Notes: A lighthearted chapter before the plot runs over me next chapter. I could actually keep Stu and Billy bantering the whole story ? I hope you like the story so far... Who knows...
Later in the evening, Stu looks at Billy, standing up and walking towards the door for the fourth time since that morning. He suddenly stands up and leaves what he's doing to stare at the streets and look intently at every car parked outside the building for around ten minutes.
Stu has the suspicion that Billy thinks they could have been followed, which is ridiculous. They would have seen anyone on the road, since it was almost empty at that hour they traveled. But he doesn't say exactly those words. He doesn't say anything at first, if Billy feels the need to look outside to feel safe, so be it.
But there's another thing that catches Stu's attention too.
Every time Billy hears footsteps outside the room, he looks frozen at the door, his face in a blank expression, his jaw tight waiting, as if he's constantly alert.
It's making Stu wonder again and again about the times Billy was in the apartment of this man. He would like to know more about the times he was kidnapped, not because he is interested in what happened exactly, but because he feels he's walking on eggshells constantly if he doesn't understand Billy's trauma wholly.
Stu knows that Billy's mind and body are most likely in survival mode, and it is very difficult for him to be in the present. And it makes Stu wonder if he is afraid that someone is going to make a move on him at every moment.
He's just afraid of how much suffering and pain Billy is actually still in. Stu has already seen the pain, but perhaps… Stu has not seen the full extent of it just yet.
He thinks of a way of distracting Billy from this hyper-vigilant and constantly on watch mode he's in. Maybe if they go eat outside or walk… That makes him think about Billy's ankle, not sure if it is healing well at all. He's not sure any of Billy's wounds are healing well, since he has bandages all over them.
"He's in survival mode… Ok, it's time for some distraction…" Stu thinks to himself. "If this gets Billy to focus on something else for a little while, I think that might be a good thing."
"Hey Billy? You know what would be really nice right now?" Stu turns his body towards Billy and he speaks with a friendly and cheerful voice. "I'm really craving some ice cream. What do you think? You want to go grab some ice cream with me?"
Billy turns around to look at him, confused at first, coming out of the fog his mind was while looking outside. He raised both eyebrows, crossing his arms.
"Ice cream?" he asks, with incredulity.
Stu smiles and chuckles.
"Yes, I know it sounds like a weird suggestion, but just give it a chance, ok? Just as a little experiment. I promise you, it will make you feel better. Come on, I'm buying. " He smirks and he speaks with a lighthearted and casual manner. "But… only if you'd like to. I won't force you. Just think of this as a little experiment. What do you say? Give it a chance?"
Billy nods and walks away from the window. He takes his backpack and sits down on the bed to look for something in it when he realizes something.
"Should I go with you?" he asks, looking at Stu seriously. "I mean… there's always the risk of someone recognizing me…?" He looks at the door knob again, thinking about it himself. Then he shrugs his shoulders. "Whatever. If I stay, I'd be going nuts anyway…"
Stu laughs lightly as Billy speaks, and then he speaks in a soft and kind voice.
"Well… I suppose it does come with the territory, doesn't it?" He sighs and he smiles as he speaks. "But you are right. In the end, there's no use in delaying the inevitable. Ok? Now that I think about it, maybe you'd be safer with me anyway… Yeah, I bet you are right." He smiles warmly. "Let's just go. Are you ready?"
"Yeah, let's go." Billy takes a black scarf from his backpack and puts it over the bandage on his neck, then he puts the hoodie cap on.
"You are very thorough, aren't you? There's no missing a detail, huh?" Stu giggles as he speaks and he gets up, he grabs his keys off the table. "Well… I guess we should get going. Ready?" He smiles as he holds the door open for Billy.
"I don't want people looking at my neck…" Billy lowers his voice as he looks at Stu holding the door, and he frowns. He looks at him with a smirk, yet his eyes look angry. "Thanks, I see you took into account what I said about opening the doors for me." he says sarcastically, walking to leave.
Stu smiles and he sighs a little. He then speaks in a sarcastic and joking tone.
"If you say so." he smirks and he then pulls the door closed in front of Billy's face, without letting him out. " Just kidding." he chuckles and then he opens the door. "I'd never do that to you." he grabs Billy by the arm and he speaks in a gentle, low voice. "Come on, there might be people watching."
Then Billy walks out, stepping on Stu's foot on purpose.
"Oh come on, seriously?" he chuckles and he moves his toes. "Well, I guess I should've seen that coming… " he shakes his head at Billy's attitude once more, and he speaks. "Just don't step on my feet again." he laughs a little bit… he's kidding, but at the same time, he's also telling Billy to keep his temper in check while they go out in public. "Deal? " He smiles again and he starts down the stairs, as he talks. " Are you good at walking? Are you going to make it to the car ok? Or you want me to hold your hand?"
Billy stops walking to look at him with a shocked expression.
"The fuck is wrong with you?" he laughs a bit, shaking his head. "Where are you going to buy it?" he keeps stepping down again.
"What do you mean, what's wrong with me?" Stu chuckles in an amused manner, and he smiles a little. " Is it wrong for me to care about you?" He asks with smile on his face, but he's not joking or mocking Billy. He's completely sincere about this and he speaks without irony. "What? Is it because I want us to hold hands? Well… it's just because I want you to be safe. I just care about you. That's all." he smiles again. "Is it that big of a deal?"
"You're just messing with me." Billy says as a matter of fact, biting his lip as he shakes his head. "Where are you buying the Ice cream? Is it too far?"
Stu shakes his head and he sighs. He speaks in a slightly sarcastic tone, but he's not actually mad at Billy, and he's not even making fun of him. He's just giving Billy a little payback for Billy's snide remark earlier on about opening doors. It's a little teasing… that's all.
"Yeah, you got me. You are right. Ok? You caught me. I am pulling your leg a bit." he chuckles and he shakes his head. "Yeah, I was just messing around. What can I say?" he smirks. "I like to have a little fun! But the rest... the part where I care about you… that's not me messing with you at all."
"I know that." Billy says with a smirk. "Again, where are you going to buy it? Do you know this town at all?" Billy asks, genuinely curious, now reaching the end of the stairs.
Stu smiles and he nods his head, not at all offended by what Billy had said about messing with him. He gives Billy a friendly smile.
"Yeah, I know this town a little bit. I think I know a good place. How about this? Why don't you let the professional…" he shrugs his shoulders, as if he's a big shot. " …do his thing." he says the last part teasingly with a cocky smirk and he speaks with a playful tone. "How else am I going to impress you with my skills?"
Billy rolls his eyes.
"Go ahead, impress me with your skills in buying ice cream." he says with a blank expression, though there's an edge of teasing in his voice. "Such a hard task…" this time he lets a smug smirk slide for a second on his face.
Stu throws Billy an exaggerated sly smile and then he chuckles a little bit. He gives Billy a playful punch on the arm.
"Oh you were asking for it. You just wait and see" he smirks mischievously. "I won't disappoint you." he turns and he starts walking towards the door, "You wanna stick with me? Cause I'm sure you are gonna want to see this. What do you say? Are you in, or are you going to wait outside?
Billy looks at him, eyes wide open for a second before he has to suppress a laugh, his lips in a tight line, as he looks away. He walks out as he says in a low tone.
"Only because I don't think it's smart to split up."
Stu smiles as Billy speaks. He can see that Billy is trying to hide the slightest hint of laughter, and it makes him smile wider.
"Ok, fair enough. So, we are on the same page with this then, huh?" he chuckles as he speaks. "So are you just gonna follow me in silence, or… " He's talking and acting slightly provocative " ...you got some more smart-ass remarks to get out of your system before we go out in the cold?"
"I'm dying to see you eating, so you shut up for a while" Billy mutters, smirking. "Come on" he laughs, walking ahead.
Stu smiles as Billy speaks and then he follows. He sees Billy laughing and he chuckles.
"It must feel good to talk back, huh? That's a big improvement from how I first found you." Stu says, with a genuine smile. "So you want me to shut up and just be quiet? Ok… if that's what you want…" he smirks. " Then I'll do it as long as you want me to. What's it gonna be? I'm up to anything." He's still talking in a playful tone.
"As if you could keep your mouth closed for two seconds." Billy says, a small smile on his face. He walks with his head low, some locks falling in front of it.
Stu laughs a little as Billy speaks.
"Oh that's a dare, is it? Are you sure you want to test me? You see… I can be quiet and peaceful…" he pauses and his smile turns a little sly, "… If I want but…that is only if you really want me to be that way. Because I can always make it up to you… later…"
Billy keeps walking in silence, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Why are you…?" he directs a furtive glance at Stu and then shakes his head. "Forget it."
Stu chuckles as he speaks.
"Come on… I don't bite. I mean… Well... maybe a little." He pauses for a moment. He speaks with an amused and playful tone. He's being a little flirty, and he knows Billy is smart enough to see right through it. "But it's fine! Just say what's on your mind. " He smirks slightly, trying to be a little teasing as he speaks. "So what were you going to say? Why are you what?" he shrugs his shoulders, "I won't be offended. I promise. If that's what you were worried about."
"You think they're going to have mint flavored ice cream?" Billy asks, changing the subject. He has been a long time without socializing with anyone in a friendly way, and maybe he was just misinterpreting things that were totally innocent on Stu's part. They must be.
"You mean as opposed to vanilla flavored ice cream? No, I'm just kidding. Yes… most definitely." he nods his head. " They have a wide variety of different ice cream flavors. Why? Are you thinking about mint flavored ice cream?" he smiles again. "Or was I just the one who just brought that up? You are hard to interpret sometimes, Billy, you know that?" he chuckles.
Billy stops in his tracks for a moment, frowning, but resumes the walk a couple of seconds later.
"Yeah, I suppose I am." He murmurs, still frowning a bit.
Stu sighs. He senses he has crossed a line, and he feels bad all of a sudden. He doesn't know what to say. He clears his throat and then he speaks in a softer voice..
" Listen… If you ever, you know, want to talk about anything, you can talk to me, ok? And don't worry… I won't judge you nor misunderstand you." He gives Billy a sincere and warm smile. "I'm here for you." he speaks with sincerity and care.
"I doubt that you won't misunderstand if you think I'm hard to interpret…" Billy says, while he keeps walking, even if he doesn't know where the store is. He shakes his head a bit. "Look, I think I'm overthinking everything…. I didn't mean to ruin your mood."
"I'll be honest, Billy. You are a little hard to read sometimes. But that's not a bad thing…" Stu pauses for a moment."It's just the way you do things and I can accept it. I just want to make sure that, if you need… you know… anything… Don't keep it to yourself."He gives Billy a warm and sincere smile. "I'm here for you, ok?" He pauses for a moment and then he speaks again, trying to change the subject in an effort to make Billy feel better. "What's your favorite ice cream flavor?"
"I wonder why would I ask about mint if it wasn't my favorite…" Billy chuckles.
Stu laughs a little.
"Ok then, smarty-pants. Do you want to know what my favorite flavor is? It's coffee!" Stu pauses for a moment with a smug smile and he speaks with a fun and teasing tone. "You like coffee ice cream?"
"Is that even an ice cream flavor?" Billy asks, faking an expression of disgust.
Stu laughs.
"Are you serious?!" he pauses and he smirks. "I mean… yeah… It is an ice cream flavor." he chuckles and he shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not making it up. It's an odd flavor, but I think it's pretty good. You're telling me you've really never had coffee ice cream before?" he inquiries. "Well… you know what they say... You're never too old to try something new." he smiles again. "So are you gonna try it today?"
"Why would I?" Billy laughs a little. "That's the pointless ice cream flavor… People don't even drink their coffee cold, why would they want it froze?" He teases.
"Well look at you being so cheeky." Stu chuckles and then he sighs. " Well… You'd be surprised that there are actually some people out there who do like it… And I happen to be one of them." he shrugs his shoulders. "Don't knock it until you try it. It's not so bad once you really think about it. But I get it. It's an acquired taste, I'll give you that." he shrugs his shoulders again. "So what… Are you gonna try it? Come on. Is it a yes or a no?"
Billy shrugs.
"Let's see…" he says. He is actually curious about it.
Stu is a little impressed to hear that edge of interest.
"Alright, we'll try it. Come on." He starts walking again and he gestures with a friendly and pleasant expression for Billy to follow. Stu says in a teasing tone. "Who knows? I'm sure you'll like it…" he gives Billy an exaggerated and smug smile. "After all… How could you resist my suggestions?" he laughs. "I mean… come on. You have to admit… I'm pretty likable."
"I don't have to agree with your delusions" Billy laughs, half joking. When they arrive at the store, Stu approaches the counter to order while Billy waits nearby, looking around, a bit in alert.
Stu turns to face Billy and he chuckles.
" Oh yeah?" he smiles. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, Billy. You just haven't discovered it yet." he smirks. "You see, Billy, the trick is to have an open mind. The mind is the strongest and most important muscle in the body." he pauses for a moment, and he thinks about what he's about to say. "If you can train your mind, you can be as great as you want."
"Stu" Billy mutters, with a frown, as Stu takes the two cones of coffee ice cream and hands him one.
Stu smiles as he hears the way Billy says his name. He chuckles and he talks cocky and smugly.
"What… Oh… Is there anything wrong?" He raises his eyebrow. "I mean… Are you not gonna try yours? Don't tell me that I got you all excited about coffee ice cream for nothing?" He smiles and gives him a friendly and reassuring smile. "You gotta try it. I'm not kidding you… If you don't end up loving it… I will buy you whatever ice cream you want."
Billy holds his laughter.
"Stop being so likable. You're going to get everyone's attention and that's the least thing we need now." he smirks, and turns around to walk outside the store, not allowing Stu to see his smile.
Stu chuckles as he hears Billy speak to him in a playful and snarky tone.
"What? Is this a compliment I'm hearing?" I didn't take you for a softie, Billy." he sighs. "You know… You look a little cute when you smile." Stu smirks. "So you are gonna eat your ice cream then? You'll see… You'll like it. " He gives him another sincere and genuine smile. "I swear you will."
Billy brings it to his mouth. He licks it hesitantly, closing his eyes for a moment. Then he smirks.
"Not bad… but mint is better." he says, a defiant edge in his voice. "Why do you settle for less?"
Stu is amused to hear Billy's honest opinion.
"Wow…" he pauses for a moment. "You can actually be brutally honest sometimes…" he chuckles again as his smile widens. "You can be very savage sometimes, Billy. So are you saying that mint iced cream is better than mine?!" he smirks with a fun and teasing tone. "Tell me you lied. Tell me you're just messing with me." he smiles and he gives Billy an exaggerated, cocky smile. "Come on… I won't be mad"
Billy keeps licking the ice cream without saying anything for a while, before talking in a calm and frank tone.
"So you heard me. I thought you'd rather hear the ugly truth than a beautiful lie…" he stops talking and walking then, looking at a store's showcase.
Stu chuckles again, noticing how Billy uses his own words from the morning.
"Well then, my respect for you is growing, Billy. " He pauses and then he takes a deep breath. "I think I'm gonna have to step up my game now." he grins and he gives Billy another big and exaggerated smile. "I can't have you walking all over me, can I?" he chuckles in a flirtatious manner. "I have an ego to I do admit… Mint ice cream is pretty good too…" he chuckles "in a really, really twisted way, of course!"
Noticing that Billy doesn't acknowledge his answer, Stu steps closer to see what he's watching. There's a lot of TV in the showcase, many of them showing Gale Weathers on the screen with a big headline that makes Stu's blood cold.
"NEIL PRESCOTT BRUTAL MURDER SHOCKS WOODSBORO COMMUNITY."