#liarecursive

hopefully it’s not too obvious. will just hopes it’s not.

HE KNEW THIS WAS stupid. he knew it. deep down in his heart, he knew it was stupid. he had just had a conversation not two days ago with the other man about this. about sleeping at his house. lucas had insisted he stay, and russell had insisted he not. there was something upsetting about staying the night too long at one persons place. it wasn’t home, it was freeloading. you’d think someone who nicked wallets for half his living wouldn’t mind freeloading, but that was different. sleeping on someones couch was out of the good of their heart. stealing a wallet was just stealing. but regardless of how he felt, his hands were still all bruised and bright red from being slammed in a shop door earlier, and the temperature outside had plummeted down to the teens. he was freezing. lucas was near by. one night after a week of none was fine, right? he deserved to sleep somewhere warm, just once in a while.  UNABLE TO KNOCK WITH his hands, he turned slightly and lifted his arm up -- rapping on the door with his elbow as another shiver ran through him. this was stupid.

“are you seriously asking me that?” hands pausing from where they were about to commit a sin against god and attempt to cook, he turned to look at the little blonde next to him. sleeves rolled up, it appeared as if august was doing the one thing he had sworn to her he would ever do. cook for her. oil was in his hand and he was attempting to remember exactly how much oil was in a tablespoon without measuring it.  “you want to get chinese food? honey, i can cook.” he could not. “well -- i want to try, okay? i won’t set it on fire again.”

SHE KNEW WHAT HE looked like. of course she knew what he looked like. the last time she saw him in person was through protective glass, unable to hold his hand like she wanted to. the last time she saw him -- neither of them knew it would be the last time they’d see one another. neither knew it’d be the last time before her mother found out she was sneaking to the prison to see him, and ripped her away for good this time. cut off contact, lied her way into circles that prevented sarah from seeing her father. she knew what he looked like, but she also knew how many years he’d be locked up for. she carried it in her head like a horrible memory that could not be removed -- and she mentally locked away what year he’d be free. for part of her teens -- after her mom tore her away -- she didn’t want to contact him. she found out about the cheating, the real reason he was in prison, the drugs and the lies. she thought about how it might make her feel better if she forgot about him, if she wished he’d rot away in prison forever.  BUT THEN SHE REMEMBERED the man she knew. the dad who carefully tied back her hair before they went to the mall for a daddy daughter date. she’d never noticed him looking over his shoulder when she was propped up on them. she only noticed her father. and that was the memory that was present as she grew, and that was the memory in her head as she looked at the man standing before her.  SHE KNEW WHAT HE looked like, but the back of his head still caused an ache in her chest. for a moment, she was fourteen again and she hated him. but a deep breath and she was nineteen -- and stepping forward before he had a chance to get to the door of his house. she, still on the street. shaking hands tucked away inside her pockets. in maine.  “dad?” her voice felt hollow in the night air. but god did it echo in her head. 

TO SAY THAT HE was expecting the man to grab onto his wrist was an understatement. he figured it’d be like any other day of the week. some man who looked too involved in himself to notice a star falling out of the sky, his wallet -- russell’s hands. a perfect match, made in heaven. at least that was the thought, that was the plan. but -- as he had learned time and time again -- plans changed. and apparently, instead of getting away scott free, his plan was not meant to be caught. honey brown eyes locked onto his, as he offered him an easy smile.  “well, fuck.” was apparently all he had to say, fingertips still on the man’s wallet, despite the fact his wrist was still caught in a death grip. 

     Audra grins, endlessly charmed by King’s soft side. “Yeah, ‘course I can.” She’s reclining on the couch and lazily opens her arms, a signal for King to come make himself at home as much as it is a statement that she is absolutely not getting up. “C’mere you big softie.”

“shh -- shh, they’re asleep, darling!” her hip moved to the side in order to bump the man as she turned properly to shut the door. it was only a moment to check on the children. their beds full of both themselves and the comforts children craved, stuffed animals and far too many blankets. marie was curled up into a stuffed kitten who was almost as big as she, and the boys ( in their bunk bed, found for cheap at a yard sale ) were covered in enough blankets for a grown man. turning back around -- her back pressed against the door -- she swatted at king. gentle little paps to his chest. “do not make fun of his sleeping face, he is precious!” but the giggles still left her with how toulouse had looked moments ago, clearly asleep but eyes half open. 

a pause. a blink. his lips threaten to twitch at the corners, unable to stop it if he tries. he was sure that the other was going to... go somewhere with that. although ben isn’t exactly religious, far from it more often than not, he’d still presumed that the other man... was. what was meant to be the moral of that story? ben can’t quite figure it out, but he’s grinning despite himself. can’t tell if he’s fucking with him, or if he’s actually trying to imply something. it doesn’t matter, though, as ben’s laughing before he can stop himself. trying to be polite and hide it behind his hand. trying to disguise it as a cough. he’s not doing the best job, admittedly.     “i--  oh,”     he absolutely has no idea what to say. what is he meant to say?     “well...   poor john,  i suppose.”     after being chased by killer clowns,  the idea of eternal life sure does seem overrated anyway.