MCA #7 - Afternoon

[light_a_spark]

There were several ways to deal with things. There were also several ways of not dealing with things and cleaning his apartment probably fell under the latter. It needed to be done however and it beat trying to read as his mind tended to drift and he didn't much like most of the thoughts going through his head. He didn't much like anything right now and it was a shame that there wasn't any room on the island to practise his alchemy.

((Open if you don't mind the mood. Josh's visit goes last chronologically, though.))

Comments

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh was cranky and hungover and outside of Roy's apartment.

This was a very, very stupid idea.

He knocked anyway.

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

It probably was, but Roy failed to be surprised when he opened up. A bit disappointed in Aly's taste, yes, but he hardly found the visit unexpected.

"Mister Lyman," he greeted, not waiting as he turned around and headed back inside the apartment, leaving the door open for Josh to follow. "Don't suppose I should offer you something to drink?"

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh's mouth pursed. "This isn't going to take long," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

"Mmmm," Roy turned back towards him, hand slipping inside his pocket. He wondered if he should give the man the benefit of the doubt, then reminded himself that he still came here. "If you insist."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"This weekend..." Josh made an unhappy face, "well, that was Fandom and accidents happen. And Aly's a grown woman and more than a little acquainted with knives if you decide to step out of line again."

Josh moved closer and dropped his voice. "Because I know you want to. Find someone else. Aly's never going to look at you that way. And you're starting to piss me off."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

So much for that benefit thing, Roy's lips curved into a smirk at the threat, not bothering to hide his amusement. "Isn't she? Then why are you here? To prove how little trust you have in her?" he tilted his head.

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

That smirk made Josh want to kick the guy's teeth in. Luckily he remembered that he didn't fight with his hands.

"Oh, I have all the faith in the world in Aly. I don't trust you." He gave Roy a smile: all teeth, no warmth. "I'm just trying to save you the embarrassment of being rejected by a beautiful, brilliant woman. Because she'll turn you down flat. And then I'll laugh. A lot."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

"You call this trust?" Roy raised an eyebrow and shook his head, for a moment dropping the act.

"You don't need to trust me. Aly's been how long with you? Get your act together because guys like me? They thrive on this whole complex thing you've got going on. It's weak and easy to prey on and coming here doesn't tell her you trust her. It tells her you're an insecure idiot and right now you're proving her right. So go home before she sees you."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"No," Josh said, eyes flashing. "No. I have been very, very patient with you. I'm a pretty smart guy and I've known for a while what your game has been. I'm just letting you know that if you think something might have changed for you because of last weekend? It hasn't."

His eyes narrowed. "I work in politics. I'm around a lot of people who thrive on the chase, on wanting something just because someone else has it. Find. A. New. Project."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Did Aly ask you to come here?"

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

Josh rolled his eyes. "I can make my own choices, jackass. I had a conversation with her. Now I've had a conversation with you." His lips pressed into a thin line. "Such as it was."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

"I hope for her sake you weren't as moronic when you talked to her," Roy said dryly and moved past Josh to open the door. "We're done here. I wouldn't mention to her that you felt the need to talk in her stead. Doubt she'll be impressed."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Oh, screw you, pal," Josh snapped. "I'm talking for myself. Aly's a big girl. And when you make things uncomfortable for her because God knows you're just going to keep freaking pushing this, I'm going to sit back with a big bag of popcorn as Deadpool takes you apart. And then I'll have your ass deported."

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

It was Roy's turn to roll his eyes. "I'm trembling with fear for your delegating skills," he said, sounding bored. The next part had more conviction. "Get out."

[professor-lyman.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I'm going," Josh spat. He spun in the doorway to glare one more time at Roy. "Not all battles have to be fought with fists like children. I can destroy your life and leave no fingerprints. It's what I do. I'm very, very good at it. Back off and you'll never have to find out firsthand."

He turned around and stomped down the hallway.

[light-a-spark.livejournal.com]

Somehow, Roy still failed to look impressed. He let the door fall shut as he turned back into the apartment. Reorganising his books it was.