So its been a while huh! Updates will be few and far between as I am at college and have many things to do, but I haven't forgotten this story. Please leave reviews!
Flipping bacon at 9am wasn't really Kurloz Makara's idea of a good October morning, but as it was his turn to make breakfast he couldn't really get out of it. That and Nashir and Gamzee had unceremoniously waltzed into his caravan like they fucking owned the place. Technically one of them did, but that was besides the point. The mute didn't really want them there right now, not when his phone would be buzzing at any second.
"-and so Zahhak has breakfast goin' for everyone else. That's why me and you two eat together. We got business to talk over and we always done eat our meals together." Nashir muttered, thumbing through the newspaper as Gamzee put out a cigarette. the smoke barely had a chance to linger about before being sliced through by a paper plate hurtling towards him.
"FUCK-Awh shit what in the tits you up and throwing shit at me for!?" Gamzee snapped, however Kurloz didn't have time for his shit right now, simply narrowing his eyes and expecting the other to understand that he shouldn't have been smoking at breakfast time. His younger brother KNEW the damned rules, but never adhered to them. Gamzee was always whimsical that way and on certain days it drove Kurloz up the wall. Though he had a habit of turning a blind eye to it by now, simply smiling through it nonchalantly until it was time to kick him up the ass or give that little shit a black eye or two.
Moving the bacon onto plates, he started on the eggs and got to thinking about his failed meeting with Mituna. He'd really wanted to go meet up with him but had fucked up. One of the stalls had a serious issue and Nashir had also demanded he stay on site whist he got up to whatever shady shit he needed to pull. Probably meeting up with the informant. They had to keep their heads low after all. But it'd meant breaking a promise to Mituna and something about that didn't really sit right with him. Though he didn't get to feel guilty about it too long as come 9.15am sharp, his phone buzzed.
-twistedAffliction [TA] began trolling taciturnClown [TC] at 09:15 -
TA: M0RNIGN FUCKF4C3
TA: 1 H4V3
TA: N00 WURK 7H17H W33K3ND H07 P115555
Perfect timing as ever.
He was about to wax lyrical at Mituna and try to see if he couldn't get another meeting with him when Gamzee decided to ruin everything ever. "Who the fuck you texting bro? It ain't like you to be up and motherfucking social." Oh that fuck. He didn't give a single shit as to who he was texting he just wanted to draw attention to Kurloz. And boy did it work a treat because Nashir was peering over his paper like he was automatically demanding an explanation.
And Kurloz's explanation was a slow extension of his middle finger towards Gamzee before motioning to his Father. It was nothing, but Gamzee chuckled and turned to their father with a big grin. "Naw don't be reading that heinous shit. Kurloz dun got himself texting my main motherfucker's brother. Did I up and tell you I got my ass courting now?"
"Only twenty motherfucking times." Nashir snorted, deciding it was nothing after all. "Solpuss innit?"
"Naw, Sollux Captor is his name motherfucker. Nice ain't it? He's got two older brothers. Ain't seen much of the eldest one but Kurloz gets his texts on to the other one-"
Gamzee was interrupted suddenly by the sight of Nashir going wide eyed, as if he'd heard the winning numbers of the lottery. Even Kurloz raised an eyebrow to see him react in such a way. What the fuck had got the old git looking like that now? He dreaded to think as he served up breakfast, coming to sit besides Gamzee and elbowing him sharply in the ribs.
"Captors...The mother-You two are hanging about with the Captor boys? Mituna, Sollux and Almeis, I'm getting that shit up and right yeah?"
A slow nod came from Gamzee and Kurloz couldn't help but wonder what cogs might be turning in Nashir's head. Whatever was happening, nothing good would come of it and he found himself with eyes locked onto his peer. :AINT NO THING MITUNA DONE TO YOU OR I. AINT NO THING VALUABLE HE GOT TO GIVE TO YOU EITHER-
"Boy, did I up and ask your digits to get fucking flying at me? Did I say shit about your bitch? Did I even up and ASK for your shit!?" Nashir snapped, his hand reaching across to slowly wrap around Kurloz's fingers in a vice like grip. "Now...Do I have my shit right in thinking they're Almeis's bro's? Or do I need to get these fuckers broken first?"
A second or two passed with the two men staring in silence, as if standing off. Kurloz was older now and he knew that whilst his DAD...or older brother standing in for one, could kick the shit into him, it wouldn't always be that way. Nashir in turn should know Kurloz held a grudge like no other anyway. He had many for Nashir, but he let a strange smile spread across his features instead, as if peering right through the other. Now he got it. There was something he WANTED from them rather than the Captors themselves. Fine. That he could deal with.
Backing down, Nashir did much of the same, seeming pleased his message had gotten across. Him and Kurloz butted heads more often than not, but they also had a strange understanding of one another too. One that Gamzee missed entirely and merely shrugged off, stuffing his breakfast into his face. "So-wath the deal?" he asked through a mouthful of food.
"I'm up and interested because I want Kurloz here to get Mituna outta the house. Bring his ass here for a night over and your shit for brains self can haul your ass over to their house and cause an issue for me." Nashir smirked, seeming like he'd come up with the greatest plan in the world.
:WHAT IN THE BALL TUGGING FUCK ARE YOU PLANNING:
"I up and want you boys to get his boys outta there, my wicked self has some dealings with their brother that is unfinished and you're going to get those two pipsqueaks out. Mituna will be here and Gamzee you can...hm...You still good at drinking faygo till you puke?"
"Did it last week." Gamzee grinned.
"Then that's what you'll up and get to doing. You're going to get spewing that noise down the stairway and call me the fuck up to pick you up. Then I will come over and see things over from there on...This is all gonna take place next wednesday, as its motherfucking wednesday and that bitchass club ain't swinging its doors open that night." Nashir growled, his eyes blazing with a determination that Kurloz hadn't seen in years. Just what the fuck was his deal with the eldest captor? Kurloz figured that he owed the other some money and left it at that, deciding he'd gotten lucky as hell to have a chance to have Mituna over...Wait,lucky?
The mute frowned at this thought for a moment before shaking it off, he was probably just glad to have someone who wasn't circusfolk to get hanging with again. Besides, He'd hung out with Mituna before and enjoyed it more than enough. Even now a image of that drooling grin passed through his head. Though it went just as quick as Gamzee belched loudly. "AIGHT-so...Kurloz as you made breakfast, you up and gotta tell the morning joke."
Nashir peered over his paper expectantly once again and the mute sighed through his nose. He'd not even gotten a chance to remove his stitches to eat yet, but here he was expected to perform morning traditions. So, thinking carefully, he began to relay a joke.
:THIS WICKED BITCH GOES OFF ON HOLIDAYS, ALL UP TO THE SEASIDE AN SHIT. SHE GETS HER BEST BRO TO LOOK AFTER HER MOTHERFUCKIN PET ALL RESPOSIBLE LIKE.
HE CALLS HER ASS UP AND SAYS 'I HAVE BAD NEWS, THAT WHISKERED FUCKER IS UP AND DEAD'
THIS BITCH AIN'T IMPRESSED AND SCHOOLS THIS ASSHOLE ON SOME ETIQUETTE. 'MOTHERFUCKER! YOU CAN'T UP AND PULL THAT HARSHWHIMSY ON MY ASS WHEN I'M GETTING WICKED RESTS ON! YOU SHOULD'VE DONE IT IN STAGES! FIRST DAY SAYIN SHIT LIKE YO, CATS STUCK ON THE ROOF, THEN THE SECOND DAY, YO, CAT GOT FUCKED UP, THEN FINALLY, CAT DUN DEPARTED ITS ASS OFF TO SHANGRI LOL.'
SO AFTER THE PHONECALL THIS BITCH GOES BACK TO HAVING A RIGHTEOUSLY GOOD TIME UNTIL HER MOBILE DEVICE GETS RINGING AGAIN. IT'S HER WICKED BRO. SHE PICKS UP. 'SUP HOMIE'
'YO SISTER, I GOT BAD NEWS, GRANDMA IS STUCK ON THE MOTHERFUCKIN ROOF!' HONK HONK!:
Making some jazz hands like this shit was hilarious, Kurloz watched Nashir smirk and Gamzee chuckle. All jokes were welcome amongst clowns and juggalos so long as shit didn't get Blasphemous or slanderous. Kurloz always liked morbid jokes himself and chuckled soundlessly as he glanced to his phone again...
Oh.
OH!
Fuck he'd left Mituna hanging! Shit that was no good, especially if Nashir's plan was going to swing into action tonight. Sweeping his phone back into his hand, he typed out a response at long last.
TC: SORRY FOR THE WAIT MY NINJA. IT IS MY TURN TO PLAY THE CEREMONIOUS ROLE OF CHEF THIS MORNING
TC: I NEED TO BE KNOWING SOMETHING FROM YOUR WICKED SELF THOUGH
TC: HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT COMING TO STAY OVER THIS MIRTHFUL CLOWN'S PAD NEXT WEDNESDAY?
TC: I CAN PAY FOR YOUR TAXI SO YOU DON'T NEED TO BE TAKING NO QUEST TO GET HERE
There. That would surely set Mituna into a spiral of excitement...or...shit what time was it? Ten thirty, fuck he'd be playing on that shitty MMO already and wouldn't be paying attention to no fucking thing. Kurloz had a vital role to play in this plan and had already fucked it up by passing over that tiny little detail. He almost wanted to scream with rage towards himself. How could he have forgotten a simple fucking text? It was ludicrous! Disgusting that he should fail like this when he was usually so PERFECT at executing what he was told to do and-
His fretting came to a stop when his phone buzzed, the mobile rattling against the table with a new message. Oh thank the mirthful beings.
TA: 5H17H Y44444444444447HHHHHH FUCK1GNH5H5H5H5 Y337HHH 1 WN47H4 D0 747H F7H1G1U
TA: 3W1UR
TA: W417 L3MM3
TA: 7YP3 7H47 4G4N1
TA: Y35
TA: 1 W1LL C0M3 CH1LL W1V U PLZ
"The fuck are you smiling about?" Nashir asked. Kurloz blinked before realizing that he'd apparently been wearing a smile so wide his stitches had been hurting him somewhat. Well. No need to get elaborating about that was there? He simply smiled more and took a bow, as if he'd performed another excellent night at the show before signing.
:IT IS DONE. MY WICKED NINJA IS COMING TO STAY WITH ME. I WILL BRING HIM HERE AT 5 NEXT WEDNESDAY:
"Aight. Gam, get your shit over there at the same time." came a grumbled reply "AND DONT BE FUCKING GETTING HIGH ON SOPER I NEED YOUR SHIT TOGETHER GOT IT?"
"MOTHERFUCK! Honk! We getting our shouts on? Seems a bit unfair when our bro can't be joining in." Gamzee smiled, sliding out of his seat and slinking off towards the door. "I got this shit yo, don't you be worrying."
Nashir shook his head and went back to scanning the newspaper. "He ain't got shit...Those last few performances have been sloppy and it's on your motherfuckin head Kurloz. You're both lettin down the old goat."
That was a little unfair, but Kurloz couldn't deny that Gamzee was getting shitty with his performances. He'd nearly had several injuries and also caused him a few mishaps too. :AINT SHIT TO DO WITH ME. BUT I CAN UP AND IMAGINE THE SORT OF LEVERAGE THAT WOULD PROVE BENEFICIAL IN SCHOOLING THIS SHITBAG: Kurloz signed, pointing to Nashir and then to himself before adding : S-O-L-L-U-X:
"...Ain't sure denying him is gonna do shit other than make him all sorts of pissed. Don't wanna repeat of when he nearly killed Nepeta."
:BRING THAT LITTLE SHIT BIT ALONG TO WATCH HIS TUTELAGE. MOTHERFUCKER IS GONNA WANT TO IMPRESS HIS MATE AND PERFORM BETTER. THEN TELL HIS BITCH ALL ABOUT HOW BAD HIS ASS HAS BEEN DOING:
Thinking it over for a moment, Nashir looked like he might reject the idea before nodding. Good. Kurloz didn't think Gamzee would perform otherwise, lazy fucker. The ringleader might have been worried but Kurloz was now looking about his trailer now he'd sent Mituna the time of pickup. He needed to get the blood out of the bathroom before his guest arrived.
"Remind me again as to what you are waffling on about?"
"WEDNEDSYTH.."
"Wednesday."
"YEAHED, thath shithst twomorrowed."
"Ah," Almeis replied, his eyes looking over Mituna's arms and hands carefully to search out anything he'd missed. No, the marker was all but gone now. "I recall you're going away overnight. Perhaps you can refrain from adding markers to your skin hm? As wonderful as the creativity you displayed was, it was rather time consuming scrubbing it off."
"Ur a scrub" Mituna huffed, his tongue coming out to aid in the blowing of an extremely loud raspberry.
"If I am a scrub then you're a genital wart and a fetid one at that. Now, it's almost time for work and as you know, you come in early with me...I really do not like telling you this each and every night." But it had to be done. If he simply got him dressed and headed out, Mituna would assume he was being taken out for a treat or somewhere fun. Almeis didn't really want to disappoint him and find Mituna kicking off at the front of the club.
Rolling his shoulders and huffing, it seemed like Mituna got the message and slumped forward, faceplanting into Almeis's chest. "I duned wannaed go two wurkk..Maek Sol go."
"He is studying for half term assessments. If he doesn't continue to go to college and keep his attendance up then we are fucked. As much as you cannot help the government, they have decided that the disability act needed changing...You are not classed as disabled anymore as you can do some menial tasks." came the bitter words of Almeis, aware that his sibling and others who were in need were now going to struggle intensely. Every day there were headlines in the Newark Echo about yet another being having destroyed themselves, unable to cope any longer.
Almeis swallowed thickly, not wanting to admit to the amount of nightmarish images he'd had about finding a guilt ridden Mituna lifeless in his home. But he had to be frank with the other. There was more than enough people treating him like a child without him doing it as well.
Groaning could be heard once again as Mituna looked up at his suited sibling, a bit of drool soaking into Almeis's tie from where his face had been smothered into it. "Whatevered...I'll do ma shith...oh...OHHHH...I goth...whends...FFF..."
Steady hands pushed Mituna away and lead him towards the door, shaking his head a little. "Neither one of you can recall anything can you? Damage or not you were always pitiful at keeping track of things. Your sleep over is not tonight and I will take you to see your...friend...when it is due time. For now we are late for work and I will be damned if I miss an hours pay because you have dithered about again."
"Ur a dither."
"Please, release me from this endless tirade..."
[ twinarmeggedons started pestering terminallycapricious at 16:53]
TA: GZ, pull yourself out of whatever stupor you're in and check your messages
T: whoah there bro! Didn't up and notice you getting your ping on at me.
T: what's the haps?
TA: there's a halloween party coming up at the end of the month, as loathed as I am to don a costume, the IT department is hosting it so I have to make my pasty face present
TA: It's being held at Liquid where my brother works.
TA: want to come?
TC: Sounds like my motherfucking jam
TC: Aint no way this joker is going to pass up on such a chance
TA: great
TA: I'd say grab a costume but i'm expecting that you have a plethora of shit given you literally hang around a circus
TC: you up and got it!
Could the downpour outside match the amount of drool that ran from Mituna's mouth? Probably not, but as he was now here, Kurloz had little choice but to clean him up. Not that he minded too much. If he was honest with himself he'd been eagerly awaiting the arrival of his strange friend and mentally preparing himself for the care duties he'd be undertaking. Though he'd not been prepared for the smile that seemed stuck on Mituna's face. One that shone so warmly and sweetly.
Mituna's smiles were even more deceiving than his own though, so the circus mute arched a brow as he gently swept a tissue across Mituna's face. What was that little bastard grinning about? Was he holding in gas or some other mischief? Part of him was tempted to find out, but felt it was better not to. He was certain Mituna would let him know what the deal was in time. However something was bothering him as he sat besides the other, studying his slightly freckled face.
:YOUR FACE:
"Ur fucking face" Mituna huffed, sticking his tongue out as his middle finger flexed up at Kurloz. Yeah, he'd expected that. It didn't stop his eyes rolling however as a long sigh flowed through his nose. At least a smile curved over his stitched lips as he shook his head.
:NO, YOUR FACE:
:IT NEEDS SHAVING:
Frowning, Mituna used a slightly shaking hand to explore his face, seeming surprised at the uneven stubble that was there. Cute. Or rather as cute as Kurloz could find something constantly jittering,swearing and drooling to be...which was perhaps more than he wanted to admit. There was no doubt in his mind however that Mituna had tried to shave his face himself and given up. After all, the facial hair was all uneven and there were small patches here and there of bare skin. Why his brothers had not intervened he didn't know.
Or perhaps Mituna simply didn't let them near him with a razor.
Either way, Kurloz was a man who kept his shit in order, it was why he was likely to be the next ringleader rather than his piss take of a younger brother. Hell, even his trailer was immaculate even with the array of occult objects hidden through the incense laden air. It would be pretty shitty of him to keep letting Mituna walk around looking like he'd been on the receiving end of a pissed off barber.
:I CAN FIX IT: He signed, gesturing to Mituna's stubble. :IT WILL NOT HURT. YOUR FACE WILL BE SMOOTH LIKE MINE:
A pause of consideration was taken by Mituna as Kurloz watched on, taking in the way his features contorted and moved. There was an overt expressiveness about him that was weirdly alluring, as if it was a comfort to know Mituna couldn't hide anything from him. At the same time, it pissed on his plans to use Mituna for secret gathering given that he had been working away at Liquid. Then again, he wasn't really certain WHAT he was expecting to pry from the other except the collective gossip of Newark. Gossip had uses when you had bodies to hide and bad deeds to be dealt.
"Promithed?" Mituna asked warily, eyes narrowing as he leaned forward to inspect Kurloz, as if trying to unearth a deception he had no hope of finding. Even if it was there.
A simple nod was all that seemed to be needed to confirm he was safe as Kurloz watched the warm smile spread across Mituna's face once again. Ah, it was still a weird thing to see. In a good sort of way. Not that he really fully understood why the sight of Mituna's smile made his emotions swell. In fact he was surprised they even shifted, he'd long believed them dead after all the things he'd done. Things that would make the most seasoned criminals twist and writhe in their sleep.
His own smile widened at the thought before focusing on Mituna again, a hand reaching out to the other. Some things didn't need to be said it seemed as it was taken firmly. Nice. It was a comfort not to have to sign everything twice over or rely on his ex to translate.
The offered hand was taken as seal of a promise and before long they'd set up a mirror, some water and other shaving paraphernalia. Enough to make sure that Mituna would feel like Kurloz knew what he was doing anyway. At least that was how he hoped it came across because it wasn't often he needed to shave another person's face (a hungover Gamzee being an exception.) Wandering hands were making themselves known though as he noticed Mituna starting to fiddle with various bits and pieces.
:STOP, THAT SHIT IS DANGEROUS. PLAY WITH MY BRACELETS INSTEAD: Kurloz offered, exhaling through his nose as he caught Mituna's attention for all of about six seconds. Keeping him still was going to be a challenge in itself given that he wouldn't be able to sign at him. Whatever could he do to keep that idiot still?
"Nope. Gunna stared at ur face."
Pausing for a moment, Kurloz tilted his head. Stare at his face? Surely there were better things to do but he shrugged a bit and got on with it.
:I AINT GONNA BE ABLE TO SNAP ANY SIGNS AT YOU BRO, SO DON'T BE TALKING TOO MUCH SHIT WHILST I TIDY UP THIS MESS:
That would do. If it didn't, then Mituna was going to be out of luck because Kurloz had foamed his face up and was starting to gently tilt it to the side. It'd be so easy to slice his neck open, much like he had done others but Kurloz felt no need to act on the impulse. Spilling Mituna's blood never really crossed his mind nor did he want to see harm come to him. Rather he used the time to slowly caress his skin with the razor, moving only a few inches each time.
Mituna's jawline wasn't really defined and Kurloz would've pinned him as pretty androgynous if his mouth didn't spit out curse words at every given moment. Plus the partial albimism made his face more interesting, a red eye matching the blue and the tired circles beneath them. Kurloz wandered what sort of things they saw, what Mituna might perceive him as.
Probably a novelty. Which didn't bother Kurloz in the slightest. Better a falsity than the truth of a monster. He knew he was a vulture, circling above a lame lamb at this point, but he didn't know what it was he hungered for. Afterall, ending this pitiful creature before him would be easy, but Mituna wasn't that either.
Kurloz didn't know what Mituna was to him. Not a friend, he had those and knew the feelings that went with it. Not that he had any. But right now? He could feel an odd lust for something Mituna had.
"Hmmm.." Came a deep mumble.
"HMMMMMMM" Mituna echoed, not shocked that he'd made a noise. Now that was refreshing. Although his tongue was missing, he could make noise still. Something that a lot of people expressed shock and surprise at as if he'd ripped his own vocal chords out. But he hadn't. Mituna didn't give two shits about anything though, of course he wouldn't.
Having finished the task, Kurloz pulled back and looked over his work. Yes, much better. No jittering or jerking from Mituna either, who had been staring intently at him all the while. So there was things the other could concentrate on other than video games.
:ALL DONE:
"What? Ohhhh...shith man thaths cool." Mituna muttered before bumping the juggalo's arm with a small fist. "Thankskies."
What a shit term for thank you. Yet it meant more than any other thanks he'd gotten, so Kurloz took a bow.
If Mituna was thankful for anything, Kurloz liked the idea that Mituna might thankful for the things he had done. All the more reason to keep him close by.
Vomit was not anything to be impressed about as far as Almeis was concerned, and the same seemed to apply for Sollux. However Gamzee was a different matter.
"It's chill man, I got it cleaned the fuck up and my old man is coming to pick me up." He grinned, his tshirt still clearly chunky with the regurgitated essence of his lunch. Almeis would've scolded the boy further but felt Sollux was doing a fine job already. He could almost see the steam coming from his sibling's reddened cheeks as the two headed to the local shop to get cleaning supplies.
At least most of the mess had been cleared up. However his night was about to get a lot messier as he heard the door knocking, an unusual thing given this neighbourhood. But then again, he reminded himself, Gamzee's father was due to arrive.
Not really giving a second thought to the matter, he went to answer the door, casual attire on and expecting this would be a brief encounter. Yet the second he laid eyes on Nashir Makara, all plans went out the proverbial window.
"How did you get my address and why are you here." He muttered flatly, ready to slam the door.
"Well ain't that a nice way to greet your motherfucking guest? I figured you had better etiquette, Almeis." Nashir grinned, pushing past the other and walking right on in. "So this is your place huh? Figured someone with a stick up their fucking ass like you would've had a more expensive place."
"Says he who lives in a tent." Almeis grumbled, closing the door gently as to give Nashir the impression he was composed. In reality, he was pissed as all hell.
"Least my tent is paid for. I know your ass don't own this shit." came the retort, Nashir's hulking figure moving to take a seat in the living room. Which, with its soft yellow hues and neutral tones made him seem like a goth amongst daffodils. A ridiculous image as far as Almeis was concerned and all the more reason to get him the fuck out of the house again. Whatever it was his old flame wanted, they could get it done and over with soon.
"I should have assumed one Makara would lead to another, though I am still not sure what you want. If it's your...'son'...then he's been sent to the shops for promptly vomiting on my laundry." snapped Almeis, taking a seat besides the other and reaching for a pack of cigarettes. "You might as well take one given that you likely will anyway."
"Ain't that mighty sweet of you? Makes my motherfucking heart melt." Nashir grinned, causing Almeis to grit his teeth.
"Take the piss further and I will find some means to set you alight"
This was going to be a long evening.