his hands tremble with the force of earthquakes, in the same manner hurricanes topple trees. a DISASTER - he is becoming, rupturing into - a catastrophe unfolding behind pale, bruising skin. muscles tense, creating pain where they shift under marks that start to bleed. reluctantly, eyes begin to water, coating dark hues that struggle to hide an overwhelming brim ofgold. if he stays out in the open, someone will find him - a teacher, another bully, his parents. no doubt someone who will scold him, or worse, hurt him. he shuffles toward the side of the building, around the back where he could hide and catch his breath. it’ll be fine if he skips class today, if only to gather his bearings.
dark grey clouds roll in overhead, blocking any form of sunlight that had been out. he slumps against the wall once he’s found a good corner to stay at. it’ll be out of sight, and enough shelter from any oncoming rain to keep him from catching a cold. if he could stay out here as long as possible, without going home or back inside, he would try his damnest.
sliding to a sit, hues look up, watching the clouds roll by. time passes. eventually, the smell of smoke catches his attention, and his eyes follow the smell until he is greeted by a shadow holding a cigarette. at first, he thinks to run, but his body aches in protest at the thought. instead, he tilts his head in slight acknowledgement, small voice posing the question -
“ y-you wouldn’t happen to h-have another one of th-those, would you ? ”
Every movement jerks with Lex, steady and then something in him spits. His dad says it’s because he’s more legs and arm than body but Lex thinks different. Thinks it’s got more to do with those pesky sparks. Those’ pesky sparks’ caused chaos today. He learned early on that if you set fire to something small the powers that be, Mr Kensworth, sends you home for a day. ( it’s not a day off, by any means, but he hasn’t got time for school. he’s got shit to do. food to find. a brother to love. ) Almost misses his companion on the floor until he speaks.
The kid puts on his meanest voice, “You got change for it? Don’t hand them out for free, do I.” But his face betrays him, splits into a wide birthed grin. He laughs, a horrible sound really, gravel and enthusiastic crackling embers. “I’m fuckin’ with you. Light up.” Reaches into his pocket and tosses the other boy the pack.
Scans the others face, the cuts and bruises that smudge skin. Hey, they could match, he thinks. Although his own are mostly healing now, green and yellow paint dabs. (Figures he’s due a refresher.) He knows better than to ask the other where they came from. Keep yourself to yourself, keep low, keep safe. No need to get involved with shit that isn’t his. “Keep ‘em, yeah? They’re yours now.” And he goes to keep moving. That’s one good deed done for the week.
Except --- Damn that damnable heart. Leg pauses, mid stride and he sinks back. SHIT. Sinks down. Sits next to this other boy with the face of thunder clouds and eyes filled with rain. “Looks like someone fucked w’ you before I did,” words are warm, campfire’s smoke.