A Man's Gotta Do What A Man's Gotta Do

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Ack, Oriel was afraid of that. He listened in silence as he heard AJ speak, kind of irked that she was tossing blame around like a fruit salad...made with rotten fruit. It...in Oriel's mind he couldn't blame Phen for what he'd done. He'd been exposed to lust pheromones before and they're a terrible thing to resist, no matter how horny you were naturally. But he also couldn't blame AJ because it was obvious she didn't have much control over her powers and hadn't done it intentionally. But then again, he didn't know the exact circumstances, so who was he to say who was to blame?

But he hated hearing Phoenix scrape and mumble around his apology like it was wholly his fault, even going as far as to offer to make up for it??

Why would that work? That wasn't going to make it all go away! It wasn't going to erase the memories or make it so they can all just pretend it didn't happen and be all jolly koombaya with each other. And even after admitting he was "wrong" she still went on to make him feel worse about it. Shit! It didn't take a genius to know what she was going through!!

Oriel didn't want to hear the same thing. He knew it was terrible what he did, he already knew he shouldn't have done it, he already knew it was his fault completely, why did they have to make a fucking ceremony out of getting him to admit it and beg for forgiveness that wouldn't come...?

All these things thoughts were circulating around his head when Phoenix came to get him. He let his hand be taken and offered little resistance to being guided to his feet, keeping his head down as Phen pulled him forward. When he finally lifted his head, turning it to look at AJ, the anger had vanished from his face replaced by a dolorous look. Oriel looked back at Phen, "Fucker," he accused, "you already said everything I was going to..."

He turned to face AJ again, keeping a hand held tight to Phen's. "...AJ...Amanda Joy...that's actually really pretty." Get to the point Oriel. "There ain't nothing I can do to make up for it...and there ain't no excuse for it neither, so I'll spare you from those." Oriel was hardly in the best place himself at the time, he was lashing out, pestering pretty much anyone he could. "I...I am sorry, though. I got you caught up in all my fucking problems and...it wasn't right, I never should've...I never should've scared you like that. I didn't" Fuck this was tough. Oriel gave Phen's hand another squeeze. "I didn't want to hurt you." Oriel fell silent as he felt his heart tighten, waiting for her response.

[Amanda Joy "AJ" Lane]

Honestly AJ had no idea what Phoenix could do to make up for it. It wasn't something that you could just make up for. An apology needed to be made and he'd already done that. He sounded sincere, and maybe he was, but ultimately, it didn't matter. An apology couldn't just fix everything. AJ had to allow herself to be happy. She couldn't hold a grudge against them, or against herself. All it had done was make her sick and depressed.

"Thank you for your apology," she told him, finally looking up from the ground. "But it's not something you or anybody else can fix. I have to and I'm working on it." She looked from Phoenix to Oriel, who was being dragged over. She had no idea they even knew each other. She didn't expect Oriel to apologize. He seemed so angry as he had months ago. But then he spoke.

"And I didn't want to manipulate you..." she replied. "This is why I tried to stay away from others...because of what could happen, but I'm being trained and maybe things will get better."

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Phen should have realized there was nothing he could do to help that he hadn't already done, and he flushed with embarrassment as AJ made that point. "Well, I'm glad you're working on it," he mumbled quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. Now that the apology had been made, he wasn't sure what else to do.

Fortunately, Oriel was a good distraction, even if he was grumbling and taking some effort to get out of the bushes. "Sorry," he breathed, flashing a small grin at his complaint. "I'm sure you're much better at words than I am, though."

He gave the boy's hand a squeeze as he began speaking, knowing just how hard it must be. Phoenix was really proud of him, and would be sure to smother him with praise later. He nodded a bit dorkily at Oriel's opening comment, face solemn but content. He just listened quietly as his lover spoke, rubbing his thumb against his palm in small, consoling circles until he was done. "See? I knew you could do it," he murmured in his ear, pressing his lips softly to his lobe. "I'm proud of you."

Phen turned his attention back to AJ as she replied, nodding politely at her explanation. "Well, don't worry about us anymore," he told her. "We won't be botherin' you anymore, an' you don't have t'worry about avoidin' us." He sent Oriel an affirmative look. "But... I'm really glad you seem t'be gettin' better." Trainin' is.... Good." He struggled with that last bit; he himself was still slacking in the training department.

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Oriel nearly shot Phoenix a sharp glare at his comments. What made Phen think that Oriel was any better at words than he was? Oriel was only good at spinning words of nonsense that meant nothing. Saying things things that actually meant something was haaaaard.

Oriel merely stared at her while she and Phoenix spoke. Phen took everything Oriel was going to say again….jerk….

He smiled, looking away for a moment, then matching his eyes with AJ's again. "Yeah. Trainings good, I'm uh…really glad you're doing that." He broadened his smile as he looked her over. "I'm sure you're going to do great."

Ugh fuck, what now…? Was that it? Surely there had to be something more he could say/do?

Oriel stepped forward, closing the distance between them and leaving Phoenix behind him until he was settled just a few feet in front of her. His eyes were somewhat desperate, hoping that AJ wouldn't run away. "AJ, I uh….shit…" Oriel dropped his head and rubbed the back of his neck. He peeked up at her with a small smile, his dark hair falling in waves across his face. "Um…for what it's worth, you know um…not that my opinion matters much but…" he was mumbling again before he finally came around to what he wanted to say. "…the….the only reason I talked to you…that day was, well….shit…I thought you were cute and I…just wanted to talk…" Oriel's face might've been a bit red, but that could have just been from the cold air.

[Amanda Joy "AJ" Lane]

"All I can do is work on it," AJ told Phoenix with a shrug. All of this felt weird and uncomfortable and she was sure it was for them too. She noticed how the two of them held hands. She was observant, but she wouldn't press. She never did. That was their own business anyway. "Please don't avoid me either," she added after a second thought. "It just...it makes things worse. Just treat me...like any other person, okay?"

It was hard, making herself forgive. She had to swallow the lump in her throat and listen to what they said. She had to hear them out. Because they were trying. "I know it must have been hard for you to approach me and I am sorry for my power and what it caused. I don't know if I'll ever not be sorry for my power..." she trailed off, pulling her jacket closer around her as another breeze swept through.

Oriel was the harder one to believe. He'd seemed so angry then and even just a few short minutes ago. She didn't know him, didn't really know him so she tried not to judge him off of that, but it was difficult when he'd hurt her. She'd listened to what he said next, her face contorting in confusion. "Then why were you so angry? Why did you treat me like that? I mean, I know my power enhanced it, but if you were just trying to talk, why did you approach me like that?"

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Phoenix simply nodded at what AJ said, keeping quiet for now. He shrugged a bit at her comment about it being hard to approach her; it definitely had been, and it was probably obvious. "At least now we all know and are on the same page..." he murmured. And that was all that could be done, right?

He said all he thought he needed to, but it seemed Oriel wasn't quite done. He let the boy's hand slip out of his own and shoved both of his into his pockets, shivering as Oriel spoke up again. It was hard not to step up and hold him comfortingly, since Phoenix could sense the anxiety still in his voice, but he made himself keep back and let Oriel get out whatever he needed to.

However, he couldn't help but let a small spark of jealousy flare up in his chest, although it was quickly replaced with guilt - he had thought AJ was cute too. Nevertheless, he stepped up again as AJ spoke with confusion evident in her features, taking one of Oriel's hands in both of his own and resting his cheek against his lover's shoulder. He didn't know the details of the confrontation, so he couldn't really say anything, so he simply stood and listened, ready to offer support if need be.

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Oriel held back an explosive grunt, breathing in sharply at her questions. Here he was just trying to be nice, compliment her, maybe make her feel better about herself, and she throws it back as if it meant nothing or like it meant nothing. Oriel clenched his jaw while his face grew tense and pointed. The glare in his eyes showed that he clearly didn't want to explain himself or go into the details; it was still a very sensitive subject for him, his history with manipulators.

"Why…." he repeated, hissing through his teeth as he tried to control this "anger" she was so set on lingering over. "Why, why why….?" Oriel looked away. This was the whole fucking reason why he didn't like to apologize, people always wanted to know "why" and if it wasn't good enough….

Oriel shot his eyes back up at AJ. "'Cause if you ain't fucking noticed, I got fucking problems, and they ain't got shit to do with you." That was the truth. Well, partly. "Well, not totally." He took slow breath, trying to keep himself in check. Oriel squeezed Phen's hand hoping to draw something, anything from it. "….I've had issues with pheromone manips in the past. That accounts for the outburst. The asinine approach…well, like I said, I got fucking problems." Which sounded like the most cop-out explanation ever, even if it was the truth, an understatement actually. Even Oriel knew it didn't excuse a goddamn thing.

He squeezed Phen's hand even harder, feeling the anxious shakes starting to surface again.

[Amanda Joy "AJ" Lane]

AJ nodded at Phoenix, carefully watching the exchanges between him and Oriel, trying to keep it all objective, but she probably would have been amused had she not been so involved in the upsetting situation they were discussing. She listened to what Oriel had to say. She'd known he had problems, obviously and that they weren't directly related to her.

She nodded. "Pheromone manipulators." She laughed weakly. "All they are is trouble, huh?" It was an attempt at a joke even if it was a bitter one. "I...I know that a lot of them tend to abuse their power, I can imagine....with a power like that. But I'm not like that...and I didn't mean to manipulate you, Oriel. I've spent every moment since I manifested worrying about manipulating others, about hurting others. I don't want to be that person." She was shaking her head slowly and staring at the ground. Subconsciously, she wrapped her arms around her middle.

"You know, I tried your approach," she added. "Being angry at the world. Saying 'fuck it' to everything...because I was so sick of feeling like things were my fault, but honestly, it just made things a lot worse." She met Oriel's eyes, only briefly.

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Phoenix could feel the tension in Oriel's hand, the tightness with which he was gripping to his own, enough so that it actually hurt his frail bones, but he pressed his lips together and stayed silent for the moment. Oriel needed him to be strong, so he was going to do the best he could.

He still wasn't sure what to say, or if he should say anything. He'd probably end up making the situation worse, like he sometimes had a habit of doing.

His gaze darted up at Oriel at the explanation, and then back at AJ as she responded. At least the situation was still controlled, if not the happiest. "We're all workin' on gettin' better," he said softly, pressing his lips against Oriel's jaw. He felt Oriel shaking, and pulled an arm around him to hold him close, taking on the more solid role that his lover usually had in their relationship. His chin rested on his shoulder. "What's past is past. We can only... Try not t'make the same mistakes in the future." He didn't know where these words were coming from, but he hoped they would help.

"Bein' angry at the world keeps you from... Really seein' some of the good in it." He heaved out a small sigh. "Sometimes you can get so caught up in your own world, your own problems, that you don't know that maybe what might make you happy is right in front of you." He had spent so long in a hallucinogenic daze, he didn't like to think how many opportunities he might have missed.

His cheeks flushed, and he fell silent again.

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AJ attempt to minimize herself only made Oriel frown even further. "I didn't say that." He knew she was just trying to lighten up the air between them, but it wasn't working very well. Oriel was nervous and anxious as fuck and that usually mean that he was on edge and more likely to lash out irrationally. He was trying not to though. "I know you didn't." He looked down at her, the curls of his hair falling over his hard features. "It was my fault. You did nothing wrong," he told her sternly. Then he smirked, "After all, it ain't your fault you are what you are."

Though his eyes reflected a tiny glimmer of pain when she admitted to trying his approach on life. "Fuck, you don't need to do that. Now, me. It works 'cause I'm an asshole. Certified. You," his sideways smirk widened into a sideways smile. "That shit don't suit you. You're too pretty to be so angry."

Of course, Phoenix had to say something too. Which was ok, fine, he definitely should instead of just standing there like a lawn ornament. But…..Oriel's eyes got bigger and bigger, his smile pursed and spread across his face until his cheeks hurt as he tried to keep himself from laughing at the pure cheese of it all. When he finished, Oriel looked at him with a bright, yet mocking, incredulous stare. "Thank very much for that little pep talk, Dr. Phil. I'm all better! Now let's go tackle world peace." Oriel's eyes narrowed as his grin turned into something more mischievous, and he placed his hand over the korean boy's face and pushed him back, sicking out his tongue like a child. "Who the fuck said you could get all enlightened on us, huh?" He shoved Phoenix back and cackled, obviously feeling a lot lighter than a few seconds ago.

[Amanda Joy "AJ" Lane]

"Sorry," AJ mumbled. It was a failed attempt at a joke and her heart wasn't really in it anyway. She felt like trouble sometimes, but she was getting better, she really was. "I know it's not my fault, but I still want to be different. I don't want to be meta-human." She let out a sigh and listened to what he said next.

"Thanks, but...it's hard not to be angry...at myself...at the world. I mean, I try not to be. I'm trying to just accept what I've got...this power that I don't want, but it's hard. I was just that shy girl...and now...now who am I? My power has changed me into someone I don't know." She felt like she was struggling to find herself all over again. But somehow her lips twitched into a smile at him calling himself an asshole. "I highly doubt he thinks that." Her eyes shifted to Phoenix. She wasn't blind, she could see what was going on and it was strange...strange that these two guys who has both harrassed her were now....involved and they'd come together to apologize. Surrounding yourself with others did give you strength to do what you thought you couldn't. The two guys standing before her were proof of that. She had to stop pushing people away.

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Phoenix still wasn't sure what to say; this seemed like an interaction that only the two others could really converse about, as he still didn't know just what had gone on. All this self-blaming and hating was just making him sad, and he had tried to approach AJ to make things better. At least they weren't angry with each other anymore, he supposed. They just needed to... Let time work things out. What else could they do? "I think that's just a part of growin' up," he mumbled, knowing he himself had made changes recently that he hadn't seen coming. At least, in his case, most of the changes were for the better.

Now, me. It works 'cause I'm an asshole. Phen shot Oriel a look as he said this, about to open his mouth and retort before AJ beat him to it, and he blushed again, smothering his face against Oriel's shoulder. "You're not," he mumbled, even if it was only half-true. Oriel wasn't an asshole to him, usually, but he still could be to other people. He peeked out at AJ again. "He's right though. You are pretty. And you should be happy too." Phen wished he could do something that would help.

He pouted as Oriel grinned at him, retreating back at his response. "Was just tryin' t'say somethin' helpful," he grumbled, brow furrowing like an upset child. "I think world peace sounds great." He whined as Oriel pushed against his face, though a small chuckle made its way out a few moments later as he stumbled back before promptly launching himself at his lover again, hoping to knock him off-balance and maybe even onto his butt (though who was he kidding, he weighed nothing). "Can we go inside now?" he begged, shivering and unzipping Oriel's jacket so he could snuggle himself inside of it. "I'm cold. An' we should all get some hot chocolate or somethin'." He looked back at AJ, smiling shyly.

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Oriel was aware that there were people such as AJ who didn't like their powers and resented the fact that they were meta-human, but Oriel himself couldn't relate as he didn't share that sentiment.

"Yeah…" he agreed with Phen. He breathed out a laugh, "I got that problem myself, but it ain't got shit to do with my power. Hell, I'm thankful for it. If I hadn't come here, I'd probably be dead or dying in an alley somewhere. Or stuck in juvie. Or worse…." Being meta-human had given him a chance at stability, at actually having a life. So he could only appreciate it, even if he didn't had grandoise feelings of love for his own power.

"Yeah, well he's biased," Oriel retorted with a halfway smile. After all, Phoenix loved him. Don't get anymore subjective than that. He glanced at Phoenix hanging off his shoulder and puckered his lips slightly into a small air kiss.

Once Phoenix started whining, failed to knock him even an inch, and helped himself to the inside of Oriel's jacked, Oriel deadpanned a look at him. "Hot chocolate? Really!? What are you, five?" He sighed harshly and put an arm around his lover. Then he looked up at AJ, offering her a smile. "What do you say? Want to join us? We can catch up and sing Koombaya's or something."

[Amanda Joy "AJ" Lane]

AJ wished she could say that. Maybe that's why her and Oriel just couldn't mesh. They were exact opposite in that way. His power had saved him, while AJ's power seemingly damned her, at least in her opinion. Things had gone down hill for her ever since she manifested and Oriel's power had brought him to Hammel which apparently was a god send for him. She didn't even know what his power was, but she imagined it was something carefree, something that wouldn't mess you up. AJ was one of the unlucky ones.

"At least being meta-human is going well for someone," she mused, shrugging her shoulders before nodding at the both of them. She hadn't known why she was outside when it was so cold. Hot chocolate did sound wonderful. They'd practically read her mind. Part of her still felt uncomfortable, not just because of what happened between them, but because she felt like she was intruding, like a third wheel. "That sounds good, but I'm not sure about the Koombaya thing."

Phoenix told her she was pretty and she deserved well, but she didn't just want to be a pretty face with a broken interior. Her pretty face didn't matter then.

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Phoenix shivered as Oriel spoke of his powers, trying not to imagine his body broken and bloody in some dark alley of New York. His grip around his lover tightened, face tight with horror over that which had never happened. If his power hadn't manifested... Well, he'd probably still be smoking whatever he could get his hands on in Seattle; possibly dead himself, if he continued to get into the trouble he had when he was younger. "I'm not proud of what I did with my ability, but I'm glad I'm here," he stated quietly. If not, he never would have met Oriel, and probably never would have gotten his life straightened out. Funny how things worked like that.

He pouted as Oriel responded to his suggestion. "I can be five if I want to," he retorted, bumping his nose against the boy's cheek. Phen turned back to AJ, his features softening into a smile once again. "Well, let's do it then," he decided, rolling his eyes at the 'Koombaya' thing. Whatever that was. "Igore him. He's tryin' t'be funny." His hand found one of Oriel's and he gave it a squeeze to show he was joking. "C'mon." He pulled himself out of the warmth of the boy's jacket and stepped forward to offer a hand to AJ, his gaze kind and welcoming. "I won't bite. Promise."