inpes

[inpes]

As soon as he saw the other's response, a sinking feeling of despair resonated within Andrew. No... He should've never brought the topic up -- he'd been a fool to assume that Tate would actually want to stay in Hive City, and now.. now, he'd really be alone.

"Yeah.. no."

His gaze went glum, head bowed slightly as he thought back to his old home. No.. even if the authorities had not been after him, even if he hadn't destroyed so very much and caused such catastrophic harm -- it wouldn't have mattered. He had no one to go back to. That man who stood in as a supposed father, only to cause such hateful pain upon him, hardly counted as any sort of support, and as for his former friends.. Matt wasn't an option, either.

Andrew knew he wouldn't be welcomed back with open arms, to say the least.

"There's nothing for me to go back to." Looking Tate in the eye, he could only hope the blond would understand. Yet while Andrew tried, in all faithfulness, to remain understanding and calm, a panic was steadily rising through him. He couldn't be alone. Not now. Not after all that had happened. He didn't want to be.

"..Do you really want to go back?" His brows furrowed once more. "Isn't it better here?" He took a step closer. "You're free now-- free to do exactly as you want!" The scientists' words echoed in his ears. Never again would he be able to see Tate.

bury us alive ;; closed @ tate

[inpes]

It took a moment, but soon, the blond began to behave more like himself -- or at least, like the person Andrew considered him as being. Seeing the other relax caused relief to spread through his cognizance, as well, the brunet remaining entirely still as he listened to the blond speak. Yet it seemed his latest assumption had been incorrect -- As it really seemed Tate didn't understand what had happened... which only caused the younger man considerable confusion.

"..No," he stuffed his hands into his pockets, head cocked just slightly to the side as he considered his possibilities. Obviously the blond needed to know the truth, but.. Andrew didn't want to throw him off so terribly again. If anything, Tate seemed unstable -- a notion that only caused the brunet to worry. That was certainly something he'd have to remain careful about...

"Last I saw you was at the winter party... and now it's February. Valentine's Day, actually." His brows furrowed, Andrew hands slipping out of his pockets. He felt hesitant -- as though he needed a distraction, something to sway the other from such a state, anything to change what was happening.. yet he had to face this problem, as did Tate. Taking a breath, Andrew pushed on.

"Didn't you hear the announcement? The scientists said we can go home.. if we want, at least." He had nowhere to return to, as it was.

bury us alive ;; closed @ tate

[inpes]

[inpes]

Yet the response he received was hardly what he'd anticipated.

While the blond released his collar, Andrew did not feel any sense of relief. No.. the whatever had gone wrong was far from over, it seemed. The biting words that followed only worsened things, the brunet fighting the urge to step back as his blue gaze fell away once more -- but only momentarily.

He didn't understand what was happening, but he didn't like it.

A pause ensued as Andrew struggled to comprehend the issue, thoughts racing as he did his best to search back to memories of the few days they had spent together... Yet he could think of nothing that he might have done to upset Tate this greatly. Perhaps -- no, perhaps he'd gotten too close. Maybe he'd gotten too comfortable around his so-called friend, and as a result... all had gone downhill.

So Tate had intended to leave him for so long.

"..I'm sorry," his words were quiet from surprise, alone. "I just.." easily, his words stuttered into another moment of silence. "I didn't realize-- I didn't know where you'd gone, and it had been so long --" finally, Andrew met the other's gaze once more, this time taking a step closer. His fingers curled by his sides, blood racing through his veins as the young man struggled to phrase his thoughts accurately. He didn't want to upset Tate more.

"You were gone for over a month, Tate.."

bury us alive ;; closed @ tate

[inpes]

Immediately, he was caught off guard, the blond whipping around and grabbing him forcefully by the collar---

Andrew's eyes widened, hands swiftly withdrawing as he staggered back -- but only slightly.

Heart racing, he nodded hurriedly, then twice more, as though attempting to reassure the other. Yet the teen could tell already that something was off. The way that Tate gazed upon him, the confusion faltering within his gaze... and thus with that, alone, what remained of Andrew's former frustration and disappointment at having been left alone faded away. Perhaps it hadn't been the other's choice to leave him for so long.

Slowly, he placed a hand upon one of Tate's own, hoping to loosen the blond's grip upon his collar. "..Where were you?" He finally asked, a strange fear thrumming within his chest. As much as there was something amiss, it felt as though he'd been privy to something darker within. Yet surely that could not be so. It was simply strange, to be treated so roughly by someone he'd foolishly learned to trust so deeply.

"I thought.." briefly, he pursed his lips, gaze falling as he hesitated. Andrew felt he could not voice his thoughts, not now. It would surely be foolish to express how he'd missed the other, though they were only friends, at best Looking back to meet Tate's gaze, his brows furrowed with concerned. "..I was really worried."

His grip upon the other's hand became firm, however gentle.

"What happened?"

bury us alive ;; closed @ tate

[inpes]

bury us alive ;; closed @ tate

It had been so terribly long since he'd last seen Tate.

His friend-- no. Surely they were not truly friends. Not after the blond had disappeared for at least a month.. Andrew had never been involved with people of the "popular" crowd, however he did know that friends would never leave each other for such a long amount of time. Certainly not while they were in such a bizarre city, a place where no one could be trusted---

And these thoughts had only made Andrew more wary of the other.

Thus he found himself shellshocked, to find himself facing Tate's back. Those familiar, blond curls, that sturdy build. It had to be him.

"..Tate."

Andrew's fingers curled and uncurled, fidgeting uncomfortably as he moved forward. And in that moment, his remaining boldness was overcome by a despairing longing. He'd been alone for the entire damn time --

"Tate--" suddenly, he sped up to catch up with the blond, catching him by the arm and pulling him back slightly. Andrew hardly knew what he was thinking, yet he couldn't let his maybe-friend slip away again.

"Where were you?"

[inpes]

Send me a "H" and I'll generate a number!

The Friendly Hug - A hug where the other wraps their arms around you and pat you on the back; the kind of hug a close friend might give you.

The Sleepy Should Hug - A hug where you wrap your arms around each other, and one of you lays your head on the other’s shoulder and rests there awhile.

The Polite Hug – A hug where you act formal and proper. As if you’re trying to hug someone without really touching them.

The Bear Hug - A hug where you where you wrap your arms around each other and hold tight.

The Quick Hug - A hug where you’re either hurrying off somewhere or you probably don’t know the other as well, either way you didn’t want to be rude.

The Unreciprocated Hug – Otherwise known as being given the cold shoulder. When you give a hug and the receiver just stands there like a stiff board with their hands hanging at their side.

The Snuggling Hug - Usually done when seated or laying down with another. A hug where one cuddles into the other’s side.

The Squeezing Hug - Similar to the Bear Hug, a squeezing hug is given by wrapping your arms around someone and squeezing them with all the strength and force you have.

The Waistline Hug -  This kind of hug is usually done while walking together or standing together. A hug in which you both have an arm around the other one’s waist.

The Hug and Twirl - A hug where you hold the other person in your arms, lifting them right up and spinning them around.

[inpes]

✐

✐: If you had to write one (only one!) goodbye letter to any person of your choosing, who would it be and what would it say?

Dear Captain Kirk:

          Yellow makes u look like trash.

                                                      - Khan Noonien Singh

Andrew:

          Do not for an instant question that which you already know. We are, and will ever remain superior in every aspect. It is only natural then to abide by the laws of nature— that is, as evolution has showcased time and time again. As I return to my work, here I leave you this in hopes you might act accordingly, and without hesitation.

                                                                             - Khan

[inpes]

"..Is it over yet--?"

[inpes]

[inpes]

"...You're a load of crap."

“Why wouldn’t I be, Christmas is a load of crap.”

[inpes]

"Well someone's in a bad mood."

“Christmas more like Violet why don’t you love me Shitmas.”

[inpes]

Yet the other's response actually... surprised him. Instead of being bid farewell, the blond actually appeared to be genuinely upset. As though he truly did wish for Andrew to remain with him. Hesitating, the younger teen watched him, brows furrowed in concern -- before his blue gaze fell to the ground, as though in shame. Made a break for it in the maze? Did he really think that Andrew would do something so mean? The way that Tate worded it all made him wonder if this was something the other was actually used to.

Perhaps they were more alike than he'd previously believed.

"No.." Andrew muttered, "No, I'm sorry -- I'll stay." Their gazes met once more, his own being more firm this time. He didn't want to upset Tate, of all people. That would be too cruel. It seemed the blond was the only one who could cause Andrew to forget about his entire apex predator belief. The only one who could return him to the state of normalcy that he'd been a part of before everything had gone wrong -- at least, as close to that as one could get. How naive he was, to believe it would all actually last.

"I thought you wouldn't want me around." Giving a stiff shrug, he moved closer, placing one hand on the wooden railing, beside Tate. "'Cause that's how it normally goes. People get bored of me, or they just.. they think I'm strange." Wincing slightly, he mustered a faint smile, blue eyes focused on the ground. "Then again, I guess I really am. I'm different from everyone." However, it was this phrase that made Andrew look back at the blond, realizing then just how different Tate had to have been, as well.

As far as he knew, the older teen was no more bizarre than any other person their age.

"But I mean.. I guess we're different, too," his smile remained, yet it had a bitterness quality to it. "You just -- You don't seem normal. In a good way."

❝bone dry. [ winter ball ]

[inpes]

Immediately, he regretted his decision. God, this wasn't right, none of it was right -- why did Tate stick around him so much, anyway? No one had ever done that, even Steve and Matt.. they hadn't stayed because of Andrew. That was something the brunet teen knew well enough, as it was. Surely this only proved that he couldn't actually trust Tate. Not really, not like.. not like he'd trusted people before. Experienced had taught him well enough that faith was for fools.

It just wasn't for him.

"Sorry," he uttered as they reached the gazebo, hand pulling away. "I, uh," Andrew stuffed his free hand into one pockets, ignoring the bloodied napkin. "I should probably get home. I'm sure there's lots for you to do here. People to talk to -- Uh, girls." He felt as though he were rambling nonsense by that point, yet.. wasn't he right, in the end? What did Tate have to do with him, anyway? Surely if they'd met somewhere else -- say, at school, for instance -- Andrew could have easily seen the blond bullying him, or something.

Though that wasn't a stretch, in general.

Maybe he was being too negative.

"I'm sorry."

It really was a beautiful party, though. The lights shone lightly -- not too glaringly -- casting the gardens in a gentle glow as the mansion could be seen a bit further off. Andrew didn't really want to leave.. he didn't want to go back to his apartment, but even if he did leave the event itself, he knew he wouldn't head back home, anyway. Tired as he was, it was clear he wouldn't be able to rest much underground. Maybe he could find another place.

"It's, uh.. it's been great." Backing away, the brunet tried to force a smile. His other hand tightened around the broken camera, the device only serving as another reminder of his foolishness. Christ, he didn't even know how he was going to fix that... maybe it'd simply be best to find another one. Somehow."Really. Thanks."

Maybe he just couldn't help himself.

❝bone dry. [ winter ball ]

[inpes]

God, he was so stupid -- getting lost in a place like this.. seriously? Yet suddenly, the blond was back by his side, pulling away the bloodied napkin and smoothly replacing it with a new one. Thankfully Tate had brought extras. Andrew barely managed a faint smile as he soaked up the remaining blood, glancing away from the other's gaze. He was too embarrassed for this...

"-- Hey, it's dark, okay?"

As though that served as much of a defense. Either way, the younger teen was incredibly grateful for the assistance Tate had so easily provided. It was a relief to know that the blond wasn't about to give up on him. At least, not just yet. Naturally, Andrew hadn't the faintest idea of what the other's ulterior motives were, or even that he had any intention of manipulating him, and with that.. He trusted Tate far more than he should have. He didn't even feel any wariness about it, at least not really.

Yet as the blond continued to speak, Andrew glanced at him carefully, eyeing the other's offered hand. Okay, maybe he felt a bit suspicious about that. Hold it..? What the hell was he thinking? Again, if this was a joke -- but it didn't really seem to be one. Pausing as he wiped once more at his nose, Andrew finally balled up the napkin, stuffing it into his pocket.. before taking the other's hand.

"I'm not a kid," he muttered, fingers flexing slightly. When was the last time he'd held someone's hand? He'd never done that with a girl, that much was for sure. Feeling his cheeks begin to warm, Andrew was grateful for the darkness, his blue eyes turned away from Tate. "This isn't funny, Tate."

❝bone dry. [ winter ball ]

[inpes]

Chronicle 2012 - Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery

[inpes]

Andrew waited for the blond to lead the way, silently following after him as they entered the maze of hedges. Christ, what a place to live in... It seemed utterly surreal that someone actually owned an entire mansion there -- what if the person hosting the winter ball was a scientist? After all, surely no fellow citizen could be so privileged as to own such a grand home. Not that he didn't want one, himself.

The maze wasn't entirely foreboding, no, but the further they walked, the darker it seemed to become, the sound of music from the mansion growing fainter and fainter with each step. Both teens fell silent as they continued to walk, yet at one point, the brunet found himself slowing to a stop, cerulean eyes darting about while he looked at the place. There was a part where the maze split down different parts.. and, tempted by curiosity, Andrew peered down one path.

It all looked the same. Perhaps he'd simply been emboldened by the other's presence, yet when the teen moved back to return to Tate's side, he found himself alone. Brows furrowing, Andrew turned around, peering through the darkness. "Uh.." He started, trying to push away the nervous feeling that was already perking up. "Tate..?" Was the blond playing a trick on him? Or had they been separated?

Either way, he'd clearly made a stupid mistake.

Simply by instinct, Andrew suddenly tried to float up -- at least he'd be able to look at the overall maze and find Tate more easily -- yet at that moment, he was rapidly reminded of how limited his powers were. Blood had already returned to drip down his mouth, causing the brunet to hiss as he hastily pulled the napkin from his pocket. Pressing the already dirtied material below his nose, the brunet then stumbled down the path. Well, one of them. He wasn't really sure of where he was going.

God, he was such an idiot.

"Tate? Tate-- Dude, if this is a joke, it isn't funny.."

❝bone dry. [ winter ball ]