Sunnydale AU: simple words

[americas_son]

School is, finally, over.

Cal has shoved everything he's not bringing back home into his locker (so, pretty much everything) and now he's gone to find Tina.

Comments

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"You were really shaken up. I remember that."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Was I?" Cal shrugs a little.

"It was weird. The whole thing. Stane was really important to Tony, and Tony has no idea what kind of person he was."

A faint, ironic smirk crosses his face.

"I helped fake his death, too. It was really soon after Dad, it was like - fuck." Cal rubs his hand over his face. "He would have loved knowing he got to fuck with my head one last time."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

Nothing like a little emotional trauma. Jesus.

Tina feels pretty damned lucky right now, despite her lack of money, family issues, and embarrassing job.

She takes Cal in her arms again, hugging him and whispering, "It's going to be okay."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal leans his head on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her.

He was right. He was definitely right to tell her. She's the right person to tell.

"I'm okay," he says softly.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She turns her head to kiss his cheek.

"Good."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

He smiles a little, touching her hair.

After a moment, he says,

"Tony doesn't know that - I mean, he knows what happened, he was there, but he doesn't know that Stane did anything to deserve it. He just, he just knows I didn't like him, that's all."

And it should stay that way.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"I won't say anything. I haven't even met him yet, so the secret is safe with me."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"You will eventually."

Sherlock is Cal's best friend, but Tony has become important, too.

"I was just making sure. That I was clear, I mean."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Clear as a bell. I won't tell anyone any of what you told me today."

Just so she's clear, too.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Cal says softly.

"I mean, not like most of it's top secret, but uh, I went to a lot of trouble. There's a lot of paperwork when people die. I'd hate to see it all go to waste."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"I can't even imagine."

She really can't.

"Nothing's going to go to waste."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal smiles.

"Okay."

Then he kisses her forehead.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She closes her eyes and smiles.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal leans his forehead against hers and says,

"Do you wanna watch a movie?"

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"I don't care as long as I don't have to leave."

She bites her lip as she grins once more, hoping she said that right.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

That makes Cal grin back.

"You don't have to leave."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Well, not until curfew anyway."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"When's that?" Cal asks.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"It's supposed to be 11:00 on school nights, but if my mom is working a night shift, it's whenever I get home. I'm usually not out late anyway."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal nods.

"We'll get you home before then."

Okay, so maybe he wants Tina's mom to think he's responsible.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"I guess that would be the right thing to do. But it's a long time until then."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I guess we'll have to find some way to pass the time," Cal says, with great solemnity.

- then he laughs, because that is the oldest line in the book and he knows it.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

She laughs, too.

"Nice try, but I'm not that kind of girl. Get out the checkers. Or Monopoly."

She's joking, but she's also making a subtle point.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I don't think we could fit them onto the couch with us."

Well, they probably could, but the pieces would go everywhere.

He smiles, though. Point taken.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Battleship Travel Edition?"

Now she's just being silly.