Breathe (OPEN)

[Lucah Ivaskov]

MIA Belle, controlling father, no Jezebel, was his happiness really that short lived? Belle had officially locked herself away to study. Dimitri had shown up demanding Lucah to change. After Luc refused, Dimitri took Jezebel away. The past few months of bliss had come to an end and he was miserable and as distant as ever. It would take much more time for someone to break through now. He'd been happy before, and now that it was gone, he wasn't sure he could get it back.

As if not seeing Belle wasn't bad enough, having his baby sister taken from him was cruel. Which was exactly why his father had done it. He was trying so hard to force Lucah to change. Why? Because Lucah had grown weak in his happiness. He was just like his mother as Dimitri had said, but for that Lucah was thankful. He didn't want to be like his father, he didn't want to be like anyone else besides her. The truth was...he kept turning into his father when things got bad.

It was getting worse. Ever since he'd rebelled against his father, Lucah's life had been unstable. Part of him wanted to blame it on the change, but the other part thought it was because he was trying hard to really change who he was. And who he was, was his father. That was the cold, hard truth in his mind. But, it could be wrong. He just needed to find someone to permanently shut that part of his brain up.

Unfortunately, Belle hadn't been enough to do it.

Lucah made his way slowly to the gym. Maybe after a few laps he'd be calm enough to suffer through time with others. He'd been lacking in the social aspect of things, mostly because he didn't know many others. The most he'd interacted was with the girl at the library studying the theory of love. Other than that, he'd been moping around campus with no where to go and no one to talk to. This was why he needed friends. He couldn't solely rely on Belle at all times to cheer him up.

He was wearing something a little different than what he usually wore. He was in a black tank top and athletic shorts with Nikes on. Yeah, definitely not the same clothes Lucah usually wore, but he didn't need to dress up just to go work out. He wasn't trying to impress anyone.

[Romeo Buckland]

As the sun’s setting earlier and earlier and the weather growing colder and colder, the Irish boy had no choice but to alter his normal workout routine. He’s only started working out a few weeks after he arrived in Hammel, and since the weather’s still relatively manageable back then, he’s almost always in the training field – running laps around the oval, push-ups and crunches on the grass and many more. As long as he can do it outside and without an equipment, he would. He says there’s just something about feeling the mud and the grass in between your toes to having your feet wrapped around a cotton sock inside a rubber shoe.

But, as said earlier, the weather’s turning a bit too unbearable that the teen’s forced to substitute a treadmill for the school track and a yoga mat for the wet grass and the soft mud. He could, theoretically, use his powers while exercising and gain a high degree of tolerance – if not an immunity altogether – to the cold, but then he’d be putting so much strain on himself. Not only will he rip his clothes, he’d be twice as tired and would only be able to exercise around a fourth of the time.

And when he whined about his situation to a friend, he only had this to say, ‘Suck it up princess.’

In any case, with most of his schoolwork done, the boy’s decided that his Saturday afternoon would be his workout time. He hasn’t been in the gym for the past two days so he needs to make up for it, he says.

“Uh, dude, if you’re done staring at, well, nothing, care to move? You’re blocking my locker door,” he said to the brunette in front of him, tilting his head slightly as he cocked his eyebrow. A bit too abrasive, but that’s Romeo for you. “You mind? I still need to change. I don’t have all afternoon,” he added, huffing as he dropped his bag down on his feet and took his shirt off. Might as well start changing if the boy’s not planning on moving just yet.

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Breathe. Just breathe. Don't do anything rash, just relax. The thoughts had little effect on him though. The boy had pushed him a little more than he liked. Who the hell did he think he was? This just proved that all manners had been lost in people. The least he could have said was 'excuse me, would you mind moving from in front of my locker, I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to change and I'm in a bit of a hurry,' but for some people that was just too damn hard.

Lack of manners was one thing that really ticked Lucah off. Even if he hadn't been on edge lately, he still would have been thoroughly annoyed. But him being so tense lately, the boy was lucky he didn't punch him.

With his teeth gritted, and his fists clenched he moved without a word. No use in fighting him, he wasn't worth it. Not to mention, Lucah didn't have enough sense to where he wouldn't use violence against someone he didn't know and who didn't cause all of his anger. That would be useless, and it wouldn't fair well for either of them. So in turn, Lucah walked away.

He took a deep breath to calm himself and walked towards the track. "The least you could have done was use some damn manners," he mumbled to the boy. He may have known better than to use violence, but Lucah never could really keep him mouth shut. One of his many charming qualities.

[Romeo Buckland]

Brash and abrasive as his words and actions may be to Lucah (and the rest of the populace at that), Romeo – unfortunately – sees nothing wrong with it. His words weren’t laced with swears, he didn’t (outwardly) insult Lucah and his fist didn’t connect with the other boy in any way. In his eyes, he was clean. (And really, compared to his older brother Othello, he’s pretty much mild).

He still maintains that he’s not a douche despite all that though.

Romeo eyed the boy with an unamused, extremely arrogant stare once he finally got his shirt off, one hand on his hip while his left foot tapped on the floor impatiently. A smirk appeared on the Irish boy’s face when Lucah finally moved, sarcastically waving his hands as he walked towards ‘his’ locker. (Yes, ‘his’, as the locker’s only a rental one; Romeo haven’t gotten around buying his own lock to lease one of those ‘long-term’ lockers, and has only been using the said locker over and over for the past three months or so).

A loud huff escaped from Romeo’s lips when Lucah spoke, temporarily closing the locker door as he snarled. “I’m sorry, My Lady. I promise to do better next time.” He gave Lucah the most sarcastic grin he could muster as he curtsied for the Romanian prince in his boxers. “Please, don’t let me ruin your run.”

Annoying as the brat might be, Romeo was actually finding amusement with their little banter. He quickly put his workout clothes on, laced his runners and ran after the kid. “Hey Princess, miss me?” he winked, slowing down to match the boy’s pace.

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Lucah rolled his eyes at the other boy's comments. Romeo should be glad he didn't turn around and see the curtsy, that would have really made him mad. No, he wouldn't let this imbecile ruin his work out. The only reason he was here was to let off steam. He had a little more steam to burn off now, but that meant he'd be out for a while longer. It wasn't as if he had anything better to do. He had no life as of now.

He was off to start his lap and his mind was cleared. He didn't want to think while he ran, he just wanted to run and cool off. Unfortunately, he hadn't brought his MP3 player so he could hear the other boy's foot steps approach, closer and closer. He thought about picking up his pace, but decided not to let him see just how irritated Lucah was. No, he wouldn't give him that benefit.

His nickname for Lucah was typical, one he'd heard several times. It didn't bother him anymore, just because he was rather rich and had manners, that made him a princess? He didn't understand how, but he didn't question their childishness. "Did I in any way lead you to believe that I wanted to talk to you or even see you behaved so childishly back there? Because if I have, than I'm sorry, but I really have no intention of dealing with children today." He said in an expressionless tone, his eyes were focused ahead and he was just trying to tune out the boy beside him.

Clearly, it wouldn't be as easy as he'd hoped. Lucah might have to ignore his common sense and actually turn to violence. Well, he had taken boxing classes for a year. Nothing all that intimidating, but still effective in a fighting situation.

[Romeo Buckland]

Unfortunately for Lucah, speaking in such an emotionless tone only fueled Romeo’s drive to annoy the Romanian prince even more. It spoke volumes on how well the he’s getting under the other boy’s skin, and Romeo’s too much of a douche to simply let it go at that. (Without Othello in his life, since his personality’s decided someone should fill in the missing niche, sad to say). It also didn’t help that Lucah’s pace seemed rather stiff, his shoulders a little tense and he didn’t even spare Romeo a glance when he ran beside him.

Besides, the boy didn’t see his curtsy. He’s rather proud of how well he bowed earlier. He figured it might’ve proven the boy wrong that he didn’t have manners.

“Ooh. Someone seems to be in an awfully bad mood today,” said Romeo in a sickeningly sweet tone, giving Lucah the widest grin ever while batting his eyelashes, “Panties hitching up your butt crack? Want me to help?” Another wink here, then a supposedly playful butt slap. Oh, plus a rather smug laughter soon after. “I’m not really sure if it’s called ‘leading me on’, but I saw the way you look at me when I was in front of you. The gaze you had back then somehow said, ‘I like you’. I’m sorry I don’t swing that way, but thank you.”

The boy went ahead of Lucah for a bit, turning around and running backwards when he’s finally an arm’s length or so in front of the Romanian. “You can be my stalker if you want. I don’t think I have those yet. They say an American high school experience isn’t complete without one.” Cue in another haughty snicker.

Am I the only one wishing he’d trip sooner or later?

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Don't hit him. Whatever you do don't hit him. He wanted to though. Every muscle in Lucah's body was telling him just to swing. He was close enough, the worst damage it would cause is a broken nose or bruise on the boy's face and a shock of pain in his hand. It was almost worth it. Unfortunately, he was being too logical and knew it wouldn't do anything really. It wouldn't make the boy leave him alone any time soon. So he kept his focus on the track.

"Yes I'm in a bad mood and if you ever touch me again, my fist with connect with your face," He threatened him with an eyeroll. People like this made Lucah want to go back home. Romanians seemed to be so much smarter and they didn't bicker like this, they fought. Hand to hand. No insults just fists. "And I didn't say 'leading you on' so don't twist my words."

He picked up his pace and passed by the boy who was now running backwards. He just wanted to workout and sulk. That was it. Instead he got a very annoying, immature creep in front of him, goading him until he snapped. But he wouldn't snap. He refused to take it out on someone who wasn't the cause. If he was going to snap at someone it would be his father. And ONLY his father. "You can do me a favor and just not talk to me."

((OOC: Short and crappy, but Lucah's being difficult))

[Romeo Buckland]

Thank god Lucah knew how to think with his head and not with his fist. Heaven knows a punch – and the bleeding nose and black eye that comes with it – would only make Romeo stick to him more. Only should that time come, the Irish boy would be more aggressive and scathing with his insults. And wouldn’t hold back throwing in a punch or two of his own. He may not have proper boxing lessons, but he says the wilderness toughened him up. He knows how to break a rabbit’s neck; he says that a guy’s neck wouldn’t be all too different.

And yes, he insists that he’s still being friendly right now.

“Aww. Princess has a PMS right now eh?” said Romeo in a sweetly, sing-song voice, “Let me guess, Belle still not letting you get under her skirt?” He’s seen the boy’s girlfriend, along the hallways and at times in their room, and she just doesn’t get his fancy. She seems a bit too frail and fragile, two things that while evoke Romeo’s supposedly existent protective and ‘knightly’ side, do nothing to give him a boner. Which, in this case, is a good thing right? “Or better yet, she’s been trying to get into your pants and you keep on refusing. Because you’re scared she might be disappointed with this?” Romeo waggled his pinky for a bit, giving Lucah a smirk. “You can tell her that size doesn’t matter and it’s how you use it that does, but you haven’t used it before, right?”

He slowed his pace down a bit to get beside Lucah, leaning in slightly to whisper, “Dude, you should just go for it. I hear girls like her are beasts in bed, if you know what I mean.”

[/justify]
ooc:
Sorry this took so long Trix. >.<
- Jam[/font]

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Romeo's insults about him had little affect on Lucah usually. They shared a dorm together and he was used to the uptight, princess jabs. However, this week had been particularly bad for Lucah and he wasn't in the mood to deal with such an immature little prick for lack of a better term. Romeo was being a douche and Lucah, who was normally completely immune to his bullshit, now was not a time to screw with him. It was a very thin layer of self-control that kept Lucah from doing something stupid that he'd regret later. He could deal with Romeo's childishness for a little longer.

Until he brought up Belle.

Lucah stopped in the middle of the track and gritted his teeth. He turned on his heel and started walking away. He didn't have the patience to hear anyone insult his girlfriend. Not today, not ever. So, before making the mistake of fighting his roommate, he walked away towards the weight lifting equipment. Maybe, if he was lucky, Romeo would take that as a 'I really don't want to talk right now.'

Lucah could care less what Romeo said about his 'size' and his sex life. He was proud of what he had and he'd used it plenty of times with plenty of girls in Romania. Back at home, he was sort of a whore. No, he hadn't gotten in bed with Belle. But she was determined to make him her first. He wasn't scared, but he didn't want to rush things. He was making sure Belle was ready before he made any move towards removing her clothes.

The thought of her in bed with him excited Lucah. A lot. But he never pushed his limits. He was a good boyfriend. Or so he liked to think. Romeo's comment about her being a 'beast' in bed pissed Lucah off a lot. The fact that Romeo was even thinking about Belle and sex at the same time was what pushed him to walk away. Yeah, not a smart thing for Romeo to do. So, Lucah prayed that he would just keep running around the track while Lucah lifted.

[Romeo Buckland]

Nope. Walking away without so much as uttering a single word simply won’t do. If it did, then Romeo would’ve been out of Lucah’s skin months ago, considering how frequently the boy brushed his insults and jabs off. But the Irish boy’s stubborn as hell, and he’d be stupid just to stop now.

After all, Romeo says, he knows when he sees a good catch and Lucah’s been all that and more within the past few minutes.

Just to be clear though, Romeo insists that he doesn’t really care about how big Lucah supposedly is or how active he is. To each his own, he says, and while he’s knocked a good number of guys and gals in his time in Hammel (almost every one of them’s on a ‘professional’ basis he says), Lucah just doesn’t do it for him. Lucah’s among the prissiest of the prissiest and Romeo says that’s a major turn off for him. For the right price though, he might just do it. Emphasis on might.

And if Lucah does tell him how he’s sort of a whore back home, he’d laugh. Hard. And add that clearing about three rolls of Kleenex in one afternoon doesn’t constitute to one’s ‘whore-ness’.

In any case, a pout appeared on the Irish boy’s face when Lucah stopped and turned his heels. He himself started slowing his pace down, accidentally slipping and falling on his butt in the process. “Oww,” he said as he stood up, lightly rubbing his butt as he followed the boy to the weights room.

“That seems like a pretty heavy load for you to carry Princess,” muttered the boy as he nodded sagely, idly placing his elbow on the bar Lucah is lifting and leaning on to it. He made sure to exert just enough pressure so Lucah won’t be able to move, but at the same time make sure it poses no immediate danger to the boy. He doesn’t want to injure, much less kill, anyone after all. “I can be your spotter. I can also teach you my workout secrets. These babies just don’t grow on their own after all.” The boy flexed his arm for a bit and did the cliché self-absorbed kiss on his biceps. “Betcha Belle would love it. Extremely.”

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Lucah clenched the bar tighter when he Romeo made his way over. What was it with this guy and harassing him? Really was it that fun? Unfortunately, Lucah knew the answer to that was yes. He didn't like people taunting him because he didn't want to turn into this father. Though he knew it would happen sooner or later.

Romeo pressed down on the bar that Lucah held and he couldn't lift it any higher. It was a good thing Lucah was plenty strong enough, otherwise he would have been crushed. His eye started to twitch out of anger, it happened when he was under a lot of stress and angry. Both of which were the case at this point. His knuckles were white from gripping the bar so tight and he was grinding his teeth together.

"I'd much rather have you leave me alone to work out in peace. I'm perfectly capable of getting my own biceps and if Belle liked a lot of muscle, she wouldn't have gone for me in the first place. Now would you please leave me alone?" He grunted in anger, his arms growing weaker. This day couldn't have been worse.

Or so he liked to believe. Then again, Romeo was probably capable of making the Romanian boy snap.




((OOC: Sooooo late and soooo short I'm sorry Jammy!!))

[Romeo Buckland]

It’s all fun and games ‘till someone else loses a head.

As much as Romeo likes pissing the Prissy Princess off, he’d rather not have him killed. Other than the fact that he wouldn’t really know what he’d do with a prison sentence in his head (he could, theoretically, go on the run; with the trackers and telepaths that the school has though, he doubts if he could even go far), he’d rather not lose a prime victim. Lucah’s given him immense enjoyment since the first they they’ve met, and he could honestly say things have been better and better each time. Besides, he barely has enough to pick on lately; how’s a douchebag supposed to survive without the people he terrorizes on a daily basis?

With that realization in mind (and the strained look on the Romanian boy’s face), Romeo promptly took his elbow off, stretching his arms casually as if nothing really happened. “Why so red your highness? Gym too hot for you? Shall I get a towel to wipe you off with?” he mocked, sinister grin on his face.

The boy nodded when Lucah spoke, idly rubbing his chin as if he’s actually considering what the Romanian was saying. “True that. What do you think was she looking for when she chose you anyway?” he asked in a neutral tone, though it’s neutrality only emphasized the condescension he has, “She couldn’t have been looking at personality or even looks, because really?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Maybe she was just looking for a quick fuck. Something you couldn’t give, unfortunately. Probably why I saw her in an empty classroom once, smooching with, what’s his name again, Warren? Walter? Wagner? I don’t remember.”

“When was the last time you saw her anyway? Let me guess, she told you she’d be studying?”

ooc:
Sorry this took a while Trix. >.<. Didn't mean to miss it.
- Jam

[Lucah Ivaskov]

Lucah set the bar back in it's holder and sat up resting his hands on his legs. He glared at the boy and gritted his teeth. He was really starting to lose it. His eyes matched the expression his father's often held. Cold. Distant. And incredibly angry. Usually his father was looking at him with those eyes so he'd learned how to imitate exactly that look. It usually intimidated people, but he doubted he still had his edge after Belle had practically baby-proofed him. He wasn't nearly as cold-hearted and cruel as he was once. And that was unfortunate when he was dealing with people like his roommate.

"I don't know. I don't care. And I wouldn't tell you even if I did know." He heard the condescension, but paid it no mind. He was used to being degraded by his father so it had no affect on him. "Clearly you don't know Belle by the way you're talking to her as if she's sex-obsessed. So because you don't know her, I really don't care what you say." He said in an expressionless tone. There was no point in getting angry anymore. Lucah was cold, he could control his temper even when it was as close to setting off as it was now.

Luc laid back on the bench and started lifting again. He was still listening, he just wasn't going to give this guy the benefit of making him snap. Not yet.

He laughed once, "You can try and screw with my mind and make me question her faith, but it won't work." He lifted the bar up and lowered it to his chest. As he pushed back up he spoke again, "And she is studying. I know her a hell of a lot better than you do." He lowered it again.

[Romeo Buckland]

While standing up straight with a look of condescension is fun, Romeo found out (through trial and error, he says) that leaning onto something – may it be a wall, a locker door, or in this case another machine not that far off – with the same facial expression makes him look more arrogant and douche-y, which (he believes) makes his whole I’m-better-than-you-and-you-know-it act even more effective. Which is why when Lucah sat up, he casually walked over a nearby machine and leaned back with his arms and feet crossed, shaking his head and sighing periodically as the Romanian boy talked.

“You tell me I’m not paying attention to you and your girlfriend when you enter the room? And what kind of a friend am I?” he taunted. Everyone knows he and Lucah were never friends. (Maybe when he was new, but Romeo was automatically friends with everyone back then so he believes that doesn’t count). “Belle’s the little blonde girl with a huge s-s-stut-stutt-stuutt-voice problem and a pet canary. She thinks she’s all cute with her stu-sttu-sttu-stttu-self-esteem impairment but she’s not. Everyone knows it’s just a front.” Because things like that are stupid, right?

He casually brushed his curly locks up, mentally reminding himself to get a haircut soon. He’s running out of shampoo because of how much is needed to clean everything, he says. “Did I miss anything? Other than her being so blind that she’d choose you as a boyfriend, that is?” Romeo then flashed a grin that’s just reeking with sarcasm, sticking his tongue out before adding, “And I know she’s sex-crazed because that’s how every girl is. They might claim that we guys are sex-obsessed and they’re not, but that’s just because they know how to hide it perfectly.” He’s been with numerous girls in school and boy was he surprised at how a significant few of them were a bit more into the whole thing than he was.

But as fun as toying with the Romanian was, he was showing no signs of breaking. He’s always at the brink but happily goes back down soon after. Oh how the Irish douche hates it. “Oh would you look at the time,” he said unenthusiastically, “I still have an appointment with Brenda. You know, from Math.” He paused for a bit to yawn and stretch, before passing by Lucah and giving his side a flick. “Enjoy building up some muscle. We all know you have to compensate for that little wiener of yours.” He gave the boy one last salute before disappearing into the locker rooms.

Lucah’ll get his chance. Romeo says he’ll make sure of it.

ooc:
Wrap? =P.
- Jam