thumbsdown | IC Inbox

[Well yeah, he is disappointed. And he does think a little less of Boone now. Which he didn't want to at all. It was easy to judge everyone else for doing this, but it's harder now that he's face to face (in a sense) with the problem and actually has to pony up on what he's said on the matter. And what Boone is saying, it -]

[It hits too close to home.]

I know. I know what you mean about the trigger thing. It's easy, it gets so easy. But listen, this can't happen again. Not to the wrong person. It really can't. Come to me, and I'll help you find the real scumbags, okay? Gang members, crime lords, they're always looking for reasons to pick each other off.

Hell, I can bring them home for you. You don't even have to do anything if you don't want to.

[Aaaand now he feels like a hypocrite. He takes his shades off in the privacy of his own room, and rubs his eyes as he sighs.]

I'll take your word for it? That this really won't happen again?

Edited 2017-09-13 17:28 (UTC)

it won't happen again. i don't like to make a habit of killing innocent people. guess the hunger just brought out the worst in me, and i was stupid enough to think i could handle it on my own.

[He hates dragging other people into his business, and he didn't want anyone around the first time he fed. It felt like it was too personal, a private thing. But in his haste to find someone before the hunger got too bad, he let himself stop caring. It's something he always has to push back, that detachment from what he's doing and what he could do if he really wanted to.]

i'll tell you next time. promise.

Okay. You better. Because I've seen what this place does to some people. They don't give a single frag about killing who or what or whether the person who gets caught up in this bullcrap deserves to die or not. They don't even consider themselves human anymore and think it's a free pass to do whatever they want.

[And now he's getting a little worked up. Damn it, why can't he let go of this?]

Killing innocent people better not happen at all, alright? Because I like you Boone, and I think you're a decent guy. But that isn't why I gave you that thing. And if you start to stop caring about where you get your food, I

[I'll put you down like the animal you're acting, he almost finishes. If that ever does become the case, Boone won't be any different than the metahuman crazies or sickos he got paid to put down. And he really doesn't want it to reach that point. He really doesn't. He's a friend.]

I won't stand for it. Just don't, okay? It won't have to come to that, and it'll be better for the both of us.

i care, okay? and believe me, if it ever came to that, i know i'd deserve it.

[He won't go unpunished for what he's done. Maybe this time, his punishment will be seeing a friend walk away from him. And he won't be able to do a thing to stop him, because he knows Tommy is right.]

i don't know what you think of me now, and i can't blame you for whatever that is. but i'm not like that. and i'm not gonna be like that, not ever.

[There's a long pause where Boone stops to collect himself, because even though he has no right to feel that way he's still a little hurt. Which pisses him off, because Tommy has every reason to think he's just a mindless killer now. They don't know each other well enough for Tommy to trust that he's not going to lose his humanity. So why does it still bother him?]

just don't compare me to them, okay? not yet.

[If he'd been speaking, he might have sounded a little defeated at the end there. He feels defeated. And possibly even worse about what he's done now.]

Hey man, I

[Ah. It's impossible to miss the defensive tone. He feels bad now, but it's something that he needed to say. He rubs his temples wearily.]

Sorry. I don't mean to come on so heavy. I have rules that I live by, you know? They're important to me. Like really important. Nobody innocent ever gets hurt if I can help it. Nobody who doesn't have it coming to them.

[He knows that if he ever got caught between Boone and an innocent person, he'd help the latter every time. It's hard not to feel like the bad guys when they're literal flesh-eating monsters, after all. And he knows Boone isn't a bad guy, but they are both kind of... are, now. But he'd feel real bad about it. Really bad. He doesn't ever want it to come to that.]

And I care about you, okay? I mean, somewhere in between getting shit on by the rain and getting groceries and picking up way more booze and cigs than is strictly healthy, I found a good guy. You're the first proper friend that's I've made in this stupid place.

And that's why I'm saying all this stuff. And I know I'm being harsh, but it's cause I care. I care a lot.

no, it's fine. i get it, and i'd rather have someone who told it to me straight.

[But even if he'd rather take this than the other option, it can still sting. Especially when you know you're the one who screwed up.]

look, i'm sorry too. got no right getting defensive after what i did. guess it just

[There's a pause as he tries to think of how to word it.]

you're the first friend i've made here, too. and you've done a lot for me. if you didn't care, i'd still be on the streets. it means a lot. more than i can say.
guess i just thought maybe this was a dealbreaker for you. can deal with living rough, but even if i deserve it, i wouldn't want to lose you as a friend.

Nah, it's not a dealbreaker. It will be if it happens again, but you promised not to, right? So it's not gonna be a problem. You're still welcome to stay. I can't finish all these cancer sticks by myself. And the toilets about to clog as it usually does every second Friday and I don't wanna deal with that mess. You're pretty alright, Bone.

[And that's about as much emotional honesty Tommy can deal with in one day. He puts his sunglasses back on, and cracks a small smile.]

Don't worry about losing me as a friend. You're never gonna get rid of me anyway. Or my feathers. You'll be picking those bastards outta your clothes for years.

yeah, it's not happening again. next time, i'll ask you for someone. glad you still want me around to get feathers stuck in my ass and unclog toilets with you, though. it's worth it to have a guy to drink with who gives me necklaces made outta my own teeth.

[Yep, Boone is just about at his limit, too. Still, he smiles a little to himself, too.]

besides, i can return the favour with fur. you just wait until i start shedding.

Hey, you think you're the one with feathers stuck in your ass? And you should feel special! I don't make teeth necklaces for just about anybody.

But alright alright, I got it ya filthy animal. Just don't make me scrape a lint roller over you every morning, because you better believe I will.

well brushing seems to help so you could do that instead. can't always get my back.

[It happens all too fast, there are zero warnings, Dandy was never really good at things like subtlety. Making himself known came about as naturally as breathing, and any attention was good attention as long as all eyes were on him. That's exactly why a merman just barges into the bathhouse today, standing in the door frame-- or...no, it's more like posing. He's posing in the door frame, wearing sunglasses for absolutely no reason.

He is completely unaware of Lust's new hired help.]

No need to worry everyone, Dandy's here~

[Much like every single time Dandy does this, no one cares, and the lack of applause causes him to hunch over and grumble all the way to the service counter. ...And then walk behind it, like he just owns the place or something. But this is not before he manages to dig up some coin and slam it down on the desk, his payment for the day, and literally the only reason why anyone puts up with him.

Now it's time to find out if it's worth it.]

[Ah. So this is Dandy. Boone peers at him over his own sunglasses, then grunts and goes back to what he was doing. He was warned about him, but he knows he'll have to put up with the guy if he wants to work here. He does look up again though as Dandy completely ignores which side of the counter he's supposed to be on, though. Yeah, he's gonna be a problem.]

...You're supposed to be on the other side of the counter.

[Being a problem doesn't mean he gets to strut around like he owns the place without Boone saying something, though.]

Who the hell asked you?

[Dandy's response, already fueled with his bitterness over not being acknowledged by the other patrons, comes out quick and sharp. Who's this guy and where did he get those sunglasses? That's...that's not allowed. If he's trying to one up him, then he has another thing coming...

But Dandy's attention is still on what he came here for, and that's his stupid pool toys Lust keeps for him. He grabs a bunch from behind the counter in a good, healthy armful before sizing Boone up. Because that's obviously what you do the moment you meet someone.

Judge them silently.

While holding a small plastic dolphin among other things.]

Just figured you got confused.

[Even if there's very obviously no way of confusing it. Maybe he shouldn't already be insulting the customer, though. And when Dandy comes over to size him up, he just arches an eyebrow at him and quirks one furry ear. Holding plastic dolphins while trying to square up to someone doesn't make you all that intimidating, and Boone is currently an 8 foot tall werebear which doesn't help.]

Pool's that way.

[He points. Yeah, he knows Dandy knows. He's just being the super helpful employee he's supposed to be.]

...

[So that's how it's gonna be, huh? Dandy's brows furrow for only a second before he decides he's not gonna let a bear of all things ruin his swim time. Just figured he got confused, the very nerve!

Fine, if he wants confused, then he's gonna get confused.

Dandy's eyebrows suddenly rise, like he's seeing this all for the first time.]

Woah, hey, not so fast. Where'd you say it is?

[Boone gestures over to the swimming area like he's Aladdin showing Jasmine a whole new world.]

Over there.

[He says it slowly, his expression flat save for a hint of annoyance. He knows he's doing it on purpose. This guy is already turning out to be a pain in the ass.]

[Oh, it is totally on purpose, and Dandy isn't about to let it end there. He holds a hand above his eyes, shielding them from the sun that isn't even in the building, squinting in the direction Boone laid out for him.]

Nnnnope, you lost me.

Could you maybe, like...lead me there or something?

[For a moment, he just stares at him. Okay, he wants to be treated like a child? Boone can do that.]

Sure. Come on, it's this way.

[He says it gently, despite any irritation, and walks very slowly in the direction of the pool. If this is what Dandy wants to spend his money on, fine.]

Try not to get lost. I know it's really hard.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck this absolutely blows.

It was a long walk home, with one wing still too twitchy and painful to fly. The journey up the stairs almost killed him, and he had to take a break on the third floor to catch his breath. But he makes it somehow, and Tommy sags with relief when he finally gets to the the familiar door frame, and fumbles around in his pockets for his key. Wait, actually, no. Shit. Did he lose it? Motherlover, it must've fallen out somewhere. Along with his shitty shades. If Tommy could cry at this point, he probably would.

Fuckin' Christ. What a day.

He slams a fist on the door, ducking his head with a hand over his eyes, and prays that Boone is in.

"Boone?" He calls out, voice completely wrecked. He slumps against the door with a thud. "Are you in? You better be in!"

[Boone comes to the door fairly quickly, if only because he can hear the difference in Tommy's voice and the way he thuds against the door. And if he could show concern in this form, he would. He reaches down to help Tommy stand, and even if he can't show it he can sure as hell sound worried.]

The hell happened to you?

[He knows about the hunting that's been going on, but since he hasn't had any urges to hurt anyone he just assumed nobody else did, either. Probably a stupid thing to assume.]

Thank Jesus, Mary and Joseph. He is in.

"Fuckin'.... bullshit is what happened."

Tommy stumbles into the room, smelling a bit burned, like charred feathers. He gropes out for Boone's proffered hand and lets himself be stood up, but doesn't take away the hand covering his eyes.

"Boone? D'you think you could... uh." He turns his head slightly away to the side. "D'you have a pair of shades? I lost mine." Because priorities, right?

[The smell is strong to Boone, who sniffs a few times as if the smell could tell him something more. He pauses at the question, then nods.]

Yeah, hold on. Sit down first.

[He leads Tommy over to the couch and sits him down, before reaching for the shades sitting beside his beret on the table nearby and handing them over. Not like he can wear them right now, anyway.]

So what happened? You smell... burned.

Tommy sits down gratefully, practically sinking into the couch and twisting to the side so his wings aren't jostled. It still kinda smells like garbage, but who cares at this point? When he feels the glasses being deposited in his palm, he pauses. Oh. These are Boone's glasses. They're not completely dark, aren't they? Not like Tommy's.

He considers it dully for a second, then just puts them on. He's too tired to do anything but pretend that they cover his eyes right now anyway.

"Yeah," he replies tiredly, as he tilts his head up and makes eye contact, pretending with all his heart that Boone can't see his inky black eyes. He blinks rapidly, like there are tears in his eyes. But there aren't. "I got burned. And I thought I was gonna die. And it friggin' hurts." His voice cracks on the last word.

[For what it's worth, Boone's expression can't change to reflect what he might think of Tommy's eyes. And when he speaks, he doesn't say anything about them. They're not really the main issue here, strange as they are; the main issue is that Tommy is hurt. If he asks about them, it'll be later. The guy doesn't exactly look ready to be answering questions, and if he was trying to hide them it's obviously personal.]

Who did it?

[He tries to keep the anger out of his voice, but he's never been good at seeing his friends suffer in any way. So his question comes out low and quiet, almost like a growl.]

"Dunno. Never met the kid before in my life."

Tommy... really appreciates it. Both the anger on his behalf and that Boone doesn't bring it up. Can't say that he doesn't feel a lot safer with a ten foot bear watching over him. He winces, and pulls himself up on the couch.

"Was just messin' around on the rooftops, you know, and this cat kid with wings started chasing me. Conjured up this... lightning from the sky like the wrath of friggin' God."

A wing shifts to show a jagged, singed streak, with a fluttering of feathers with burnt off edges.

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