―― AN ACCEPTABLE HOST. @AVEREXPAIMON

so... what, are you trying to protect me, or something? [ while the gesture is sweet, it makes him feel a little pathetic. maybe he ought to invest in a pocket taser or something. ] they wouldn't get weird about you just randomly showing up at the bus stop with me?

[ he gets it. the need to defend your friends. ... well, he doesn't get it entirely - after all, if his friends were assholes, he'd just ditch his friends. but they ditched him instead. so. his brows furrow, confused. ] then... what are you trying to meet me for?

... look. if they're your friends, i get it. i don't want any trouble. with you or anyone. please. [ he doesn't want to get jumped, again. he's still working off the rattling in his skull from the last time. and this guy looks like he could kill him. ]

[ he hates talking about it. it makes him feel weak and pathetic, like he's a grade schooler getting pushed on the playground. it's easier to just stay quiet, keep his dignity intact. ] ... yeah. i do. [ after he speaks, he lights his piece again and takes a VERY long drag. ]

[ being put on the spot like this is nothing short of anxiety-inducing. why is this guy invested in talking to him, anyway? he became a friendless nobody after... everything. peter leans his chin on his hand, elbow on his knee. ] ...james and dillon. it's whatever. seriously.

[ he can feel the seal, cast in gold, dangling on a chain around his neck. it's tucked under his shirt, and it almost burns. he swallows. ] just... nobody. assholes. no big deal. [ scott's teammates. but he won't say that. ]

it's hard not to. they follow me home, sometimes. [ the ones that get off at the same bus stop, anyway. there's a scar on his lip from one such encounter. ] ... demons are real. i'm just not affiliated.

[ it's... weird he doesn't care, because it feels like almost everyone does - but this is oddly reassuring news to him. peter frowns. ] it's... well, "mine" is "demon worship", or something. it's stupid. the people here are stupid. [ and he wants to go home. ]

... huh. well, okay. [ usually people aren't as... respectful? mindful of boundaries? whatever. he taps the end of his lighter on his piece. ] ... ... i'm not in a cult. ... just saying.

[ time passes between scott's question and peter's response - he's still holding in the smoke in his lungs. when he speaks, it's around a loud exhale. ] ... yeah. if you already know that, then you've already heard everything else, so. go ahead and ask.

i wouldn't exactly know too well, either? i just got back, too.

you should. it helps.

there's enough of a draft away from the fields to where you'd have to know where to look to find me doing what i'm doing. don't really have any other place to go.

you sound like one.

what, are you gonna snitch?

if anyone asks what that weird smell is under the bleachers - keep your mouth shut.

i have to take the bus to class, and i. hate it. a lot.

it's been too long.

did you want it to be a "one time thing", kyle?

mm, it certainly has. i've missed you.