[Veronica, Stacy & Webster - Opposite Plot]

[plantfood]

There is something different.

Mathias isn't quite aware of it, although he feels it on some level, he feels brighter and better and just different. He can't name it, can't place it and, most importantly, he doesn't want to. Whatever is different, it isn't bad.

He's headed down the boardwalk with a bounce in his step and a grin on his face, feeling lighter than he has in some time. Nothing can bother him these days, nothing can so much as touch him and he thinks, if he has time, he'll go visit Webster. Maybe they can talk about Veronica, like Webster always wants to. There are stories to tell now, certainly, and Mathias feels like he's in the mood to do some real talking.

Walking along, heading nowhere in particular, he breathes in deeply, enjoying the scent of the jungle around him. Every time someone passes him, he smiles brightly and waves, calling a loud, cheerful, "Hello!" Some people look startled, although he can't begin to understand why, and others greet him in return, looking just as happy as he feels.

Just ahead, he spots a familiar face and he hurries, almost running. "Hey!" he shouts happily. "Hey, hi! It's so good to see you!"

Comments

[thewordofweb.livejournal.com]

"I found out when."

That's all I want to say on the subject and I clear my throat and force a smile. "Let's go back to talking about you and Veronica. That's much better. Have you two...you know?"

[plantfood]

"Had sex?" Mathias asks bluntly. "No, we haven't. It's okay, though, I don't mind waiting for her." Sex is great, he enjoys it, but he really doesn't think he's missing out on anything that he can't wait for.

[thewordofweb.livejournal.com]

"That's ... sweet," I manage, considering that Joe and I couldn't even wait very long to get in bed together. "I'm sure her father is going to appreciate that." And thank god my parents aren't here, doubly thank god that Joe's aren't either. "Now he might not shoot you on sight!"

[plantfood]

"Exactly," Mathias says, nodding his head. "Which is something I certainly do not want, as he's on the IPD, I suspect he does actually have a gun with which to shoot me."

[thewordofweb.livejournal.com]

"Don't run in a straight line," I deadpan, offering sage words of advice as if I know something about angry parents with guns. I don't, considering I've never had anything serious enough to have to worry about that. But I offer it anyway.

[plantfood]

"Thank you," Mathias says sincerely, misunderstanding the tone of Webster's voice. "I hope to avoid being shot at altogether, but if it does end up happening somehow, it's good to know that." He thinks maybe he already knows that, but he doesn't want to make Webster feel bad by saying such a thing.

[thewordofweb.livejournal.com]

"It was sarcasm." I blink wearily at him, hoping that it's not going to be this bad the whole time. "I need a lot of drinks right now," I groan, rubbing my hands over my face. "I can't take all this...niceness."

[plantfood]

"We should go get some drinks," Mathias decides, wondering why it's so bad that people are being nice. He doesn't think he's being any different than he normally is, anyway. "Where can we get some? I don't drink all that often anymore."

[thewordofweb.livejournal.com]

"Strip club," I announce with a broad grin on my face, mostly in disbelief at how absolutely screwed up this all is. "We'll go to the strip club, you and me. Have some drinks before you go back to pleading niceties with Veronica."

[plantfood]

Mathias isn't sure Veronica is going to like it if he goes to a strip club and so he shakes his head frantically. "I would get into trouble if I went there," he says, which he desperately doesn't want. "Because of the stripping. Can we not get drinks somewhere else?"

[thewordofweb.livejournal.com]

"My place? I'm sure I could try and bribe something away from Nixon's hands," I admit, considering if he's in a strange state, he might have gone sober or something. God help me, that might be the strangest thing of all.

[plantfood]

"Alright," Mathias agrees with a nod, his frown almost immediately replaced with a bright smile. "That sounds like it would be nice. We could talk. Or... not talk, of course, if that's what you want."

He's never been quite so eager to please people before as he is today and he only hopes that Webster doesn't get angry at him.