Tanner Buchanan | Behind The Blinds (2021)

Adrien takes Charlie's phone and looks it over.

"Oh hey! I know this model. Come in, maybe I can get it sort of working again. Is it just not turning on at all?"

He holds the door open for Charlie to walk in, and then he starts walking around, trying to see what all kind of tools they have that he can use. He doesn't expect the fine tools a normal phone shop would have, but something that won't just smash the device is better than nothing.

"Of course, if it's just the signal or Wifi connectivity, then we're screwed but no harm in trying, right?"

after getting lost in the woods for a few hours, charlie finally made her way back to the town defeated. her broken phone was clutched in her hand as she made her way over to the mechanic shop, just about to knock to see if anyone was in when the door opens. "sorry, didn't mean to scare you," she says quietly. the boy was way too chipper for what happened last night. was she that bad yesterday? before reality set in? "um, charlie, also new. uh, so i broke my phone, not that it matters because there's no service or anything, but i thought maybe the parts could be used for something. i don't know, just, yeah," she held the phone out in front of her for him to take.

Lucas bites back a laugh. He knows Marama wouldn't know what Target is, but it's still funny to hear it.

"Good to know. I'll tell them to meet you at the cemetery. Let's hope we get really lucky. Can I trust you to make sure none of my guys swipe anything for themselves?"

"i don't think it works like that," she says but honestly, she couldn't be sure. maybe ignoring pain is his way of healing. people were strange. "thanks, i appreciate that," she says with a nod. "that would be helpful. i think some of the cars has stuff we could really use around here. someone must have just come from the store. no food but there's bags with those red circles on them. looks like maybe clothes or towels. maybe there's something else in there but i didn't have time to check it out before coming back yesterday."

"Of course," Lucas says, kissing the top of Rae's head. "You go clean up."

He slowly let's go once Rae's grip loosens then turns to push the cart. The door creaks open and he steps into the dimly lit storage space. They manage to make it cold enough that it doesn't smell like hot rotting flesh. Just regular dead bodies. He's spent enough time in here around Rae that it doesn't bother him as much anymore.

He slides the cart in place then looks around. The blanket covering Kina has slipped off her face so Lucas puts it back. Then he slides this body next to hers.

He flips the light as he leaves, hurrying back into the examination room. He steps up next to Rae at the sink and washes his hands.

"Ready?"

rae's sobs racked his body, a release of the tension he had been holding for so long. too long. with anyone else he might have felt exposed, but he didn't feel that with lucas. his arms found his way around him, holding on like rae would disappear if he let go. stubbornness had been lost, this time he nodded against luc's shoulder.

"we — we can go. can you just put the cart inside?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper. "she’s in there. i can't look...not again." could he stomach it? absolutely. but that didn't stop the pain. rae couldn't detach himself from all feelings like he did with the other bodies.

Hey now those (your big brown eyes) are some dangerous weapons…

(insp.)

Adrien sits quietly, reminiscing on the few memories he still has of his parents. One such from the day they'd died. They'd spent the day attempting to fish in a river similar to this one. Since Adriennwas 10, he was obviously terrible at it, and he'd had his parents clutching their sides in laughter from his attempts. It had been on the way back when it had happened.

Adrien looks up and smiles when he sees it's Muz talking.

"Oh hey," he greets though it's not a peppy or bright as he usually is. "El made me take the day off, and I wasn't feeling up for hanging at the colony house. Not having much luck on the getting-a-boyfriend front and everyone else was busy, so... yeah, getting lost felt like a good way to pass the time."

He looks back toward the horizon and swings his leg, his big toe skimming the surface of the cool, clear water.

"What about you? What brings you to getting lost territory?"

river banks, adrien. @patroclusblossom

He's found himself on more walks than ever since arriving in Oblitus. The river banks became a quick favourite. Muz leans against dock, watching the ripples of the river. The sun threatens to start its slow descent but he sees Adrien sitting near the edge, one leg hanging over the side, staring out at the horizon like he had all the time in the world. The usual energy that Adrien carried seemed to be gone today, replaced by something quieter.

He pushes off the post and steps down the dock, boots making soft thuds as he moves closer to where Adrien sits. 'Not a bad place for getting lost,' Muz says, his voice breaking the silence. 'What’s got you out here?'

Finally. It had been a long day. Survive the storm and night, get the run down of the town, meet El, see the Chop Shop, and now, finally, being shown where he's going to be living. It's a cool place. Big, a little fancy, and it's buzzing with energy even with quiet somber air. So different from his aunt and uncle's place.

Cameron showed him his room and where the supplies he might need are kept. Then he's let loose to wander and see what he can find.

He finds a common room with some couches and chairs. And books he steps in to see what kind of books might still be here, but then he freezes because someone else is already in here.

Adrien blinks because there's no way this guy is real.

Adrien's seen cute guys back home. But this guy? He's handsome, beautiful.

Adrien licks his lips. Then, he realizes the guy is looking at him. Talking to him.

"Oh. No, not mine. I don't have much that's mine anymore. Just my mini-tool kit. No books. Uncle Don didn't let us bring books on our family hikes. So it's fine if you read that."

He's feeling breathless under the guy's gaze.

"Hi, I'm... I didn't mean to stare. I just... well, you're..."

He shuts his mouth and swallows hard. Get yourself together, he tells himself.

He steps forward, wiping the sweat from his hand, then holds it out to the guy.

"Adrien. I'm new."

@patroclusblossom

LOCATION: colony house

The storm passed. Some were hurt, and a few went missing. Less died than he expected, but the gruesome sight was enough to send many into somber silence.

Sangjoon had finally settled into the Colony House thanks to Cameron and was clearing out a spot to sit. There was a book in his way and after a moment of deliberation, he picked it up. He wasn't completely sure what the rules were regarding property in this house and wondered if he was going to upset someone just by flipping a few pages. Still, after all the horror, it felt nice to read.

Escape for a moment to a safer world.

What pulled him back to the bleak present was a pair of eyes. Sangjoon, having lived the way he did, was always hyperaware of any attention on him.

Fortunately, the gaze did not seem unfriendly.

"Is this book yours?" Were you looking at this, or looking at me? "I should have not touched it without permission, sorry."

where: infirmary when: after the storm whom: @hcartcorruptcd

Adrien spends most of the morning after the storm at the town hall, getting the official rundown of where he is now and what the fuck they know.

Spoiler alert: not a whole lot.

Finally he's freed after his interview and led down the street to the infirmary. He's told that since he has mechanical skills he'll be working under someone named El at the Chop Shop. After a few months, he'll be allowed to apply for other jobs but for now, this is where he'll be.

He's led inside and to a room with lines of... beds? They don't look particularly comfortable but he supposes there aren't too many resources around.

He's pointed to a bed where a slightly older brown-haired person is laying. He shuffles over and tries to offer a comforting smile.

"Hi," he greets. "Sorry if this is a bad time but I was told I'm supposed to report to you for my assigned work."

Adrien hums, listening to her. Seems like she's still spiraling after arriving in town recently. He moves to sit against the wall across from her, their shoes inches apart.

"Sorta? I came in a few days ago with the huge storm. But I'm guessing you're even more recent than that? And to be honest? If having a party is delusional, I'd rather be that than dead."

He shrugs. He knows he's an outlier amongst the people of Oblitus, but he's used to that feeling. And he's happy to share it with others when he can.

"I didn't catch your name," he adds with a friendly smile.

Catie’s eyes narrow as Adrien slides to a stop in front of her, his enthusiasm jarring compared to everything she’s felt since arriving. She folds her arms, glancing around with disbelief.

'Company?' she echoes, almost laughing despite herself. 'Yeah. Sure. Not like I was having a ton of fun hanging out on the floor. By myself. In this creep fucking house.' She shakes her head, almost hesitating but not quite catching herself. 'Just, are we seriously doing this? Having a party while there's all that actual shit out there?' She glances at Adrien, her tone sharper than she intended but held back by a thread. 'I can’t decide if everyone here’s delusional or if I’m just the only one who thinks this whole thing is completely insane.' Her voice drops, anger simmering just below the surface as she forces a smile. "But you—you look like you’re actually having fun. Guess you’re not new here?"

where: colony house when: Halloween night whom: @rampents Catie

Adrien stumbles out of a bathroom, shaking his hands to finish drying them. He's having way too much fun for what everyone seems to think Oblitus should be.

He's about to head back to the dance floor when he notices someone chilling on the floor, not really paying attention to her surroundings.

Not one to let someone stay alone for too long, Adrien runs then slides on his knees, stopping right in front of her.

"Hey, there, I'm Adrien. Want some company?"