We Don't Talk Anymore (Starring: Malus, Skyler, Drifter, Withdrawl, and Humanity)

This was the first time Lukas had been in LA with Skyler. It was a bit nerve wracking, considering the major purpose of this trip was to have her meet the guys.

Yes, normally you take a girl to your family. The thing about this situation though, was that his family were assholes. They would never approve of a woman so much older then him, no matter how beautiful she was. To Drifter it made more sense to get with an older woman though—that way you die at roughly the same time.

Regardless, Pat and Matt were his family substitute. He also kinda wanted them to know where he had been going when he went up to New York all those times. The 'see my brother' excuse only worked for so long with somebody like Matt.

He woke to the smell of coffee, cracking his neck while his face remained in the pillow. He hated getting up. It wasn't even the fact he was tired, it was more the prep. He understood the need for hygiene, but the way he primped took quite a long while for a guy. It seemed like a chore honestly.

He looked to Skyler with a smile, then his eyes looked down to the coffee in her hands. He reached out and took it, then rustled out of bed.

"Thank you. Gotta' brush my teeth first." He said as he went to the bathroom, taking the cup along. He brushed his teeth thoroughly, took a quick shower, did his hair, clipped his nails, put various creams on his face, put deodorant on, then downed the coffee as he was walking out the bathroom door in a towel.

He poured himself another cup.

"Why do you drink it like that? With the cream and sugar? It takes away from the natural flavor..... And it's baaad for you." Drifter teased as he got his clothing then went off to get dressed. As fine as it was for him to being doing that in front of her, he never let people watch him dress. Why would anyone want to anyway?

He wore his usual mix of street clothing and formal wear. A black collared jacket over a dark green t-shirt, dark wash jeans, converse, and a gold crucifix around his neck. Once fully equipped for what would undoubtedly be a dangerous social mission he came out and saw Skyler once again.

"So she's at a ballet thing? You know, my little sister does that too." Lukas said, making small talk about Skyler's adopted as he drank the rest of his black gold elixir of life and happiness.

Life had become even more dull, or maybe he had just taken less of an interest in life as it went on. Each motion felt like something that had to be forced out, save for when sleep came of course. Being technically homeless was a pain in the ass, but then again not much he could do about it. Luckily he had a place to crash, even if it wasn’t exactly as nice as his prior apartment, it sure beat the hell out of somewhere on the streets. Luke had messaged something about meeting someone, though he couldn’t be bothered to really care about something like that.

Maybe I should skip out on it. Pat thought to himself, the possibility seeming more tantalizing than it should be. After all, why would someone incapable of feeling love go with people he didn’t care about? His teeth ground together, unable to banish the very idea from his mind, as it always was. That was when his phone vibrated, ripping him from thought long enough to look at what he was receiving. A selfie from a certain Marcus whom was actually named Malus, and for some reason probably related to some really rich lady.

”Whatever.” He sighed, standing up. Not like he was going to change really, considering what he had on was good enough. That being a black shirt which felt just tight enough wth Fus Ro Dah in faded metallic lettering, and a pair of tan cargo shorts. ”Guess I better get going.” With that he would just make his way out, making use of public transportation until he was mostly there and walked from then on.

It was nice for a bit of exercise, and he needed any he could get. They were in some hotel, so he would have to go there, probably giving Malus something to work with but no more than that. Once getting there, he knocked and waited for them to answer.

His eyes opened and he rolled out of bed. It was 5 o' clock in the morning. He took a small jog, went to his basement and did a few sit ups and push ups. He punched the stress bag a bit before walking up the stairs and goting to get a shower. the could water splashed his face. His water heater broke, and since Pat was living with him he had to play up the fact he was broke as hell. Of course there were consequences and he gladly paid for, cold water were his favorite kinds of showers, primarily because frigid water reminded him of the dark abyss. The ocean, that was. though today the thoughts were different. It reminded him of rain. His favorite weather, and where he met the woman that changed his life. for better or worse....well that might be what he was saying shortly. He didn't know anymore. His life was most certainly not his own, and if this was the price he had to pay...

   It was 7 o'clock before he was dressed and ready to roll, making his way to the kitchen and cooking up some form of breakfast. His mind was constantly assaulted from all angles. Vampire-angels from Hell invaded his lower thoughts, his higher thoughtd were plagued by voices in his head that whispered while he began to act upon dark impulse. Let's of course not forget the back of his mind, where he was assaulted by "Lord Moon" immortals and their lapdogs of fear. Dark pacts made with those almost as monstrous as he was. Then you had the thoughts of the past...all he had failed. All he continued to fail...and everyone he was going to fail. He already knew he was. Pat. Luke. Code. Christ he even failed Victor, and that broke him most of all.

   You've done everything you could. That's all they could ask.
   I wouldn't have failed them. Pathetic.

   The breakfast was bacon and eggs on one plate, the second one being tofu. He assumed Patrick would do what he did best and suddenly vanish inexplicably without so much as a goodbye. He actually rather enjoyed that. If nothing else Pat was predictable, he was consistant. He was a good guy, he was just a little oblivious to things at times. Of course one had to consider his circumstance. Pat put up with a lot.  Luke on the other hand... he was just being a bitch.

  Well now that's a tad bit hippocritical, now innit? He couldn't help but acknowledge it was a little true. Though he could argue that his situation was a bit more complicated. He could also argue that his anger and petty nature towards Luke was simply because he had been dealing with his bullshit for the past several years as his friend. Now that he's actually trying to save him, the son of a bitch didn't want to help himself.  Can't save them for them.

    Yeah. that was pretty true actually. Which is why it made him all the more surprised when he had found Pat wasleaving to go somewhere. Found out mostly because he heard him leave, but Matt didn't really pay too much heed of it. The elusive Pat was a free creature. So long as he followed the rules it was free to do everything else it pleased. Pat seemed to be coping properly with all that had happened, nothing he displayed nor vocalized had been unexpected and was well on the path of recovery. Luke on the other hand, wouldn't even pick up a fucking phone.

  "I swear to fucking God." He said as he sat on his couch, crossed legs as his eyes were closed. He said it calmly as he tried to breathe, trying to center himself. "I SWEAR TO FUCKING GOD!" he yelled before lunging from the couch over to the coffee table, lifting it up off the ground and throwing it full force against the wall. The table broke and the wall had a permanent hole in it. 11:45am and he had already lost it today.

 AHhahahahahhaHAAAAA!! It's just called a coffee table. Don't need to take your jitters out on it. The voice in his mind wouldn't stop, just the little part of him that always seemed to laugh, seemed to languish every time he lost control, every time he felt powerless. He was done with it. He was done with all of it.  Of course when his phone buzzed and he turned to see his phone on the dining table, he began to seethe, walking over to his small bathroom and opening the medicine cabinet, taking a few painkillers and walking over to the phone.

  Hey, Apartment 420 of Embassy Suites. Bring formal wear! was all the text message said. Wasn't he supposed to be with his brother? I smell buuuuullshiiiiit. of course it was bullshit. He had the commonsense to actually disguise himself and go sleuthing for Luke several states away. It's very true, Humanity has no life. His life actually revolves around keeping these two shit-for-brains alive while they run around and play vigilantes.

    Why?
    So you can get a date of course
    I've spent most of my life single. Dafuq do you want me 2 do?
    Well
It's pretty simple
First you find somebody
then you get them drunk
then you have sex with them
It's as easy as that.
    Have you not met me?
Yah...you exorcized me just the other day.
I would rather just blow Pat and try to cope with the shame.
Oh come on! It'll be fuuuuuun!
Could also use an alibi
I kinda dragged a guy with my car lol

  It was at this moment that Matthew felt a severe pain in his head, reading these messages were just making his skull split, the pain becoming more agonizing with every minute. These pain pills were not helping as much as he'd like...though that's probably because he'd yet to take them. With a sigh he looked to the pills and realized that the answer to all of his problems right now were so incredibly simple. The Bloodmoon and their Immortal leader. The Queen of Thrones. Failing everyone he cared about. Even when these three seemed to mix.... all of it could just go away. It was that simple. Forty little peanut shaped pills and a glass of water was all it'd take. Scoffing at the idea he shook his head and went back to his texts.

I'm out. I've tried. I did. I can't do this. I'm not like this. I'm not a vigilante like you guys... I'm not cut out for this team. It's not good for me. It's not good for any of us.  Just do me a favor and do what I'm gonna do. Take a fuck ton of sleeping pills and PK's and don't wake up.
'kay
8:00
Oh? That long? I already took mine...
Welp. I'll save you a seat.
Thanks! but when I get down there i call the seat next to your mom.

   Oooh...oh no he didn't. The voice in his head gasped as Humanity's heart froze. His eyes began to well up a little before he let out a deep exhale. Oh Lukey-pooky that was a very baaaaaaad ideeeea-hahaha it laughed.

  I'm going to pump my stomach
Reveal my deepest, darkest secret
Then I'm going to hurt you
then I will hurt everyone you're with
then, and only then...will I end myself.

 and so he shut off his phone and went in search of his dress clothing for the evening. But with two such wonderful suits....who knew which one he'd choose.

Eenie...
Meanie....
Mineie









Mo.

Lukas texted Matt and got a flurry of messages in return once he sat down and started talking to Skyler about dancing. He was now paying have attention to his phone and half to the woman in front of him. Unfortunately, that meant he had to sort of wing the conversation.

"Yes....... Pretty sure." Drifter said without even really thinking about whether his sister really had gone to that particular studio. He typed rapidly on his phone, having quite an odd conversation with Matt.

Being who he was, he had to make a low blow joke. That got Matt riled up apparently, unless he was joking as well. If he wasn't..... Well, getting killed for a joke had to be the absolute best way to go out, ever.

He turned his phone off, pouring himself yet another cup off coffee before he set about getting everything ready for tonight. People would be here to meet in only a few hours, after all.

He kept the weapons a little light tonight, only bringing a knife and a handgun. Unless a Warden or two decided to pop up, he figured he should be fine. Not to mention, he had a metahuman mercenary with him.

After that, he called to check up on his reservations.

------------------------------------------

There was a knock on the door. Judging by the way it was paced, it was Pat. Lukas could always tell if something was a Matt or a Pat thing. No, it wasn't anything like the Eldritch trick. You just tend to familiarize yourself with people and how they act. So, Lukas put his best 'I'm sorry i stabbed you then almost strangled you to death' smile on, then opened the door.

"Um, hi Pat. Come on in." Luke said. Pat still looked a little beaten up, despite Matt taking him to get healed by the Seraphim guys. Maybe it was just in the mind.

"Are you alright man?" Drifter asked, planting a hand on his friend's shoulder as he waited for an answer. Whatever it was, he would back away and head into the room to avoid things getting awkward.

"Pat, this is Skyler. I'll get us some drinks while we wait for Matt." Luke said, heading over to the hotel bar to mix some drinks while the two got acquainted. Apparently when he put on a collared shirt, he was instantly a party host.

It only took a little while for Luke to actually answer the door, Pat greeted with some odd smile. Something about that smile awakened a desire to plant a fist in said smile, splinter and shatter his teeth. Though all he did was give a smile in return. ”Gladly.” Was all he said, fatigue lacing his voice as he stepped through, shrugging off the hand settled onto his shoulder. Just looking at him brought back less than pleasant memories, souring his already stale mood.

Honestly, after the beating he went through, walking around should have been impossible but it seemed Matt had his connections, so he was fine. The only wounds left around now were those of the psychological variety. ”Never been better buddy.” he said with a smirk suddenly, and that was the conversation for him.

Next came the introductions to the girlfriend, as he was expecting. An odd looking woman with silvery hair that looked better suited in an anime, or maybe someone that took their scene phase a bit too seriously. ”It’s nice to meet that special someone in Luke’s life. I’m surprised he found anyone who could stomach him.” He said with usual humor, taking himself a seat on one of the couches.

Matthew was running a bit late. Granted he was the last one to be informed ,the last one contaced, the last one insulted and he was quite honetly one of the most unlucky people in the world when it came to social promptness. It had been an ongoing joke in his family that he would be the first person ever to be late for his own funeral. Of course now he could die and his family wouldn't give a damn about him. He was actually convinced that only one of them knew he was alive. Though he couldn't help but ponder the infinite sufferings of this world. How he curried about, scampering to keep up with metahumans when all he really wanted was a blissful existence. Such is the way of fate, however, he took no pity in the hand he was dealt and he actively made the best of what he had.

      Matthew was dressed in his favorite clothes. Well favorite clothes that didn't make him look like a poor bum. Pristine white tee shirt with a long-sleeved red, white and blue overshirt left unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up. His black beanie sat on his head to match the thick black rims of his glasses with his dark blue jeans and thick black boots as the finishing touches. His choice of getting to Luke's hotel probably wasn't the best choice either, though. Not as if he had much of a choice as his car was blown to Hell, hospitilizing Matt in the process. That was actually the most effective attempt anyone had ever made upon his life. Though he was actually quite satisfied by the concept that the closest anyone had ever come to killing him was actually just him trying to kill himself...in a manner of speaking.

    The long walk was something that he savored. He kept his wits about him, though kept his hands tucked into his pockets as he continued along down the street. He could look and see all types of people from all walks of life. Black dresses, high heels and boots on the sidewalk, streetlights turning from red to green and cars zipping past like they were the only thing on the road. This was Los Angeles.... the city of Sin. Remembering that he had to smirk, all before coming up upon what looked like the most awkward thing in the world. A boy, he couldn't have been older than twelve and an older boy around Matthew's age sitting with their knees to their chest and backs against a brick wall. Matthew stopped for a moment before looking to them, trying to get the most intense read he could out of things.

   First of all the one kid had his hair dyed a rather loud color of blue, as in it tasted like sour-patch kids to look at this hair, and he couldn't stare long. The older one simply had brown hair and a tattoo on his arm. They were drenched, but the last he had heard rain was just before he went for his run. Torn jeans, unconventionally torn, not made through a fashion statement. A backpack with the yougner kid and a duffel bag for the older...though the backpack still had the pricing tags on it, the barcoad seemed to be scratched off. The messy apperances, the glare the older one shot back and the slight recoil of the kid, the facial contortion of the older as Matthew arched his eyebrow in confusion. Scanning over them for just a moment was all it took for Matt to realize what was happening. He reached into his left pocket and withdrew money from his wallet, tossing it down; for a single moment shedding the illusion of poverty as a serpent would it's skin. He didn't say another word and simply walked. It was just his drinking money really...it's not like he needed it... he was an alcoholic that couldn't get buzzed. He couldn't be drunk... he just wanted to drink himself to death it would seem.

     Matthew arrived at the hotel and took the elevator up, eventually a man had jumped onto the same elevator with a various arrangement of familiar colors. He chuckled to himself as he began to disect the person that entered the elevator. Fashionable choice in colors, though Humanity would argue that the over-priced shoes were probably a bit much. The hairstyle may have said "Meh I tried." to other people but at this point...with THOSE flowers... the hair really said "Oh God, uhm...okay I'll just play it cool!".  The body spray could possibly have been applied a little more conservatively. In his expeirnece people who abused fregrances this much were either rich douchebags or incredibly inexperienced... and well...look at the guy.... there's no way THAT was lacking in experience.  Humanity presssed the button for the third floor after the man had arrived, and as the elvator took him up he stopped off at the third floor, and then immediately walked to the staircase. He didn't like the vibe of that guy.... he didn't like the vibe of anything going on today, actually.

  Hopefully by the time he got to the fourth floor that person would be gone, and have no trace of him being there. Humanity had gotten to him. He couldn't even stand glass elevators anymore. He couldn't stand being seen anymore. He just wanted to vanish.... to get behind a mask. A mask he even called his own face sometimes....

  Finally getting up the stairs he opened the door and walked down the hallway, not slowing when he saw the same man from the elevator standing at the door of room 420. Immediately he began canning over the guy. Any contures in those slacks, any form of inconsistanies in the red shirt His eyes fixated on the flowers the man held behind his back. To the man it was simply a romantic gesture. Humanity? He was already formulating plans in his head for any possible weapon that it could conceal. Pipe-bomb? The second he heard beeping he was diving intot he little inlet to his left, where the ice-machine and vending machines were. Katana? There was a luggage trolly on the right, turn it and push it into the guy, disarm and destroy. Machine-gun? Wrist grappling tool, tuck and dive out the window. Magic weapon....well...there were ways he dealt with those.

  Walking up to the door he looked to Malus a little confused and quickly reached into hsi pocket to pull out his phone.

 "Heh. Got ff on the wrong floor. Uuuuh...no. I'm at the right room.... Okay." He said before taking in a bit of an uneasy breath and sighing, flashing a quick and nervous smile at Malus. Matt looked to the flowers real quick and then to Malus and his mind began formulating. Why is he at Luke's...wait....Was....no....Was he tr-....no. Pat? Maybe... unless Nihilus. If it is then fuck that kid. I swear to God I'll slit his little throat and bleed him like a pig. His mind went through all of these malicious things while he still had his meek, shy and awkward smile on, hands buried deep in his pockets as he seemed to slink back, as if hiding from the man a little. Ok, so this guy was either an assassin sent to kill them, Luke's insanity got worse and he changed teams, Luke is being a dick and tired to set Matt up with this guy, or Pat was here and this guy was for him. Though he was praying it was the fourth...he was highly suspicious of the third option. Pat never said where he was going.... and Luke's texts messages were about him getting laid so.... He really didn't want this to get awkward.

 "Uh...c'mon Luke. What's the hold up? did pat kill ya or what?" He whispered to himself as he kept back, utilizing his position to keep an eye on the flowers for any possible weapons it may conceal. He looked over the flowers and quickly reached up, discretely removing two orange ones from the group. They were positioned too close together....it would have irritated Pat to no end. Providing these were for Pat... he really...really hoped these were for Pat.

Despite the fact Lukas was nowhere near a prood, affection in public was not his thing. Yeah, he would crack a dirty joke once in awhile, but flowers? Babe? It made his skin crawl honestly.

He didn't have any problem wih Skyler calling him that, but this was around Matt and Pat. It seemed weird, yet it was made weirder still by the Jersey Shore slash Edgar Allen Poe mixture giving Pat flowers. There seemed to have been some problem with their relationship, but if that was the case why did Pat invite the guy? Unless, well, unless he didn't. Lukas really hoped he wasn't being crashed by a stalker.

"Hi....... Not sure we've met. Who are you?" Drifter said from behind the bar. It wasn't rudely, though some might think it was. The point is, it wasn't rude to Lukas.

He finished making Skyler's drink, as well as his. He would also see what Pat and his date(?) wanted then mix it up for them. Drifter himself just had some Bourbon on the rocks with a bunch of lime juice in it.

He would go to Skyler, give her the White Russian, then greet Matt. His friend seemed to have held back behind, being his normal introverted self. Honestly, Lukas was the same way—parties took a ton out of him. He much rather be alone most of the time, so he could understand the reluctance.

He would scoot by Skyler, then walked right out the door and shut it. This would leave him in the hallway with Matt, where they could talk undisturbed.

"Ok, first of all, sorry about the joke, that was quite rude of me. Um, but, who the fuck is that guy?" Lukas asked, a quick laugh escaping his lips. He figured Matt knew nothing about the guy, but it couldn't hurt to try.

Besides, they could both laugh over their mutual discomfort.

I almost feel sorry for her. Pat thought to himself, partially because of that nasty looking scar and partially because something told him that she would have a rude awakening in their relationship. Unless Luke was actually doing something about the insanity, or maybe Pat was just being overly hard on him. She would stand up and waltz over to Luke, while Malus would walk into the place followed by Matt who was being….well Matt.

Just having Malus close enough he could smell an abundance of cologne, burning his nostrils rather thoroughly. ”Yeah yeah, my only question is how many bottles of cologne did you bathe in before coming here?” He said with a single raised brow, gripping onto the flowers and letting it settle down on the couch as if he didn’t want to hold them right now. ”And if you’re trying to get on my good side, try a box of chocolates. I can’t exactly eat flowers.” That was when Luke would understandably ask a question, so he might as well answer, sitting back down and ignoring the whole face hand thing.

”Oh he’s fine, I invited him since it felt like the right time to show off the….significant whatever.”

Humanity had smirked with his hands in his pockets as he looked up to the door and his smile faded. Silver hair, fair and a rather gnarly looking scar around her eye. His smile went to lame and mentally retarded, completely forgetting himself as his heart seized itself and refused to pump. His lungs refused to take in air and he was slowly filled with a crippling anxiety. He swallowed nervously after Malus seemed to step in. Humanity stepped forward and tagged Malus on the shoulder, leaning in and in a rather hushed tone decided to be friendly and give Malus a warning.

  "Don't drink anything Luke makes you..." before immediately slinking back and being approached by Luke, positioning himself there with a rather dazed look on his face. He had completely forgotten why he was there right now all he could think about was the mistakes of his past returning to haunt him. Luke began talking to him, but it really just went over his head as a saddened and rather heavy look plastered Matthew's face. For once, Humanity was probably the most readable person in the room....because for the first time ever Humanity and Matthew were not divided. Luke continued his comments about being sorry about the comment and he seemed to ignore him, walking into the room with a nod and hopping up a little and leaning behind the bar, pulling up whisky and a thing of vodka. He heard drifter ask who the guy was and he turned to answer him.

  "Pat's squeeze. Hand me the Sours....I'll be right back. Hair on my neck is standing on end. He's gonna say somethin' stupid." He cleared his throat and turned around, just in time for Pat to say;

”And if you’re trying to get on my good side, try a box of chocolates. I can’t exactly eat flowers.”

  Matt immediately clenched his fist and drove it swiftly into Pat's shoulder, he didn't intend to do any harm, but seeing as for him "toned back" still hurt... it might have been interesting. Of course he was intending on Pat asking what that was for, to which he simply scoffed and looked to Malus and then to Pat, a small leer at his friend. He sighed and shook his head, turning around.

 "You've got someone man enough to do that for ya. Give him some slack." He said before hopping right back over to his drink. He immediately popped one top and started to drink a 5th of whisky, opening some vodka and pouring it into the whisky. Then he mixed it up, poured some into a glass with a splash of cranberry juice and sours. But it wasn't a small glass. No, it was massive. "The Bloody Cowboy....here we go." He said already throwing one back, his mind still racing as he tried to gather his thoughts. He was so incredibly sad that he couldn't get drunk. He didn't even know why. It didn't have anything to do with metagenes, or vassalage or whatever. He just never, could he ever get drunk. He could get sick.... but beyond that...nada.

Luke raised an eyebrow at the revelation that this person was indeed Pat's sort of date. He wasn't aware his friend was even dating, but then again both Mathew and Pat didn't know about Skyler until now. There apparently was a bit more kept secret now then before all this vigilante business. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing though, Lukas didn't know,.

Drifter went back into the apartment in time to see Matt grab a large glass. Apparently he was mixing his own super drink. Luke had never once seen the guy drunk, but if anything was going to give Matt a buzz, it was whatever he was concocting at the moment. Maybe he needed it. Matt was a difficult person to read, yet Luke could see anxiety all over his face.

Luke passed Matt what he had asked for while listening to Pat and his lover boy have their little back and forth. It was a little amusing to Drifter honestly. He was practically licking his chops for a chance to interject with a sarcastic or suggestive comment.

"Pat, you can eat flowers. That doesn't mean they're food, even though some are, but you caaaan eat them, if you want." Luke said, snatching a red peddle from one of the flowers before tossing it in his drink as a garnish. It probably wouldn't taste so good, but he had to make his point. Plus, it looked pretty.

"Anyway, what's got you two staring at each other with a mixture of contempt and sexual tension? That's usually you and Matt's thing—but at least you're branching out, right?" Luke said to Pat and Malus as he started his pacing thing. When he talked, he had a habit of walking, or at least slowly sauntering. Maybe it was him being anxious, or maybe it was him getting ready to run away if one of his embarrassed friends decided to go murder mode.

Pat rolled his eyes, rubbing his arm and letting a soft hiss through his lips. That hurt like hell. Odd that he could withstand a good bit of pain but a punch in the shoulder could just sting. It appeared a little playfulness was unwelcome, but then again he should have expected it by now. Maybe there wouldn’t be a bruise, he could never tell what did and did not bruise. ”Well Luke, if you wanted a bit of sexual tension all you had to do was ask.” Pat noted with a roll of his eyes, and a slight wink followed giving Luke a pat on the bum emphasized with a good squeeze before just following along behind Malus.

He settled himself beside Malus, just mixing him some kind of drink and sipping it. ”Thanks for the flowers though, they’re nice.” He said letting the whole petty act slip if only for a second,  pecking Malus on the cheek. If it was going to be awkward, he might as well be drunk while it was.