Not the Best Time

[Chris Grayson]

”God damn it this thing fucking hurts!”

Chris scowled down at his side where the bullet wound was slowly healing. Even with his enhanced healing it was taking Chris a while to fix the wound. Unfortunately, that meant Chris could feel the pain from his wound very clearly. it was the main reason he was in such a foul mood, even for him.

”Fucking asshole. Glad the bastard’s dead.”

He didn’t regret the fact he’d gotten the wound considering he’d saved his best friend. However he still wasn’t exactly thrilled to have the constant throbbing and ache that came along with the wound. It was annoying to him more than actually painful. Unless of course someone hit it, which happened to Chris as some other kid bumped into him. He grit his teeth and whipped his head around to glare at the kid who’d done it.

”Watch where you’re fucking going, idiot. What, are you blind or something?”

[Will Spencer]

Finished with classes for the day, William couldn't have exited the classroom fast enough. He wanted out, away from people, in the open space so that he didn't feel as though he were suffocating again. It had been probably the second worst month of his entire life, second only to the month of his manifestation and finding out that he would die much earlier than he was supposed to. Cancer was enough to make a guy a little on edge, add to that a beast that was filled with so much rage he couldn't even control it? Well things were not going the greatest for him.

The only time he'd spent over this week that had actually pulled some kind of happiness out of him had been his run-in at the bookstore. Will was excited about his study session with the girl he'd finally met, his fellow bookworm, but she still had yet to contact him about when it would be. His plan for the day was to try and rekindle that feeling of contentedness by reading the book he'd had when he heard her rambling to the air around her. As they would be discussing Tennyson, he wanted to be on his game so that he could perhaps impress her with his quote recall.

No matter how much he thought of the events in the bookstore, he still hadn't managed to get out of the foul mood he started every day in and as he exited the room and made his way down the hall, he didn't care who got in his way as long as he got out. He walked determinedly past people, a few shooting him nasty looks for his lack of manners and one in particular seemed to not be thrilled about the way he pushed past him. It hadn't been a smart move on the guy's part, his words rubbing William the wrong way as he halted just a few steps from where they'd collided.

William turned over his shoulder, his eyes bored, his mouth set in a grim line, "Perhaps if you weren't taking up the whole width of the hall you bulging son of a bitch, I would have easily avoided you." There would be no apology coming, not even an inkling of regret. It surely could have been Will's fault for not caring about paying attention, but he'd happily peg the blame on someone else.

[Chris Grayson]

"Perhaps if you weren't taking up the whole width of the hall you bulging son of a bitch, I would have easily avoided you.”

Chris raised an eyebrow at the kid, seeing he was just as much of an asshole as Chris could usually get. Normally Chris would enjoy taunting the shit out of the other boy to gauge how bad he was in comparison, but with the ache in his wound Chris was feeling even feistier than normal. However that didn’t mean he’d enjoy tossing insults this guy’s way.

”Oh so sorry your highness. I can’t believe that by standing still and staying to the side that I managed to get in your precious way. Next time I’ll be sure to wear a bright orange vest so you can actually see when someone’s in your way. Or is your eyesight already so bad that you’re basically blind?” Chris returned with a tilt of his head. ”Because honestly that would explain a lot. Should I go get you a helper to assist you with walking grandpa? Or should I head back to your nursing home and get your walking stick for you? Obviously you aren’t doing so well without it.”

[Will Spencer]

Original. This guy was so original. He hadn't ever heard the 'your highness' bit before. William was so thoroughly impressed and so thoroughly full of sarcasm as he stood there with his arms folded across his chest, as best as he could with the hard cast getting in the way. Even so, he stared levelly ahead at the lad that felt that his insults actually had some kind of effect on Will. As someone who'd made it his ultimate purpose in life for people to hate him, nothing that this little wanker was saying had any effect whatsoever. He'd heard much better insults from his best friend who wasn't even actively seeking to piss the Brit off.

William held a hand up, hoping to at least stop this bloke before he continued to make more of an ass out of himself. "Hold up there, mate. Why don't you g'head and try again. This time at least use some different material. If you're looking to get under my skin, you've got to at least mix it up with the insults. For a gormless moron li' you, you sure do talk a lot with not much bein' said. You called me blind twice, and honestly, with the 'your highness' thing. It's gettin' a bit worn for all you, stupid American trash." William arched an eyebrow at the man in front of him, perhaps he was bulkier, but Will as at least the same height and although he was not the strongest, he had his own weapons.

"I'd show you how it's done, just for the shear satisfaction of watching a hobknocker like you cry, but I don't quite think it's fair. You wouldn't even understand what I was saying and that's just a damn shame," British insults were far better than he'd found American insults to be. Americans sounded like they were tripping over their tongues just trying to get a word out, whereas William could tear someone apart in one fell swoop. A single phrase was all he needed.

[Chris Grayson]

"Hold up there, mate. Why don't you g'head and try again. This time at least use some different material.”

When Will held up his hand, Chris actually took the gesture for what it was worth to come down from his painful high. In a way, it was like taking a break, although there was no way in hell he was going to thank the kid. Especially considering Chris missed an enormous chunk out of whatever speech the cheeky bastard was going on. Although in some twisted way Chris had a feeling he would have fun with this one. After he’d calmed himself down and was now thinking clearly, he actually started listening to whatever the kid was saying.

"I'd show you how it's done, just for the shear satisfaction of watching a hobknocker like you cry, but I don't quite think it's fair. You wouldn't even understand what I was saying and that's just a damn shame.”

Chris pursed his lips, raising an eyebrow at the boy in contemplation. Chris could easily tell he was dealing with an arrogant prick, but that only made this all the more fun. A deceptively sweet smile came onto Chris’ face, lighting his eyes up with some odd emotion.

”Well bless your heart! It must be hard keeping up the reputation for English insults, but I’m sure you do just fine. Wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone now, which I’m sure you don’t. You seem so clever! Especially being able to help me realize the mistakes of my own insults. Thank you so much for that, by the way.” Chris began in a light tone. ”Clearly I wouldn’t understand any of the English insults, which- you’re right- is such a shame! It tears me right to pieces that I don’t get to experience it.” Chris genuinely looked upset for a moment, but soon it passed. "You know,” Chris rubbed his chin and looked Will over, ”I have to admit I’ve always admired you European folk. You’ve got such a higher level of class! The fashion over there is amazing, especially the suits for you men! I’m sure you’d look dashing in one. It would do wonders for you with your kind of personality, I’m sure.” Chris smiled wider, seeming oddly amiable. ”The American girls must be love talking about you, you charmer. That type of confidence is very popular, and you’ve got it in spades! That’s bound to get you plenty of friends too. Why, I’m sure you’re probably a part of the whole popular group aren’t you? Or do you not waste your time with something as silly as that? You seem like the type of man without a single care and all the time in the world to get whatever he wants done. Am I right?”

[Will Spencer]

"You do like the sound of your own voice, aye mate?" William snorted. If he was to be honest, he didn't quite pay any mind to the noticeably fake 'compliments' and whatever else this guy was attempting to do with his monologue. Yes, Will had gone on his own tangent, but at least what he'd said was to the point and not some display of nonsensical bull shit that dragged on and on and on. God if Will could have just shoved his way past the guy and left it at that, he damn well should have. His pride had gotten him into this mess though, and his urge to poke and prod this oddly large child, hoping for a good fight. And if not a fight, then at least a hit. Any kind of pain was worth goading someone even if it was a waste of his time.

Of course William had heard the implications and they did rub him the wrong way. This guy didn't have a clue about his life, what he did with his time, who he was friends with or what girls struck his fancy. And the fact that he was even hinting at any of it or pretending to be so amazed by Will's winning personality was oddly annoying. In fact it was grating on his nerves and his inner beast was beginning to get angry again. Apparently there was not pleasing the lion's bloodlust and need for a fight because Will was certain if he kept at this, he'd shift right smack dab in the middle of the hallway and who knew if his handy dandy tactile anesthetic was on campus or out recruiting with his best friend.

Oh God, Gabe would kill him if he shifted right in the middle of the hallway. Never mind if either of the twins heard about it.

Clearing his throat, Will lifted his eyes to the boy in front of him and placed a lazy smile on his lips, "Now if you're finished playing coy with me, chap. I've got better things to do with my life than listen to you prattle on about things you don't have a clue about. It's been fun." He patted the guy's cheek with his good hand and stepped around him.