p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The following week was Halloween, and the guys from Great Frog had been enlisted to play at some college party over in the neighbouring town. College students meant booze, and lots of it, and free. College students meant an apartment with no supervision and no closing time. Roy couldn't help but be a little excited, and considering the next morning would be his birthday, Roy figured he'd much rather wake up hungover on some stranger's carpet, than alone in the vastness of Queen Mansion./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Considering 17 wasn't a milestone birthday, it was highly unlikely Oliver would make the effort to return home. But, even if he did, Roy wasn't entirely sure he'd be happy to see him. Roy was content to let November 1st pass like it was any other day. However, he wanted Jason to come to the Halloween party with him. He knew that it wasn't the younger boy's idea of fun, and perhaps it was selfish to want him there, but Jay had quickly become his best friend, and having him around when the clock ticked over into his birthday would definitely make him feel less alone./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The trouble was, Jason had gotten into trouble - even gotten grounded - the last time Roy had taken him out with the guys. So, it was unlikely Bruce would allow the young boy to go anywhere with Roy again, at least not late at night. But, Roy was a firm believer in 'if you don't ask, you don't get'./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"He glanced over at Jason, as they finished off their respective lunches. Dinah had baked up some mini lemon squares - she'd spent the last few nights at the mansion, something about her apartment being renovated. Roy had woken up to find cooling treats on the kitchen counter, beside a note in Dinah's elegant script. Roy had packed a few in his bag, and had shared them with Jason. It was the least he could do considering how often Jason shared some of Alfred's baked goods./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""So, do you get along with Dinah?" Jason asked as he picked up a square./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Yeah, she's okay. I don't see her all that much. Way more fun than Ollie. And she treats me like her kid without making me feel like a child, if that makes sense?" Roy shrugged. He liked Dinah, but they weren't particularly close./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason groaned appreciatively as he took the final bite of the tart dessert, a few wayward crumbs clung to the corners of his mouth, and Roy was overcome with the sudden urge to reach over and wipe them away. He decided not to dwell on that intrusive and bizarre line of thinking. He had a question to ask anyway./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""So," he began conversationally, "It's my birthday Saturday."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I know," Jason replied, his lips curving into an amused, but soft smile./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Yeah, well, there's a Halloween party tomorrow night, the band's been asked to play. And, I figure, it could be a Halloween-Birthday combo party. And you should come." Roy imparted, aiming for nonchalant, like it wouldn't matter if Jason said no./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Me? At a college party?" Jay asked, his amused grin become more pronounced, "Aren't I a little young - and a little straight-edge - for those people?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Yeah, I figured it wouldn't be something you'd wanna do, but I just wanted to ask. 'Cause it's my birthday and you're my best friend, and I didn't want you to think I was just making plans without you." Roy scratched at the back of his neck, a little nervous tick that Jason had learnt to pick up on./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason's thoughts focused on the verbal confirmation that he was Roy's best friend, not those guys from the band who had far more in common with him. It made something clench tight in his chest. If he were being honest with himself his crush on Roy was getting a little ridiculous, bordering on pathetic. But, there was really nothing to be done about it./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Plus," Roy went on, "Bruce probably won't want a repeat performance of last time. I wouldn't want you to get grounded again."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason shrugged a little and offered a small smile. "Bruce was actually more disappointed about the lying. I'll see if I can work on him this time."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy seemed to light up from the inside as he met Jason's gaze, "So you'll come?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason chuckled, "I can't make any promises, but I'm gonna try."/p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.234px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" /p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"That evening Jason did try. He worked every angle he could./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Bruce, I've never asked you for anything, and I know I lied last time and I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry. I'm asking you now because I learnt my lesson last time, and this is really important to me. He's my best friend and it's his birthday and I really wanna be there. In all the time I've been here I've only ever done one thing you didn't like and I promise it won't happen again. And I'll do all my homework before I go, just please, please pleas-"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Jason," Bruce cut off the boys incessant rambling, there was a slight curve at the corner of the man's mouth, almost amused./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason jutted out his lower lip in a trembling, pleading pout and Bruce couldn't help but let out a laugh./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Bruce sighed. "Alright, listen carefully, you can go on certain conditions," he began, "You take your phone with you and you text every hour to let us know that you're safe. And you have Alfred pick you up at midnight."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""But the party will probably only just be starting then!"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You really shouldn't fight me on this, it's a miracle I've allowed this much. Midnight, no later, Jason."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Can't we please make it ten past? Please?" Jason implored./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Bruce raised an eyebrow as he looked over his son, "What difference would ten minutes make?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason ducked his head as a vivid blush stole over his face. He'd really put his foot in his mouth and this was beyond embarrassing. "Uh…" he hedged, "it's just...it'll be his birthday come midnight and I kinda wanted to wish him happy birthday when his birthday starts…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Bruce sighed, and rolled his eyes, but thankfully didn't comment. "Fine, ten past it is."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason was excited, he was positive that Roy would love the gifts he'd bought him - one of them cost a small fortune - he didn't want to give them to Roy at the party where they could easily be misplaced and stolen. He mentioned it to Roy and they'd come to the conclusion that Jason would go over to Queen Mansion the following afternoon. They'd watch movies and Jason would take pity on Roy in his hungover state, and Jason would then give Roy his gifts./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason knew that it was within his best interest to somehow distance himself - emotionally, that is - from Roy. He really couldn't afford for his growing affection towards his best friend to end up skewing his judgement anymore than it already had. He had to make peace with the fact that he and Roy were friends - best friends - and nothing more. The one and only time that Roy had expressed anything other than platonic interest in someone it had been with that groupie at battle of the bands, the very female groupie. And more than just the sexuality complication, Jason and Roy had very little in common, they got along famously and it was clearly enough for Jason to want more, but that didn't mean that Roy felt the same. For all Jason knew, Roy could be looking for someone more like himself, with more common interests. At the heart of it, Jason was a smart kid who tutored him, who had - against the odds - become his friend. That wasn't typically romance material. So, Jason just had to steel himself against these feelings./p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.234px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" /p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As it was a Halloween party, costumes were required, but since it was a very last minute thing on Jason's part, he'd simply roughed up some old threadbare clothing, splattered himself with fake blood, and announced himself a zombie. Roy had opted for something similar, just applying a slit throat with make-up one of his band mates had stolen from a younger sister./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason sat idly to the side as the band set up. Roy's bandmates had said very little to him since his arrival, perhaps they didn't like him and were holding a grudge because of what had happened during their last encounter. Jason couldn't bring himself to care. He wasn't interested in their opinions. Roy glanced over at him every couple of minutes, as if checking that he hadn't gone anywhere, and each time he smiled at him. It really wasn't helping Jason's resolve./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Before long people started to trickle in, the party was surely not far from starting. It was nearing ten o'clock and Jason begrudged the fact he'd have to leave far too soon for his liking. He grinned when he saw Roy approaching./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""We should start playing soon, we'll probably be going for like half an hour, 45 minutes. You good here?" The older boy asked, his brow furrowed and there was genuine concern in his eyes. A lump formed in Jason's throat at the sight of it./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You don't have to worry about me, Roy. Just enjoy yourself, okay?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy smiled, wide and happy, a little too happy. But, Jason had seen the boys consume a couple of beers each during their set-up, so it wouldn't surprise him if Roy was already a little buzzed./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Always do," Roy quipped before bringing a hand up to squeeze softly at the back of Jason's neck./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Chuck called Roy away in the next second and Jason watched him go. Once Roy had disappeared from sight Jason couldn't help but lift his own hand to where Roy's had been, to feel the lingering warmth from the touch. He was a goner./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy followed Chuck into the apartments small bathroom, he flicked the latch and stood on the toilet to reach and open the small window. From the inside pocket of his jacket, Chuck retrieved a folded square foil, a lighter and a baggie of smack. He motioned Roy closer./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Alright, this shit is easier to do with two people. The second the heroin starts smoking, it needs to be inhaled, there's too much risk of wasting this shit if we don't get our timing right. But, this is quicker and safer than injecting and we've got a gig to play." Chuck began, he abruptly turned away from Roy and ripped the toilet paper out of it's holder. He yanked the remaining tissue off of the roll and flung it into the waste basket, he held the cardboard tube up to Roy with a triumphant grin./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What do you need me to do?" Roy asked, eyeing the items that Chuck had assembled./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Simple. Someone smokes while the other does the cooking, so to speak. I'll smoke first to show you how it's done," He began. "Foil heats almost instantly, and cools down pretty quick too. The less time the smack is on the heat, the less smoke, and the less waste. All you gotta do is hold the foil square, and when I give the cue, you light the flame under it. I'll take a drag and when I'm almost done I'll signal again. You remove the flame, and we switch, okay?" Chuck searched Roy's expression for comprehension./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What's the tube for?" Roy asked./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Smoking. See, if you inhale through something too small, the smoke escapes around the sides, if it's too big then you can't inhale comfortably and lose some. If we don't get as much of the smoke as possible we're just losing quality drugs into thin air." Chuck nodded resolutely and handed the foil and lighter to Roy./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy did as instructed and held the foil level as Chuck emptied the baggie onto its surface. He held the tube about an inch above the substance and leaned his face over the tube, his mouth fitting to the cardboard ready to inhale. He threw a thumbs up to Roy and Roy flicked on the lighter. After Chuck had successfully inhaled he made a dismissive move with his hand. Roy removed the flame and Chuck breathed out. They switched places./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"It wasn't long before they returned to the lounge, where the band equipment had been set up in the corner, encompassing a significant portion of the floor space. People were starting to gather, the room was seeming smaller by the second with the vast amount of guests that were rapidly pouring in. With just 10 minutes to go before they were set to play, Roy sought out Jason./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"He found the boy on the patio, leaning against the railing with a cigarette between his teeth. Roy smiled as he leant beside him and retrieved his own cigarette from his pocket. He leaned across, getting into Jason's face just enough that the end of his unlit cigarette came into contact with the red flare of Jason's. He held there for a second before inhaling, drawing back and dispelling smoke, having successfully lit his cigarette off of the younger boy's./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I have a lighter, you know." Jason said after a flustered moment./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""So do I," Roy quipped back with a wink./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason shivered a little in the night time breeze, his tattered t-shirt did very little to shield his body from the cold. Roy shrugged out of his denim bomber jacket, haphazardly adorned with various patches of different band logos. He draped it over Jason's shoulders./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Would it have killed you to wear a jacket?" Roy teased, but there was worry laced in his tone./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I thought it would ruin my zombie aesthetic," Jason shrugged as he relished in the warmth of the too-large coat./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy chuckled, then let loose a hearty laugh. He reached a hand to the back of Jason's neck again and gave another reassuring squeeze. Jason closed his eyes for a second and felt truly content./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm really glad you could make it," Roy whispered./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Considering 17 wasn't a milestone birthday, it was highly unlikely Oliver would make the effort to return home. But, even if he did, Roy wasn't entirely sure he'd be happy to see him. Roy was content to let November 1st pass like it was any other day. However, he wanted Jason to come to the Halloween party with him. He knew that it wasn't the younger boy's idea of fun, and perhaps it was selfish to want him there, but Jay had quickly become his best friend, and having him around when the clock ticked over into his birthday would definitely make him feel less alone./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"The trouble was, Jason had gotten into trouble - even gotten grounded - the last time Roy had taken him out with the guys. So, it was unlikely Bruce would allow the young boy to go anywhere with Roy again, at least not late at night. But, Roy was a firm believer in 'if you don't ask, you don't get'./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"He glanced over at Jason, as they finished off their respective lunches. Dinah had baked up some mini lemon squares - she'd spent the last few nights at the mansion, something about her apartment being renovated. Roy had woken up to find cooling treats on the kitchen counter, beside a note in Dinah's elegant script. Roy had packed a few in his bag, and had shared them with Jason. It was the least he could do considering how often Jason shared some of Alfred's baked goods./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""So, do you get along with Dinah?" Jason asked as he picked up a square./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Yeah, she's okay. I don't see her all that much. Way more fun than Ollie. And she treats me like her kid without making me feel like a child, if that makes sense?" Roy shrugged. He liked Dinah, but they weren't particularly close./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason groaned appreciatively as he took the final bite of the tart dessert, a few wayward crumbs clung to the corners of his mouth, and Roy was overcome with the sudden urge to reach over and wipe them away. He decided not to dwell on that intrusive and bizarre line of thinking. He had a question to ask anyway./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""So," he began conversationally, "It's my birthday Saturday."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I know," Jason replied, his lips curving into an amused, but soft smile./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Yeah, well, there's a Halloween party tomorrow night, the band's been asked to play. And, I figure, it could be a Halloween-Birthday combo party. And you should come." Roy imparted, aiming for nonchalant, like it wouldn't matter if Jason said no./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Me? At a college party?" Jay asked, his amused grin become more pronounced, "Aren't I a little young - and a little straight-edge - for those people?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Yeah, I figured it wouldn't be something you'd wanna do, but I just wanted to ask. 'Cause it's my birthday and you're my best friend, and I didn't want you to think I was just making plans without you." Roy scratched at the back of his neck, a little nervous tick that Jason had learnt to pick up on./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason's thoughts focused on the verbal confirmation that he was Roy's best friend, not those guys from the band who had far more in common with him. It made something clench tight in his chest. If he were being honest with himself his crush on Roy was getting a little ridiculous, bordering on pathetic. But, there was really nothing to be done about it./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Plus," Roy went on, "Bruce probably won't want a repeat performance of last time. I wouldn't want you to get grounded again."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason shrugged a little and offered a small smile. "Bruce was actually more disappointed about the lying. I'll see if I can work on him this time."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy seemed to light up from the inside as he met Jason's gaze, "So you'll come?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason chuckled, "I can't make any promises, but I'm gonna try."/p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.234px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" /p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"That evening Jason did try. He worked every angle he could./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Bruce, I've never asked you for anything, and I know I lied last time and I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry. I'm asking you now because I learnt my lesson last time, and this is really important to me. He's my best friend and it's his birthday and I really wanna be there. In all the time I've been here I've only ever done one thing you didn't like and I promise it won't happen again. And I'll do all my homework before I go, just please, please pleas-"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Jason," Bruce cut off the boys incessant rambling, there was a slight curve at the corner of the man's mouth, almost amused./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason jutted out his lower lip in a trembling, pleading pout and Bruce couldn't help but let out a laugh./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Bruce sighed. "Alright, listen carefully, you can go on certain conditions," he began, "You take your phone with you and you text every hour to let us know that you're safe. And you have Alfred pick you up at midnight."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""But the party will probably only just be starting then!"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You really shouldn't fight me on this, it's a miracle I've allowed this much. Midnight, no later, Jason."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Can't we please make it ten past? Please?" Jason implored./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Bruce raised an eyebrow as he looked over his son, "What difference would ten minutes make?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason ducked his head as a vivid blush stole over his face. He'd really put his foot in his mouth and this was beyond embarrassing. "Uh…" he hedged, "it's just...it'll be his birthday come midnight and I kinda wanted to wish him happy birthday when his birthday starts…"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Bruce sighed, and rolled his eyes, but thankfully didn't comment. "Fine, ten past it is."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason was excited, he was positive that Roy would love the gifts he'd bought him - one of them cost a small fortune - he didn't want to give them to Roy at the party where they could easily be misplaced and stolen. He mentioned it to Roy and they'd come to the conclusion that Jason would go over to Queen Mansion the following afternoon. They'd watch movies and Jason would take pity on Roy in his hungover state, and Jason would then give Roy his gifts./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason knew that it was within his best interest to somehow distance himself - emotionally, that is - from Roy. He really couldn't afford for his growing affection towards his best friend to end up skewing his judgement anymore than it already had. He had to make peace with the fact that he and Roy were friends - best friends - and nothing more. The one and only time that Roy had expressed anything other than platonic interest in someone it had been with that groupie at battle of the bands, the very female groupie. And more than just the sexuality complication, Jason and Roy had very little in common, they got along famously and it was clearly enough for Jason to want more, but that didn't mean that Roy felt the same. For all Jason knew, Roy could be looking for someone more like himself, with more common interests. At the heart of it, Jason was a smart kid who tutored him, who had - against the odds - become his friend. That wasn't typically romance material. So, Jason just had to steel himself against these feelings./p
hr style="margin: 0.875em auto 1.2525em; border-style: solid; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; width: 359.234px; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" /p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"As it was a Halloween party, costumes were required, but since it was a very last minute thing on Jason's part, he'd simply roughed up some old threadbare clothing, splattered himself with fake blood, and announced himself a zombie. Roy had opted for something similar, just applying a slit throat with make-up one of his band mates had stolen from a younger sister./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason sat idly to the side as the band set up. Roy's bandmates had said very little to him since his arrival, perhaps they didn't like him and were holding a grudge because of what had happened during their last encounter. Jason couldn't bring himself to care. He wasn't interested in their opinions. Roy glanced over at him every couple of minutes, as if checking that he hadn't gone anywhere, and each time he smiled at him. It really wasn't helping Jason's resolve./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Before long people started to trickle in, the party was surely not far from starting. It was nearing ten o'clock and Jason begrudged the fact he'd have to leave far too soon for his liking. He grinned when he saw Roy approaching./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""We should start playing soon, we'll probably be going for like half an hour, 45 minutes. You good here?" The older boy asked, his brow furrowed and there was genuine concern in his eyes. A lump formed in Jason's throat at the sight of it./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""You don't have to worry about me, Roy. Just enjoy yourself, okay?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy smiled, wide and happy, a little too happy. But, Jason had seen the boys consume a couple of beers each during their set-up, so it wouldn't surprise him if Roy was already a little buzzed./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Always do," Roy quipped before bringing a hand up to squeeze softly at the back of Jason's neck./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Chuck called Roy away in the next second and Jason watched him go. Once Roy had disappeared from sight Jason couldn't help but lift his own hand to where Roy's had been, to feel the lingering warmth from the touch. He was a goner./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy followed Chuck into the apartments small bathroom, he flicked the latch and stood on the toilet to reach and open the small window. From the inside pocket of his jacket, Chuck retrieved a folded square foil, a lighter and a baggie of smack. He motioned Roy closer./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Alright, this shit is easier to do with two people. The second the heroin starts smoking, it needs to be inhaled, there's too much risk of wasting this shit if we don't get our timing right. But, this is quicker and safer than injecting and we've got a gig to play." Chuck began, he abruptly turned away from Roy and ripped the toilet paper out of it's holder. He yanked the remaining tissue off of the roll and flung it into the waste basket, he held the cardboard tube up to Roy with a triumphant grin./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What do you need me to do?" Roy asked, eyeing the items that Chuck had assembled./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Simple. Someone smokes while the other does the cooking, so to speak. I'll smoke first to show you how it's done," He began. "Foil heats almost instantly, and cools down pretty quick too. The less time the smack is on the heat, the less smoke, and the less waste. All you gotta do is hold the foil square, and when I give the cue, you light the flame under it. I'll take a drag and when I'm almost done I'll signal again. You remove the flame, and we switch, okay?" Chuck searched Roy's expression for comprehension./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""What's the tube for?" Roy asked./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Smoking. See, if you inhale through something too small, the smoke escapes around the sides, if it's too big then you can't inhale comfortably and lose some. If we don't get as much of the smoke as possible we're just losing quality drugs into thin air." Chuck nodded resolutely and handed the foil and lighter to Roy./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy did as instructed and held the foil level as Chuck emptied the baggie onto its surface. He held the tube about an inch above the substance and leaned his face over the tube, his mouth fitting to the cardboard ready to inhale. He threw a thumbs up to Roy and Roy flicked on the lighter. After Chuck had successfully inhaled he made a dismissive move with his hand. Roy removed the flame and Chuck breathed out. They switched places./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"It wasn't long before they returned to the lounge, where the band equipment had been set up in the corner, encompassing a significant portion of the floor space. People were starting to gather, the room was seeming smaller by the second with the vast amount of guests that were rapidly pouring in. With just 10 minutes to go before they were set to play, Roy sought out Jason./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"He found the boy on the patio, leaning against the railing with a cigarette between his teeth. Roy smiled as he leant beside him and retrieved his own cigarette from his pocket. He leaned across, getting into Jason's face just enough that the end of his unlit cigarette came into contact with the red flare of Jason's. He held there for a second before inhaling, drawing back and dispelling smoke, having successfully lit his cigarette off of the younger boy's./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I have a lighter, you know." Jason said after a flustered moment./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""So do I," Roy quipped back with a wink./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Jason shivered a little in the night time breeze, his tattered t-shirt did very little to shield his body from the cold. Roy shrugged out of his denim bomber jacket, haphazardly adorned with various patches of different band logos. He draped it over Jason's shoulders./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Would it have killed you to wear a jacket?" Roy teased, but there was worry laced in his tone./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I thought it would ruin my zombie aesthetic," Jason shrugged as he relished in the warmth of the too-large coat./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Roy chuckled, then let loose a hearty laugh. He reached a hand to the back of Jason's neck again and gave another reassuring squeeze. Jason closed his eyes for a second and felt truly content./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I'm really glad you could make it," Roy whispered./p