Chapter Text
The boy's name is Nathan Harriday. He's thirteen, his birthday is July 13th (the combination of numbers is not a mistake. Nothing is by chance. It's difficult for humans to understand.)
Nathan Harriday's life is a living Hell. His father has chosen alcohol to be true to, rather than to those he was betrothed. Alisha Harriday left the home when Nathan was seven and cried when she told her son she couldn't take him with her. Since then, Nathan has borne the brunt of his father's alcohol-induced rage. Even a broken arm hadn't alerted Nathan's teachers that something wasn't right at home. The boy goes to school and goes home, locking himself in his bedroom, a room covered with posters of musical groups, video games and films. He sits hunched over his desk and he draws, pencil digging into the paper, drawings bespeaking a hopelessness and futile rage.
Adam was given Nathan's case when the boy turned twelve, when his Destiny was revealed. Children should not suffer. Often, Adam would find himself sitting nearby. He wouldn't interfere any more than necessary, working only to ease the boy's suffering. And the boy suffers. Not for much longer, Adam wishes to croon to him. Not much longer. Then the cradle of Love will hold him, warm and safe.
But the thing is, Tommy got the same case. It showed up on his iTunes in the podcast he gets with his name attached, and, well, here he is. This poor kid is getting beaten across hell's half acre, and is it really fair to prolong it? It's not. Honestly. So he makes little suggestions to Nathan, a band here, a book there, a movie, whatever. Influences. The voice Up There might be all Holy and Loud, but a whisper is more... personal. A secret shared between him and the kid.
Today, just like any other day, needs to start with Starbucks. Tommy pushes his sunglasses up on his nose, earbuds in his ears with music coming out tinny and blaring, and it's a good thing he's got those fucking sunglasses on, because as soon as he pushes the door open, Holy Jeez, it's bright. It's... Adam. Oh, great.
"We need to talk."