~ FIXER, LONER, WATCHER ~
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Stayingalively - Andrew Royce - Tumblr Blog
When the flashlight was aimed at his face, Drew winced slightly. Grant seemed to complete a few simple tests and see if he had a concussion. None of it really helped with his head but Drew didn't complain. He'd rather feel pain now and get this dealt with before it became a problem for the group to deal with later along.
Not needing to use the man's official title was nice enough. Drew sensed that he wasn't the self-important type. Perhaps he was just straightforward and professional with those that he met. Drew probably needed to learn a thing or two about that. He'd never been good about separating business from pleasure.
Now that the tests seemed to be finished, Drew offered a hand to the other man. "My name is Drew. Andrew Royce, if you need it for paperwork." If there was some sort of diagnosis, it meant they'd be able to find a solution. Then he could get back to work and helping to renovate their new home.
Grant looked up he didn't know the man's face but he would recognize those dark curls, even coated in plaster dust. He had seen him around and it was really a good thing when the doctor and you weren't on a first name basis anyway. Still the man was handsome and Grant always watched him from afar in the common areas of the group.
"Very enterprising of you to get to work like that but, you should be more careful come here and take a seat." he said getting out a flashlight so he could check for a concussion and other instruments he could use to take his vitals. Unfortunately he didn't have ice but he did have some low grade pain killers he could offer after he checked him out. And a nice quiet place to lay down and get away from the din of the group.
"I don't find you in here often. I commend you for that. My name is Grant. No need for the title of doctor other than the skills it comes with it means very little now." he said not at all as pretentious as one would think upon seeing him in his more formal attire and his nose for cleaning.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as James Frey ⤷ A Million Little Pieces | dir. Sam Taylor-Johnson
Drew should've been more careful while working on the wiring for the place. To replace some sections, he first needed to remove the dry wall. One large piece fell onto him while working and struck his head. While he tried to ignore the dull pain at first, it didn't go away even after a few hours. Just to be safe, he went to see a doctor within the group. Hopefully it wouldn't be too much of an issue.
After he stepped inside the room, Drew's eyes were immediately drawn to the man sitting there. He'd seen Grant around the newsroom at meal time. Most of the time he wasn't speaking to others and seemed to enjoy quiet. The coldness was probably the reason he hadn't introduced himself before now.
The chair opposite from Grant was taken. While he sat down, Drew brushed a hand through his hair and over his hearing aid. Thankfully he'd received a few more batteries. "I've been working on tearing out some of the drywall. Some of it came down on my head pretty hard." Maybe they'd find a hardhat for him while scavenging
Location: Medical Bay, open to anyone
Grant was adjusting well enough to the end of the world, the work kept his busy and the lug heads he lived with now certainly kept him busy, always getting hurt and coming to the doctors for every minor little thing. Or major thing. One of them lost an arm- though admittedly that one had been fun. Grafting on the arm with the limits tech they had was an especially challenging and satisfying turn of events.
Still there were things he missed. Television, surprisingly video games, and porn. Fuck did he miss porn. Anything and everything at his fingertips like it was nothing. Just a few clicks and it was there before him.
He was shaken from his thoughts as he heard the knob to his door click and someone step inside. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "How can I help you this fine evening? Let me guess you shot yourself by accident?" he asked picking something outlandish they would come to him with.
While inspecting the electrical wiring for the building, Drew found himself close to the EICS office. He noticed the other man stepping inside so he brought his tools with him. Drew set-up near the electrical box before opening it. He glanced back to Joshua and noticed the man counting some of their inventory. The man spoke, but it seemed to be to himself and not necessarily Drew. They didn't seem crazy, though.
Drew let his hands fall from the electrical box before he reached for one of the cans on the ground. "Was this something you were missing? I think I noticed another one by those boxes near the door." One of the cans was placed down beside Joshua. Andrew then offered one of his hands to the handsome man doing inventory. "I'm Drew, by the way. Not sure if we met after arriving." He was happy to meet now, at least.
Location: The EICS Office
Joshua was doing his usual daily round in the EICS office, ticking off the stuff that was there, checking stuff were missing and the usual administration stuff that comes with being in charge of the stock the camp had to survive off. Joshua liked this kind of stuff, he knew some people would find it boring or a waste of their time, but Joshua knew it was important. He knew exactly what the camp had to survivor on, and so if anything were to happen, he would know what they had to solve the issue. He found an enjoyment for stock taking back when he worked in nightclubs.
As he was counting stock, he notice a couple tins of soup were missing. He looked over his paperwork of what came in and out the previous day and notice no-one had signed out the tins of soup. "How am I meant to keep track of all this crap if people can't follow simple rules?" He said to himself not knowing if there was anyone around to hear him.
AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON on set of his new movie called ‘Fuze’ (2025).
There's a nod from Drew but not much else. The look on his face seemed to be one of disappointment. This clearly wasn't something he wanted to hear. Ethan was correct, though. Drew wouldn't argue with the man and knew that he was the expert. "Thanks," he said softly before starting to push himself up. He stopped when Ethan spoke again. Drew's eyes widened as he noticed the small batteries that were held out. He reached out and carefully took them from Ethan's warm hands. "You're sure? I don't want someone else to need them for something." Being able to hear completely wasn't essential for their survival. Drew built things and didn't venture outside the building. He was safe here. Using a finite resource like that worried him.
Ethan considered the other. This was not the first time his diagnosis or professional opinion received some pushback. It was part of the job. It only increased these days. Everyone was in survival mode, trying to focus on the next thing to do so they didn't have to focus on everything they lost. Ethan nodded as Andrew spoke, letting out a little breath. "If your body gives out, Andrew. You won't be able to help out at all." Ethan was careful not to talk too quickly. "I'll suggest watch to Elijah, but you have to take it easy."
His brow furrowed, glancing at the hearing aid in Drew's ear. "Do you need batteries for that?" Ethan gestured. He hoped it didn't make Andrew feel awkward or not. He sat up, walked over to some cabinets and rummaged through them for a moment before full out just two small flat batteries. "Here," Ethan offered them over. "Found them in the supply closet on our second sweep."
Drew's face did flush slightly as he heard the response from the cowboy. He wasn't exactly trying to flirt with the other men here. The man did make him think about that as a possibility, though. He'd been so worked-up after seeing Mallory again. Drew was stuck thinking about that night of bliss he'd spent with the older man. Now he was horny during one of the worst times. "I uh... don't think I caught your name." It wasn't really something that Drew needed to know. He just wanted to fill the silence between them while he thought of an actual response. This man wanted to fuck him. It seemed to be exactly the thing to get him out of his funk. Mallory wouldn't need to be on his mind. Unless, he used this man to make Mallory jealous. "I'm Andrew. You can call me Drew, though." Now he held out a hand for the other man to take and hopefully shake. Maybe he'd get more chances to touch the stranger after.
Dinner time around the... suspiciously indoors fires that this survivor group had set up on the building, he takes a seat on just about whichever spot by the fire is available, with his plate in hand ready to get a serving. They worked hard for this shit. Treacherous lands between here and the nearest not-plundered sources of foods. Canned goods, mostly, but it'll do. Settling in next to the strangers, he raises a brow at the man remaking his appearance. "Oh, my horse's long gone by now." While this was the set-up for his tease, it was true, actually. Maverick had a family horse back home. Who the hell knows what's become of the family, the home, and the damn horse now. "That just means the position's open. You could be the next one I'll mount, if y'wanna." Unabashedly flirting by the fire, putting that strong jawline to work as he grins right back. A wink and a click of his cowboy tongue, hoping to fluster the pretty curly boy. "Oh, I promise not to use the spurs, 'less you like it that way."
There's a blank expression on Mallory's face that seemed forced. Given the response that was given, Drew realized that this probably wasn't the easiest thing for the man to discuss. It was the exact same situation he'd found himself dealing with. Drew was still searching for his family but didn't have a chance to venture out of the building.
For a moment he struggled to find the right words to say. Mallory filled the silence with another comment. This one was almost rude, like the man was irritated with him. Before he made a snarky comment back, he stopped himself. Drew took a breath and kept himself focused on the current task. They needed power.
While he wasn't nearly as proficient with wiring as Mallory, there was more to do around the building. They wouldn't need to see each other if Malloy was uncomfortable. "I assumed that you needed to inspect the current wiring to see what issues there might be. Where should I start looking first?" He wouldn't draw attention to the comments made. Doing so seemed like the wrong choice at the moment.
The feeling in his stomach still wasn't gone, even as he realized that Mallory wasn't happy to see him. Part of him still cared for the man that brushed him off so long ago. They had a good thing going before having sex. Looking back now, Drew regretted how things happened. He never wanted to lose Mallory like that. Maybe things could've been different now if they never had that falling-out.
Drew's hands awkwardly hung at his sides before he moved them again. Each one was tucked into his jacket as he attempted to appear casual. Drew didn't want to reveal how much he'd been shaken by Mallory's sudden appearance. The confidence he'd brought with him to this specific task seemed to disappear in an instant. "I don't want to bother you, Mal." They just needed to get this finished soon.
Mallory had told these idiots repeatedly that a generator wasn't the way to go -- too loud, too in need of gas, not to mention the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. That, and, even if he managed to get the thing hooked up to essential systems -- like heating and air conditioning -- having power would light the place up like a Christmas tree. And you know what that would make them all? Targets.
But here he was, fucking with this dumb shit anyway. It was a good distraction as far as anything went. After all, it would take a hell of a lot of rewiring to just to get the essentials sorted. It was easy busy work, so it would keep his mind occupied. That way, he didn't have to think about the things he'd rather avoid. Like worrying about Tommy and Scarlet and how everything was so God damn fucked up.
Mallory sighed, hand lifting to pinch the bridge of his nose. That's when he heard the footsteps -- he didn't bother to turn and see who it was, didn't really give a shit, either, but he should've, because the soft spoken voice the spoke up did, in fact, catch him off guard.
Mallory's hands stilled. He hadn't really expected to run into anyone he was familiar with from the real world. Least of all Andrew Royce.
Ah, fuck.
They had been friends. Good friends, too. Mallory enjoyed Andrew's company. But then he had to go and get drunk and fuck his friend and where had that got him? In a huge ol' pile of dog shit, that's what. Mallory wasn't good at dealing with feelings in any capacity. Especially not when he actually did care about the other person.
Any sympathy he might've had died, however, the moment the words Scarlet and Tommy left Andrew's lips. No one else here knew about his sister or his friend. Which was how Mallory preferred it. If they didn't know, they couldn't ask.
Mallory's mouth went dry, throat tightening, fingers curling tightly into fists. "They're not here," he answered neutrally, no levity to his tone. His fingers loosened then as he reached forward to fiddle with the loose wiring, the need to do something, anything with his hands paramount.
"And how, exactly, do you plan on helping me, Royce?" Mallory shifted then, casting an overly annoyed gaze Andrew's way. His tone was fare more curt than it had any right to be.
closed starter / @devildogwatched
the newsroom seemed to be busier than usual tonight. most spaces around each fire pit weren't open. so, it was a surprise when he found a newer face settling beside him. drew's eyebrows raised when he noticed the cowboy hat sitting on the man's head. that in addition to the flannel covering his broad torso gave strong cowboy vibes. given their location it wasn't a complete surprise. "where's your horse?" there was a grin forming on his face after asking. drew didn't normally speak to people around here. this man interested him, though. it also helped that he was nice to look at. the man had a strong jawline that was decorated in stubble. drew could already imagine himself brushing his lips against it, even if this wasn't the time or place.
closed starter / @wirexbiter
the generator might not be operational downstairs. it wasn't like they had much gasoline to pour into the thing, anyways. some people around the newsroom were talking, though. they wanted heat if the cold became unbearable. this meant that he'd be helping the group's electrician with checking the wiring before that happened. they weren't in a position to have electrical fires. something like that could cause them to evacuate the building and be left without somewhere to go.
drew was fairly optimistic about his new task when he noticed just who he'd be working with. the man was someone from his past. someone that he desperately tried forgetting about due to many reasons. the most memorable being the way mallory broke his heart. to be fair, it wasn't entirely the man's fault. it was one drunken hook-up that drew took too seriously during the weeks that followed. who could blame him, though? mallory was a god amongst men. he was gorgeous.
there's a moment of silence as drew just stared at the other man. mallory had his hands inside one of the fuse boxes on the floor. the electrical closet was somewhat of a mess but there seemed to be some progress. "i uh... thought i noticed you before. i guess we'll be working on this together?" drew nodded to the fuse box before leaning against the door frame of the small room. he wasn't happy about this. "is scarlet here? i didn't see her or tommy." an innocent question, just him playing nice.
Andrew could only close his eyes for a moment as worn and experienced hands ran over his arm. Without having a large amount of batteries for his hearing aids, Andrew had to use them sparingly. That meant that conversations like this would rely upon his lipreading skills. His blue eyes fluttered open again and settled on the group's handsome doctor. They now fixated on the man's lips.
The smile that appeared on the man's face led to a sigh of relief. Andrew could breathe a little easier as he matched that smile with one of his own. "That's not really an option. I've been working constantly to fix this place." This was probably the longest break he'd taken outside of sleeping. Maybe Ethan was right, though. Andrew needed to be careful. "Maybe I'll try to be on watch tonight."
Location: Medical Bay "Alright, I've got some good news..." Ethan spoke, voice low with concentration as his hands moved over the limb of the man. Without the ability to x-ray any injuries, he had to rely on other means and methods. Which often meant more intimate paths. His palm massaged the muscles, fingers exploring methodically and carefully. With potential injuries he had to be careful. Even more so now that there was such little to work with. Ethan's anxieties always teetered on the edge with every case that came through the medical bay's doors. He was afraid that he'd fail with each one. But he kept his cool because he had to. Elijah trusted him enough to keep him around, after all, so he had to be doing something right. "We don't have to amputate" Ethan flashed a sly grin. "And there doesn't seem to be any major strain or hernia. I think you may have just moved wrong. Won't require anything medically significant, just take it easy, alright?" Ethan glanced up, sitting his desk chair, dressed in his scrubs. He rolled a few feet away, looking the other up and down. "How's your pain level now? Just curious."
ANDREW ROYCE. 30. BUILDER. FORMER CONTRACTOR.
STARTERS | BIO | PHOTOS | ANSWERS | MUSINGS
Moans and groans fill the night sky, blunt nails scratch along the smooth surface of a car caught amidst a horde of infected. Screams from inside barely carry, they can barely be heard in the distance. But what's that in the distance? Is that [AARON TAYLOR JOHNSON]? No way, that's [ANDREW ROYCE]. The [THIRTY] year old [MALE (HE/HIM)] used to be a [GENERAL CONTRACTOR]. Since the outbreak, they've proven to be [HARD-WORKING] & [PATIENT], but rumor has it they're also [PARANOID] & [STUBBORN], which may pose a risk to the group. They appear to have taken the [WATCH / BUILDER] role within the group. Only time can tell if they succeed.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson by Mario Sorrenti | Icon Magazine March 2019