Sunnydale AU: don't go into the - never mind.

[americas_son]

Some students, when they hear the final bell ring, head to class right away.

Sometimes Cal is one of them, but not today. He was outside having a cigarette when the bell sounded, and he was too deep in thought to pay it much attention.

So he's slipping inside now, a few minutes late. The halls are already quiet, and he's keeping an eye out for any faculty members authorized to give detention as he makes his way toward his English class.

Comments

[toblameforit]

"Obie!"

Despite the fact that it is by any logic exactly the thing he should not do, Tony sprints for the seal.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal stares, stunned, for a second.

Jesus Christ, is that - ?

Then instinct kicks in, and he lunges to grab Tony and hold him back.

(If it were someone else on that seal, someone he liked - or even just someone he didn't dislike - his reaction might be different. As it is, well . . .

The Chandlers have always tended more toward pragmatism than heroism.)

[toblameforit]

"Fuck you—"

He wrenches desperately at Cal's grip on his arm, but it's too late. When the flames die down, there's nothing left but that awful smell. Not even a scorch mark.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal stares at the seal, blank with shock.

His grip on Tony eases, but he doesn't let go completely. It doesn't occur to him to let go.

[toblameforit]

That's okay.

Tony is not really going anywhere.

In fact, he just sinks to his knees right there on the floor.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

. . . that did not just fucking happen.

That cannot possibly have happened.

Some things have to be impossible. Even in Sunnydale.

Right?

[toblameforit]

He tugs his arm away from Cal so he can bury his face in his hands.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

The movement is enough to grab Cal's attention and break up some of the shock clouding his brain.

Okay. That happened. And now there are more important things to think about.

"Tony," he says softly, kneeling next to him.

[toblameforit]

He's not crying; he's not even shaking a little.

He's just... very still.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal falls silent, too.

(He darts a few glances at the seal, but it doesn't seem inclined to do anything else.)

[toblameforit]

"Okay," he says, climbing to his feet and stepping back. "We should go be not here. And I should call Sherry."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal stands up, automatically brushing dust from his knees.

"Yeah," he says. "Good plan."

[toblameforit]

He's remarkably steady, under the circumstances, but his voice is very soft and he doesn't seem to be looking at anything in particular as he digs out his phone and starts for the stairs.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal takes one last look back as they head up the stairs. He doesn't feel right about leaving it exposed, but - who are they going to tell?

How many times has this happened already?

Peter, he thinks. When in doubt, call Peter.

. . . Peter's gonna fucking love this one.

[border-prince.livejournal.com]

James is presiding over a study hall for this period. Which means that, like any self-respecting teacher, he is spending as little time in the classroom as humanly possible.

He turns the corner just in time to see two of his students exit the basement. He's drawing breath for a teacherly scolding when he gets close enough to see exactly how shocked and pale they look.

And, oh yes. He knows what's down there. The genial biology teacher disappears in a heartbeat in favor of the Torchwood agent.

"What were you two doing down there? What happened? The truth, please, no matter how it sounds."

[toblameforit]

Shortly: "Somebody got sucked into the Hellmouth."

[border-prince.livejournal.com]

Damn. He'd thought he'd found a way to ward the seal, at least temporarily. Either the ward needs renewing far more frequently, or it isn't working at all.

Damn.

"Is there anyone else down there?"

[toblameforit]

"No."

If there are any more questions, they can wait until he's done dialing his home number. Or Cal can answer them.

[border-prince.livejournal.com]

"All right. Go home. If anyone gives you trouble, tell them there's an emergency and I gave you permission."

Which is, in fact, true.

James disappears into the basement without another word.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal blinks after him.

Mr Mayer had seemed so normal, too.

Then he looks back at Tony, to see how the call is going.

[toblameforit]

"Need to talk to Sherry."

Beat.

"Fuck."

He hangs up.

...So not well, then.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal sighs a little.

"C'mon," he says quietly to Tony, "let's go."

[toblameforit]

"Yeah." Tony turns around and heads for the door. "Sherry's out," he explains, in case Cal didn't catch that. "Won't be back for a while."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal nods, falling in step with Tony.

"Yeah, I figured as much."

He has to swallow the ridiculous urge to laugh as he thinks about the irony. Sherlock's investigation is officially pointless now, isn't it?

[toblameforit]

"Guess I shoulda told Jarvis," he adds after a moment, "but I can do that when I get home."