How It Goes - Part 24
#25 of How It Goes
Apologies for the delay. Writing this took a long while, though I have finally found the thread again.
There will be a release next week. Cannot believe I'm at part 25 already.
"Scott! Supper's ready!"
Scott raises his muzzle as he gazes down at the glow from his 3DS. He snorts guiltily to himself when he closes the handheld, and his eyes fall on the paragraph on_Richard I_. Tucking away the book with disinterest, he gets out of his chair, reaches for his shirt, and heads downstairs. The table is set as usual as his father puts down a casserole between the plates.
"Studies going well?" Charles asks as he gets seated.
"Yeah. History is a dry subject, though." Scott sits down with a small smile as his father serves him a portion.
"Oh, I don't know, can be fascinating," Charles chuckles as he scoops a serving for himself. After savouring the first taste, he clears his throat. "Scott, I'll be travelling abroad in two days."
"Where?" Scott replies curiously, and he looks up at the aged face of his father.
"North-eastern US. I've been invited to give lectures on my dissertation." Charles's lips are curled into a small yet proud smile.
"For how long?"
"Two months," Charles frowns, and he bites his lower lip. "Will you be okay, though?"
"Yeah, of course I will be. I'll have Theo, and Brian, and Tom in case something happens."
"You and Brian sorted things out then?"
"Yeah, couple of weeks ago." Scott smiles weakly.
"Glad to hear that," Charles nods as he reaches for a slice of buttered bread. "Psychology next Thursday, was it?"
"Yeah. History and English week after, then Geography on the 16th."
"We should host a party when I get back to celebrate." Charles grins as he scoops more food onto his plate.
"Yeah," Scott nods with a grim grin, the thought of the last party's climax on the back of his mind. "I think I'd like that."
They both stew in their own thoughts for a moment, before Charles reaches for the stereo's remote. The refrain of_Suburbia_ bursts out of the speakers at excessive volume; Scott almost drops his fork as his ears twitch angrily. The older wolf turns down the volume with an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry," the wolf sighs as he rewinds the track. The intro, soothing though it is, makes Scott wistful. "Needed to get my mind off of things earlier, forgot the volume."
The music goes on as they continue to feast; the room slowly sinks and rises in favour of the album's mood. By the time the food's lukewarm, the both of them stare down at their emptied plates, and_Running For Home_'s melancholy envelops them both.
"Ah, I'm going to miss you," Charles sighs gloomily with gritted teeth. "Two months without you is going to be rough. Forgive your old man, why don't you?"
"Longest I've gone without seeing you's a week," Scott replies grimly as looks up at his old man. "I'm going to miss you too, dad."
"Why was the Fourth Crusade, and when?"
Scott mutters to himself as he shuffles through his notes. Cecil clicks his tongue and taps the table.
"No notes, remember?"
"A pope wanted to reassert papal control?" Scott replies dubiously as he looks away from his notes. "Pope Lucius? Eugene?"
"In the right veins," Cecil winks as he taps the cover of the book. Scott bites his lower lip.
"Pope Innocent III in..." he buries his face in his paw and mutters quietly under his breath, "Think, you idiot...around 1200? Something about the death of Henry of Charlemagne..."
"Yeah, just about," Cecil nods, flicking open the book. "He got elected in 1198, and his main goal was erecting a new crusade, so...hold on..."
Cecil's phone threatens to vibrate off their library table; he snatches it hurriedly and frowns at the display. "Hold on, it's my pa."
Scott flicks through his notes again, narrowing his eyes whenever he hits a passage so hurriedly scribbled it verges on illegible. The particulars on the crusades, he realises, are part of his hasty notes. As he dips his hand into his backpack, he looks up to find Cecil returned - his shoulders limp, phone dangling from the tip of his fingers. The rabbit's face has never looked more crushed.
"Cecil?" Scott asks uncertainly as he gets up on his feet. Cecil buries his face, clearly lined in ache, into a tense paw - and when Scott reaches to touch him, the rabbit wraps his free arm around his neck with a loud sob.
"It's..." Cecil gasps as Scott quietly embraces him. Scott gently nuzzles the back of Cecil's head, breathing slowly. "It's...he's..."
"I'm here for you," Scott whispers softly as he pats Cecil on the back. The rabbit nods, shaking uncontrollably, his voice stuck in his throat. Scott glances toward the other tables - other students are gazing their way, some curious, some frustrated. "Should we maybe go somewhere else?"
"Y-yeah," Cecil whimpers, his voice a husk of its usual volume. He staggers as Scott gently lets go of him, and watches with hushed sobs as the wolf clears the table. Weakly, Cecil grasps the straps of his bag when offered; he leans into the wolf as Scott lays his arm around his shoulder.
The faint drizzle dies as they walk across the school yard. Scott steps around the puddles as they come; Cecil splashes through them with heavy steps and heavier silence. The wolf tugs on Cecil's sleeve as they reach the crossroads, and he beckons to a nearby bench. When they sit down, Cecil hunches forward with his arms close to his chest, his otherwise upbeat ears flat and wet over his face. Scott watches him in the quiet as the sun starts to break through the grey carpet above.
"It was my dad," Cecil says weakly by the time Scott's fur has dried. "He... He told me Stewart's... he's... he's d-dead."
The wolf bites his lower lip as he instinctively touches the rabbit's shoulder. Cecil swallows hard and shakes his head slowly, quietly. Scott whispers an apologetic, "When?"
"An hour ago," Cecil sniffles, though his breaths steady. "They found him an hour ago in his apartment. He... he'd overdosed."
"I'm sorry," Scott mutters quietly as his grasp lessens on Cecil's shoulder. "I'm so sorry."
"I don't get it," Cecil mumbles to himself. "I don't get why he...what the hell was he..."
Scott watches the rabbit in silence; the despair turns into anger, then into confusion, into sorrow, and agony, and frustration, accompanied by growls and sobs and whimpers. The turmoil within Cecil is only agitated as the sun above intensifies. Scott, as gently as he can, suggests, "Maybe you should go home? Or to your parents' place?"
When Cecil raises his head, his expression is defiant, his eyes red and puffy. His fists are clenched despite his tremor, and for a moment he appears on the verge of screaming. He glares at Scott for a long while until the wolf whimpers faintly - and Cecil bursts into sobs once more, burying his face into his paws.
"It hurts, I know," Scott whispers softly as he scoots a little bit closer. "It always does."
"My parents aren't home. They're visiting relatives in Germany," Cecil whispers as he grimaces. "For fucks sake, why... why did it have to happen today, fucking A levels tomorrow and... and..."
Scott scoots even closer and lays an arm around Cecil's shoulder. The rabbit leans into him, his face now lined with angry defeat, and he shakes his head over and over again. "Scott, what do I even..."
Scott takes a deep breath as he reaches for his phone. He smiles weakly as he resignedly searches through his contacts. "I... I know someone who could help."
Scott sighs into his notes. The last half hour has been slow, every word read barely registered, as his thoughts and his gaze has been fixed more than not on the office door in front of him. The plaque reads "Dr. R. Wald," - Scott had never asked what Dr. Wald's name was, though he knew it was Richard. When the door does open, he is greeted to Cecil's mournful yet relieved face - behind him, a rhino with a perpetual frown. Dr. Wald pats Cecil gently on the shoulder.
"Next week, then. Take it easy." Dr. Wald spots Scott and smiles - a strange addition to the furrowed brows. "Everything well, Scott?"
"Yeah, thanks, doctor," Scott replies as he tucks away his notes. "Sorry for the late call."
"Done's done. I understand the urgency." Dr. Wald nods gravely. "But you have to leave now. Both of you."
"Thank you," Scott repeats as he grabs his backpack. He and Cecil are shooed out, and then the door behind them is locked forcefully. "You okay?"
"Y-yeah," Cecil sighs as he rubs his face. "It still hurts, but... it helped."
"I'm glad to hear that," Scott replies weakly as he checks his phone.
"I shouldn't be surprised you got a psych on speed dial, should I?" Cecil murmurs as he gazes wistfully up at the sky.
"I'ven't been at his office in over three years," Scott mutters as he checks bus routes. "He's good friends with dad, though. They worked together a couple of years ago."
"What does your dad do, anyway?"
"Consultation," Scott huffs as he looks up at the rabbit. "Management consultation."
"Wasn't that doctor a psychologist?" Cecil remarks confused.
"Psychiatrist," Scott shrugs. "Dad's got a BA in psych, though. Doctor Wald helped him conducting some studies and hold a few seminars. They met through, well. Me."
"Psych?" Cecil blinks with a confused grimace. Scott snorts and sighs heavily.
"Dad's got three degrees," Scott explains solemnly. "Long story, most of it told before I was born. He finished psych five years ago, though."
"I... I see." Cecil stares up at the sky once more.
"I checked the bus routes, bus to Southumberland passes by in five minutes."
"Yeah, I guess," Cecil says, weary and quiet. "Not that I want to go home."
"You could stay over at my place," Scott replies immediately. Cecil looks up with a conflicted frown.
"I want to be alone, though," Cecil replies uncertainly, yet Scott nods.
"We've a guest room. It'll be quiet, you can be alone, and I'll be nearby if you do need something." Scott lays a hand on the rabbit's shoulder. "It's okay to want to be alone, but ... but don't isolate yourself. Not tonight. Please?"
"Yeah, okay," Cecil nods as he tries to smile - a feeble thing. "You're right."
"Do you need to get anything from your apartment?" Scott asks as he gestures for Cecil to follow. The rabbit shakes his head as he trails after the wolf.
"Some clothes," Cecil grimaces. "I need a shower..."
"Okay," Scott nods as they reach the bus stop. "Tell me if you need anything else."
"Thanks, Scott..."
"Anything for you," Scott replies softly as he signals the bus. As the great vehicle stops before them, he guides the forlorn rabbit up into the vehicle; he pays for their fare and finds them a seat in quiet. Cecil stares mindlessly out the window. Scott merely watches for a long while, waiting for the announcement of their arrival in Southumberland.
"So it all went well?"
Scott leans back and gazes at_Izzard_ on the telly, his ears eagerly eating all of Theo's voice.
"Yeah, pretty sure I aced it. Fucking tricky, though," Theo replies grumpily, a weary edge to his voice.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes, of course it is," Theo grunts, though Scott frowns in response.
"Okay," Scott replies, though disheartened. He lays down on his side, and watches Izzard run across the stage. "You've finished all your A levels now, right?"
"Yep. Finally able to relax," Theo sighs, and there's a fizz from the other end. "You got one left?"
"Yeah, start of next week. Get to spend the entire weekend studying." Scott drapes one of his legs over the back of the couch. "You're going to the memorial tomorrow?"
"Yeah, suppose I have to. Even if he was a prick."
Scott grimaces - wondering if the bear does too. "You were friends, though."
"Yeah, I guess. I dunno, it's just weird. I don't really know why Stewart was part of our group, he just... was." Theo takes a chug and murmurs to himself. "Never thought he'd fly off the rails like that, though."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"Nah, don't bother," Theo says airily. "I'll be fine. Not like he liked you."
"I suppose not," Scott replies flatly. "I miss you."
"Miss you too." Scott splays an ear as something hollow presses against his chest. "Hey, Scott, I'm going to go lay down for a while. Can't get paragraphs out of my fucking head."
"Okay."
"Love you, Scott."
"Love you too," Scott replies quietly. Theo hangs up, and the wolf sighs to himself - the humour in the room all replaced with strange nagging somewhere in the back of his head. He gazes absent-mindedly at the screen as he reaches for a pillow, when his phone starts to buzz, courtesy of an unknown number. Scott answers, though reluctant.
"Hello? Who's this?"
"Hey there! It's Franz. Got your number from Oscar."
"Oh. Hey." Scott rolls onto his back and gazes at_Izzard_upside-down. "How're you doing?"
"Well enough, thanks." Scott fails to not smile at his chipper tone. "Heard you've got one A level left now."
"Yeah, next Tuesday."
"You see, I figured we could celebrate. Our group primarily, the bf-unit if you'd like, too. Did you check out_Eddie Izzard_, by the way?"
"Yeah, watching_Circle_ right now. Fucking brilliant."
"Got_Force Majeure_, pretty good watch. Could make an evening out of it. Crisps, beers, sweets, maybe a pizza. What do you think?"
"I'd like that," Scott replies, his tail beating against the back of the couch. "Where, though?"
"My place. I got a new place last week, been busy moving in and all."
"I look forward to it. I'll ask Theo." Scott rolls onto his side again, and he stretches his legs as best he can. "How's the RP coming along?"
"It's going well," Franz responds cheerfully. "Interlude sessions, more or less, while we're waiting for you and Cecil. Is he doing okay, by the way?"
"He's still torn, but he finished his last A level yesterday. He said he passed them all, though not half as well as he'd liked."
"Well, good to hear he's coping. Anyway, I'll leave you to your_Circle_, and I'll see you on Tuesday? Or is Wednesday better?"
"Tuesday's fine," Scott grins to himself. "Thanks, Franz."
"You're welcome," the dormouse replies fondly. "Study well now, and good luck. See you next week!"
In the midst of rinsing his fur, Scott's phone starts to ring. He grumbles quietly under his breath as the air is laced with crisp grapefruit and avocado; as he lessens the stream he reaches out of the cabinet to the phone. Though he forgot to register his number, Scott recognises Franz's, and he answers with a huff.
"Hey there," Franz says with a hint of excitement. "I'm outside."
"You're early, aren't you?" Scott replies in exasperation.
"Fifteen minutes or so, yeah."
"Figured, only I'm in the shower."
"Oh, of course," Franz chuckles, with mild embarrassment. "I'll leave you to that, only, is there a shop nearby?"
"Yeah, there's a_Spar_ two streets over, by the village hall."
"Right, I'll go get snacks for the eve. Take your time."
"Yeah, thanks. See you soon."
Scott hangs up and closes the cabinet door with a shiver. He submerges his face in the warmth of the water, and his paws scrub through his fur deliberately, slowly. He saves his tail for last, his thoughts quietly crawling back to Theo. He grits his teeth as he accidentally tugs too hard, though his frustration remains still on the bear's refusal to join the night. Theo's insistence that Scott still go bothers him the most.
He spends ten minutes drying his fur. He tends to his tail carefully before he dabs a bit of his father's cologne on the tip, and then on his neck. With a frown Scott looks at his naked form in the mirror - by no accounts is he small. His stomach ais little tubby; fat more than muscles forms his legs and arms. His otherwise grey fur is lined with cream down the belly up to his chin, cleaner than it's been in a long while. The white patch on the side of his snout stands remarkable.
He finds his clothes - a simple ciel buttoned shirt, a pair of light shorts. The warmth of the days, to Scott's mild frustration, has increased as of late. He silently wishes for rain as he pockets his phone - noting that it needs to be charged soon - and his keys. Jacket under his arms, he steps into his sandals, and walks out into the budding summer season.
Franz, in his Passat, sits across the road. He waves to Scott, and the wolf hurries over to the car.
"There you are," Franz smiles at him. "Looking sleek. I like it."
"Thanks," Scott replies with a flush. "You found the shop, I take it?"
"Yeah. I'd already written a list of what to buy, and the shop was a ghost town, so it didn't take ten."
"Did you talk to Cecil?"
"He's still at his parents. He still needs time. What of your boyfriend?"
"He..." Scott lowers his head. "He didn't have time, he said."
"Hmm." Franz looks carefully at Scott, pats him on the shoulder, then he glances at the road with a grin. "Means we get more of you to ourselves, then."
Scott looks up to the dormouse beaming fondly, and his ears perk in strange relief.
"Ready to go, then?"
"Yeah," Scott pats his jacket. "Go for it."
The drive was longer than Scott anticipated, though they were accompanied by_Fall Out Boy_ all the way into Bicester. When they drive into the parish, Franz frowns at the amount of roadwork and renovation, their speed cut considerably in the Tuesday commute. He remarks, "It's usually not this crowded."
"I'ven't been here before," Scott replies softly, "Not that I can remember, anyway."
"It's a nice place," Franz nods, snaking through cones and tapping the wheel of his car. "Of course, that goes without saying, doesn't it?"
"You wouldn't have moved here if it wasn't," Scott smiles. "Where's your house anyway?"
"Still another five. Or ten, if this traffic doesn't let up. Ah, but look."
Once at the crossroads the thicket of cars shrinks at surprising speed. Though Franz speeds up, it isn't impatiently so; the dormouse drives through Bicester with deliberation. After having shown Scott what appears to be half the parish, he drives out into the northern part, through more countryside. Franz hums to himself, as though proud, when he takes a left turn, a right one, and then left right into a sizeable driveway.
"Victorian?" Scott remarks in surprise. The house stands snugly in a canopy of trees, two stories tall, beige brick and slated roof, surrounded by green and sunburnt gold. "This is yours?"
"Bought it two weeks ago," Franz replies proudly as he stops the car. "It wasn't cheap, but I've always wanted a place like this."
"How old are you again?"
"Twenty-six. Didn't you ask that before?" Scott shakes his head as they get out of the car. Franz picks up the plastic bags from the back seat.
"When will the others be here?"
"I expect them in less than ten." Franz frowns as he checks his watch, though he finds his key and gestures for Scott to follow. "Depends on Bax and his... well..."
"Bax?" Scott asks curiously as they enter the house - the interior classic yet with a modern flair. Scott also realises the place is a little cramped, despite the house's great exterior - the dormouse, though, not as broad as Scott, fits the place to a tee.
"His new boyfriend's..." Franz shakes his head slowly. "Let's just say I hope you don't have to meet him tonight. Would you mind helping me prepare?"
Franz gestures to the plastic bags, and Scott grins back. "Of course I won't mind."
Scott's mixing the dip when a second car is heard in the driveway. Franz gazes out the window and mutters a quiet_thank heavens_, and he goes to the front door to greet them. Scott shoves the dip into the fridge and grabs the last bowl of crisps to bring into the living space. He catches a glimpse of Bax, of Duke and Jessie, and of Oscar - no stranger accompanying them - though there is a distinct chill between the lion and dormouse. Scott places the crisps between the pop and the other snacks, and flops into the nearest couch - of which there are three. When the others come pouring in, he waves.
Bax on nods grumpily as he grabs one of the bowls from the get-go. He plants himself in the coach furthest away, dour and moody. Duke and Jessie both greet Scott fondly and they sit down in the middle couch. Oscar waves meekly at him, a flush on his white-furred cheeks "Hey there."
Scott feels warmth in his own face as he waves back. "Hey."
"How've you been?" The bear asks awkwardly. Scott pats the space next to him in the couch, and Oscar fidgets as he sits down next to the wolf.
"Tired," Scott replies giddily as his eyes momentarily leave the bear - to find the entire room looking at them. He grimaces awkwardly, and tries to distance himself a little from the bear - which is difficult, as he's already in the corner. Duke snorts.
"Seriously," the deer chuckles, and Jessie giggles with him, "You two are so obvious."
"Now kiss," Jessie commands playfully; both wolf and bear look away from each other awkwardly.
"Now, now," Franz says firmly as he returns from the kitchen with several beers. He hands one to the lion and to each of the deer, and then he looks curiously at the wolf. "Want to try one?"
"Aren't you driving?" Scott replies warily.
"Alcohol-free," Franz chuckles; in the background Bax rolls his eyes. "Well, not for those two," he adds, glancing at Duke and Jessie, "You can try whichever."
"All of them," Bax grunts.
"Man's got a point," Duke nods sagely. Scott frowns and glances at Oscar - the bear looks amused.
"You should try," Oscar twiddles his thumbs. "Some of them aren't that bad."
"We never served him," Franz says faux-innocently, as he places a multitude of beers on the snacks table. "He just... ah. Found them on his own."
"On the table," Duke adds.
"Conveniently," Jessie adds. Scott snorts.
"I'll think about it."
"Right, then," Franz raises his beer. "To Scott for finishing his A levels, and to me, for buying a big fuckoff house."
There's a congratulatory murmur and an imitation of movement. Scott glances at the television and watches Franz fiddle with a PS3 when his hand is grabbed in quiet. He looks up to find Oscar - awkward and embarrassed, but squeezing his hand almost too hard. "Grats on your A levels."
"I don't know if I passed yet," Scott replies humbly, though he squeezes back as his tail tries to wag.
"Nah, you did," Oscar nods, "I know you did."
Then the_Universal_ intro theme explodes behind them and Scott yelps in confusion. There's a flash of light from the television, light cheers from an audience, and curious music. Franz positions the television so they all have unobstructed view, and he grins as he settles down next to Bax. Scott's eyes are fixed on the screen, though when the bear hesitantly tries to lean against him, he pulls Oscar close with no reluctance whatsoever. The bear's soft murr against his shoulder leaves Scott beaming, and as he nuzzles the top of Oscar's head, his thoughts remain only in the warmth of this room.
"Thanks," Scott murmurs as he steps out of the Passat. Franz grins at him as he turns off the stereo momentarily. "I needed that. I had a great evening."
"Glad to hear that," Franz replies heartily. "I'll do another evening like this soon, I'll give you a call."
"I'd love that. I wanted to ask you something..." Scott breathes in the warm night air. The skies are clear and open, the moon joining the streetlights in illuminating the roads and the yards. Scott moves to close the car door when his phone rings. "Oh, sorry, hold on..."
"No worries."
Scott gazes at Theo's face, and he answers. "Hey there."
"Hey." Theo's voice is quiet - unusually so. "How'd it go?"
"Went great, am just outside my house, actually. I missed you."
"Missed you too," Theo replies. There's a moment of silence, and then Theo calmly asks, "Look, could you come over?"
"Yeah, sure, of course," Scott replies as he gazes at Franz, "Franz, could you drive me to Theo's?"
"Of course," the dormouse nods.
"I'll be there soon."
"Okay."
"Love you."
"Love you too."
Theo hangs up. Scott looks up and sighs. "Sorry."
"No need to be." Franz pats the passenger seat; Scott gets in and puts his seatbelt on. Franz turns on the stereo again and sifts through a couple of songs, until he reaches a piece of video game music Scott doesn't recognise. He then looks up at the wolf, and takes to the road. "Right, so where are we going?"