Vance and Victor, Sunday Afternoon
Apr. 21st, 2013 05:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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om_mainVictor checks in on Vance, and ends up pinned to the bed. Puppy wrestling!
Victor was worried about Vance, in fact he was worried about several of his friends but it was awkward with the older kids, even Pietro, but he could worry other Vance and look after him. He didn't count as one of the older boys, not really.
Still Vic didn't want to risk hurting his pride and he had been going over a lot so he grabbed a stack of CDs Curtis had dropped of for him and Pietro and some more stuff he'd been baking before heading other to the other boy's room.
Vance had been reading again, this time a book on the publicity of the Kennedy administration, when he heard a knock on the door.
Slipping a bookmark in to keep his page, and headed over, curious. He hadn't been expecting anyone, or anything. So he was mildly surprised when he opened the door and Victor was there.
"Hey, man. What's up?"
"Nothing much but I have a stack of CDs and a bunch of cookies that I kinda need a second person to enjoy. Know anyone who likes freshly baked m & m cookies?"
"That's a sucker bet." Vance pulled the door further open and stepped back, so the other boy could come in. Victor'd been around a bit more lately, and though it didn't bother Vance at all (why would it? Vic was great!), it did make him wonder why. "You just...happened to bake cookies?"
"Well yeah, I can't leave the school and besides the play and danger room what else have I got to do? Besides, I love baking and promised Brian lessons so I need to practice." Which was all absolutely true anyway, ok so he didn't usually share with Vance but he totally needed them most now. "Usually it's whoever I bump into that gets to enjoy the spoils but haven't seen anyone so I thought you might like." He shrugged and put the plate on the desk for the moment.
"You're gonna make me fat," Vance chuckled, reaching out for a cookie. "That your nefarious plan?"
"Yeah, I want you fat so you can't run away from me and I'll have you all to myself." Vic rolled his eyes playfully and added "The amount of time you spend in the gym? No way will a few treats make you fat."
"'Cause I'm in real danger of running away." Vance swallowed a cookie, barely pausing to chew it properly, and tugged up his shirt to pat his stomach. "Food baby, man."
"There's nothing there except muscle!" Victor corrected only glancing so it didn't look like he might be checking out or whatever. Either way he'd caught a glimpse or two before and knew that while Vance was nowhere near as toned and defined as Bobby, you could totally tell he spent a lot of time working out. Not a food baby insight. He himself was sort out lean but he didn't actively work out really, he played sports but only for fun so that didn't really count.
Vance laughed. "Well, even if that's true, you'll have to stay and help me with 'em. Just to make sure it stays that way."
"Well the plan was to share anyway, no one eats that many cookies in one sitting without puking!" Victor grinned back before showing the other boy the cds "Curtis lent these to me and Pietro, any of them interest you?"
Vance snagged another cookie and then picked up one of the cases, flipping it over and looking at it curiously. "What kinda stuff is it?"
"Some of it's English bands and singers he wanted us to check out, some of it's other random stuff he got from his work. Some of his co-workers have met Pietro I think and they recommended stuff. What sort of music do you usually like?" He grabbed a cookie for himself and began to chew thoughtfully.
"Pop music....some classic rock..." Vance shrugged. "Pretty much whatever I can find on the radio or whatever. What sorta stuff do you like? Is this," he gestured at the array of CDs Vic had brought with him, "any good?"
"I've only heard this one so far." He pointed to Rizzle Kicks "Him and Pietro love them, I've heard the newer stuff of Calvin Harris but not that one. I got told I'd been living on another planet for not knowing these guys." He pointed to Ed Sheeran and The Script. "And got scolded for never having heard of them." Depeche Mode. "So I'll go with whatever."
"Good thing I don't talk music with Curtis or Pietro, then," Vance mused. He picked up another case and examined it, reading the song list and looking at the pictures. "You hang out with them a lot?"
"Yeah, I guess. I mean only recently with Curtis but yeah." Victor nodded, paused for a moment to decide whether or not to continue but ultimately decided that if he could say it to anyone he could say it to Vance. "Last phonecall home Mom said she was worried I hang out with the older boys too much but I don't think she gets how small the school is, how there aren't that many younger kids here really."
Vance's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why's that worry her?"
Victor shrugged and chewed his cookie thoughtfully "I dunno, I guess moms just worry. Like maybe they're bad influences and stuff." And he supposed that might be true. He'd never sworn or drunk alcohol before here after all. "I dunno, I told her she was over reacting."
Vance grabbed another cookie, taking a bite and pausing a moment before asking, "I mean, they've always been real nice to me. But...do you think they're bad influences?"
"Not really, I mean it's just normal teenager stuff, right?" Victor flipped open one of the CDs, The Script, as he spoke. "And most of them are really nice with me too. I dunno, she asks about friends and I guess the only one close to my age I've mentioned is you. I think maybe she still thinks of me as a baby? That might me it."
"Parents can be tough nuts to crack," Vance agreed before taking another bite. He swallowed, and then added, "Hard to tell exactly what they're thinking some times. But hey, I'm sure she doesn't need to worry. All the older kids here have been great."
"I think you're right. Awkward conversation though." He pulled a face and suggested "Wanna try this one? If we don't like we've got plenty others to try."
"Sure!" Vance plucked the CD from Vic's fingers, grinning playfully at the other boy, and then went over to slide it into his laptop. "Just roll it from the beginning, or you want me to skip to specific song?"
"No idea what it's like so just press play." He nodded before asking "So, what have you been up to lately?
Vance started the CD spinning, adjusting the volume on his computer so that they could actually hear each other and everything.
"Nothing exciting, really. Homework, school stuff, exercise...you know." He shrugged slightly, and then blushed a little as he admitted. "Met some of the new kids, and accidentally led one've them into a glitter trap. I felt kinda bad, even though it was pretty funny."
At the mention of glitter Victor immediately suspected his room-mate. "If it was an accident they shouldn't have minded too much surely." He said reasonably before saying "Haven't met any of the new kids in person yet, they seem cool though."
"Yeah, Sokka took the glitter bombing we got pretty well," Vance agreed. "And...everyone I met's just been awesome. Guess I shouldn't be so surprised they keep being that way, huh?"
"Mostly." Though he'd heard things about Anders and knew for himself what Damon was like so he couldn't exactly agree that everyone was awesome.
"You don't agree?"
"Well, I've said before about Damon and I've heard some stuff about Anders..." He didn't like speaking badly of people but some people did deserve it.
"Hmm." Vance couldn't help his slight frown. He didn't know Damon at all, aside from a one-time exchange on the journals and stuff -- he couldn't tell if the older boy thought he was being funny, or what his deal was. Anders...well, he felt bad that Anders was so disliked. And Vance knew it was at least partly, if not more, the New Zealander's own fault, but still.
Yes, he'd messed up. But he'd been punished, too. And what was the point of punishment if it didn't constitute some kind of repentance? People shouldn't hold mistakes against someone forever. "I see."
Victor got the feeling he'd said something wrong but he wasn't sure what. "You, you disagree with what everyone's saying?" He asked as diplomatically as possible.
"I don't actually know what everyone's saying," Vance pointed out. He shrugged slightly, admitting with only a hint of discomfort, "I'm just some stupid kid, remember? No one tells me anything. They don't wanna worry me or something.
"But Anders is my friend." And, well, that was how it was.
"hey, I'm one if the stupid kids too." Victor said softly, he sighed before saying sincerely "I'm sorry I didn't know you were friends. I didn't mean to piss you off."
"You didn't, it's just..." Vance trailed off as he tried to figure out how to even explain the restless irritation. "It's frustrating. He's not evil. I swear he's not, but...everyone else thinks he is, and it makes me wonder if I'm wrong or they are, you know? But I can't take their side. I just...I can't."
Even when he wanted to, because Noriko gave him that look. He felt like he was betraying her, and Vance agreed that she totally had every right to be angry. But he couldn't give up on Anders. Wouldn't. He pushed a hand through his hair, trying to get ride of some of his nervous energy. "But, y'know, you aren't stupid. So there's that."
"I never said he was evil, I haven't spoken to the guy. We have art but he doesn't really talk much anymore, he mostly only talked to Kevin before anyway but they don't anymore, look I didn't mean anything by it. It's good you're sticking by a friend." Victor said hastily, not wanting bad blood between about anything even little petty things like a comment about Anders.
Vance knew quick back-peddling when he saw it - he was kind of a master at it - and he felt like a jerk for even making Vic felt he had to do it. "I'm not mad at you or anything," he promised. "I just...I'm frustrated generally. With the situation. Not with you."
"Look, I honestly don't know him I've just heard stuff. I didn't know you two were friends." He was liking the music though, there was that at least.
Vance patted Victor on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, man. Never mind."
The green boy cast his mind around for anything to change the subject and ended up falling back on "Cookie?" As he held one out.
Vance wasn't actually hungry anymore - he'd already had three! - but he felt bad for making Vic feel uncomfortable, so he smiled and took the proffered treat. "Thanks!"
Vic looked over at the listings, track three was playing something called "Talk You down". So far the songs were kind of nice though nothing earth shatteringly new. Nice background music though the lead singer had a really good voice, there was something different about it.
"So...how have you been?" They hadn't really talked about the day he'd found Vance crying and though he was going to keep his promise and not ask the whys, he still wanted to check. Just in case.
Oh. That's why Victor'd showed up with cookies. Well, at least it had clicked a little, even though Vance was oddly disappointed that the other boy hadn't just shown up to hang out because he liked his company or something.
Which was stupid, Vance knew, because it was also totally nice of the guy to actually care. "Same as always." A little more nervous now, then he used to be, because there was always that possibility, however slight, that Simon or Felix would tell someone. But other than that, everything was pretty cool.
Victor saw something change in Vance's expression and most of all his eyes though he wasn't quite sure what it was or why it changed. Maybe he shouldn't have asked. Thing was they were spending a lot of time together lately and he was worrying constantly. He just didn't know if Vance was still hurting or upset or whatever it was that had driven him to be crying all alone like that.
"Well, any time you want company. Just to hang or a shoulder to cry on or, you know, a bed to steal." He grinned a little to let Vance know he was teasing a little there. "You know where I am." And he figured he better leave it at that before Vance got annoyed or something.
It was such a selfless kind of offer, that Vance felt a little bad for not ever wanting to use it. Not because it wasn't nice, or because he didn't like Vic, or because he didn't appreciate it...just because he shouldn't have to use it. He should figure his stuff out, and stop bugging people.
"I wish you wouldn't worry, y'know," he admitted. "I mean, I'm touched that you do. Just...there's nothing to worry about. I'm fine. Besides," Vance smiled slightly, "having me in your bed all the time would probably put a serious crimp in your love life and stuff."
"Ok 1. I worry about all my friends so if I stop worrying it implies I have to stopped caring and that's so not gonna happen." He was ticking his points off on his fingers. "2. This isn't just a 'I'm worried about you' offer this is just general benefits of my friendship open to all my friends, you, Pietro and whoever else. I'm just making sure you know. 3. I'm guessing that was a joke because in case you hadn't noticed my love life flatlined like two months ago and the funeral service has already gone ahead. No one wants to be with a lizard kid, not like that. That's not self-pity either, it's realism. Plus who here is even in my age range? You and Felix, straight and so damaged he doesn't want me near him. So my bed really isn't gonna be seeing any action any time soon."
Vance felt like he'd been kicked. Had he...had he hurt Victor's feelings? "I...I'm sorry, man, I was just...I didn't mean anything by it, I...that...."
"What? No, no it's not like that Vance. I mean did I yell? Sound defensive at all? No, I was just matter of factly listing everything in my brain so I could make sure I responded everything." Victor hurried to assure him as quickly as possible. "I know you didn't mean anything by it and it's cool, seriously. I'm not blaming you for the pathetic mess that is my lack of love life, honestly. It's something I've basically accepted."
Vance shook his head, even as he felt some of his nervousness recede. "Nah. I was tellin' Pietro. You're gonna meet some awesome guy, and he'll be lucky as heck."
"Vance, look at me. I don't look human and you know for yourself I don't feel human. I'm scaley and cold-blooded and green, I'm the opposite of what anyone wants. Why were you to even talking about me dating anyway?" Because that seemed really weird, they were his friends but he never really thought about them talking about him. Especially not him dating.
"Oh, Pietro was asking what'd happened with those guys at the pizza place," Vance said, shrugging. He didn't make a habit of talking about his friends behind their backs or anything. But that's not what Pietro'd been asking for; he'd been asking for, like, details on what had actually happened. And Vance had seen it. "And you're right, I know for myself you don't feel human. But you do feel awesome."
"But why would anyone ever even be attracted to a non-human? Let alone want to date one." Ok so Vance and Shinobi both claimed to like the feel but one was straight and the other hastened to give excuses as to why he wouldn't be interested. Basically both wanted him to feel better so he'd stop whining but not have to do anything about it.
"You're funny, you're sweet, you're nice," Vance ticked off, counting along fingers as he went through a list. "Your mutation is super-freaking-cool, you give good hugs, you're actually awesome looking..."
He shrugged. "Why wouldn't someone wanna date you? And don't say because you're 'not human' or whatever."
"Ok so it doesn't matter to you apparently but you're not looking to date me. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean anyone else thinks like that." Victor pulled away struggling internally, he wanted to believe what Vance was saying but on the other hand he was certain the other boy was just trying to be nice.
"I'm not looking to date anyone," Vance pointed out. "No one in their right mind would date me. But that doesn't have anything to do with you being awesome, Vic. It doesn't. And if I can see it, that means other people can."
"What are you talking about Vance? You're great. Why wouldn't anyone want to date you?" Vic frowned a little as he picked at the cookie in his hand.
Vance wasn't even sure he knew where to begin: he was too curious, he was annoying because he never shut up, he was kinda dumb, he was a dork, he was wimpy....he could do this all day, but that wasn't really the point he'd been going for, here. "Doesn't matter, because the point is that you're fantastic."
"Matters to me, I think you're awesome and I don't really get why you don't see it." He dropped the bits of cookie onto the plate. "God, listen to use two insulting ourselves and bigging up each other. What a pair eh?"
"Seriously. We could be our own fan club."
"True but really whenever you do start dating, she'll be a lucky girl." Victor told him honestly. "I mean it."
Vance reached over to clap Vic on the shoulder again. "I appreciate it. I mean, I've gone out with girls before. Had girlfriends, or whatever, in that, like, middle school or summer camp kinda way. But I'm pretty sure now that we're in high school, I'm supposed to be a little better at it."
He shrugged and then smiled, "So you, and whoever your boyfriend ends up being, will have to teach me."
"Teach you? Sounds like you have way more experience than me! Tommy was the first time ever for me and how that ended? I don't think I'm in any position to teach anyone."
"But it was more grown-up than anything I did," Vance pointed out. "Sure, I had girlfriends or whatever, but they were like...people you hold hands with and share pudding at lunch kinda people."
"Me and Tommy couldn't do much though. At first I was worried about the scales then when I found a lie to explain those I still couldn't even kiss him properly without risking him finding out about my tongue. So I hardly think a couple of pecked kisses and stuff make me ahead or anything."
Victor told him honestly with a sigh, leaning over to check the track listing as a song he recognised from the radio came on. He really liked this one 'break even'. "That was another part of the problem in the end. He was older and wanted to get serious and, you know, do stuff and I couldn't risk it. He was starting to noticed and ask questions."
Vance wasn't really sure about the sound of that. "If, y'know, if it's okay to ask and everything...did doing more make you uncomfortable, or were you just concerned about the mutation-deal and wanted to aside from that?" He asked. Because if Vic just hadn't wanted to yet, and Tommy'd been, like, pressuring him...that wasn't cool.
"Well, yeah, it made me uncomfortable but that was because I was scared he'd find out and hate me. I wanted to kiss him for real, you know? I really wanted to but couldn't and he could see that, the wanting but being held back, and he didn't understand why I wouldn't and what could I say? I really wanted to kiss him, I couldn't even think about anything else he was talking about because, well, if he couldn't kiss him then I couldn't do anything else. So I dunno if I wanted that stuff, I was too busy worrying about my freaky tongue." He wasn't sure if he was making totally sense or not. He hadn't really told anyone this but Blaine and Blaine had been interested in comforting him because he'd been crying not interested in details. "And Vance? You can ask anything, I trust you. You're one of my closest friends for sure. I don't share stuff like this with just anyone."
"Thanks." Vance didn't even know what else to say. It was...well, it was awesome that Victor considered him one of his closest friends. "I don't wanna ask anything that makes you uncomfortable, but....I mean, you're like my best friend. You can tell me anything."
"Don't be afraid to ask, what's the worst that can happen? I'll just say I don't want to answer or talk about it and I know you'll respect that just like I did for you. Got it? Never don't ask coz I think not asking and not saying important stuff is half the problem me and Pietro have been having. He's like my other best friend and it's getting screwed up, I don't want it to be screwed up with you too." He picked up a piece of broken cookie and popped it into his mouth.
Vance blinked. "Wait. What happened to you and Pietro?"
He chewed and swallowed before beginning to explain "We've just really drifted with this Tommy thing and everything. It's starting to get better but it's gonna take a lot of work, I think. Half the time I don't know the right thing to say or ask so I don't and I think that's not helping." He shrugged "We'll sort it out, I'm worried about him but like I said worrying means I care. But yes back to main point, if there's something you want to ask then go ahead. The Tommy crap or whatever else, just ask."
Ah, right. The humans/mutants issue and Pietro. Vance wished there was some easy way to convince the older boy to be a little more optimistic, a little more forgiving, but he wasn't entirely sure how. He didn't think he really needed to get into that right then, though. So he smiled slightly, and pointed out, "I didn't really come in prepared to interrogate you or something."
Victor laughed just a little "I didn't mean it like that, more like if you have been holding back you now know you don't have to. And it was more of a general 'ask whenever you want' sort of thing. Sorry, I'm not being very clear." He picked up another piece of cookie and popped it into his mouth.
"Yeah, I require pretty specific direction," Vance agreed, grabbing another cookie himself.
"I like this break even song though, what do you think?"
Vance swallowed, since spitting cookie on his friends wasn't just rude, but it'd be nasty, too. "It's good," he nodded. "Kinda depressing, though. I mean, the music part is kinda mellow in a cool way, but the words are kinda depressing."
"True but that seems to te the general theme of the album, we could move to Rizzle Kicks? From what I've already heard they're way more upbeat?" Since he wasn't really there for the music he didn't mind what they listened to really.
"Sure, no problem." Vance turned back to his laptop, ejecting the disc and then grabbing the other one. "What kinda stuff do you listen to when it wasn't given to you by Pietro and Curtis?"
"Lots of different stuff but my favourite lately is a band called Eyeshine, I just love the lead singer's voice. It's the band I listened to most when I couldn't leave my room." Victor shifted a little to get more comfortable on the bed.
Vance couldn't even imagine being kept in his room. His dad would've killed him after not too long; Vance was pretty sure they did way better in small doses. It was better for both of them that he'd had to go to school each day.
"What kinda music is it?"
"Sorta rockish, they don't fit into just one rock category though so they called themselves 'Edge Rock' coz they're on the edge of all the types." He explained happily before offering "I've got all their stuff on my iPod, I'll show you sometime?"
"Sweet! Thanks."
"No problem, I like hanging out with you...well I guess that makes sense or you wouldn't be one of my best friends!"
Vance grin was instantaneous, and almost blindingly bright - he was Victor's best friend? - for the moment before he launched himself at the other teen for a tackle-hug.
Taken by complete surprise, Victor let out a strange squawk as the force with which the other boy had launched himself at him sent them both off balance. He laughed loudly, not quite sure what had brought on the spontaneous affection but finding himself quite happy about the situation. Vance hugs were awesome especially unexpected, I'll throw myself at you like a crazy alley cat hugs.
He hugged the green boy for a minute and then, still grinning, Vance rolled off and lay next to him.
"Ok what did I do to deserve that coz I wanna be able to trigger that again sometime!" Victor grinned widely at him.
Vance's eyes gleamed impishly. "You want me to tackle you again?" He pounded again, wrestling with the other teen. "Just saying," he teased, laughing, "you asked for it!"
"I meant the hugging!" But Victor was laughing too as he wrestled with the boy on top of him because, ok, this was fun too!
He let out a cheer of triumph as he managed to flip the positions so that Vance was flat on his back instead.
Vance couldn't stop laughing, even as he wriggled underneath Victor, pinned to bed by his torso and his wrists. He squirmed back and forth, occasionally bucking his hips to try and knock the other teen off. "I'll get you. Eventually," he declared, before sticking his tongue out childishly.
Grinning down at his friend, Vic snickered "Really? Coz you look pretty trapped to me!" he shifted his own weight a little in an effort to more effectively pin down the other boy.
Vance narrowed his eyes and, telekinetically, began to tickle his captor's sides. "Never give up! Never surrender!"
With a loud, shocked yelp Victor suddenly bucked violently before starting to wiggle and thrash in response to the sudden attack. "N-No-No fair!" He spluttered out amongst laughs and gasps as he did his best to try to stay in control.
Vance pressed his advantage, slipping out from underneath Vic as he thrashed under the tickle maneuver, and flipping the other boy onto his back. He threw a leg over Victor's wiggling body to straddle him and pin him in place, grabbing Victors wrists and trapping them on the bed.
"Ha."
"Cheater!" Was accused as the green boy breathed hard from his laughter fit. He struggled a little but knew a lost battle when he saw one. Vance worked out way more than him and it showed more than ever. And his mutation didn't really lend itself to any good cheating like Vance's did.
Vance just shrugged, grin unrepentant, and settled his weight down against Vic's hips to keep him in place. "Hey, you wanted me to tackle you..."
"Not true!" Victor protested, grinning. He couldn't exactly say he wasn't enjoying the situation though. But Vance was grinning and laughing too so it was ok and totally normal to be enjoying this, right?
After a moment more hoping the other boy was now not expecting anymore fight, he tried a last ditch attempt at thrusting his hips to try to buck him off.
At the sudden jerk, Vance doubled down, tightening his leg-grip on Vic and grinning triumphantly at having survived the attempted coup. "You give?"
"Never!" Was Vic's spirited reply. They hold was tight now and all he could do now was sort of wiggle. He hastily stopped even doing that though when he suddenly realised what he was doing was pretty much just rubbing his hips against Vance's.
Vance panting lightly but still smiling, totally unaware that any of this might be making Victor uncomfortable, leaned forward a little and instructed, "C'mon, say Uncle, and I'll let you go."
Victor knew he should say uncle and get it all over with, after all now he was acutely aware of the situation he was also very aware of exactly how embarrassing this could get for him, for both of them. But when he looked up and saw Vance's grinning face so close to his, that competitiveness in him re-awoke and he didn't was to give in so easily and look week.
"And what will you do if I don't?" He asked, overly confident though very aware of the thin ice he was treading.
Vance raised an eyebrow before poking his captive in the side with his TK. "You're kiddin', right?"
Already sensitive from the previous TK tickle attack, the poke was enough to make Victor yelp loud and hips body automatically buck and squirm as he momentarily lost control of his movements.
Squirming, friction, and oh god no that was bad. Mentally cursing his body for betraying him I. Such a stupid and ridiculous way, Victor hastily spluttered "Ok, ok! Uncle!"
It had all been fun and games, but suddenly Victor sound panicked as he gave, and Vance rolled off him immediately, triumphant grin significantly dimmed. "You okay? I was just playin' around; I didn't hurt you or anything , did I?"
"No, not hurt. I'm fine." Was quickly said though he was still a little breathless. When he only received a doubtful gaze in return he tried again. "Vance, honestly, I'm fine just fucking ticklish." and in an attempt to distract and diffuse any lingering tension he grinned and said playfully "You know whenever you are ready to date, that power of yours is gonna be useful."
Vance couldn't help laughing at that, flopping on to his back to let some of the wrestling-exertion seem out of him. "I don't think anyone thinks it's cute if I tackle them and then tickle them 'til they surrender. That might actually make me a worse boyfriend than I probably would be anyway."
Ok, Victor hadn't thought he'd have to explain that one. Vance was somehow more naive than him and that was saying something.
"Yeah but being able to pin someone down whilst your TK does stuff can be translated to, you know, stuff a girlfriend would like." He pointed out a touch awkwardly as he say up. His situation wasn't actually too bad now that Vance wasn't already on top of him. Now he just had to figure out a way to act natural.
"Anyway, what makes you think you'd be a bad boyfriend? You have all the makings of a good one, I think."
"Oh, well, I mean the TK.....it could do, well, all kinds of stuff," Vance agreed, flushing. This time, though, it wasn't from wrestling, but the subject matter. His mutation could be used in all kinds of interesting ways; something he'd thought about more than he really should admit, or probably should've at all. "I just meant, y'know...it's not usually polite to just...hold people down."
Yeah. Anyway. He smiled sheepishly, "Besides, I think it's pretty obvious I've got no idea what I'm doing."
"Polite? So long as they're into it and whatever, I don't think polite matters to much." Victor said with an almost giggle before swallowing hard as he realised apparently he was into it. He hadn't needed to find that out today. "And I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to have any idea yet, we don't have any experience after all."
"I probably oughta give 'em some warning, though," Vance pointed out, though he looked a little relieved.
"Very true." Victor nodded, wondering why his friend looked relieved unless it was the experience thing maybe? That sorta made sense. "You never answered my question though. What makes you think you'd be a bad boyfriend?" Maybe he'd had a bad break up like Victor.
Vance turned on to his side, so he could face Vic a little better, as he tried to figure out how to answer. Telling him all the stuff wrong with Vance would just make him ask why he thought that, and it'd eventually come back to the fact that his own parents knew those things were wrong with him, and..well, he just didn't want to go there. So he just shrugged uncomfortably. "I just suspect."
"Well, I think you're wrong. So there."
Vance chuckled, but smiled appreciatively. "Well thanks. That's nice of you to say."
"But, I'm guessing you believe me about as much as I believed you about my chances of dating, right?" Because he wasn't stupid enough to think a few words from him would change Vance's mind.
"I'm thinking," Vance corrected, "that we'll both have to find out."
"I guess I can't argue with that." The younger boy conceded with a small nod.
"And when you get an awesome boyfriend, and I manage not to talk myself out of a relationship, we'll both get to say 'I told you so'. Fair?"
Well, Vance had him there. He couldn't argue that he wouldn't get a boyfriend without having to let Vance go ahead with his silliness. "Ok, if I manage to get a boyfriend you're free to say it. Fair enough."
The telekinetic shook his head. "Not if. When. I'm positive, man. Got faith and all that."
"Positive about me but not about yourself?" Victor pointed out with a small smile. "Ok, well, thanks for having faith in me. I guess."
"Anytime, Vic. You gotta believe in good things for 'em to happen," Vance said, smiling but voice full of conviction. "If you believe it'll happen, you'll work to make it so, right? Self-fulfilling prophecy. You got this."
"You've got to believe in yourself too then by that logic, have we got a deal?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Vance stuck his tongue out for a minute, and then let himself flop back onto his back. "I'll try, okay, how 'bout that? And you try, too. And if you don't, I'll take you down again." He glanced over and grinned impishly. "Don't forget, I've already pinned you once, now."
Victor grinned though the thought of being pinned again made him feel a little weird. He brushed it off hastily to grin back "Ah but you've lost the element of surprise now, I'll get you next time." he shifted a little to lounge comfortably again.
"I don't need the element of surprise," Vance disagreed, voice teasing. "I got legs, and arms, and telekinesis. And I will totally use 'em."
"But I have, I have a crazy tongue and agile flip skills and I'm sure I can somehow use that to my advantage." Victor shot back with a grin.
Vance snorted and shook his head. "What, you're gonna lick me? Thinkin' that's more punishment for you than me. God knows what a 14 year-old guy tastes like." In any case, given that they'd just been wrestling, he doubted it was good. Salty, maybe. At best.
"I dunno, I hadn't thought that one through." And he so wasn't thinking about licking Vance now coz that was bad, bad territory. What was wrong with him today?
"So I win," Vance announced, half-heartedly beating on his chest a little, like Tarzan. He hopped off the bed for a celebratory cookie. He grabbed an extra for Vic, and offered it to him, pointing out, "You came in second."
"I will have my revenge." Victor informed him with mock-seriousness.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You go on thinking that," came the teasing response. "But while you figure out how to have your revenge, have a cookie."
Victor pulled a face at him as he took the cookie ultimately pouting at him just for effect.
Victor was worried about Vance, in fact he was worried about several of his friends but it was awkward with the older kids, even Pietro, but he could worry other Vance and look after him. He didn't count as one of the older boys, not really.
Still Vic didn't want to risk hurting his pride and he had been going over a lot so he grabbed a stack of CDs Curtis had dropped of for him and Pietro and some more stuff he'd been baking before heading other to the other boy's room.
Vance had been reading again, this time a book on the publicity of the Kennedy administration, when he heard a knock on the door.
Slipping a bookmark in to keep his page, and headed over, curious. He hadn't been expecting anyone, or anything. So he was mildly surprised when he opened the door and Victor was there.
"Hey, man. What's up?"
"Nothing much but I have a stack of CDs and a bunch of cookies that I kinda need a second person to enjoy. Know anyone who likes freshly baked m & m cookies?"
"That's a sucker bet." Vance pulled the door further open and stepped back, so the other boy could come in. Victor'd been around a bit more lately, and though it didn't bother Vance at all (why would it? Vic was great!), it did make him wonder why. "You just...happened to bake cookies?"
"Well yeah, I can't leave the school and besides the play and danger room what else have I got to do? Besides, I love baking and promised Brian lessons so I need to practice." Which was all absolutely true anyway, ok so he didn't usually share with Vance but he totally needed them most now. "Usually it's whoever I bump into that gets to enjoy the spoils but haven't seen anyone so I thought you might like." He shrugged and put the plate on the desk for the moment.
"You're gonna make me fat," Vance chuckled, reaching out for a cookie. "That your nefarious plan?"
"Yeah, I want you fat so you can't run away from me and I'll have you all to myself." Vic rolled his eyes playfully and added "The amount of time you spend in the gym? No way will a few treats make you fat."
"'Cause I'm in real danger of running away." Vance swallowed a cookie, barely pausing to chew it properly, and tugged up his shirt to pat his stomach. "Food baby, man."
"There's nothing there except muscle!" Victor corrected only glancing so it didn't look like he might be checking out or whatever. Either way he'd caught a glimpse or two before and knew that while Vance was nowhere near as toned and defined as Bobby, you could totally tell he spent a lot of time working out. Not a food baby insight. He himself was sort out lean but he didn't actively work out really, he played sports but only for fun so that didn't really count.
Vance laughed. "Well, even if that's true, you'll have to stay and help me with 'em. Just to make sure it stays that way."
"Well the plan was to share anyway, no one eats that many cookies in one sitting without puking!" Victor grinned back before showing the other boy the cds "Curtis lent these to me and Pietro, any of them interest you?"
Vance snagged another cookie and then picked up one of the cases, flipping it over and looking at it curiously. "What kinda stuff is it?"
"Some of it's English bands and singers he wanted us to check out, some of it's other random stuff he got from his work. Some of his co-workers have met Pietro I think and they recommended stuff. What sort of music do you usually like?" He grabbed a cookie for himself and began to chew thoughtfully.
"Pop music....some classic rock..." Vance shrugged. "Pretty much whatever I can find on the radio or whatever. What sorta stuff do you like? Is this," he gestured at the array of CDs Vic had brought with him, "any good?"
"I've only heard this one so far." He pointed to Rizzle Kicks "Him and Pietro love them, I've heard the newer stuff of Calvin Harris but not that one. I got told I'd been living on another planet for not knowing these guys." He pointed to Ed Sheeran and The Script. "And got scolded for never having heard of them." Depeche Mode. "So I'll go with whatever."
"Good thing I don't talk music with Curtis or Pietro, then," Vance mused. He picked up another case and examined it, reading the song list and looking at the pictures. "You hang out with them a lot?"
"Yeah, I guess. I mean only recently with Curtis but yeah." Victor nodded, paused for a moment to decide whether or not to continue but ultimately decided that if he could say it to anyone he could say it to Vance. "Last phonecall home Mom said she was worried I hang out with the older boys too much but I don't think she gets how small the school is, how there aren't that many younger kids here really."
Vance's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why's that worry her?"
Victor shrugged and chewed his cookie thoughtfully "I dunno, I guess moms just worry. Like maybe they're bad influences and stuff." And he supposed that might be true. He'd never sworn or drunk alcohol before here after all. "I dunno, I told her she was over reacting."
Vance grabbed another cookie, taking a bite and pausing a moment before asking, "I mean, they've always been real nice to me. But...do you think they're bad influences?"
"Not really, I mean it's just normal teenager stuff, right?" Victor flipped open one of the CDs, The Script, as he spoke. "And most of them are really nice with me too. I dunno, she asks about friends and I guess the only one close to my age I've mentioned is you. I think maybe she still thinks of me as a baby? That might me it."
"Parents can be tough nuts to crack," Vance agreed before taking another bite. He swallowed, and then added, "Hard to tell exactly what they're thinking some times. But hey, I'm sure she doesn't need to worry. All the older kids here have been great."
"I think you're right. Awkward conversation though." He pulled a face and suggested "Wanna try this one? If we don't like we've got plenty others to try."
"Sure!" Vance plucked the CD from Vic's fingers, grinning playfully at the other boy, and then went over to slide it into his laptop. "Just roll it from the beginning, or you want me to skip to specific song?"
"No idea what it's like so just press play." He nodded before asking "So, what have you been up to lately?
Vance started the CD spinning, adjusting the volume on his computer so that they could actually hear each other and everything.
"Nothing exciting, really. Homework, school stuff, exercise...you know." He shrugged slightly, and then blushed a little as he admitted. "Met some of the new kids, and accidentally led one've them into a glitter trap. I felt kinda bad, even though it was pretty funny."
At the mention of glitter Victor immediately suspected his room-mate. "If it was an accident they shouldn't have minded too much surely." He said reasonably before saying "Haven't met any of the new kids in person yet, they seem cool though."
"Yeah, Sokka took the glitter bombing we got pretty well," Vance agreed. "And...everyone I met's just been awesome. Guess I shouldn't be so surprised they keep being that way, huh?"
"Mostly." Though he'd heard things about Anders and knew for himself what Damon was like so he couldn't exactly agree that everyone was awesome.
"You don't agree?"
"Well, I've said before about Damon and I've heard some stuff about Anders..." He didn't like speaking badly of people but some people did deserve it.
"Hmm." Vance couldn't help his slight frown. He didn't know Damon at all, aside from a one-time exchange on the journals and stuff -- he couldn't tell if the older boy thought he was being funny, or what his deal was. Anders...well, he felt bad that Anders was so disliked. And Vance knew it was at least partly, if not more, the New Zealander's own fault, but still.
Yes, he'd messed up. But he'd been punished, too. And what was the point of punishment if it didn't constitute some kind of repentance? People shouldn't hold mistakes against someone forever. "I see."
Victor got the feeling he'd said something wrong but he wasn't sure what. "You, you disagree with what everyone's saying?" He asked as diplomatically as possible.
"I don't actually know what everyone's saying," Vance pointed out. He shrugged slightly, admitting with only a hint of discomfort, "I'm just some stupid kid, remember? No one tells me anything. They don't wanna worry me or something.
"But Anders is my friend." And, well, that was how it was.
"hey, I'm one if the stupid kids too." Victor said softly, he sighed before saying sincerely "I'm sorry I didn't know you were friends. I didn't mean to piss you off."
"You didn't, it's just..." Vance trailed off as he tried to figure out how to even explain the restless irritation. "It's frustrating. He's not evil. I swear he's not, but...everyone else thinks he is, and it makes me wonder if I'm wrong or they are, you know? But I can't take their side. I just...I can't."
Even when he wanted to, because Noriko gave him that look. He felt like he was betraying her, and Vance agreed that she totally had every right to be angry. But he couldn't give up on Anders. Wouldn't. He pushed a hand through his hair, trying to get ride of some of his nervous energy. "But, y'know, you aren't stupid. So there's that."
"I never said he was evil, I haven't spoken to the guy. We have art but he doesn't really talk much anymore, he mostly only talked to Kevin before anyway but they don't anymore, look I didn't mean anything by it. It's good you're sticking by a friend." Victor said hastily, not wanting bad blood between about anything even little petty things like a comment about Anders.
Vance knew quick back-peddling when he saw it - he was kind of a master at it - and he felt like a jerk for even making Vic felt he had to do it. "I'm not mad at you or anything," he promised. "I just...I'm frustrated generally. With the situation. Not with you."
"Look, I honestly don't know him I've just heard stuff. I didn't know you two were friends." He was liking the music though, there was that at least.
Vance patted Victor on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, man. Never mind."
The green boy cast his mind around for anything to change the subject and ended up falling back on "Cookie?" As he held one out.
Vance wasn't actually hungry anymore - he'd already had three! - but he felt bad for making Vic feel uncomfortable, so he smiled and took the proffered treat. "Thanks!"
Vic looked over at the listings, track three was playing something called "Talk You down". So far the songs were kind of nice though nothing earth shatteringly new. Nice background music though the lead singer had a really good voice, there was something different about it.
"So...how have you been?" They hadn't really talked about the day he'd found Vance crying and though he was going to keep his promise and not ask the whys, he still wanted to check. Just in case.
Oh. That's why Victor'd showed up with cookies. Well, at least it had clicked a little, even though Vance was oddly disappointed that the other boy hadn't just shown up to hang out because he liked his company or something.
Which was stupid, Vance knew, because it was also totally nice of the guy to actually care. "Same as always." A little more nervous now, then he used to be, because there was always that possibility, however slight, that Simon or Felix would tell someone. But other than that, everything was pretty cool.
Victor saw something change in Vance's expression and most of all his eyes though he wasn't quite sure what it was or why it changed. Maybe he shouldn't have asked. Thing was they were spending a lot of time together lately and he was worrying constantly. He just didn't know if Vance was still hurting or upset or whatever it was that had driven him to be crying all alone like that.
"Well, any time you want company. Just to hang or a shoulder to cry on or, you know, a bed to steal." He grinned a little to let Vance know he was teasing a little there. "You know where I am." And he figured he better leave it at that before Vance got annoyed or something.
It was such a selfless kind of offer, that Vance felt a little bad for not ever wanting to use it. Not because it wasn't nice, or because he didn't like Vic, or because he didn't appreciate it...just because he shouldn't have to use it. He should figure his stuff out, and stop bugging people.
"I wish you wouldn't worry, y'know," he admitted. "I mean, I'm touched that you do. Just...there's nothing to worry about. I'm fine. Besides," Vance smiled slightly, "having me in your bed all the time would probably put a serious crimp in your love life and stuff."
"Ok 1. I worry about all my friends so if I stop worrying it implies I have to stopped caring and that's so not gonna happen." He was ticking his points off on his fingers. "2. This isn't just a 'I'm worried about you' offer this is just general benefits of my friendship open to all my friends, you, Pietro and whoever else. I'm just making sure you know. 3. I'm guessing that was a joke because in case you hadn't noticed my love life flatlined like two months ago and the funeral service has already gone ahead. No one wants to be with a lizard kid, not like that. That's not self-pity either, it's realism. Plus who here is even in my age range? You and Felix, straight and so damaged he doesn't want me near him. So my bed really isn't gonna be seeing any action any time soon."
Vance felt like he'd been kicked. Had he...had he hurt Victor's feelings? "I...I'm sorry, man, I was just...I didn't mean anything by it, I...that...."
"What? No, no it's not like that Vance. I mean did I yell? Sound defensive at all? No, I was just matter of factly listing everything in my brain so I could make sure I responded everything." Victor hurried to assure him as quickly as possible. "I know you didn't mean anything by it and it's cool, seriously. I'm not blaming you for the pathetic mess that is my lack of love life, honestly. It's something I've basically accepted."
Vance shook his head, even as he felt some of his nervousness recede. "Nah. I was tellin' Pietro. You're gonna meet some awesome guy, and he'll be lucky as heck."
"Vance, look at me. I don't look human and you know for yourself I don't feel human. I'm scaley and cold-blooded and green, I'm the opposite of what anyone wants. Why were you to even talking about me dating anyway?" Because that seemed really weird, they were his friends but he never really thought about them talking about him. Especially not him dating.
"Oh, Pietro was asking what'd happened with those guys at the pizza place," Vance said, shrugging. He didn't make a habit of talking about his friends behind their backs or anything. But that's not what Pietro'd been asking for; he'd been asking for, like, details on what had actually happened. And Vance had seen it. "And you're right, I know for myself you don't feel human. But you do feel awesome."
"But why would anyone ever even be attracted to a non-human? Let alone want to date one." Ok so Vance and Shinobi both claimed to like the feel but one was straight and the other hastened to give excuses as to why he wouldn't be interested. Basically both wanted him to feel better so he'd stop whining but not have to do anything about it.
"You're funny, you're sweet, you're nice," Vance ticked off, counting along fingers as he went through a list. "Your mutation is super-freaking-cool, you give good hugs, you're actually awesome looking..."
He shrugged. "Why wouldn't someone wanna date you? And don't say because you're 'not human' or whatever."
"Ok so it doesn't matter to you apparently but you're not looking to date me. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean anyone else thinks like that." Victor pulled away struggling internally, he wanted to believe what Vance was saying but on the other hand he was certain the other boy was just trying to be nice.
"I'm not looking to date anyone," Vance pointed out. "No one in their right mind would date me. But that doesn't have anything to do with you being awesome, Vic. It doesn't. And if I can see it, that means other people can."
"What are you talking about Vance? You're great. Why wouldn't anyone want to date you?" Vic frowned a little as he picked at the cookie in his hand.
Vance wasn't even sure he knew where to begin: he was too curious, he was annoying because he never shut up, he was kinda dumb, he was a dork, he was wimpy....he could do this all day, but that wasn't really the point he'd been going for, here. "Doesn't matter, because the point is that you're fantastic."
"Matters to me, I think you're awesome and I don't really get why you don't see it." He dropped the bits of cookie onto the plate. "God, listen to use two insulting ourselves and bigging up each other. What a pair eh?"
"Seriously. We could be our own fan club."
"True but really whenever you do start dating, she'll be a lucky girl." Victor told him honestly. "I mean it."
Vance reached over to clap Vic on the shoulder again. "I appreciate it. I mean, I've gone out with girls before. Had girlfriends, or whatever, in that, like, middle school or summer camp kinda way. But I'm pretty sure now that we're in high school, I'm supposed to be a little better at it."
He shrugged and then smiled, "So you, and whoever your boyfriend ends up being, will have to teach me."
"Teach you? Sounds like you have way more experience than me! Tommy was the first time ever for me and how that ended? I don't think I'm in any position to teach anyone."
"But it was more grown-up than anything I did," Vance pointed out. "Sure, I had girlfriends or whatever, but they were like...people you hold hands with and share pudding at lunch kinda people."
"Me and Tommy couldn't do much though. At first I was worried about the scales then when I found a lie to explain those I still couldn't even kiss him properly without risking him finding out about my tongue. So I hardly think a couple of pecked kisses and stuff make me ahead or anything."
Victor told him honestly with a sigh, leaning over to check the track listing as a song he recognised from the radio came on. He really liked this one 'break even'. "That was another part of the problem in the end. He was older and wanted to get serious and, you know, do stuff and I couldn't risk it. He was starting to noticed and ask questions."
Vance wasn't really sure about the sound of that. "If, y'know, if it's okay to ask and everything...did doing more make you uncomfortable, or were you just concerned about the mutation-deal and wanted to aside from that?" He asked. Because if Vic just hadn't wanted to yet, and Tommy'd been, like, pressuring him...that wasn't cool.
"Well, yeah, it made me uncomfortable but that was because I was scared he'd find out and hate me. I wanted to kiss him for real, you know? I really wanted to but couldn't and he could see that, the wanting but being held back, and he didn't understand why I wouldn't and what could I say? I really wanted to kiss him, I couldn't even think about anything else he was talking about because, well, if he couldn't kiss him then I couldn't do anything else. So I dunno if I wanted that stuff, I was too busy worrying about my freaky tongue." He wasn't sure if he was making totally sense or not. He hadn't really told anyone this but Blaine and Blaine had been interested in comforting him because he'd been crying not interested in details. "And Vance? You can ask anything, I trust you. You're one of my closest friends for sure. I don't share stuff like this with just anyone."
"Thanks." Vance didn't even know what else to say. It was...well, it was awesome that Victor considered him one of his closest friends. "I don't wanna ask anything that makes you uncomfortable, but....I mean, you're like my best friend. You can tell me anything."
"Don't be afraid to ask, what's the worst that can happen? I'll just say I don't want to answer or talk about it and I know you'll respect that just like I did for you. Got it? Never don't ask coz I think not asking and not saying important stuff is half the problem me and Pietro have been having. He's like my other best friend and it's getting screwed up, I don't want it to be screwed up with you too." He picked up a piece of broken cookie and popped it into his mouth.
Vance blinked. "Wait. What happened to you and Pietro?"
He chewed and swallowed before beginning to explain "We've just really drifted with this Tommy thing and everything. It's starting to get better but it's gonna take a lot of work, I think. Half the time I don't know the right thing to say or ask so I don't and I think that's not helping." He shrugged "We'll sort it out, I'm worried about him but like I said worrying means I care. But yes back to main point, if there's something you want to ask then go ahead. The Tommy crap or whatever else, just ask."
Ah, right. The humans/mutants issue and Pietro. Vance wished there was some easy way to convince the older boy to be a little more optimistic, a little more forgiving, but he wasn't entirely sure how. He didn't think he really needed to get into that right then, though. So he smiled slightly, and pointed out, "I didn't really come in prepared to interrogate you or something."
Victor laughed just a little "I didn't mean it like that, more like if you have been holding back you now know you don't have to. And it was more of a general 'ask whenever you want' sort of thing. Sorry, I'm not being very clear." He picked up another piece of cookie and popped it into his mouth.
"Yeah, I require pretty specific direction," Vance agreed, grabbing another cookie himself.
"I like this break even song though, what do you think?"
Vance swallowed, since spitting cookie on his friends wasn't just rude, but it'd be nasty, too. "It's good," he nodded. "Kinda depressing, though. I mean, the music part is kinda mellow in a cool way, but the words are kinda depressing."
"True but that seems to te the general theme of the album, we could move to Rizzle Kicks? From what I've already heard they're way more upbeat?" Since he wasn't really there for the music he didn't mind what they listened to really.
"Sure, no problem." Vance turned back to his laptop, ejecting the disc and then grabbing the other one. "What kinda stuff do you listen to when it wasn't given to you by Pietro and Curtis?"
"Lots of different stuff but my favourite lately is a band called Eyeshine, I just love the lead singer's voice. It's the band I listened to most when I couldn't leave my room." Victor shifted a little to get more comfortable on the bed.
Vance couldn't even imagine being kept in his room. His dad would've killed him after not too long; Vance was pretty sure they did way better in small doses. It was better for both of them that he'd had to go to school each day.
"What kinda music is it?"
"Sorta rockish, they don't fit into just one rock category though so they called themselves 'Edge Rock' coz they're on the edge of all the types." He explained happily before offering "I've got all their stuff on my iPod, I'll show you sometime?"
"Sweet! Thanks."
"No problem, I like hanging out with you...well I guess that makes sense or you wouldn't be one of my best friends!"
Vance grin was instantaneous, and almost blindingly bright - he was Victor's best friend? - for the moment before he launched himself at the other teen for a tackle-hug.
Taken by complete surprise, Victor let out a strange squawk as the force with which the other boy had launched himself at him sent them both off balance. He laughed loudly, not quite sure what had brought on the spontaneous affection but finding himself quite happy about the situation. Vance hugs were awesome especially unexpected, I'll throw myself at you like a crazy alley cat hugs.
He hugged the green boy for a minute and then, still grinning, Vance rolled off and lay next to him.
"Ok what did I do to deserve that coz I wanna be able to trigger that again sometime!" Victor grinned widely at him.
Vance's eyes gleamed impishly. "You want me to tackle you again?" He pounded again, wrestling with the other teen. "Just saying," he teased, laughing, "you asked for it!"
"I meant the hugging!" But Victor was laughing too as he wrestled with the boy on top of him because, ok, this was fun too!
He let out a cheer of triumph as he managed to flip the positions so that Vance was flat on his back instead.
Vance couldn't stop laughing, even as he wriggled underneath Victor, pinned to bed by his torso and his wrists. He squirmed back and forth, occasionally bucking his hips to try and knock the other teen off. "I'll get you. Eventually," he declared, before sticking his tongue out childishly.
Grinning down at his friend, Vic snickered "Really? Coz you look pretty trapped to me!" he shifted his own weight a little in an effort to more effectively pin down the other boy.
Vance narrowed his eyes and, telekinetically, began to tickle his captor's sides. "Never give up! Never surrender!"
With a loud, shocked yelp Victor suddenly bucked violently before starting to wiggle and thrash in response to the sudden attack. "N-No-No fair!" He spluttered out amongst laughs and gasps as he did his best to try to stay in control.
Vance pressed his advantage, slipping out from underneath Vic as he thrashed under the tickle maneuver, and flipping the other boy onto his back. He threw a leg over Victor's wiggling body to straddle him and pin him in place, grabbing Victors wrists and trapping them on the bed.
"Ha."
"Cheater!" Was accused as the green boy breathed hard from his laughter fit. He struggled a little but knew a lost battle when he saw one. Vance worked out way more than him and it showed more than ever. And his mutation didn't really lend itself to any good cheating like Vance's did.
Vance just shrugged, grin unrepentant, and settled his weight down against Vic's hips to keep him in place. "Hey, you wanted me to tackle you..."
"Not true!" Victor protested, grinning. He couldn't exactly say he wasn't enjoying the situation though. But Vance was grinning and laughing too so it was ok and totally normal to be enjoying this, right?
After a moment more hoping the other boy was now not expecting anymore fight, he tried a last ditch attempt at thrusting his hips to try to buck him off.
At the sudden jerk, Vance doubled down, tightening his leg-grip on Vic and grinning triumphantly at having survived the attempted coup. "You give?"
"Never!" Was Vic's spirited reply. They hold was tight now and all he could do now was sort of wiggle. He hastily stopped even doing that though when he suddenly realised what he was doing was pretty much just rubbing his hips against Vance's.
Vance panting lightly but still smiling, totally unaware that any of this might be making Victor uncomfortable, leaned forward a little and instructed, "C'mon, say Uncle, and I'll let you go."
Victor knew he should say uncle and get it all over with, after all now he was acutely aware of the situation he was also very aware of exactly how embarrassing this could get for him, for both of them. But when he looked up and saw Vance's grinning face so close to his, that competitiveness in him re-awoke and he didn't was to give in so easily and look week.
"And what will you do if I don't?" He asked, overly confident though very aware of the thin ice he was treading.
Vance raised an eyebrow before poking his captive in the side with his TK. "You're kiddin', right?"
Already sensitive from the previous TK tickle attack, the poke was enough to make Victor yelp loud and hips body automatically buck and squirm as he momentarily lost control of his movements.
Squirming, friction, and oh god no that was bad. Mentally cursing his body for betraying him I. Such a stupid and ridiculous way, Victor hastily spluttered "Ok, ok! Uncle!"
It had all been fun and games, but suddenly Victor sound panicked as he gave, and Vance rolled off him immediately, triumphant grin significantly dimmed. "You okay? I was just playin' around; I didn't hurt you or anything , did I?"
"No, not hurt. I'm fine." Was quickly said though he was still a little breathless. When he only received a doubtful gaze in return he tried again. "Vance, honestly, I'm fine just fucking ticklish." and in an attempt to distract and diffuse any lingering tension he grinned and said playfully "You know whenever you are ready to date, that power of yours is gonna be useful."
Vance couldn't help laughing at that, flopping on to his back to let some of the wrestling-exertion seem out of him. "I don't think anyone thinks it's cute if I tackle them and then tickle them 'til they surrender. That might actually make me a worse boyfriend than I probably would be anyway."
Ok, Victor hadn't thought he'd have to explain that one. Vance was somehow more naive than him and that was saying something.
"Yeah but being able to pin someone down whilst your TK does stuff can be translated to, you know, stuff a girlfriend would like." He pointed out a touch awkwardly as he say up. His situation wasn't actually too bad now that Vance wasn't already on top of him. Now he just had to figure out a way to act natural.
"Anyway, what makes you think you'd be a bad boyfriend? You have all the makings of a good one, I think."
"Oh, well, I mean the TK.....it could do, well, all kinds of stuff," Vance agreed, flushing. This time, though, it wasn't from wrestling, but the subject matter. His mutation could be used in all kinds of interesting ways; something he'd thought about more than he really should admit, or probably should've at all. "I just meant, y'know...it's not usually polite to just...hold people down."
Yeah. Anyway. He smiled sheepishly, "Besides, I think it's pretty obvious I've got no idea what I'm doing."
"Polite? So long as they're into it and whatever, I don't think polite matters to much." Victor said with an almost giggle before swallowing hard as he realised apparently he was into it. He hadn't needed to find that out today. "And I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to have any idea yet, we don't have any experience after all."
"I probably oughta give 'em some warning, though," Vance pointed out, though he looked a little relieved.
"Very true." Victor nodded, wondering why his friend looked relieved unless it was the experience thing maybe? That sorta made sense. "You never answered my question though. What makes you think you'd be a bad boyfriend?" Maybe he'd had a bad break up like Victor.
Vance turned on to his side, so he could face Vic a little better, as he tried to figure out how to answer. Telling him all the stuff wrong with Vance would just make him ask why he thought that, and it'd eventually come back to the fact that his own parents knew those things were wrong with him, and..well, he just didn't want to go there. So he just shrugged uncomfortably. "I just suspect."
"Well, I think you're wrong. So there."
Vance chuckled, but smiled appreciatively. "Well thanks. That's nice of you to say."
"But, I'm guessing you believe me about as much as I believed you about my chances of dating, right?" Because he wasn't stupid enough to think a few words from him would change Vance's mind.
"I'm thinking," Vance corrected, "that we'll both have to find out."
"I guess I can't argue with that." The younger boy conceded with a small nod.
"And when you get an awesome boyfriend, and I manage not to talk myself out of a relationship, we'll both get to say 'I told you so'. Fair?"
Well, Vance had him there. He couldn't argue that he wouldn't get a boyfriend without having to let Vance go ahead with his silliness. "Ok, if I manage to get a boyfriend you're free to say it. Fair enough."
The telekinetic shook his head. "Not if. When. I'm positive, man. Got faith and all that."
"Positive about me but not about yourself?" Victor pointed out with a small smile. "Ok, well, thanks for having faith in me. I guess."
"Anytime, Vic. You gotta believe in good things for 'em to happen," Vance said, smiling but voice full of conviction. "If you believe it'll happen, you'll work to make it so, right? Self-fulfilling prophecy. You got this."
"You've got to believe in yourself too then by that logic, have we got a deal?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Vance stuck his tongue out for a minute, and then let himself flop back onto his back. "I'll try, okay, how 'bout that? And you try, too. And if you don't, I'll take you down again." He glanced over and grinned impishly. "Don't forget, I've already pinned you once, now."
Victor grinned though the thought of being pinned again made him feel a little weird. He brushed it off hastily to grin back "Ah but you've lost the element of surprise now, I'll get you next time." he shifted a little to lounge comfortably again.
"I don't need the element of surprise," Vance disagreed, voice teasing. "I got legs, and arms, and telekinesis. And I will totally use 'em."
"But I have, I have a crazy tongue and agile flip skills and I'm sure I can somehow use that to my advantage." Victor shot back with a grin.
Vance snorted and shook his head. "What, you're gonna lick me? Thinkin' that's more punishment for you than me. God knows what a 14 year-old guy tastes like." In any case, given that they'd just been wrestling, he doubted it was good. Salty, maybe. At best.
"I dunno, I hadn't thought that one through." And he so wasn't thinking about licking Vance now coz that was bad, bad territory. What was wrong with him today?
"So I win," Vance announced, half-heartedly beating on his chest a little, like Tarzan. He hopped off the bed for a celebratory cookie. He grabbed an extra for Vic, and offered it to him, pointing out, "You came in second."
"I will have my revenge." Victor informed him with mock-seriousness.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You go on thinking that," came the teasing response. "But while you figure out how to have your revenge, have a cookie."
Victor pulled a face at him as he took the cookie ultimately pouting at him just for effect.
