Well, Look At You(Ollie)

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So, here's how things went down over the past few months. First, Zach was completely immersed in a fucking huge project right after spring break. Then he gets a call about Oliver being in some sort of accident. Now, this is his best friend. There was no way he was going to just leave him there, all by his lonesome in the hospital. So of course Zach had no choice but to hang up some of his classes for a bit fly over to the local hospital to visit the poor English dipweed and keep him company so he didn't shrivel up and die like...a weed.

Or something.

He spend the next couple weeks invading that room and sitting himself in a corner like a piece of furniture right up until finals week. From there, he had to take his leave. Then came the annual family vacation, yet another summer at their summer home where he got to "enjoy" the company of his little siblings and scarily grunt at them when they got too annoying. Little monsters.

Then, once he got back, Zach hit the ground running with yet another semester filled to the brim with classes, with a course count that might make anyone think he was absolutely crazy...but it was either that, or only take two classes next semester, leaving him awkardly in limbo between school and either moving on with graduate work or getting a real job.

It'd been months since he'd seen Ollie. And he felt guilty for that, even though they kept in touch well enough via Facebook and text message.

Zach had no trouble obtaining a visitor's pass to explore the campus that he'd only spent three years at. Well, those three years had a lot of memories, both good and bad. Zach entered to the first floor of the dormitories, heading towards the monitor rooms and almost completely bypassing the large common room. He stopped and awkwardly turned himself to look back around the corner to find the man he was hunting for.

"Ollie!" he called out to the half-asian man.

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Oliver was extremely lucky to have Zach in his life. He knew he was a bit of a prick, and could be a bit difficult to be around. He had almost expected to spend his time recovering alone at the hospital, but fortunately his best friend had been willing to come and spend time with him as he tried (and failed) to adjust to the turn his life had taken. He hadn't been a pleasant person at the time. Not at all. Sometimes he wondered how Zach had even put up with him at all, and had promised himself he would make it up to his friend once he got back into life and trying to figure out what he was going to do now that his road to becoming the member of a great band had been thrown off course, at least for the time being.

He had nabbed a job as a dorm monitor at Hammel back in June, after two months of moping around and feeling sorry for himself and just generally being an ass to anyone that pushed him too hard. It wasn't the best job, and he often got irritated by the little twerps he had to look after, but there were some he liked, and at least he was doing something. It usually managed to keep him from staying in his room moping, or slumping out to the woods by himself for hours on end.

He really missed Zach while he was away. Oliver hadn't been able to see his best friend as much when he had been touring, but whenever he was around he visited him as much as he could, and going for this long without seeing him, especially after the accident, had been rough. He knew he was off being a good college student and getting an education, which Oliver had skimped out on as he pursued his musical career. And look where the fuck that had led.

He was in the common room of the dorms, watching the television out of the corner of his one good eye as he perched on the edge of the couch. He was still getting used to dealing with the disability, but it didn't keep him from keeping an eye on making sure everyone was behaving. It was a quiet day, though, and he was just relaxing and wasting time more than anything else.

And so when the familiar voice he hadn't heard in months called out his name, the Brit whirled around, a grin lighting up his previously bored features. "Z!" he greeted, standing and eagerly closing the distance between them. "What a pleasant surprise. It's been too long, mate." He gave his best friend a tight hug, patting him once on the back before pulling away. "How're classes going for you? Almost done, yeah?" He felt a little awkward since it had been so long, as well as the fact that the last time they had interacted had been when Oliver was still in the hospital. Zach had seen firsthand how hard Ollie had struggled, and was still struggling.

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Zach's lips spread slowly into a smile as he caught the attention of the half-brit sitting on the couch. It really was good to see his face again. "Yeah, sorry, I've just been busy. Family and stuff, you know how it is." Of course he did, Oliver had heard many of complaint that Zach had about the chronic madness that went on back at the Bishop residence. Complaints that still went on even after he'd moved out. He opened his arms to receive the embrace from his friend. Manly hugs. They had them.

"So far so good. My head"s about ready to explode though, so I though a break might be in order." He chuckled as he leaned back on one leg and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Wouldn't look very good if I got, you know, brains and goo all over my room or something." A lame attempt at humor. But Zach had always been awkward like that. Wit was not his strong suit.

"You're looking pretty good." A lot happier than he had been last Zach saw him. "You, uh, all settled in and everything? With the job and all?" Despite not being around, Zach had been worried about Oliver, wondering what he was going to do now that his music career had been put on hiatus. Zach shook his head with a sharp snicker. "Man, didn't think either of us would step foot in here again." Zach had been glad to finally get out of that place. It was half the reason he stayed on top of his studies and training so much.

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Oliver nodded sympathetically. He had been around the Bishop family enough to know how crazy it got with so many siblings; sometimes he still forgot which was which. "How's the lake house?" he asked, wishing he could have spent some of his summer relaxing in a nice place by a lake. Granted, he would rather not have a bunch of siblings along for the ride, so he didn't envy Zach too much. He loved being an only child, most of the time.

He definitely didn't envy how much studying his best friend had to do. Oliver chuckled at his attempt at humor, used to Zach's way with words... Or lack of. "Nah, I wouldn't want that. I'm sure you need a break - y'should come spend some time here, helping me take care of all these.... Precious babes." He rolled his eyes, but honestly, he hoped he would see Zach more now that he was back in Pilot Ridge for a while. Get outside, maybe go on some hikes, or something.

He glanced down as Zach spoke again, shrugging his shoulders a bit as his expression darkened slightly. "Thanks. It's been... It's been a struggle." No need to pretend it wasn't what it was. "Yeah, the pay's decent, and I have a place to stay and everything, so it's fine. I miss being on the open road, though, you know?" He couldn't even drive anymore. He glanced around the room, nodding with a sigh. "I know what you mean. But you know, I had to - hey!" He frowned at two teenagers on a nearby couch that seemed to be trying their best to swallow each other, or maybe they were just snogging, he couldn't really tell. "You guys have rooms, go use them. We don't need to see that." Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to Zach with an exasperated sigh. "The hormones of these kids, man. Were we really like that when we were their age?" He was getting tired of the number of times he was getting called up to different rooms to investigate 'suspicious noises' during the night.

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Zach shrugged his shoulders, "Not much different, so I can't complain." The summer home never really changed much. Neither did the lake. The only thing that really changed were his siblings, getting older every year. Sometimes he wished they were still kids so he could, well, try again in bringing them up. Maybe he wouldn't have to feel like such an outcast all the time.

"Precious, are they?" Zach raised an eyebrow. "You're not, uh, doing anything illegal, now, are you?" he teased, then shook his head. "Nah, you can have that, um, honor…all to yourself." No way was Zach going to jump on board the nightmare that Ollie had in store for him. He remembered the kind of terrors some of the students used to be when they were still in high school.

But he would like to hang out with Oliver more. Zach's brain was already checking his schedule to see if there was going to be any time for that in the coming months. "You know, if you ever get sick of it, my place is always open." Or if he just wanted to hang out. Or he needed someone to mope and complain to. Lord knew that Oliver was going to need some support, and Zach felt horrible for being there for him.

Zach's eyes darted from Oliver to the two kids making-out on the couch. Wow, they were really going at it. "No…at least I don't think so. We were pretty tame, all things considered."

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Oliver snorted at Zach's question. "Like hell I'm not. I may not know what I want, but it's definitely not pedophilia." Ew. Still, he chuckled, partially in exasperation with himself for being so indecisive in what he wanted in his romantic life. He got lonely sometimes, but he wasn't exactly desperate. "Ach, it's hardly an honor," he snickered. "It'd be hard enough keeping them in line if they weren't meta, but do you know how hard it is to reprimand someone who can just walk away through walls?" Well... Considering Zach had grown up with twelve meta-human siblings, maybe he did.

He let out a relieved sigh at the offer. "That would be great," he told his friend. "I don't get too many days off, but if I do, I'd love to come crash at your place. Where is it that you're living, now?" He knew Zach had moved out of his family house a while ago, but he wasn't sure if he was still in the same place or not. And mope, he could. Poor Zach might regret inviting him over; but Oliver made a mental note to try not to complain too much. Probably.

Oliver let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, you're probably right..." Tame was one way to put it. Oliver's memories of that time the two of them shared were only fond, even if it had been a bit strange and awkward at the time. Fortunately, the kids just gave him a glare but left a moment later. "We can go in my room, if you want. I don't have to monitor them all the time." He nodded his head in the direction of his place and headed towards it, being careful to keep his footing steady and straight and not misjudge the distance between himself and other objects. It was harder than it sounded.

His room wasn't much, but it was enough. Oliver unlocked the door and tugged it open, stepping inside the dimly lit room and waving Zach inside. Various plants and posters acted as decoration, along with various stacks of CDs and books on his desktop that practically no one had heard of. "Make yourself at home," he told his best friend, flopping down on his bed and leaving room beside him if Zach wanted to join him.

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"Good," Zach smiled with a nod at his friend. "Wouldn't want you to get arrested." Thought despite everything, Zach would be pleased if Ollie found himself someone. He probably needed it, especially now with his music career was up in air for a while. "Well…yeah. I can." He didn't even need explaining for Oliver to understand that. Between Katy flying away and Kallin with her illusions, and then the twins being a complete problem of their own, Zach had a pretty good idea how hard it might be being a monitor of a meta-dorm.

"Near the University. It's a bit of a drive, but…" Well, Zach would at least appreciate the company of someone other than his roommate. Actually, he wouldn't mind Oliver being around at least to give Savannah a ride when she wanted to come over, so she didn't have to use the bus so late at night. But he probably shouldn't depend on Oliver too much for such things. And Zach did just fine taking her back himself. "I'll text you the address. Come over anytime."

Yeah, tame. More like awkwardly adolescent. They really had no idea what they were doing. "Sure. Yeah, I'd like to see how you've, um, nested yourself here." He wondered if it was any different than Ollie's room when they were in high school.

As they walked, Zach couldn't help but notice the care he took in how he walked. Zach couldn't imagine what it must be like for Ollie, to have lost his sight like that and have to completely change his lifestyle in order to cope with it. And then he wondered if maybe he shouldn't help him or just leave him be…Zach wasn't sure and it made him feel a little awkward, which was stupid considering it was his best friend.

"Thanks," Zach said with a smile as he sat down on the bed next to Oliver. "Seems like you're pretty much settled in. Sorry I couldn't be there mroe to help…"

[Oliver Seabrooke]

"Nah, that wouldn't go well with this job," Ollie agreed with a huff and a shake of his head, still grinning at the absurd thought. He did get lonely. Very lonely. Fortunately his co-workers were decent people to be around, otherwise he would go crazy. Zach's reply made him pause and laugh, feeling like an idiot. "Of course you know. You of all people would know." He smirked and nudged his best friend. "See, you already have experience! You'd be perfect for this job."

He nodded, thought Ollie's stomach twisted a bit at the mention of a long drive. He couldn't drive anymore, which he hadn't really told anyone, but he thought people knew anyway. He would have to take a bus, or have someone drive him. Still,"I'd love to come over. Thanks, mate." He definitely wouldn't pass up the offer.

Oliver wasn't really sure if he wanted people's pity or not. He did like to wallow in self-pity often, even before his accident, but it was weird now, especially from those that knew him best, like Zach. How was his best friend supposed to know what to do to help when he didn't know what he wanted himself? Ollie wouldn't have blamed him for not knowing what to do.

He glanced up at his friend as he sat down next to him, crossing his arms behind his head as he nodded. "Yeah, it took some getting used to, and still is, but it's pretty much just like high school again, only I get to tell the kids what to do," he chuckled. At Zach's apology, Oliver shrugged a bit awkwardly, looking away. "It's... It's fine. I was... I made you put up with my shit attitude anyway, it's probably best you weren't around to see all of it." He got downright cold and harsh while he was still struggling to accept what had happened to him. Poor Wynn had put up with it too. "I mean, it still sucks, and I don't think I'll ever get over how much it sucks, but at least it's... Bearable?" Barely. He sighed. "Life just shits on people sometimes, you know?"

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"No, thanks…" Zach shook his head with an exasperated look, clearly reliving some of the horrors he had seen growing up with his more than a little troublesome siblings. "You could not pay me enough to go through that again."

The fact that Zachary didn't even realize that Ollie couldn't drive anymore with his disability only proved how much he didn't understand the lifestyle adjustment, otherwise he wouldn't have said something so insensitive. It was coupled right in there with Zach not knowing how to help or even if he should. Though honestly, this was Oliver we were talking about here. If there was something that Zach could do to help out and make Ollie feel more normal, then he'd be more than willing to do it, no questions asked.

"Must be nice," Zach said with a single huff of a laugh. "You're your own boss here, and their's too."

Oliver looked away. Which didn't make what he said very reassuring. There was no way Ollie was over this yet, no matter how much he tried to rationalize it or try to tell Zach that it was ok. Seeing him try so hard actually just made Zach feel even more guilty. Zachary leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands together, bringing them up to his forehead as he looked down at the carpet. "Sorry…" He really didn't know what else to say to that. Comforting others wasn't his strong point, no matter how much he cared. If it was, then he probably would have been a better big brother. "I wish I could do something, you know?"

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Oliver chuckled. "Suit yourself. It's not bad pay." Not great either, but whatever, at least it was something. If only he could work with his best friend... That would make it that much more bearable.

He knew Zach hadn't meant to make him feel bad; Ollie would just have to explain to him sometime that he had been told he couldn't drive safely anymore, but it would be a while before he really accepted the fact enough to tell his best friend. It was just tough. But he was just glad that his friend was still willing to come see him after he had been such an asshole before. That was enough to make him feel quite a bit better.

"Ah yeah, it's great," he agreed with a small grin. "'Cept when they don't listen to you, which can get frustrating. I kind of wish I had an ability like Ella's - she's the hemokinetic, you know? - that I could scare them with." He paused, then chuckled a bit. "Though I might abuse that," he admitted sheepishly.

But the fact of his disability was the overlaying problem behind all of this, and Ollie knew it. If he hadn't gotten it, he'd still be touring around with his bandmates, who had been great friends and had found a replacement for him when he told them he had to lay low for a while. Well, he understood they still wanted to play, but... It did hurt. He looked over at Zach as he stared at the ground, shaking his head at the apology. "Nothin' for you to be sorry for," he mumbled, placing a hand on his friend's knee. He managed a weak smile. "You coming over to visit me is you doing something. And I really appreciate it." It was the truth. "And... Thanks for putting up with everything... Before."

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As much as Oliver wanted him to, and as much as Zach needed a part-time job(he couldn't live on student loans and pell grants forever), there was no way that Zachary was going to confine himself to any job that required him to be back at Hammel for any longer than a visit to his best friend.

Which meant that Zachary was going to be down here a lot more often anyway. He should probably at least consider it....nope.

"Hemokinesis? Isn't that like, blood-bending or something?" He smirked at the reference. He held his hands up like he was a puppeteer or something. "Oooo...I control your movements~" Or something like that. Zach had no idea what he was trying to do. "Make them go to bed early or something."

Oliver could say that, but Zach still felt bad for not being there more. He could have been more supportive. He could have chosen to not go on the family vacation. There was...Zach just felt like there was so much he could've done if he had stuck around more. "Yeah, it's no problem, really..." he said, trying not to sound despondent. "Though..." He looked up at Ollie with a smirk. "You were kind of an ass." Zach chuckled.

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Oliver had to grin at the reference. "Yep, pretty much, I think," he nodded, taking himself back to the days of watching Avatar: The Last Airbender. "It's pretty freaky stuff. I, uh, accidentally mistook her room for my own the other night, and she thought I was a student trying to break in, so she used her abilities on me." He shivered at the memory. "Not a pleasant experience." He smirked at Zach's dorky joke, ruffling his hair affectionately. "You haven't changed a bit," he grinned. That, at least, was something to be thankful for. "I should..." Ah, if only he could enforce that. Though he could always go to the higher-ups for particularly misbehaving students... That just felt an awful lot like tattling. He was an adult, he could take care of shit himself!

That was his pride speaking, which he still desperately clung to especially after his accident.

And the past was the past, and though Ollie was bitter and resentful about a lot of it, none of that part of his anger involved his friend. He couldn't be mad at Zach now; he had made a promise to himself not to take his anger out on people he cared about (which, unfortunately, were few these days; which, he supposed, meant his promise was limited and he could take out his anger on a lot of others!). At his best friend's words, he let out a weak chuckle, nodding. "I know, I know I was," he sighed. "I just... I was so angry with the world, y'know?"

He shook his head; he didn't want to dwell on it. "But now that you're here, we should go get some fresh air or something, instead of being stuffed up in this room." He suddenly felt antsy, like he needed to get out and move away from this self-pity. "Wanna go walk around the grounds?" He smirked. "Feel the nostalgia?"

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Zach laughed at the imagery of Ollie having his limbs controlled by a student he happened to walk in on. "Really? I dunno, I think I've changed a lot. Well…I guess you've changed the most out of both of us." Which was actually pretty depressing to think about, oh, why did he even say that?

Real smooth Zach.

"Why don't you? Technically, you do have the authority," he pointed out. And it was technically his job to make sure the students stayed out of trouble and followed the dorm rules.

It was meant to be a joke, but it still came out awkward and was taken awkwardly by Ollie. "It's fine. You don't owe any explanations. I probably would have been just as…frustrated." Which was putting it mildly. But Zach remembered being that angry before and he was actually pretty glad he got over it. Well, some of that anger was still there, just he was a lot better at dealing with it than before.

Zach sighed heavily, rolling his eyes as if going outside was the last thing he wanted to do. "If I must…" He followed it up with a wry smile and gentle nudge at his best friend. "It's good to see you, Ollie."

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Oliver shrugged, rubbing the back of his head before grinning and hitting Zach lightly on the shoulder. "Whatever, you're still the same to me." Although, he sobered a bit at the next comment. "Yeah..." He glanced away. He knew Zach hadn't meant anything cruel by it, but it still stung. "But I mean, y'know... Life." Sucked sometimes.

"I do," he said slowly, rubbing his chin,"And I can handle them pretty well sometimes. But I swear, some of these kids just want to get kicked out or have eternal detention." A few names in specific came to mind, but he didn't want to name any names.

Awkward. They had a lot of awkward. But they were best friends, so it had really just gotten natural over time. "Hope you never have to experience it," he smiled as big as he could manage, giving Zach an affectionate ruffle on the head. He was trying his best to lighten the subject, even if inside he was hurting terribly.

He did, however, chuckle at his friend's lack of enthusiasm. "You must," he commanded dramatically. He stood up slowly and made his way towards the door, giving Zach a genuine smile as he nudged him. "It's good to see you too."