citylogs | [ CLOSED ] Boys Night (spooky and traumatised edition)

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[ CLOSED ] Boys Night (spooky and traumatised edition)

WHO: (

possessum)

WHAT: They’re gonna hang out and have a nice time and by nice time I mean they’re probably both gonna cry a bit

WHERE: Wills apartment

WHEN: Early November

WARNINGS: To be updated but will likely include demonic possession and parental abuse

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[ Now that the Haunted House is gone and some but not all of the anxiety has faded Will has honestly ended up getting bored of his own company.

So bored in fact that the whole apartment is tidy — if not clean — and he’s actually pulled all the wedges from the doors safe in the knowledge that he can move between rooms without being transported.

Even painting has lost its sparkle, his art room is getting far too full of canvases and sheets of card pinned to every surface and he’s running out of a few colours since he hasn’t wanted to try going out to get more because well… Doors weren’t safe.

It’s a split-second impulsive decision to message someone and get out of his own head for a while, to pick someone who he’s had fun spending time with and most importantly hasn’t cried on yet. Because crying is embarrassing and he’s worried he might have made things awkward with a few people by doing it even if he’s pretty sure that’s just his own brain picking on him. ]

I think I overdid it on Halloween candy if you feel like coming over and making yourself sick with me.

[ he includes a photo of his frankly ridiculous candy stash and a pin for his location — which takes a good deal longer than anyone tech savvy would take — for good measure ]

Now that doors are safe to walk through again.

[ October was certainly... a time. Peter hadn't ventured to either of the parties, managed to avoid the haunted house fuckery, and yet somehow ended up Especially Haunted and then bitten by a vampire.

Maybe that's just how his life's going to go, now.

Needless to say, he could also use a distraction in the form of a friendly face, and when the text from Will comes, the older teen is all-too eager to reply. ]

Hey man
Oh hell yes I could use a sugar rush
Need me to bring anything else over?

[ The part about doors gives him a pause of thought as he's shrugging into a jacket and slipping his shoes on. He doesn't know about the cause of it, but he might've ended up with one Robby Keene somehow teleported into one of his bedrooms, just recently. Nooooot a great experience. ]

Something happen with the doors?

If there’s anything you particularly want.
I only have soda and stuff so if you drink you’ll need to grab something, it’s pretty easy to get stuff because I’m right above a convenience store, you can go right through the store or just take the gate at the side and head up.

[ The kitchen is a teenagers dream, stocked with mostly snacks and copious amounts of sugar, Will was trying to get better about it so he doesn’t get scurvy or something but it all went out the window when he started getting scared to go anywhere. ]

Did you actually not get pulled into the haunted house when you were just trying to go to the bathroom or anything? Because they pulled a fun trick where doors would just lead there with no warning and apparently it was happening to a lot of people.

[ Will was one of them, which is why the bruise on his face is a charming shade of green right now and why he wedged every door open and took to using Armands genius strategy of only exiting and entering the apartment via the fire escape.

Not the most secure idea but it meant he didn’t end up back there after his run in with Louis and Lestat, not that it couldn’t have been so much worse but he didn’t want a repeat and to end up with anyone who chose to take him out instead of knocking him out and dragging him out. At the very least if Peter didn’t end up at the stupid city party it means he also didn’t witness the ridiculously flamboyant wizard costume it kept turning Wills clothing into, that would have been embarrassing. ]

And to make it worse if you arrived in your regular clothes it turned into a costume the moment you stepped in. So that was great.

Oh shit, nice
I'll stop by the store on the way in, pick up a couple extra things

[ Might as well add to the pile of promised junk food, right? You can never have enough.... Peter checks everything, grabs his bag, and heads out, continuing to text Will as he walks. ]

What the eff??
That didn't happen to me, no
But if it was also working in reverse, someone did end up in my apartment all of a sudden

I didn't go to either of the parties, and now I'm extra glad
Are you okay now, though?

Okay! :)

I don’t know if it happened the other way around too but I wouldn’t be surprised if the people running the place dumped someone into your apartment just because you wouldn’t go and join in with their stupid party

I wasn’t going to go to either but then my friend wanted to poke around the haunted house and I didn’t want her to go all on her own in case it was dangerous and that time wasn’t so bad
But the second time was pretty crap
Has anyone filled you in on what it was like?

[ The reply is a little slow, he’s just about getting the hang of typing on a tiny screen but right now he’s doing it one handed, leaning out the window, lit cigarette in the other. He’s going to have to burn a candle to get the smell gone. ]

Better now I know it’s gone and we have a few weeks at least until they pull something else.

I thought about going to the other party, the one Robby and Tsuruno put on?
But I'm not much of a party guy so I just decided to stay in

[ He knew he wouldn't be able to handle it, even if a large part of him thought it could maybe be fun. But after what happened to Charlie... after what he'd done... best to stay clear of any party scenes. ]

But no, I haven't heard much about the haunted house. Sounds like it was way too literally haunted?
If you don't want to talk too much about it though, it's cool

[ Peter doesn't want the other guy to have to think about shitty awful things if he doesn't want to right now. But he's open to hearing otherwise, not running away from the information this time. And maybe Will needs to talk about it a little? Maybe that could help.

Regardless, his own typing has also slowed down a little as he approaches the convenience store and starts poking around for some stuff. ]

I'm not really a party kind of person either. I considered it because I like Robby enough to want to show up for support, but I didn’t feel well on the day.

I mean it was weird. [ — Will really considers just not talking about it, but it feels mean to withhold the kind of information that might help people be prepared for what the city might do and he needs to practice because he told Daniel he’d give it a shot and he doesn’t want to let him down ]
The first floor was just cheap tricks and not much else but the second one was horrible when I went alone.
They were making people here go on murderous rampages, but you didn’t remember doing it.
I blacked out hiding from something and the next thing I knew I came around on the top floor because apparently it happened to me, I got off pretty easy I think because I got rescued, just some bruising. People were up there with their costumes all torn and bleeding and stuff.
Basically if you can avoid anything this stupid place tries to get you to go to it’s probably safest, at least until it’s confirmed safe, like the fair.

[ Will puts his cigarette out lights a generic winter spice candle to try and cover the smell and then decides to follow up text anyway ]

I'll probably still go whatever happens next because I told Miu if she needs an exploration buddy I’d be there, but that’s because I don’t go back on my word and even if I’m not exactly useful it’s better with a friend than without one.

[ Peter's taking a moment's pause from where he was scavenging for some snack stuff so he can read all of that, heart sinking at the information. ....Fuck. ]

Jesus Christ
I'm glad you were okay in the end but

Fuck... That's horrible, man
You must be ready for a nervous breakdown after all that

[ He's going to need to check on some more people too, it sounds like. Murderous rampages.... But god, even if Will survived the ordeal, it still had to be a complete shitshow to the poor guy. Clearly he got banged up in the process, too. Peter decides he's gotten enough snacks, stuffing the rest into his bag, suddenly wanting to check on Will in person. There's a lot to say in response to what he's shared, but Peter wants to do it in person, now. ]

I'm coming up now, be right there

[ And it'll be barely a minute or so before he's found the right door and is knocking on it, gently but loud enough that the other boy can hear. ]

[ Being ready for a nervous breakdown more than hits the nail on the head. Will had been successfully distracted long enough to get home safely and have it in peace at least.

He’s perched on the arm of the couch when the knock comes and gets up to open the door with a speed that suggests he was indeed waiting for it. ]

Hey!

[ He swings the door open and gestures Peter in. The hall lights are on, in fact all the lights in the open rooms are on. The fan is whirring quietly in bathroom at the end of the hall because he’s not tall enough to reach the switch but if the door isn’t shut then the light can’t be off. The bedroom door is shut but the spare is open revealing a mess of art supplies and drying paintings. ]

You can hang your coat if you want. [ He gestures to the coat rack on the wall that contains his Halloween varsity jacket and Mikes blue plaid shirt but is otherwise empty.

Will himself is in sweats, hoodie oversized enough to hide in. The bruise across his cheek is greenish in colour and the bags under his eyes are dark but his face is mercifully not puffy from crying today. He doesn’t draw any attention to it as he gestures to the living room. ]

Thanks for coming over by the way, I was sick of being on my own.

[ Peter's already wearing a soft frown of worry when the door opens, one that takes only seconds to deepen a little, as soon as he's taking in Will's face, sees that bruise. And he looks.. tired, in that way Peter knows all too-well, circles under your eyes.

He can't help his gaze from lingering at the bruise on Will's cheek for a second or two, but quickly enough, Peter's pulling his eyes away from it so he can greet the other boy, managing to find a smile. And it's not that hard to, really, not when Will's greeting him so warmly. It's rare that he's felt that, like someone really does want him over.

The older boy moves inside and follows Will's gesture to peel off his coat, revealing a hoodie of his own. Not quite so comfy as Will's oversized one, but lazy enough. ]

Oh yeah man, of course. It's nice to have company after.... everything.

[ A soft wince; yeah, Halloween sucked, and there's some kind of solidarity in that. But Will clearly got the worse end of the stick; at least Peter can't remember most of what happened, or even being... bitten. There's some mercy in that, in not remembering, even if it scares him at the same time.

Peter's smile grows a little as he holds up his shoulder bag, giving it a little shake. ]

Brought some stuff, too. Chips and salsa dip... figured we might as well have a real party.

[ Perhaps it’s a little sad that on some subconscious level that he’s yet to fully realise Will has recognised that Peter has the same deep-seated loneliness as him, that he doesn’t seem to quite believe somebody would genuinely enjoy his company. It’s a feeling Will has lived with for nearing two years, maybe people just put up with him, since the party fractured as puberty hit and he spent that horrible summer feeling like they just didn’t care and despite most of his friends actively trying to make up for it the trust of childhood is gone now, replaced with a nagging fear that he just isn’t likeable.

Nonetheless his words and actions are genuine, Peter is a nice person and he’s fun to hang out with when neither of them have decided to quit being a person and confine themselves to their apartments.

Will ushers them into the front room, which is a lounge, kitchen and dining space all in one, it’s almost funny that Will chose something humble that feels a little more like what he might one day afford at home when he had his pick but he’s just glad he got the one at the furthest end of the hall because it feels safest. ]

Oh that was smart! I’m running low on savoury snacks because Halloween gave me mad candy cravings. You can put your haul with the candy on the coffee table if you want.

[ Please ignore how candy and cup noodles is how he’s been sustaining himself, it’s not healthy but it is easy.

He moves to turf Tiamat, the oversized three-headed dragon Armand won him at the fair, off the couch so there’s enough space for both of them. ]

I’d offer to put a movie on or something but we don’t get to have those here.

Dope, [ Peter grins as he moves to take out his own stuff and add it to the pile of candy on the coffee table. His worry and concern are still there, but he can allow himself to enjoy this, too. It's... nice. It's really nice. He's feeling genuine excitement as he sets out a big bag of tortilla chips and a can of salsa, as well as a couple more sodas just in case they need more drinks.

Turning back to the sofa, he's eyeing the big plush with another grin as he moves to sit down, already more comfortable here around Will than he is around most other people. He gets nervous in new spaces, unfamiliar homes; it's hard for Peter to make himself comfortable and not to hover anxiously like an unwanted houseguest. Like a ghost. But Will makes it easier to relax. ]

It's cool, honestly I'm glad just to be able to.... sit down and not have to worry about some crazy shit happening. [ He reaches for a piece of candy to go ahead and help himself to, looking over at Will. ]

I like your roommate. [ He nods his head towards the three-headed dragon again, lifting his brows in genuine curiosity. ] Is it something from your home, or did you get it here?

[ Wills apartment is set up in such a way that it is soothing to anxiety, there’s plenty of soft furnishings because sometimes when you feel like shit all you can do is bury yourself in a pile of blankets and wait it out. Mostly what it says is a teenager lives here. It’s not a show home, cold and un-lived in, it’s a warm space and it’s been designed to be. ]

It’s been crazy, right? Like I don’t know what they’re trying to do here but it’s like they’re trying to stress everyone out all the time.

[ He’s been lucky recently, even though he’s bruised and his anxiety levels have been off the charts with the door problems he’s building himself a solid base of people who he genuinely gets along with and feels safe with.

Will flops into the other space and grabs a packet of gummy worms, taking one out and biting it’s head off. Because you have to eat animal shaped candy head first, it’s the rules, so they don’t suffer… yeah…

He reaches down and pats one of the dragons heads. ]

I got her here, the fair was a bit scary in concept but I was checking it out from the sidelines and met someone who invited me in. So we hung out and played games and won a bunch of prizes. [ the more ridiculous pile of prizes lives in his bedroom but Tiamat is special and gets dragged into whatever room he’s in at the time. ] So Armand won Tiamat for me, she’s named after a dungeons and dragons character, and I won him a massive kinda scary bear. It was nice once I got over being super suspicious that something stressful was about to happen.

[ Peter's listening attentively as he munches on a couple pieces of candy, aware on some level that the space he's in does feel comfortable... which makes it feel safe. His own anxiety is worn like a second skin, with him nearly everywhere he goes, and he's so sensitive to every fucking thing. A certain setting can make it worse, or make it better, and this one...? Is definitely the latter. He doesn't even consciously really realise that he's relaxing more into the sofa as he listens, but it's a nice feeling.

So is listening to Will talk about something that sounds like a good experience. But of course, something like that can't last. Peter's smiling until something catches hold of it, and then he's feeling empathy tug so hard at his insides that he can't help offering a little frown instead. Once again, he looks over the younger teen's face, taking in the bruising. Will's mentioned the word "stressed" more than once, and as much as Peter would love to just forget about everything bad... he can't stop thinking about what Will talked about on the way up here. ]

I know what you mean. I uh.... every time I do anything around here, or... go anywhere, I'm like waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?

[ The dread that something awful's going to happen. He's sure most people feel it in this place; they're all in the same freaky fucking boat, but.... ]

....I guess I was already kind of like that back home, though. Scared of like. Everything.

[ Peter gives a soft snort, like he's trying to make light of it, so that things don't get So Serious and he's not just depressing, but. It's hard to pretend. He sucks at pretending; that's why he always just got numb instead. Kept himself high and stupid and unfeeling. ]

[ Will looks over, scared of everything even at home sounds familiar. Even before the monsters started pouring through into Hawkins, even before the first time he told Joyce he couldn’t breathe and his chest hurt and he couldn’t feel his hands and maybe he was dying, there was Lonnie and the shouting and name calling. He doesn’t talk about any of it, he’d rather his friends and family didn’t worry about him, rather keep it to himself even if it’s lonely. So it feels impossibly brave of someone to just admit it out loud.

And maybe he can be brave too. Even as he pulls his free hand into his sleeve and wraps his arm around himself like a shield. ]

Yeah I… uh… I know that feeling. We moved out of my hometown a little while before I ended up here instead and I thought… [ Joyce had called it a fresh start, she’d gotten a job that let her be at home, they were finally free of the Byers reputation and yet… ] I guess I figured if I wasn’t in a place where bad things kept happening I’d feel better but it was just worse. I was scared of everything all the time and I just wanted to hide so I don’t think I ever really left Hawkins, not mentally anyway.

And it’s weird because being here is more predictable, you know? It’s horrible and I’m anxious all the time but at least I’ve got a reason.

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[ CLOSED ] Boys Night (spooky and traumatised edition)

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