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Jackie: For the better half of the past week, Tony's been increasingly more obnoxious in his stalking of Tim. Typically, he leaves his forced conversations to the hallways and classrooms, but the younger boy is increasingly annoyed with Michael and Tim's draw to him, that he's been following Tim ever since he finished up baseball practice. Tim's tried his hardest to ignore the kid, save for actually telling him to flat out fuck off, but when Tony follows him into his dorm room, he's had enough. The blonde starts spouting off about Ness again, throwing accusations left and right and in explicit detail. Tim attempts to shut Tony up just by telling him to go, but the boy is insistent. By the time he's shouting, he throws out an obscure accusation about Michael and Jesse, and that makes Tim crack-- before he can even think, he's got his arm popped back and is cranking it into Tony's face with enough power that the younger boy stumbles backwards and blood immediately comes rushing from his nose.


Jay: Kellen's been about his own filthy business, whatever that is, since classes ended. He would have normally been spending time with Jesse, but with Jesse's increasing depression since he returned from break, Kellen's just not sure what to do with him anymore. Regardless, he's decided to give cheering the kid up another futile try and is headed towards their shared dorm when he overhears the argument going forward. For a moment, he's confused - he can tell one of the participants is Tony, because the voice is unmistakable, but he's never heard Tim raise his voice like that before. He figures it out just before he reaches the open door to Tim's dorm, excellently timed to catch sight of that hit. If Tim yelling was a surprise, this is even more of one, and Kellen's distantly impressed with the force of it, watching Tony curl over, holding his face. But the more pressing concerns make themselves known immediately, and Kellen forces himself to look away from this entertaining sight. "Ahhh, Lint? Lint..." But apparently, he isn't sure how to finish this statement, and simply stares at the other boy for a moment before jerking his fuzzy head in a clear suggestion of 'let's get the fuck out of here'.


Jackie: Tony crumples to the floor, both hands to his face as he lets out a noise of immense pain; it's not a good idea to piss off the pitcher for the baseball team. Taking a few steps back, Tim looks down at Tony like he wasn't even aware of what he did until it was over. He doesn't even register that Kellen is near until that voice breaks into his ears, and his eyes shoot up to his suite mate and mild surprise. A quick glance to Tony, who is screaming/whining an obnoxious "Tim, what the fuck?!", Tim only nods his head for Kellen's words and steps over the blonde to head down the hallway, holding his punching hand close to his chest.


Jay: Kellen's eyes are a bit wide, still surprised, but he laughs regardless as he snags Tim by a forearm and tugs him into the hallway and towards the closest exit. "That was fucking awesome." His voice is low, like he's trying to keep the whole thing a secret, but Tony will surely find someone to whine to before much longer. With that in mind, Kellen picks up the pace some. "C'mon, we need to find somewhere for you to go fer a while." He thinks, but doesn't say, this whole thing will be a lot easier to deal with once it's brought to Leech's attention. Once they're outdoors, he breaks into a half-assed jog, still pulling Tim along by the wrist.


Jackie: Tim doesn't even have to think to follow Kellen; he sure as hell doesn't want to stick around for the clean up and inevitable reprimand that he'll receive. Keeping in pace with Kellen, Tim momentarily considers going back to snag Jesse, but the younger boy isn't there-- school administrators required a meeting with him due to his bout of depression. So Tim sticks with Kellen, probably feeling better than he would've imagined, and when they're out in the courtyard, he peers up at his window with a mild glare. "Long fucking time coming."


Jay: Kellen gives another barely-suppressed snort of laughter for that comment. "Too fuckin' long. From now on, you oughta do that everytime he opens his mouth." Continuing past the chapel, on some off-the-path way he seems to know well, Kellen finally lets go of Tim's arm when they reach the little-used theater, to pull open a side door and lead the way in. The theater is dark, but not completely, dim lights in the ceiling always on. Slowing his pace now that they're out of the open, he starts for the stage area like he's accustomed to spending his free time here.


Jackie: "If he keeps running his mouth like that, you can count on it." He sounds exasperated, like dealing with Tony is a job within itself, and as they enter the theatre, Tim peers around curiously. The adrenaline is still pumping through his system and Tim's shoulders are still obviously tensed, but he tries to calm himself by taking a steady breath. "I've had about enough of his shit."


Jay: Shaking his head, Kellen ascends the stairs to the stage, but immediately heads backstage. "You got a lot more patience than me. I prolly would've socked him the first time." Weaving through the barely-lit, crowded area, Kellen bypasses racks of clothing and strange shapes of unknown props, coming to an overstuffed, if slightly dusty, couch towards the back, lit by the high windows against the back wall. He collapses on it, raising a cloud of dust obliviously.


Jackie: Keeping his eyes focused on his surroundings, Tim takes in the small theatre; he's been here before, but not for an extensive amount of time, and certainly not for lounging purposes. Following after Kellen belatedly, Tim steps around the props while trying to figure out what they are, speaking while inspecting. "He can say all he wants to me, but bring up Jess, and it's game over." Tim's tone sounds protective, like a big brother, and he rolls his shoulders in an attempt to loosen them up. "Thanks for getting me out of there."


Jay: Digging out his cigarette pack, Kellen looks briefly up at that, then back down, trying to sound distracted as he finishes finagling the box out of his tight pocket. "I thought I heard him say somethin' about Jesse." He's pretty sure he heard Tony say something about Jesse and Ness, but he doesn't want to ask, because that's as appalling as it is ludicrous. Finally unearthing the pack of smokes, he flips it open and picks through it, waving a dismissive hand. "Don't mention it. Prolly best to hide out fer a while, 'til...y'know."


Jackie: Tim nods for that, and instead of taking a seat on one of the prop chairs near Kellen, Tim climbs up onto one of the mangled prop pieces, one that allows for him to dangle his feet. "Said some bull shit about him and Michael." Shaking his head, as if to emphasis the absurdity of the accusation, Tim reaches for his own cigarettes, only to remember he came straight from practice and his pack is in his uniform pants. Tipping his chin up at Kellen, he pipes up. "Can I bum one?"


Jay: Kellen gives a loud, comprehensive snort for Tim's words, not feeling the need to comment on them further than that. "Ahhh, sure." He plucks what is plainly a joint from the pack, then offers the pack to Tim while he lights it. Once it catches, Kellen leans lazily back, folding up those legs that just seem to continue growing with no end in sight, and exhales a cloud of acrid smoke a moment later.


Jackie: Reaching for that pack, Tim snags one of the cigarettes from it and waits for Kellen to hand over the lighter once he's finished with it. Once his cigarette is lit, he tosses the lighter back to Kellen-- it lands softly on the other boy's tummy. Blowing the smoke up towards the ceiling, he slouches a bit in his position. "Thanks." Tim hasn't spent much one on one time with Kellen, so conversation isn't very easy for him, but he doesn't try to force talking because he's still a little wound up.


Jay: Kellen shakes his head, smirking faintly. "Always so gracious." After another quick hit from the joint, Kellen offers it out with a questioning look - he knows Tim doesn't usually smoke with them, but then, Tim doesn't normally hit people either, so who knows. He also shifts to the side and digs out a black handkerchief from a back pocket with his free hand, offering that as well. "Ya got a little blood, on yer hand."


Jackie: Tim can only smirk for that, taking another drag from that cigarette and exhaling away from the boy across from him. He eyes flick down to that joint and Tim momentarily considers it-- typically, he'd only partake with Jesse, but he's had a shitty week, punctuated by Tony's presence, so he reaches for it while placing his smoke in the other hand. Taking a hit, he holds it in while passing the joint back, and then glances down at his hand. True to Kellen's words, there's blood on his knuckles and it makes Tim's nose wrinkle. Using that offered handkerchief, he wipes at his skin carefully. "I'm not even sure what part of his face I hit."


Jay: The grin Kellen offers is wider, but lazier now, and he takes the joint back to hit it before responding. "Ahh, his nose mostly, it looked like. Hard to tell with all the blood." His voice is tense as he speaks, and he only lets the smoke out of his lungs afterwards, laughing quietly at the same time. "Fucker looked like his eyes were gunna fall out. Looked even more like a chihuahua than usual. He-- " Kellen cuts off abruptly, looking marginally more alert and sitting up. "...ya hear something?"


Jackie: Tim chuckles for that, lowering his head and wiping at his face once that hand is cleared. He doesn't feel a tinge of guilt for what he did to Tony, which resonates quite nicely, but before he can add to the conversation, he quips his ears and holds his breath to listen carefully. "...like what, ghosts?" It's a little sarcastic, since Kellen and Jesse haven't let up on their ghost hunting activities (save for the past few weeks, of course), but not all that mocking.


Jay: A faint echo of the grin returns for those words, though not whole-hearted, because it reminds him of how very unlively Jesse has been lately. But he pushes the thought away, shaking his head. "Nah, more like...ahhh, fuck." This low-voiced oath comes a moment before another figure appears through the backstage door, and even before the man reaches the light, Kellen recognizes that hair and that hat. "Ahhh, fuck." This repetition is louder, and notably disgrunted. "Not you, again." Not even bothering to hide his actions, Kellen takes a last drag off the joint before leaning down to snuff it against the floor, then tossing it away into the dim mess of props, because it'd surely be confiscated now otherwise.


Jackie: For those words, Tim quips his head to the side to look at where Kellen's eyes were diverted, and he immediately closes his eyes in annoyance. Dr. Snider hasn't been his biggest fan ever since their trip to the mountains, and when the older man fully enters their little abode, Tim snubs out his cigarette, too. Todd looks expectant, like he's not at all surprised to see Kellen here, and then folds his arms over his chest. "Thanks for the warm greeting, Mr. White." Sighing a little bit, he shifts his weight to one side, looking over at both boys curiously. "I don't suppose you two have anything to do with Mr. Lovato's broken nose, hmm?"


Jay: Kellen gives Todd a flat look, totally expressionless, which may just bring out his resemblance to Leech a bit. He's clearly past humoring the guy. "Not a goddamn thing, no." Despite that, Kellen's standing, tugging his pants up and generally looking like he's getting ready to go somewhere. Because they're definitely going somewhere.


Jackie: Todd, looking at Tim, peers at the boy's hand, or perhaps more notably the bloodied handkerchief resting near Tim's lap. "Very convincing." Grabbing that piece of cloth, Todd shoots his eyes from Tim to Kellen, then jerks his head to the side. "Come on, you two. As if harassing Mr. Lovato wasn't enough, I have to catch you smoking marajuana, as well?" Tsking a little bit and shaking his head, he starts for the door. "Let's go." Tim, groaning quietly, shifts a little to wiggle off of that prop and get to his feet, following after Todd reluctantly.


Jay: There's another of those says-it-all snorts from Kellen, because surely marijuana is responsible for Todd's entire life, but he doesn't put that into words. Instead he just shoves his hands in his back pockets, following after the teacher complacently, and looking as though this happens all the time. Which it undoubtedly does, especially now, without Jesse to distract him from his baser tendencies. As they retrace their steps back to the main building, Kellen sideglances at Tim and gives him a somewhat encouraging little smile. And it grows some, in a secretive kind of way, when Todd leads them to the door that leads to the basement, because Todd's dislike of Leech is blatantly obvious as he opens that door and starts down the steps.


Jackie: Todd strides his way back to the main building and to that basement, making sure to usher both boys accordingly. "I wish I could say this sort of thing surprises me, boys." Tim, keeping in stride with Kellen, looks at him for that little smile and offers a fraction of one back, since he's not all that concerned with Leech's punishment. Knocking on Leech's door, Todd waits for it to be opened, that bloodied cloth still in his hand.


Jay: Kellen certainly seems unconcerned, which Todd luckily seems to take as posturing. He halts with the others in front of Leech's door, waiting after Todd knocks, but there's a strange set of bassy, brassy noises coming faintly through the thick stone wall. This confuses him, he's pretty sure Leech hasn't installed a drum kit since the last time he was down here, but he continues waiting, looking at Todd expectantly when the door continues to be closed.


Jackie: Todd, growing irritated, raises his fist to the door and knocks loudly once again, peering back at both boys to make sure they stay put. When the door still isn't opened, Todd raises that fist one more time and knocks relentlessly, grumbling under his breath. This amuses Tim enough to where he actually cracks a fraction of a smile and tries to hide it by looking at the floor. Todd, clearly annoyed, grumbles out. "He's nearly as bad as you two."


Jay: And there is absolutely no pause in the noises on the other side of the door. Kellen doesn't bother trying to hide his own smile, and even laughs at Todd's words. "Nah, he's worse." Eeling past Tim and Todd, Kellen takes the path of least resistance and just opens the door, which is unlocked, as it usually is when he's not inside. He takes a couple steps into the room, then halts. Most of the noise is coming from an unremarkable-looking wooden box on which Leech is perched, and which he's hitting rhythmically, if slowly, with both hands and one boot. The rest of the bass is his voice, unsurprisingly, growling along about someone called Lucinda until Kellen interrupts, raising his voice to be heard. "What the fuck is that thing?" Leech lifts his head finally, and if his mouth doesn't smile, his eyes certainly do. He sits up, the noise ceasing, and shakes his left hand to draw feeling back into it. "It's a drum box. I jus...oh." Belatedly, he seems to spot the people behind Kellen. His eyes narrow upon seeing Todd, and he doesn't address the other staff member, instead looking back to Kellen. "Again, Kellen? The hell'd you do this time?" Resigned, he stands up - not making much difference to his height, but the new position allows him to see Tim, too, and he says again in a lower voice. "Oh."


Jackie: Tim stays put even when Kellen enters the room, and Todd takes a few steps in, jaw set since he is just finding more reasons to dislike Leech. He watches his coworker with an annoyed look, waiting for him to hault his playing before starting to speak, not waiting for Leech is question him, specifically. "I have reason to believe these two had something to do with Mr. Lovato's current predicament of a broken nose." He pauses, looks back at Tim pointedly before refocusing on Leech. "And I found them in the theatre, smoking marijuana." Another pause, as if expectant, before he adds on. "I trust you'll punish them accordingly."


Jay: Whatever expression Leech was showing drops completely from his face when Todd invades the room, and he just continues staring at the man blankly for a moment after he stops speaking, almost as if he didn't hear anything that was said. Then he just nods, once, tensely, taking a couple strides around Kellen to get to the door, holding it ready to close, at the same time crowding into Todd's space in an attempt to get him to leave. His voice has no more expression in it, low and growling again, but calm despite that. "Nice to be so trusted. Timothy, get yer ass in here."


Jackie: Todd glares at Leech as he comes near, handing off that handkerchief to him before nodding firmly, once. "Both of them, Lee. Mr. Armstrong for what he did to Mr. Lovato, and Mr. White for possession of banned substances." As if it really needs to be explained. Todd shoots a glare to both boys before heading to exit the room, the same time Tim skitters inside at Leech's command. Tim, now in the room, raises a hand to rub at the back of his neck, keeping his face lowered so as not to look at Todd. After a long, awkward pause, Todd nods his head and exits, closing the door behind himself so he can go check up on Tony.


Jay: For that caveat, Leech's eyes widen minutely, as good as a death threat somehow, though he lets that pause draw out and manages to keep his voice even as ever when he does reply (if enunciating somewhat more). "It's my fucking job, Snider. Don't tell me how to do it." He watches until the door is closed, then immediately reaches out to throw the deadbolt, making an inarticulate little growling noise in his throat, like an angry tomcat. Kellen, unphased, heads over to inspect the box, kicking it and looking pleased at the noise it creates. Leech turns, just shooting Kellen a brief Look telling him to desist, then directs his displeasure at Tim. "Why the fuck didn' you hit that retard a little harder? Knock him out, bundle him up in a fuckin closet for a few quiet hours." He looks like he really expects an answer.


Jackie: Todd decides to ignore Leech's words, instead opting to exit without any incident. He'll probably relay those words to Jefe, not that it'll do much, but enough to appease Todd for the time being. Still rubbing at his neck, Tim doesn't lift his head to look at Leech, but he does lift his eyes, peering up at with the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes. The tension in the air from Leech and Todd is still there, and it's a little uncomfortable. Shrugging his shoulders, Tim watches Leech as he talks. "Sore from practice."


Jay: Leech just keeps watching Tim, not showing any amusement for the answer, if he feels any; Kellen, on the other hand, grins widely for it. After another moment, Leech hisses through his teeth, exasperated, but he does cease staring so unnervingly. "I already got yer fuckin' roommate puking-drunk in one'a my isolation rooms, and now I gotta deal with this shit. Fer fuck's sake." He paces away from the door, snatching the pack of cigarettes from atop the upright piano with an almost violent motion and lighting one, before Kellen decides to intervene. "C'mon, Leech, you can't punish him for hitting Tony. You broke Tony's fingers." Leech exhales in a little irritated puff, not bothering to look at Kellen, because that won't help him sustain his hardcore image at all. "It's my fucking job, Kellen." That repetition makes Kellen still, uncertainly, throwing a look at Tim like he just realized why Leech isn't acting like his brother at the moment, then ducking his head to scratch at his scalp, muttering sullenly. "I hate your fucking job..."


Jackie: Tim would've thought Leech's response would be different, so when the elder of the room talks, Tim's eyes shoot up to look at him directly. He chooses not to address the Ness comment, since it's not all that relevant for the time being (but storing the information for later), Tim drops the hand from his neck to instead wave it out in frustration. "I'll make it easy for ya, yeah? Which room is open?" And he motions out towards the hallway, tone somewhat annoyed. It's certainly behavior uncommon for Tim, but ever since the deal with his parents came through, Tim's had a bit of an attitude adjustment.


Jay: Gritting his teeth in general frustration, Leech rolls his eyes at the wall in response to Tim's dramatic response, rearranging his face into its usual blankness before looking over his shoulder at the boy. "Stay there." Then he cuts his eyes back to Kellen, making a brief motion with his hand that Kellen clearly translates as 'go away' because he hesitates only a moment before disappearing through the doorway to the small kitchen area. Watching him go, Leech raises his voice briefly. "Kellen, I swear to fuck, I find you with a beer, I'll club ya on the temple with the bottle!" And there's the distinct noise of a fridge door closing, followed by a regular door closing. Once Leech is sure that the kid has gone, he turns to face Tim, waving a hand at the couch this time. "Sit down, Timothy." Leech does the same, returning to his previous perch on the drum box.


Jackie: Tim does as he's told and stays put, lowering his arm back down and standing with a little stronger of a presence; sure, his words were dramatic, but maybe they made a point. Watching Kellen depart, Tim gives him a look that shows his appreciation for his earlier words, but doesn't bother with a farewell since he feels the slightest thing can land him in more trouble. For that second command, Tim steps over towards the couch and sits down heavily, immediately leaning forward to rest one elbow on his knee while the other arm goes to rub at his neck.


Jay: Leech tucks his feet back behind either side of the box, watching Tim as he smokes for a moment or two, somewhat less intense than previously. He stretches to reach the ashtray on the coffee table, flicking his ashes into it and sitting back before finally speaking again. "The fuck's going on, Timothy?" He only pauses a moment before clarifying: "Not that I'm sayin' you shouldn' have hit the fucker, a long time ago, a lot harder; I jus' never expected you'd do it."


Jackie: Still rubbing at that neck, perhaps a little rougher than usual, Tim only shrugs for those words, not really looking at Leech as he starts to talk. "I know. He just--" Looking for words, Tim waves a hand in the air descriptively, finally picking his head up but not looking at the boy across from him. "He's been bugging me for the past week straight, and then he said some shit about Jess, and I just snapped." Finally meeting Leech's eyes, Tim's look a little tired, but still as vibrantly blue as ever.


Jay: Caught inhaling, Leech does some more hand-waving - dismissive this time - as Tim starts to explain. "Not that, I don' need to know why ya hit him. I know why ya hit him." As if anyone needs a reason. Leech cocks his head to the side a little, narrowing his eyes analytically, despite Tim's general evasion of them. "'s it Michaels, then? Kellen's been worried 'bout him, too, but he's not acting any more idiotic than normal."


Jackie: Sighing more, Tim leans back to sink more into the couch, not really liking that question because it just proves to something really is bothering him. One hand moves to rub at the bridge of his nose, as if he can already feel the headache forming, before focusing back on Leech. "He just...gets like this, sometimes. And it's shitty, 'cause I can't fix it. And--" But that train of thought stings a bit, so he shakes his head and looks off to the side.


Jay: That thought doesn't need to be finished; Leech makes a guttural sort of understanding noise and sits back slightly himself, but continues to watch Tim. Feigning thought, but probably just admiring his throat. Again, he takes a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking, sounding nearly reluctant. "Did Ness tell ya what I did to him - and Lovato - when we got back from the mountains? How I punished 'em for brawling?"


Jackie: Tim's mind continues even when his voice doesn't-- thoughts of Jesse finding out about his parents, how Jesse's bout of depression stemmed from it all, and how Tim can't do anything about it. But he's pulled away from that spiral when Leech's voice comes barreling back, and he glances back over at Leech for that before shaking his head softly. "Nah, didn't bother to ask." And really, Tim's not all that nervous about the punishment. Because maybe he needs that kind of distraction, or feeling, or something to yank him out of whatever he's been feeling for the past 3 weeks.


Jay: Leech nods distractedly for that answer, looking away, smoking. Less like he's thinking now, and more like he doesn't want to respond. He finishes the cigarette before responding, leaning forward to snuff it in the ashtray and speaking in that totally blank voice again. "I flogged them." He leans back a very little, planting his palms between his knees on the box and looking down at them. "I'm supposed to give anyone caught fighting twelve lashes. More, depending on how violent they are." He glances up at Tim again without lifting his head, the currently floppy mohawk somewhat impairing his vision. It's unsurprising that Ness didn't offer the information himself; whipping is meant for humiliation as much as anything else.


Jackie: Tim watches Leech's face carefully for that, trying his best not to react too strongly for those words, despite what his gut may be feeling. He blinks one, twice, and then nods a little bit, the hand that was once rubbing at his neck now moving to his face to rub and sigh into tiredly. Taking a calculated breath, he leans back a little bit and refocuses on Leech, face fairly well drained of much emotion at this point. "'s fine."


Jay: Still watching Tim, Leech's eyes widen slightly once more, and he briefly clenches his teeth - the action visible by the flexing of his jaw - then forcefully unclenches them. "It's not!" This is more vehement, not to mention louder, than anything Leech has said previously through the evening. He's straightened up now, his hands curled into fists instead of flattened. "I fuckin' hate doing that" - at least, to unwilling people - "and I'm sure as fuck not gunna do it to you." This is only fractionally less loud, and no less emphatic, but Leech looks away again and swallows visibly to regain his composure. "Did anyone see you hit him?"


Jackie: For that, Tim flinches a bit, more startled than anything else. He doesn't necessarily want punishment, since quite frankly he should be rewarded for that impressive hit to Tony, but also knows (at least from years past) that resistance only leads to a worse result in the long run. He wants to question Leech as to why he wouldn't do it to him, but the question doesn't seem to belong. Moving that hand to scrape across his scalp, he shakes his head minutely for the question, again diverting his eyes. "...no. Just Kellen."


Jay: And Leech is surely grateful for that particular point being ignored. He moves his head in a dismissive sort of way for Tim's answer, because Kellen doesn't matter, and sighs somewhat - more an audible exhalation than anything else - maybe even untensing in a way that can be seen. "Good. 's jus' his word against yers, then." Though Tony clearly got hit by someone, and there's no conceivable reason why he'd lie about who did it, and Todd will probably hate Leech for taking Tim's side. Or, hate him more. "Well. He caught the two'a you smoking, anyway, but that's jus' usually isolation, so that doesn't matter." Leech abruptly straightens, then stands up, swinging one leg over the drum box and heading into the kitchen. He comes back a moment later and tosses a frozen bag of mixed veggies at Tim. "Put that on yer knuckles. If they swell, it'd be too obvious." He moves back to reclaim his pack of cigarettes and lights another, generally just acting like the crisis has passed.


Jackie: Watching Leech carefully, Tim starts to relax back into the couch slowly, although not entirely. He's starting to grab onto the notion that he won't be receiving punishment, or at least not one that he deserves, and he lets out a little breath of air for that realization. When that bag of frozen vegetables hits his chest, he peers down at it curiously, a bit delayed, and then moves it to place over his knuckles, maybe hissing a little bit because it's a stark contrast to the heat and mild pain his hand is currently harboring. Looking down at his hand, he speaks up. "Thanks. For...ya know." Shrugging a little shrug, one that probably shows his age, Tim then continues. "Sorry for...interrupting your free time. I know it comes few and far between."


Jay: Leech merely snorts quietly for the expression of gratitude, and the one of apology, smoking and heading around the couch. "Shut the fuck up." But he doesn't sound at all serious, maybe even a tiny bit fond. Reaching the closed door behind Tim, Leech just knocks on it a couple times with the side of his fist, then retreats again, this time collapsing into one of two chaise lounges on either side of the couch. Kellen emerges from the door a minute later, looking half-asleep, or at least stoned, which is more likely. "Are the adults done talking?" He doesn't wait for an answer before emerging fully, following Leech's previous path and just dropping himself bonelessly in the man's lap, which surely earns a noise of some sort from Leech, and an ineffectual shove. Kellen grins lazily at Tim, seeing that he's escaped punishment.


Jackie: Tim nearly responds to that, but thinks better of it-- probably best to quit before he's ahead. So he remains silent and still on the couch, leaning back a little bit to rest against the back of the couch, folding both arms over his chest and not looking the most comfortable he's ever been. When Kellen reemerges, Tim offers a look that isn't really a smile, but acknowledges the other boy's lazy grin, and he watches his interaction with Leech with a bit of a lifted eyebrow. Maybe Michael wasn't too far off in his suspicions of Kellen and Leech having a thing.


Jay: Appreciating the response from Tim regardless, Kellen looks over his shoulder halfway, in Leech's general direction. "So I take it we don' gotta get strung up by our thumbs, or some other medieval thing?" He snatches Leech's cigarette without compunction. Giving up on pushing for the time being, Leech just drops back. "No. I don' got any chains strong enough to hold ya up. Fatass." Kellen smirks, even more pleased that Leech's mood has improved, and merely wriggles around as if to get more comfortable. "Wicked rad. I love bein' excused for my differences." After another drag from the stolen cigarette, he holds it out in offer to Tim.


Jackie: Tim continues to relax, as much as can be, the more that Kellen talks-- he's beginning to understand why Jesse took to him so quickly. Clearing his throat and looking elsewhere in the room, Tim only sees the offered cigarette once his gaze returns to the boys opposite of him. He looks at the cigarette, then to the face of the boy offering it, before leaning forward to grab at it and pull a drag from it. Exhaling through his nose, he offers it back and only sits back once it's taken. "Should I hang low for a while? Or do ya want me to just go back to my room?" Because he's beginning to think that he...shouldn't be here. Right now.


Jay: Arms crossed and glowering at the fuzzy back of Kellen's head, Leech certainly doesn't seem too overcome with amorousness. It takes him a second to realize that Tim's speaking to him, but he shakes his head as he glances to the boy. "No. Yer s'posed to be in isolation. I would offer to take you, but I'm kinda indisposed." Kellen smokes, feigning obliviousness. "What do ya do with the box?" Leech pauses pointedly before answering, sounding more like a petulant kid than a stern disciplinarian. "Anything I want." Not bothering to hide his amusement for the tone, Kellen again looks back, squinting one eye challengingly. "Can I have a beer now?" Leech narrows both of his own eyes, glaring back for a long moment before growling in defeat. "Fuckit. Take whatever ya want, but get the hell off me. Or I'll take anything I want, you fuckin' illicit bastard of a little cocktease." This doesn't sound a very serious thread, and Kellen doesn't treat it with much consideration, merely laughing and, once Leech shoves at him again, hopping to his feet. "Yeh, I'm the cocktease." He kicks lightly at Leech's boots then circles the couch, leaning down to stage-whisper to Tim as he continues to the kitchen. "He wears women's lingerie."


Jackie: Tim, keeping to the touch, watches all of this with mild curiosity, since clearly the other two are far more comfortable than one another than Tim is. He nods for Leech's words, kind of waiting for him to eventually get to his feet and direct him to one of the room, but...that's yet to happen. With nothing else for his hands to do, Tim raises one to scratch at the side of his neck absently, and he once again diverts his face, looking down at his running shoes that were previously hitting the treadmill at a quick speed directed by Coach Stax. The word cocktease is enough for Tim to tilt his head curiously (mostly to himself) and glance over at the other two-- but the words seem playful and harmless enough that Tim doesn't immediately excuse himself from the room. But then Kellen is in his ear, whispering that statement, and Tim has absolutely no idea what to do with that information other than look at Leech for a split second and then look down, clearing his throat the tiniest bit.


Jay: Leech eyes widen, briefly flustered and mildly infuriated, which probably says something about the truth of Kellen's statement. He doesn't even manage to swallow his choler until Kellen has disappeared, so he resorts to speaking more loudly but as if he's addressing Tim. "Next time I take in an orphan, I'm findin' one'a those pathetic, cowering street urchins that can't even speak without cringing." He gets up finally, stomping away like the world's tiniest t-rex, but clearly not to take Tim to isolation, only straddling the drumbox again and leaning over, starting to pound on it in a rhythm that will hopefully not make him able to hear anything Kellen says. Which is lucky, because Kellen returns shortly after and vaults the couch with improbable grace, dropping next to Tim and handing him a bottle of beer, looking at the older boy earnestly. "For true. Lace and everything. Swear to God."


Jackie: Tim probably doesn't catch on to Leech's words all that much, but does let them resonate in his brain for later pondering. They at least help to make Tim relax again, enough to where he slouches down more into the couch, legs stretched out in front of him. He laughs a little bit, a quiet chuckle, and watches as Leech reclaims his spot on the box and gets to work. Silently observing, he watches Leech's hands carefully, tries to piece together how he makes certain sounds with that box, but then Kellen is landing next to him and handing him a beer, and he can't not look at him. However, those words make the faintest, barely there blush curl up Tim's jawline, and he speaks into the bottle as he brings it to his lips. "I...don't know why you're telling me this."


Jay: Kellen bites at his lower lip, throwing a quick glance at Leech and being obscurely comforted by the man being focused on something else, before looking back to Tim, eyebrows raised. He's very plainly trying hard not to grin. "Just, y'know, thought ya might be curious." He pauses, takes a drink, and continues in an even more choked voice. "I mean. Now ya don't have to ask yerself anymore, boxers or briefs? cuz it isn' really a, ahhh...valid question." He makes a strangled sort of snorting noise, drowning it with another gulp of beer, but watching Tim with that too-concerned, helpful sort of look the whole time.


Jackie: Shifting a bit on the couch, Tim takes a swig from that beer and looks at Kellen out of the corner of his eyes. He can tell the kid is up to something and he shakes his head for it all, removing the bag of vegetables from his free hand and placing them on the arm rest of the couch. "I--" He glances at Leech, almost like he can't help it, then shakes his head, focusing back on Kellen. "Wouldn't ask myself that question, anyways." And then he takes another drink, just so he doesn't have to talk any more.


Jay: Kellen snorts again, like he just doesn't believe that response, but it cracks whatever resolve he had left and he ends up laughing. Loud, and infectious, and consuming; he even has to lean over and bury his face against his knees, not that this stifles the laughter any. Leech looks up from his position, glowering, but when Kellen doesn't notice at all he sighs and straightens, stopping his pounding to smack his hand absently against his thigh to ease the ache in his forearm, observing Kellen for a moment longer. Then he looks at Tim helplessly. "Wish I could still get that fuckin' high so easy."


Jackie: This is just getting worse by the minute. Choosing to ignore Kellen, Tim shifts around a bit until he's more comfortable on the couch, which is much harder to do now than it was five minutes ago, and then takes another little swig from his beer nonchalantly. He's about to argue with Kellen that it's true, that he should be believed, but then the kid is laughing and laughing and Leech is piping into the conversation, and Tim can only look at the older boy, then the younger boy, and nod dumbly. Probably silently relieved, taking Leech's words as an excuse for Kellen's odd conversation. "Jesse must be rubbing off on him." Because his best friend gets stoned as hell off of two hits.


Jay: Leech shakes his head, still eying Kellen uncertainly. "Nah, he's always been this way. Sometimes I'm pretty sure it's not even the weed." It's obvious that Tim is uncomfortable, which is unfortunate, because he had previously seemed fairly at ease in Leech's presence when they were at the ski lodge. Still, it's probably something he should try to remedy. Leech rotates that hand a few times to pop his wrist before standing again, briefly stretching his arms over his head, then glancing back at his new toy. "'s gonna take some getting used to. You get anything to eat, after practice?" Kellen has at least stopped laughing, and not started talking again, content to slouch into the couch and drink his beer for now, looking somewhat secretly amused.


Jackie: Tim actually snorts amusement for that, since he feels the same way about Jesse-- the kid can be totally off the wall when he's stoned or completely sober, and it's always endlessly amusing. Although Jesse doesn't tend to discuss people's under garments. Moving around a little on the couch to get more comfortable, Tim rests his beer on his kneee, one hand keeping it steady, and then shakes his head, although not sounding all that upset. "Nah. Tony followed me from the locker room to my dorm, and...yeah." Because he clearly doesn't have to go into detail after that. He probably should eat, after the recommendations from the doctors Leech took him to a week or so prior, but he makes no indication that he's hungry.


Jay: Leech narrows his eyes at the mention of Tony, muttering as he leaves the room. "Fuckin' creep. Should get a restraining order er some shit..." and it probably continues, but Leech is in the kitchen, and his voice is low enough to go unheard. He doesn't bother to ask if Tim wants to eat, just assumes he's as rapacious about food as Kellen is, if a bit pickier. Kellen tracks his progress with his eyes, before looking back to Tim. "Sorry, dude." He doesn't look at all sorry. ""s kind of an inside joke?" He takes another drink, then qualifies, closing an eye fully this time as if thinking. "Only, he really does wear lace, but. Yeh." He waves his beer bottle as if in explanation, pulling himself to his feet with the usual energy despite how stoned he is and going to inspect the drumbox again.


Jackie: Tim nearly asks how he goes about getting one, but Leech is out of ear shot and he knows there isn't an answer that'll appease him, so he lets it drop. Tilting his head to the side and letting it loll onto his shoulder lazily, he watches Kellen with the faintest hint of amusement, because he doesn't look the slightest bit apologetic. "No you're not." But it's said lightly, jokingly, enough to that it comes off like Tim is amused more than confused. "I won't ask how you know."


Jay: Kellen shrugs, unrepenant, because no, he's not sorry. And even though Tim pointedly doesn't ask, Kellen seems to feel the need to explain. "Well, he doesn't always wear pants. No one always wears pants. You don't always wear pants." As he speaks, he sets his beer down and settles sort of self-consciously on the box, trying to mimic the way Leech was sitting, looking back at Tim. "Boxer-briefs are a good choice fer you, by the way. Ya ever play one of these things before?" Because this is an acceptable compliment to give.


Jackie: Tim opens and shuts his mouth a few times for that, not even sure how to address that since it's certainly not something he normally talks about. He's about to respond saying that in public, yes he's always in pants, but...then that weird compliment comes his way and Tim can only close his eyes and hope for patience. It takes a minute, but it comes, and Tim then just shakes his head and takes a longer swig from his beer bottle. "...no. I've never played a box before."


Jay: Just sliding away from the previous conversation without attachment, to everyone's relief surely, Kellen hums thoughtfully and bends this way and that to eye the thing he's sitting on, before shrugging a little and making an attempt to draw noise from it. His right hand gets the kick-drum sound fairly good, but he doesn't seem sure what to do with the left hand, tapping here and there experimentally. He continues with it, all absorbed, until Leech ambles back in ten minutes later, silently holding a plate of innocuous looking stir-fry vegetables and rice out to Tim. "Yer doin' it wrong." Kellen looks up, takes the plate Leech is holding out to him and obligingly gets off the instrument, waving to it with the fork he takes up. "Well, instruct me, then, Mozart." His words are mocking, but he returns to his seat next to Tim and watches Leech expectantly.