Monochromatic Factors Of X and Y -Dearest-

[Snazzy Trinket]

"My name is Oleander Cassy Alexander and I am 24 years old. I grew up in the suburban part of San Fransisco where I did absolutely nothing with my childhood years. My mother, being single since my birth, did everything she could to keep me on the right path in life by working for what seemed to be the majority of my, and her, childhood. What did I do to pay her back? Absolutely nothing. I graduated in the very bottom of every single one of my classes. I skipped out on every responsibility I had in life to hang out with my friends and party despite her constant pleas for me to straighten up and move forward in life. She would always say things like "What are you going to do when I'm not around to take care of you anymore." and "You are going end up in a bad place with some really bad people if you keep this up." But the more she complained, the worse I got. It got to the point where I barely came home and if I did we simply argued about everything under the sun. I wish I had paid better attention. Little did I know my mother was telling me what she couldn't tell me out right. "I have cancer." She passed away about 2 weeks after I turned 18 and I have been bouncing around from friend to friend ever since. People ask why I just don't go live with my family but I don't feel right about doing that. I feel so guilty about the whole situation with my mom that it feels like I don't deserve to be in a home with family who loves me. So here I am, still bouncing around. But... I'm finding her harder and harder to keep friends who want me around so I've been living street wise for about 3 weeks now. There is one person who I can think of that I could get help from, but I'm I bit to assumed to tell him that I'm homeless and starving. Nonetheless I think I'll just go visit an old friend and keep the story to myself. It would be nice to see a friendly face..."

Olly let out a long sigh as he stepped off to Bart train and on to the yellow platform. He dug in to his pocket and gathered the small amount of pocket change that he managed to gather on his trip into the city. His dark eyes scanned over the crowed searching for a pay phone, which he spotted tucked into a near by corner. Picking up his feet he took in a large breath and swallowed down his jitters and started on his path to terminal trying to convince himself to make the call.

Surprisingly enough, the idea of contacting his friend after such a long time to be rather nerve-racking. What if he was like the rest of them who thought he was nothing more than a freeloader. What if he wanted nothing to do with him anymore due to the stories he had heard through the grape-vine. He found the idea of being turned away by the one friend he had left to be horrifying. At least, if he didn't contact him he had the hope still there of having someone who he could go to had he needed too. This phone call could very well strip him of all home he still clung on to.

As Olly though he felt his resolve quickly weakening and before he could think too much about he hastily picked up the receiver, stuffed the coins in to the slot and quickly punched in the number, hoping that it was still active. Olly head his breath as the phone began to ring. Three times, three full rings passed before someone answered. It took a moment for it to process but as a second "Hello?" came from the other side of the phone a smile parted the mans thin lips. "Hey kid, guess who."

 

[Dearest]

RE: Monocomatic Factors Of X and Y -Dearest-

Luca leaned against the shower wall, the water cascading down his lean form as the steam thickened to the point that he could hardly be seen through it. Each and every little mark showed on his pale skin and the nearly scalding hot water wasn't enough to wash that away. It would take a hell of a lot more than a shower to wash him clean of such a life style.

But still, as he rinsed the shampoo out of his hair and shut the water off, he felt better.

He stepped out and toweled off, running a comb through his shoulder length locks before they could try to curl on him. He wiped the steam from the mirror with his spent towel before looking over his reflection. Piercing blue eyes stared back. He was famous at the club- beautiful for a man, untouchable, the sort of man that was 'out of your league' not matter who you were. Or at least, he had been, until they'd stuck a price tag on him, and it seemed plenty were willing to pay for what they could otherwise never have.

He moved into his room- the apartment was tiny, a sad excuse for a one bedroom. It was minimally furnished, clean for the most part, and aside from his room, painfully bare. Of course, he'd only been living there a few weeks. He pulled on a pair of jeans, a bit tighter than he would have liked them, and a form fitting tank. It took him a few minutes to replace all his piercings- several on each ear, a stud at each hip, and two studs in his left eyebrow. He toweled his hair one last time before pulling it back in a small ponytail- his bangs immediately falling loose and framing his face.

He pulled on a necklace, a plain silver chain with a silver apple charm, then headed into the living area- following the horribly digital version of and old rock song that announced he was getting a call. He fell back on the couch, phone in hand, feet on the coffee table, staring at the caller id. Unfamiliar.

Part of him hoped to god it wasn't a customer- he'd have to be at the club by eight, he didn't want to take care of someone before hand- but then, his screaming need for rent money lit the dim hope that it was in fact a chance at a paycheck. Finally, rent in mind, he decided to answer. "Hello?" He questioned, less than enthusiastically. "Olly?!" He questioned, enthusiasm renewed. He hadn't hear from the other in years... and a lot had changed since then. They talked for a while, and when the topic of visiting came up, Luca was a bit torn.

On one hand, he'd have killed to see an old friend again- someone who didn't know what he'd become, someone who wasn't part of 'his world'... someone who wasn't more interested in his ass than his face. But then, on the other hand, he wasn't sure he wanted Olly to see that side of him. When they'd left off, he'd been the favorite son of a wealthy family, with every promise of becoming a wealthy man himself. A bit of a slacker with decent grades, bright none the less. "I... I'm limited on time, I have to be at work at eight, but if you haven't eaten, I'm about to fix dinner." He offered, hoping he had enough food to back the offer. "Do you need a ride? I can pick you up if you aren't too far." He offered, the background noise giving him a clue as to where the other was. "I mean, if you don't mind motorcycles."

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

A long lost dimple reveled itself on the right side of Oleanders face as he was greeted happily by the man on the other end of the line. No matter how many times he tried he simply couldn't keep himself from grinning as the conversation speedily grew until it seemed like the large gap in time hadn't been there at all. Lord, he forgot just how much he missed this kid. Small quips and playful banter were tossed back and forth between the two for a while, slowly building up Olli's courage to get to the his intimate point. "So." He broke a small pause in conversation "I'm in town and I was wondering if you were free today so we can kick it or something. I only have today though, I'm planning on heading back out of town tomorrow sometime, I just stopped in to say check in on my mums." He lied, well nit entirely, he had stopped by the cemetery to see his mother that day.

Why wouldn't he lie? I mean, really? What was he suppose to say. "My mom died about 2 weeks before dropped off of the face of the earth and I've been slumming out the streets ever since. But hey if you wanna kick it then I've got all of the time in the world."

The very idea made him want to hang up and never contact the man again. So he embellished a bit.

At the sound of the hesitation in Luca's voice his heat drooped and out of habit he pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and kept quite. He knew this was a lost cause, he didn't even know why he got his hopes up but as the other continued that hidden dimple reappeared at the side of his face and he felt himself brighten again. "Food sounds amazing right now" He said as he suddenly remembered the growing emptiness in the bottom of his stomach. How long had it been since he last ate anything, 2 three days? "Just tell me where you are and I'll come to you." He said cheerfully as he searched his side bag for something to write with. He quickly jotted down the directions down on his palm and before he knew it he was off in seach of his new friend.

It seemed like it was only a matter of moments before he was rounding the corner to the apartments he had been directed too. He looked around curiously finding the area to be a lot less intimidating then he had imagined it to be. It wasn't the worst area out there, he had certainly seen worse but with the way things had been going for Luca before they parted he had figured he would have been living in some fancy Penthouse in "The Castro" or something of that nature. Nevertheless, he wasn't one to judge although he did check the smeared directions a few times fearing that he had been intentionally lead in the wrong diction.

Slowly he took his path up a flight of stares and down the concrete deck until he came to the door "Room 107" He mumbled quietly to himself as he looked around anxiously. His hands briskly brushed over his clothing a few times in a hopeless attempt to fix himself up a bit. He suddenly felt horrible self-conscious. He took the time to recognize the fact that he probably looked horribly scrawny compared to the last time the man had seen him and the fact that his hair was over grown and messy, his cloths were unwashed and beginning to fall apart. He hesitated a bit before he knocked a few times a waited at the door for an answer.

As the door opened and the other man's registered in his mind as the old friend he had left behind years ago, he smiled brightly and before he could stop himself he found that he was being propelled forward by some unknown force. "Luca!" He called as he pulled the man in to an embrace.

 

[Dearest]

Luca hung up, staring at his phone for a minute without moving. The call had been so unexpected... so unlikely, the silence that filled the room now made it almost too easy to convince himself it had never happened- that perhaps he'd only imagined it out of desperation for innocent company. He stood, pocketing his phone, and moved to the kitchen to raid the fridge. At least Ollie had caught him at a good time, showered and dressed for lounging around the house rather than his slutty work clothes, and the smell of other men on him.

After some digging, the tiny kitchen was alive with the smells of food, a pot of noodles boiling away, a pan of sauce heating on the back burner... he'd cut up and added some Italian sausages, cheese, and onion to it for good flavor. He wasn't lucky enough to have french bread on hand, but he did have a bottle of wine he'd gotten as a gift from a client that he could serve. He put the bottle in the fridge to get cold, and then set to work tidying up the apartment.

He worked endlessly, until he heard a knock at the door- hanging things he hadn't gotten around to putting up, moving things a bit to make it look like the small apartment wasn't so empty... nervous that every hint of his lack of wealth was screaming loudly, and suggesting his occupation. When that knock finally came it seemed to pull him out of a trance and he stood at the door for a moment, gathering himself, broad shoulder set back as he took a deep breath and opened the door.

It was funny really, how the human mind worked. It didn't matter that Ollie looked battered, thin, and homeless. At the moment, Luca could only see the version he'd always known. It wasn't until Ollie hugged him and he could feel how easily his own arms wrapped around the other that he realized something was off. He didn't give it much thought for now, hugging the other tightly enough to possibly crack ribs, and holding him there for a moment.

When he finally let go he gripped the other's shoulders, holding him out at arms length as he looked him over. His image of what his friend had been was fading as reality replaced it. "You look like hell." He stated bluntly, looping an arm around him and pulling him inside before he could object to the comment. He pushed the door shut with his foot before leading the other into the small kitchen, the table already set. "You can use my shower if you want, but lets' eat first. It's been too long, I'm not about to give up visiting time so quickly." He said as he dished Ollie a plate, the serving more than generous.

"Here you go..." He said cheerfully as he handed his friend the plate. He wasn't sure what exactly had happened to Ollie in the time they'd been apart, but having spent a month on the streets himself, he knew the signs of homelessness well enough- and he knew the sense of pride well enough to know that bluntly pointing it out probably hadn't been the best idea, so he offered up a convenient save for the other's dignity- "You must've come a ways to visit, you look like you've been traveling." Despite this, his knowing gaze was inescapable, worry apparent. If Ollie knew him at all, he'd know better than to think Luca would let him leave without some reassurance that he had a place to stay.

He figured asking what his friend had been up to lately would be a bit pointless- he wasn't about to broach something unpleasant right off the bat, and he didn't want some bullshit story. Saying what'd he'd been up to, well, it was the same problem. That of course left little to talk about, so he kept it simple. "God, how long has it been? I was really glad to hear from you, how've you been?" He asked, leaving the direction of their conversation up to his guest. "Do you drink?" He asked, raising the wine bottle in offering, "This stuff is great with red sauce."

---

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Oleander seemed to sink in to the embrace enjoying the welcoming demeanor of the man before him. The dimple in the right side of his face formed again and they swayed slightly in the hug and a small laugh pushed his way passed his lips as he was gripped by the solders and looked over. He smirked at the comment and looked off to the side and gave a nonchalant shrug as if to gesture that he just didn't care but the fact of the matter was he did, and self confidence was one hell of a thing to fake. "That's the first thing your going to say to me after 5 years? Go to hell ya dick" Hes aid with a bit of a laugh as he allowed his hands to dangle at his sides. "We gonna stand out here staring at each other all day day or you gonna invite me in?" He gave a few nonchalant gestures with his hands as he spoke, highlighting the lightheartedness within his words. "I can see you still don't manners for shit eh?"

He allowed himself to be lead in tot he quaint apartment and a small smile brushed his lips as he looked around. Sure it was small and it was lived in but it was a nice place and it was Luca's, and that's what he respected the most. Sure, it wasn't a palace as his mind had concocted but it was a place Luca could lay his head down every night. He whistled smirking out the side of his face as he did so. "Nice place you've got here. How long have you been slumming around this part of town?" He asked "Back in the day you wouldn't be caught dead over here."

Though, he had had to wonder why exactly he was living in a place that was so far under what used to be his par. He probably got cut off or something, or he was a student. Either way, he had no room to Jude.

Oleander allowed himself to be lead to to the kitchen where he was greeted but a number of delicious smells that made his mouth water with anticipation "Smells great." He said with a smile as he took a seat at the table and waited patiently for his plate to be handed to him. Despite his growing hunger, in order to hide the fact that he hadn't eaten in a few days, he waited for the other to gather his plate to be served before he stated eating.

Looking up as the other began talking he nodded a bit in agreement, a shower did sound nice. Though, he would gladly wait in order to visit with his old friend. He shook his head as he was offered the wine. "Nah, I stopped doing that a long time ago. It eats up your money right quick if you allow it too." He said out of the side of his mouth with a bit of a shrug as he swallowed harshly, clearing his pallet. It wasn't until then that he had realized just how fast he had been eating.

Frowning a bit he began to push his food around as if to keep himself slowed in eating to avoid further questions as to why he was eating so quickly. He smiled shrugged his shoulders avoiding answering the others question completely. "Just been." He said lamely before shooting the same question back at him "How bout you eh? Looks like your doing pretty well for yourself with this quaint little apparent. Last time I seen you you were a rebel rouser boasting about your lack of conformity to the man. And what's this the piercings?" He teased, scrunching his face a bit realing that trade make spot of the side of his face. "What happened to "Piercings are for people who need extra holes in their head." How many do you have now anyway any ink?" He asked quirking a brow at the other male.

 

[Dearest]

"Yeah, well, 'back in the day' I didn't have to pay my own bills. The slum side of town looks a lot nicer when you realize living expenses are more than halved." He said with a shrug, putting the wine bottle away. No use in opening it just for one glass. "Man, you've still got that dimple..." He said with a wide grin as he took a seat. His grin faded as he noticed how eagerly Olli was eating, he had to wonder how long it had been since the other had eaten. He worked on his own meal for a while, listening as the other spoke.

"Me? I've been... alright. It's nice, being on my own. I mean, the lack of money's a pain, but it's the price of freedom, right?" He shrugged. "My piercings? Ah, let's see..." He counted them up quickly, "Fourteen total.... These are my newest, and my ink..." He stood, lifting his shirt with one hand, and sagging his pants with the other to show off the small bird framed by the stud through each hip. He liked the brand, despite what it stood for, and he highly doubted someone like Olli would recognize a brothel brand. "I've had the tattoo for a while now, but the piercings are only about two months old." He sat back in his chair, finishing his meal. "Want more?" He offered, "There's plenty."

He took his plate to the sink, dishing more for Olli whether he wanted it or not, then sat again. "Oleander... look... I..." It was starting to get late, he'd have to leave for work before long, it couldn't wait. "Do you have anywhere to stay tonight?" He asked, the expression on his face daring Olli to even think about lying to him. "I'm not going to pry, I'm just saying... I have a hide-a-bed if you need a place to crash for a while.... it's getting cold out."

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Oleander smiled a bit as his dimple was brought in to conversation. He swallowed roughly before speaking again and with a shrug he answered. "Yeah, can't seem to spit the damn thing out. I lost the other one back when I was like 6, why this one is so resistant, I have the slightest fucking idea. But I hate the damn thing." He explained casually before turning back to his plate.

He watched intently as the other male began to count the piercings and his brows raised at the risque place meant of his last two, which were placed dangerously close to the thin mans happy bits. " Classy," he teased before taking another bite of food.

Before he could reject a second helping, which he originally intended to do, he found that the plate at seemed to replenish it's self and he eyed the man curiously, feeling that tension at somehow slithered its way into the room and around his neck. He winced a bit as the other man began to spoke finding it rather disheartening that he could tell that he was homeless so easily.

Was it really that apparent? Really? He had always thought that he did well for himself considering the situation. But seeing that Luca hit the nail directly on the head within what seemed to be a few minuets of being around him it certainly didn't seems so.

He clinched his jaw a bit as he swallowed his pride and kept his temper form flaring, remaining quite for a few moment. Then that trademark dimple reappeared on the side of his face and he frowned a bit before shoving another bit of food in to his mouth. "What are you talking about?" He asked after he swallowed. "I have a place two cities over. I told you I just came down to visit my mom. She's doing pretty well actually." He said trying to change the conversation as quickly as he could. "Besides, I can't stay the night, you have work." He finished off a-matter-of-factually. "So how are you're folks doing anyway?"

 

[Dearest]

Luca wasn't a psychic, that 'oh shit' expression told him he'd been dead on, but if Olli wanted to play it off... well, he could play along. "Speaking of work, I have to leave pretty soon... What time do you need to leave tomorrow? I'll get you to work on time, and even treat you to breakfast first." He coaxed, hoping Olli would just agree. "It'd be nice not to have to come home to an empty apartment... Besides, you don't want to be traveling tonight anyway, it's pouring rain. Come on, don't make me beg."

He ignored the question about his parents, he wasn't about to set onto that topic, but the way Olli mentioned his mother seemed to strike a wrong note. He didn't know what 'note' should have been there, but by the way he said it, 'doing pretty well' wasn't it. "I insist, Olli, I won't take no for an answer." He said finally, "Give me a hand folding the bed out, I'll get some blankets for you and show you where the towels are, then I've got to get to work."

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Olli let out a sigh and scracthed the back of his neck uncofratbly as he looked at the clock. Time had gone by so quickly and the idea of sleeping in a bed for once was awfully appeling to him but he just couldn't make himself agree.

He had been cleared out of so many places since he was on the street and lost so many friends over the same problem, that he just didn't like stay in someone Else's home, even if it was only for one night.

As the rain was brought up he looked to the window to see a quick bolt of lightning flash thought he sky and the sound of thunder promptly followed. Yeah, he was going to have to find somewhere to say to night but he couldn't say here, the deepo was open till 2.

"Nah, I need to get home man. I just stopped by to see how you were doing and me being her for one night wont fix the fact that you need to get a chick to come home to." He teased as he raised from the table and brought his plate to the sing. "I have some shit to take care of before tomorrow, besides, you fed me dinner and that makes me one happy man.Thanks for the offer though."

 

[Dearest]

Luca frowned as lightning flashed across the sky, and he glanced at the clock. He didn't have time for this. "Look, cut the bullshit already, I've known you for ages, you think I can't tell when you're lying? You're underweight, your clothes are rather worse for wear, and when I brought the subject up your face pretty much gave away any hope you had left of hiding it." He said firmly, seeming to have snapped. "I've been there Olli, I know what it's like, and you know me better than to think I'm going to let you go out and be a bum in the middle of a thunderstorm."

He took a moment, catching his breath and his temper. "Please, just for tonight, so I don't have to worry about you?" He ran a hand across his forehead with a sigh, tucking his bangs behind his ear. "Please?"

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Oleander's jaw clenched slightly as he Luca started in on him. "I'm not-" He tried to interrupt but as quickly cut off at the tongue as his friend began to list off reasons as to why he knew he wasn't being completely honest with him.

His brows creased heavily as the read head finished off his statment. He took a deep breath and raised his hands as if to surrender "Woah, simmer down spitfire." He teased, using an the old childhood nickname as a way to calm the sitaution down. "Alight, I'll kick back for tonight" He impasised as if to make his pont clear.

"But, I want you to undesrtand that I didn't get in touch with you in order to have somewhere to stay for tonight. I've been on the streets for a while now, I'm not here for a meal ticket. You promise me that you understand that and I'll promise you that I'll stay."

Thunder crashed out side of the small him causing him to tighten a bit "And you're right. It's freezing nut sacks out there..."

 

[Dearest]

Luca seemed to relax when Oleander gave in, "I understand." He said as he moved into the livingroom, tossing the cushions out of the way before pulling the bed out. "You're on your own from here, blankets, sheets, and towels are all in the closet at the end of the hall- bathroom's the first door on the left." He said, trying to think of anything else Olli might need, "Help yourself to anything in the kitchen, I wanna see another ten pounds on you before you leave." He said as he vanished down the hall. He slipped into his room, locking the door behind him.

He stripped, then set to his usual routine. Cologne, black leather short-shorts over electric blue fishnets, black boots... he paused, how was he going to get out the door without Olli seeing him? There was no way he'd get away with an outfit like that without questions, and he wouldn't have time to change at the club. He gave a sigh and grabbed the leather jacket that went with the outfit, pulling it on along with a black collar that fit neatly around the neck of the jacket. If he was lucky, the tight clothing would be easily hid under his sweatshirt and a pair of black slacks. He pulled these on, zipped the sweatshirt up as high as it would go, and checked his reflection. It would get him out of the house at least. His makeup though... he'd have to do that at the club, he didn't have a choice. He threw the lot of it into a bag and pocketed it before grabbing his keys and phone and heading for the door.

"Olli, I'm running late, do you need anything else before I go?" He called, stopping at the door.

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Oleander let out a sigh as the subject was dropped, though he still didn't quite belie that the other was taking him all to seriously. But fact was, he was serious. As soon as the day started he was going to head out. Though, he was more then likely to start visiting his friend more often now that he had his address.

He nodded a bit before he set off to collect the things that he needed to make his bed and before he knew it his friend was calling for him as he was leaving the front door to head off to work. He hadn't gotten much of a look at him, seeing as he was tucked beneath a jacket. He had noticed though, that he could see his legs which, in retrospect, was rather odd considering the weather. Oleander didn't question it to much assuming it was some sort of uniform for his work but it did make him question were exactly he worked at.

"Nah!" He called back as he pulled a towel from the linen closet and flung it over his shoulder before he headed towards the bathroom to hop in to the shower. "I'mma just take a shower and crash. Feels like I haven't slept in a week." He said with a chuckle before he walked in to the bathroom "Have fun at work." He said before closing the door.

It seemed like an hour passed before Oleander stepped out of the bathroom. He would probably still be in there had he not run out of hot water about 5 minuets before he stepped out. It wasn't all to pleasant standing in the freezing water but he knew it would be a while before he could take another shower so he'd figured he'd drag it as long as he possibly could.

His amber eyes skimmed the apartment once again as he stepped on the to carpet with is bared feet, now that he was alone in seemed a lot more barren then he first thought it was. Though, still, it was a nice place and he certainly wasn't complain about being here for the night rather then out in the storm.

He wondered in to the kitchen and quickly cleaned up the mess from dinner as he did so he found his mind wondering back to his friend and how much he didn't know about him anymore. Why did he leave him in his apartment by himself. They hadn't seen each other in years and yet he insisted on letting him stay and then left him alone. For all he knew he could have robbed him blind by the time he got back. Of course he wouldn't, but still the precept was there.

And where did he work? That was another question that past through his mind. He left at 7 in the Pm to go to work? Maybe a diner or something? He didn't know but the way he slipped out of the house sort of made him uneasy, that was for sure.

Shaking the thoughts from his head he let another sigh force it's way past his lips as he flicked the extra water form his hands and made way to the living room where her flopped down on his bed and slowly drifted off to sleep.

 

[Dearest]

Luca fumbled with his keys. It had been a long night.. long was an understatement... an understatement of an understatement... god he was tired. He'd been late, thanks to having to put his makeup on, and he'd been saddled with a customer that was well known for getting rough with his partners. Of course, he was used to that, but this... this was different. The man had been banned from the club after taking things so far.

He ached... everything ached... He'd forgotten his sweatshirt and pants in his hurry to leave, and his leather outfit, well... the fishnets weren't fit to be worn again, and the button on his shorts had popped clean off. Still he wore them, trusting the zipper to keep him covered. The bastard he'd slept with had tossed him around like a ragdoll, and fucked him until he was certain he was about to die with a dick in his ass- Speaking of ass... shit, he hadn't been hurting this badly since his first time. He had a black eye and a busted lip, as if shredding his ass hadn't been enough, and bruises were already flowering on his ribs. His makeup was smeared and his hair was a mess...

It wasn't his fault he'd forgotten entirely about Olli... at least, until now. He stood at the door, soaking wet from having to ride his motorcycle in the rain. He'd have to sneak in... he'd have to be silent, stealthy... he couldn't possibly let Olli see him like this. He slid the door open with all the silence of a falling leaf in the dead of night. He crept across the entryway with all the stealth of a supremely trained assassin. He crossed the dark kitchen with the grace of- THUD... CLATTER... "NHHHGGG SHITTT!"

Before he could think of another shitty analogy he'd accidentally introduced his legs to a kitchen chair. He lay on the kitchen floor, face planted against the tile, shin aching, the chair that had assaulted him on it's back from his shin-attack. Graceful. Reaaally graceful. Graceful, and loud. If that hadn't woken Olli, the kid would had to have been comatose to sleep through it. He lay there, partially because he had high hopes that Olli hadn't heard, or if he had, wouldn't care enough to check it out... and partially because he ached too much to move.

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Fact was, Oleander wasn't a deep sleeper. On the streets you couldn't afford to be or someone could easily steal what little belongings you did have with you. He had seen someones shoes get taken right off their feet before, so he had adapted to just not sleeping hard. He had heard the door open and he work up right then though he didn't say anything in order to keep from bothering the man right after work. His eyes moved over to the clock noting that is was nearly 4 am by the time he got back, which made that wondering sensation return as he watched the showdowns figure before him, somewhat, limp in to the kitchen.

Thought he darkness he really couldn't see much but when he heard a large CLUNK followed by what seemed to be the painful curses of his old comrade he smiled tauntingly and kicked the covers off of him. It was only a matter of seconds before he found himself leaning against the wall of the kitchen, he reached over and clicked on the light just about to say something sarcastic before noticed the blood leaking out on to the floor. "The fuck?" He questioned as he started over to his friend. "Are you okay man?" He asked as he slowly turned him over by his shoulder finally getting a good look at his face.

His stomach turned and he closed his mouth... he knew what this man did for a living. Which explained fully why he didn't care that he, himself, was homeless. Luca was a hooker... or at least a stripper, nether of which were a profession that held much pride. The make up... clothing... or lack there of and the bruises reminded him all to much of some of the females he had been around who were stuck in the same profession. "What the fuck happened to you?" He said as he looked over the newly forming bruises. "Who did this? What the hell are you waring?" His voice began to raise with each question. He didn't know why he was speaking in only questions but it seemed to do rather well in getting his point across so he figured he might as well stick to what works.

"What the fuck are you thinking!? Are you even thinking? How long have you been fucking doing this Luca? This is you definition of a job? This is dangerous! Are you trying to get yourself killed out there, this is San Fransisco California! It's one of the most dangerous places to be in the states, you could Aids or be killed! Or... Fuck... you're face looks horrible." He stopped himself, as he brushed a finger over the newly forming bruise on the side of the mans face. "Go set on the couch, we need to get you cleaned up." He said as he tried to help the man up.

 

[Dearest]

He groaned as he heard footsteps, then the motion towards the light switch- "Wait, don't-" Too late. Olli hadn't even been there a full day, and already he'd blown it. "What the fuck do you think happened? I tripped." He said, eyes closing as Olli yelled at him, his growing realization apparent with every question.

It had been a long time since anyone had cared, and even if it did piss him off, it was sort of... refreshing. "You're done yelling then?" He questioned in a more than irritated tone as he peeled himself off the floor, frowning at the blood. His lip had split again, he could feel it. "'S'not as bad as it looks, I just bleed a lot..." He said as he opted for the chair's help instead of Olli's- as if even touching his friend would taint him. Of course, the chair had betrayed him once, and had no shame in doing it again, and after landing on the floor a second time, he finally accepting help from a more trustworthy source.

He swayed slightly, the light brighter than he remembered. "Nah, bathroom- I don't want to get blood on anything." He said as he pulled away, limping off on his own towards the bathroom. "Just... go back to bed, forget you saw this... convince yourself you're dreaming hn?" He said bitterly as he stepped into the bathroom. "This isn't exactly something I wanted you to see."

Wow... he caught his reflection and had to stare a moment. Olli was right, he looked like shit. Between the smeared makeup and the beating, he hardly looked like himself. He leaned against the counter, turning the water on as he tried to stay vertical. Once it got hot, he set to work cleaning his face, wincing now and then as he brushed over still sensitive wounds. At least he looked human again once he was done. His eye was still black, and his lip was still bleeding sluggishly, but at least he'd gotten rid of the worst of it.

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Olleander's eyes narrowed at Luca's response, finding the sarcasm to be more then uncalled for at the moment. "You know what? No, I'm not done yelling." He said in a dry voice as his help as easily brushed off.

He raised an eyebrow and watched as his friend struggled to remove himself from the floor, only to fall again with an indefinite thud that brought a smirk to the his thin lips. He let out an exasperated sigh as the male in front of him finally reached out for his assistance. "Oh, I can help now?" He said sarcastically as he pulled the male up. He allowed his hand to rest on the small of the others back in order to support him as he swayed slightly. Before he could say anything else Luca started off towards the bathroom, leaving some snide remark hanging in the wind about how he should just ignore the situation.

Now, despite his usually short temper Olleaiander, was trying to help, which was something he rarely did for anyone; he was trying to stay calm and understand the situation. He was trying not to fly off the handle and beat the living hell out of Luca for being so stupid. But Luca was making it so damn hard for him to do anything but bitch about his half-hazardous choices. Sure, it had been years since they last spoke and he knew perfectly well that people changed in time but he had hoped he would have changed for the better, not in to something so... degrading. "Yeah, it's not necessarily something I wanted to see, but since I did there is no way I'm just going to fucking ignore it."

Ollander clenched his jaw irritably before he started after the man. As he got to the bathroom he leaned against the door frame and peered in to the mirror using it as somewhat of a filter to keep himself from snapping. "Well, don't you look lovely." He said smugly. "Man, here I thought I was in a bad place, but I guess it pays right?" He started off with a smirk but it quickly faded in to a threatening seriousness. "Sit down." He said before turning and walking in to the kitchen were he gathered a bowl of ice and submerged a spoon in to the cold before he returner "Sit." He said again, this time with a bit more force as he gestured to the toilet.

 

[Dearest]

"It's not as bad as you're making it out to be." He said calmly, too tired to flare up. "Getting the shit beaten out of me isn't the norm, this is only the second time it's happened- and the first time I fucking deserved it." He dabbed at the blood again before it could drip down his chin, "It pays the bills, keeps a roof over my head, and food on the table- and that's more than you can stake a claim to. When was the last time you had a real meal, huh?"

He frowned at his reflection, "Fucking hell, that's going to be there a while isn't it..." He said, fingers tracing over the bruised skin around his eye, "My regulars aren't going to be happy about that." Well, then again, it wasn't his face they were paying for...

He pulled off his jacket and tossed it in the laundry basket, "You're in no place to judge me Olli." He took a seat, knowing better than to argue. He could barely stay standing. "Be quick, you have no idea how badly I need a shower right now." He called as Olli headed for the kitchen. He ran his fingers through his hair, pushing his bangs back, and froze when his fingers met with something sticky. "Shit... that's just nasty." He mumbled when he realized it wasn't blood.

He turned, leaning against the back of the toilet, head resting on folded arms. By the time Olli returned, he was out- his body too exhausted to stand a chance at staying up.

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Olliander's brow perked a he heard the other mans words though he kept quite knowing very well that he couldn't argue with what the man was saying. He didn't have a home, or food for that matter, but was that really worth this? If he could go and do this everyday then why couldn't he go out and get a real job? What was the point in putting yourself through this?

He frowned a bit as he entered the bathroom again noticing the fact that the red-head was fast asleep. For a moment there he contemplated just carrying him to his bed but he couldn't let him just sleep like that and he wasn't done saying what he had to say. He took a breath in lowly blew it out through his teeth creating a loud whistling sound "Get up. You can't sleep in the bathroom and you sure as shit can't sleep like that. Let me see your face." He said he knelt down beside his friend. "And the difference between our situations is that I didn't have a choice." He said not necessarily realizing the fact that Luca had no clue that he had been on the streets since his mothers death and his own disappearance.

"You were doing so well for yourself Luca, why do you think I left you alone? I was trying to keep you from being pulled down in to the same shit I was dealing with. And I come back to find that you're like this? I'm not judging you, I'm scared shitless for you though. How do you even plan to get out of this?" He took a breath as he took Luca's chin lightly in his hand and examined the bruising. His free hand traveled over to grab the chilling spoon and with little to no hesitation he placed the back of the curve over the top of the point of impact and pressed, gripping his chin harshly in order to keep him in place.

"There is no out to these kinds of things." He started again as he repeated the action on a second point, forcing the swelling flesh back in to place with the combination of the cold and the pressure he was applying. "It's a sigma you are going to have to deal with for the rest of your life... that is if you would call this a life at all."

 

[Dearest]

Luca came to, looking a bit unhappy at being woken up. "I'm sure plenty of people have slept in worse places." He said, though his tone was pouting, and it was clear they both know Olli was right. "You think I chose this? Like I waltzed in, looking to have my life fucked over?" He hissed as Olli drew a little too close to something he -really- didn't want to talk about. "Being on the streets is just the first step Olli. When you're starving to death, freezing your ass of, and you've given in to the fact that you're probably going to die in that playground tunnel you've been sleeping in for the past month- A hundred bucks looks a hell of a lot more appealing, no matter who's holding it, or what he's asking you to do in order to get it."

He shut up for the time being as Olli gripped his chin, but the silence was short lived- "What'er you- Ow, fuck!" He squirmed, but he was too tired to fight Olli's grip. He gave in, trying to hold still to it would be done sooner. "Well for myself huh? I'd never done anything for myself. When ended up on my own, I didn't even know how to work the oven, much less how to cook, I couldn't work an iron, I knew how to spend money, but I didn't understand how to save it or use it to pay bills. I didn't know how to find a job, much less hold one- ouch, careful!"

He leaned back against the back of the toilet while Olli worked, "Getting out of it won't be a problem. I'm not relying on this place for anything, and I'm not some drug addict like half the people stuck there. It's really not such a bad place- it's meant for the upper class, business men and the like, so they keep it up pretty well. Protection's required, either that, or the customers have to get themselves tested first before they can opt to skip the condom... anyone working there get tested for free once a week. I'm careful Olli, really." He forced a smile, running his finger's through Olli's hair, "Don't worry about me love, I'm not stuck here, give it another year, maybe two, and I'll be done with it." He said with a shrug, "Speaking of done, are you about finished there? I still need to take a shower..."

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Oleander's gaze hardened as Luca began to preach back at him. He didn't want to hear it, everything he was saying he already knew. Fact was, had struggled through it all and for a lot longer then Luca knew. He wasn't brought up in a high classed home like Luca was, so sure, he had a lot more experience in taking care of himself when he was suddenly thrown in to the real world. But that wasn't an excuse, not in his mind anyway. Every day people are forced to take care of themselves and you know what they did? They learned they didn't give go belly up and end up in this position. Everything the man said from there on out was marked off as an excuse which further irradiated the man but he didn't speak, finding the silence to be enough to keep him calm.

As Luca opted to speak again he applied an unnecessary amount of pressure to his hand causing the man to jump an squirm amount, which, gave him enough gratification to end the conversation there. Not another word came from the males mouth as he rambled on about how well rounded the place was for being -what- it was. The idea made him roll his eyes in irritation, he set the bowl on the counter as he heard Luca's claim of being careful. His neck stretched a bit in order to withdraw from the other mans touch not necessarily in the mood for an "Touching moment between old friends" and he stood up. "No, you're not." He replied coldly before he stepped out of the bathroom shutting the door behind him.

He needed to get out of here. He needed to leave and not come back here. This, was something he really couldn't deal with. He already felt guilty for staying the night, knowing that his friend was a straw away from a broken spine just made the guilt worsen. He looked around the apartment as suddenly felt as though the walls were closing in on him. The decay and hollowness of the setting suddenly became far more apparent before and he simply had to leave, he wouldn't wait till morning, he wouldn't see if Luca was alright, and he sure as hell wasn't going to say anything in fear of being stopped. No... he would clean up after himself, pack up his things, as disappear in to the night and that was exactly what he did.

Well... it was nice having a friend while it lasted.

 

[Dearest]

Luca gave a sigh, but let it go. Olli wasn't listening anyway, and he'd explained plenty. He didn't need anyone to 'accept' what he did, much less some homeless brat that had the balls to come into his home and tell him off for how he made a living. He locked the door behind Olli, then slipped out of the shorts, tossing them in the laundry before turning on the water- scalding hot as usual.

It was probably close to an hour before he staggered out, wrapped in a towel. He didn't bother trying to find Olli, he didn't need more yelling. He headed into his room and fell on to his bed, wet hair soaking his pillow. Within minutes, he was out.

The next morning he woke early, his body aching and his pillow freezing. He got up and swore as a sharp, literal pain in his ass reminding him how badly the previous night had gone. He pulled on a pair of shorts and a pair of jeans and wandered into the living area, "Olli?" He called, already doubting the other would still be there- and sure enough, he was gone. "Shit..." Well, he couldn't be too surprised, or too disappointed, after all... it was just another person from his past, and so far he'd lost a lot of those, what was one more friend? Still, it stung...

He put on a put of coffee and poured himself a bowl of cereal, glancing at the clock. There was no way he'd be healed enough for work by eight, he'd have to call in... on the bright side, the customer being banned would mean he'd probably get the night free without too much of a struggle.

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Oleander spent that night wondering aimlessly through the streets. Being too cold to find a park to sleep in, but to tired to keep a decent pace, he found himself standing idly in the middle of a field staring blankly up at the clouds as his friends words lingered in his head.

"Being on the streets is just the first step Olli. When you're starving to death, freezing your ass of, and you've given in to the fact that you're probably going to die in that playground tunnel you've been sleeping in for the past month- A hundred bucks looks a hell of a lot more appealing, no matter who's holding it, or what he's asking you to do in order to get it."


"Fucking punk." He said harshly as he looked around. Where was he going to go from here? Really? He didn't have anywhere to go and he didn't have anyone to turn to anymore. Despite all of his struggles he had nothing to show for it and the prospects of gaining anything in this position weren't looking to good. A sinking sensation slithered it's way in to Ollie's stomach as he began to feel desperate for an answer.

He had known better to go back there. He really did, he knew that somehow things were going to turn out bad and of course, he was right. Here he was, in the middle of a thunderstorm staring blankly at the sky trying to fight the same desperation he had rid himself of 4 years ago. He knew back then things weren't going to be better, things would never be fixed and he still ran around with hope in his heart that they would improve with time.

Nearly five years later he was standing in the same park still hoping for a way out and in all reality, he had one. "Swallow your pride, Go back to Luca and beg for a way in."

"-fuck that" He spat as he started to walk across the field towards the play set. He sneered as he ran his fingers across the cooled plastic of the tunnel slide almost finding the answer predictable, but, it was better then the rain... or... he convinced himself that was true.



Ollie let out a harsh cough as he tried to unravel himself from soaking cloth of his jacket. It didn't really serve much of a porous anymore seeing as it hadn't stopped raining since he left the house that night. The first day wasn't all to bad, he had grown hungry but he had dealt with that before and the clothing he had on had been soaked through by the rain. But he hadn't really taken much time to notice it since he spent most of that day lounging on a park bench trying to sort out his thoughts.

The night was what really killed him though. It had dropped easily blow freezing on just the first night and with the wind chill factor he lost the feeling in the edges of his body. The second day the rain didn't stop and Oleander found he couldn't manage to pull himself out of the slide for at least 3 hours of constant trying. The water had managed it's way in to the slide and began poring down his back which just added to the pain of the cold had been inflicted on his body and he found that he couldn't stop coughing each time he pulled in a breath of air.

That night he had found an over hang to sleep under, but the lack of protection from the wind seemed to hit him worse then the water did and yet... he refused to go where he knew he would be warm. No, not because of his pride or his anger but because by this time he knew very well what his choice was going to be. Being afraid of what he knew, or rather hopped, was going to come in the next few days he questioned weather or not he wanted to live like that or die like this.

Oh yes, he knew he was going to die if he decided to say in this weather in soaking wet clothing and no shelter. He could feel it on his body, his limbs burned, his body had stopped shaking, no matter how much he slept he couldn't seem to keep himself awake and had he seen his reflection he would have easily been able to see his skin had paled substantially and a blue tint had formed along the surface of his lips and finger tips.

He suffered through another day, getting his ass handed to him by a force known as mother nature before he gathered up his courage and started in the direction of Luca's home. It's look him much longer then it logically should have but he had to stop and take breaks often for lack of energy.

His body ached as he made his way up the stare case and down that conceit platform. It only took him a moment, more so to catch his balance, for him to knock on the door and he stood there idle swaying as he waited for Luca to answer. Hopefully he was there, seeing as everything had become horribly blurred and he really didn't think he could make it safely down the steps again.

Olli let out a sigh as the pain in his legs grew to be to much and he leaned up against the door frame and slid down in to the sitting position. Pulling his legs up close to his body in a failed attempt to keep warm.

He felt so... pathetic.

Here he was at the door of the same man that he had bitch at about "not living a good life" and "Abusing his body" while he did the exact same thing. There was no real difference between the two accept that Luca did have a place to stay and he was the beggar on the corner trying to make enough to eat every night. What was the difference?

His eyes slowly closed as his vision blurred out once again and he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Hypocrisy is a horrible quality.

 

[Dearest]

Luca swayed on the stairs, carrying his groceries. He'd been to the store, and Olli had probably gotten there a good hour before he had. With his arms full, he nearly stepped on his guest before realizing there was a person there. "'The fuck?" He juggled the bags and his keys, stepping over the figure. It wouldn't be the first time someone had passed out on his porch, but the glimpse he'd caught through the grocery bags was all too familiar.

He dropped his bags on the table carelessly, hurrying back to the door, "Olli?" He questioned, "Shit, if you fucking die on my doorstep I'll fucking kill you." He said in a panic, stepping over him again and leaning down to slip one arm under his knees, and the other around his back. "You're heavy for a scrawny thing." he grumbled as he carried him inside, setting him on the couch. "Strip." He ordered, already tugging at Olli's wet clothing, "Come on, I'll help you with it, but you've got to get out of these wet clothes."

After a bit of struggling Luca had him naked and wrapped in a warm blanket. "Stay here, stay awake, and warm up. I'll be right back." He said as he moved quickly around the apartment. A short time later he was handing Olli a cup of warm milk, and wrapping a blanket fresh out of the dryer around the first blanket. "Drink it, use the cup to warm your fingers. Argue with me and I'll punch you in the head, frozen or not." he said as he settled next to Olli, looking him over a moment before resting an arm around him- partially to warm his friend, and partially to assure himself the other would be alright.

 

[Snazzy Trinket]

Ollie's eyes flickered a bit as Luca came up the stairs. He knew who the other man was and he knew it was a good thing but his mind couldn't quite process why. He tried to call out to the man as he was stepped over but he couldn't get the words to come out all he could manage was a low grown as a fear of being left out side set through his system.

"Don't leave me out here." His eyes closed as he felt himself slipping back to sleep. "I'll leave again come morning just please... let me warm up a little. Just..." He gasped as pain shot through his back at the feeling of the man's hands pulling him in to his grasp. Not nearly as pleasant as his last time showing up randomly.

"FUCK!" He hollered as he dug is face in to the mans chest not necessarily linking the feeling of the fabric against his frozen face. "God dammit!" His voice broke in pain as he fell limp in the mans arms and allowed him to carry him in to the house and lay him on the couch. He squirmed against the others command he tried to get his cloths off. "N-no Don't touch me!" He protested not because he didn't want the other man to see him nude but rather the sensation against his flesh killed. But, in time he found himself wrapped tightly in a few blankets staring blankly at the floor trying to keep himself awake.

God damn he was cold. The fact that he had never quite reached this point before scared him more then anything. He accepted the milk thankfully and openly cuddled in to Luca in an attempt to keep warm. Finding the warmed liquid hard to swallow he simply head it in his shaking hands and trembled as he lay there silently, trying to keep himself from trembling to much. "S-s-sorry." He finally managed to say, as he pulled his legs closer. "I didn't know where else to go. I'll be gone as soon as the storm passes. I-I didn't expect it to last this long or I would have reserved a spot at the sh-shelter." He stammered. A violent chill set it's way up his back casing him to shake like a leaf and cuddle closer to the larger male.

He wouldn't admit it, but he somewhat enjoyed the feeling of being this close to someone again.