Sunnydale AU: An Illicit Visit (no, not that kind)

[americas_son]

There is some definite disapproval going on in the Chandler compound over Cal's refusing to go along with the implicit decision that the Starks (especially Sherlock) are not the best company for him. It's not the first time he's pushed such a ruling - far from it - but this is something of a special case. Whether it's the shooting or the fact that Sherlock and his identity issues are generally glossed over in proper society with "He just couldn't handle his parents' death, the poor thing, at least his brother is made of sterner stuff" that causes greater concern . . .

Well. Cal has the feeling his knows the answer to that.

His own accidental death could at least be used to the Chandlers' advantage, after all.

The obvious response to all of this is, of course, to invite Sherlock over to visit.

"We'll have to sneak if we don't want to spend twenty minutes listening to Mother, though."

Comments

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

Violet gives them fifteen seconds, enough time for them to get close enough to be feasibly within hearing range of the parlor, before she calls,

"Cal, darling? Is that you?"

The question is redundant as she steps through the parlor door to see for herself.

She's dressed in conservatively dark, finely tailored clothing, and her expression is one of blandly sweet interest. It fools the people she wants it to fool. Or at least, it prompts them to pretend to be fooled. It has the same result in the end.

(Violet's make-up is artfully applied, but the discerning eye will note that it's far heavier than it appears, and covers all her visible skin. Her eyes, the same blue as Cal's, wear colored contacts. Her neatly arranged brunette hair is a very expensive wig. In short: Violet is albino, and so skilled at hiding it that very few have ever even noticed.)

[if_inconvenient]

One eyebrow quirks up fractionally, and that is as much reaction as he gives to Violet Chandler's cosmetic peculiarities. Otherwise, he clasps his hands behind his back and lets Cal lead the conversation for now.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

. . . shit. They didn't even manage to get upstairs.

"Hello, Mother," he says.

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

"And you've brought a guest. You must be" - she pauses delicately - "Sherlock, is it?"

Violet descends with the kind of glitteringly false smile and greeting designed to be perfectly impeccable on the face of it while making the person they're aimed at feel as unwelcome as possible.

"How lovely to meet you." Now get out of my house.

[if_inconvenient]

Sherlock returns her smile.

"I am infinitely charmed, madam."

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

"You don't mind if I steal my son for just a minute, do you?" Violet asks smilingly.

The courteous thing to do, of course, would be to flag down a staff member to get Sherlock a cup of coffee while he waits.

Violet very deliberately does no such thing before she leads Cal into the parlor, closing the door securely behind them.

The ensuing lecture is brief, low-voiced and vicious on Violet's part and nothing but silence from Cal.

[if_inconvenient]

He drifts serenely closer to the door and listens without shame, hoping to at least catch the odd word. He does have very good ears.

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

". . . getting too old for this shit, Cal, they're not going to buy the rebellious adolescent story for much longer . . ."

(Cal expects that Sherlock is likely listening in. Violet thinks she's gotten him far enough away from the door to keep it from being a problem.)

" . . . would have thought that you'd at least have consideration for your own well-being . . ."

[if_inconvenient]

He snorts. Silently. Very silently.

[give-it-spin.livejournal.com]

". . . you know your father will be announcing his candidacy soon. You will shape up or you will be very sorry. You would be destroyed in boot camp and you know it. Now show that deluded little bastard the door and get upstairs!"

The door opens. Violet's voice, bright and sweet again, drifts out, saying clearly,

"And do tell Sherlock it was lovely to meet him, but I've just got to get back to work."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal exits the parlor, the last vestiges of a shamed expression dissolving away.

"That could have been worse." He says it quietly, so his mother won't hear.

[if_inconvenient]

Equally quiet: "I've suffered worse names than 'deluded little bastard' in my time."

He draws the line at pretending he didn't eavesdrop at all.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal would be kind of insulted if he did.

"That was the nice version."

That lecture was the warm-up. They'll get worse if Cal continues to disobey.

[if_inconvenient]

"This would be the part where you show me the door, then?"

He's grinning.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

(Speaking of doors, down the hall is one that has been ajar; it is now pushed fully shut from inside the room. Cal does not acknowledge it.)

"I probably should," he agrees.

[if_inconvenient]

"And supposing I managed to come back?"

Sherlock is already thinking through everything they could have done better. He could break into this house. Not easily, but he could.

It would even be fun.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal looks more cheerful at that.

"My room's on the third floor. End of the hall, on the right."

[if_inconvenient]

"Then why don't you show me out, and I will be seeing you shortly."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Okay."

Cal takes him back through the back way, saying aloud for his mother's benefit,

"It shouldn't be a very long walk back to town, or you could call a cab, but you probably shouldn't wait on the property."

[if_inconvenient]

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of loitering," he answers. "I don't mind a bit of a stroll."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I know."

Weirdo.

"Okay, then, I'll see you at school tomorrow. Uh, in the hallways. Not looking for you or anything."

Obviously.

[if_inconvenient]

"Indeed."

Cal is so adorable when he's trying.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

As quasi-recoveries go, it could have been worse.

"Okay. See ya."

Cal turns and heads upstairs.

[if_inconvenient]

Sherlock does, indeed, leave the property.

He stops just out of sight down the road, closes his eyes, and reviews everything he has seen of the house so far in detail.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal remembers to take the stairs like he's upset, and slam his bedroom door for good measure even if it will just barely audible downstairs. He's a decent performer, if he's had a chance to think about it.



Someone else, meanwhile, didn't have to overhear the conversation moments ago to know exactly what's going to happen next. He's already in place.