[He stares back at him for a long second, heart pounding. It is different. He knows it is, even if Stephen doesn't, even if he can't put into words why.
It doesn't occur to him that the real answer is that it's different because Stephen is supposed to know better. To be better. Stephen is older, and unlike his brothers, smarter. Stephen took him in whether he meant to or not. Fed him. Gave a shit, at least for a little while.
He doesn't know what to do with a Stephen that's just as fucked up as he is.
He swallows back the sudden burn of acid in his throat, and suddenly he's all panic and movement: grabbing his backpack from the floor, wavering over the cans before deciding to leave them behind.]
Look, fuck you, okay? I don't need to explain shit to you. You wanna get yourself killed? Great. Have fun with that.
[Tell me to stop, some part of him thinks. He turns to him with the pack in hand, hovering, waiting.]
no subject
It doesn't occur to him that the real answer is that it's different because Stephen is supposed to know better. To be better. Stephen is older, and unlike his brothers, smarter. Stephen took him in whether he meant to or not. Fed him. Gave a shit, at least for a little while.
He doesn't know what to do with a Stephen that's just as fucked up as he is.
He swallows back the sudden burn of acid in his throat, and suddenly he's all panic and movement: grabbing his backpack from the floor, wavering over the cans before deciding to leave them behind.]
Look, fuck you, okay? I don't need to explain shit to you. You wanna get yourself killed? Great. Have fun with that.
[Tell me to stop, some part of him thinks. He turns to him with the pack in hand, hovering, waiting.]