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[He's thought about that, but his death doesn't mean that Petre wins either. The stakes are just too high to explain. So he simply shrugs in response to that look.]
It's not my first choice. [Accurate enough to his current understanding of his sexuality, which is still a bit muddled.] Not like there's much selection around here anyway. Not many really interesting people come along.
[There's that word again. He's backed off on the high-level sleaze a bit, though, because she's actually entertaining.]
It's not my first choice. [Accurate enough to his current understanding of his sexuality, which is still a bit muddled.] Not like there's much selection around here anyway. Not many really interesting people come along.
[There's that word again. He's backed off on the high-level sleaze a bit, though, because she's actually entertaining.]
[John finally relaxes at that, because although he was unwilling to accept other, more grandiose promises from Ryan, this is a simple one. Just stay out of business that isn't his. It wasn't even what they did that set it off, so he's got no reason to become involved.
(Caring? What's caring?)]
I wouldn't just start acting like you were contagious if I thought what we did was a mistake. I - we can talk about things. You're one of the only people I can talk to about things.
[It's his turn to let just a flicker of hurt show.]
(Caring? What's caring?)]
I wouldn't just start acting like you were contagious if I thought what we did was a mistake. I - we can talk about things. You're one of the only people I can talk to about things.
[It's his turn to let just a flicker of hurt show.]
Guess nobody gives a fuck about this place being a school. Not a brothel.
[not that she's a puritan - she strives to be the absolute opposite, really - but things tend to get ridiculous when teenagers and hormones are involved.]
[not that she's a puritan - she strives to be the absolute opposite, really - but things tend to get ridiculous when teenagers and hormones are involved.]
[If only she knew how ridiculous they already were.]
Hey, if anyone starts charging, they're smart. Stick a bunch of teenagers with innate powers they're not supposed to use in a mansion with closed grounds and fucking's gonna happen.
Hey, if anyone starts charging, they're smart. Stick a bunch of teenagers with innate powers they're not supposed to use in a mansion with closed grounds and fucking's gonna happen.
[ harry's expression is pure delight. this childishly excited sort of look that's mixed with an expression only one who is completely intoxicated could put on. like a cat after you hand it nip and it starts rolling around for no conceivable reason.
he technically was rolling on petre a second ago.
he slides off the bed and hops back to his feet, rubbing his hands together and watching petre carefully. because it's his own face but it reacts completely differently to how he does. wears expressions he doesn't think he's personally worn. still fascinating. ]
Where would you like to go?
[ he holds his arms out. the tone suggests anywhere is game. ]
he technically was rolling on petre a second ago.
he slides off the bed and hops back to his feet, rubbing his hands together and watching petre carefully. because it's his own face but it reacts completely differently to how he does. wears expressions he doesn't think he's personally worn. still fascinating. ]
Where would you like to go?
[ he holds his arms out. the tone suggests anywhere is game. ]
No, you don't understand. I'm going to get you in trouble.
[ it's stated like a warning. but a warning he thinks it's god damn hilarious. ignore john's probably perfectly rational excuses about how they won't get caught if they don't do anything stupid.
but harry's about 99% positive he's going to get john to do something stupid. just you wait ]
I would hate to break whatever good streak you're on this week.
[ it's stated like a warning. but a warning he thinks it's god damn hilarious. ignore john's probably perfectly rational excuses about how they won't get caught if they don't do anything stupid.
but harry's about 99% positive he's going to get john to do something stupid. just you wait ]
I would hate to break whatever good streak you're on this week.
[ some time in the afternoon, harry's in there sitting at a table with a pair of younger students. he's balancing a pencil on his upper lip, rocking a chair on its back legs and definitely eyes john every time he's in view. he'll tip the chair further and risk falling over to keep him in view behind shelves. the students he's with are writing something quietly - and every few minutes they stop and slide their work over to him. he then looks at it with a bored expression and writes all over the paper before sliding it back, correcting. writing tips. sometimes he'll whisper back an explanation.
sometimes he tutors kids. he's good at what they're not and their negativity when they constantly get things wrong brings him down. harry gets to be gleeful the second he doesn't have to correct a thing because they're gleeful for getting it right. good feelings for all. he's not exactly someone who gives a crap if they pass or not but if they're going to live in the same space as him bringing the mood down it needs to be corrected.
speaking of bringing the mood down - john. he's been watching. that miserable expression is unacceptable. what gives? that's not okay. ]
Pssst. [ COME HERE. he's raising a hand and waving him over ]
sometimes he tutors kids. he's good at what they're not and their negativity when they constantly get things wrong brings him down. harry gets to be gleeful the second he doesn't have to correct a thing because they're gleeful for getting it right. good feelings for all. he's not exactly someone who gives a crap if they pass or not but if they're going to live in the same space as him bringing the mood down it needs to be corrected.
speaking of bringing the mood down - john. he's been watching. that miserable expression is unacceptable. what gives? that's not okay. ]
Pssst. [ COME HERE. he's raising a hand and waving him over ]
[Doesn't want to know. TMI. Thank.]
I'd fucking love to walk in on them. Not to watch, I'm not a fucking creep - but I'd give them an instant cold shower and they'd never know what fucking hit them. Boner dead on the spot.
[HAH.]
I'd fucking love to walk in on them. Not to watch, I'm not a fucking creep - but I'd give them an instant cold shower and they'd never know what fucking hit them. Boner dead on the spot.
[HAH.]
[And - yeah, maybe it takes a while for the purely physical aspect of Harry's transferral to make its effect on Petre's mood, but it eventually reveals itself. Suddenly Petre's engaging in a lazy smile that's still full of intent, looking at Harry from a lower angle, edge of danger in the way he slowly reveals a thin line of teeth.]
I could use a smoke right about now. [Cigarettes have been taken from him for now. All he's got is fucking chewing gum.] Unless you got something else on you.
I could use a smoke right about now. [Cigarettes have been taken from him for now. All he's got is fucking chewing gum.] Unless you got something else on you.
[Even having the group around is helping out, really. The steady scratching of pencils on paper and whisper of it being handed back and forth isn't much, but it's better than the times when he can only count on pages being turned every now and then to break the silence.
Not that he's paying any attention to their tutor. Some wildly irrational part of him has decided that Harry's to blame for the order that was put on him, simply because he's the one who appeared and was instantly able to cause so much insecurity and jealousy in Petre. The thought of someone else never once bothered him, caused that kind of questioning. Harry and his stupid face somehow drove Petre even further off the deep end.
He'll be beckoned, though. He knows he'll be beckoned.
Yep, there it is.]
Can't exactly socialize right now. [He's leaned in close to Harry's ear just to keep his voice down enough that the supervisor won't notice the two of them.] Can I find you a book?
Not that he's paying any attention to their tutor. Some wildly irrational part of him has decided that Harry's to blame for the order that was put on him, simply because he's the one who appeared and was instantly able to cause so much insecurity and jealousy in Petre. The thought of someone else never once bothered him, caused that kind of questioning. Harry and his stupid face somehow drove Petre even further off the deep end.
He'll be beckoned, though. He knows he'll be beckoned.
Yep, there it is.]
Can't exactly socialize right now. [He's leaned in close to Harry's ear just to keep his voice down enough that the supervisor won't notice the two of them.] Can I find you a book?
A book? Oh man. You're working.
[ that's so fucking boring. he's leaning forward to find that supervisor. where? yep. there it is. what the hell did petre and him do to get into so much trouble? also: why couldn't he have been invited? not that he knows them very well but he's fun as hell and he's pretty sure they both know that.
one of his little study group puts their finger to their lips because harry was talking a bit louder than library talk calls for. he waves a hand at him. yeah yeah. he lowers himself down to whispers so nobody will hear ]
No. But you look miserable over there. [ he's pausing and tilting to lean towards him then making a face ] Feel miserable. You need anything, buddy?
[ that's so fucking boring. he's leaning forward to find that supervisor. where? yep. there it is. what the hell did petre and him do to get into so much trouble? also: why couldn't he have been invited? not that he knows them very well but he's fun as hell and he's pretty sure they both know that.
one of his little study group puts their finger to their lips because harry was talking a bit louder than library talk calls for. he waves a hand at him. yeah yeah. he lowers himself down to whispers so nobody will hear ]
No. But you look miserable over there. [ he's pausing and tilting to lean towards him then making a face ] Feel miserable. You need anything, buddy?
Yeah, I'm fucking miserable. This place is a crypt and I'm stuck here for another hour and they confiscated my lighter. This is about as miserable as I get.
[He leans slightly back when Harry leans toward him, but it's nothing he can control - he was able to keep the distance safe when he was whispering, but Harry was getting too close, and that compulsion of Petre's kicked in. Can't make contact with another male.
Fuck everything.]
[He leans slightly back when Harry leans toward him, but it's nothing he can control - he was able to keep the distance safe when he was whispering, but Harry was getting too close, and that compulsion of Petre's kicked in. Can't make contact with another male.
Fuck everything.]
[John whips his head up to stare at him, expression pure disbelief.]
Seriously? You'd get me out of here?
Seriously? You'd get me out of here?
So what is it. [He narrows his eyes curiously.] Tactile illusions?
This room looks like most of my house. I mean, it's not that bad. Books are your friends. And you'll get it back later.
[ harry reaches to grab his hand - thinking he could actually help with that. subtle little thing. he didn't tell him his shit goes both ways but it's not something he shares usually. ]
Here. Give me your misery so you don't die of boredom.
[ harry reaches to grab his hand - thinking he could actually help with that. subtle little thing. he didn't tell him his shit goes both ways but it's not something he shares usually. ]
Here. Give me your misery so you don't die of boredom.
[He's confused by that request, because surely that'll just leave him exhausted again, but then his body registers the hand reaching for him and his own hand jerks away.]
- can't really do that right now, either. Don't ask.
- can't really do that right now, either. Don't ask.
[ there's a split second where he looks downright offended he jerked away from him - but it only lasts a second. he's smiling right after with a slightly confused edge to it. ]
Do what? Get happy? I'm serious. I can fix the bad mood. I'm not going to make you pass out. Takes two seconds.
[ he's leaning over towards him, trying to just touch the nearest bit of exposed skin with the tips of his fingers ]
Do what? Get happy? I'm serious. I can fix the bad mood. I'm not going to make you pass out. Takes two seconds.
[ he's leaning over towards him, trying to just touch the nearest bit of exposed skin with the tips of his fingers ]
[And he pulls away again, quick and involuntary. Like there are strings tied to him, keeping him away.]
Two seconds is too long, okay? Just leave it alone.
Two seconds is too long, okay? Just leave it alone.
[ quick pulling away. he's had people do that to him before. they find out what his mutation was and jerk away - afraid to touch. he's still smiling but it's not genuine at all. he passed that test already. john either changed his mind how he felt about that or there's some other issue going on. ]
Yeah, okay. Okay...
[ he looks down, nodding. drops his hands to his sides. gives the study group a little look - but they're not paying attention. let john think he gave up on it.
and then quickly try to grab him again. third time's the charm ]
Yeah, okay. Okay...
[ he looks down, nodding. drops his hands to his sides. gives the study group a little look - but they're not paying attention. let john think he gave up on it.
and then quickly try to grab him again. third time's the charm ]
[This time he ends up stumbling back to avoid it when he didn't even see the grab, nearly falling over, and the disruption attracts the attention of his supervisor. Back to work, Allerdyce. He shoots a glare at Harry as he walks off, mouthing to him:]
Good job.
Good job.
Edited 2014-09-28 17:00 (UTC)
[ harry gives an exaggerated shrug in response. it's not his fault john's playing a strange game here and threw himself on the floor to avoid touching him.
and now he really can't leave it alone. he waits till john is out of site again then gets up, grabs a random book, and pretends to put it back - rounding a shelf to cut john off wherever he's at now ]
What gives? You fucking with me?
[ of course, he's taking it personally instead of finding another reason for it. people avoid touching him all the time. he's had this game played before. the one where people risk injury just because they think he'll kill them if they so much as let him lay a finger on them. or the one that don't think it's that bad but they cringe away because he'll tire them out when they certainly need to be alert. he's been here long enough now that more of his peers figured it out. the desk next to him stays empty until someone has no other seat left to choose from half the time. unless rogue's in the class - then he'll just sit next to her.
but john knows it isn't that bad... so he's purposely messing him. clearly. he must be. harry thinks he's possibly being mocked right now. he's still smiling, keeping a well-practice friendly sort of tone. curious -- but there's an obvious hint of him being utterly annoyed by this. right in his eyes. ]
and now he really can't leave it alone. he waits till john is out of site again then gets up, grabs a random book, and pretends to put it back - rounding a shelf to cut john off wherever he's at now ]
What gives? You fucking with me?
[ of course, he's taking it personally instead of finding another reason for it. people avoid touching him all the time. he's had this game played before. the one where people risk injury just because they think he'll kill them if they so much as let him lay a finger on them. or the one that don't think it's that bad but they cringe away because he'll tire them out when they certainly need to be alert. he's been here long enough now that more of his peers figured it out. the desk next to him stays empty until someone has no other seat left to choose from half the time. unless rogue's in the class - then he'll just sit next to her.
but john knows it isn't that bad... so he's purposely messing him. clearly. he must be. harry thinks he's possibly being mocked right now. he's still smiling, keeping a well-practice friendly sort of tone. curious -- but there's an obvious hint of him being utterly annoyed by this. right in his eyes. ]
[John whirls around and jabs a finger at Harry's chest, which slides neatly off to one side just before it can make contact. Like he's got a teflon bubble around him. He tried this time, and it still couldn't be done.]
You got into Petre's head, you jackass. [It's a struggle to keep his voice down, but he's at a nearly inaudible whisper out of necessity.] Made him think he had competition. All of a sudden he goes "if I can't have you no one can" psycho and this happens - I can't touch or be touched by anyone but him.
[And then a sidelong glare at the bookshelf, because this really is stupid.]
Any guys.
You got into Petre's head, you jackass. [It's a struggle to keep his voice down, but he's at a nearly inaudible whisper out of necessity.] Made him think he had competition. All of a sudden he goes "if I can't have you no one can" psycho and this happens - I can't touch or be touched by anyone but him.
[And then a sidelong glare at the bookshelf, because this really is stupid.]
Any guys.
[ it's infinitely better than being mocked. he didn't see it coming. he blinks and looks down at where a finger should've made contact with his chest but instead curves off and pokes pure air. ]
What? [ he puts his eyes back on john, brows raised into his hair in surprise. he's being blamed for the insane action of someone else. his doppelganger insanity, as a matter of fact. ]
I didn't know you guys were that sort of complicated. I probably shouldn't have broke his headboard then. [ he's shrugging and then biting his lip to keep himself from being heard. he's shaking with quiet giggles, at risk of bursting out into full blown laughter. ]
So he thinks I'm out to have some kind of relationship with you? [ he's reaching a finger out to poke him again. just to see how bad john will jerk away now ] Did you tell him that? You need to get over yourself, John.
What? [ he puts his eyes back on john, brows raised into his hair in surprise. he's being blamed for the insane action of someone else. his doppelganger insanity, as a matter of fact. ]
I didn't know you guys were that sort of complicated. I probably shouldn't have broke his headboard then. [ he's shrugging and then biting his lip to keep himself from being heard. he's shaking with quiet giggles, at risk of bursting out into full blown laughter. ]
So he thinks I'm out to have some kind of relationship with you? [ he's reaching a finger out to poke him again. just to see how bad john will jerk away now ] Did you tell him that? You need to get over yourself, John.
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