closed;

[cursedtolive]

Who: Shuuya Nakano (deludings) and Benjamin Thomas (cursedtolive)
When: 02.15
Where: on the streets; around town
What: Shuuya and Benjamin meet while the former flees from his own scene of crime. An alliance forms.
Warnings: two little shits here to stink it up.

Today should've been completely like any other day, sans the ever-present network and the occasional wondering if the person he just walked past was a member or an alien. It was ordinary, walking home from the store with scarf wrapped tightly around his neck, kicking at the snow. It should've been like any other Saturday...

But Benjamin stops, suddenly, and yelps, raising his arms to protect his head, because out of nowhere jumped this stranger. He's older from his appearance and moving at great speed, and Benjamin's legs catch on the other boy's in his attempt to back up, causing him to lose his balance and start toppling over with a surprised yell.

"Waaah--!"

Comments

[deludings]

[By all accounts, it was a very, very bad idea.

But Shuuya'd never been the sort to consider these things ahead of time. Pranking someone who was, say, on the football team, never crossed his mind as dangerous. He'd be long gone by the time the guy worked up the brainpower to be furious.

Unsurprisingly, it backfired.

Which is why, in his rush to get away he doesn't notice the kid when he skids around the corner. The sky spun, and the concrete was suddenly against his face, very unwelcoming and hard against his cheek. His head throbbed. With a groan, he pushes himself back up, rubbing his forehead furiously.]

--hey, watch it--!

[cursedtolive]

[His brother had always warned him, every winter, every first snow, to be careful when he fell, and to avoid hitting his head as much as possible. He did his best to avoid hitting anywhere seriously -- they couldn't afford the hospital feels, honestly, if he got too hurt. He remembers at last minute, as he sees the ground rushing toward him, and twists himself around so he lands more on the snow piled nearby instead. It's still cold and not soft at all, the snow hardened from being stepped on and melted and cold and gross, but it's better than the feeling of the concrete when it slaps against his shoes.

He pushes himself up, shaking his head free of frost and rubbing his back where it slammed against a particularly tough area of snow.]

You watch it! How fast do you think you were running, you basically ran me over!

[deludings]

[The kid had a point, but Shuuya wasn't in the best of situations to sit and argue. Even so, he can't let him off on that note.]

You shouldn't have been just standin' there then. You could've moved, y'know.

[cursedtolive]

I was moving! I backed up, and you still barreled into me. I can't believe you're blaming me for this!

[He huffs, puffing his cheeks out as he picks himself up fully.]

Why are you in such a hurry anyway?

[deludings]

[That's right. He quickly glances back. He doesn't know when he'll be found again, so...

Shuuya pats the kid on the head.]

Hey, you like candy, don't you? I'll give you candy if you show me a place to hide, okay? I'll buy as much as you want.

[cursedtolive]

...

... ...

Are you trying to kidnap me?

[deludings]

[Ah.]

.........

[He clasps his hands with the boy's.]

Please help me. I'm begging you.

[cursedtolive]

[Ok so maybe this guy isn't a kidnapper.

But.]

Oh my god you're trying to kidnap me.

Can you let go of my hands I need to call the police.

[deludings]

[What no that makes his grip tighten a little! On second thought, he should be letting go, shouldn't he?]

I'm not-- you're too big to kidnap! Nobody'd want to kidnap you.

[cursedtolive]

Wow.

Excuse you! I'm perfectly good to kidnap! Except the part where you won't get anything out of my brother because we don't have any money but you're really rude!

[deludings]

That doesn't make any sense. You just admitted you don't have any worth for a kidnapper. If I was a kidnapper, I'd call you small fry and drop you like you're hot.

[cursedtolive]

You'd kidnap me because you want me to grace you with my presence.

But anyway. Why are you running?

[deludings]

[Oh, right. That--]

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. And it's nothing you gotta be concerned about--

['Hey! There he is!' rings out from the distance. Shuuya's head jerks towards the direction of the shout, eyes widening. He scrambles to his feet.]

--h-hey, look, just show me a way outta here, okay!

[cursedtolive]

...

[I'll give you candy if you show me a place to hide, okay? huh?

He grins.]

Follow me, I know just the place!

[deludings]

[He didn't expect the kid to actually listen to him after their banter, but he's not arguing with his good luck.]

Make it quick...! [Those jocks run really fast!]

[cursedtolive]

You're running from those big guys, right? Don't worry, trust me!

[He'll lead Shuuya around a nearby corner, into a small but crowded row of stores and vendors where they get swallowed up by the shoppers moving around. He ducks them under stalls and into stores, and apparently he knows one of the storekeepers because the old guy lets them go straight to the back door!]

[deludings]

's not like I got a choice!

[Fortunately, Shuuya's got a sharp eye and follows Ben at a quick pace! He glances back to make sure that the guys aren't on their tail. After a while, it seems like they've lost them in the busy streets but he won't stop running until the kid does.

--he seems to know the people around here, huh? He's chosen a good guy for help.]

[cursedtolive]

[Benjamin doesn't stop to check on their pursuers, facing straight ahead and not even checking to see if Shuuya is behind him. He weaves through people and eventually skids to turn a corner into an alley, jumping over a stray cat and running straight ahead until they're out into a bigger street again. And he turns left, running a little slower now. He can't hear the voices chasing the stranger anymore, and so he finally looks over his shoulder to grin at his newfound companion, spinning and almost throwing himself into the store to his left, grabbing Shuuya's hand and yanking him inside with him, onto the floor for them both to sit hidden behind a row of... barrels.]

[deludings]

[The kid's faster than he thought he'd be. Shuuya almost trips over the cat and has it hiss at him, much to his chagrin. Just as he's begun to huff and puff from the exertion, he finds himself yanked over.]

Ah--!

[Quickly, he stifles his own mouth with his hand. He can't hear the guys anymore, just the sound of customers going their own ways, much to his relief. Shuuya breathes out slowly.]

... geez. That was way too close.

[cursedtolive]

[Benjamin snickers, seemingly perfectly comfortable where he's settled next to Shuuya. He leans back on the barrel behind him, stretching his legs out as he pulls off his scarf. His face is all red from the cold.]

Mission complete!

[deludings]

[That sounds pretty cool, huh... Shuuya flashes a grin and throws a thumbs-up at him!]

Mission complete! You didn't do so badly. Thanks a ton.

[cursedtolive]

You're welcome, mister.

[He smiles brightly for a second -- then the smile turns darker, more scheming.]

You said you'd get me candy, right?

[deludings]

[... ah, he should've known it was too easy.]

If it's the expensive sorts you want, forget about it.

[cursedtolive]

Those guys chasing you were from the high school right? I've seen them. Football players? I can probably find them if I go to their school, you know?

[deludings]

...............

Okay, okay. No need to do that, sheesh. [Farewell, wallet...] What sorts are you wanting?

[cursedtolive]

You should've set the rules before I accepted the trade.

[He cackles. but he won't make him buy anything too expensive.]

Chocolate! I want some chocolate! What's your name by the way?

[deludings]

[He's nervous at the cackle, but... the actual demand isn't too bad. He heaves a sigh.] All right... you're gonna get cavities but whatever.

[He straightens up, brushing off his pants.]

'm Shuuya. You?

[cursedtolive]

Those are only for kids who don't brush their teeth. [He's quick to get moving once he's on his feet, grabbing Shuuya's sleeve to make sure he doesn't run and dragging him toward the chocolates.]

My name is Benjamin.

[deludings]

[It looks like he's stuck for good like this. Farewell, freedom.]

Benjamin, huh? You seem to know your way pretty well around here.

[cursedtolive]

[You won't escape him now.]

I've lived here my entire life! And I used to run off a lot when I got mad at my babysitter when I was smaller and hid in these stores a lot. They're used to me.

[deludings]

So you're one of those trouble kids, huh...

[cursedtolive]

Don't lump me together with amateurs like you.

[deludings]

Is being a trouble kid really something to brag about?

[cursedtolive]

Sure it is, if you refine the art and know how to go about it the smart way. Anyway, I don't cause so much trouble -- at least not the kind that gets me chased across town by football players.

[deludings]

Hey, hey...! I'm usually more careful than that. They noticed me this time, that's all!

[cursedtolive]

And it could've been your end if it weren't for me.

[deludings]

I'm already in your debt. Isn't that good enough for you?

[cursedtolive]

No. If you're in debt you have to pay it off. Standard procedure, Shuuya!

And I kind of want to see what else you usually do.

[deludings]

... does that mean you're gonna follow me around like some little gremlin?

[cursedtolive]

Excuse you. I'm gonna shadow you like an apprentice.

[deludings]

More like a curse.

[cursedtolive]

Don't say that. I'm hurt!

[deludings]

I dunno, I dunno, you kinda fit the bill well...! You popped outta nowhere and now you're following me, aren't you?

[cursedtolive]

Curses don't come out of nowhere.

Anyway, I'll say I'm your shadow.

[deludings]

[He aggressively pats him on the head.]

A really talkative shadow, I see!

[cursedtolive]

A talkative shadow for a talkative jester!