[log] Snow Adult Supervision [open-ish]

[swatsflies]

Characters: Zack, Zell, Jim, House, and Quark.
Location Several Places
Date: Days 89 - 92+
Summary: Team Sad Sports continue on to the school to resupply and investigate. Shenanigans happen and eventually they meet up with Grinch and Smol.
Warnings: Boys being dumb, blood (ear piercing), clown burning, and whatever warnings House comes with.

Comments

Day 89

[swatsflies]

((Gas Station and Chocolate chips))

Day 90

[swatsflies]

((Bath house))

[For Zack: at the baking house/big house]

[swatsflies]

[Zell is an early riser thanks to it being pounded in his head from training. He's careful not to disturb Jim as he slides off the mattress and carefully pads out of the room to look for Zack. There's something he needs to talk to him about that's pretty important.

It takes a bit, but he finally finds him on the couch downstairs. Zell is used to seeing one of the Soldiers being up at odd hours keeping watch, so he isn't really thinking about the amount of sleep their charge might be getting.]

Yo, Zack. [He greets him quietly as he helps himself to the other end of the couch.] There's something I should tell you.

[heroproceeding]

[ He looks up immediately when he hears the padding of bare feet down the steps, holding his tablet that ways. The house might be brightening from the morning light, but without electricity, it's still a bit hard to see and he's not into surprises these days. It's only when he's certain it's Zell that he lowers it, that he nods back in acknowledgement and leans back on the couch as Zell makes himself at home on the other side. ]

Yeah? What is it?

[swatsflies]

[Might be a little odd that Zell isn't immediately invading Zack's space. Just going to look directly at Zack as he tries to figure out how to exactly share this. Weaving the right words ]

Have you ever been in a relationship before? [Tilting his head as he asks. Zack seems like he would be cool enough to nab anyone he wants.] You see, we didn't have the time to really think about relationships at Garden. And there were rules about it. I didn't really care about dealing with all of that before. [Keyword: Before.]

Late Night/Early Morning - For Zack

[rattlingthestars]

[ After piercing Zell's ear and then the emotional conversation with Zell under the covers, Jim's feeling pretty tired for once. Zell is still beside him, quiet in sleep, and it should be easy to drift off.

It's not easy, not without the company he's used to. His tablet's gone dim, too, and the covers feel heavy and smothering as the feeling of not-okay builds until he's nudging Mochi off his feet and sliding quickly from the bed. He takes a few deep breaths, telling himself to calm down before anyone - Zack, standing guard - notices. Once he feals steady on his feet again after a few seconds that feel like years, he retrieves his tablet and lights up the small room. by the light he can see Zack's familiar, comforting, too steady presence at the door.

Jim's feet carry him to Zack's side automatically, seeking the familiar midnight company. It's only when he's standing nearly on top of Zack that he speaks, his voice quiet in deference to the fact that they're sleeping in a one-room house. ]

This seat taken?

[ He doesn't wait for an answer - he might've, once, but they've spent too many sleepless hours together now. Zack doesn't actually get a say. Jim bumps his shoulder without settling directly against him. Zack does get a say on if he wants to be leaned on, just then; Jim's felt the tension he's been radiating, and he knows the source. ]

I can take watch.

[heroproceeding]

[ He hears the familiar shuffle far before Jim's on top of him. It's almost routine by now. Just as much as the way he pats the space next to him in encouragement for Jim to take that seat. Just as it is for him to take that towel and that blanket on him and throw it over the cadet, too. To bump back and throw an arm around, too, for good measure.

Rather than taking that offer, rather than paying any mind to his own tension, he shoots back the rest of their usual routine in the form of a question: ] Can't sleep?

[ He already knows the answer. Though why it's been more frequent, well... ]

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim wraps the blanket loosely around his shoulder - still a little sensitive to anything wrapped around him, including Zack's arm before he can relax into it. He gives a nod of acknowledgement; as routine as it is, the easy acceptance from Zack isn't something JIm takes for granted in a time like this. ]

Today was pretty exciting.

[ What with the ear piercing shenanigans and all, though that's obviously not why JIm can't sleep. Zack, either, but Jim's been adding up how little sleep Zack's gotten since they split and it's probably not good. ]

You should try, though.

For Zell :3

[rattlingthestars]

--

[ Jim manages to keep his eyes and his hands mostly to himself while they're bathing, though he can't resist a little horseplay here and there. For all that it's freezing to be wet, he's a little warm after seeing more of his boyfriend than he ever did before. Now that they're both almost back to something-like-dressed - Jim's back in his two pair of trousers, at least - he's more comfortable looking over and grinning at Zell.

No real reason, he's just a dope. Especially when he's carefully putting his necklace back over his head. ]

Are we gonna do your hair?

[ As he asks, he picks his earring back up to put it back in without looking in the mirror and, almost unconsciously, rubs the back of his head where the braid was for years. ]

[swatsflies]

[He really can't say the same. He's been sneaking looks or finding excuses to casually poke, brush his knuckles against, or lightly touch in some capacity. At least he's keeping it innocent and not crossing any lines.

Zell himself was back in his leggings and shorts. He might have been looking over at his boyfriend when he was putting the necklace on. Whoops. HI, Jim! Giving a dumb smile in return as he reaches to touch his own hair.]

Maybe in the morning if you want.

[He has more important things he really wants to do. Like picking up his own shirt and closing the space between them. Dropping his shirt over Jim's head before he's helping himself to poking him right in the belly.]

How do you know where the hole is?

[rattlingthestars]

Sure, in the - [ Whatever Jim was saying gets interrupted when Zell pokes him and he Totally Doesn't Squeak, He does mock-glare at Zell until he realizes what Zell's doing, and then he's just a little stunned for a second before he starts to pull the shirt on. When he trusts himself to talk again, he says: ] I did it when I was… twelve or thirteen. And I take it out all the time, so I just got used to it. Used to have a hoop, before you got here, but i found this and I'm pretty sure it's a diamond.

Day 91

[swatsflies]

((Sports and clowns))

Afternoon [Jim]

[swatsflies]

[After dropping off their stuff and situating Mochi with some food, and reassuring Zack they will just be next door, Zell leads his boyfriend over to the clown house. Jim needs to see the big one himself to see why Zell wants to see the thing destroyed. Swinging their hands between them as they move from sports house over to clown house.
Leaving the door open behind them so they can still hear in case something happens to Zack or them as he leads Jim into the living room to the clown in the corner. The whole place and all of it's decor is clowns or covered with clown paraphernalia.]

Freaky, right? [Not really letting go of his hand just yet. ] Think we'll find anything useful in here? [Besides kindling. Snagging one of the clown plushies from the couch to hold it up.] Think Mochi needs a friend?

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim has never been to the clown house.

Jim doesn't understand the need for this burning. Yeah, he knows what a clown is, and yeah, they're a little creepy, but -

Mother of Space God.

Now Jim understands. ]

-Zell, are you sure we can't burn the whole house?

[ This may be worse than the murder-suicide. ]

[swatsflies]

Think we'll need more fire power for that, Stars.

[Tossing the stuffed thing back before pressing a kiss against the side of Jim's head]

Besides, we should save burning houses down when we aren't on a date. You know the others will want part of that.

[Zack definitely would, while Kunsel would want footage of the whole thing.] Unless you like people watching us. [From the sound of it, Zell doesn't really mind that part. He's starting to realize that Jim might.]

Day 92

[swatsflies]

((School))

LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN

[rubikscomplex]

[House and Quark enter the school early in the morning to have a look around, splitting up for House to go try his idea with the piano while the boy tops up his food supply. Anyone else in the school that day might find themselves drawn to the music room when a piano cover of this song starts playing. As anyone approaching gets nearer, they'll be able to hear House singing, as well.

It's one of the few he's not planning on actually transmitting over the network. It would sound way too much like an optimistic rallying cry. He doesn't mind Quark hearing it, but the rest of the losers out there can suck it.]

[averytinyparticle]

[It's a busy day of exploring and supply gathering! At some point, Quark takes a break from looking around and filling his (already heavy) pack to sit down and listen to House play his song. Mr. House just keeps getting more and more talented and cooler by the day, wow! Quark waits until he finishes his song to say anything, because it's only polite.]

That's a really cool song! How long does it take you to learn new ones to play on the piano? Or...is it really easy to take one that you know in your head and translate it onto the keys?

[rubikscomplex]

[House smirks and turns his attention toward Quark.]

Depends. Some things I need sheet music for, but I've been playing since I was five. You pick up an ear for things, and I've memorized a lot.

C'mere, kid. [He slides over on the bench, inviting Quark to sit.] They got any instruments in the future?

After piano lessons with House and Quark (Quark can hop in too if you want)

[swatsflies]

[Upon arriving, Zack decides to do a quick sweep of the lower floors. Both Jim and Zell agree that Zack can't be alone right now. Even after communication between people seem to be normal, they can't be sure he won't take off to check on the rest of the group.

Keeping his tablet on to act as a radio between himself and his boyfriend in case they do encounter a monster and need to bail, Zell opts to check for the source of the music with Mochi. When he comes to the music room, he spots a certain jerk doctor at the keys.

He's content to just listen until he's done with his piece, but Mochi seems to have other plans. Interrupting cat says meow!]

Mochi. [Way to ruin it, Cat. He scoops up ball of fur to pet him into silence. Maybe Grinch and anyone else who might be around didn't hear?

smokin' in the boy's room

[rattlingthestars]

[ Okay, the as far as horrorterror frozen hellscape locations likely full of monsters go? The school is boring. It's just a school - bigger than anything in Benbow and probably nicer, once, but still a school that probably had teachers and pointless classes and idiotic people.

It's been six months and change since Jim has done anything inadvisable in a school. No picking fights with kids twice his size, no mouthing off to teachers, no cutting out halfway through class to climb the roof. He misses that roof (and maybe the trapped-but-safe feeling he'd hated at the time but lost the second his home burned down, not that he'd ever admit it.)

So: something inadvisable in a school. Like, say, writing JIM HAWKINS WAS HERE in three foot tall black sharpied letters along one hallway. Or the little JH ♥ ZD on the inside of a door.

If approached, he startles and hides the sharpie in his pocket. CLEARLY IT WASN'T HIM. Delinquent's Honor. ]

[averytinyparticle]

[Oh, Quark's approaching him. Not that he knows about what is-or-isn't acceptable in a school to chastise Jim right away. He was just exploring! And now...he's curious! It takes him a second to realize it's Jim, approaching from behind.]

What are you...

[But then he actually reads the fact that the graffiti reads JIM HAWKINS and it's not exactly hard to realize who it is in front of him. He can't stop his eyes from lighting up, and an excited, delighted sound from bubbling out of his mouth.]

Jim! Jim!

[rubikscomplex]

Dude, seriously?

[ House isn't usually stealthy, but apparently Jim is focused. ]

Hearts? Could you get more cliche?

After piano time - Closed to Zack

[rubikscomplex]

[There are people in the school. House is coming to realize this. More people than he wants, which is to say any. He leaves the music room to get away from Zell and affects a limp as he heads elsewhere in the school. It's only a little ways outside the music room that he runs into Zack.

This brows rise when he recognizes the other man, then he glances away.]

Anyone ever tell you it's impolite to hover outside a room? [His gaze is wary, though, and there's less bite in his tone than might be expected.]

[heroproceeding]

I'll be sure to keep that in mind for next time. [ From the roll of his eyes? Riiight.

It took him a while to pick up exactly who he was. The voice had been familiar. But it's one thing to hear someone over the network. Another thing entirely to catch them around Norfinbury. This is especially the case when it's someone he doesn't exactly want to bother with. And especially when he hears him actually being nice to someone and giving them a piano lesson in the midst of this gaiaforsaken place.

Still, while he'd stayed to keep watch for Zell and Jim, the recognition of who it was prompted a different idea out of him. And if he was going to get House to agree... he'd have to play nice. Which might be why he ends up dropping his crossed arms, one hand falling on a hip instead as he swings his gaze back at the room. ] Didn't know you were giving lessons around here.

[ ...Okay, maybe shooting from the hip a bit in the end here. Maybe he makes up for it with the genuine surprise in his tone though? ]