microwavelength | (no subject)

"Fuck her." Axel offered as he sipped his drink and gave Luke a frown. He just looked pissy and he didn't seem game, it wasn't very nice. He didn't like the idea of playing around with a sound system either so he just held up his hand and relented. "Forget it, we won't go and do clubs. You just keep on being you, gorgeous. Just don't be it where I like to hang."

He snorted in amusement and looked down, putting some nachos in his mouth. He licked his fingers a little and looked back up at his company.

"What's your problem? You look like I spat in your food? Is it cause I stole your drink or something?"

Lesson one, Ax. Do not tell Luke not to do something. He will do it just on principal. It wasn't that Axel wasn't allowed to to out and have fun, it's just that he wasn't allowed to do it with other people. Luke learned the hard way how it was like being second fiddle and he was going to do it right this time around.

If he decided that Axel was right for the position. If not-- Well, Luke didn't really have a ex policy. Not yet. This was his first and hopefully last attempt at getting what he wanted anyway.

Then again, Axel was being disgusting right now. Luke's eyes darkened. "Did you spit in my food?"

Not cool. He dropped the nacho he was holding immediately.

"No... why the fuck would I do that? And when would I even have chance?" Axel rolled his eyes and shook his head, finishing off his drink and giving Luke a look. He was difficult company. It was hard to be around him sometimes and it was even harder to read him. Everything could end badly at a wrong word or a dodgy thought and that left him feeling tentative.

He slid his phone into his pocket and gave the other a slight sigh. "Yeaaaah. Look, dude, you've got some issues and that's not so bad, I think it's part of your charm and all. The whole cute, psycho vibe? Not bad but I gotta head off. This was a fun date."

With mixed results but Axel really needed to go before he made a proper mistake here and got melted.

Sliding out, he smiled at Luke then paused, leaning in a little. "Huh. Did you do something to your hair? It's nice. I like it."

Luke was fine with Axel leaving. He'd not actually spoken to someone for this long since Samuel Sullivan. It had been almost twenty minutes total, including the walk over. Luke liked it. And he would see Axel again. In a few days.

That didn't mean he appreciated this being called a date. And he didn't appreciate being left. The rest though? That was accurate. And he kind of liked being thought of as having his crazy psychopathy as being cute. So points to Axel there.

"I combed it," Luke said, dead panned. He wasn't joking. He just took a sip of his soda and looked back to his food. "See you later." It was possibly a threat. Axel would just have to worry.

"Looks good on you." Axel smiled and gave Luke a look, frowning a little. "Seriously though. Next time you want to hang out. Don't start it by killing someone, it's going to ruin all our date moods if that's how you're always going to swing it." That was Axel's warning as he made his retreat, making sure to grab his bag full of money. It wasn't a massive amount, enough really.

It paid his rent for the next month in his crappy little apartment, it paid some food, phone data and his drinks at the club.

Honestly, that was where all his money went. Buying shots and drinks for other guys, which is pretty much what he did a few days later after laying low. He reaped the benefits of having disposable money as he plied his dates with cheap booze, danced a little and managed to convince one to make out with him in the bathroom. And a little hand stuff, nothing too much cause hey, you know, bathroom. Not a turn on.

A small part of him afterwards, as he lingered at the bar, had a weird concerned sensation. As if Luke would find out and be pissed at him or melt him. Or his handsome new friend. It was insane but he did worry. Just in case.

The worry would end up being founded. Axel hadnt tweeted where he was going that night, Wednesday, Industry night where the guys were just of age and a little bit too eager since it was their night off from the bars and clubs they worked at. The trouble with having a phone at all, as Axel might want to look into, was that it broadcasted its location to overhead satellites all the time. Every little ping told the GPS where the phone was and if anyone knew what to look for, it was safe to assume that the phone in question was with the person that owned it.

So right after Axel's fun in the bathroom and the promise of a warm body to go home wih him after a few more drinks, that Just In Case moment happened to be fortuitous. Then again, what good would worrying do when Luke didn't have to be anywhere nearby to do what he wanted to someone?

He was angry. Angry enough that he very nearly didn't give Axel a chance to right whatever wrong Luke had plucked out of the air.

The phone in Axel's pocket buzzed. It was a new text for a number he didn't know. It said, simply, Get rid of him.

Axel felt his phone buzz as he turned his head and smiled at the guy he was hoping to take home. He was a lot bigger than Axel, more muscle, he couldn't tell the age he had a sort of generic young face that left Axel unsure. He knew he was definitely legal though and that was all he needed. They'd whispered dirty promises in each other's ears during the bathroom and the guy was expecting a pay up.

Knocking back his drink, he didn't check his phone right away, instead he approached the man and pulled him into another kiss, taking a moment to whisper a mutual location and letting the other feel up his ass. They were basically a done deal by now.

Once the guy moved away to go tell his friends, Axel pulled out his phone with a smile and checked his messages. The smile fell and he looked around the club, feeling that creep of uncertainty. Fuck.

Sylar? Are you watching me? Yep. That was creepy.

Luke ignored his phone the same way that Axel had ignored his. He wasn't looking for a conversation. He wasn't looking to be second string any more. Axel had been given a choice. Get rid of the guy or don't. He'd evidently chosen the or don't portion of the list. Technically that wasn't fair. Luke didn't deal in fair, though.

He dealt in being a murderous asshole who dealt in death instead of exposing his feelings. If he even had feelings. That was debatable.

Axel's done deal wasn't leaving this club with him. Neither were his friends. They were standing under the fog machine, the one that the DJ used during really intense moments in the music and it was held up by plastic cords. They were easily melted and one moment, the dance floor was a frenzy of jumping bodies. The next, people were laying injured under a hundred pounds of equipment.

Axel knew what was going to happen before it even happened but of course, he could't stop it. He watched them die and found himself unable to move as almost everyone in the club started rushing to the exit. He felt a strange stab of spite in him and looked down at his phone, grinding his teeth. He warned him the clubs were off limit. He told him not to do this and he fucking did it.

I'm done with you. Get out of my life, you fucking psycho.

Axel threw his phone after that, into the carnage, as hard as he could before wiping his hands on his trousers, grossed out by the fact he just spoke to that guy. Again. The self destructive, angry part of him didn't want to move. He was tempted to just walk into that mess out of spite but instead, he slipped his hands into pocket and started counting his weapons.

He had a feeling he was going to need them.

Had he gone too far? Luke frowned at the texts, still at the bar after pretty much everyone had left. He didn't have anything with him, no drink, and he wasn't really dressed for going out. He just leaned forward, scrolling through his phone and staring at it impassively.

The music came to a halt and it was quiet. Very quiet, minus a few sobs and shouts from staff trying to help the people trapped. One of the guys was definitely dead but Luke didn't really care about that.

Not his concern.

He finally did look up after rereading the same text four times. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and gazed dispassionately at Axel. The lights were up.

"I thought you liked psycho."

Axel backed up immediately, eyes set on Luke with mistrust and uncertainty. He gripped the best weapon he had, just in case this guy came at him. He knew how dangerous he could be, he'd seen it up close and personal. He had to be smart and careful if he wanted to escape this. He'd just go back to Central, hide behind the rogues and hope Mick Rory roasted him or something.

"I asked you to do one fucking thing and you couldn't even do that! You didn't even give me a fucking chance to make the decision, you jus-- you fucking killed him because of what? I didn't answer my phone fast enough? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Well, that was a stupid question.

"Nevermind, I don't have all night. Back off, Sylar. I don't want to do this any more." Because every time they did, someone died horribly. And it was easy to get by with cops and dicks threatening him but this was nothing but jealousy.

Edited 2017-01-23 17:08 (UTC)

Axel’s speech was met with more dead eyed looks from Luke. “Why does it have to be what you want?” He didn’t think that was fair. “I’ve been doing what other people want for way too long so I’m finally doing what I want,” he frowned, pushing away from the bar. “You’re-- So I think you’re gonna stay. And we’re gonna try this out. If it doesn’t work out… Okay.”

But obviously he was going to be the deciding factor on what did and did not work, naturally.

“I’m willing to try it out though.” Luke didn’t get it. He really didn’t. “You don’t have anything to worry about. I wouldn’t hurt you.” He was pretty sure about that. He never hurt Sylar or Samuel. Or his mom. He just didn’t hurt people he cared about. Not even when they left him.

"Because what I want doesn't lead to everyone you like dying. Admittedly, smaller list but come on." He gestured around them at the absolute chaos and gave Luke a very pointed look. "This is what you want. It's always what you want, you're just unable to see an objection as anything not selfish. We go to eat where you want, you kill people want you, I don't get a say. Even now. You never gave me a chance to respond."

And now he had just lost his lay for the night, all interest in that was gone and he was feeling particularly off put by Luke. It was hard to like someone who spied on him and then followed him around and--

Oh. Okay. There was a health dose of reality given that was what Axel often did. He pulled a face and felt his stomach sink a little. Man. It really did suck to have someone in your life like that. He was so going to say sorry to his ex tonight.

"What makes you think I'm going to stay and try this? What even is this?"

Huh. Compromise. That was... A weird concept. "So. Uh we just go somewhere you want next. For dinner. Or whatever." He'd been watching those YouTube videos over the last few days. Compromise had actually come up a few times and now Luke could put it into practice. "And I won't--- I won't hurt or kill anyone." Not in front of Axel at least. He looked somewhat embarrassed. The kid had been stunted growing up evidently and had no idea how to go about dating someone.

And wasn't it still endearing? Maybe?

"I won't hurt anyone unless they try to hurt you. Is that fair?" Axel should still turn around and leave. Immediately. It might be his only chance. "We can even start over. Uh. My name is Luke. Campbell. Not Sylar. Sylar was this prick I knew. He's gone now. Alive-- just gone."

He lied about his name? So the one detail he had about this kid, besides the nuking, was a lie? Reassuring. Axel knew he should run, he didn't feel too at ease right now and he definitely wasn't appeased, he felt the desire to run and whenever he felt it ebb, he turned his head and looked at the mess to the side of him. That kid died and all because Luke was a jealous asshole? Dick move. The kind of move that he was pretty sure his dad would have pulled...

And Axel would have laughed then, Hell, he couldn't deny he'd needlessly hurt people himself. He didn't have a body count yet but he's hurt a lot of people and seen a lot of people die by now. It just didn't make this whole thing any easier.

"Luke." Huh. Seemed almost too normal for him. "You won't kill anyone else unless they try to hurt me?" He looked up and met the others eyes, trying to judge if he was bullshitting or not. "Dude, you're still fucking nuts. You still kind of killed my date. It's not this simple, you just-- you've got to ..."

What? What could he even say to explain it to him? He frowned and rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward. It was hard to judge when he saw a harsh reflection of his own previous behaviour being shined back in his face. "Why do you even want this? Tell me why you want to be friends and maybe I'll stick around."

Axel wasn't saying no. If he said no, Luke would probably try to get him to say yes a few more times but would have ultimately left him alone. Now, of course, there was no way Axel could know that. The only insight he had really given of his character was his quick draw on the trigger and a jealousy issue. He had more issues than that, of course, why wouldn't he, but Axel might not do much better.

Who in his life had ever told him that he would kill to protect him? Who obviously meant it? No one.

"I'm tired of being alone. I thought you might understand what that's like." It wasn't a remark meant to disparage but, yeah, it came off as a little snippy. Even if Luke's expression was fairly even. "Jesus fucking Christ dude. I don't even know, okay? I like you I guess."

It was like an extreme and painful reflection of himself, like an extreme version of him. Just as alone but not quite as bad with people. Axel always actively chased everyone he loved away getting too intense, he never understood boundaries and got too carried away. He knew he was just as bad but standing next to Luke, he looked better. Who wouldn't?

"Okay." Axel nodded his head a little and eyed the people trying to sort out the mess to the side of them, it was truly a morbid sight and he really didn't want to look at it. Every time he did, he felt sick. He knew he shouldn't even consider forgiving him. And yet.

"I don't like being alone ether. And I get it, I do." He bit his lower lip and forced himself to think about this but he just didn't seem able to. It was so much on the spot and of course, as always, he made the wrong decision. "I don't want to see you right now. Maybe tomorrow. Pizza hut, maybe."

All of these maybes did not a happy himan microwave conduit make. He scowled just a little at Axel and pulled out his phone to find the nearest Pizza Hut to the club. So far, no one was even paying attention to the two mismatched young men talking about murder. It wasn't an issue. Obviously whatever happened was an accident and even if two people were dead, half a dozen were still alive. And would be getting pretty big settlements.

Luke watched the scene for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay. Yeah. Pizza Hut. After dark. Like. Seven." He didn't tell Axel he had to show up. He just kind of hoped he did.

The day before the 'date', Luke stole some new clothes and killed an old lady with too many cats (all of which were stuck out into the hallway) so he could use her shower and her wifi. He wasn't sure why he was getting spiffed up, but he did put some thought and product into his hair before he went out to sit at the Pizza Hut and tapped into the traffic and security cams to see if Axel was on his way or not.

Axel wasn't going to show up originally, he debated leaving town but he pissed away a lot of his money on booze and a last minute ticket wasn't cheap so he had no idea how to flee the city without getting nuked. Promised or not, he didn't buy it. He argued with himself over going, he paced around the room, had one minor panic attack, what was left of his whiskey and finally, he left his apartment and went.

He was about ten minutes late but at least he showed.

Dropping into the seat opposite Luke, he looked at him and paused, slowly raising his eyebrow. "Hey." He looked nice. Fancier. His clothes were a little nicer and his hair was more textured around, as if he'd put more effort into it. It was oddly endearing. He hated that it was too, he was a dumb sucker. "Sorry I'm late."

Luke gave a shrug as if there was nothing wrong with being late. He had t been angry. Or sad. He might have been a little disappointed and he was thinking that he might go back to tagging along on mischief nights with Axel in a week or two if he didn't come, but he had t even started in on the pizza that just arrived to sit between two tall red plastic cups and shakers of red pepper flakes and parm cheese.

"Didn't know what you like so I got everything." Including anchioves. "I'll pick off whatever is gross."

He'd eat anything honestly. Anythibg at all. His chin rested in his palm as he watched Axel for a minute or two. What had the video told him to do? Oh. Compliment. "You look okay. Uh. Nice. I guess."

"I do?" He didn't feel he did. He was kind of hung over, he didn't sleep and all he'd done today was shower and throw on some clothes. He was wearing yesterday's jeans and a ripped shirt, something he claimed was punk but was mostly because he usually wore clothes until they fell apart to save money. Shopping was a lot of effort when you were technically a wanted man. "Thanks? You look pretty smart yourself. Nice hair."

He smirked a little and reached out, grabbing his soda as he eyed the toppings with curiosity. He was apparently looking to share. Cute. He liked it. He seemed to really be trying? Maybe this would work out. Or end with him dying horribly... he hoped not that but it was hard to tell.

"I can eat anything. I spend most of my youth doing pretty much that." Crashing at people's places and eating whatever they'd give him. "Thanks though. For ordering."

Emulating people who actually possessed feelings was a little weird. He'd been watching this teenage couple at the table towards the front for awhile now. She was flirty and he was stand offish but he did pick off the green peppers for her when she said they were gross. And he said her top was nice. So Luke was going with that. They were sort of play fighting now about something at school... He tried to ignore them. They were no longer of use to him. Normally he would make the pizza grease explode in their faces for fun but he was trying something else out.

He shrugged at Axel's comment and then tried nodded. "I mean you always look pretty good... Uh and I used this hair wax stuff. I don't know." He ran his hand through his hair and it made it look more wild. That suited him even better. He decided not to inform Axel how he had gotten the money for their dinner, though. He just tried to keep it as cool as possible right now.

And that was difficult.

"Shit I don't know how to small talk, man. Like asking how your day was? Do you care how mine was? And I suppose to care what you did today? Like when we aren't together what does it matter?"

Axel had to laugh, he couldn't help it. This was pretty fucking entertaining and given all the shit that Luke had put him through in this past twenty four hours? He fucking earned this moment. "You're cute." He offered, unable to help himself as he sat back and appreciated his disarrayed hair and social panic. Crossing his arms, he sprawled out a little, feeling considerably less freaked.

How could he be freaked by this?

"Dude, I never asked for small talk. I asked for you to not kill my dates. And to respect me when I tell you fucking no. And I told you no and you did it anyway. It pissed me off. That was it." He held up his hands, knowing he has to clarify here before his 'friend' had a mental break down. "Luke, man, relax. Be you. Don't be them. I like you plenty fine as you are, this is just weird. It's nice you give a shit every now and again but don't change or force small talk. No one likes small talk."

He shrugged his shoulders and slid the shaker with red pepper flakes in it over to Luke. "I don't like red pepper flakes. Melt it. Or whatever. Nuke it. Save me from the gross food."

Huh. Do him. Luke wasn't sure what he was or who he was. He'd been trying to be other people for awhile now, long enough at least to know better. He was a little put off, like he was being s bad date, but then Axel offered him an olive branch.

"Glass melts," he grinned. Yep. Full teeth and everything. He set the shaker down and held his hand over it. It wasn't something he had to do, he'd gotten very good at directing his ability, but it made a little show as the glass turned to goo and sopped up the flakes.

His eyes actually dazzled. He did love his powers.

It was unsettling to a degree but Axel was pretty used to that kind of crazy so instead of finding it too weird, he found himself laughing himself. When people weren't graphically dying in front of him, it was a lot more fun. Bouncing a little, he leaned forward and watched the way it kind of spread out slowly around the table. It was kind of cool.

"We should melt and/or nuke more things I hate."

He liked that. Romantic. He snorted in amusement and sat back, taking a slice of pizza and taking a bit out of it. "So how lightly can you use your powers? Like how gentle can you burn or is it all like full force face melty horror?"