Chapter Text
Heron had been walking for who knows how long. It was dark and really fucking creepy out in the middle of the woods, all alone. His car had broken down…awhile back and he had been walking ever since. It hadn't bothered him much, he figured it was going to happen. Only so far he could go on one tank of gas and in a shitbox 3000 plus he was flat broke. Had absolutely nothing to his name and only the duffle bag slung across his back.
This fresh start of his wasn't going like he'd hoped it would.
He stumbled his way forward on the side of some old cracked road that looked like it was barely used nowadays so there went his hope of hitching a ride back to civilization or be murdered, one of the two. And to top it all off he didn't even have the light of the moon to guide his way and his phone was dead, he'd already tripped and fell a few times over rocks, roots or tree limbs and he was tired. Maybe if he just sat down and rested where he stood, tried to get some shut eye, he'd have better luck in the daylight. He stopped and looked around as he considered that option. Eh, better not. Who knew what was stalking around in these woods looking for easy prey. Not that he would be much of a challenge in his current state, still it was better to be safe.
He continued on until he felt as if his legs were going to give out at any second and he didn't seem any closer to making it out of the endlessly dark woods. He must have been walking for hours and just when he thought he'd just give up he saw what looked to be head lights off in the distance coming towards him like some angel sent by God himself come to save him.
But Heron didn't want to get his hopes up so he ignored them and continued walking hoping that maybe whoever it was would see him. With how dark it was he doubted they would. And as if to confirm his guess the car drove right on by not even stopping. Heron sighed, ready to collapse and give up. That was until he noticed those same headlights turn around and came back in his direction. Maybe they had seen him after all? He tried not to feel too happy.
Heron stopped and let the car slowly pull up next to him, reading "Sheriff" on the side as it did. Well, that could be good or bad depending on what kind of person stepped out of that car.
"Yikes." was his first reaction to the man who stepped out. Talk about creepy. Right, so, he was probably about to be murdered, cool, cool.
Heron simply stood there as the cop walked up to him and he added "Tall" to his list of descriptors for said cop, right next to creepy.
"Evening, Officer." Heron greeted with a cheery yet tired tone. As if he wasn't in the middle of nowhere walking along the side of the road at what was probably three in the morning.
He was dirty, tired, hungry and really fucking thirsty.
"Mind telling me what you're doing out here?"
Straight to the point, okay.
"Was just on an evening walk, taking in the sights." it was a joke, obviously.
The officer just looked at him. Well, more like looked right through him and into his very soul, it made him want to squirm.
"Right. Well, my car broke down a few…ways back and I've been walking ever since." Heron shrugged.
It's not like he was doing anything wrong. Suspicious? Heron'll give Officer Creepy that, but wrong or illegal? No, well, he didn't think so.
Heron shifted nervously as the cop continued to just stare at him. What was this guy's problem? Massive fucking weirdo alert.
Finally Officer Creepy seemed to decide to speak.
"There's a motel just up the way. I'll give you a lift." That was all he said before turning back to his car.
"Uh, well, that's going to be a problem. Uh, sir." Heron had tacked on the "sir" at the last second to try and seem polite.
But the officer just turned and looked at him with suspicion.
"And why is that?"
He seemed irritated or maybe annoyed.
Heron laughed a little nervously, his anxiety starting to rise.
"Well, you see, I'm flat broke. I don't have a single cent to my name."
Thinking about it, that probably made him seem even more strange. This was the last thing he needed right now. What Heron needed was a shower and a meal; it didn't even have to be a hot one. Hell he'd take some fucking crackers at this point.
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"Well then what the fuck are you doing all the way out here?!" the officer nearly growled.
Heron sighed in irritation. He hadn't expected to be fucking interrogated in the middle of the woods after walking a million miles.
"Listen, I'm not doing anything suspicious-"
Officer Tall, Dark and Creepy gave him a look that clearly said he didn't believe him.
"I was just looking for a fresh start and ran into some complications, alright? I'm flat broke, no job and the only things I own are in my bag."
Heron swung the bag so it was now in front of him allowing the officer to clearly see it. The officer stared at the bag and then looked back at him working his jaw as he did as if he was thinking about what he should do.
Finally, the man sighed. He probably still didn't believe him but seemed to give up for the moment. He went back around to the drivers side of his car and looked at Heron as he just stood there looking dumb.
"Get in." was the only thing he said before getting in and closing, more like slamming, the door.
"Uh, okay…weirdo." Heron muttered to himself but did as he was told.
Heron climbed into the car without much fanfare, wrestling his bag so it was between his legs on the floor board and buckled up. He turned to the officer, his new friend, as he pulled back onto the road and smiled.
"Now, you'd tell me if you were going to murder me, right? I hate surprises." again, it was another joke and again the sheriff didn't laugh.
Not that he had expected him to. Heron sighed and turned to stare out the window into the endless dark.
"Not like anyone would look for me anyway." he muttered to himself.
He missed the way his new friend glanced over at him, not thinking he had heard hum and because he was too busy keeping his eyes open.
That was a fight he was going to lose and quickly. Heron hadn't even realized he'd fallen asleep, he was vaguely aware of it when he felt the car come to a stop and the hum of the engine being cut off. But he didn't feel like waking up just yet.
Heron heard the jingle of keys, car doors opening and closing, even felt his bag being removed from the spot between his legs and then it was quiet again.
He heard footsteps approaching again a moment later and felt someone unbuckle his seatbelt and lift him up and out of the seat. It was like being back to when he was a kid and his dad would carry him into the house after falling asleep on the way home. It was a nice feeling, a warm feeling and Heron could help but cozy up to it. He let his head rest against the chest of whoever was carrying him and gently clung to the front of their shirt. In his mind it was his father and things were back to when they were normal and not completely fucked up.
Heron nuzzled his face against the strong chest and felt the owner of said chest tense up but he couldn't bring your sleep hazed mind to give a shit. He felt comfortable and safe.
He heard a grumble from above him as his temporary comfort blanket pushed a door open and gently deposited him on to something much more comfortable. Heron stretched out like a cat but reached for their hand as they pulled away. He didn't want them to leave, not yet, not yet.
"You gotta let go, kid." came the soft yet firm voice. A voice he felt he just barely recognized.
As much as he didn't want to let go, he did and soon he was snuggling into soft blankets and pillows and drifting back into the land of sleep. Sleep filled with warmth and a particular officer who, in his dreams, didn't seem so creepy.