[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?
[ 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.
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.
[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.
[ 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 ]
[ 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 ]
[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:]
[ 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. ]
[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.]
[ 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.
We're "complicated" because he's a nutjob who thinks he owns me. That's the sort of complicated it is. I don't give a fuck what you do with him, but you existing is enough to send him off the deep end.
[Okay, okay, so he had a small part in it as well.]
Of course I didn't, that's basically the opposite of what happened with us. I was just teasing him. He kept asking if I liked you more than him, if I'd rather fuck you, and it was so goddamn stupid that I played along. If I knew he was serious -
[He pulls back again, but this time he sees it, so he's able to control his reaction before the automatic one kicks in.]
Petre and I get along fine. Whatever you got going on is all your fault and whatever you told him.
[ he smirks when john pulls away - but keeps pointing at him, threatening to do it again ]
I don't appreciate being used as a teasing prop, John. I don't even know you that well. You told him you liked me better, didn't you? You told a guy to his face you liked a guy with the same face better and expected not to have him get upset by it. You don't answer those questions, you dumbass. That's like dating a girl and then telling her you'd rather fuck her sister. And now you're blaming me for your problem. Gee, Harry. Stop existing. It's all your fault.
[ he's trying to poke him again - quickly. three times in a row. ]
[That constant jabbing basically has him twitching around like a fish, until he finally just takes a big step back and raises his whisper; they could be overheard, but he's getting sick of being played around with.]
Will you fucking stop that?
And I'm not being blamed for his psychopathy. He just decided that he owns me. I get to do whatever I want to try and get rid of him, he's a stalker. Not like it came back on you anyway, so get off your cross.
[ he pretends to clap - silent because of the setting they're in. ]
Oh, gee. You got it now. Did we learn a lesson about blaming people, John? Really takes having a finger pointed at you to get it. I didn't do shit. I have no idea what you two do so I have no idea where the accuracy would be at. You're probably right about him being a stalker but I don't know.
[ waves his hands in front of him ]
Leave me out of your weird abusive relationship, okay? Change the subject next time he asks a thing about me.
Okay, he's just your creepy stalker. No relationship. I had no idea that's what complicated was.
[ he DEFINITELY doesn't do complicated then. there's a pause then he moves one of his hands near john again - but he's not trying to touch him though. he's aiming to put it next to him and see how close he can get before john recoils. he rolls his eyes ]
That's so unfair to me. You're like a walking battery. C'mon man.
What did I just say. [Twitching away, since the movement is so slow.] You're not getting past it. Might as well have a forcefield.
And you think I haven't tried talking him out of it? I spent the whole night trying to talk him out of it. Go to him if it's so unfair to you, maybe he'll listen to you.
Okay but ...what if I tackled you? Like you can't avoid that. Or you were sleeping and I went to do it? Would you wake up? Is it only skin contact or can I touch your shirt? What if I was holding a stick and poked you with it? Does that count as touching you if it's an extension of my arm? What if a trans person goes to touch you? Do you react based on their biology or on their self-identity? Or would it be your first impression of them? What if I had a prosthetic and touched you with it? What if I shape shifted? Can a male animal touch you or does it have to be a human?
[ asking the hard questions, rambling on a bit and tilting to the side while looking at him. ]
[He listens to all of this with a long-suffering, irritable expression.]
It's not my mutation. How the hell would I know? But if you tackle me, you'll be ashes before we hit the ground, so don't even try it. [Empty threat - he's got no lighter. That fact makes his hand flex with renewed frustration.] I - assume it's all about my perception. It's a kind of telepathic suggestion, what he does.
Yeah, right. [ that threat is empty. so much so harry just shakes his head at it. he doubts even if he had fire to burn him with, he wouldn't do it. he'd be too relieved harry managed to find a loophole to a command, most likely ]
You know the solution to this is just go sleep with some girls.
How does that help anything? [He leans against the nearest shelf, eyebrow up.] Yeah, it's fun, but Petre doesn't care about that. Otherwise he would've said don't touch anyone. He's specifically keeping me away from dudes, and you're proving really well how annoying that's gonna get after awhile.
Because he thinks dudes are a threat. He thinks you like them more. Or... a certain one more. So go get a girl and prove him wrong. [ he makes a gesture at him. do the thing ]
Or proposition him for a threesome with another guy and he has to take it off for proper enjoyment.
Anything that involves screwing him is off the table. [Quick, flat, and definite. Threesome is a no.
He narrows his eyes at the first suggestion, though.] Yeah, prove him wrong or make him really go off the deep end and make sure I can't touch anyone. I'll try it, but if this backfires, it's on you.
[There's also the fact that... well, no one in the school really likes him all that much, and he's had singularly bad luck with girls since arriving. They're not so quick to agree to something as casual as he wants. But he'll give it a try.]
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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?
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[ 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?
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[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.]
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[ 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.
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- can't really do that right now, either. Don't ask.
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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 ]
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Two seconds is too long, okay? Just leave it alone.
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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 ]
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Good job.
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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. ]
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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.
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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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[Okay, okay, so he had a small part in it as well.]
Of course I didn't, that's basically the opposite of what happened with us. I was just teasing him. He kept asking if I liked you more than him, if I'd rather fuck you, and it was so goddamn stupid that I played along. If I knew he was serious -
[He pulls back again, but this time he sees it, so he's able to control his reaction before the automatic one kicks in.]
Stop that.
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[ he smirks when john pulls away - but keeps pointing at him, threatening to do it again ]
I don't appreciate being used as a teasing prop, John. I don't even know you that well. You told him you liked me better, didn't you? You told a guy to his face you liked a guy with the same face better and expected not to have him get upset by it. You don't answer those questions, you dumbass. That's like dating a girl and then telling her you'd rather fuck her sister. And now you're blaming me for your problem. Gee, Harry. Stop existing. It's all your fault.
[ he's trying to poke him again - quickly. three times in a row. ]
You did this yourself.
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Will you fucking stop that?
And I'm not being blamed for his psychopathy. He just decided that he owns me. I get to do whatever I want to try and get rid of him, he's a stalker. Not like it came back on you anyway, so get off your cross.
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Oh, gee. You got it now. Did we learn a lesson about blaming people, John? Really takes having a finger pointed at you to get it. I didn't do shit. I have no idea what you two do so I have no idea where the accuracy would be at. You're probably right about him being a stalker but I don't know.
[ waves his hands in front of him ]
Leave me out of your weird abusive relationship, okay? Change the subject next time he asks a thing about me.
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The point is, I'm not making contact with any guys until he gets his fucking panties out of a twist. So stop trying to touch me.
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[ he DEFINITELY doesn't do complicated then. there's a pause then he moves one of his hands near john again - but he's not trying to touch him though. he's aiming to put it next to him and see how close he can get before john recoils. he rolls his eyes ]
That's so unfair to me. You're like a walking battery. C'mon man.
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And you think I haven't tried talking him out of it? I spent the whole night trying to talk him out of it. Go to him if it's so unfair to you, maybe he'll listen to you.
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[ asking the hard questions, rambling on a bit and tilting to the side while looking at him. ]
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It's not my mutation. How the hell would I know? But if you tackle me, you'll be ashes before we hit the ground, so don't even try it. [Empty threat - he's got no lighter. That fact makes his hand flex with renewed frustration.] I - assume it's all about my perception. It's a kind of telepathic suggestion, what he does.
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You know the solution to this is just go sleep with some girls.
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Or proposition him for a threesome with another guy and he has to take it off for proper enjoyment.
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He narrows his eyes at the first suggestion, though.] Yeah, prove him wrong or make him really go off the deep end and make sure I can't touch anyone. I'll try it, but if this backfires, it's on you.
[There's also the fact that... well, no one in the school really likes him all that much, and he's had singularly bad luck with girls since arriving. They're not so quick to agree to something as casual as he wants. But he'll give it a try.]
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