The Sorta New Kid (Open)

[Thyme Ersilia]

Moving was always irritating, even if it was just a few doors down. Thyme was being relocated to another room in the co-ed dorms, and he didn’t know whether or not to be excited or to feel dread. Fortunately, his friend Craven was now going to be one of his roommates, but he had heard funny things about the other two he would share space with. One was a pyrokinetic, which always spelled trouble, and the other was a girl who apparently demanded everyone sign a naked waiver. Thyme didn’t feel any shame towards something like that, but being in a room with other naked guys was just a little bit awkward, especially if there was also a naked girl.

The phrase ‘we’re all guys here’ wouldn’t have really applied well, since there was a girl as well and him being bi did not help one bit. It was just too much temptation for one man to handle. However, this all didn’t matter, since he was going to share the room regardless of whether the waiver was carried out.

Thyme tapped on the door, already feeling nervous about what he might experience from being placed here. Craven would at least help him through anything, and Ty was a tough kid. He wouldn’t let anything get to him. Not even the events of the past week, which resulted in him having ruined clothes after a paint fight and a piece of cake smashed in his face, would stop him from getting things done.

“Hello?”

No one answered the door quickly enough, so Thyme pulled out the key he had been given and stepped inside with his bags.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven had just finished another chapter of the book they were currently reading. This time more sophisticated. The second book in Larsson’s series about Lisbet and the murders. It was called the girl that played with fire and Lisbet very much reminded him of Max. He could almost imagine her being Lisbet and growing to help solve murders or something along those lines. Craven wasn’t certain but he was sure it would be rather entertaining having her in the role of Lisbet instead of who the movies portrayed.

Craven had just left his girlfriend, Gia, to go and get ready for dinner telling her that they would meet in the cafeteria afterward. Funny thing though. He still felt her head on his neck. He still felt her lips on his cheek and he still felt her body pressed to his own as they lay intertwined on the bed reading to one another out of her book.

That’s probably why, when he’d slipped out of her dorm room down the hall from his, he had a huge smile on his face that only half slipped when he saw Thyme knocking on his door. He gave a quick frown and hurried up to the dorm room before coming to a halt to watch Thyme slip a key into the lock. No! He was there to live with them?

Thyme, who didn’t sleep. Thyme who flirted all the time. Thyme who’d just let all the secrets he was expected to keep slip from his lips then go ‘oops, wasn’t supposed to say that.’ Sh*t. Craven hurried to where his friend was and slipped in behind Thyme.
”Oh my God no…”
Okay that sounded very wrong…

Craven quickly corrected himself and made his smile slip across his face letting out a little laugh as he continued with his previous words.
”… way. We’re roommates?”
Craven took Ty’s hand and pulled him into a brotherly hug wincing when his face was hidden from Thyme.

It was like having Tanner in his dorm and with the lies he’d told the other two roommates… damn…

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme looked around the room and was not at all bothered by the fact that there was no one there. At least he wouldn’t have the awkward meet and greets right off the bat. However, just as he thought he was alone, he heard a voice from behind. This voice was recognizable, but the words spoken led him to believe that perhaps he was not exactly wanted. Thyme saw the familiar face of Craven, and he smirked at the other boy’s attempt to fix his last words.

“…Way”

Craven took his hand and gave him a hug that surprisingly did not make Ty squirm. He was not one for hugs most of the time, but there was nothing at all awkward about a quick man hug. Thyme fortunately did not see the face that was already regretting his presence, and after a moment, he pulled back and propped his luggage by the side of the couch and fell back into the cushions, sighing out in relief.

“Mmm…same couch. That’s good…I was worried I would miss that damn couch in my old place. Only place I could sleep…”

He stretched out his limbs and sprawled out before glancing sideways at Craven.

“So, what are the other people in this dorm like? I heard some things, but what’s your take on ‘em? Are we all gonna have fun invading each other’s privacy?”

The last words were meant to be a joke, but Craven might have not felt the same. He was a guy full of secrets, but Ty had his own secrets too.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven smiled more believingly than he ‘d ever done in the past as Thyme mentioned the couch being amazingly comfortable and that they had the couch.
”I’d make sure it’s covered before sleeping on it. Max and Leon seem a little… Uh…”
How to say it? Sexually tense? Gutter brained? Craven had never once used the couch when he and Romeo found themselves alone in the dorm room.

Stop thinking about Romeo, Craven scolded himself. Before moving to sit on the arm of the couch watching the door with a straightened expression considering whether to tell Thyme the lies he’s been following for the last little while or rather, ever since Max had decided that he was gay. Yes, he still hadn’t corrected Max on that part. Craven’s lips tightened into a smile at Ty’s words as he kept staring at the door across from him.

”Uh, Thyme? I’m Gay.”
Craven finally lowered his eyes to Thyme watching him for the longest time before he started explaining.
”Max’s imagination got the better of her and I didn’t want to correct her on my first day here and so she started making me out to be something I’m not and I thought ‘well it could be worse’ so I never corrected her and then Leon came in and she told him I was gay and … Oh my GOD he’s really big and scary and overly friendly and I would be careful walking around naked in front of him even though you have to sign the naked waiver I told you about. Just don’t go there….”
Craven flinched at the mere thought of cuddling with muscle man.

”Want Survival 101 lesson one point one? Stay clothed.”
Craven nodded, a very serious look on his face after his burst of word vomit. Who knew being in the closet about being sorta straight could be so hard?

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme suddenly had a different opinion of the couch the moment Craven brought up the other roommates and possibly things done, and he leapt off.

“Whoa! Thanks for the warning! That would have been awkward to find out later”

Ty brushed his clothes off with his hands as if he was trying to shoo away whatever germs might have stuck to him.

“You don’t really think they’ve done that on the couch, do you?”

He laughed, but his expression changed when Craven suddenly said something strange. He was gay? Thyme knew that there was always the possibility, but didn’t he have a girlfriend? However, he then explained himself and Ty grinned in amusement. He was putting on a fun little façade, huh? Well, looks like he would have to play along, since Craven was a good friend of his. The blond laughed again at the comments the other boy made frantically about their roommates and the big muscled Leon. Thyme wondered if he could upset Taitum through this naked waiver. Surely it would grind his gears a little bit. Then, an idea crossed his mind.

“Craven, you’re funny when you’re ranting. But I have an idea if you really want to convince them that you’re gay. We could make out in front of them, you know. I’m bi, so it doesn’t bother me”

Thyme winked before resting a blanket over the couch and taking a seat once more, much more assured that he was on a clean spot.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven did a very good job of holding back his laughter when he noticed Ty jump to his feet and brush himself off. He didn't know what happened in the couches, who'd slept on HIS bed besides himself and Romeo. He didn't really want to know but Max and Leon had this thing going on and he really would be very suprised if they didn't end up making out or worse on some of the surfaces in the dorm room. A slight shudder passed though his body at the mere thought of Leon and Max getting it on if he wasn't in the room. What else would the naked waiver be for?

He gave a little shrug at Ty's question and glanced down at the couch.
"Don't make me answer that. I don't want to think about it. You said yourself it's really comfortable... Urgh... see? Now I'm thinking about it. Your fault."
The thought quickly ended once Craven changed the subject to get out what he'd really wanted to tell Ty all along. Craven gulped and frowned at Ty's face when he confessed to what he'd told his two roommates.

Yeah it was a stupid idea but things just got out of hand and it just all happened. Craven nearly choked when he heard Ty's suggestion and his hands went to his face instantly covering it with his hands. No. Oh GOD! He'd already cheated on Gia with Romeo! He dropped his hands and his bottom lip trembled for a moment before he slid onto the couch beside Ty when it was safely covered with a blanket.
"Been there, done that, Not the other day me and Gia were fighting about it. "
Craven shook his head and let his head fall onto the back of the couch.

"You know how you tease me about the sparks in my eyes when I go near Romeo... That's never happening again because he's totally a user.. Just in case you thought of going there."
Craven stared at the ceiling before quickly covering his face and groaning.
"I just screw everything up! I'm just an walking, talking destruction device waiting to be set off on the next person...."
Craven moaned which was really not very attractive.

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme laughed at the fact that he had pushed Craven’s mind into the gutter. If their roommates were following some kind of naked waiver, then it was not out of the question to think that there were sexual activities going on. That or maybe they were just really comfortable with their bodies. Ty didn’t really care, so long as he wasn’t sleeping on a soiled surface. Craven immediately became flustered the moment he heard Ty’s suggestion, and the teen was amused by the reaction.

“It was more of a joke, really. Why don’t you just tell them you’ve got a girlfriend?”

He watched the other male take a seat next to him, and he frowned slightly as Craven struggled to speak about his situation with Romeo. He had confided in him before to tell him about it, and Thyme was most definitely surprised. This Romeo guy must have been a catch to put Craven in such emotional turmoil. However, the term ‘user’ concerned him greatly.

“’User’? Craven, he isn’t messing with you, is he? Cuz’ if he is, I will take care of him”

His hand moved to the brunette’s shoulder comfortingly.

“Stop beating yourself up. You’re human, and a man. Besides, sounds like this guy was really egging you on”

The irritation was clearly evident in Thyme’s voice. He was not okay with anyone who might have played with Craven’s feelings, especially when it was well known that he had a girlfriend.

[Craven Grimley]

Why didn't he just tell them about Gia? Because it didn't matter did it? He didn't want Max and Leon making up any more stories about him then Max had already done. Gossip around the school was just not cool. Craven could do without it and he so didn't want anything to happen to interfere more with him and Gia. Romeo had been more then enough. Craven shook his head quickly at the question. Craven couldn't help but smirk at the fact that Thyme was offering to fight Craven's battles with Romeo for it. It was rather endearing.

Other then smirking though, Craven did nothing more. In fact, he simply stared at the floor. Romeo was done messing with Craven, that was for sure. Romeo thought it was just fun. Craven thought it was just about the best thing that had ever happened to him since the moment he'd found Gia in the mansion. Two different takes on the matter. He felt Thyme's hand on his shoulder and he gave a quick huff. Craven frowned at Thyme's words and glanced to his friend lifting his head.

"I don't think he was egging me on. He didn't know I was crushing on him. He didn't even know about Gia. For a week we slept together and I never told him. He found out from someone else. "
Craven felt a lump form in his throat then shook his head and shrugged.
"That's over now. Ty, let's get your stuff packed out and into the wardrobe huh? I'll help."
Craven got to his feet and moved to Thyme's bag heaving it over to what would be his bed.
"Geez... what you got in here? Bricks?"

[Thyme Ersilia]

Although Craven clearly was bothered by the whole Romeo situation, it was also clear that he did not want Thyme interfering. The blond shrugged and dismissed the idea after Craven tried to defend the man. He was a big boy, and he could decide on his own what he wanted to do. However, if Romeo ever tried to hurt him, Ty was going to be all over him…and not in a good way. The boy was rather disappointed that his friend had sort of lead the other boy on, but he knew how hard it was sometimes to tell the truth, especially when there was a crush involved.

“Ouch…that’s how he found out, huh? Craven, maybe that’s a reason you should tell them about Gia, especially with the damn naked waiver here. I mean, what if the big guy decides he wants to cuddle, cuz’ he assumes you’re gay, and then he finds out you’ve been lying the whole time? It’s a disaster waiting to happen. Gia will cry, you’ll sit and hate yourself, and it’ll start all over again”

Thyme wasn’t saying he had to tell the world about his relationships, but at least establishing boundaries at the very beginning was sure to solve some problems. However, Craven seemed eager to change the subject, and he teased Ty for the heaviness of his bag, but that probably had to do with the fact that the bag had pretty much all his stuff packed air tight into one bag. Quite frankly, he was afraid to open it in fear that the objects would explode out.

“I only wanted to carry one bag…lucky for me I only had to move a few doors down, so I didn’t need to bust out the dollie”

Thyme laughed and jumped onto the bed as if he were diving into a pool. At least he could trust the bed to be clean, since no one had been using the room before him as far as he knew. The boy sprawled out and stretched like a cat about to fall into a nap.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven frowned and shook his head when Thyme spoke about Leon maybe wanting to cuddle with him. It actually caused Craven to let out a shrugged laugh.
"Leon pretty much mentioned he's straight to me when he heard I was gay. He hasn't really touched me. Max isn't all over me either cause I'm gay. At least I hope that's the case but yeah... if ever Gia came in here or something, I'd have to tell them. Not like it will be a big deal to them anyway..."
Craven was not interested in discussing his life with Thyme.

Thyme was like Robbie... well when Robbie was single. Thyme was flirtatious and bouncy and would hop from one subject to another. Craven dodged out the way when Thyme dove onto the bed and gave a slight laugh. When his laughter faded Craven leaned forward a bit more to peek at his friend finding that Ty looked like he was about to fall asleep. Craven frowned at his friend before slowly sitting down in front of the bag, on the ground. He unzipped it and dug in his pocket for the keys to undo the vaccuum casing around Thyme's clothes, all messed up and jumbled together.

The clothes instatly poured from the plastic making Craven's eyebrows raise. He pulled out a jumper and started folding it into a neat square for his friend before doing the next one. At least it was a distraction right?

[Thyme Ersilia]

Thyme dubbed Craven’s excuse valid, and he shrugged. In the end, it didn’t matter what he thought of the situation. Craven knew what was going on around him better than he did, so he would let him take care of his own problems and decide accordingly.

“Okay then. It’s up to you”

Thyme watched the brunette work on the contents of his suitcase, and he rolled onto his side, blue green eyes staring. His hand reached out and touched Craven’s shoulder, as if trying to stop him from continuing.

“Hey…don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it myself later”

He didn’t like the idea of someone else doing things for him, and he’d rather not Craven find his extensive stash of jerky and sleeping pills. He had a feeling the boy would find it rather…strange and maybe even somewhat concerning. Thyme inched closer to the boy, trying to convince him to step away from the suitcase without causing reason for curiosity, but he fell off the bed, hitting his face into the floor below.

“Ow! Dammit!”

He rubbed his face, closing the case with the things that had been untouched.