xmutanthigh | [open thread] pyromaniac bitches are my favorite kind of bitches

Entry tags:

[open thread] pyromaniac bitches are my favorite kind of bitches

Characters: John Allerdyce, you.
Setting: Common area, recreation room, what have you.
Content: Amazing.
Status: Open and incomplete.

[John's in one of his usual moods. (Read: a bored and prickish one.) He's sitting on one of the couches in the wreck room, leaning forward, both his injured hand and his good one propped on his knees. He's opening and closing his Zippo, surveying the room and its occupants. Every now and then he turns towards the TV, where the news is on, but only when he hears something about mutants or fires or anything that catches his ear.]

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[Kevin strolls in, having just finished lunch in the kitchen, and is on his way back to his room. But he catches sight of John lounging around in the rec room -- or, okay, as he prefers to call it, the wreck room -- and slows his pace a bit. He notices the bandages and splint still on one of John's hands.]

Hey. Don't you wanna see Josh for that?

[John peers up at Kevin at that question, his blank, penetrating look punctuated by the sharp sound of his Zippo lighter clicking open and snapping closed. It's a look that seems to say, "Do you always ask stupid questions?" Because the answer is no. John's a guy who avoids owing anyone favors.]

[Kevin snorts in derision a little at John's aggression. And he's long learned to not take it personally when John starts glaring at him like that. ]

You know, he doesn't charge.

And I don't ask for favors. [John straightens now, licking his lips and closing his Zippo yet again on his thigh.]

[Kevin lets the matter drop with a shrug. Then he indicates the TV with his chin and eyes the sofa next to John.]

Mind if I join?

[John raises his brow and lets it drop; that's just the nature of his shrug.] Free country, buddy. Don't let me stop you. [His voice is a flat drawl; he glances over to Kevin after he's sat with unreadable eyes. Maybe he's thinking about their little recent walk on the dark fleetingly. Truth is John has been trying to consider it put in the past for both their sakes', but he's sure a lot of it sticks with and confuses Kevin. Just as his own does him. John just doesn't like to talk about it.]

[Kevin plops down, and then is immediately sorry he did. He's got conflicting feelings right now -- gratitude to John for coming to get him, and the simultaneous knowledge that John would likely not graciously accept his thanks and blow it off with a sarcastic remark or two. Still. Kevin doesn't think something like that can go ignored for much longer, and hopes to figure out some kind of non-mushy way to get it out there so they can be done with it.

He approaches the conversation warily, wondering if he can get away with putting on a "just saying these things to be polite," show, rather than an "I'm actually concerned for you," vibe. Really, Kevin knows John would not much appreciate the latter, if it were done openly. Subtlely, maybe he'd be okay with it.]

You doing okay, though, right? Other than the busted up fingers?

[Is he doing okay. What a fucking question. John leans forward, nothing showing on his expression as he casually peers back at Kevin. Nothing except a subtle twitch of his brow, an angle of his lips.

Let's see. His got an ex-best friend intent on using him on some path to fucking salvation, he's neutered his mentor's right-hand gal who would also kill him given the chance... And he's back at this fucking place and frankly he's mindfucked by the fact he's starting to like it, in some fucked up way. At least like it better.

And there's Kitty.]

Can't complain. You?

[There's a hint of a smile on Kevin's face now, because he's thinking, Well, all right, so we're going to do this dance now, carefully avoiding the real issues. That's okay, because he was expecting it. Kevin can't figure out what all is bouncing around in John's head right now, and is a little bit frustrated that the only thing he knows would be a concern is Mystique. Hey, if John is screwed by being placed on her Must Die List, then so is Kevin.

Well. His move. He carefully words this, making it seem... less like a favor done by John, and maybe just something that is?]

You know... good thing you showed up when you did. I'm glad you came.

Couldn't let you go off and get your sorry ass killed, could I? [John says this with a knowing, brutally honest edge and in his usual flat tone, but he knows. He can spot a veiled 'thank you' when it happens. Still, he avoids Kevin's gaze, his friend's face entirely. The tone of Kevin's voice is enough to give the kid away, enough to - well enough to pull at his fucking heartstrings or some shit. He put his life on the line for this moron; he should get at least a thank you.]

[Kevin smirks, partially at John's teasing of him, and partially because he's glad he got the message. Now having gotten that out there, Kevin feels he can be a bit more honest.]

I would've screwed it all up if it was anyone but you. [A short pause while he contemplates the right way to do this. Then he realizes the only way is the direct way. So he says it as casually as possible, shifting his eyes to John's for only a brief moment to signify the importance of this, and then back to the TV.] Thanks, man.

[John can't remember the last time anyone said thank you to him. Full-out, no hidden motives or meanings. John can't remember the last time he did anything remotely so selfless to warrant a thank you.

And whatever, who the fuck knew, it's a good feeling under the damn fucking awkwardness he feels. John merely catches Kevin's glance, his face giving none of this away. But it's something to John. Congratulations, Kev, out of everyone here, John respects you.]

Well, if we're done with this chick flick moment... [John inclines his head a little, changing the topic blatantly, his brow raised in slight bemusement.] So. Did they ground you or something? No dessert after dinner?

[Kevin gives a sarcastic, "Yeah, whatever, pfft" eye roll at the chick-flick comment, as would be required of him. And Kevin accepts John's well-concealed affection for him, and appreciates it. But for now -- pfft, whatever.

And he lets out a short laugh at John's next comment because they are way too alike. It was very nearly the same thought he had when coming back to the school. Hopefully they just send me to my room without dinner and that'll be it.]

Yeah, well, that's all I was hoping to get away with, too. But nothing, so far. So that makes me worry they're just sitting up in their staff meeting room, thinking up all kinds of things... They're just biding their time.

Edited 2011-03-15 01:24 (UTC)

Look what I did and I'm still here. I wouldn't get your panties in a bunch, Kev. [His reply is in his usual careless drawl, too disinterested and edged with that insult to seem particularly comforting. It's John's way.]

Right. You're their little pet project. [There's a sly grin on his face as Kevin says this, while fiddling with the remote.] I'm just the newest one, looks like.

[John sobers just a little at that, his eyes turning ever more unreadable - it's a good sign something more is going on upstairs. Pet projects. Right. Shaping them both into good little soldiers. At least that's one thing John knows he doesn't want to be.] Fuck that, man. The day I'm an X-men is the day I shoot myself in the head.

[Now Kevin glares at John out of the corners of his eyes, a serious look on his face.]

You know, it could be worse. You could be in jail right now. And me, too. If not for recently, then just, from the very beginning, with what happened with Dad.

[Kevin is not about to completely disagree with John. In fact, his thoughts on the X-Men are probably more aligned with John's than with anyone else's. And so he clarifies with:] Just thinking out loud, now.

[Kevin gets a look for that - and not just any old glare. John feels a surge of resentment over the words - not necessarily over the truth of them, but that's certainly part of it. He doesn't care what they do for him; John's not stupid enough to even think they're fucking saints.

Kevin's last words soften that anger a little, John tears his gaze away.]

It could be worse. [The admission is resigned - it's the truth. And it's a truth he probably wouldn't confess so easily or frankly to anyone but Kevin.] But don't you think for goddamn second these people won't use you, Kevin. Maybe not like that, not like- [John stops himself there. He knows Kevin knows: like the Brotherhood.] Only difference between them and these sapien lovers is they give a shit what happens to you. And not just whether you die or not. [John's voice is strong now; has been throughout his speech. His penetrating gaze finds Kevin's.] It's the only reason it could be worse and the only fucking reason I left that damn place. That's why I got you out of there.

[Kevin holds John's eye contact now, acknowledging the seriousness of this conversation.] No, I know. Believe me. That's -- [A small shrug here, with a cursory glance around behind him to see that they're alone] -- kinda part of why I took off, isn't it? I know they'd use me.

[Before John can answer, Kevin continues on here, still thinking out loud, knowing John is the one and only person here who wouldn't berate him for these thoughts.] Sometimes I just feel, you know, what if I just give in and follow the track laid out for me here? I'd train, I'd pass all their little tests, and then graduate to X-Man. Because there isn't really any other option here. Life wouldn't be so horrible. But then, doesn't it fucking suck to do something, for the reason of "it's the only option I have"? And then I get all pissed again, and then I'm back to square one. I don't know what to do.

That's bullshit, man. That's fucking bullshit. [John says this in the only way he can: with blunt irritation.] You have options. Just because you live here, it doesn't mean you have to fit into their fucking mold, you got that? You can do whatever the fuck you want to with your life now. You don't have to go along with their shit.

[The words are spoken bitterly; there's such conviction in them it's hard not to listen to them. Because John's talking about something he cares about, like he cares about it. He feels the purpose rising in his chest, making his knuckles whiten over his lighter. He believes this: and maybe not for myself, not anymore. But he believes this for Kevin. He really fucking does, and the realization staggers him so much he gets up, feeling the sudden urge to leave, to escape this truth, the hopelessness he feels. There are no options for him anymore. He's a wanted terrorist. He's a fucking cold-hearted killer. There's nothing in this goddamn world that's his, and nothing he's believed in for months besides this stupid kid.]

Edited 2011-03-18 15:51 (UTC)

[Kevin just shrugs at the thought of having options. He doesn't really see any, but does know he doesn't necessarily have to follow the X-Men exactly the way they want him to. John's outrage is making Kevin quieter, though he's not intimidated by him. Kevin just leans on the arm of the couch and stares out of the window, ignoring the TV now.]

When I first got here I wanted to be an X-Man, so bad. Now? I think I'd hate it.

What, you think putting your life on the line for some cause is fun? [John says this incredulously, kicking Kevin's calf hard enough to jostle him, turn his attention back to John, but not hurt him. He's angled now to face his roommate, standing over him, palms open-faced and arms slightly apart from his body.] Shit, you think having a cause is a fucking rodeo, man, is that what you're saying? [John's on a roll now; he lifts his hands to gesture carelessly in the direction of the basketball court, the jet hanger, beyond the windows.] You slap on some fucking spandex and life makes sense and you've got a goddamn place to belong? Of course you'd hate it; it's worth horseshit. We don't need it.

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[open thread] pyromaniac bitches are my favorite kind of bitches

/uses icon with keywords "sexy bitches" - iris

/appreciated. :P

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this tag is weird and convoluted. :/

no it's perfect and so are you.

Awwwww, shucks

<333 late tag is late

But SO worth the wait. I cracked up, or some shit.

LMAO yay good <3

Re: LMAO yay good <3

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