18. You want a revelation/Some kind of resolution/Tell me what you want me to say

[voluntaryapnea]

[Open Zero Spam]

[Stiles sits with his back to the wall in a cell in Zero, scowl etched onto his features. He can hear Jackson's heart beating from across the hall and he wishes he'd ripped it out of his chest so at least he'd have some peace and quiet while he's stuck down here. Being alone would be better than being stuck in the same vicinity as Jackson Whittemore.

He shuts his eyes and covers his ears with his hands, forcing himself to take slow, deep breaths. He doesn't know exactly how containment down here works, but he knows that short of someone letting him out, he's trapped for now.

It's fine. He'll deal. He always does. He's not thrilled about it, because there are things he could be doing if he wasn't locked in a freaking jail cell.

He opens his eyes again when he hears the distant echo of footsteps approaching -- but whether they're approaching his cell or Jackson's, or if someone else is being locked up -- that he's not sure about yet.

So he stares at the bars ahead, eyes dark and narrow. Waiting.]

[Public Voice Post]

[He's never done well with boredom. After several hours of sitting in relative silence, he picks up his comm. The boredom is as evident in his tone as the sarcastic taunting.]

I have to say that if this is the worst you people can do for punishment, I'm severely disappointed. No wonder our barge graduates more people than yours. You don't even have an ounce of creativity.

Comments

[private video]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He reluctantly switches to video feed, and only because it's Lydia. Wordlessly, he turns the comm around so she can see where he is by the plain, dimly lit cell with the single bed, toilet and sink. When he turns it around so she can see his face, his expression is one of boredom.]

I'd say isolation, but unfortunately for me, I'm not here alone.

[private video]

[lydiascreams]

[Her face falls when she recognizes the cell. Zero, of course. She's not so much angry as-- heartbroken. Disappointed. Because she really thought she was getting though to him.]

Why?

[private video]

[voluntaryapnea]

Because Jackson tried to attack me and I defended myself.

[Granted, it escalated from there, but who needs sordid details, really?]

[private video]

[lydiascreams]

Stiles. [Sigh.]

I asked you not to.

Is he the one who is there with you?

[private video]

[voluntaryapnea]

Then he shouldn't have charged at me like a raging bull on steroids. [His voice is angry, defensive.]

Yes, he's down here, too. Lucky me.

[private video]

[lydiascreams]

How hurt are you? Both of you?

And how long are you gonna be there for?

[private video]

[voluntaryapnea]

Nothing either of us won't recover from.

You'll have to ask Spider-Man.

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ He can hear everything Stiles says. Though with the nature of Zero toning down his hearing, he can't make out who the other wolf is talking to on his communicator. Which was a good thing. Because he wouldn't handle it well.

He slams his hand against the bars. Sick of hearing Stiles' talking. He didn't say anything. Too pissed off to find the words. ]

[spam]

[voluntaryapnea]

[His jaw tightens immediately at the sound of Jackson's pounding against the bars.]

Knock it off, asshole!

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ He hit the bars again. ]

Keep it down and maybe I will!

[spam]

[voluntaryapnea]

I should have ripped your heart out of your chest.

[His temper flares as he rises to his feet, moving closer to the bars and glaring across the hall at Jackson.]

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

I would have ripped your face off before you had the chance!

[spam]

[voluntaryapnea]

You wish. The only time you would have had a shot at taking me is when you were a reptile.

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ he hits the bars again. This time in complete and utter fury. ]

When I get out of here, you're dead, Stilinkski!

[spam]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He laughs at Jackson's anger, but it's a sound devoid of all humor.]

You can certainly try. You won't get very far.

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

You're just as pathetic as you've always been. I've always been better! You think fangs and claws gives you some sort of edge?! Getting the bite doesn't change that you'll never be as good as I am!

[spam]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He snorts at that and rolls his eyes, dismissive as he's always been with Jackson's insults.]

That's the hilarious part. You think I care about what you think. I don't. I never have. No one ever has. You're a joke, Jackson. People pity you, but not as much as you pity yourself. Talk about pathetic.

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ There was a brief flash of something, of pain, or maybe of fear. But it was a sign that he knew, deep down, that Stiles was right. But it was gone in an instant by sudden and intense flood of pure rage. He slammed himself against those bars. As if he could force himself completely through them. His eyes glowing and fangs exposed. ]

At least they know WHO I AM! It's my name they're chanting when we win! NOT YOURS!

[spam]

[voluntaryapnea]

[And Stiles knows from that brief instance, that he hit home with his words. There's a great thing about not caring about anything, about not giving a damn, about not having anything to lose. It frees up all those inhibitions. The things he's always thought but held back because once upon a time he wasn't just endlessly cruel...he doesn't have a problem spouting them off now. He doesn't care if it hurts Jackson.

He clucks and shakes his head. His voice is deliberately soothing when he speaks again.]

Jackson, Jackson, Jackson. You think I care about lacrosse? I'm so far beyond your high school drama. I'm playing the big leagues now, buddy.

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

YOU?!

[ He manages one of his all too familiar condescending laughs. But even with how well honed it was, it was imperfect. A crack in his usual mask. ]

You might think you've made it. But you're still in the stands while I'm down on the FIELD actually PLAYING! You'll never be on my level, Stilinski!

[ This was a fact that he must continue to believe. Everything else had changed too much for him to cope with. Being better than Stiles was a base-line standard of his life. Ever since they were kids. It had to stay the same. ]

[spam]

[voluntaryapnea]

[Even now that laugh grates on Stiles' nerves. He really wishes he'd just ripped his heart out and let him deal with the death toll.]

You think so? [His voice grows softer, dangerous.]

Well, Lydia certainly seems to think I'm better than you. In more ways than one.

[He smirks.]

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ He manages another, even more mocking laugh. This one a bit more solid. Because that idea was so absolutely incredulous that it breaks through the anger enough that his teeth return to their default, blunt state. He leans back from the bars a bit, a hand resting on his stomach. ]

Her. With you? I think the bite's gone to your brain, because that would never happen?

[private video]

[lydiascreams]

I will. I'll also thank him.

[And now she's going through his room and grabbing a few things.]

[private video]

[voluntaryapnea]

[He rolls his eyes at that. Of course she'll thank the guy who locked him up.]

Don't worry, Lydia. I wouldn't have killed your boyfriend.

[His words are unmistakably bitter, and without warning, he shuts off the video and tosses the communicator up on and the bed and out of reach before scowling again and leaning back against the wall.]

[private video]

[lydiascreams]

He's not my--

Stiles! [If she was disappointed before, now she's irritated. Which is why she knows there's no point calling him back or saying anything else.

So she will just pick up pillows, blankets and food for both idiots and take them down there. In about an hour, when she's calmer and doesn't feel like choking both of them.]