Most nights, after dinner when his mother and Alfred dismissed themselves, he tended to slip out of the manner. It wasn’t that he didn’t love his mother or Alfred, but there was something about that manor that had always felt suffocating to him. Rooms, like his father’s study, that remained untouched and frozen in time. They were clean, of course, but everything stayed in the exact same spot as it had been since before the man left.
Whenever Thomas was outside of those gates, everything just felt so much more free. Out here, unless someone knew him or recognized him, he didn’t have to be a Wayne. He could be whoever he wanted to be. He could be himself and not just a goddamn shadow of the man he never knew. He could pretend, even for just a few minutes or hours, that he wasn’t angry and that he wouldn’t always wonder why he wasn’t good enough.
Driving into town, Thomas parked and decided to walk around for a bit. It was a nice night. The wind was strong and there was a crisp chill to the air. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. He cupped his hand around it and managed to light it. This, of course, was another reason he slipped out of the house most nights. He didn’t want to upset or disappoint his mother and Alfred. In truth, he was always heavily focused on making sure they were okay and as happy as they could be — his mother especially. He knew that he wasn’t the only one that struggled with the fact that his father had left before he was born.
Finishing his cigarette, Thomas spotted a coffee shop just up ahead. He had been there a few times and always liked the atmosphere. Sometimes, it was just nice to be around people and not have to say anything. He made his way in, thankful nobody was in here that would recognize him. He simply waited his turn in line and ordered himself a hot coffee that he’d sip over in the corner near the small fake fireplace.
As he stood in line waiting, his eyes met the gaze of a woman. Her eyes were beautiful, but sad. It only took him a moment to notice she was crying. He could see the tears fresh on her cheeks. His heart sank, immediately wondering if she was okay. He hated it. He hated to see people hurt so much that they couldn’t stop the crying. It was something he was all too familiar with and painfully aware of.
Ever since he was a kid, Thomas could hear his mother crying when she thought he was fast asleep. She would never do it if she knew he was awake or near. He’d hear the soft sobs and would sneak out of his room, tiptoeing down the hall to his mother’s room. The door would be cracked just enough that he could see her. He’d always seen his mother as a beacon of strength, joy and love. But when she’d cry… He could see the pain. He’d known then that he could never hurt anyone like that and would do anything to help others, especially the ones he loved.
He barely even noticed when the cheerful barista handed him his coffee. He gave her a smile and made sure to give her a very generous tip, thanking her. When she moved away to help another customer, Thomas turned his attention back on the crying woman. He looked around quickly and saw that she was alone which made his heart sink even more. Nobody should have to hurt alone.
Taking in a deep breath, he made his way over to where she sat and placed his coffee as gently on the table in front of her as he could. He took a seat and tucked an unruly strand of dark waves out of his face. Blue eyes gazed at her carefully as he had to restrain himself from reaching out to console her. Instead, he spoke softly. “I know this is totally weird, but… You looked like you could really use some company and I guess I could to.” He offered her a small smile. “You don’t have to talk to me, but… If you need to talk, I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”
Tear filled eyes flicking into his direction- a stranger who approached her table, setting his coffee down before lowing himself into the seat across from her and sweeping back a lock of curled hair from his face. Their eyes met and she felt ashamed: mostly because she’s never be the type of woman to want to burden anyone with her problems. And although it was out of her control that her emotions boiled over and spilled out, she didn’t wish to waste his time. Her problems were big, too many for her to handle and she’s been trying to hard to maintain her sobriety but her life seemed so unfair. One bad thing after another and she was like a broken beam collapsing under the pressure of the contents it were to hold. She brought her hand to her face, wiping away at the moisture that lined her eyes before taking in a shaken breath and finally bringing herself to speak. “You don’t have to do this.”
Sad brown eyes resettled upon him as she let her hand fall back into place in her lap where she’d pick away at the chipping burgundy polish coating her nails. Nahvee hadn’t done anything nice for herself in a few weeks- she hadn’t had much time. Her life was a relentless cycle of waking up far too early to work a job that didn’t want her and to come home well past dinner where she’d collapse on the couch and fall asleep there. And sleep never came easy as she spent most nights waking up often after dreams of all that she’s lost. She’s falling apart at the seams and despite not being able to afford to- she called out of work today and she’s found herself here, sitting with a stranger at the local coffee shop in tears. She felt pathetic. “I just. I’m just really tired.. you know?” she then said, her voice in a breathy sigh. “It’s nothing, really- I wouldn’t want to burden you with my problems.” she said.
Her eyes scanned him over- he looked like a well kept type of person much like herself. Groomed and clean, the smell of tobacco fresh on his clothing reminded her of her own addiction to nicotine. He looks familiar but she can’t figure out where from- not that she was really trying to figure it out anyways. She straightened up slightly in her seat, clearing her throat as the tears seem to dry but the sadness lingers over her. He was merely distracting her from her mid day cry if anything. “You must be a really nice person to have the heart to notice me and come try to cheer me up. Most people don’t care about anyone else in this city. They just pretend like they don’t see it but I always think that maybe it’s because they are hurting too.”