Sunnydale AU: knowing what this world is about

[americas_son]

Two days, Violet Chandler has declared, are more than enough time for Cal to mope around avoiding school. It's time for him to get back onto a normal schedule; just because he doesn't like the new arrangement doesn't excuse him from his responsibilities.

So Cal is at school, the high he's carefully maintained for the last couple of days wearing off. He's out back smoking a cigarette during lunch, but nicotine is hardly a decent substitute.

Only three and a half more hours to go.

Comments

[if_inconvenient]

Not that Sherlock is attending school, but he is at school in the sense that he is currently on the property. He noticed Cal's car in the parking lot and decided he could spare a little time from his investigation to look after a friend.

"Afternoon," he says, stepping into view around the side of the building.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal looks up. He'd expected to run into Sherlock a little sooner today.

But then, he'd also expected Sherlock to call sooner than he did.

"Hi," he says.

[if_inconvenient]

"I don't know what to say," Sherlock admits.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal shrugs.

"'Sokay," he says.

Not like he wants to talk about it, anyway.

(Of course he assumes Sherlock figured it out. It's what Sherlock does.)

[if_inconvenient]

Wryly: "I rather doubt that."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal sighs.

"Well, it's supposed to be okay."

According to Mother.



And Dad.

[if_inconvenient]

"In your mother's autocratic opinion, no doubt. I disagree with her assessment of the situation."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal swallows reflexively, staring ahead of them into space.

"It could be worse." He sounds like he's trying to convince himself of that more than Sherlock.

[if_inconvenient]

"I am engaged in tracking down the group responsible," he mentions, because the only other words that come to mind are I fail to see how.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal takes a drag from his cigarette, flicking a brief glance toward Sherlock.

"Yeah?"

[if_inconvenient]

"I found one last night. He protested my involvement in the matter, briefly. I expect to locate the rest soon enough."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal nods quietly in response to this.

"Okay."

He'll think about that - later. When this whole thing gets easier to deal with.

(It has to get easier to deal with, right?)

"Peter made me move my room downstairs," he says abruptly.

[if_inconvenient]

Of course he did.

"I'll keep that in mind next time I break in."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

This gets a faint almost-smile in answer.

"I'm pretty sure you're still allowed to visit."

[if_inconvenient]

"Only if you answer the phone."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal glances at him again.

"You only called once," he says. "I didn't feel like getting up."

[if_inconvenient]

"And you'll notice I did not thereafter break into your house."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Why not?"

Cal would have thought it would be the next logical step. (If Sherlock cared enough to do it.)

[if_inconvenient]

"I planned to call at least once more first, and now I have found you at school instead. Rest assured it is still in the cards should you continue to ignore me."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Something in the set of Cal's shoulders eases a little.

"I wasn't ignoring you."

[if_inconvenient]

"Pleased to hear it."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"My phone was . . ." Cal gestures vaguely with the remaining stub of his cigarette.

"I was too high to go looking for it."

It is true, at least, that he wouldn't have made the effort for anyone else, either.

[if_inconvenient]

"While I can see the appeal, I find that circumstance somwhat worrying."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal shrugs.

"You can't overdose like you can on other stuff."

[if_inconvenient]

"True. Nevertheless."