|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:38 pm
Thank the stars for menus! He wasn't sure what to say, and he wasn't sure how he brought the best in Billy if they barely met. What was he doing to improve him aside from flounder about like a fish out of water? Apparently, whatever it was, he was doing it well and it was working. Who knew?!
Taking the offered menu, he opened it up and was given the luxury of being quiet for a while and just thinking about what he would eat. He'd been so nervous over Date 2 that he didn't eat much of anything for the day, and was now looking over the menu. It was nicely made, elegant font but not enough to make you think you'd be spending a fortune, and the dishes were all explained in detail so that you wouldn’t be ordering something you wouldn't want to ever touch. He noticed a turkey sandwich on a roll that said was made by a bakery nearby, and he spotted tea. Simple, cheap, yet it wasn't going to clog his arteries.
When they decided, he showed Billy what he wanted, and thought in the back of his mind that he would pay this time around. It seemed unfair that Billy was taking him out all the time. Since he paid last, Ladon felt he would pick up the tab this time around. He'd just have to nab the receipt at the end. Would that be too forward? He hoped not. He wanted to impress.
While Billy went up to the counter to place their order, Ladon getting a turkey sandwich and sweet tea, Ladon looked to the fire and caught his breath. Okay. He was doing fine, but he wondered about they just said. When Billy returned, he tried his best small smile. "So….." He tried to think. "……maybe you just feel you have the worst brought out because you go to Hillworth. It can't be good for your outlook. I bet you'd do better if you didn't have to go there." In short, maybe it wasn't Ladon that improved him but the fact that Ladon wasn't some thug at Hillworth. "Not saying everyone in Hillworth is bad. I know a few people there that are nice. You …don't seem to be brought there for any bad reason." Right? Okay, maybe be shouldn't have asked that.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:46 pm
When Billy returned with their food, which he had payed for up front, so Ladon wouldn't have the chance to pay - not that Billy would have minded - he smirked at the question. His answer came matter of factly, "I punched out my English teacher at Meadowview because he caused me to mess up a picture I was working on. All of my teachers know I focus better when I am drawing. He was the one a*****e who didn't." Billy obviously wasn't going to censor his language for poor Ladon's ears. As little as Billy did curse, anyway.
The tray of food was sat on the hearth - Ladon's sandwich and tea, and Billy's chicken alfredo bread bowl and tea. Hey, if he couldn't have his double cheeseburger and fries, might as well show off a more refined taste.
"I tend to have a temper where that is concerned. I can exhibit all the patience in the world with just about anything, but idiots getting between me and my art make all that patience melt away~ Next to you, my art is number one in my life." There was a bit of a chuckle, "From what I hear the guy retired and never finished the school year."
It got easier and easier to occasionally toss in those endearing comments. Later Billy would reflect that it was simply because his head was completely in the game, and not that there might have been any actually truth in it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:08 pm
If he had any idea that his plan to pay had him foiled, he might have started pouting, but instead he watched Billy return with their food after only a short wait (it was a slow day at the café after all), and they were once again sitting together. The food looked great, and they already set to work preparing the food the way they liked it. What Ladon was most impressed about was the bread. It was golden brown, chewy yet soft. It wasn't too dense, like a brick, or too soft, like a muffin or cake. Part of him was tempted tear the sandwich apart and each it piece by piece, starting with the roll.
Instead, he settled for taking a bite and was clearly pleased. Very much so. When he swallowed, again cringing at Billy's swearing, he returned with a look of shock. "You punched your teacher?" Of all the things, he didn't expect Billy to be the type to do that. He was seriously wondering if Billy had an anger problem, but the teen was quick to assure him he only had a short fuse in cases involving his work. It DID help that he threw in that easy compliment which was nothing for Billy to throw out there, but nearly stopped Ladon's heart to receive. Still, he was worried, but not so much for himself as for Billy. "I hope you don't punch any other teachers. You'll never get out of Hillworth that way." Ah, he was lecturing. He should stop himself before he did.
He took a sip of his tea to make sure he stilled his tongue, and set the glass back down on a coaster. "I suppose if he was a…" Ladon made a rolling gesture with his hand to let Billy fill in the word 'a*****e' himself. "…then I guess he deserved it. Seems bad you got punished for it though. I guess they couldn't let you get away with that. I'm surprised your parents didn't argue on your behalf. Someone should have stuck up for you." He frowned for an incident that had happened a while ago, before looking back. "Do you…..have better teachers now? It seems you can focus on your art now, right?" He hoped so or else he'd wind up punching more adults. He didn't want to see Billy go from Hillworth to Jail once he was of age. Oh, he was worried. He hoped Billy would restrain himself next time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:33 pm
Billy, again, chuckled, "Most of them read the file and otherwise learn their place. The only trouble I've had at Hillworth was with gym, "He took in a deep breath before continuing with an explanation, "However, Killingworth's replacement is much more slack, so all is well, even on that front." Billy wasn't much of a team player. End of story there...
Billy, food in hand, sat back against the couch, bowl containing the breadbowl in one hand, fork in the other. Billy had no way of knowing Ladon's connection to the late great 'Killingworth.' Nor did he know, or care really, what had happened to him. Billy was just looking to finish out school. Not that he knew where he'd live afterward. He sure as hell wasn't going home.
"My parents were actually kind of glad that I got a one way ticket to a boarding school. They are....they are the lowest scum of all." And here came where Billy got his low opinion of people from; "My mother is a drug whore, and my father is too much of a pansy to stand up to her, or anyone for that matter. Both are too self-concerned for their own good. Of course, I am too, but I have what they lack - ambition, direction. Without that I'd probably be about as much of a mess as they are. I have risen above that. I strive to be better than my roots. In fact..I hardly even claim relation at all." there was a visible sneer, a particular curl of his lip when he spoke about them.
He shook his head and promptly took a dignified bite of pasta. Why did he confess such? It was something that made him look bad. His past should be clean and shining. That is what he tried to make people at school think, anyway. Maybe...maybe it was just a much needed rant. Well...it was evident that, despite what Billy might have thought, he needed a lot of love. Tender love and care. Love was exactly what he wasn't going to do. All this with Ladon was just to make himself look good, and eventually to satisfy his sexual urges in an acceptable manner. And whores were not an acceptable manner! Nor was it something someone as 'high and mighty' as he should have to stoop to!
He wouldn't...care for Ladon. No matter what. Even if he gave him the love and care his childhood up to now had lacked. That's what he kept telling himself.
Obvious foreshadowing is obvious though. Even now Billy's mind was working against him. On some level all the comments about caring, and all Ladon's concern was getting to him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:05 pm
It was strange to hear anyone talk about Killingworth that didn't know him as Charonite, and Ladon felt both hurt to hear the man's name brought up so casually when Billy didn't know him. That he was just some teacher who had probably given him a hard time. To have such a person easily brought off as if he was anyone else almost made Ladon want to defend him and tell him of how great a person he was but, seeing as he didn't go to Hillworth, there would have been no explaining. Instead, he swallowed down a hard lump in his throat at the memory of his leader and nodded slowly, reaching out for his sandwich and easing back on the couch to slowly eat, a far-off look as he took a moment of silence for his once leader.
It gave Billy time to confess more and in just on sitting, Ladon was learning more about Billy's viewpoints and history than he ever thought he would in such a short amount of time. The boy was clearly darker than he had thought and much more troubled, not that he thought less of him. He just worried for him. He could list the problems easily as any else. Neglectful parents. Short tempered. Arrogant. However, without the additional facts, it just sounded like someone who was on their way to jail in a year or so. Hopeful, since Billy seemed to think that being with him would somehow improve his opinion of the world and people in general. Ambitious and optimistic to be able to want to strive to be a great artists despite the obstacles and the current state of the city. Troubled, yes, but who wasn't at this point?
Ladon took another thoughtful bite of his sandwich, again smiling. It was a very small comfort to find good food. "I certainly like that about you. Despite complaining that your parents are the cause of all your troubles, you just moved past it and worked to get what you want. Sorry that your parents are so terrible. They should have stuck by you." He knew it would sound wrong to say that he wished he had his parents sometimes simply because his mother was so overbearing and wanted to direct his life. "You seem to have your reasons for not liking people, though …you really should have more faith in people. Take the trash out and you find that there are plenty of people around working to improve and help out." The Negaverse was, of course, such an organization of people. His eye seemed to shimmer just a bit thinking about it. It was clear that Ladon had a more optimistic view of the world than his somewhat-maybe-coulditbe?-boyfriend.
"So, are there any nice people who have your back if times get rough? Friends? Do you like Hillworth a little bit better than home?" He wasn't sure, but he was trying to make Billy look at some positives to keep him looking to the better side of people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 3:44 pm
"Hillworth is better than home in aspects of cleanliness and company. And that is saying something, considering the people there, however it is a fair comparison. Neither my mother nor my father seem to know how to keep a clean house." Billy remembered seeing the mess of the house after he was let out of the hospital after that whole 'Barren Pines' organ ring thing. Trash, trash, trash on top of trash. His parents practically sleeping in trash~ Of course, Billy was the kind of person who liked organization and cleanliness. His dorm at Hillworth had shelves of neatly organized books and supplies. Everything had its place, and was returned there after its use. The trash was cleaned regularly, his sheets changed at least twice a week or whenever the scent of the detergent was no longer detectable. He didn't believe in giving clothes the 'sniff test' to see if they were clean, either.
"As for friends? No. I don't even have a room mate." which was just as well, since that would probably disrupt his clean abode, and no doubt put a damper on the whole 'painting in the dorm room' thing which...technically wasn't aloud, but with the cold weather, like hell was Billy going to work outside. "If I were, they wouldn't be real friends. Pawns if anything. The term friend is reserved for equals."
"And you? Its your turn to share."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:07 pm
Pawns. It wasn't a term he liked hearing, and he frowned at the thought. True, he did use people for his own career, taking starseeds and now taking energy. However, it was never pawns that he played with. They were people, yes, but bad people that lost their right to live and needed to be removed for the city to improve it. Everyone else were always people in his eyes. The way Billy said pawns made him think of slippery masterminds like Zac or other higher-up officials in his organization, and he wondered if it was a character trait. A way of thinking that you either picked up or were inclined towards, and not one Ladon had picked up. He didn't understand Billy on that note, and he wished he wouldn't keep referring to his practice in using people and thinking low of everyone – aside from him. Why him? If anything, he was sure that Ladon would have been on the list of people to look down upon. It was common for everyone else to.
He drank his tea slowly, thinking, before he looked up as he was addressed. His turn, and seeing as they covered a range of topics that Billy had seemed completely honest about, Ladon wasn't about to not return the favor. Be honest. He just……hoped he didn't loose whatever this was because of it.
"Well……My parents are divorced. It wasn't messy. They just fell apart and didn't think it was right to stick together just because they had kids. My sister and I decided who to stay with since neither one of us wanted to leave either one parent alone. It didn't seem fair. My mom works at Crystal Academy and my dad works in calculating damages – like it a tornado took out a city block. He'd work with other people to get the cost of what the damages were. It had a fancy title but I can't remember it." It wasn't important. He was never interested in his dad's work. It was plain, boring, and neither worked against or improved the city.
"They use to live near each other, but my dad and sister moved after the coma epidemic. They didn't think it was safe anymore, and my mother works here, so she decided to stay. I'm at least glad for that. " But for how long she would stay here, he wasn't sure. He could only hope it was after graduation. "….My mom was raised in a military family, so out house is always clean. I picked that up from her." Along with etiquette, manners, and organization.
He picked at the bread from his sandwich, tearing off a corner. "I don't really have a lot of friends. I know a few people in Hillworth, but I don't see them that often. The rest sort of come and go when they need to. I don't see anyone every day at school." He shrugged his shoulders as if it wasn't a big deal. "It doesn't really matter. School will be over anyways and no one will stick close to each other anyways." It's how it had happened with him and Tate.
He popped the piece of bread in his mouth and slowly chewed. "Why do you like art so much? Did someone teach you or did you pick it up on your own?" And they were back to Billy! Ladon was trying to keep the focus off of him as best he could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:19 pm
"Well, if your dad's job sounds like a busy one in this city. Maybe a little too busy now a days... Can't say anyone would really blame him for going elsewhere. Though being busy seems to make the day go faster. Your mother...you say military. I can't help but think then that she would not approve of the idea of you and me. We." Billy gave a sigh, put on though, it was.
"It is a shame that you don't have many friends. You seem the sort that would keep some of these kids,...our peers, I guess you could say, out of trouble. They'd benefit from your company." Because sometimes it took that one good influence, that one stick in the mud of a friend to keep a person on the straight and narrow. The kind of person you hate to let down or have think lesser of you.
"When one doesn't like what they are surrounded by, they often try to create a little of the beauty or peace that is otherwise lacking," Billy said, explaining his inclination to art. "I have to admit, I could not go out and verbally advocate change or promote a better world through my words because I have an inclination towards...saying things in such a way that riles other people's anger at times. Especially when it is something I am passionate about. So, through my art I hope to share a little visual beauty."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:39 pm
He gave another shrug, not really wanting to go such a dark alleyway of thought as to why no one bothered hanging out with him. It was a subject that often led to looking at all the bad qualities he had and how he should and could improve them to suit others – something he had already done to some extent. It was exhausting to think about and he knew that, even if he tried the hardest to fit in to gain a group of friends like everyone else, he would be bored, tired, stretched thin between being someone else, and wind up feeling like a liar. His disguise at school was enough to get him buy, but pretending to be someone else? – well, he had enough identities as it was.
"Most people think I'm a prude." In fact, a lot of people called him that. He was boring, old-fashioned, and was often called a mom or party-pooper because he didn't like cigarettes, flinched when people swore, and had no desire to get hammered. "What you seem to like, most people think is boring and just stupid." Saving yourself, waiting for the right person, and not going out to 'bang' anything that moved were all things that made kids his age want to laugh at him or go 'really?' as if he had a screw loose. Often, he wondered why he even bothered with these things. With wanting to just hold out for someone special, and wished he could be more spontaneous and carefree. To just say screw it and do whatever it is people did without thinking too much about the consequences.
He sometimes wished he wasn't so sensitive and could just go enjoy himself as easily as other teenagers his age. He felt outdated most of the time, and usually kept his viewpoints to himself now.
Keeping himself from thinking too much about it, he pulled back into the here and now and smiled. "So art is like your outlet and a way to improve the world? That seems like a really good cause. Better than punching someone at least." He said, smiling as he went back to eating. At least Billy had an escape, and it really helped paint (pardon the pun) the bigger picture of who he was. He looked over to Billy's food and shook his head. "If I keep you talking, your food is going to get cold." He probably should shut up for a bit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:48 pm
"Most people our age now a days are more focused on the here and now, not looking at the bigger picture of their future, when they'll look back and hate who they were and where it has led them. They'll wish they had been more like you." Was Billy's reply to Ladon's admittance of being a prude, then took another bite of his food.
Billy was a notoriously slow eater anyway. He could make lunch last all day. He chuckled, "Cold food is not something that bothers me." He tore off a bit of a piece of the bread bowl - a fluffy side piece - and offered it to Ladon wordlessly.
It wasn't uncommon for billy to be in his room painting and eating at the same time. As mentally admitted before - he liked to have something in his mouth. Jerky or a bread roll was often good for nomming while he worked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:47 pm
Blinking, he took the piece of bread from Billy with a simple but much appreciated "thank you" and slowly ate it. He was a slow, measured eater. Usually, if they could manage it, his family ate together and never in a sloppy, fast manner. You took time to eat, never making a mess, and not rushing off to do something else. As of now, his mother worked late and while they had a few times where they ate together, he usually cooked dinner, wrapped up leftovers in case his mother wanted something to eat, and went to bed. They at least had breakfast together most of the time, though they rarely talked much nowadays.
"I like hot foods. Breads. Rolls. Muffins. Cookies, but not too sweet." Well, maybe just a little. It was probably the only time he had a sweet tooth. He chewed on the piece of Billy's bread bowl and found it was just as great as his sandwich was. Maybe they would come here again, if Billy wanted to. "It's why I don't like that I can't bake well. It's good that the city has lots of bakeries though, and places like this. The food is really good." He looked at his sandwich and lifted up his place. "Did you…want to try?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:55 pm
Pasta all gone, Billy started on the bread bowl, "This is enough for me," he said when Ladon offered what was left of his.
"I've never tried baking. It really isn't a class they offer at Hillworth. And I never got the chance to take home ec while at Meadowview. But like you said - this place has plenty of bakeries," he shrugged. "I have to admit though..." he sighed and continued, "I am shamefully partial to fast food. Burgers and fries. I figure in moderation it is alright. A little reward after a long week if I've got the money." It was definitely a reward considering his diet mostly consisted of whatever the school served. School food was often about as bad as hospital food.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:30 pm
Pretty much done with his meal, Ladon ate the last remaining pieces, thinking to himself as Billy spoke. He guessed his parents wouldn't be the type to cook for him and, probably not having fond memories of being in the kitchen or just not wanting to be home, he didn't cook all that often if at all. He doubted Hillworth offered kitchens and who knew what state they were in when allowed to be used by dozens of teenage boys. Boys much more untidy than Billy and Ladon of course.
"I don't usually do fast food." He pointed out. " – not that it's bad or anything. " That is if Billy ever wanted to take him to a place he liked, Ladon wouldn't mind. "…I mean there is, but it's not a bad place to eat if you need a quick meal." A greasy, cheap, barely passing as food quick meal. Then again, he rarely ate at those places and had yet to eat at a place he liked. He did a few burger joints and could only shrug his shoulders at the taste. It was okay at best, though he had to admit, the fries were rather good.
"I usually spoil myself with bakeries. I'd rather eat a roll than a burger." That or eat a lemon bar, petit fours - OH, or even these mint cookies that The Silver Spoon Bakery made. Those were the best!
Chewing on his lower lip, he set his plate aside on the table and leaned back. "If you want……..I could cook you something. Ya know, when my mother is working late or I have the place for myself for a while. She trusts me enough to stay at home alone." He was, after all, a good, well-behaved son – or so she thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:36 pm
"Very well then," Billy said, setting aside the remaining half of his bread bowl and slipping an arm behind Ladon to wrap around the boy's waist in sleek Billy fashion. "Whenever and whatever you feel like cooking is fine by me.." He then gave that almost suave smile down at Ladon.
"I'll trust you not to drug me and tie me up in your basement somewhere," he chuckled, teasing the boy, knowing that such was highly unlikely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:08 pm
He sat, slightly tense, with a arm around him and a hand on his waist. Not at the end of the couch, but now held up against someone. Billy. The guy next to him. Right there. Notice him? Ladon sure as hell did. Whatever warms rolling from the fireplace was minor in relation to the more noticeable heat of the teenage boy's arm wrapped around him or the side of the other pressed against his side. Their sides were touching! He was being HELD in PUBLIC!
Whatever compulsion that said he should gain some respectable space to keep others from water was completely overcame by a peculiar giddiness. A warm fluttering that rolled in his stomach, bubbled in his throat and stretched the unused muscles of his face into a little, tiny, smile. How indecent of him to find this all very appealing, but he'd never been held before. Hand holding. Rolling fire. Quiet, somewhat-private café. Wasn't this what dream dates were about? Still, he now regretted eating with being nervous and he tried to calm himself. Thuppa-Thup heartbeat or not, he wasn't going to move a muscle, as if moving just a fraction would somehow frighten this moment away and leave them separated again.
"Okay. Then, it's a date?" He said, glad that, despite not knowing he had done so until he suggested it, he had successfully took the reigns and was the one to plan their next date. Look at him being all flirty. Well, flirty enough.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
