#⋆ darkness always finds you either way • w. insidi0sum ⋆

[vei1s]

❝ i swear, if you do that one more time ... ❞

❝ you'll what, kill me? ❞ silence lingers for a second before a bubbly laugh cuts through it, sharp smile flashing. ❝ c'mon, nick, you know that doesn't work. honestly i don't think there's anything you could threaten me with that'll actually get me to stop. it's just like, too damn fun t'watch you get all twitchy and shit. ❞ she flicks another paper football at him, aiming for his chest. 

[vei1s]

it's still not all too clear to gen the why's of hanging around the place and with nick. she blames it on simple curiosity the majority of the time, swears that's all it is, and it really could be the one and only reason. it's a very curious situation and gen wants to figure it out. figure him out. it had been easier before to keep it simple, not look too far under the surface, there had been an entirely different commonality.

the fact that there's even more that they have alike now? gen doesn't want to dig into it but she can't help it. still, they try to push it away, keep things simple. that's all gen really wants but it's starting to feel curiouser and curiouser around him constantly.

they want to check in and figure out if what they'd heard before was a fluke. if it's still there, then it's a whatever and a no big deal. if it isn't... she shakes her head, stops staring out into space, and turns to him. it hadn't been something gen had intended for him to hear, she hadn't meant to say it out loud, and she shrugs in response.

"oh like, it's nothing, i'm just thinkin' out loud." it's a barely believable lie, they know it is, and they push away from the wall to move closer. "i never told you 'bout what it is i can do, did i? like it ain't just the healin' or the destructive shit..." 

she comes to a stop in front of the desk, placing her hands on top of the papers, leaning in slightly. "what if i said i can confirm if y'really got your soul back? what if i said i could make it not hurt as much? that's like, assuming it is hurting you if y'do really got it back. does it hurt?" 

& gen o'hara. 〃 @walkeddeath

Nick got accustomed to having them around, after all he lost count of the amount of times that they waltzed in the old Goode's mansion with little to no hesitation, after that very first night only a couple days after he crawled his way back to the surface.  Their presence was almost, just almost, a welcomed one, how could it not ?  When he was stuck in there, at least until he figured his next steps, and despite how huge the mansion was, he constantly felt as if the walls were closing in on him, suffocating him.

Their words earned a dismissive hum, not bothering to even lift his head from the scattered papers on the desk.  Except, the moment he finally processed what was being said, he found himself furrowing his brows.  " Huh ? "  What was that supposed to mean ?  The hint of confusion far too obvious upon tired features.  Pale hue fixed on them.  " Care to explain ? Or am I supposed what nonsense you are talking about ? "

[vei1s]

　　

　　They have a tape recorder running and a pen and a pad of paper in their lap, the recorder will probably pick up ambient voices. She insisted on keeping the door open just to keep things from setting off, but Gen isn't only there for a fucking interview. It's a check in, a mini reunion of sorts, but it's a cover that they're going to use to full advantage.

　　It's obvious that she truly doesn't want to be there. their arms are crossed over their chest, nails digging into their arms hard enough that it might draw blood, trying to keep a grasp on control. Gen isn't good with holding her tongue but for once she's not saying a single word, letting their eyes do all the talking for her. They're harsh and fixed on him, locked on and looking for any sudden motions or changes in demeanor. She's barely breathing, acting like she's getting ready to pull a trigger, focused on him like he's a target.

　　Usually, they'd be fidgeting, messing with the ends of her hair, tapping her leg rapid fire, and drumming their fingers on the desk ––– but their anger keeps him as a focal point, a singular thought stuck in their head.

　　It's an unwanted thing of a thought, but, it keeps them from slipping into panic . Which, once they're out of sight and in the safety of their dad's house, something will be broken and they will scream and cry but he can't know that. All he can see and know is a version of her that is nothing but hate and spite, a solid and unwavering resolve, something to fear . She isn't going to run away this time, they're not scared they swear they aren't and maybe there's a little twinge of fear that lingers in her bones but not for herself. For everyone in this god fucking forsaken town that she never wanted to come back to.

　　Gen lets out a sigh and lifts and eyebrow, shifting in her seat. they scoff, it's both bitter and cold and swimming in disgust. One hand lets go of the grip on her shoulder and she brushes a few strands of hair behind her ear, fingernail marks visible on her arm if looked at close enough. There's a pressure in the room that they can't fucking stand and they want to get this interview over and done with for the day and he's being a fucking dick ––– 

　　"Remember, this is on the record. I don't wanna be here either, as soon as i get what i came here for i'm on a red-eye out. I just thought that talkin' 'bout the rich history of Sunnyvale would make a great article. There's just so much 'bout this town that the world should know about, don't you agree? Like ain't you just so totally proud of this place? like, hasn't your family been here since the beginning? and all those accomplishments, like, it's damn near unbelievable how lucky y'all have been all these years."

　　They lean forward and get real quiet and there's a barely noticeable flicker of a glow in their eyes, a smile on their face that they force to be sweet for a brief second. 

　　"There's been some incidents ,though, i've been hearin' about them quite a bit ––– nobody that you would know and i'm sure it's just gossip , but, Nick. I gotta ask ––– are you dealing with the pressure okay? like, are you handling all that weight on your shoulders or are you finding it hard to live up to all those expectations? "

　　She says it in a hushed voice, so nobody passing by can pick up on it ––– they want to see how far they can push him, it's a compulsion, they can't not push and poke and prod and –––

　　‘  this was just the beginning.  ‘ @insidi0sum responds, it's vague but they pick up on what he's trying to say and they don't back off despite the potential underlying threat.

　　They lean back, movements eerily fast like a blur, and click off the recorder. 

　　" Is that a threat, promise, or warning, Goode? Cause like whichever of those it is, i promise i'm not gonna be goin' anywhere, i'm gonna see this story out to the end. NOW, please, answer the questions. I'll make sure they get a good picture of you for when the article goes up, if that's what you're worried about. God forbid something make you look bad. "