(no subject)

[son_of_a_dreamer]

Who: Declan & St. Monmouth folks, or anyone.
When: late March
Where: St. Monmouth
What: Declan realizes that even running away to another planet doesn't solve any of his problems.
Warnings: language. will update as threads progress



[Monmouth looks so peaceful this late at night. The firelights, the dream trees, the flowers that always seem to glow. They all lend an air of magic to the whole place and all Declan can think about is that none of it is really worth it. None of anything their father had was worth it, and now it's all rushing in and catching up to Ronan as well.

The last thing Declan feels is peaceful. Back in Virginia he could manage it all, it was his life's work. But here? He doesn't know if even God himself could get rid of these demons.

Sitting on the front steps of his newly dreamt up house, rubbing at the fresh bruise along his jaw, he is thankful for one thing, at least: the never ending alcohol in this dreamt up flask.]



closed to Gansey

[Declan gives himself a day, because even he has to regroup sometimes and this one's a doozy. If there was something immediate he could do, he'd already be doing it, but demons aren't part of his expertise. Maybe he should have paid better attention in Church. Maybe that's what he needs right now, too.

But other than church, there's Richard Gansey, who always seems to be able to help when Declan can't quite get there. Declan has always been grateful even if it's less than apparent and he knows Gansey must respect him as well, at least for the most part.

After they fought (the briefest of fights, Gansey might actually be proud, only Declan's face showing any signs that one even took place), Ronan filled him in on whatever he could, but he told Declan to ask Gansey the rest. That Gansey was there at the end. The end. Matthew and Ronan coming undone. He isn't ready to hear the rest of this, but he knows he has to be if he wants to figure out what to do about it. Knocking on Gansey's door, he waits for a reply. ]


(lmk if there's anything else you'd like to do that doesn't fit into this scenario, i'm open!)

Comments

[dreamkid]

[ Matthew is normally asleep or at least getting ready to be at this hour, but not tonight. He has a few things on his mind as well, and it's made him just a bit restless.

The front door swings open and he pads outside on bare feet, before plopping next to Declan on the steps and stretching his legs out. A vaguely minty smell accompanies his presence, because he just brushed his teeth, and he's dressed in his pajamas. ]

Hey. [ His eyes travel briefly over the flask without judgement, and then to the day-old bruise on Declan's jaw. It's too dark to see, really, but Matthew knows it's there. He said nothing at first, didn't ask about it because he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to hear from Declan's mouth where it came from (Matthew thinks he knows where it came from), but now-- ]

Is everything okay?

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Declan doesn't mean to be drunk and down around Matthew, it's why he's out here like this, instead of inside. It's not that he's trying to avoid him, but... well, maybe a little bit. Declan is used to coming up with solutions to whatever problems his family is facing, but this time he's not so sure what to do. It's unnerving.

He doesn't want to worry Matthew, though, which he knows is a little ridiculous because he can already hear it in the tone of his voice as he comes to sit down next to him. The mint smell reminds him of Monmouth. The one back home, not here.

Declan glances at Matthew and offers him a small nod]

Hey. Yeah, everything's okay. Just taking in the view.

[He lies as he waves his hand toward the open fields around them]

[dreamkid]

[ Mmhmm. Matthew knows something happened, even if he doesn't know what, so that answer doesn't totally cut it. He exhales and leans back, back, until he's completely lying down on the platform part of the stoop, his legs hanging down over the steps, hands resting on his stomach. He lies there and watches the bug-less fireflies for a moment, mindless of how uncomfortably hard the metal step is, before speaking up again. ]

You and Ronan fought again, didn't you?

[ He sounds-- well, not too much of any one thing or another, really. He's not crushed. He's not angry. He could never be angry at his brothers. It's just confusing, disappointing, sad. Matthew had thought this was behind them, but maybe he missed something? ]

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[He knows he can't tell Matthew what's going on and nothing in the world will drag it out of him. Declan usually has things he can say instead, though. It was easier to cover it all up when there were many issues to pull from.

He remembers how thrilled Matthew was when they all went to the Barns on Ronan's birthday. That beaming smile of his has been an image Declan uses often, trying to blanket it over the other one he has in his head of Matthew dying. But now, looking at his brother, he can see the disappointment there and he hates it]

It wasn't even really a fight. It was a misunderstanding, that's all. Sometimes misunderstandings can still happen.

[He twists the flask closed and puts it out of sight]

It's been a long week.

[dreamkid]

[ Has it been that long, really? This place is paradise, at least that's what Matthew thinks. Thought. Everything seems almost perfect.

But he felt like that at the Barns, too, right up to the moment when everything fell apart all at once. If Matthew were to look a bit closer, would he see the cracks forming here? Declan's drinking, the punch to his jaw, Ronan's mysterious illness, his near-constant dreaming...

Matthew fidgets, plucking at a loose thread on the t-shirt he sleeps in. ]

What kind of misunderstanding?

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Declan would be relieved to hear that Matthew thinks this is paradise. He wants his brother to be happy here. Not that Matthew isn't happy anywhere, but this is quite the upheaval and he knows Matthew feels things just as much as the rest of his family.

Declan refuses to believe that there's no soul inside his brother.]

That conversation we had about trusting people? I've tried to have the same conversation with Ronan as well, but he doesn't listen.

[Which... okay, that's not completely it]

I was worried that not everyone at Monmouth has Ronan's best interest in mind.

[dreamkid]

[ Matthew hears that and goes still again, still and quiet. Uneasiness settles over his thoughts, because it's not like Declan would just make up suspicions out of nowhere. ]

He's told them-- a lot of them. About the dreaming.

[ Declan already knows that. Of course Declan knows. But it's the thing that worries Matthew first. If there's someone here who isn't looking out for Ronan (Matthew can't imagine who, but if there is), what if they already know what he can do? That could be bad. Matthew isn't even going to think about how it turned out for their dad, because imagining something like that happening to Ronan is unbearable. ]

CLOSED

[disentombs]

[Gansey still has his glasses on when he answers the door--he hadn't exactly emerged from his bedroom much today after all. No, today was spent between his desk and his window sill, depending on how often he needed to rotate his seat.

There's a stack of books on the desk as well, but all of them are spent. They've all been boiled down to the small black notebook, pages spread, laying on the surface. He gives Declan a Richard Campbell Gansey III smile--mostly because no matter how he tries to sort through the information he has, an answer doesn't come to him. He's frustrated.]

Declan. What can I do for you?

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Declan takes in Gansey's appearance much like he always does and offers him a small, tight smile. He doesn't know the difference between the different Gansey smiles, but he knows a hell of a lot about putting up a front when necessary.

He's tired, maybe even slightly hungover, but he does his best not to let either of those things show. ]

May I come in? We really need to talk.

[About Ronan, he almost says, but that has always been implied, probably since he's known Gansey]

[disentombs]

[If Gansey notices Declan is hungover, he doesn't say anything about it, steps back and opens the door a bit wider, an invitation for Declan.

Of course he knows it's about Ronan. It seems a lot of people are worried about Ronan lately, himself included.]

What's going on?

[He turns his desk chair around to face him as he sits on the edge of the bed, a quick wave of his hand for Declan to sit.

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Despite his well concealed hangover, Declan is sporting a bruise on his jaw that might be harder to ignore, but Gansey can pretty much guess where that came from as well.

He comes inside, giving Gansey a nod of thanks, glancing around the room. As always, it's so very Gansey, but Declan's pretty sure any room Gansey walks into feels like it's suited for him. He likes that.

Declan isn't sure he can sit in one place- he'd rather let himself pace, but he sits, rubbing at his hands in agitation, until he notices he's doing so and stops. High strung is not his style, but he supposes these are extenuating circumstances.]

Ronan told me about the demon.

[There's an edge of somberness to his tone, but mostly determination]

You know what happened, right? He said you were there at the... [he refuses to say end of it] You know more about it than we do.

[disentombs]

[Gansey absolutely notices the bruise. It's difficult to miss. And there's really only one person it could have come from, unless Declan was stupid enough to try hitting on someone else's girlfriend in the short time he's been here (something he actually couldn't completely rule out at this juncture).

But when Declan starts to talk, he quickly sees where the conversation is heading. Dammit Ronan...

He takes a few seconds to think of how to properly word this. There's no avoiding this discussion.

Gansey's voice is measured, even, resigned to the situation.]

I was. What do you want to know?

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[As womanizing as they all seem to think Declan is (and to be fair, it's not that he hasn't been at times), Declan's always had plenty of other things on his mind, all of which come first and any bruising left behind is almost always from some Ronan related incident, whether directly or indirectly.

Declan's tired of discussions that everyone wants to avoid. He's done it himself, so he knows how it feels to want to do so, but in the end, it's better they all put their heads together]

I want to know what happened. He told me the demon was sleeping underground and something woke it up. You all thought you had more time to deal with it but then you didn't. I want you to tell me what you think woke it up and if it has anything to do with that king of yours. And I want to know what happened... after. He said you were brought here at a later point in the timeline.

[heisenbitch]

[ It's been a couple of days since Declan barged into Jesse's room with raging fury.

Jesse has kept his distance, not just as a matter of wanting to avoid another confrontation, but also - particularly - because he knows Declan deserves space. Jesse knows Declan has had an awful lot to process. The sight of Jesse may very well rouse anger in Declan all over again, and that's not something Jesse wants for Ronan. It's not something he wants for Declan, either. Jesse isn't blind to the fact that Declan cares deeply about his brother, even if he's got an asshole way of showing it.

Jesse had spotted Declan sitting on the front stoop while Jesse was loitering in the yard, smoking a cigarette. He debated simply leaving him be. But as he stubbed the cigarette out in the grass and tossed the butt into the garden... He steeled himself and pushed his hands into his jeans pockets, and slowly, tentatively began walking across the grass towards Declan's place.

The grass is soft like a blanket under his bare feet. The late afternoon breeze rustles the trees and plants that always seem alive with magic. Gingerly, Jesse nears, and he comes to a slow stop at a respectable distance from the front steps Declan is seated on.

The bruise on Jesse's face has mottled into a purplish yellow, still swollen with a jagged scab where the skin had split under Declan's punch, though it's not as bad as it was the day before. He spots the bruise on Declan's face - evidence of Ronan's rage taken out on his brother. At least Ronan hadn't broken his arms, like Ronan had said he would in anger.

Jesse peers at Declan, grim, sombre, sheepish, apologetic, resilient, carefully observant, all at once. His stomach is knotted up in nerves. He hopes he's not doing the wrong thing approaching Declan here. ]

Hey. I, um... Look, I know I'm probably the last person you wanna be seeing right now, but... [ He awkwardly burrows his hands a little deeper into his pockets, shoulders hunching nervously.  ] Just wanted to say thank you. In person. For, y'know. Letting me stay.

[ It's an unimportant detail, in the grand scheme of things, he knows. He's not sure where to even start, though. A thank you might be a good place to start, at least. ]

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Declan isn't really the type to get lost in thought. He's never had much time for letting his mind wander off, and he could never afford to do so either. He's always had to be on, one hundred percent. It's like second nature to him now, it doesn't bother him in the least.

But sitting here, night after night, no sleeping pills in sight and the thought of some demon wreaking havoc in Ronan's head without him having come up with a single solution? He's been letting his thoughts travel off, back to Virginia, wondering if at any point he could have done things differently.

He doesn't even notice Jesse standing out there smoking until the other man starts making his way over.

Declan squints his eyes a bit, looking him over, then takes one last, long drink from his flask before twisting the cap shut and placing it behind him. He knew the time would come when they'd have to face each other again, but he was hoping it wouldn't be for another week or so. Maybe a month or six if he was lucky.

No such luck, and Declan reminds himself to be civil. He's not angry at Jesse like he was the other day, not after he heard from Ronan what the two of them had to deal with, but Declan is Declan and Jesse is Jesse and it might take a little time for him to acclimate to the skinny little prick walking up to his house, looking more like he'd rather the earth swallow him up more than anything.

The bruise on Jesse's face doesn't exactly match the one on Declan's, not by a long shot. Ronan gave it to him good, no doubt, but he and Ronan are still brothers. When Declan punched Jesse, he was aiming for far more violence, he's sure. So he has to hand it to the guy for showing his face here, and Declan listens to the thank you he gets. It's unexpected and he supposes it's a good start.]

I did it for Ronan, not you.

[Which is mostly the truth, but there's more to it than that, so he continues]

I didn't see any immediate need to have you gone. There was a lot I didn't know about.

[heisenbitch]

[ Yeah, Jesse figures Declan wasn't doing him a solid, but rather, Ronan. Details, though. Jesse glances down at the ground, scuffing the grass briefly with his bare foot while listening to what Declan goes on to say.

A beat. It's an awkward, pregnant beat. Jesse turns his eyes back up to Declan. ]

I know you were just lookin' out for him. For Ronan, I mean. I woulda done the same thing if I was in your situation.

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Declan doesn't think Jesse can even begin to grasp the lengths he's gone to look out for both Ronan and Matthew, but the fact that Jesse even tries to understand is not lost on him.

Declan rubs at his face, then lets out a tired sigh and rests his arms on his knees]

Yeah. I am looking out for him. Always will be. The things that can be prevented, I'm going to do my damndest to prevent. I'm usually better at getting the full story first, though.

[Most of the time. Granted, he's not always fair about it and he can be a very big asshole, but in the end he does what has to be done]

How's your face?

[heisenbitch]

[ Jesse doesn't respond to that first part at first. It's true: he doesn't grasp the lengths Declan has gone to, because he can't. He can only go by the lengths he'd go for Ronan here, and the lengths he's gone through at home to protect both himself and Mr. White. Wildly different circumstances, that, though. ]

It'll heal.

[ The injury he's got here is nothing. Jesse's response comes with a dismissive little shrug, like it's no big deal.

Another awkward beat. Jesse doesn't know whether Declan asking him about his face is a cue to stay or if he should leave it there. He tentatively opts for the former. ]

How 'bout you? How're you holdin' up? Considering, y'know... everything.

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Declan likely won't share more than what he already has, not anything about home, or really all he's done. He barely even told Ronan, but he did because the danger was becoming too great.

He always figured it was okay if Ronan ended up hating him, as long as he was safe. He was still playing by those rules here too, until he realized he didn't want to. He doesn't have to]

If it makes you feel any better... [he tilts his head so the bruise along his jaw is more visible, but it's fading faster than the dark circles under his eyes] Ronan and I are pros.

[Declan wonders how much Ronan told him all about the events of that night, how he had filled Declan in on the demon and how the two of them survived all those months that no one else was around.]

Me? I'm holding up. I'm fine.

[He pauses, then a sad, strangled laugh escapes him and he knows he must be more exhausted than he thinks he is]

I mean, you know. [he pulls out the flask from behind his back and holds it up, waving it a bit as if that explains everything, then opens it up knocks back a long sip]

[unaffluent]

[ Adam's had another long day and he's grabbed some pizza -- which isn't really what he wants but he's useless for actually making anything. He takes a soda as well and settles down at the table, one knee pulled up to his chest as he idly eats.

He has his TAB on the table, scrolling through random news stories and nothing in particular catching his interest. He's not expecting anyone to talk to him. He's not been completely avoidant but he's not been going out of his way to talk to anyone lately either. ]

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Declan has his place with Matthew off on the Monmouth property, but he's been finding himself around the main house more and more. Maybe to keep an eye on Ronan and make sure he's doing alright, partially because as much as he didn't want to be in the middle of a frat house situation, he needs the company.

Things have been tumultuous the past few days, but Declan knows he has to eat, he has to keep himself together. That's what he does.

He hasn't figured out what he wants his food situation at his place to be yet anyway, but there seems to be an endless flow of pizza at Monmouth, so he heads to the kitchen as well, slowing when he sees Adam sitting at the table, not sure if he wants to disturb him.

Adam doesn't seem to be that focused on what he's reading though, so Declan grabs a slice of pizza and comes over]

Do you mind if I sit?

[unaffluent]

[ Adam, perhaps, a few days before might have flat out said no...or immediately excused himself. As it is, he finds himself wary of talking to Declan again bcause the last time had gone so good and all. He looks down, then gives a half-hearted shrug, flicking to the next screen on his TAB mindlessly. He's not even trying to read what's there anymore. Declan's proximity feels oppressive but not really becuase of anything the other is doing or saying or even said.

He's just hesitant. Gunshy. ]

Go ahead.

[ Declan's just sitting right? Not like he has to make conversation. He flicks to the next screen having not read a word on the previous. ]

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[Declan doesn't really know what happened after the last time they talked. Not on Adam's end anyway. On his end, he went after Jesse like he felt he had every right to, and then Ronan punched him and told him the whole story. It's not something Declan really wants to get into, even if he has several questions for Adam. They could both use a break, he imagines.

With Adam's okay, Declan joins him at the table, taking a bite of his slice]

What are you reading?

[unaffluent]

[Adam shrugs and he continues switching screens focusing even less now and it's a nervous movement that he's resenting himself for a bit internally.]

Just looking for interesting articles. [He shrugs, drinking from his soda and sparing Declan a bit of a longer glance. He's still not sure where they stand. He feels awkward and every bit not worthy of Ronan whenever he's around his brothers.]

[son_of_a_dreamer]

[He's not sure where they stand either, but he has no reason to think there's any bad blood between them after the other day. He hopes there isn't anyway]

I haven't even attempted to read any on that thing yet.

[He nods his head toward the TAB]

But I have to admit, I could use an article or two. I really miss having a newspaper in the morning, or watching MSNBC. Do they even have anything like that here?

[Alien politics, he's not sure he'd really be into that. Then again, maybe it's even better here than back on their planet. Not hard to imagine at this point]