Bash Alvarez

Atreus chewed his lip, sticking close to Bash and wracking his brain for ideas. He wasn’t the sharpest tack in the shed and he was well aware of it, but he wanted to be helpful instead of feeling like nothing more than a burden. 

“I could… be a distraction.” He offered hesitantly. “People don’t usually shoot at me. They generally just assume that I’m lost.” He didn’t think that it was necessarily a good idea, but he wasn’t coming up with anything better either. 

“A distraction?” Bash frowned, not keen on that idea. “You wanna be bait?” There was a lot that could go wrong with that idea. Like the asshole guards could just decide to shoot him for being irritating as hell. He wasn’t sure what kind of distraction wouldn’t make them shoot him, too, unless he just kept them talking. Bash could see the guard tower now that his eyes had adjusted and wondered if he could climb up enough if Atreus did serve as a distraction so that he could flood the place with fire and burn them out. Then it would be easy to melt through the fence and get them to the damn boat. 

“Don’t love that idea.” He confessed, after thinking for a moment. “What if they do decide to shoot you?” Bash hadn’t come this far just to lose Atreus this close to the finish line. 

Atreus wasn’t always grateful for how protective Bash could be of him, but it was in moments like this that he genuinely did appreciate the sentiment. He never would have had the nerve to leave on his own, and the only thing preventing him from having a complete and total mental breakdown at the moment was that he knew Bash would do anything and everything within his power to protect him from whatever and whoever was out there.

He shied closer to Bash and ducked low, grimacing at the possibility of it being guards. “Won’t it just wrap around the compound though?” He asked hesitantly, glancing up at the fence and then over at Bash.

Bash didn’t really give a shit how Atreus felt about his protective nature in any scenario but he was going to deal with it now because it was likely going to get them through this alive. He clenched his jaw at the question, at least grateful that Atreus was listening this time and staying close. “Probably. Guard tower’s likely posted all along too.” He figured that must be where the voices were coming from, which meant they’d have good sight lines if they tried to bust through the fence. It was hard to think strategically when the adrenaline was pumping and he was so close to just being free. “We could try to draw ‘em out and pick ‘em off. Then we’d be clear to bust through the fence.” But then if that backfired and they were swarmed, they were screwed. Bash could take on a lot of guys and go full fireball if he had to but he didn’t have a lot of confidence in Atreus’ fighting capabilities and also didn’t want him to get hurt. “You got any ideas?” He was reluctant to ask but there were two of them here so maybe they could come up with something together. 

Atreus and Bash had found themselves running up against a fence, which might not have been so bad if it wasn’t reinforced with barbed wire at the top and a sign that warned of danger. Atreus left a healthy distance between himself and the fence for fear that it might electrocute him, turning to Bash for input instead. He opened his mouth to say something but froze when he heard a laugh in the distance, fear flickering across his features. 

“Are those some of ours?” He asked quietly, his heart pounding as he strained to hear if the voices were familiar or not.

@bash-alvarez​

Of course there was a fence. It wasn’t like they hadn’t seen the damn things in their few times allowed outside at Hellmont but it was just another obstacle they were going to have to get by to get to the damn boat. Bash was determined to get to the boat, too, and just as determined to make sure Atreus got there right alongside him. He stopped, assessing the fence’s height and reinforcements, but cursed quietly in Spanish when he heard the voices. 

“Doubt we’re that lucky.” He whispered, grabbing Atreus’ arm to pull him a little closer, ears straining to hear for the voices. He heard a few more, some garbled comments. “Sounds like guards.” Bash wasn’t above killing people if they were keeping him from freedom but there did sound like there was a lot. The good news was, he could feel the fire starting to come back, though he wasn’t sure how trustworthy it would be. Trying to think quickly, he puzzled it out. “Fence has to end somewhere. We can follow it and see where or try to go through. Doesn’t look like up and over’s an option.” 

Atreus wanted to believe that Bash was right, but he was still nervous about being out there with no other protection than what they could provide for themselves. He trusted Bash, but he wasn’t convinced that Bash would be enough to ward off the wilderness and whoever might be coming after them once they had left these walls.

“I mean, kinda…” He shrugged without conviction. “I’m just worried about what we’re going to be running into. Or away from.”

“Whatever it is, it’s gonna be better than here. I’ll handle it.” He walked over and put his hands on Atreus’ shoulders, making him look at him to show him how serious he was. “Alaskan wilderness, probably. Running away from some angry guards but we can handle that. Might get our powers back when we bust out too which means surviving will be a piece of cake.” Bash wasn’t generally an optimist, far from it, but he was just so determined to make this work, that they’d get out and survive, that he refused to consider any other option. 

Romeo did a double-take at Bash, brows jumping up as he regarded the man with incredulity. “Did I detect a sense of humor?” he teased, though he was careful not to push too far. Bash looked like he did squats for a living, and as much as he enjoyed reaping the visual benefits of that, he was more apprehensive about the physical. 

“We don’t just sit in a room with each other. You might know that if you came to one of my classes,” Romeo said lightly. “And the food’s better than most of what the cafeteria serves.” He plucked up his still-sopping shirt from the vents and eyeballed the conspicuous pink stain blooming across the front. “I still have some enchiladas in the fridge. You’d definitely come to class if you tried one,” he said confidently.

“Yeah. I’m hilarious.” This was flatter and less impressed, only slightly joking since he didn’t appreciate being teased but he wasn’t actually angry, as yet. Most people in this place knew enough not to piss him off by now and if they didn’t they learned real fast. 

“There’s a bunch of people in a room. I don’t really care what you’re doing, I wouldn’t like it.” The mention of enchiladas did pique his interest, a little anyway. He was dying for some good Mexican food. Even on themed food days here it never even came close to the real thing. “I’m not coming to a cooking class. I’ll eat enchiladas, though.” Bash couldn’t be bribed with food or really anything else, at least he didn’t think he could be, but now that he’d heard about them he needed to try one. He could always make Romeo take him to the fridge if he resisted. 

@bash-alvarez​

Atreus had heard the rumours, and he was becoming increasingly nervous about what was going to happen. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted them to be successful or not. Sure, Belmont sucked- but who was to say that braving the Alaskan wilderness as a fugitive was going to be any better?

He heard someone come in, recognizing the heavy footsteps as Bash’s. “Do you think it’ll work?” He asked, looking up. “What do you think my odds of survival are? I’m not really a… wilderness guy.”

Bash was waiting, rather impatiently, for the breakout to happen. He was just itching to get out of here and didn’t care what they had to face outside, it would have to be better than being stuck in here any longer. He’d have to keep an eye on Atreus, since he was getting antsy but for apparently different reasons, which is why he’d come to see him now, among other reasons. 

Sure enough, Atreus was worrying about it. “It’ll work.” Bash wasn’t privy to the whole plan but he’d be damned if it failed. “Well I’ll be looking out for you, so good.” That just went without saying. “Aren’t you dying to get out of here?” 

Romeo snorted at the observation, nevertheless in agreement. “You’re right. Hollywood should’ve inoculated me by now.” There was no shortage of outrageous happenings in his former stomping grounds, though the sort of crazy that happened at Belmont was nothing like it was in LA. For one, the stakes were much higher, even if a faux pas on TMZ was enough to tank his reputation and career.

Deciding that his shirt was a lost cause, Romeo abandoned it to dry on the air conditioning vents and focused on trying to remove as much sugar from his hair as possible without losing any precious strands. “It’s probably just a way to pass the time,” he mused, choosing not to take the remark as an insult. He glanced at Bash’s reflection in the mirror with a wry look. “And I’m a cool teacher. My classes happen to be a lot of fun.”

“This place should’ve done it, too.” There was no stranger place, in Bash’s opinion, and no worse place either. He’d been itching to get out of here since he got here and that was years ago now. But then, he’d never been to Hollywood. He couldn’t see how it would possibly be worse but maybe it was. 

Bash shrugged, supposing the other guy had a point. “Guess so. Sitting in a room full of people isn’t what I’d choose to do, though.” Then again, Bash didn’t really like most people so it made sense. “Obviously. Exploding cakes are always fun.” It was deadpan but that was usually the tone Bash used to deliver jokes. Not everyone realised that, though. 

Romeo’s lips lifted in a wry grin, silently relieved to see that it was Bash interrupting him and not some lady. Not that the other man was any easier to interact with, but at least he wouldn’t look like a creep standing topless next to the tampon dispenser. “You should see the other guy,” he joked ruefully as he turned to face the mirror and scrub at a glob of icing smeared on his ear. “Every time I think that you guys have achieved the impossible, some crazier shit happens.” He paused to wash the sticky residue from his fingers as he shot Bash an incredulous look. “How do you even make a cake explode?” It never failed to amaze him how far off the rails a simple cooking class could go at Belmont.

Bash rolled his eyes at the comeback, leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms to watch as Romeo tried to get cleaned up. “You should be used to crazy shit by now.” It was Hellmont, that was just fact. Bash shrugged at the question. “Damned if I know. Could probably figure it out if I had to but I’m no baker.” Pushing off the wall he went into one of the stalls, since there were no urinals here, and did what he’d come in here to do before coming back out. “I’m surprised anyone’s still going to cooking class.” Bash had certainly never been but then he never went to any of the classes because the fact that this place posed as a kind of school was a crock of shit and Bash had never bought into it. 

Romeo froze when he heard someone walk in, looking up from where he’d been scrubbing his shirt in the sink. He was acutely aware of how he looked, shirtless and covered in icing, with the sign on the door distinctly displaying the word WOMEN.

“I’m not a pervert,” Romeo said before questions could arise. “The men’s room is closed for maintenance.”

Bash blinked when he walked in, forced to go to the women’s washroom because the men’s was out of service or whatever. He didn’t expect to find Romeo in there, shirtless and covered in frosting. It was hot, in a weird way. 

“I noticed.” Bash replied, flatly. “It looks like a cake came all over you.” His tone didn’t change but he was vaguely amused in spite of himself. 

“Hi,” Bailey grunted from underneath his pillow, murmuring something unintelligible when the sheet was thrown back over him. He pulled it up to his shoulders and made a futile attempt to block out the noise, but gave up at the sound of Bash’s increasing irritation. He resigned himself to another trademark morning at Belmont, grumbling under his breath as he rolled onto his stomach. 

“Give it a rest, Bash,” Bailey groaned, his voice muffled from where his face was buried in the mattress. “This isn’t the antebellum South. He doesn’t need a chaperone.” His hand emerged from the blanket to grope along the bottom frame of his bunk and retrieve a flip phone. Both disappeared beneath the sheet, a pale blue light illuminating through the thin fabric before Bailey released another crotchety sound. “It’s 5am.” He threw back the sheet and sat up just enough to shoot both intruders a bleary-eyed glare. “Go back to bed. You can play Pride and Prejudice later.” He shifted closer to the wall, leaving space on the bed behind him, either as an invitation to Atreus or a pointed move directed at Bash. Either way, it wasn’t his problem for another two hours.

@atreus-trower​

Atreus didn’t know how to answer Bash’s question, staring like a deer caught in the headlights instead. “I was cold.” He choked finally, giving a partial truth in lieu of admitting everything else to Bash. “And I didn’t want to seem like a creep by suggesting to Kendall that we cuddle.” He gestured helplessly, gingerly moving to sit on the edge of the bed while maintaining eye contact with Bash. 

“He’s trying to sleep.” He whispered, nodding to the lump on the bed behind him. “And Bailey would never suggest that we cuddle.” He assured Bash.

@bash-alvarez​

“Doesn’t he?” Bash snapped at Bailey’s quip. Atreus basically did need a chaperone, as far as Bash was concerned. He blinked at Atreus’ answer and the reason for it, though glared at Bailey turning away and leaving space enough for another person. Not that Bailey could see it, but Atreus would. “So come find me, chorra.” Bash clearly wouldn’t have cared what his roommate thought of Atreus coming in because he was cold. 

Bailey was trying to get rid of both of them, maybe, and Atreus didn’t seem inclined to leave so Bash paced like a caged animal. “Who gives a fuck?” He growled, when reminded that Bailey was trying to sleep. “Let’s get the fuck out of here, then, and let him.” 

Bailey rubbed the sleep from his eyes and squinted at Atreus through the dark, his hair sticking every which way and a distinct pillow crease striping across his cheek. He glanced at the bunk above him, figuring Dustin was busy with whatever Dustins did, considering he hadn’t heard or seen the man since he’d been moved into the room.

“What time is it?” he grunted, brows furrowing in want of more sleep before concern flickered across his face. “Are you okay?” He started to sit up and dislodged the sheet pooled around his waist, but did nothing to stop it from slithering to the floor when Bash stomped into the room. Bailey rolled his eyes and fell back with a groan, pulling the pillow over his head and resolutely ignoring the chill in the air. The heater was probably broken already. “You guys work it out. I’m going back to sleep.”

@atreus-trower​

Atreus nearly fell out of the bed, though whether that was in response to Bailey’s sheet falling off of him or Bash yelling was anyone’s guess. He stood awkwardly beside the bed, looking absolutely guilty. 

“Just saying hi.” He insisted desperately, holding his hands up in front of him. “He was asleep!” He paused, frowning in confusion. 

He shushed Bailey’s complaints, looking to Bash. “What are you doing in here?” 

@bash-alvarez​

So Bailey was definitely naked, given that his sheet had totally fallen off but Bash kept reminding himself that Atreus wasn’t though it didn’t improve Bash’s mood too much. The guilt splattered over Atreus’ face wasn’t helping either. “Not asleep now, is he? And if he was asleep why were you saying hi?” Bailey complained but Bash didn’t really think he had any right to complain about anything so all he did was storm over and yank the blankets up to cover the other man. No one needed to see that, especially not Atreus. 

“I was looking for you to trade bunk mates. But then you weren’t in your assigned one so I went looking.” 

eggscon‌:

@atreus-trower @bash-alvarez

It was way too early in the day to be waking up, but Bailey never slept well with someone hovering over him. He tried to ignore it, all too aware of the hazy blue tint that streamed in through the windows, indicating that the sun hadn’t come up yet. Even worse was the crisp air that a decade at Belmont had taught him to recognize snow, which wouldn’t be a problem until their ancient heating units predictably started breaking down.

Bailey refused to open his eyes, assuming that whoever it was would eventually lose interest and wander away. Unless it was Rory or Kendall– in which case, sleep was probably moot. “Waddayawant,” he grumbled into his pillow, rolling over slowly with a grimace.

Atreus’ had tried to be as quiet and subtle as possible, but it clearly hadn’t worked. His eyes widened as Bailey rolled over, having to bite back the smile that threatened.

“Hey,” He whispered, trying not to scare Bailey for fear that he might start throwing punches if too rudely awakened. “It’s just me.” 

@bash-alvarez

It was early but Bash generally didn’t sleep in anyway. Besides, with this new bunk assignment situation he wanted to track Atreus down and swap out whoever they were supposed to be with so they could room together. It just made sense. But then Atreus hadn’t been in his assigned room, which irritated Bash, so he’d gone looking for him only to find him in Bailey’s room. That wasn’t what he wanted to see. 

“What the fuck are you doing in here?” He growled, storming in and crossing his arms. He really wanted to yank Atreus away from the half naked Bailey but restrained himself, just. At least Atreus had his clothes on, that was something. 

“Kill Ash, fuck Bailey ‘cause I’m sure as hell not fucking a woman, and marry Kendall though we’re never fucking.”

“Finally an easy one. Fuck Romeo, he’s hot. Marry Rory ‘cause I could at least stand him for long periods of time. Kill Bailey, finally, so he’ll keep his hands off what’s mine.” 

“Always gonna kill Mac. Fuck Bailey, again, I guess. I’m not fucking marrying Wyatt again so I’ll kill him too this time.” 

“Kill Mac ‘cause she put me in here. Fuck Ash, I guess so I’d only have to see him once. Why do I keep having to marry Wyatt as the lesser of all the fuckin’ evils?” 

“Second time for this one so I’m really just saying kill them all now.”