![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
"You look way better."
No longer did he look like some prep school kid who just happened to take the wrong turn in a bad neighbourhood, some genius had finally told the silver spoon to change his clothes and while he looked considerably less handsome in them, the odds of him getting his ass kicked lowered a lot. The hoodie was pretty thick material and the jeans weren't badly worn, a good haul actually. His first set of clothes from a shelter were just full of holes, all his shit kept falling out of his pockets.
He looked up from where he was lying, sprawled on the bonnet of an old abandoned car that had been trashed in a riot a few months ago and was little more than a burnt out shell really but still, it remained there stubbornly in the worst part of town in the worst area. Not really a good place for a pretty boy like Hartley but a fine place for someone like James. He was waiting for a friend. "Passing by? Bad idea. Especially this late." He took a deep inhale from his cigarette and lazily blew smoke upward into the sky. "Unless you've come to buy drugs. Which is also a bad idea but hey, I'm not gonna stop you. Whatever you want to blow your money on."
No longer did he look like some prep school kid who just happened to take the wrong turn in a bad neighbourhood, some genius had finally told the silver spoon to change his clothes and while he looked considerably less handsome in them, the odds of him getting his ass kicked lowered a lot. The hoodie was pretty thick material and the jeans weren't badly worn, a good haul actually. His first set of clothes from a shelter were just full of holes, all his shit kept falling out of his pockets.
He looked up from where he was lying, sprawled on the bonnet of an old abandoned car that had been trashed in a riot a few months ago and was little more than a burnt out shell really but still, it remained there stubbornly in the worst part of town in the worst area. Not really a good place for a pretty boy like Hartley but a fine place for someone like James. He was waiting for a friend. "Passing by? Bad idea. Especially this late." He took a deep inhale from his cigarette and lazily blew smoke upward into the sky. "Unless you've come to buy drugs. Which is also a bad idea but hey, I'm not gonna stop you. Whatever you want to blow your money on."
Hartley hadn't seen James since James had kissed him. Since Hartley had kissed back and James had shoved him away and called him a faggot who took a joke too far. Calling him names in turn and then grabbing his things and storming out had been the easy part.
The hard part came when he found himself in some dark street nearby and reality caught up to him. Hartley hated that he broke down into sobs. He was supposed to be stronger than this. He knew falling for James had been a mistake, but who could have helped it? James with his incredibly blue eyes, who always came just a bit too close and touched him just a bit too much. Who made him laugh and smiled at him, who helped him when he had no one else. Who flirted with him in that playful way, where he could never be sure if he really meant it.
Then that kiss and somehow he was the one that had fucked up? Fuck this. Fuck him.
But nevertheless, almost a month later, Hartley thought James out. Hands in his pockets and his expression guarded. He had his reasons for talking to him.
"I need something."
The hard part came when he found himself in some dark street nearby and reality caught up to him. Hartley hated that he broke down into sobs. He was supposed to be stronger than this. He knew falling for James had been a mistake, but who could have helped it? James with his incredibly blue eyes, who always came just a bit too close and touched him just a bit too much. Who made him laugh and smiled at him, who helped him when he had no one else. Who flirted with him in that playful way, where he could never be sure if he really meant it.
Then that kiss and somehow he was the one that had fucked up? Fuck this. Fuck him.
But nevertheless, almost a month later, Hartley thought James out. Hands in his pockets and his expression guarded. He had his reasons for talking to him.
"I need something."
"I don't have enough money to blow them on that." Also, no, he probably would not. Maybe one day, just because life was a shit show anyway. Hartley was still trying to apply to schools, something that was almost impossible without a steady address and a lot of funds. Hell, there weren't enough scholarships in the world. It was a worry, but what else was he supposed to do? He had to try to still have a future.
"Why is it a bad idea for me, but you're lying around like you own the place?" He had stopped himself short of calling him Rum Tum Tugger, so there was that at least. Musical references still a solid zero, nice save there.
"Why is it a bad idea for me, but you're lying around like you own the place?" He had stopped himself short of calling him Rum Tum Tugger, so there was that at least. Musical references still a solid zero, nice save there.
Oh God. Not this again. Hartley. James shoved down that little guilty part of him that felt bad and tried his best to put up all his walls. He didn't get what the big deal was, he said he wasn't gay and he wasn't gay, he was just trying something out and then Hartley got all into it and used tongue. It was too much. He wasn't some lame fag like freaking Axel, he was just -- curious? Is that what people called it? There was a guy, he was kind of pretty, he wanted to try it.
It wasn't his deal.
"Need something?" James tutted from where he was lounged out, smiling at Hartley like nothing had ever happened between them. "If you need something, I need something. You know how this works. We do some kinda swapsies or no deal."
It wasn't his deal.
"Need something?" James tutted from where he was lounged out, smiling at Hartley like nothing had ever happened between them. "If you need something, I need something. You know how this works. We do some kinda swapsies or no deal."
Hartley decided that he hated that smile. That must be why his stomach felt like that when James turned it on him. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Thanks, I don't need the Economics 101 lesson, I've already passed that." He took a step closer, just so he could lower his voice. It wasn't exactly the most secret deal ever, but there was still no need to let himself be overheard. "I need parts. I can give you a list. You can name your price. Simple enough?"
"You don't need money. You can trade, you can sell items, you can even use your body if you're that desperate. I have it on unfortunately good authority that some dealers are open to trade blowies for blow." With an amused grin, he turned his head to Hartley and then lifted one hand up, pointing directly above them at the smog covered sky with a playfulness that he didn't try to hide. "I'm watching the stars. Can't a guy chill out in a dangerous neighbourhood and watch some stars?"
He took another inhale from his cigarette and held it in for a moment, blowing it back out in a big huff like he was some kind of dragon. "I'm waiting for a shooting star then I'll wish myself a fortune and live happily ever after. That's what I'm doing. So what are you doing?"
He took another inhale from his cigarette and held it in for a moment, blowing it back out in a big huff like he was some kind of dragon. "I'm waiting for a shooting star then I'll wish myself a fortune and live happily ever after. That's what I'm doing. So what are you doing?"
"Oh goodie, I'm gonna eat tonight." He hopped to his feet and moved towards Hartley, no lack of confidence in his movement, no fear of getting too close. It was like nothing had happened last time because, as far as James was concerned, it hadn't. If it had then he'd have to deal with it and why he'd kissed back and he just didn't want to do that. Standing way to close to Hartley so their shoes were almost touching, James cocked his head to the side and waited. "List, Hart. Gonna give it?"
"Excellent. If I ever really want to try fucking myself over even more, I know how to go about it. You're just filled with wisdom." Hartley didn't even bother looking up at the sky. Stars, right. "I'm meeting someone."
He didn't really plan on volunteering more information. He'd probably already said too much as it was, although he supposed it wasn't a big deal. James wasn't really that dangerous. A thief, an asshole, sure, but not anything truly bad. "Did you sell my watch yet?"
He didn't really plan on volunteering more information. He'd probably already said too much as it was, although he supposed it wasn't a big deal. James wasn't really that dangerous. A thief, an asshole, sure, but not anything truly bad. "Did you sell my watch yet?"
Hartley took a step back before he could think better of it, looking at the ground to avoid looking at James. His chest hurt just being here and he hated that. He pulled his hand out of his jacket, holding the list. Hartley wished he could get the stuff himself, but he had never learned to be a thief. He couldn't wait until he got skilful enough.
He held the list out to James, unfortunately looking at his lips for just a moment too long. Damn this. He wanted nothing to do with this bastard, but contacts were everything around here, even if they were assholes like this. "Can you get them? What's the price?"
He held the list out to James, unfortunately looking at his lips for just a moment too long. Damn this. He wanted nothing to do with this bastard, but contacts were everything around here, even if they were assholes like this. "Can you get them? What's the price?"
"Hey, I think it's dumb to piss away your funds on drugs but it's not my job to talk you out of it. That's a job for mommy and daddy and state schooling." He pulled himself upright slowly and set his feet on the ground, adjusting his coat so it was more comfortable and less trapped under him. He stubbed his cigarette out on his shoe and flicked the butt on the floor. "Who are you meeting?"
What? He was curious? Not everyone was wise to meet and hell, he could give him a heads up if it was anyone truly dodgy. It was only fair to have his back, he did steal his watch. Speaking of. "Sell it? Nah, not yet but I am meeting a buyer in around, hmm, lemme see." He pulled back his coat sleeve and there, on his wrist, was Hartley's watch. He checked the time with a cocky little smile. "Forty minutes."
What? He was curious? Not everyone was wise to meet and hell, he could give him a heads up if it was anyone truly dodgy. It was only fair to have his back, he did steal his watch. Speaking of. "Sell it? Nah, not yet but I am meeting a buyer in around, hmm, lemme see." He pulled back his coat sleeve and there, on his wrist, was Hartley's watch. He checked the time with a cocky little smile. "Forty minutes."
"Talk about a tricky list." This was not going to be easy and he was going to need some back up. That meant splitting the fee and he hated splitting the fee. He guessed he could try it himself? Might get him somewhere. "I can get them but the price will be high, just a fair warning. If I have to get people in, higher."
He didn't have a price. Yet. He would soon, that was an unsaid certainty. "Can I know what they're for or is this all super secret?" James looked up at Hartley with a half smile, looking into the others eyes and feeling that annoying spark he always got. Hartley was such a handsome bastard, it was kind of unfair. How was he supposed to resist this? It was like a cruel trick of fate. Someone that hot but also that much of a guy.
He didn't have a price. Yet. He would soon, that was an unsaid certainty. "Can I know what they're for or is this all super secret?" James looked up at Hartley with a half smile, looking into the others eyes and feeling that annoying spark he always got. Hartley was such a handsome bastard, it was kind of unfair. How was he supposed to resist this? It was like a cruel trick of fate. Someone that hot but also that much of a guy.
"I'll get my mommy and daddy right on that." Whatever. He could joke about that, what was the point in getting upset. "But sorry to disappoint you. It's none of your business who I'm meeting."
There really was no reason to make this a secret other than because James had ultimately been nothing but an ass to him and he saw absolutely no reason to trust him. He tensed when he saw his watch, then hated himself for not hiding it better. His hands tightened to fists and he took a step forward, wishing he was a threat. Wishing he could just force him to give it back.
His grandmother had wanted him to have it. She'd loved him and she had always told him to be himself. He remembered the first time she'd showed him the inscription and he remembered how she signed the ticking to him, back before he was able to hear it. Just moving her arms.
He had nothing left.
"I can buy it."
There really was no reason to make this a secret other than because James had ultimately been nothing but an ass to him and he saw absolutely no reason to trust him. He tensed when he saw his watch, then hated himself for not hiding it better. His hands tightened to fists and he took a step forward, wishing he was a threat. Wishing he could just force him to give it back.
His grandmother had wanted him to have it. She'd loved him and she had always told him to be himself. He remembered the first time she'd showed him the inscription and he remembered how she signed the ticking to him, back before he was able to hear it. Just moving her arms.
He had nothing left.
"I can buy it."
"It's not super secret, but it's none of your business." Hartley shrugged. What did James expect, that he'd still be willing to confide anything in him? He had been stupid to ever do that in the first place.
He wondered if James had any idea what he was doing, looking at him like this. Handsome bastard. Ironically, Hartley almost wished James wasn't attracted to him. Nothing worse than when a guy who was really straight also really wanted you. He should probably be glad that James wasn't really the type to punch someone easily.
On the other hand, that would give him a good excuse to punch back. Such an asshole. "I'm building something for my boyfriend."
He wondered if James had any idea what he was doing, looking at him like this. Handsome bastard. Ironically, Hartley almost wished James wasn't attracted to him. Nothing worse than when a guy who was really straight also really wanted you. He should probably be glad that James wasn't really the type to punch someone easily.
On the other hand, that would give him a good excuse to punch back. Such an asshole. "I'm building something for my boyfriend."
"The watch? It's very expensive."
Oh geez, he was going to get all misty eyed over a watch? He figured. He saw the back, it was inscribed so it was a beloved gift. Not that he could read what was said on it, his reading skills sucked at the best of times without adding in tiny curly writing. He gave Hartley a disapproving look at his body language and shook his head, he wanted to fight for it but he knew he'd not win and he probably had no money to afford it.
"Hmm, we can do swapsies? I give you something, aka this beautiful expensive watch, and you give me something in return. Something good." He debated what he wanted for a moment, hmming a little before a smirk came to his face. This could be a fun game. "Offer me something?"
Oh geez, he was going to get all misty eyed over a watch? He figured. He saw the back, it was inscribed so it was a beloved gift. Not that he could read what was said on it, his reading skills sucked at the best of times without adding in tiny curly writing. He gave Hartley a disapproving look at his body language and shook his head, he wanted to fight for it but he knew he'd not win and he probably had no money to afford it.
"Hmm, we can do swapsies? I give you something, aka this beautiful expensive watch, and you give me something in return. Something good." He debated what he wanted for a moment, hmming a little before a smirk came to his face. This could be a fun game. "Offer me something?"
Boyfriend? Why did that hit him in the chest like a sucker punch? Hartley had a boyfriend? Oh man. Why did he care what the homo did? He wanted to make his wussy little boyfriend a present then whatever. He could do that. As long as they kept their bullshit away from him, it wasn't an issue.
"You found a boyfriend? Pfft. Good for you, I guess."
He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pocket, taking a step away from him and resisting the urge to pace. He couldn't let his hurt and annoyance show, he couldn't let that happened. "I just thought you were making something cool, not some lame ass homo love gesture."
"You found a boyfriend? Pfft. Good for you, I guess."
He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pocket, taking a step away from him and resisting the urge to pace. He couldn't let his hurt and annoyance show, he couldn't let that happened. "I just thought you were making something cool, not some lame ass homo love gesture."
Hartley looked down himself, stopping just short of checking his pockets. It wasn't as if he didn't know what he had. Nothing. Pretty easy to remember that. Since he wasn't about to offer his body, that pretty much put him at no option. He reached up to right his glasses, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"I... I can fix stuff. If you need stuff fixed. I can build stuff too." How very specific. "If you want a fridge, phone, anything like that. I can upgrade them, I can make stuff from scratch."
"I... I can fix stuff. If you need stuff fixed. I can build stuff too." How very specific. "If you want a fridge, phone, anything like that. I can upgrade them, I can make stuff from scratch."
"I am a homo, so what do you expect. I just do homo things with my homo hands and see what homo stuff I get for it." Hartley rolled his eyes, gesturing to the list. "Can you get it for me or not?"
Hartley folded his arms in front of the chest, frowning as he tried to make sense of James' body language. He was easy to read, generally. Especially since he also had the tendency to just tell him exactly what bothered him, because he somehow expected Hartley to fix it. Usually while hanging all over him. Such an idiot.
Hartley folded his arms in front of the chest, frowning as he tried to make sense of James' body language. He was easy to read, generally. Especially since he also had the tendency to just tell him exactly what bothered him, because he somehow expected Hartley to fix it. Usually while hanging all over him. Such an idiot.
"I don't have a fridge. Or a phone. Or anything to upgrade." Still, this was a fun little potential. Not worth a watch he could pawn for so much money but he was feeling a little generous. Maybe he could build on this, make some use out of it. Having a genius in his debt wasn't a bad idea really, he could think of worse things. "I guess you don't have much else to offer, huh? No cash? No cool swag? Fine. Tell you what, I hate to make enemies, I'd rather make friends. So let's cut a deal."
He hopped off the car entirely now and moved over to Hartley, standing in front of him and leaning in so close that their noses were almost touching. "I give you the watch, you give me your services." He waggled his eyebrows playfully, clearly flirting. "From this point onwards, you will owe me ... let's say five things to make or upgrade. I can request them any time and you make them. Like that. Break your word and I'll get the watch back. Trust me, I can. So don't even try to welsh out on it."
He hopped off the car entirely now and moved over to Hartley, standing in front of him and leaning in so close that their noses were almost touching. "I give you the watch, you give me your services." He waggled his eyebrows playfully, clearly flirting. "From this point onwards, you will owe me ... let's say five things to make or upgrade. I can request them any time and you make them. Like that. Break your word and I'll get the watch back. Trust me, I can. So don't even try to welsh out on it."
"Of course I can get it. I can always get it. I never said I couldn't." He just needed to see Axel first and ask him what half of the list said before he made solid plans and knew what he was doing. He was planning a one man heist but if some of them were harder to get, he might have to extend his scope and branch out. He shoved the list in his pocket and shrugged, trying to focus on the job and not on whatever dumb gay thing Hartley had going on. Stupid Hartley and his stupid boyfriend. Still...
"Are you sticking around?" They hadn't hung out since the whole kiss thing and he had no idea if this was them making up or not. "I lost the electric because I forgot to pay the bill." And by forgot he meant didn't have the money. "But I have candles to light and some bubble wrap we can pop?"
"Are you sticking around?" They hadn't hung out since the whole kiss thing and he had no idea if this was them making up or not. "I lost the electric because I forgot to pay the bill." And by forgot he meant didn't have the money. "But I have candles to light and some bubble wrap we can pop?"
Hartley raised his own eyebrows when James waggled his, feeling his cheeks flame up. He hoped it was dark enough that it wouldn't be obvious. Was he flirting with him? He had no idea what to do with that and he sorely wished that he would. Something cool and suave to say, ideally something that would make James drop about half his attitude and make him swoon instead.
Hey, a guy could dream. "I can do that. Five things. Deal." In all honesty, Hartley wished nothing more than to have something to work on. His brain was almost woefully underused these days, but this was something. This was a start. "Thank you."
He smiled without entirely meaning to. Damn, that wasn't the attitude he was trying to sell here.
Hey, a guy could dream. "I can do that. Five things. Deal." In all honesty, Hartley wished nothing more than to have something to work on. His brain was almost woefully underused these days, but this was something. This was a start. "Thank you."
He smiled without entirely meaning to. Damn, that wasn't the attitude he was trying to sell here.
"How do you not get punched more?" It was a legitimate question. Last time he had been here, James pretty much drove him out in the middle of a rainy night while calling him names and accusing him of being a pervert. Now he wanted to pretend like nothing had gone wrong? Fuck him. "No, really. I'd like to know why your nose isn't always broken because of your fucking attitude, because I sure as hell can't figure it out."
"You're very, very welcome." He pulled the watch carefully off his wrist and waited for Hartley to hold his hand out before he set it in his palm, covering it with his own hand. "You're new here so I'm being generous. The next time we have a deal, you have to bring it better than this or you'll get nowhere." He let go of the watch finally, knowing he'd hate himself later when he couldn't afford hot water and needed the kind of cash that watch would bring.
Hartley just looked so sad and he hated to be that much of a dick. He wasn't lying, he did prefer to have friends. Especially smart ones like Hartley. "Now." He reached his hand up and playfully tweaked Hartley's glasses so they were more in line. "Who are you meeting here? Tell me."
His tone was gentler now, trying to coax the information out by being nice.
Hartley just looked so sad and he hated to be that much of a dick. He wasn't lying, he did prefer to have friends. Especially smart ones like Hartley. "Now." He reached his hand up and playfully tweaked Hartley's glasses so they were more in line. "Who are you meeting here? Tell me."
His tone was gentler now, trying to coax the information out by being nice.
"What? Why are you being so damn awkward? I just asked if you wanted to hang. If you don't want to hang then fine, be a dick. I never did anything." James huffed and threw his arms up like Hartley was being impossible. Was this the whole not being a homo things? Was he bitter? How was that his fault? With an annoyed huff, he paced around the room, clearly not getting it. "People aren't as awkward and as confusing as you! I don't get it. What's your problem now? What great tragedy did I befall you this time?"
Hartley took the watch quickly, his fingers feeling the inscription before he put it into the inner pocket of his jacket, as safe as it could possibly be. All he had.
"I need someone to get my college application letters." He might be a bit young for that, but he was a genius, so. What? Not as if he stood much to lose. "They need stuff that I've already gotten and couldn't get again." Recommendation letters, signatures, the works. He shrugged. There weren't many people who could break into the Rathaway manor and even less that'd be willing to try and then actually bring back a bunch of paper, but he'd officially lost up the last of his resources on this. "You don't have to tell me that I'm being stupid or a nerd or whatever. I don't care."
"I need someone to get my college application letters." He might be a bit young for that, but he was a genius, so. What? Not as if he stood much to lose. "They need stuff that I've already gotten and couldn't get again." Recommendation letters, signatures, the works. He shrugged. There weren't many people who could break into the Rathaway manor and even less that'd be willing to try and then actually bring back a bunch of paper, but he'd officially lost up the last of his resources on this. "You don't have to tell me that I'm being stupid or a nerd or whatever. I don't care."
"You got kicked out, huh? And you want to get back in and get your shit?" Well, that sounded fun. James smirked and reached out, throwing an arm around Hartley's shoulder with a bright grin. "I'm your man. Trust me, forget whatever loser you were going to pick. I can do this for you. Of course then you'd owe me something else so I guess it's up to you if you can foot the bill but if you pick the wrong guy and you can't pay up fast enough, you'll be beaten to a pulp."
And no one wanted to see that. It would be a shame if someone beat Hartley down, he had a nice face. Objectively. "Or at the very least, let me recommend people? Give me the name. If you trust them, I'll say. For a little fee." What? He wasn't in the charity business. "Only a little one. Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?"
And no one wanted to see that. It would be a shame if someone beat Hartley down, he had a nice face. Objectively. "Or at the very least, let me recommend people? Give me the name. If you trust them, I'll say. For a little fee." What? He wasn't in the charity business. "Only a little one. Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?"
Page 1 of 12