[Scene] John vs Julian and Amara

[pyro-by-nature.livejournal.com]

 Backdated maybe a couple of days...

John had tossed the Christmas present from Julian onto his desk without a second thought when he’d first received it. Every time he came into the room he gave it guilty glances, wondering what Julian Keller could possibly have given him. 

**

 

Finally after several days, he gave up. He snatched the packet off the desk and strode down the hall to Julian’s room, knocking briskly.

“Come in,” Julian called lazily.

John entered; noting the redecorating the other mutant had done since he’d moved into his own room.

“Hey flamer,” Julian said, looking up from his computer.

John cut straight to the point  “I can’t accept this,” he said, handing the package to Julian.

Julian waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry that you didn’t reciprocate- it’s nothing. Honestly.”

John looked evenly at him, still holding the box out. “Yeah… you seem to treat a lot of things like that, huh?” John said with a distinct edge to his voice.

Julian stopped typing, his eyes narrowing, and he turned away from the computer to look fully at John. His handsome features twisted into a sneer. “I see. Drake send you down here to throw this back at me?”

“Nope. My conscious did” John said deep irony. “You should gift yourself with one of those sometime,” he said conversationally.

Julian studied him, deeply amused. “That’s fine, John. I kept the receipt. Just toss it on the desk,” he said dismissively, turning back to his computer.

John did exactly as he was told, and turned to leave. Just as he was pulling the door closed behind himself, he ran into Amara.

“Hey, John,” she said cautiously, not quite meeting his eyes.

John stared at her like he’d never seen her before, and moved to walk away. But he couldn’t help himself.

“I used to think you were okay, but it turns out you’re just as big a skank as Keller,” he said bitterly.

Amara blanched, her mouth dropping open wordlessly at the unprovoked verbal attack. Suddenly Julian's voice sounded from the doorway.
"What did you just say?"
"Julian-" Amara jumped in, knowing and recognizing the look on Julian's face.
"No," he replied, walking out of his room and going nose to nose with John. "He had no problem opening his mouth and disrespecting you the first time. He shouldn't have a problem repeating himself. Now what did you say?"

“I said she’s as big a skank as you are. If that’s possible,” John said matter-of-factly, not backing down.
Julian’s eyes flashed, "I don't give a shit what you say about me. But if you ever talk to or about her that way again-”

“You’ll what? Sleep with my girlfriend next?” John said sarcastically.

“I'll create a telekinetic bubble inside your gutless stomach and then expand it. That way you won't have to wait to die. Got it?" Julian told him, his voice a dangerous, low whisper.

John’s lips curled into a sneering smile.

Amara grabbed Julian’s arm. “Julian, c’mon! He’s not worth it!” she hissed, shooting John a look that was equal parts venom and sadness.

Julian’s shoulders were still set, and he stayed face to face with John for another moment, before allowing Amara to pull him away. He backed into his room, Amara still clutching his arm, eyes still locked with John’s. John continued to smirk as the other boy retreated.

“You don’t scare me in the slightest,” John said casually.

Amara looked past Julian to him, her expression almost pleading at him to back off. John shook his head woefully and turned to move off.
Julian continued into this room. "Watch your fucking mouth, Allerdyce,” he said finally, slamming the door after him. 

 

**Crystal, I hope this was okay to post!