SO BAD [MXM] [MAFIA] ✓

24: OH NO

Ashton pauses at that, and then his entire demeanor changes. Skylar can immediately recognize the exact change. His expression going emotionless, though there's a telltale pursing of his lips—so small most wouldn't notice. He sort of... lifts his head a bit higher, and when he talks, Skylar recognizes exactly what's going on.

"I knew you were listening."

It's the spooky crime version of him. No warmth. Well, that's not true. There's just far less of it.

At first when he says that, Skylar pauses. He immediately gets flashbacks to the conversation he heard with Crimson, and kind of freaks out for a moment. What? How did Ash know he was there? Does... does that mean he knows?

Then, Skylar realizes he's referring to the conversation with Nina, which Skylar also definitely eavesdropped on. Skylar can't really remember much from that, but he knows it was mentioned at one point. Okay, good, he's still in the clear. He'd have no explanation for any other way he'd have found out.

"You were in the kitchen, and I was hungry."

"Well, it's nothing you should worry about." Ash replies, like Skylar's just going to let it go. Skylar needs at least one of his many questions answered right now, though, or he won't be satisfied. He needs something.

"Okay, at least just tell me if you're really in school." Skylar says, and he's so serious. He's also feeling kind of restless, unable to keep his body still. He keeps seeing shadows out of the corner of his eye and blood dripping from the walls and shit. The hallucinations are really kicking in, but at least they won't get much worse. One of the side effects of withdrawal from cytozine is mild hallucinations. Hopefully this is as mild as it gets. Hallucinations are also part of the experience when on the drug, but they're a lot less terrifying.

Ashton sighs, running a hand through his hair and glancing around the room. Skylar's still mad, but it starts to simmer down when Ashton gives up. "I'm not."

Oh, Skylar knew it. He fucking knew it! He wants to be glad that Ashton at least told him the truth for once, but Skylar has already been pretty vocal about how sure he was that Ashton was lying. The guy probably didn't feel like he had much of a choice, and he didn't.

So, Skylar was positive that Ash was lying to him. He knew that for a fact. However, for some reason, having it verbally confirmed by the man himself makes it hurt worse. Skylar can't help averting his eyes, feeling a pang in his chest. Shit, he should really leave. There is no reason for him to feel like this, and he's at the point where he's not sure how much of it he can blame on withdrawal.

"Then where do you go?" Skylar asks quietly, anger and sadness mixing together into an ugly feeling that he really just wants to go away.

"I can't tell you."

"Why?" Skylar flicks his gaze up to meet Ashton's. He's trying to not look as upset as he feels. He doesn't think it works. Shadows start to surround Ashton, only breaking apart when Skylar blinks several times.

Ashton doesn't look like he wants to answer that, but he does, and Skylar is pretty sure he answers truthfully. "You put yourself in enough danger already."

Yeah, he's definitely telling the truth. However, he's also making no sense. Skylar puts himself in enough danger? Yeah, sure, that's true, but what does it have to do with this? How on earth would that affect anything?

"Tell me what an accorder is." There's more conviction in Skylar's tone this time, and he's kind of shocked Ashton is willing to answer anything right now to begin with. Skylar must look really upset.

"A job." Ashton replies simply, and Skylar fucking gives up. He's done with this. The conversation is only upsetting him more, and he deals with enough of that by himself. He doesn't need someone else to contribute to it.