get too interested in someone like me." He said suddenly. Colin couldn't help but feel Isaac's gaze was on him more than the window. "I'm really messed up." He lowered his head, tapping the steering wheel with his thumbs and brushing back his hair. The stuff did love to get all over his face... Maybe it gave him that disheveled look so many people associated with him. It was definitely hard to miss him, especially if he lost his way and got into some of those high-end clubs or started walking the streets of the busier areas of the city.

The young man opened his mouth, closed it. Light slashed cross the glass, leaving a white glare in it's wake. "Messed up or not ... You probably wouldn't want me around anyway." Isaac laughed a bit, and knew it fell flat. His stomach was all in knots. "It doesn't matter anyway. I know it's just a one night stand, no promises, no strings." He was sad about that. Not mentioning that was much harder then Isaac had ever thought it could be.

He didn't want to get back to the dorms. Older architecture began peppering the surrounding buildings. Arched doorways, carved pillars, flew by. Isaac knew the car raced closer to his temporary home. It wouldn't be much longer now.

Colin wrinkled his nose. "Hold on a sec. What makes you think I wouldn't want you around more often? I wouldn't complain if you came by the cafe from time to time. I play there three days so I can live above it for free." He glanced sideways. "Hell, I still got errands to run. Need to find some more places that're willing to pick up a live musician... At least it's popular nowadays, eh?" He shook his head, shrugging a little as if he didn't live off what he could get from these evenings.

He pulled onto an older street, and could see the apartments that college students rented. They'd be at the dorms soon. "Anyway, I don't think you'd want to spend much time around a painkiller popper. It's not hard drugs but I have a problem. Don't need that screwing up with your schoolwork." He was quiet for a time, staring out the window.

Isaac sighed. "Because, after last night I'd expect too much. I wouldn't want to bother you with that." He laughed a bit. "I certainly wouldn't want to cramp your style, or get annoying. I mean ..." He was already having a hard time not getting all sappy. It was just the after effects of the alcohol and what they'd done, that was all.. It would pass. Isaac had to keep telling himself that.

"Do you actually need them, the painkillers?" Honestly, Isaac wasn't too surprised to hear that. He knew how dangerous drugs could be, medical or not. He was studying to be a pharmacist after all. Mentioning that to Colin seemed like a bad idea, so he kept silent about that little tidbit.

Colin grinned and shook his head. The more he seemed to talk the more it was overly obvious he'd never even gone out on his own before, let alone gone home with someone at the end of the night. It could have been cute, had it not made him feel sorry for Isaac. He didn't need to go to some bar and latch onto a random guy or girl. He needed to find someone more grounded.

Colin nodded. "I've had chronic pain all my life, undiagnosed because no one can figure out what the hell's wrong. So I have strong painkillers with me wherever I go, I just... kind of got out of control. Addiction runs in the family, it was inevitable." He shrugged simply, like it was nothing serious. He pulled up across the street from an old brick building. "Well, here we are." He smiled at Isaac. "Maybe I'll see you around sometime." He raised a brow, flicking his hair off his forehead.

"Ah ... " He wanted to help, or to say he wanted that. "That's a real shame." That was all Isaac could say, by rights. He'd been so stupid to think getting drunk and running off for a one night stand would be easy, and painless. Far from it! The young man swallowed hard and smiled a bit in return, even though he just felt like crying. Was it so hard to ask for more time? Under the circumstances it was impossible.

He reached out and brushed his fingers against Colin's hand. "Maybe..." A tinge of regret settled into Isaac's voice. The one night stand had been a bad decision. It had just made Issac want so much more, even if he couldn't remember anything. Slowly, he let himself out of the car. He didn't close the door right away, but lingered for just a while longer. "Colin, thanks for ... well everything. Take care, alright?"

Colin had to bite back the expression that wanted to cross his face. It was tormented. Isaac wasn't the kind to do what he did. Or his kind. He was too good of a guy. A kid, really. He smiled, though, when Isaac got out, and nodded. "Sure, Isaac, you too. Maybe I'll see you around sometime." He was quiet for a moment. They both lived in the same town, why wouldn't they cross paths again? He'd just have to come by these parts a bit more often. Maybe he could start looking into lounge playing. He knew he'd have a tough time, but he was a good pianist if he said so himself. Maybe he could start those concerts he'd wanted to do when he was a kid.

When the door closed, he pulled away with a bit of delay, fishing in his pocket and swallowing another tablet. At this point he might as well grind the things up and snort them, but even he wouldn't sink that low. He had to head to the store, because what he'd told Josey wasn't a lie. He needed some groceries before his kitchen was entirely bare.

As the green car pulled away, Isaac lingered behind to watch. It was a silent goodbye. He really thought there was no chance they would ever see each other again. It was better that way anyway. Turning on his heel, the young man walked up the sidewalk. Cracked as the things were, the pavement was still better there then where Colin had played his guitar. Branches creaked in the wind, and even that seemed to remind Isaac of something just on the edge of consciousness. He seemed to remember a sound like that, when he and Colin had been ...

A blush swept across his cheeks as he hurried home. Heart pounding, Isaac fumbled the door open and ran up the stairs to the second floor. Cement, again, and then on to the carpeted corridor and down to room number 15. Shaken, Isaac wrangled his key into the lock. Once inside, and the door closed, he let himself fall back against the pressed wood. Sliding down to the floor, he cradled his head in his hands.

***

When he returned the cafe was busy. Of course it was, the place was a big hotspot for religious coffee drinkers and aspiring writers, poets, artists of every kind. It had all the comforts of home, and of course, a home above that home. Colin finally made his way upstairs with the last of the plastic bags, the bags he tended to hoard like a crazy person. Toeing his door closed, he set one of the last bags on the couch and stepped into his bedroom to put the other on the bed, and paused in unpacking his several boxes. A rectangle of leather. Patting his pocket, Colin noted that he had his wallet, still. Of course he did, he'd paid for his things just half an hour ago. Rolling his eyes, Colin scooped it up and studied the interior.

Isaac. Of course, who else? Checking through, he noted a few dollars in the folds. He could easily take it... But then, he would be a thief on top of an addict and bag hoarder. Did he want to add up his sins, or do something right for once? Gritting his teeth, Colin shoved the wallet into his other pocket and began putting his things away. He'd ask Josey for a bit of extra time with her car, explain it if he had to, but he had to make sure his milk didn't get warm first.

The young man shook his head hard, and shoved himself up from the ground. The floors were as uncomfortable as pins and needles. Isaac didn't think he could sit down for a second longer. Besides, he had homework to do. Yesterday had been time to relax, not it was time to go and look at chemistry, and biology.

A heavy textbook fell open on wood. Isaac glared at it as he threw another down beside it. There was so much to do, and so little time to do it in. He'd wasted his time. Well no, spending it with Colin hadn't been a waste at all. But before then? Oh yes, certainly so.

Josey grinned as he entered the cafe again, leaning against the counter. "Hey babe, how's the day? Done with my car yet?"

"No... I have to keep it just a bit longer, d'you mind? Isaac left his wallet and I have to go get it back to him." If only he could immediately know which room he was in. He'd have to go through that dorm with the ID and ask where the guy was. He wrinkled his nose at the idea and barely heard Josey say her okay. Nodding absently, Colin stepped out of the cafe and around the corner, freezing in his tracks at the man leaning against the wall just in front of the vehicle.

"Uh, hey Ben..." Colin shifted a little, approaching tentatively. "How's---?"

"Got this week's pay, Col?" Ben, big and dark and square, stood upright and straightened his black shirt. He looked like a bouncer at a busy nightclub. Solid.

"Uh, no... No, I mean, I had to... I had things to get, and I didn't get much from last night's... uh... work."

"That's not gonna fly with Chris, Col." Ben growled, and stepped forward. "I gotta remind you, eh?"

"No, hell no Ben, it's not like I don't remember every damn day!" Colin stumbled back but was grabbed by the shirt front and pressed against the wall of the cafe. There was no way he could make that cinder block fist open---Colin had tried before. Ben put a penknife to his cheek and scraped it down, leaving a deep but not dangerous cut from the top of his ear to the middle of his right cheek. Colin's eyes immediately streamed from the pain, and Ben smirked, stepping away. "Remember that for next week! We'll be checking in soon."

Colin shuddered when he breathed in, bringing up his arm and wiping the tickle of blood away and slamming himself into Josey's car. He used a scrap of cloth from his beltloop to stop the blood so he didn't get it on her seats, and started off. He had to get this wallet back to Isaac before he was completely tempted to steal those few dollars.

A knock on the door startled the young man away from his desk. He hurried to open it and was assailed with a bright grin, and a mischievous pair of eyes. "Hey, bud! You have fun last night, hm?"

"Tara! Don't tell me you were there .."

The pink haired woman nodded. "Oh you bet I was! Hmm, that handsome musician sure is something."

Isaac paled. "Yeah ... he sure is ..."

Tara pushed back her white cowboy hat and stared. "Oh did you, did you finally..?"

The blond man nodded gently. Tara squealed and barreled into him. She hugged him tight until Isaac started tickling her. They collapsed into a fit of laughter, and every time they looked at each other it started all over again.

Halfway there Colin took the cloth away from his cheek and glared at the wound. "Fucking bastards." He spat, talking to no one in particular. "If I had a time machine I'd go back a year and kick my own ass for getting involved with these shark freaks." But that was only one step in a line of many, many mistakes. Tucking the cloth in his belt again, he found himself on the older streets, looking around, finding the college dorms ahead as they'd been a few hours ago. Pulling to a stop, he got out of the vehicle and trudged up the sidewalk, drawing his hand over the cut and making sure it wasn't bleeding anymore. No need to look like a street fighter while trying to find Isaac.

On the first floor he knocked on a door, keeping his face turned so he wouldn't show off the new battle scar, and held up the ID. The kid, a squirrely looking type with heavy glasses, pointed up and mentioned the second floor, door fifteen. Nodding, Colin stepped away and took the steps, and halfway down the hall paused where door fifteen was. He could hear laughter coming from the other side, and tilted his head. Obviously Isaac had friends, he'd mentioned them a few times. Colin rolled his eyes, knocking and waiting.

Another knock on the door? He had friends, but most of them would be sleeping in on a Saturday morning. Especially after going out partying. "I wonder who that is?"

"Maybe it's the hot guitar player," said Tera with a wink.

"Oh shut it," answered Isaac as he scrambled up from the ground and jogged to the door.

The moment he opened it, a knot twisted tight in the pit of his stomach. "Colin.. What are you doing here?" He sounded so hopeful, it was sad.

Colin blinked a little at the tone to the words. Had Isaac been waiting...? No, that was stupid. But he couldn't mistake that hopeful tone to his voice. "Uh... Well, I came back home a little while ago and saw you forgot something..." He bent around, untangling the right wallet from his and presenting it. "I didn't take anything, don't worry." He shrugged one shoulder and laughed a bit. "So I guess I'm just a little trustworthy, aren't I?"

He couldn't help but glance through the door, over Isaac's head and spot shocking hair. Ah, he'd seen that... He recognized it, but didn't know the name of the hair's owner. "Oh... I didn't know you had company." He bit his lip. How awkward could he be? He'd never had to return something from a night's escapades, so this was unseen territory. And so was the hopeful tone to Isaac's voice. It made him almost recoil, but not out of disgust, or fear. But in the form of recognition it held.

Isaac smiled a bit. Inwardly his heart plummeted. "You being less then trustworthy never even crossed my mind." Gratefully, he accepted the wallet. Isaac didn't tuck it inside his pocket. Instead the leather sleeve found it's way onto a nearby side table. Playing for time, Isaac waved Colin inside. "Come on, you look really awkward standing out there in the hall." It was only fair that Colin see at least some of his home. Though really, what was fair about the situation? Nothing, really.

The walls were a non-descript off white. There was no tv, only a small half-kitchen, a tiny living room, and all of that led to Isaac's room. The door was shut tight to that. Even Tera hadn't really seen inside the place. "This is Tera, she's the one who told me about the bar."

"Yeah, and I sure love your music. And that guitar! Dang, that thing has such a sweet sound." Enthusiastically, the pink haired woman sidled forward. "Though I think I'll be leaving y'all alone now." She winked on her way out, and closed the door firmly in her wake.

Colin managed a small, hoarse laugh, stepping into the dorm and sticking close to the wall. He smiled at the young woman, nodding and recalling that he'd definitely seen her before. He just hadn't spoken to her specifically. As she passed, he lifted a hand to cover the cheek that was cut, hating that he'd have to see it long after it was healed. It'd be a tiny silver scar, and if he ever got out of his debt, he'd never be able to let go of this part of him. It'd be an awful reminder. Still, he was grateful for the comment Tera gave. It wasn't often he got something so enthusiastic as feedback. It was a slight boost to his confidence.

When she was gone, though, he glanced at Isaac. "I hope I'm not... y'know, bothering you. I figure you have homework or studying to do, I don't want to keep you from it..." He put his hand down, swiping the damp palm on the side of his jeans. At least they were black and hid blood well.

Isaac shook his head. "Nah, I needed a break anyway. " Even if normally someone interrupting would have been a bother, this was Collin, there was no way Isaac would think that. He had no idea how often they would see each other, or if their paths would ever cross again. Maybe that was why he reached out to touch the other man's cheek, and found his fingers coming back with blood.

"I could take care of that, if you let me." He wanted to ask what had happened, but stopped himself. That was overstepping those bounds from that morning. The lines that just didn't seem like they could be crossed.