Oliver shivered as something predatory lit in Leo's eyes. His own gaze quickly met the dirt once more, suddenly rather fascinated with his shoes. There was an animalistic intent in the other man's smile that made him nervous, instinct telling him to flea before the carnage. Hardly an option in this instance. He held the package over his chest like a shield, though he doubted it would protect him. And no harm was being threatened in his direction anyway, right? They were on the same side however temporarily.
Their deal made, they said their goodbyes and piled themselves back into the van. Oliver flopped down in his seat at the back, curling himself up against the window and placing an open book in his lap so that people would leave him alone.
---
"I think you should stay here tonight." Jay settled onto the bed they were sharing, his sprawling limbs threatening to push Oliver's books off the edges. Oliver was apt to agree with him.He wasn't particularly useful in his current condition unless someone needed to have the Last Rites prayed over them - and he sincerely hoped it never came to that. He was nonviolent, both in nature and through profession, so if it ended in a fight he what would he ever do?
He was beginning to come to the conclusion that he actually may not have been useful even before he got them wound up in this mess. His moral compass strongly disapproved of the idea of sticking around at the ratty hotel in favor of his own safety. His friends were risking a lot to finish what was really
his job. The church wasn't exactly paying anyone else's bills.
"You know I can't do that." He replied at last. Oliver rubbed at his face with his good hand. He was feeling a little better physically; despite nearly the entire group's protest and his own better judgement, the concept of relief had been too tempting. He was weak willed. He had snuck into the bathroom in the lobby while Brian had haggled for their rooms and opened the box that Leo had gifted. The priest had fought hard with his own paranoia for long enough that Jay had come knocking on the door, but in the end decided to take the medicine and hope for the best. Whatever long term effects it may have were yet to be seen, but his headache had faded to a dull throb at the base of his skull. His stomach had settled for now - though it still threatened to rebel any time he looked anyone in the face for too long.
"Why not? You haven't taken a day off that didn't involve hospitalization in years. Surely you've racked up a few Vatican Vacation Points."
Oliver rolled his eyes. "It doesn't work like that." He said, exasperated. He pointedly flipped to the next page of his Bible and wished that Jay would get the message.
"What, you don't get like, brownie points for saving souls? You really think they'd mind if you needed a little time to recover from almost
dying?" Jay pushed the book back down, demanding his attention. Oliver scowled.
"Just... Fuck off, alright? I'm trying to read. Go bother Frankie." He shoved at Jay's hands until he could pull the tome up in front his face. Jay stared him down, but eventually gave to his demands and left the room to go find the others.
---
Brian had the most annoying ringtone on the face of the planet. Oliver groaned, shoving his head beneath the pillows and trying to doze back off. When no one grabbed for it despite his muffled yells to get the phone, he sat up and peered around to find that he was still alone. Brian's smartphone was lit up on its charger across the room, jingling out some god awful noise.
Oliver huffed and mourned his fitful sleep as he fell out of bed to answer. "Hello?" His voice was sleep addled. Having neglected to check the caller ID, he was unrightfully shocked to hear Leo on the other end. He froze, unsure how to proceed with the situation and not awake enough to consider it properly. "Leo? Uhm... Yeah, I think I can do that, just... hang on a minute."
He tried to smooth out the wrinkles in his slept-in shirt as he shoved his feet in his shoes. Swinging the door open, he was relieved to find the others on the other side of it. Brian stilled with the key card still raised, clearly surprised by Oliver's sudden appearance.
Oliver threw the phone into Brian's outstretched hand. "Here's Leo, he wants you to track his location." He squeaked. His heart beat rapid fire in his chest. This much adrenaline over a
phone call? "How the hell am I supposed to-"
Lero interrupted them. "I can do that!" The group turned as one to look at him. "What? I lose my phone a lot, okay? Gimme." He grabbed the phone from Brian and pulled up the call settings menu, fiddling with parameters until he seemed satisfied. "Got him."
Frankie raised the phone to his ear. "Leo? Hey, we got you and we're headed that way." He elbowed his way through the others and moved towards the lobby. "Are you losers coming or am I gonna have to bash some heads by myself?" He called behind him.