iselldrugstothecommunity: (I'm going to stand over here.)
Howard Bassem ([personal profile] iselldrugstothecommunity) wrote in [community profile] trans_92011-12-08 06:11 pm

The Sun Is Always In My Eyes [Closed]

Zouichi did have a point that Howard's being a hypocrite about dodging that whole Cedric issue. Not that Howard thinks that makes it fair to point it out.

And naturally the totally adult thing to do is go throw rocks off the cliff instead of address anything. Throw rocks off the cliffs and swing his feet off the edge, watching his shoelaces dangle and trying to work out exactly what he sees in a good-natured dummy who's about a foot taller than him and still believes individual lives are worth something.

There's still a part of Howard that doesn't believe Cedric; he has trouble accepting that someone can see the world up to the moment of their death and walk away with a positive outlook and an open heart. Where horrible things and near-certain death left Howard stilted and twisted, Cedric has just accepted things. And in a way, that makes him serene and whole.

Or maybe just resigned. Maybe Howard's stupid no-good dumb useless idiotic fricking teenage hormones are making him go easy on Cedric and see everything he does in a flattering light.

Howard picks up another rock and clutches it in his palm until it's warm. Then, rather than tossing it off the edge to join the others, he puts it back down on the ground and runs his dirty hands all over his face, as if wiping the day off himself. When he looks up, he notices exactly the subject of his thoughts near the base of the cliff.

After a few seconds and few fingernails bitten down, Howard waves and calls out to Cedric.

"Hey!"

Which is clearly the most charming and witty opening line ever.
theboywhodied: (scoping the challenge)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-09 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
Cedric's spent the last few days aimlessly wandering. He's much more covert about his use of magic now---foolish, maybe, as he's already told everyone, but he's now aware again that Muggles still don't like it. So he finds himself disappearing into abandoned buildings and empty spaces to work his spells.

After one of these quiet sessions, he ends up in an entirely unfamiliar area. Cliffs? Cedric's fond of climbing, so there might be some adventure to be found here. He steps closer, fantasies of conquering them in his head, when his thoughts come back to reality. To his crewmates.

To a particular crewmate he still feels guilty about upsetting. And he still wants to talk! Great.

"Hey!" Cedric yells back, waving. "You're still talking to me?"

His mind's made up, and he's already seeking out footholds and reaching up. It's not too far, he can go ahead and meet his fate.
theboywhodied: (giving a clue)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-09 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Cedric shakes his head, chuckling. Oh, Howard. He's missed talking to him.

"No, I just like climbing! You should see me with a tree sometime. Right. So I'll see you there, and I won't get hurt," he hollers up, hauling himself up to the next handhold. With some effort, he makes it to the halfway point, looking up at Howard as he hauls himself over the ledge. He's breathless and a little heated, but that's the sign of a good workout.

"It's good to see you again. Is this your spot of solitude? I didn't mean to intrude if it is."
theboywhodied: (giving a clue)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-09 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
"As always," Cedric's used to Howard's assessments by now. He doesn't really mean it. Right?

He clambers up and stands next to Howard, looking over the view for a moment. It must've been different in Howard's hometown. "I can't entirely blame you. Maths in Muggle school were hard work, from what I can recall. We have Arithmancy, but it's different."

Very different. Numbers and predictions, all that wizarding weirdness.

Cedric interrupts Howard's apology with his own. "No, it was my fault. I'd be glad to visit. If the offer was still out there."

And he won't blame Howard if it's not.
theboywhodied: (might be awful)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-09 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course. It's hard to concentrate on something you don't enjoy."

Cedric accepts Howard's criticism with a smile. It almost seems to work at keeping them in good spirits sometimes. But that last sentence confuses him.

"I'll try not to be so serious, then. But...no, I wouldn't. Of course not, that's insane. Why would I be angry at you?"
theboywhodied: (laughing at life)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-09 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
There Howard goes, with his strange questions again. Surely they must be leading somewhere. "Of course I like you," Cedric answers, tilting his head to the side as he looks over at Howard. "I don't know why, but I do. I wouldn't have climbed up if I didn't want to see you."

He smiles just to emphasize that there's no ill will between them. "I still don't see how I'm going to be bothered enough to toss you off a cliff. Are you about to tell me that you've been plotting to kill me all along?"

Not that he believes that, ever. Cedric's clearly in a good mood, happy that nothing's wrong between them. As far as he knows.
theboywhodied: (feeling the weight)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-09 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Right." Cedric stops smiling with his mouth, but he conveys the same general sentiment of friendliness with his eyes. He listens patiently, and...well, he shows faint surprise. It's not a massive shock after Hogwarts. And Howard had seemed very invested in the state of his hair.

This is difficult. Cedric knows how much it must be killing Howard to admit to this, to put himself on the line like this. He'd really thought Cedric would be angry enough to throw him off the cliff. And part of Cedric wishes he could say yes, soothe Howard's fears, and give him a little happiness in his life.

But he isn't the right guy for Howard---not now.

"I'm honored," he says sincerely, just to let Howard know he's not disgusted right off the bat. "And I promise I won't let my ego overinflate. But..."

He looks guilty. "You're a great guy, Howard. I just...have a girlfriend, possibly in the pods somewhere."
theboywhodied: (feeling the weight)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-09 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm not lying," Cedric insists. "I want to be the best friend I can be to you, but if that's too painful now I understand." Though he'll hate to lose Howard.

"And I can promise you that." No need to hurt him any further, he thinks.
theboywhodied: (disliking these voices)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-09 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Then it's something I still have to work for," he says, undeterred. "Hard work's never turned me away."

Cedric looks over at him, still conscious of how painfully awkward the whole situation is, and nods. "Sure. I've got to return that plate. And I'll clean up this time---no magic, promise."
theboywhodied: (laughing at life)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-10 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Right! So you're still on to referee? Thank you, I'm sure you'll be brilliant." At least there's that. One small fun thing to do together.

"...they might've told me that," he confesses, laughing a little. "But I get it. I'll just do work the honest way if I'm ever around your inn again."

As he talks, he's still processing and locking down Howard's secret. He's still worried, but maybe Howard will find someone he's better suited for soon. Someone who has a life ahead of them.
theboywhodied: (giving a clue)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-10 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just for swamps? Does that happen often?" Cedric tries to picture the number of times Zouichi would end up in a swamp. It seems like an unnecessary thing to prepare for.

As for his last statement, Cedric bows his head. "I'm sorry. But I promise this hasn't changed how I view you---you're not the first. And it's a secret," he mouths. You know. Just in case they're overheard.
theboywhodied: (giving a clue)

[personal profile] theboywhodied 2011-12-11 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
"And we can't have that, can we?" Cedric grins. Not at all. Even if it would be a fairly attractive head on a pike.

He nods and stands, understanding Howard's need. Probably to hit things, vent---get out all the pain. Cedric's been there and done that. "Not at all. I'll see you later, alright? Hit Zouichi if it'll cheer you up," he suggests.