[ Continued from here. ]
Why?
[ He doesn't really want to go anywhere with Steve, but he's tipsy enough that he's suggestable even if he questions it, so he grabs the bag he got from the liquor store and gets into the BMW.
He opens another can of beer now that he's not the one driving and takes a few sips as he looks around. ]
You coulda got a way cooler car for the money.
[ The fact that some people might actually prioritize solid build quality and safety features over picking the slickest, loudest, fastest car possible is foreign to him. ]
Why?
[ He doesn't really want to go anywhere with Steve, but he's tipsy enough that he's suggestable even if he questions it, so he grabs the bag he got from the liquor store and gets into the BMW.
He opens another can of beer now that he's not the one driving and takes a few sips as he looks around. ]
You coulda got a way cooler car for the money.
[ The fact that some people might actually prioritize solid build quality and safety features over picking the slickest, loudest, fastest car possible is foreign to him. ]
Consider it my public service for the month.
[Whether or not Billy was meant to hear that comment remains to be seen as Steve pops the lock on the door and swings it open for Billy to climb in. Why - hell, it's a good question. Steve has plenty of excuses, but no tangible reason except that, ugh, it's the Right Thing To Do.]
Some of us don't need to compensate. [Billy's car is cool, though Steve would like it a lot more if Billy weren't such a prick all the time. Steve peels out of the parking lot, turning onto the main street and heading wherever-the-fuck.]
[Whether or not Billy was meant to hear that comment remains to be seen as Steve pops the lock on the door and swings it open for Billy to climb in. Why - hell, it's a good question. Steve has plenty of excuses, but no tangible reason except that, ugh, it's the Right Thing To Do.]
Some of us don't need to compensate. [Billy's car is cool, though Steve would like it a lot more if Billy weren't such a prick all the time. Steve peels out of the parking lot, turning onto the main street and heading wherever-the-fuck.]
[Steve just snorts and doesn't press it. He doesn't need to, he knows what the fuck he's about and honestly? The days of snapping back, hot and prideful, at assholes like Billy are past him. None of it matters, none of it fucking matters when he's been a hair away from eating dirt. Really puts life into perspective.]
Tipi field, dude. What, you want to drink behind the Aldens?
Tipi field, dude. What, you want to drink behind the Aldens?
Nah. Just didn't want you to take me somewhere lame.
[ This whole town is fucking lame, he thinks, but that doesn't mean he can't have some standards for where he hangs out.
Tipi field was fine, though. Going there with Steve Harrington was less fine, and he still wasn't sure why he was doing it other than the fact that he wanted to get drunk right now and didn't want to waste time arguing about it.
He takes another can of beer from the bag he's carrying and opens in, chugging it down with reckless abandon. ]
You're not gonna snitch on me, are you, Harrington? [ For underage drinking and...well, basically everything about him was something that could be snitched on. He knew Steve drank too, but who knows, he might still decide to tattle. ]
[ This whole town is fucking lame, he thinks, but that doesn't mean he can't have some standards for where he hangs out.
Tipi field was fine, though. Going there with Steve Harrington was less fine, and he still wasn't sure why he was doing it other than the fact that he wanted to get drunk right now and didn't want to waste time arguing about it.
He takes another can of beer from the bag he's carrying and opens in, chugging it down with reckless abandon. ]
You're not gonna snitch on me, are you, Harrington? [ For underage drinking and...well, basically everything about him was something that could be snitched on. He knew Steve drank too, but who knows, he might still decide to tattle. ]
Keep it up and I'll dump you on the baseball field.
[Talk about lame. Waking up hungover on the baseball field was a total wastoid move.
Steve banks a right, directing them towards the outer edge of the forest. Tipi field was a few minutes hike from the pull off, but it didn't look like Billy was too smashed (yet) to make it. Steve's pretty sure no one would be there, at 11:30 on a Sunday night (which, why is Billy drinking on a Sunday night? Steve's not going to question it too hard).
He glances over as Billy chugs another beer, balancing his knee against the steering wheel.]
Oh, bite me. [Steve shakes his head, turning his attention back to the road as they wind their way out of the town.] The fuck would I snitch on you for? Jesus man, I don't get you at all.
[There's no reason for any of this. Steve's not going to bother explaining it to Billy. He's too tired of it all, all this shit. Tommy and Carol, King Steve, the title that won't die no matter how much he wants it to. The fuck does any of it matter? Billy's had a bug up his ass in regards to Steve since day one, and he's about 85% sure it wasn't anything in particular he did (he'll give himself 85% because while he's a recovering asshole, he's still an asshole).]
What are you even doing? [Steve asks the question he just said he wouldn't, because it's better than the alternative.] It's Sunday.
[Talk about lame. Waking up hungover on the baseball field was a total wastoid move.
Steve banks a right, directing them towards the outer edge of the forest. Tipi field was a few minutes hike from the pull off, but it didn't look like Billy was too smashed (yet) to make it. Steve's pretty sure no one would be there, at 11:30 on a Sunday night (which, why is Billy drinking on a Sunday night? Steve's not going to question it too hard).
He glances over as Billy chugs another beer, balancing his knee against the steering wheel.]
Oh, bite me. [Steve shakes his head, turning his attention back to the road as they wind their way out of the town.] The fuck would I snitch on you for? Jesus man, I don't get you at all.
[There's no reason for any of this. Steve's not going to bother explaining it to Billy. He's too tired of it all, all this shit. Tommy and Carol, King Steve, the title that won't die no matter how much he wants it to. The fuck does any of it matter? Billy's had a bug up his ass in regards to Steve since day one, and he's about 85% sure it wasn't anything in particular he did (he'll give himself 85% because while he's a recovering asshole, he's still an asshole).]
What are you even doing? [Steve asks the question he just said he wouldn't, because it's better than the alternative.] It's Sunday.
Shit doesn't happen on Sundays in your world, Harrington?
[ He'd already decided to skip school tomorrow, as if that was a surprise. On days without basketball practice, he was absent more often than not. Sports were the only reason he hadn't dropped out of school entirely. It was his outlet. Once he was out of school he'd probably become that guy who picked fights in bars.
He opens the passenger side door and swings one leg out. He's just a little buzzed and walking isn't a problem. ]
Just staying out for the night. Might as well have some fun. [ What he means is 'my dad got angry at me and threw me out of the house for a while' but he likes to maintain the illusion that there's no one in the world who can tell him what to do. ]
[ He'd already decided to skip school tomorrow, as if that was a surprise. On days without basketball practice, he was absent more often than not. Sports were the only reason he hadn't dropped out of school entirely. It was his outlet. Once he was out of school he'd probably become that guy who picked fights in bars.
He opens the passenger side door and swings one leg out. He's just a little buzzed and walking isn't a problem. ]
Just staying out for the night. Might as well have some fun. [ What he means is 'my dad got angry at me and threw me out of the house for a while' but he likes to maintain the illusion that there's no one in the world who can tell him what to do. ]
Not this shit.
[Depending on how late they're out, Steve may just have to skip too (they say skipping is healthy, and it's not like his parents are going to give a fuck). He pulls over on the pull off, flicking off his headlights and turning off the car. The keys get shoved in his pocket, and Steve follows Billy out, closing the door behind him. He was right - there are no other cars parked here, and he's willing to bet there's no one in the field, too.
He raises an eyebrow at that, but doesn't comment. Staying out for the night - and yet, Steve found him getting drunk in the parking lot of the ABC store? Not at a party, not out with a girl. Sounds fake, but okay, Hargrove.
Steve zips up his jacket and starts along the path at a leisurely pace - shit, it's not like they're in a hurry. He's sure Billy will want to strew the way with empty beer cans so they can find their way back, anyhow.]
You don't really like it here, huh? [It sounds like he's stating the obvious - which he is - but Steve glances up at Billy, mildly curious. Well. Mildly.] Why?
[Depending on how late they're out, Steve may just have to skip too (they say skipping is healthy, and it's not like his parents are going to give a fuck). He pulls over on the pull off, flicking off his headlights and turning off the car. The keys get shoved in his pocket, and Steve follows Billy out, closing the door behind him. He was right - there are no other cars parked here, and he's willing to bet there's no one in the field, too.
He raises an eyebrow at that, but doesn't comment. Staying out for the night - and yet, Steve found him getting drunk in the parking lot of the ABC store? Not at a party, not out with a girl. Sounds fake, but okay, Hargrove.
Steve zips up his jacket and starts along the path at a leisurely pace - shit, it's not like they're in a hurry. He's sure Billy will want to strew the way with empty beer cans so they can find their way back, anyhow.]
You don't really like it here, huh? [It sounds like he's stating the obvious - which he is - but Steve glances up at Billy, mildly curious. Well. Mildly.] Why?
[ As if on cue, Billy crushes the empty can in his fist (gotta show it who's the boss, y'know) and tosses it on the ground as he follows Steve out to the field. ]
Because it's a shithole?
[ He says that like it's just ab obvious, objective fact. But Steve's lived here his whole life, so he might not take that for an answer. ]
I grew up in a city of millions. There was always something new. You could get lost in the crowd. Everyone knows everyone here, doesn't that drive you nuts?
[ A guy like him thrives on constant sources of novelty, of being able to both have a reputation and maintain some anonymity. Back in California, he was well-known in his own crowd and an absolute stranger outside of it. That's how he liked it. He was a rebel, a badass, a loose cannon. Dark and mysterious.
Here he was a high school bully who was a little too invested in the rival he'd picked out for himself, and without a steady supply of new folks to meet his bad boy game was growing stale. He felt kind of pathetic just thinking about it, and that was the sign he needed to open up another can of beer. ]
Because it's a shithole?
[ He says that like it's just ab obvious, objective fact. But Steve's lived here his whole life, so he might not take that for an answer. ]
I grew up in a city of millions. There was always something new. You could get lost in the crowd. Everyone knows everyone here, doesn't that drive you nuts?
[ A guy like him thrives on constant sources of novelty, of being able to both have a reputation and maintain some anonymity. Back in California, he was well-known in his own crowd and an absolute stranger outside of it. That's how he liked it. He was a rebel, a badass, a loose cannon. Dark and mysterious.
Here he was a high school bully who was a little too invested in the rival he'd picked out for himself, and without a steady supply of new folks to meet his bad boy game was growing stale. He felt kind of pathetic just thinking about it, and that was the sign he needed to open up another can of beer. ]
[Typical. The can hits the ground with a muted clang as it hits some gravel, and they leave it behind, sneakers packing down the dirt.]
So's everywhere else. Hawkins isn't some special type of hell.
[Even as he says it, it tastes false. But it's true, isn't it? Aside from the crazy shit at the lab, Hawkins is just painfully normal. Steve shoves his hands in his pockets and shakes out his shoulders, trying to ignore the urge to hunch inwards.
But Billy enumerates, which is more than Steve was expecting, if he's being honest. Were it anyone else, he'd actually maybe consider that a halfway decent response.]
They think they do, but they don't. Not really. Nobody knows shit in this town, they're all sleeping on it. [But it says something that Billy, the bully with the loudest mouth Steve has ever met - that his beef with Hawkins isn't about small town living, but about wanting some anonymity. Steve can be oblivious, but he's not that oblivious that it goes over his head.]
Only if you let it. [Steve says this seriously, kicking a rock out of the way as they trekked. He almost let it, last year, almost let himself go along with it - but he made the choice not to. That's not how most people in Hawkins operated - and fuck, he's not going to pretend it was easy.] But I'd say you're plenty nuts already. What's the use in adding more?
So's everywhere else. Hawkins isn't some special type of hell.
[Even as he says it, it tastes false. But it's true, isn't it? Aside from the crazy shit at the lab, Hawkins is just painfully normal. Steve shoves his hands in his pockets and shakes out his shoulders, trying to ignore the urge to hunch inwards.
But Billy enumerates, which is more than Steve was expecting, if he's being honest. Were it anyone else, he'd actually maybe consider that a halfway decent response.]
They think they do, but they don't. Not really. Nobody knows shit in this town, they're all sleeping on it. [But it says something that Billy, the bully with the loudest mouth Steve has ever met - that his beef with Hawkins isn't about small town living, but about wanting some anonymity. Steve can be oblivious, but he's not that oblivious that it goes over his head.]
Only if you let it. [Steve says this seriously, kicking a rock out of the way as they trekked. He almost let it, last year, almost let himself go along with it - but he made the choice not to. That's not how most people in Hawkins operated - and fuck, he's not going to pretend it was easy.] But I'd say you're plenty nuts already. What's the use in adding more?
They don't know shit, but they think they do. That makes it worse. [ Already Billy felt himself being reduced to the whispers and rumors going around.
Right now he was the King. He was the stud, the hot new thing. A year from now he'd just be the asshole, the delinquent, the playboy who'll fuck you and leave. The sort of guy everyone was better off ignoring. And that was part of who he was, but it wasn't all of it. He didn't think he'd be happy with a better reputation, either. He didn't like to be pinned down like that.
Billy thrived when people only saw what he wanted them to see, when he was known but just enough to be admired from afar. He crumbled when they got any closer. He was bristling now, just talking to Steve Harrington of all people like this. Sober Billy'd say 'fuck off' and be done with it, but he was a talkative drunk.
In the city he never had to stand still. Here, he almost felt caged by the smallness of it all. ]
You're telling me you'd be totally fine if you lived here forever?
Right now he was the King. He was the stud, the hot new thing. A year from now he'd just be the asshole, the delinquent, the playboy who'll fuck you and leave. The sort of guy everyone was better off ignoring. And that was part of who he was, but it wasn't all of it. He didn't think he'd be happy with a better reputation, either. He didn't like to be pinned down like that.
Billy thrived when people only saw what he wanted them to see, when he was known but just enough to be admired from afar. He crumbled when they got any closer. He was bristling now, just talking to Steve Harrington of all people like this. Sober Billy'd say 'fuck off' and be done with it, but he was a talkative drunk.
In the city he never had to stand still. Here, he almost felt caged by the smallness of it all. ]
You're telling me you'd be totally fine if you lived here forever?
Yeah, I guess. If you entertain that shit.
[There'd be whispers no matter what Billy did - fresh meat? Hawkins High was starving for it - but the reputation he'd kicked off for himself certainly doesn't help. Whether or not he gives a shit, it does draw attention - perhaps more than just being new.
Either way, Hawkins was bound to get tired of the same old act. It would chew Billy up and spit him back out, and it wouldn't even have the decency to fake guilt over it.
In another life, maybe Billy wasn't so bad. Maybe Billy wasn't on Steve's perpetual shit list, maybe, hell, maybe they got along (unlikely in any life, but hey, keep the dream alive).
Steve shrugs again, kicking another rock which disappears into the leaves.] Maybe. Maybe not. But I'm Hawkins born and bred it's - hard to imagine anywhere else.
[Steve blows out a sigh as they finally reach the field, which still has vestiges of last Friday's tipi day before the football game. Toilet paper is strewn through the trees, along the ground; a testament to how often they win, at Hawkin's High.] So what's stopping you?
[There'd be whispers no matter what Billy did - fresh meat? Hawkins High was starving for it - but the reputation he'd kicked off for himself certainly doesn't help. Whether or not he gives a shit, it does draw attention - perhaps more than just being new.
Either way, Hawkins was bound to get tired of the same old act. It would chew Billy up and spit him back out, and it wouldn't even have the decency to fake guilt over it.
In another life, maybe Billy wasn't so bad. Maybe Billy wasn't on Steve's perpetual shit list, maybe, hell, maybe they got along (unlikely in any life, but hey, keep the dream alive).
Steve shrugs again, kicking another rock which disappears into the leaves.] Maybe. Maybe not. But I'm Hawkins born and bred it's - hard to imagine anywhere else.
[Steve blows out a sigh as they finally reach the field, which still has vestiges of last Friday's tipi day before the football game. Toilet paper is strewn through the trees, along the ground; a testament to how often they win, at Hawkin's High.] So what's stopping you?
As if you're so above it all, King Steve.
[ As far as Billy was concerned, Steve absolutely still cared about his old title and was deep in denial about how much it hurt to see Billy take it away. What else could there be that was more important than High School social status?
You didn't become the King if you didn't care, and Billy can't even fathom the extent of what Steve's been through with monsters and other dimensions. His world is a small one, powered by fist fights and petty social games.
He finds a spot on the ground that is clear of trash and toilet paper and plunks himself down, setting the bag down beside him. Despite his earlier threats, if Steve wants to take a can he's not going to stop him. ]
I don't have anywhere else to go.
[ No relatives he was close to and no friends with jobs he could split a room with, even back in California. Billy'd chosen the lone wolf lifestyle and that left him without anyone to rely on but himself. A seventeen-year-old with no support network securing a job that can pay the bills wasn't easy. ]
[ As far as Billy was concerned, Steve absolutely still cared about his old title and was deep in denial about how much it hurt to see Billy take it away. What else could there be that was more important than High School social status?
You didn't become the King if you didn't care, and Billy can't even fathom the extent of what Steve's been through with monsters and other dimensions. His world is a small one, powered by fist fights and petty social games.
He finds a spot on the ground that is clear of trash and toilet paper and plunks himself down, setting the bag down beside him. Despite his earlier threats, if Steve wants to take a can he's not going to stop him. ]
I don't have anywhere else to go.
[ No relatives he was close to and no friends with jobs he could split a room with, even back in California. Billy'd chosen the lone wolf lifestyle and that left him without anyone to rely on but himself. A seventeen-year-old with no support network securing a job that can pay the bills wasn't easy. ]
[Steve bites his own tongue before he can correct Billy. Because he wouldn't understand, what the fuck would this asshole understand? Steve can barely remember when his biggest worries were about looking cool, and don't get him wrong - it's not like he suddenly stopped caring about his hair, his jeans. But people like Tommy, like Carol? Jesus, fuck that noise.
But maybe it shows on his face, how little it matters. Really, he'd much rather Billy take the title and stop being such a dick all the time. Steve feels too young to feel this tired.]
You know, I didn't give myself that nickname. [It's as much as Steve is going to say about it, shoving his hands in his pockets and leaning against a tree as they find somewhere to settle. The beer is only going to look more tempting the longer this conversation continues.
Now that - the admission from Billy, albeit a tipsy one - is unexpected, and Steve tries to keep his expression neutral, to stop his eyebrows flying up towards his hair.]
So what's your play? Stay here and then - what?
But maybe it shows on his face, how little it matters. Really, he'd much rather Billy take the title and stop being such a dick all the time. Steve feels too young to feel this tired.]
You know, I didn't give myself that nickname. [It's as much as Steve is going to say about it, shoving his hands in his pockets and leaning against a tree as they find somewhere to settle. The beer is only going to look more tempting the longer this conversation continues.
Now that - the admission from Billy, albeit a tipsy one - is unexpected, and Steve tries to keep his expression neutral, to stop his eyebrows flying up towards his hair.]
So what's your play? Stay here and then - what?
But you must've earned it.
[ Unless people in Hawkins are just so nice that they give you flattering nicknames just for being alive. He doubts that, but he's not in the mood to push it any further than that. He's the new king, that's all that matters. ]
Then I'll get kicked out of the house, start driving, and see where I end up. [ That's about as much as Billy - tipsy or otherwise - is capable of planning for the future. He expects his dad'll kick him out sooner rather than later, but after that? He'll just go somewhere and see what happens. ]
[ Unless people in Hawkins are just so nice that they give you flattering nicknames just for being alive. He doubts that, but he's not in the mood to push it any further than that. He's the new king, that's all that matters. ]
Then I'll get kicked out of the house, start driving, and see where I end up. [ That's about as much as Billy - tipsy or otherwise - is capable of planning for the future. He expects his dad'll kick him out sooner rather than later, but after that? He'll just go somewhere and see what happens. ]
[Steve snorts. Yeah, the one thing in his life he'd earned - and was it earned? Or was it because his parents were loaded and his punches were rough enough that nobody felt like risking their face was worth it? But Billy can take it. Steve had never really been holding on that hard.]
You really think they'd give you the boot? [Steve doesn't mean to sound skeptical, it's just - well, a much different situation than anything he'd have thought to expect.
Steve sets himself on the ground next to Billy, and hell, he'll grab one beer. Billy can chase him down for a fiver later.] You could go anywhere, where would it be? Family, money, all this shit doesn't matter. Where would you go?
You really think they'd give you the boot? [Steve doesn't mean to sound skeptical, it's just - well, a much different situation than anything he'd have thought to expect.
Steve sets himself on the ground next to Billy, and hell, he'll grab one beer. Billy can chase him down for a fiver later.] You could go anywhere, where would it be? Family, money, all this shit doesn't matter. Where would you go?
I'll be more surprised if they don't. [ He wasn't going to college, and Neil Hargrove didn't exactly have high enough hopes for Billy that he'd keep supporting him after he turned eighteen. ]
Far from here. [ A fact that Steve would probably be happy to know: that he might not have to deal with Billy much longer. He longed to be back to spending his days on the beach, working on his already-fading tan and listening to music on his boombox with whoever was his current lover cradled at his side.
He took another sip of his beer. ] Back to California, probably. Maybe Hawaii.
Far from here. [ A fact that Steve would probably be happy to know: that he might not have to deal with Billy much longer. He longed to be back to spending his days on the beach, working on his already-fading tan and listening to music on his boombox with whoever was his current lover cradled at his side.
He took another sip of his beer. ] Back to California, probably. Maybe Hawaii.
[ The dark blue Camaro rolls slowly down the alleyway, leaning hard on one side. One of the rear tires has blown out, though the single occupant seems a great deal too stressed out for a simple flat tire. ]
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck - [ Billy steps out of the car, pacing around a bit before doing something that looks like a poor attempt at a breathing exercise. He pops his trunk open and pulls out a jack, a lug wrench, and a spare tire before he gets to changing out the flat. With the speed he works one would think he's auditioning for a pit crew, and all the while he's cussing like a sailor.
Today has not been Billy's day. He just spent two hours stuck in traffic and half an hour of that was spent pulled over by the cops who were certain that he was on something and didn't let him go until he walked back and forth in a straight line twenty times and recited the whole alphabet backward. Fuck them, no one can recite the alphabet backward on the first try. To top it all off, the second he got going at a decent speed again his tire blew out and he had to slowly roll somewhere secluded so he could change it. After spending the better part of the day sitting still or being provoked, he'd be surprised if he made it through the tire change without setting something off.
And he doesn't. Right on queue, the bulb of a nearby lamppost burst as flame starts to engulf it. He jumps back a bit at the noise, wiping the sweat from his brow. ] Yeah, fuck you, too.
[ He flips the lamppost off, as if that'll help anything. It's a better outcome than he expected, though: at least he didn't torch his precious car or get himself into a world of trouble by setting one of those cops on fire. He's almost relieved until he sees some pale bastard dressed in all black standing in the shadows and staring right at him.
Billy just stares at Klaus slack-jawed for a moment, his cigarette falling out of his mouth and onto the ground. ] Dammit. [ He'd been caught red handed. What the hell should he do about that? Well, it was just a lamppost, and the guy he was looking at didn't exactly scream 'credible witness'. It's alright, it's alright, he'll just slip back into his car and drive away.
But as he reaches for the handle, a nearby trashcan starts to smoke, and then smolder, and then - well, that fluffy jacket his observer was wearing was about ten seconds away from lighting up like a bonfire.
He considers just driving off. He really does. But whatever sorry excuse of a conscience he has is still one step above letting someone who hadn't even pissed him off burn up in a back alleyway. ]
Hey, you, uh - [ He gestures to the trash can. ] You should get away from that.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck - [ Billy steps out of the car, pacing around a bit before doing something that looks like a poor attempt at a breathing exercise. He pops his trunk open and pulls out a jack, a lug wrench, and a spare tire before he gets to changing out the flat. With the speed he works one would think he's auditioning for a pit crew, and all the while he's cussing like a sailor.
Today has not been Billy's day. He just spent two hours stuck in traffic and half an hour of that was spent pulled over by the cops who were certain that he was on something and didn't let him go until he walked back and forth in a straight line twenty times and recited the whole alphabet backward. Fuck them, no one can recite the alphabet backward on the first try. To top it all off, the second he got going at a decent speed again his tire blew out and he had to slowly roll somewhere secluded so he could change it. After spending the better part of the day sitting still or being provoked, he'd be surprised if he made it through the tire change without setting something off.
And he doesn't. Right on queue, the bulb of a nearby lamppost burst as flame starts to engulf it. He jumps back a bit at the noise, wiping the sweat from his brow. ] Yeah, fuck you, too.
[ He flips the lamppost off, as if that'll help anything. It's a better outcome than he expected, though: at least he didn't torch his precious car or get himself into a world of trouble by setting one of those cops on fire. He's almost relieved until he sees some pale bastard dressed in all black standing in the shadows and staring right at him.
Billy just stares at Klaus slack-jawed for a moment, his cigarette falling out of his mouth and onto the ground. ] Dammit. [ He'd been caught red handed. What the hell should he do about that? Well, it was just a lamppost, and the guy he was looking at didn't exactly scream 'credible witness'. It's alright, it's alright, he'll just slip back into his car and drive away.
But as he reaches for the handle, a nearby trashcan starts to smoke, and then smolder, and then - well, that fluffy jacket his observer was wearing was about ten seconds away from lighting up like a bonfire.
He considers just driving off. He really does. But whatever sorry excuse of a conscience he has is still one step above letting someone who hadn't even pissed him off burn up in a back alleyway. ]
Hey, you, uh - [ He gestures to the trash can. ] You should get away from that.
just gonna drop a cw: drugs here because, well, it's klaus
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
channellings
2019-05-04 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
[oddly enough (though not to people who know him), klaus isn't roused by the sound of the camaro rolling into the alleyway. the noise registers to him, sure, but he's used to vehicles breezing through at all hours of the night around this place, which is even weirder, considering the shadiness of the area-- and not just the darkness being cast over the barely visible street that will end up being worse after one of the lamp-posts catches fire.
what does cause him to snap to is another person's voice; it makes him blink a few times to clear the haze in his vision, eyebrows knitting together before he finally realizes: yes, that's another voice, and it doesn't seem too far away? but also, someone sounds pissed as hell about whatever they're doing, so it's not like he can just ignore whoever it is now. he puffs on the remaining bit of his joint, pinches the end between his fingers to make certain it's out then tucks the roach into the open pack of cigarettes he's got in his pocket.
climbing up onto this damn fire escape might've been a great idea when he was sober, but now that he's walking hand-in-hand with good ol' mary-jane and a few uppers, scaling down the ladder proves to be far more difficult than when he'd ascended the first time. mercifully, he manages to get back onto solid ground without breaking his neck, straightens himself out a bit and heads toward where he'd thought he heard the other person's cursing.
he stumbles across the scene of billy changing his tire, narrows his eyes, doesn't even really think much of it, but as the guy finishes and he goes to turn away, the street-light bursts into flames. the surprised yelp klaus lets out is completely undignified, barely smothered against the fur collar of his coat when he ducks down in an attempt to avoid being sprayed by the shower of sparks or the flames dropping onto the asphalt below.
holy fucking shit, he thinks, mouth hanging open, eyes wide as saucers. how the hell did that happen? while he's contemplating it, the skinny medium doesn't think to maybe pay attention to his surroundings until it's too late— shit, he's been seen and as he draws his attention from the light to the other male, it occurs to him: the little visitor who's decided to come creeping around his usual spot obviously wasn't expecting to be seen, either.]
Uhhh, [is about as far as he gets though, standing there like a deer caught in headlights, impossibly widened dark-ringed eyes looking frantically between billy, his car and the one way he knows how to get out of the alley. klaus could run, there's still the chance, but as he continues gawking, his curiosity gets the better of him.
that, and the fact a nearby trashcan has abruptly caught on fire.] Jesus Christ—! [he backpedals away from the burning drum, clutches his coat tighter around himself and whips his head back in billy's direction.]
Did... did you do that? And set the light on fire? [he redirects his attention to the lamp for emphasis then lowers his gaze again.] Don't worry, I'm not going to turn you in or anything, I just [pause] can't actually believe what I'm seeing.
Like, I'm pretty sure I'm high as a goddamn kite, but also: shit is spontaneously combusting? Please, just tell me I haven't lost my fucking mind.
what does cause him to snap to is another person's voice; it makes him blink a few times to clear the haze in his vision, eyebrows knitting together before he finally realizes: yes, that's another voice, and it doesn't seem too far away? but also, someone sounds pissed as hell about whatever they're doing, so it's not like he can just ignore whoever it is now. he puffs on the remaining bit of his joint, pinches the end between his fingers to make certain it's out then tucks the roach into the open pack of cigarettes he's got in his pocket.
climbing up onto this damn fire escape might've been a great idea when he was sober, but now that he's walking hand-in-hand with good ol' mary-jane and a few uppers, scaling down the ladder proves to be far more difficult than when he'd ascended the first time. mercifully, he manages to get back onto solid ground without breaking his neck, straightens himself out a bit and heads toward where he'd thought he heard the other person's cursing.
he stumbles across the scene of billy changing his tire, narrows his eyes, doesn't even really think much of it, but as the guy finishes and he goes to turn away, the street-light bursts into flames. the surprised yelp klaus lets out is completely undignified, barely smothered against the fur collar of his coat when he ducks down in an attempt to avoid being sprayed by the shower of sparks or the flames dropping onto the asphalt below.
holy fucking shit, he thinks, mouth hanging open, eyes wide as saucers. how the hell did that happen? while he's contemplating it, the skinny medium doesn't think to maybe pay attention to his surroundings until it's too late— shit, he's been seen and as he draws his attention from the light to the other male, it occurs to him: the little visitor who's decided to come creeping around his usual spot obviously wasn't expecting to be seen, either.]
Uhhh, [is about as far as he gets though, standing there like a deer caught in headlights, impossibly widened dark-ringed eyes looking frantically between billy, his car and the one way he knows how to get out of the alley. klaus could run, there's still the chance, but as he continues gawking, his curiosity gets the better of him.
that, and the fact a nearby trashcan has abruptly caught on fire.] Jesus Christ—! [he backpedals away from the burning drum, clutches his coat tighter around himself and whips his head back in billy's direction.]
Did... did you do that? And set the light on fire? [he redirects his attention to the lamp for emphasis then lowers his gaze again.] Don't worry, I'm not going to turn you in or anything, I just [pause] can't actually believe what I'm seeing.
Like, I'm pretty sure I'm high as a goddamn kite, but also: shit is spontaneously combusting? Please, just tell me I haven't lost my fucking mind.
[ Billy quirks an eyebrow at Klaus. So he's high as a goddamn kite, huh? And he looks it, too. On the off chance this guy went to the authorities he seriously doubts anyone would believe him.
He's half tempted to just say 'yeah, you're losing it' and leave, but he can still feel that lingering flicker of heat in his chest he always gets when he's about to go off again. He can direct where it goes, if he's aware of it in time, but he can't put it out.
When the fire wants to come out, it will, and there's not a damn thing Billy can do about it. This guy's seen enough already, he can see Billy let off some steam, too. ]
No, you're not crazy. [ He inhales, deeply. ] Just stand back, alright?
[ He squeezes his eyes shut and exhales, slow and methodical, letting all of that pent-up anger out. What maintenance crew decided Friday night was the best time to close a bridge? What idiot got a fender bender going thirty miles per hour on the detour route? How'd they get a driver's license? Why'd the cops always have to pull him over, just because he sat there in traffic revving his engine at them? Why couldn't they take their backward alphabet and shove it right up their ass?
Billy clenches his fist and the fire in the trash bin grows, higher and higher and higher, flames licking up against the brick wall and leaving scorch marks. There's a high pitched hiss it's so hot -
- and then all at once it settles down, nothing but smoke and embers. Billy's heart pounds and his breathing is heavy, but the heat built up inside of him is gone. For now.
He turns to Klaus, glaring at him with those fierce blue eyes. ] You're damn right you're not turning me in. [He puts on his best angry face although something else shines through. He's afraid. His eyes are damp although he rubs his face with his sleeve in an attempt to hide it. Last time he was seen it didn't turn out very well for him, so here he was on the opposite end of the country trying to play normal and royally fucking it up. ]
He's half tempted to just say 'yeah, you're losing it' and leave, but he can still feel that lingering flicker of heat in his chest he always gets when he's about to go off again. He can direct where it goes, if he's aware of it in time, but he can't put it out.
When the fire wants to come out, it will, and there's not a damn thing Billy can do about it. This guy's seen enough already, he can see Billy let off some steam, too. ]
No, you're not crazy. [ He inhales, deeply. ] Just stand back, alright?
[ He squeezes his eyes shut and exhales, slow and methodical, letting all of that pent-up anger out. What maintenance crew decided Friday night was the best time to close a bridge? What idiot got a fender bender going thirty miles per hour on the detour route? How'd they get a driver's license? Why'd the cops always have to pull him over, just because he sat there in traffic revving his engine at them? Why couldn't they take their backward alphabet and shove it right up their ass?
Billy clenches his fist and the fire in the trash bin grows, higher and higher and higher, flames licking up against the brick wall and leaving scorch marks. There's a high pitched hiss it's so hot -
- and then all at once it settles down, nothing but smoke and embers. Billy's heart pounds and his breathing is heavy, but the heat built up inside of him is gone. For now.
He turns to Klaus, glaring at him with those fierce blue eyes. ] You're damn right you're not turning me in. [He puts on his best angry face although something else shines through. He's afraid. His eyes are damp although he rubs his face with his sleeve in an attempt to hide it. Last time he was seen it didn't turn out very well for him, so here he was on the opposite end of the country trying to play normal and royally fucking it up. ]
[even if he were to go to the cops, they wouldn't believe him at all, so what point would he have running off to talk some officer's ear off about the guy he saw setting shit on fire? yeah, that'd make him look real sane, for sure.
billy doesn't need to tell him twice to stand back. klaus shuffles back a little further, stuffs his hands into the pockets of his coat and focuses on the smoldering barrel, intent on seeing what else billy's got in store with this pyrokinesis of his. in the back of his mind, there's the slightest tingle of a thought: could he be one of the kids that escaped reginald's ever watchful eye? a long-shot, perhaps, but not impossible and he almost thinks to ask out loud, right up 'til the point the flames begin growing larger in the trashcan.
he watches in amazement, pupils entirely blown-out, heart hammering away against his ribs with excitement at the beautiful display. klaus has set his own share of fires when younger, marveled at the captivating glow, the slow burn of embers that are left behind-- but this? this is something else altogether. it grows and grows, singes the side of a building, it's so hot. there's even a moment where he's worried the brick will catch fire—
then it dies down again, but that doesn't lessen his blatant giddiness or the sparkle in his eyes.] That? Was fucking ah-maaaazing, holy shit.
[billy turns on him and the taller male stiffens, blinks then tips his head with consideration. is he supposed to feel threatened? to be fair, he's more than sure billy could take him down in a fight, no problem, although he likes to avoid conflict as much as possible nowadays.] Something tells me they wouldn't believe me anyway? But hey, you showed me yours, so I'll show you mine.
[doing so while he's intoxicated is going to be harder than usual, but here goes nothing. klaus glances around, locates the nearest (and smallest) things within the alley – which happen to be a few smooth stones – then focuses what little bit of energy he can muster into moving them. they tremble on the ground first, a fumble in his concentration, yet once he levels out, lets his thoughts become clearer, they ever so slowly begin lifting up.
he holds them there a minute, the edges of his lips curving before he flicks his fingers and twists his wrist, makes the trio of rocks float up and stack one on top of the other in his palm.]
Ta-daaa! [followed by a high-pitched giggle.] See? You aren't the only freak around these parts. [his hand overturns, deposits the pebbles onto the ground once more, his thumb sticking up as he aims the forefinger at billy and clicks his tongue.] And that's not even the weirdest thing I can do.
billy doesn't need to tell him twice to stand back. klaus shuffles back a little further, stuffs his hands into the pockets of his coat and focuses on the smoldering barrel, intent on seeing what else billy's got in store with this pyrokinesis of his. in the back of his mind, there's the slightest tingle of a thought: could he be one of the kids that escaped reginald's ever watchful eye? a long-shot, perhaps, but not impossible and he almost thinks to ask out loud, right up 'til the point the flames begin growing larger in the trashcan.
he watches in amazement, pupils entirely blown-out, heart hammering away against his ribs with excitement at the beautiful display. klaus has set his own share of fires when younger, marveled at the captivating glow, the slow burn of embers that are left behind-- but this? this is something else altogether. it grows and grows, singes the side of a building, it's so hot. there's even a moment where he's worried the brick will catch fire—
then it dies down again, but that doesn't lessen his blatant giddiness or the sparkle in his eyes.] That? Was fucking ah-maaaazing, holy shit.
[billy turns on him and the taller male stiffens, blinks then tips his head with consideration. is he supposed to feel threatened? to be fair, he's more than sure billy could take him down in a fight, no problem, although he likes to avoid conflict as much as possible nowadays.] Something tells me they wouldn't believe me anyway? But hey, you showed me yours, so I'll show you mine.
[doing so while he's intoxicated is going to be harder than usual, but here goes nothing. klaus glances around, locates the nearest (and smallest) things within the alley – which happen to be a few smooth stones – then focuses what little bit of energy he can muster into moving them. they tremble on the ground first, a fumble in his concentration, yet once he levels out, lets his thoughts become clearer, they ever so slowly begin lifting up.
he holds them there a minute, the edges of his lips curving before he flicks his fingers and twists his wrist, makes the trio of rocks float up and stack one on top of the other in his palm.]
Ta-daaa! [followed by a high-pitched giggle.] See? You aren't the only freak around these parts. [his hand overturns, deposits the pebbles onto the ground once more, his thumb sticking up as he aims the forefinger at billy and clicks his tongue.] And that's not even the weirdest thing I can do.
[ Billy scowls his teeth bared like a hungry wolf. ] Amazing? You're lucky it didn't pick you instead of the trash can.
[ He talks about it like it's a separate entity rather than a part of himself deeply rooted in his subconscious, in his own emotions. He spent his entire life denying himself most feelings, shoving them down in the hope that quenching them would also snuff out the fire that almost ruined his life so many times, so it may as well have been a separate entity for how little he understood it. And all his self-induced repression got him was a hair-trigger temper with nothing else to oppose it.
Case in point, when the rocks start to levitate, Billy wants nothing more than to shove Klaus down to the ground and wipe that cheeky little grin off his face, show him who's boss. This was the first time in all his life that he's met someone like him, and his fire was telling him that he was a threat, a competitor that needed to be subdued right the fuck now.
And why was he so damn giddy? That only provokes him further.
Had he not just pushed as much of his fire out as he possibly could, that feeling would have been stronger, and he might have succumbed to it. For now, he manages to relax, his stern expression softening into genuine curiosity. ] I've never -
[ Never known a time when he wasn't the only freak around. But admitting that just seems like a lot in front of a stranger, though the words that did slip out were enough to get the message across. ]
...What's the weirdest thing? [ He feels silly asking. This guy's not his friend, and if he was anything like Billy he could be equally dangerous, equally volatile. But he wants to know more. ]
[ He talks about it like it's a separate entity rather than a part of himself deeply rooted in his subconscious, in his own emotions. He spent his entire life denying himself most feelings, shoving them down in the hope that quenching them would also snuff out the fire that almost ruined his life so many times, so it may as well have been a separate entity for how little he understood it. And all his self-induced repression got him was a hair-trigger temper with nothing else to oppose it.
Case in point, when the rocks start to levitate, Billy wants nothing more than to shove Klaus down to the ground and wipe that cheeky little grin off his face, show him who's boss. This was the first time in all his life that he's met someone like him, and his fire was telling him that he was a threat, a competitor that needed to be subdued right the fuck now.
And why was he so damn giddy? That only provokes him further.
Had he not just pushed as much of his fire out as he possibly could, that feeling would have been stronger, and he might have succumbed to it. For now, he manages to relax, his stern expression softening into genuine curiosity. ] I've never -
[ Never known a time when he wasn't the only freak around. But admitting that just seems like a lot in front of a stranger, though the words that did slip out were enough to get the message across. ]
...What's the weirdest thing? [ He feels silly asking. This guy's not his friend, and if he was anything like Billy he could be equally dangerous, equally volatile. But he wants to know more. ]
[damn, klaus really shouldn't think that people who look like they can tear his throat out are attractive.] Must've really been my lucky day, then.
[his posture slackens and he shuffles a couple steps closer to billy, making sure to keep a respectable amount of distance as he walks a half-circle around him. perhaps it looks like he's sizing him up when he's literally just checking him out, but billy's free to take the look-over however he pleases, even if the suggestive way klaus's eyebrows lift is pretty unmistakeable. he's got a brother that has the same feelings about his own abilities-- too bad about him being dead, though.
what's funny about billy's internal reaction is that even at the academy when they were younger, things were always a competition. there's a reason their father gave them numbers rather than actual names; bless their loving robomom for finally changing that. if the other male comes at him, it won't be much of a fight, though he's been known to get in a few decent hits or kicks before going down, at the very least.
but can't he just be happy about finding another superpowered person?
he slinks his way back around, eyebrows arching with consideration at billy's inquisitiveness.] You've never what, hot stuff? [and that's funny, too. because of the fire and all? klaus snickers to himself since he thinks he's clever, yet it's probably a good thing he can use it more as a response to billy's question.]
I can see and talk to dead people. [also use evocation to summon them, but that's something he'll leave out for now.]
[his posture slackens and he shuffles a couple steps closer to billy, making sure to keep a respectable amount of distance as he walks a half-circle around him. perhaps it looks like he's sizing him up when he's literally just checking him out, but billy's free to take the look-over however he pleases, even if the suggestive way klaus's eyebrows lift is pretty unmistakeable. he's got a brother that has the same feelings about his own abilities-- too bad about him being dead, though.
what's funny about billy's internal reaction is that even at the academy when they were younger, things were always a competition. there's a reason their father gave them numbers rather than actual names; bless their loving robomom for finally changing that. if the other male comes at him, it won't be much of a fight, though he's been known to get in a few decent hits or kicks before going down, at the very least.
but can't he just be happy about finding another superpowered person?
he slinks his way back around, eyebrows arching with consideration at billy's inquisitiveness.] You've never what, hot stuff? [and that's funny, too. because of the fire and all? klaus snickers to himself since he thinks he's clever, yet it's probably a good thing he can use it more as a response to billy's question.]
I can see and talk to dead people. [also use evocation to summon them, but that's something he'll leave out for now.]
[ It was probably a good thing that Billy's mom kept him. She was long gone, and his dad resented the hell out of him for being some bizarre bastard of the universe rather than his own biological son, so his home life was far from peachy. Still, he was aggressive and domineering enough on his own.
Who knows what he would've been like if someone was actually encouraging him to compete.
He'd be lying to himself if he said he completely hated his powers. Most of the time they were a nuisance, and he spent a lot of time chasing adrenaline rushes and exhausting himself so he wouldn't accidentally torch public property every time something pissed him off. But it made him feel powerful, too, and he couldn't help but revel in that a little. Behind his asshole demeanor and confident swagger was the knowledge that if anyone really fucked with him they'd be sorry. ]
Never met anyone else like me. [ No one knew about him (except his fucking stepsister, but that was a problem for another day). He was vaguely aware that others existed but he never sought them out. He had his own problems to deal with. The look Klaus is giving him doesn't escape his notice, but he's still too high-strung about this whole situation to really appreciate it.
That last admission surprises him, enough that his posture loosens up a bit, going from 'about to pounce at any second' to 'maybe actually having a normal conversation'. ] That...that sounds intense. [ Understatement of the year. ]
Who knows what he would've been like if someone was actually encouraging him to compete.
He'd be lying to himself if he said he completely hated his powers. Most of the time they were a nuisance, and he spent a lot of time chasing adrenaline rushes and exhausting himself so he wouldn't accidentally torch public property every time something pissed him off. But it made him feel powerful, too, and he couldn't help but revel in that a little. Behind his asshole demeanor and confident swagger was the knowledge that if anyone really fucked with him they'd be sorry. ]
Never met anyone else like me. [ No one knew about him (except his fucking stepsister, but that was a problem for another day). He was vaguely aware that others existed but he never sought them out. He had his own problems to deal with. The look Klaus is giving him doesn't escape his notice, but he's still too high-strung about this whole situation to really appreciate it.
That last admission surprises him, enough that his posture loosens up a bit, going from 'about to pounce at any second' to 'maybe actually having a normal conversation'. ] That...that sounds intense. [ Understatement of the year. ]
[traumatic backstories are absurdly common among the hero (and villain) types; it'd be surprising if someone didn't grow up with a shitty childhood while trying to handle these ever-developing powers and sometimes, there are those that do have normal lives who still grow up to be terrorizers.
depending on how it would've been handled, it might have worked for him-- but the past is the past and there isn't much they can do about that right now.
his telekinesis is something he's only just discovered and he has to be completely sober for it to work on larger items and things like levitation, but that's... a lot harder than he'd like to admit. so, thankfully, billy doesn't know anything about that since he would be hesitant to offer information someone else could use against him. it's a fleeting thought: picturing how psychokinetic and pyrotechnical abilities could work together, but it is peculiarly distracting.
he blinks hard, shakes his head to clear the cobwebs, eyelashes still flickering while he redirects his attention to billy.] Never? Damn, you should come by the academy sometime. You'll feel right at home. [some of his siblings might even enjoy having someone like billy around (diego's mostly who he's thinking of, but with time, the others might learn to tolerate him).
noting how billy's demeanor relaxes, klaus lets his own stance do the same, the slope of his shoulders slumping under an invisible weight. man, whatever his dealer gave him tonight is really wearing him out. must have been an indica strain because if not for the adderall, he'd be dead on his feet.] Hell yeah, man. I mean... there's a reason I'm high.
depending on how it would've been handled, it might have worked for him-- but the past is the past and there isn't much they can do about that right now.
his telekinesis is something he's only just discovered and he has to be completely sober for it to work on larger items and things like levitation, but that's... a lot harder than he'd like to admit. so, thankfully, billy doesn't know anything about that since he would be hesitant to offer information someone else could use against him. it's a fleeting thought: picturing how psychokinetic and pyrotechnical abilities could work together, but it is peculiarly distracting.
he blinks hard, shakes his head to clear the cobwebs, eyelashes still flickering while he redirects his attention to billy.] Never? Damn, you should come by the academy sometime. You'll feel right at home. [some of his siblings might even enjoy having someone like billy around (diego's mostly who he's thinking of, but with time, the others might learn to tolerate him).
noting how billy's demeanor relaxes, klaus lets his own stance do the same, the slope of his shoulders slumping under an invisible weight. man, whatever his dealer gave him tonight is really wearing him out. must have been an indica strain because if not for the adderall, he'd be dead on his feet.] Hell yeah, man. I mean... there's a reason I'm high.
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