SUE: How Much...? (Zach and Odion)

[Event !]

College finals have passed and the semester is over. College students are free to try to work through the summer or otherwise enjoy the months off. However, hunting a bargain is complicated by unpredictable weather and slow-onset illness.

[Deleted]

Going tot he flea market today was mostly necessary for Mom, but not for Zach. Even so, he still downed a couple of Mucinex and spent a good deal of the morning with Gaige and Gordon hauling a bunch of things into the back of Dad’s truck so they could pawn it off to people at the flea market. After finishing a much needed spring cleaning(which had unfortunately irritated allergies that Zach didn’t even know he had), Mom had the bright idea of, rather than selling it on Craig’s List or in a garage sale, purchasing a lot from the flea market and try selling it there over the weekend. Zach supposed it was a good idea. I certainly freed up space, especially in his old room, so now he didn’t have to crash on the couch whenever he needed an extended stay like he had this past quarter.

He still hadn’t told the rest of his family the reason for that(save for Kailin and Claudia probably guessed), that it was all over a silly little thing like heartbreak, but it didn’t really matter anymore. He and Kai were…something again. Not the same something they were before, but it was better than nothing. If they found out, they found out; Zach really didn’t need to be giving them the play-by-play of his love life.

Zach sneezed again in response to the sun suddenly coming extra bright through a small clear patch in series of dark clouds. Another damp wind blew past the Bishop Bargain Lot(Dad came up with it, don’t ask) and Zach shivered. Gordon and Gaige had run off somewhere, while his mother was sitting under the tarp reading some chicken soup book. His head was starting to hurt and eyes to water again as the congestion medicine started to wear off.

He really wanted to go back to bed. Zach sneezed again as he rounded to the outside of the circle of table containing a treasure of childhood memories, clothes, and unwanted electronics. Mom had even gone through her jewelry collection(and made the girls do the same) and put them on display. He started to poke around at some of the items in the stand next to theirs, wondering if anybody actually sold anything worth anything at events like these.

[Odion Martins]

Of course Odion would catch something when he had actually taken the time to plan his nabbing. There had been flyers going all over town about the Flea Market. But the viral infection going around town spread almost as quickly as word about the vendors at the market. Seeing as he wasn’t feeling too bad just yet, Odion decided he could still go. Maybe it could be a mind over matter situation, but that was wishful thinking and anyone he came into contact with would certainly catch the virus as well. But he had been dope sick before, and it was far worse than anything he imagined he would have to go through.

The terrible thing about summer was that people did not wear baggy clothing anymore. It was hard to pickpocket anyone when everyone was scantily clad. Purses were well watched and he didn’t dare try to take the money out of the floats every vendor had, even though they weren’t well watched. Someone was bound to notice a red haired boy making off with an oblong shape in his hands. Odion wasn’t here for the cash, he was here for the pretty trinkets that nobody wanted anymore and wanted to make a quick buck off of. He didn’t see the point of it really; the crowds drawn were usually old, and picky. That, and anyone who did come usually didn’t have a lot of money on them – they were here for a bargain.

Sniffing, Odion strolled about with his hands in his pockets, wishing his nose wasn’t as red as his hair. He wasn’t going to bother trying to use his powers today, knowing his luck it would end badly and everyone would end up trapped in a time loop no one could fix. This situation was comparable to when Odion was drunk, and he rarely used his powers then.

Passing by a table nobody save a woman in the back reading a book was watching, Odion didn’t bother stopping to peer at the shiny object he wrapped his nimble fingers around. Sometimes stealing wasn’t done for any other reason. Judging by the weight it was a piece of jewelry, something he didn’t know what he was going to do with just yet. As he was walking away, something more caught his eye that did make him pause this time. The item was worth far more than what the person behind the table was asking for. Odion’s brow furrowed as he took a sharp breath and let out a sneeze, drawing unwanted attention to himself.

Now how was he going to take it without anyone noticing their family heirloom had been stolen? Odion wanted 100% profit from this one, he wasn’t about to waste money buying it. But eyes were on him and before he could be asked if he needed any help with anything, he walked away. He’d make a round around the tables and come back, and hopefully it would still be there. Passing by the table beside the one he just left, Odion practically glared at the brunet boy looking at the trinkets. The fiery redhead was not in the best of moods today.

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Zach ought to have been watching the table instead of browsing the stock at the lot next to theirs, but with his head even more in the clouds than usual, it was a lot harder to demand such stern concentration from him. His mother, unfortunately, was buried even more in her book than Zach was floating in space. So he had to keep some semblance of attention on the collection of items that they couldn’t afford to throw away, though seriously speaking, what kind of money did his parent’s expect to make from this junk? They’d maybe be able to go out for a nice meal(not that they ever did, have you ever tried paying for a family 11-14 at Denny’s?), or maybe it would pay for gas for their family vacation that was just around the corner.

Either way, Zach lost himself in thought again, something he didn’t even realize until the sneeze of someone behind him caught his attention and he turned his head to see the red-haired boy recovering from his body’s own attack against itself. Now, the Bishop must’ve been staring lot longer than he realized because next he blinked, the ginger was walking away in a huff, giving Zachary the evilest eye he’d ever received…well, no, Claudia’s glare was fierce enough to stop someone’s heart if she wanted, but the boy was still clearly upset about something. Maybe Zach did something more than stare? He couldn’t think that he did. Zach chalked it up to misdirected rage and went back to eyeballing things.

After a short while, Zach would meander his way back to his own tables and pass his fingers over things as he reminisced in memories…or rather, zoned out completely again. He didn’t notice the already missing trinket, it wasn’t like they kept an inventory, nor could he be expected to remember everything of his siblings that was put in the boxes, but there were still a few other unique items that would likely still burn bright in his memory.

Zachary slowly moved to the opposite end of the circle of tables, on a very non-urgent mission to check out the vendor on the other side. He sneezed again.

[Odion Martins]

Passing through the rest of the tables at the flea market had proven extremely idiotic. He couldn't concentrate on anything other than what he now wanted, and he hadn't managed to take anything, valuable or not. It was just as well though, his pockets weren't very big and he was feeling worse and worse by the moment. Of course he would have to be sick during this time of year...

Finally rounding by the table with his desired possession on top, Odion was happy to note that no one was keeping an eye on things. The woman was still engrossed by her book, and no one else seemed to be manning the table. With his eyes on the prize, Odion walked right passed the table, the only movement being his hands swiping the golden nugget he had desired for what seemed like a lifetime. Everything felt fuzzy when one was sick.

Letting his guard down, Odion made to make a speedy getaway, but managed to bump into the brunet boy from before. He was going to keep going, but he couldn't. Glancing over his shoulder, his left arm was attached to the brunet somehow, his left hand safely tucked away in his pocket, clutching the family heirloom. He glared at the boy again, letting out a tired sigh. "I had a bad feeling about you."

[Deleted]

And again! Seems like this whole day was going to be filled with nothing but sneezes. And anticipating sneezes. He could already feel another one coming one but…it just didn’t want to go, leaving Zach with nothing but an itchy and twitching nose that he tried to alleviate by rubbing furiously with his fingers.

Ugh…all this sneezing was torture on his joints. It was such a small thing, but with winds coming out at about 100mph and everything from your throat to your chest and eyes shutting tight and constricting…it was quite the strenuous exercise your body was being put through. So having to do it over and over again, Zach was already lightheaded and blearing on his vision. He didn’t notice that the red-head had circled around and back, so he certainly didn’t notice that the guy had taken one of his mom’s old shiny trinkets.

He definitely noticed the other boy when, out of nowhere, he shoulder bumped him in a mighty rush only to go…nowhere…with Zach somehow still attached.

It took a moment for Zach to realize what had happened. “What?” he said, completely confused by the ginger’s irregular accusation. “Did I do something…?” Of course he did something, he’d gotten himself stuck to the other boy, arm on arm, in a fluke, spontaneous, random occurrence of Zach’s spiderman powers going on the fritz. “Hold on, I can just…” Zach rose his other hand in an effort to push and peel himself off of the other boy…only to have that get stuck too. He tugged at both limbs with little success at separating the two. “Um…sorry?” What else was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to do?

Zach was starting to wish more and more than he had just stayed home today.

[Odion Martins]

“Do you mind?” Odion asked through a raspy voice, turning his head away as much as possible as a coughing fit overtook his body. “Bloody fuck’s sake, are you covered in glue or something?” Honestly, his plan was being ruined right now, and an already selfish redhead had taken serious offence to being thwarted in his plans.

Paranoia taking over, Odion assumed this was happening because he had been caught. But he wasn’t going to give himself away, he would play dumb if he had to. It didn’t help that the other boy now had another limb stuck to his other shoulder. Odion groaned – now they were causing a scene.

The woman who was reading her book now set it down to come and ask about what was happening. Odion pursed his lips, his face growing hot as all eyes were on the two of them. “Why don’t you ask him?” Odion spat, angry and embarrassed. His personal bubble was small to begin with, and this was ridiculous!

Odion could only think of Lani’s laughing face at the situation, which only served to further irritate Odion. “Get off me!”

[Deleted]

“It’s not—!!” Zach started, but the other guy clearly wasn’t wanting to listen. “It’s not my fault, I can’t get it off, trust me, I’m not doing this on purpose…!” he rattled off quickly. Hopefully the redhead actually heard everything he said.

Shit, damn, shit! This…this kind of thing hadn’t happened since…well, the worse time it happened was back in his first year at Hammel and he practically tore his textbook to shreds because he couldn’t…he just couldn’t get the darned thing to turn off!

Zach heard his mother come over and he turned his head to look at her. All while still trying to pull his hands from this guy’s jacket.

“Mom! I can’t…I’m stuck.” This was so embarrassing. Not just to have this kind of thing happen in public, but…having to ask his mom for help with something she hadn’t had to do since he was in high school. His face flushed out with embarrassment.

And of course, he felt another tickle in his nose.

Five more body jerking sneezes had Zach rocking the other guy like a maraca, effectively causing Zach to completely lose his balance and collide further into the redhead. Making himself even more stuck(and possibly on the floor?). “….sorry….” Zach couldn’t believe this.

[Odion Martins]

Odion scoffed. "Ha, right. So you're not doing this on purpose for your own sick pleasure?" No, clearly Odion was not listening at all. He merely thought the other boy was feigning surprise in order to get some kind of action out of an otherwise boring day.

Staring at the woman, Odion resisted rolling his eyes. Of course, the woman he stole from had a son who was naturally sticky. Of course. Odion groaned, trying to keep his balance as the other bloke nearly died in his arms. But between trying to get away and sticking all at once, the duo did end up on the ground for all to see.

Holding the heirloom tight in his pocket, Odion was not about to let it fall out for all to see. "Well this is nice isn't it?" He asked, placing blame on the other man entirely. "I've seen desperation for closeness before, but this takes the cake."

Now in his mind, Lani was scowling. Well, that cooled Odion's mood considerably. "Planning on being on the ground with me all day?" He asked almost casually. Maybe someone would actually come help them rather than just watching. "What are you looking at?" He asked coolly to an onlooker, who quickly sped away. He sighed - people were shit.

[Deleted]

“Of course not! Why would I do that??” Zach knew it looked pretty bad from anyone else’s point of view, but what was he supposed to say? He used to have this problem all the time as a kid, so he and his family knew it was a thing that could happen, but nobody else knew. It wasn’t like he just walked around everywhere with a sign that said, “I’m a meta and my power is sticky fingers.”

“I’m sorry….” he said for the millionth time, for all the good it would do him. “Don’t you think I’d have already pulled myself off if I could!! Shit! I haven’t had this problem since I was a freshmen!!” His face just kept on getting redder and redder. Yup, that didn’t help with his headache. Or his fever.

His mother came closer(with a somewhat amused smile on her face and very clearly stifling a laugh) and gently pushed the two apart. Of course, she would be the only one who didn’t get stuck.

And of course by “gently”, I mean she literally tore them apart(it helps to have a mom with super strength) and possibly flung one or the other a couple of feet in the opposite direction of the other. Zach finally breathed and rolled onto his back. This was definitely embarrassing.

“Are you okay?” his mother asked Zach with a laugh in her voice. Then she turned to the red-haired boy. “I’m sorry about that. He’s not feeling well and I it makes his meta-power freak out sometimes. It’s really not his fault.” She was still laughing slightly and held out her hand to help the other boy up. Zach sat up himself and scowled, looking away like petulant child. "Can I do anything to make it up to you?" she asked with a smile.

[Odion Martins]

Odion scoffed. “I don’t know, I’m not the one sticking to you am I?” It just hadn’t occurred to him that the other boy may also be a meta. If Odi’s powers weren’t on the fritz due to his cold, he might actually have half a mind to turn back time and forget this little escapade.

Odion’s dark blue eyes narrowed. “Oh that’s reassuring,” he said, infuriated. “I don’t really want to know about your loneliness problems.” He sighed, ready to start throwing punches if someone did get them apart soon.

Finding himself suddenly able to move his limbs freely, Odion let out a sigh of relief. Usually he wasn’t quite so ornery, but the disease had gotten the best of him. Sitting up on the ground, Odi finally let his hand fall away from his pocket, glad to have gotten away with the crime. Not being so near to a stranger made his mood a tad brighter.

He coughed and nodded at the older woman’s explanation, not accepting her help to get up. “It’s not a pride thing love,” he said, perfectly polite to those of the opposite sex, “I just don’t want to make you sick too.” He smiled slightly and glanced at the other boy. Odion sighed. This was not a good example of trying to be a better person. He glanced back to the woman and shook his head no. He had already taken something from her, he didn’t need to make it worse.

“Thanks but no, I’m quite ready for bed after that rough and tumble,” he said, managing another smile. Now it was time to make a speedy getaway. “Sorry for, well, sorry,” he said to the boy as he turned away. Nothing like a good old fashioned awkward scenario.