Inspired by Cosmosdex

Dead Silence

The Mines was an island filled with grief and isolation, in its own way.
If you were to ask the Mailman how he feels about what it must be like delivering mail to that particular island, he would just say it's like any other job.
For the most part, it was the truth. To him, it's just about making sure the mail gets to its destination. It just so happened that the destination was near Buck's place.
So, for whatever reason, after that was finished, he entered and the two of them decided to hang out for just a bit.
Buck Government Philanthropist
Ahh...I love being able to unwind for a bit~
The Mailman stands before Buck, who was resting on a couch. He does not do much beyond staring at him.
Buck Government Philanthropist
...Aren't you going to sit down?
The Mailman The Mailman
I have no reason to.
Buck Government Philanthropist
You don't need a reason to sit down, you know.
The Mailman The Mailman
....
Right, this was awkward. The two of them don't get to hang out together often after all.
Buck Government Philanthropist
Ooookay...How about this. You should sit down, and watch TV with me.
The Mailman The Mailman
...Alright.
That seems to get a proper response. The Mailman takes a seat and faces the screen, quietly. His hands are together, and he doesn't even bother slumping back.
There isn't much of a reaction from him, even during the funny parts of whatever sitcom was on. Buck chuckles every now and then, on the other hand, though he quickly notices the lack of expression on the Mailman's face. This agitates Buck a bit. Maybe it isn't funny enough for him.
Buck Government Philanthropist
I'm hungry. I'll go prepare something for the both of us. Is there anything you'd like?
The Mailman The Mailman
Not particularly.
Buck Government Philanthropist
Come on, M.M. Work with me here. Would you like an omelette? Baked potatoes?
The Mailman The Mailman
I'm not hungry.
Buck Government Philanthropist
A drink, then. Hunger and thirst are pretty different, I'm sure.
He pauses for a few, dead seconds. He doesn't even look back at Buck, his eyes fixed on the screen.
The Mailman The Mailman
Black coffee.
Buck Government Philanthropist
Sure, sure~
When Buck goes to prepare some coffee, he starts pondering. Truthfully, he was not actually hungry. He just wanted an excuse to make food for his guest.
Frustration builds up in his core. What did the Mailman like, aside from coffee? There was a lot to think about. How he does his job so diligently even if it could probably kill him, his cold and unsettling demeanor...
How he's living a simple life, working for his family despite the constraints, how sometimes he collects seashells as payment for seemingly no reason...
Why does the Mailman get to live so peacefully, filled with indifference towards this unnatural world, when there is so much to worry about?!
Buck stops...and lets out a heavy sigh.
Buck Government Philanthropist
...Honestly, M.M. I don't know how you do it.
"Why are you okay with all this?" He does not say.
The Mailman The Mailman
Do what?
He asks, and finally turns his head. But this time, it is Buck who isn't looking back.
Buck Government Philanthropist
...With living this kind of life.
How jealous Buck was, and oh how much he wanted to hate him...
Buck Government Philanthropist
Not wanting to be special, and all that.
Buck Government Philanthropist
I think everything would be much easier if I were in your shoes.
So he says, because he's not content with his own life. How could he?
Buck Government Philanthropist
Don't you think so?
The Mailman The Mailman
Maybe.
The Mailman The Mailman
It isn't easy, though.
Buck Government Philanthropist
No job is easy.
Buck Government Philanthropist
...Do you like working as a Mailman?
The Mailman The Mailman
I'm fine with it.
Buck doesn't know what he expected out of that question. Maybe he's right, however. The job of a Mailman sounded difficult. There's gotta be a reason why he acts the way he does.
Content, but not unhappy. Unlike him.
The rabbit pours the coffee into the cup. Black, just like the Mailman asked. It's simple. Raw. Even his envy goes towards the cup. Just as he starts bringing it towards him, the Mailman asks a question.
The Mailman The Mailman
Do you like your job?
There's a few more seconds of silence, save for the TV. What could he possibly say to that?
No, not really. Yes, a little. It's fun, it pays well. So many of the same thoughts...
And he's unable to get any of them out. Buck shakes his head to snap out of it, and smiles. He doesn't want to impose unwanted feelings.
Buck Government Philanthropist
Of course I do!
What a lie.
He goes back to the couch, and offers the cup. By now, the coffee is no longer steaming hot. Just hot enough to sip, which the Mailman does.
There's just so much he wants to say, and not enough ways to tell him where it matters.
Buck Government Philanthropist
I hope it's good, I worked hard on it for you.
He cracks a light joke as the Mailman drinks.
The Mailman The Mailman
It's good.
The two of them face the TV again, with Buck having a weary expression. If only he could say everything to him, face-to-face.
The Mailman The Mailman
Thank you.
"Thank you for welcoming me." The Mailman thinks, but the sentence does not complete. It lands on the other to believe it's regarding the coffee.
Buck Government Philanthropist
Of course. Anything.
Buck's smile falters. There was just a bit of comfort, knowing they were close enough to hang out. Just a bit. He would do anything to have the Mailman's indifference—A wish that surely will never happen.
Leaning back, he can only let his thoughts consume him. And the silence between them falls once more.