[ @serpentblooded said: “Do you want me to stay with you?” for Billy from rough around the edges ]
Yes. He wanted someone to hang around, at least. He didn’t want to sit here alone. He usually doesn’t. One more reason he often surrounded himself with the shallow people he pretends are his friends; no digging, no need to actually talk about what was going on or why he was angry any particular day, and still never having to sit with these feelings.
He doesn’t like how his thoughts go when he’s on his own.
But Billy wasn’t himself without a little posturing. He’s still somewhat wound up, his face sore and his hands throbbing, both surely going to be bruised by morning. He feels alive, and simultaneously, like absolute shit. Usually how it went after the adrenaline of the fight died down. It was still worth it to him, of course, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t suck.
“It’s a free country.” He says around the cigarette slotted between his lips, just before lighting it. As he does so he suddenly wonders why she asked. Does she see the way his fingers were shaking, even now? Did she actually care or was she about to make fun of his aloof sort of answer? “You can stay if you want.”