INTRO LOG

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[[Exactly what it says on the tin! This is just an initial log to sort of get things started and is largely freeform, open to (but not limited to):

-Meetings before classes start
-First day business
-Dorm shenanigans meetings
-First classes in progress
-or whatever the heck else you want to do for beginning-of-term things!

There's a CR meme up now for some initial planning if you like, or feel free to just hop in here.]]

Comments

[ex_outofcontrol435]

You've got a comprehension problem, Petre. The only thing wrong with me right now is you. Everything else is fucking great, you just never see it because - surprise - you're the issue.

[He considers the question, then decides to get back up and crawl under the covers this time.]

I don't sleep much. Consider this a blanket "don't give a shit" if I wake you up.

[Bad dreams and three years constantly on his guard, sleeping on everything but beds. He's just hoping the bad dreams don't hit too hard, because Petre doesn't need to see him wake up screaming.]

[broil]

[He wouldn't mind seeing John scream. You know. While they bone.]

See, that's just it. I'm only the issue with you. Nobody else thinks I'm a problem.

[That's a lot of denial or a lot of bullshit. He picks at his nails, sees how they look.]

That's why the stuck us together.

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Because you fuck with their heads. Whatever the hell you do. I dunno why I get the free pass to know what a dipshit you actually are, but look at how well you make friends when you're not making them believe whatever you want.

[He's turned to face Petre again, fully engaged in the argument he just gave up a few minutes ago. Goddamnit.]

[broil]

[And Petre relaxes his eyes, suddenly turning defiant again. This is a challenge, as far as he's concerned, and he rarely backs down. In his own way.]

Don't kid yourself, John. I can make you believe whatever I want, too.

[And does he really need to point it out to him?]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Call me crazy, but I don't see the endgame in nagging someone to be friends all the time while you're giving them false suggestions about what a dick you are at the same time. So my guess is that you haven't yet.

[Challenge accepted.]

[broil]

[To which there's a pause, and there's a smile.]

I have to get my kicks somewhere.

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Nah. [He shakes his head against his pillow.] I still don't buy it. Nice try, but I don't buy it.

[What he's not saying is that he's fairly certain Petre's attraction to him is real, so if he were using his manipulation that freely, they'd probably be fucking every night. Fairly certain isn't certain enough, but it'll have to do for now. He's not letting himself be gaslighted by this asshole.]

[broil]

[And Petre is so very tempted to prove him right, to make him get back on his feet and slip out of his clothes again, this time without the safe cover of a towel or his underwear. He's tempted to make John humiliate himself because it'd be a good laugh, but Petre can think ahead of his immediate desires, too. He can remember that that would be more trouble than it's worth.]

Sometimes the hard way's the funnest. That's all I'm saying.

[ex_outofcontrol435]

You're saying anything to screw with me. Like you always do. But gosh, why can't we just be friends?

[He actually considers Petre for a second. Considers the truth, and then decides on it.]

We could own this school if you didn't have such a compulsive need to fuck with everyone, including me.

[broil]

That's just my problem, John. I don't share.

[Greedy, greedy, greedy.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

There you go. Don't ask me about it anymore, then, you've got lots of answers. Every time you wanna whine about how I won't be your friend, just throw a rock and you'll hit one.

[He closes his eyes. Nowhere near ready to sleep now, but totally ready to feign it.]

[broil]

Another problem. [he lifts a finger.] I never give up.

[we'll be friends, whether you like it or not. Sorry.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

And I never give in. If this room gets blown off the face of the school, it's not my fault.

[Eyes still closed. Goodnight, Petre.]

[broil]

That's what you always say, John.

[and he always finds a way to make it your fault. When will you learn.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Not mine or yours. Theirs. For thinking this'd ever work.

[One eye cracks open.]

Tell me you're not a non-sleeper.

[broil]

No. But I hate to sleep. It's not really insomnia, there's just a lot of other better things to do.

[Like partying.]

Do you go out at night? To clubs and shit. I've only gone once.

[That he remembers.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

I have, yeah. Got a fake ID and everything. Not that it always works.

[He sounds almost self-deprecating at that. He hasn't exactly got a face or build that screams older than his years - quite the opposite. It's not an issue of looks, just wanting to be taken more seriously.]

I snuck into bars all the time when I was on the streets. The really shitty ones that had a million more reasons to be shut down than a 14 year old walking around. They served me and everything.

[broil]

That sounds horrible. [And appropriate for someone like John.] How'd you get a fake ID? Is it hard?

[Times like these show just how - new to the world Petre is. How little he remembers from before, assuming he even learned about it when he was another boy.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

[He narrows his eyes at Petre.]

Can't figure out if telling you or not telling you is worse. Ask me in the morning.

And it wasn't horrible hanging out in dive bars, don't be a priss. The worst ones usually had mutants around who'd beat down anyone who didn't like them showing it, so you could do what you wanted. I mean, I always did what I wanted back then, but doing it inside and not getting my ass chased down by the cops for it made a nice change.

[broil]

Oh, right. I forgot you considered living in a box a five star hotel.

[That's not even a zing, it's just Petre.]

You should take me to one of those places sometime. Think they'd eat me alive?

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Dick. [And that isn't said with much of the usual genuine dislike in return. Just a token acknowledgement of the insult.

Then he shifts onto his side again, regarding Petre carefully.]

Yeah, alright. Next field trip into the city, we'll duck out. You make an ass out of yourself and I'll let them.

[broil]

You're shitting me.

[Either that or it's a trap.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

[Oh, has he got Petre off-balance? Was it as easy as actually accepting his overtures of friendship all this time?]

Why not? What's the worst that can happen? Like you said, they eat you alive, and I get detention for sneaking off. Without you around to fuck with their heads, I can say whatever I want about what happened to you. You were never even with me.

[broil]

I'd probably enjoy it.

[Hell knows he gets off on danger and doesn't get nearly enough of it around here. Safe havens. Hah.]

Did they ever try anything with you?

[ex_outofcontrol435]

"Try anything?" You've gotta clarify that.

[His eyebrows are up, clearly caught between potential readings and swinging toward the worst possible because Petre.]