InsaneJournal

Who: Julien Starsmore & Kyle Guthrie
What: IM conversation then cousinly bonding
When: March 22, evening
Where: Kyle's apt
Rating: R (language)


hypnotizes: Cousin....you're either too busy or too asleep to see this.
jstarsmore: Neither. It's not that late, you know.
hypnotizes: You're alive! Daddy was worried
hypnotizes: And me too.
hypnotizes: But I know you're made of sterner stuff. You know how he worries.
jstarsmore: Afraid the city was going to eat me alive?
hypnotizes: Not me. Not Momma. BUt you know Daddy don't put much use in the British.
hypnotizes: Doesn't*
hypnotizes: Sorry. He's protective of his sister.
jstarsmore: And my Dad's protective plenty over my Momma.
jstarsmore: He's really not that bad.
hypnotizes: I know I know. On a different subject, I think Merlin misses you. Especially now when it's cold.
hypnotizes: And I know he's not.
hypnotizes: Aunt paige is probably the smartest Guthrie ever.
hypnotizes: I'm not out to challenge her logic. Especially if she decides to turn into an acid and goes after my face.
hypnotizes: Not that she would. I'm blubbering. You should come over sometime. Spend the weekend. "O:Ihfv;wdklfjhf;kjdwfchbkjhfcwd
hypnotizes: ...Merlin just sat on the keyboard. See how much he misses you?
jstarsmore: Yes to the coming over and yes to my mom being smart. She's real smart. Smart enough that things like all the Dad-bashing gets back to her.
hypnotizes: Well, that's between them, not you and me. We're half-Guthries, truth be known.
jstarsmore: Everyone's a half Guthrie when you think about it.
jstarsmore: Everyone in the family, that is.
jstarsmore: How are you typing with a cat on the keyboard?
hypnotizes: I shooed him off.
hypnotizes: Gurthies are probably a percentage of half the continent. Just saying.
jstarsmore: I think that's why I'm a dog person. It would be a feat for Jack to get up on my desk.
hypnotizes: I didn't so much choose Merlin as he chose me. Do I need to show you the scratches on my shoulder from the first I tried to get him a bath?
jstarsmore: Don't cats bathe themselves?
jstarsmore: The whole licking thing?
hypnotizes: He couldn't get out the rotting trash. Alley cat.
jstarsmore: Yeah, that might be a little tough.. and kinda gross to lick out.
hypnotizes: And I'd rather get some scratches than dealing with vomit.
jstarsmore: Yeah, I'm not a fan of the scratching. Or litterboxes.
hypnotizes: Most of the time, he shimmies through the window does his business in the alley.
jstarsmore: Okay, I think we've covered cat bathroom habits pretty thoroughly.
hypnotizes: So, you should bring over a bottle and we'll watch late night TV.
jstarsmore: Think Merlin can tolerate the pup for an evening?
hypnotizes: You have to bring the pup?
hypnotizes: He'd probably prefer to sleep outside then.
hypnotizes: Which isn't anything unusual
jstarsmore: The one dog drawback, not as independent.
hypnotizes: Promise no humping of my leg this time?
hypnotizes: Because....dogs are dogs, but that was awkward
jstarsmore: We've been working on breaking that habit.
hypnotizes: You haven't been...helping him out, have you?
jstarsmore: What? No. Just.. not letting him do it.
hypnotizes: Well, the bed's still here from the last time you brought him over.
hypnotizes: Long as you don't mind sharing a bed like we did when we were kids.
jstarsmore: Doesn't bother me.
hypnotizes: Alright. Come on over. Knock loud. I need to get you a key.
jstarsmore: Allright. I'll be there as quickly as public transportation will allow.
jstarsmore: Any requests as far as what that bottle contains?
hypnotizes: You can take the pup on public transport?
hypnotizes: Booze. I'd wish for Grammy's tire cleaner, but none of that exists around here
jstarsmore: It's late and he more or less fits in a backpack.
hypnotizes: Good stuff. Bring it on over. And your jammies. You stil wear jammies, right?
jstarsmore: They're just not Batman ones anymore.
jstarsmore: Alright. I'll stop at the bodega for some classy beverages.
jstarsmore: And then I'll be on my way there.
jstarsmore: See you in a few.
hypnotizes: Be safe, Cousin.
jstarsmore: Always.

After getting off the subway, the smallish terrier dog had been swapped out for the paper bag of booze that previously had been tucked under his arm the first leg of the journey. The bottles clinked softly against each other as he ascended the stairwell from the station to the street. Jack tugged at the leash wound around Julian's hand, recognizing the locale and already excited about the idea of being anywhere where there was a cat afoot.

It was only a block and a half from the subway station to Kyle's building. He caught the door from someone exiting the building and didn't bother with a courtesy buzz as Kyle was expecting him. In the elevator, Jack whimpered at the sensation of the rising car and both man and dog were glad when the ping rang out signaling Kyle's floor.

It wasn't long before he was knocking, loudly (as he'd been instructed) at Kyle's apartment door.

"HOLY JESUS ON A BICYCLE!" Kyle hollered through the door - the bathroom door. The window had been opened and when Kyle walked out, drawing his dorm pants ups to cover himself, Merlin was no where around. It was for the best, since Kyle knew whom was at the door. After the locks were disengaged, Kyle opened it, peeking out. "Y'need ta know the password," he drawled quietly, even though seeing his cousin at the door made him want to fling it open. There was a way to everything, and every Guthrie - half-blood or not - knew that 'warm home biscuits' pretty much opened any door that needed it.

"Warm home biscuits." Julien recited with a light smirk tugging at his lips. Jack already had his snout pressing in as far as the cracked open door would allow, tail a-wagging. "But I think tonight the real password is 'Maker's Mark'."

He arched a brow and reached back to fiddle with the zipper of his backpack enough to open it. Reaching inside, he pulled out one of the two wax-sealed bottles that were within. "I got two because the alcohol kind of.. burns quickly, for me at least."

"For you, it does," Kyle agreed. He opened the door but one hand gripped the back of Julien's neck, holding hims still while the other pulled out the pup. "Good to see you too, ya mutt," Kyle said, the dog acting like a slippery sponge in his arms once the dog's head hit his shoulder. "You wiley creature, ya need ta' calm down." But the dog didn't. Kyle rubbed his calloused hand against the dog's back, opening the door with his hip to let his cousin in. "Good to see you," he said, eyes directed at Julien. "Daddy would call me a leper, what with your infrequent visits," he said, a grin cut off as the dog licked his lips and Kyle made a sour face.

"You come on in. There's cat smells around, but I think Merlin is a precog. He skittered out ten minutes ago." When julien was in, Kyle closed the door and locked it out of habit. "You know where the glasses are. mixers in the fridge." He took a breath before he set the dog down. "YOu get and smell everythin' out, but now markin terriority. Hopefully your Daddy done got you settled in that category." Among family, Kyle's accent usually got a bit thicker.

Julien couldn't have hid the laugh if he'd tried when Jack got Kyle with a doggie kiss. "A surprise trip 'cross town at this hour.. you can't blame him for getting on the excitable side of things. Besides, I think the bit where he was in the backpack just kind of winds him up more." When the door was shut, Julien bent down to unclasp the leash from Jack's collar and the mutt needed no invitation to go skittering from room to room, nose to the ground as he tried to find the long-gone cat.

Julien shrugged off the backpack, removing the second bottle and heading towards the apartment's kitchen. "You goin' soft? Mixers. Psht." He called over his shoulder with a mockingly shameful scoff. He returned quickly with two glasses each with a splash of bourbon whiskey within. He offered one out to his cousin. "As the former Guthrie leper, I'm not in the position to be avoiding anyone. School's just been.. crazy. If I'm not painting, I'm writing a paper on someone else's works. It's great.. I mean.. I'm not complaining. It's just kinda hectic."

Oh God, the dog was a handful. Kyle continued to sputter his lips, just in case there was any 'just licked my butthole' germs there. To make sure, he drew up the bottom him of his shirt and wiped off his face. Some things just couldn't be avoided. "You need t'get out more. And Jack too." Kyle rolled his eyes and let the shirt drop back down to his waist. Kyle watched the puppy flit from room to room, hoping he'd find the bed once the curiosity was let go.

"I don't have me a furnace in my chest. You need t'stop judging like an Englishman," Kyle chided back, his words free of angst or venom. But his eyes still rolled. "And you're not a leper. Hush your face with that, Julien. You were the closest t'my age besides my sister. And I'm not a fan of her as a playmate. At least you rolled in the mud with me. Member that time we got in the slop? Our mommas were so mad I swore our rears would never get white again." He took the glass and grinned around his sip.

"I get out.." Julien's defense even sounded weak, because it was. He got out, for school and school related things. But for someone who didn't even need to grocery shop, his ventures out for personal amusement or gain were few and far between.

His eyes narrowed momentarily at the Englishman barb. He wasn't truly offended, as it was far from the first nor the last jab he'd received about the British side of his genetics. He lifted his glass in gesture of a toast and took a sip of the liquor. He winced slightly at the burn, as he still had his tastebuds about him. "I remember the time you snuck me outta the house to play in the mud." He emphasized the 'you' and 'snuck' parts of the story. That had been a feat in itself, getting the sickly Julien anywhere outside of his bedroom without Paige or Lucinda knowing about it. "Oh there wasn't a woman in that house who didn't want to string either of us up by our heels. But this ain't the drink talking.." Kyle's presence was even drawing the drawl out of Julien. ".. that was one of the few times as a kid I really had fun. None of the other cousins bothered trying to play with me. I mean, I understand why.. but that meant alot."

"I was good at gettin' us in trouble. Glad you were there to take half the heat." Kyle grinned at his cousin, remembering that night well. It had been a muggy night and at a three-night family retreat, he'd grown restless and wanted to cool down. Since he knew pigs cooled down in the mud, it had made the most sense. "You ken say it. I was the badass cousin. Sister's a bit of a pill and the others? Well, they're just not as fun. Or weren't. I've calmed down in my age. But if there was a puddle and no work in the morning, I'd probably drag you out to it again, Just for ol' time's sake. Inhaling through his nose, Kyle took another deep drink.'

His eyes watered a little bit but he ignored it, bringing the glass down as his elbow landed behind his cousin's neck, drawing him over to the sofa. "Glad you had fun," he said, tightening his grip around Julien's neck for half a second, showing his affection. Letting go, Kyle sunk down into the plush sofa cushions. "You done grown outta that," he chided softly, slapping the cushion beside him. "So 'nuff of that or you'll be on drink duty all night." Kyle tugged his hair behind each ear, getting the irritating strands out of his face. "So spin me a tale," he said, eyes looking expectantly at Julien. Their grandma always said that phrase when she wanted to hear about school or life, or get some gossip or keep the grandkids from thinking about something bad - a nightmare or a needle, whichever it was.

"You can't calm down too much now that I can finally join in the fun without either of us getting holler'd at." His head knocked lightly into Kyle's when his cousin threw his arm around Julien's neck. He clapped his hand against the Guthrie's back in return. "I did have fun. I think everyone tried to make the best outta that situation." Julien shrugged, growing up had been what it was and there was no changing it.

Julien dropped onto the offered spot on the couch and with no sign of the cat, Jack trotted back into the living room to check on his owner then settled into the small dogbed on the other side of the room. Julien rolled his head back against the sofa wearily. It felt good to sit and relax, even better to sit and relax with good company. "Spin you a tale, hm?" He tipped his head up enough to take another long sip out of his glass. "You know Alexis Keller? Not personally, per se.. but you know who I'm talking about right?"

"I'm an old man now," Kyle said with a sigh, another sip and a pause as the liquid fire shot down his throat and into his belly. "Just you wait. First rain of spring, I'll have you in your spiderman underwear wrasslin in the mud puddle just like when we were kids." Kyle had never thought much of Julien's so-called disability. Sure, there were things, medical 'things', but a kid had to be a kid, and Kyle liked the company more than he did thinking about such things. It was never real rough housing, and he might've let Julien win one more time than he should have, but that was that. And in the past. A good past, by Julien's recollection.

"Sleepy pup," Kyle said, watching Jack settle down. The do growled approvingly and Kyle wiggled his toes at him. Even though all of them were familair with animals, dogs were one of Kyle's favorites. But cats were easier upkeep. "You know it ain't a tale when you start out with a question. But 'course I know her. Not much like her daddy. Once a prick, always a prick, Daddy always said. Glad to see it isn't some hertitary trait." Kyle grew quiet for a moment, an eyebrow raising as his head cock to the side - managing him to take a sip and look at Julien at the same time. Once he was done, the questioned formed between his glistening lips. "You didn't tap a Keller, did you?"

"See, I think the whole mud rolling thing is now checked off on my list of things to do before I die. I think we need a new adventure. Skydiving or spelunking or something." Kyle's graciousness would have been the only way Julien would have won anything that would require any sort of physical prowress. Stairs had been a challenge to his body, there was no way he'd take down a healthy member of his kin, mud or no mud.

"I just need to make sure you're on the same page with me as to who I'm talkin' bout." His feet slipped out of his loose sneakers and he stretched his legs forward to set his stocking heels on the edge of Kyle's coffee table. He was enjoying this like that younger version of himself had enjoyed the mud roll. It was just nice to relax and shoot the breeze with his 'badass' cousin. Well, it had been relaxing until his suggest as to what Julien's story was had the Starsmore nearly choking on his sip of bourbon. Thankfully the furnace of energy that was warming the room also took care of the alcohol and evaporated it after a cough. "What? No. No no no no. No. I just met her.. ran into her, kinda. I was at the Met for a paper and she happened to be sitting in front of this painting I needed to study for class. I didn't realize who she was at first."

"Wjy's it always gotta be air with you? Either stuff rushing passed you or deep enough that it's like in haling magma? I say we go to a campsite and sleep in a tent. How long's it been for you? Momma loves them aRe Vees. Just dunnit feel right." Kyle felt the warmth, unsure if it was the booze or his cousin. "Gonna stretch out now," he commented lightly. Being without shoes - because Guthries had land feet, not concrete feet - Kyle stretched out, shifting his body down so his upper legs were laying against Julien's lap. Having his cousin's arms drape over them wasn't a worry.

"Well, she's good 'n all. Glad you didn't end up in the papers." Kyle downed his drink and set the empty glass in the middle of his chest, eyes looking unfocused against the back wall. "I try t'do something good and suddenly I've got some killer disease. Which I don't have," he said earnestly, making sure he caught Julien's eye. The last thing he needed was it getting back to the family. "Momma already called me, askin' if I was some sexual deviant. I had t'splain the whole thing over again. She seemed a little convinced, but it is what it is. I think I'm takin' Lizzy to it - James and Jean's baby girl?" Kyle smirked a little at the thought, a hand pulling through his hair. "She's a right pretty thing, but don't go tellin' James that. He'll gut me sure enough."

"You think something like that would end up in those papers?" His brows knit worriedly when Kyle mentioned the rags of mutant gossip. "Nothing happened. I mean, we just talked art for a bit." Julien didn't get out much, he didn't cause trouble and he wasn't dating anyone so he'd kept a low profile as far as X babies were concerned. He'd been kept out of the limelight so long, he had no interest being introduced into it.

He'd already seen what happened when you were. He'd read the headlines Kyle was currently complaining about. And he had every right to complain. "I know you don't." Julien's gaze didn't waver when their eyes met. "With a family like ours, ain't no way anyone's going to find out something like that from a newspaper first." If he had a heart still it would have been pounding now with the building fear that someone might have snapped a picture of him sharing a bench at the Met with the Keller girl. If they had the wherewithall to make up R-46 with Kyle...

The topic of Lizzy pulled Julien out of his worry a bit, for now. Julien even managed a smirk as turnabout was fair play. "You telling me you tapped a Howlett?"

"Art's good - glad you know more 'bout it than me. I just see colors that'll look good on walls." Kyle wasn't too worried about anything. He probably owed that to the two or three drinks mixed with vodka before Julien showed up. "And I figgered nothing happened. YOu know how family is - hoping for the best, gettin' ready for the worst.' He waved it off and pressed his knees a little closer to Julien's chest. Only for a second before Kyle's legs went out stright. He sighed again, rolling his eyes between closed lids.

"You're right about that. Us Guthries and Starsmores or wehatever ther hell we are anymore? Bunch of busy bodies. Too much talk. Seems like we're the only thing in the county that matters." Kyle chuckled, his throaty laug full of mirth.

A barked laugh escaped hsis throat, Jack coming alive and backing in response before Kyle waved his hand, hoping the dog didn't tak notice. "First off, Guthries don't tap nothin'. Second, Lizzy, ain't a ho - not sahin' that Keller is. mind you, and I knew you didn't hit that shit or you woulda told me earlier. It's goin' slow, which is good. I don't neeed a demigod Momma dence-boned Daddy up on me. She's sweet. Nice. Let's leave it at that, yeah?"

"Everyone's always in someone else's business in this family. I think it's always been like that and I don't see it ending." He playfully pushed Kyle's knees away, only to have them sink down via his cousin's own actions as he stretched out. "And I don't mind family getting nosy.. as much... but I don't like this gossip stuff at all."

Julien's index finger coiled then flicked against Kyle's kneecap in a slightly annoying, brotherly-like show of affection. "I didn't say she was one!" Ho, that was. Julien wasn't a fan of the term, somewhat more reserved than his cousin. "Is there any existing bad blood between Guthries and them?" While on the right side of the law, there had still been rifts in the X-men population, Guthrie vs. Starsmore for one. "Like is this whole things secret right now? So you don't end up skewered?"

"Well, S'long as you don't go back to Nana and tellin' her. God forbid you go to Aunt 'Lizabeth. She's the blabbermouth of the family." Kyle pushed his legs back when they were pushed, hands going back behind his head, taking his loose hair with them.

"And as far as I know, the only bad blood could between Uncle Sam and James. But I think that's all in the back past stuff. Don't really worry about it, I don't." Maybe Kyle did. Maybe he was worried about that sort of thing. "If I end up gettin' shishkabobbed, as my cousin, I'd hope you'd turn him into ash. But that's just the Guthrie code." Grinning Kyle slapped the back of his hand against Julien's bicep, his arm moving up to the sofa cushion. "And I dunno if it's secret. But we're goin' slow. And she makes me smile. Makes me feel like she's honey on a biscuit." Kyle's cheeks colored a little bit and he looked away, finally. "She likes coffee. What else does a Guthrie need?" It was a lame cop out, and he knew it wouldn't ride, but it was onlything that Kyle could muster.

"Well, when you're afraid there's a Wolverine hiding under your bed, you can come on over to my place to stay. Furnace is always on.. can't say I've had to use it in awhile." Chuckling lightly, it was amusing to even think about using his ability. It just didn't come in handy on a day-to-day basis. It was also amusing to think that Julien was a match for the infamous X-man.

Julien quirked a brow as Kyle went on about Lizzy. There was a slight twinge of jealousy that coursed through the Starsmore boy. Kyle was so comfortable around girls.. people.. anyone. Try as he might, Julien always had to do just that.. try. He wished social interactions could be effortless with people who weren't related. "Likes coffee, huh?" Julien asked dryly. He knew all too well he wasn't getting the full story. "So you've bonded over smiling, baked-goods-like feelings and coffee? Right."

"I may just do a telepathic shout and you'll have to come over here. Besides that, the douche that's Levi I'm-a-clone-child shattered my telepathic defenses the other night. DId I tell you that? He did, and I wanted to punch him in the throat. You think your daddy would've taught me well enough - and he did, I'm not lyin' - but it was like a house'a cards. Wanted to punch 'im in the nuts." And all Guthries knew it was a dirty, last resort sort of move. "Just told 'em his shoes were on fire. He flailed like a half-cooked goose."

Non telepath, such as it was, Kyle knew his relatives well enough that he realized something was wrong. And then he felt bad. All Kyle wanted was someone to really talk to, about all the things in his life thatw asn't construction or work. "She likes coffee, but you don't see me with a diamond ring, right?" Kyle frowned a little bit, the back of his hand touching Julien's cheek, body sinking back into the sofa. "Don't you go doin' that," he remarked, rolling his eyes. "And don't you go thinkin' I think I'm better'n you. Julien." His voice was direct, hard, getting his cousin's attention. "Your happiness is just as important as mine. Family sticks together. Don't go forgettin' that."

Kyle sighed and shrugged, his voice losing the authority he got from the Guthrie line. "If'n you find someone you like, we'll go on a double date. ANd maybe it won't be with Lizzy. You just need ta hush up 'bout her." It was a mild jab, but Kyle still keep it light, he hoped. "So when're you gonna take me shoppin' for stuff I don't need like your Daddy did?" It had been Jono's roll, trying to appease Paige's kin. "I could really use a..." He trailed off, shrugging his shoulders again. "A coffee without it being attached to a pretty face." He grinned and slapped his cousin's thigh. Kyle was a mess, and he was glad there was someone there that just let him be.

"Hey.. hey." He caught Kyle's hand for a moment, after it had touched upon his cheek. Julien was quickly sobering from his dip into jealousy-slash-self-pity. "I'm not doin' "that"." He released Kyle's hand to let it fall away. "You're just better at that stuff than me. Just like you're better at swinging a hammer than I am." He poked his index finger against Kyle's leg. "But you can't draw a straight line to save your life, nevermind getting a paintbrush involved. That's my forte. We have the things we're good at.. and not so good at." Julien's tone was just as stern. Not upset, but his words weren't wavering nor uncertain.

"I'm not worried about getting engaged, either of us. Unless you do and I'm the last to find out." A grin broke through his previously serious countenance as he outlined his one case for being concerned. "I just wish some of your social graces would rub off, that's why I'm letting you use my lap as an ottoman."

His grin refreshed with Kyle's request for a gift, that ended up just being coffee. "Well, considering I'm only made up of half of Starsmore DNA, I only have to buy you a half-cup of coffee. Maybe a small, if I'm feeling generous.." Julien offered another poke to Kyle's leg, just to test his reaction time. The Starsmore was already pretty sure he'd be guiding his cousin to bed if not carrying him outright.

"If you need any tips, you know you can aske me. I'll be honest as long as you don't burn my hair off. 'Cause I like my hair." Kyle pulled his hair back, pulling it close against his scalp and making sure that the most of it laid against the pillow. "I can't paint worth shit. Which reminds me. Do I get a mural sometime? A ainting? Maybe a signature? When you get famous, I need some proof you're my kin." Kyle moved his arms around the room, the walls blank or adorned with bad prints.

"You wuldn't be the last. Daddy would be the last. He's got that whole....thing goin for him." Another shrug. Jay just wanted to see Kyle happy, no matter the costs. But Kyle wasn't a mind reader, so he didn't know exactly what his father wanted. "You think Aunt Paige didn't have affect on Uncle Jono? load of lies." He grinned, shaking his head and yawning.

"You go on home then, if'n you want. I dun need you watchin' over me." Kyle smiled and swung his leg over to the floor, grabbing his cousin's neck in a headlock, ruffling his hair. "Blood's blood. You remember that, hear me?"

While Juilen was starting to feel slightly buzzed, Kyle was clearly and wholeheartedly drunk. "Nobody's going to burn your hair off. Well, maybe that Jean Grey.. if you try anything with that Lizzy you're so fond off." Julien wriggled his arms under Kyle's legs so that he could slide them off onto the floor -- allowing Julien to stand.

He turned to face Kyle again and held his hands out in an offer of assistance. "Come on, 'less you're really kicking me out, let's get you to bed before you just drink yourself into a puddle." Pulling Kyle up (up being a relative term for a wobbling drunk), Julien quickly threaded his arm back around his cousin's shoulders to try and keep him upright. "You can get a mural. Or a painting. Whatever you'd like, Kyle. What would ya want? Guthrie farm scene?" Heck.. now might not be the best time to make a decision like what ya want scrawled 'cross your walls."

Julien had to sidestep, which was quite an effort, around Jack as the dog scurried over to see where everyone was going. "It's kind of funny. Mom got Dad to open up... yet if she had her way now.. she'd have me still living at home. I keep telling them they should move back to New York. Dad wants to... a lot."

"You need to moev back to NEW YORK!" The state was rather loud coming from Kyle's throat, a finger rising up, screwdriver-like into the air. It was right. Righteousness. "You need to move back. The place next door is open, I think. I can make it open, if'n they're 'fraid of you living away from fambly." Fambly. He'd actually said fambly. Cleaning his throat, Kyle tried to start again. "I like my hair, though. Good hair. Probably more due to Momma than Daddy..." He trailed off, slumping onto th ebed and finding his pillow.

"'Jus' so you know. Couch's open. S'long as your pup keeps quiet." Kyle looked up with a warm gazed at his cousin. "Glad you stopped by. We s hould live together. Get a bigger place. Make sure Merlin doesn't kill...." He dozed off then, Julien's dog's name on his lips.

"It's very nice hair." Julien reassured soothingly. As Kyle slumped forward, unceremoniously dropping down into bed, Julien ducked down quickly to guide a leg onto the bed that hadn't quite made it onto the mattress during touchdown.

Julien's smile mirrored Kyle's in sentiment while not in level of intoxication. "Thanks for inviting me. I'm glad you did." Julien pulled the blanket up over Kyle as he rambled about living arrangements and then slipped into sleep. While it was a bourbon-induced idea, it wasn't a bad one. But the Starsmore boy dropped it for the night with a shake of his head. If Kyle mentioned it later, they'd talk about it.

Jack was patiently waiting at the threshold of Kyle's bedroom door. He followed Julien back into the living room and jumped up on the couch as soon as Julien was settled upon it. The terrier mix curled up at the mutant's feet and Julien tucked his hands behind his head. He pondered the color of the off-white-ish ceiling tiles before giving into sleep himself.