‘Cause a Halloween party’s a rad excuse To put your body through mad abuse | OPEN

[heatmetal]

Who: The Stranger Things cast
What: A Housewarming Party hosted by the gang & Settling in to their new haunted home
When: Late October - Early November
Where: Private Housing, Sunset Falls
Content Warnings: probably drugs, drinking

Moving In.

[ It's not quite the joyous occasion they were hoping it would be. The disappearance of one of their own has left a heavy air over the group, but they're determined to try to make something of the situation. And so they proceed with the move, their belongings loaded up in the back of a teleporting truck.

Neighbors are welcome to spy the new arrivals. A perfect collection of unlikely friends that look like they belong in a horror movie cast. You'll get a drink for your trouble - or something a little less legal (or more legal, if you aren't) if you offer to lend a hand. Evidentially, some among their number are not terribly well equipped to do heavy lifting. Damn sticky nerd arms. ]

HOUSEWARMING PARTY is written in slanted block print on a piece of cardboard, staked just outside the newly purchased manor seated near the edge of town. It is a utterly ridiculous piece of architecture, and the gathered teens have more space than they know what to do with.

So how better than to fill it with a house party?
There's a stunning indoor pool just begging to be cannonballed into. A classy lounge for enjoying a little existential angst and ennui. There’s enough guest bedrooms for anyone who wants to crash, though be warned: few are furnished. Some rooms are off limits, for your own sanity rather than theirs.

The music pumping through the place alternates between 80s metal and pop, with some newer tunes sprinkled in there for flavor.

There’s food, a legion of kegs and, well, that less than legal stuff is making the rounds too. ]

Comments

[wordiness]

[ his expression lights up with slightly wicked delight at this new name. ] Ooh, is Steph someone from home, then? [ don't mind him, just putting this steph's name down as someone to gossip with, it's fine.

he bites his lip to get his smile back under control, then clears his throat, a finger tugging absently at one of his earrings as he refocuses. right. tim now, steph.. in a few minutes, maybe. ]

I must've asked just before you messaged him. I guess it worked out, though, since you both wound up here at the same time. [ he releases his earring and straightens slightly, mouth pursing thoughtfully. ] In most magic, these sorts of coincidences don't really exist. Usually it's something, you know-- [ a vague wave of his hand. ] --big, like universal mystical forces at work. [ or possibly he or loki unconsciously making it happen, but he's not going to say that. ] And we are in Sunset Falls. [ a beat, and sheepishly: ] I think it's sort of neat.

[ oh, come to think of it-- ] Actually, this might be why he didn't want you to meet any of us like this, we're all sort of.. a lot. We've all lived weird lives. [ and it kind of sounds like tim has, too, if he really runs around on rooftops at night, but.. maybe not the same brand of weird. ]

[mostdangerousbird]

[ Letting Steph’s name slip is going to haunt him, but at least he didn’t have to bring up his adopted father. Besides, Steph’s friendly, and it’s a party. Odds are good that she would talk to Billy at some point. ]

She’s a good friend.

[ She’s also his ex, but that label undercuts the relationship - and provides more reason for Billy to interrogate her. The cycle of everyone talking about him is doomed to continue. ]

And I guess it did.

[ He’s not really sure about that, where he’s been confident in everything else. The juxtaposition is audible. They have reasons for turning up separately, but Tim’s been joking about how he keeps tabs on his friends today. He’s worried he’ll accidentally look like a stalker (instead of deliberately, as usual). ]

Is he going to think this is me crashing your plans? I don’t like coincidences either - because you’re right, they’re usually not. If he’s not the big mystical force behind it and if he really didn’t want me to meet you, I can scram.

[ A real smile now, smaller and softer than the one he said hello with. ] I like staying on his good side.

[ikols]

[ Billy gets to watch what it looks like when Loki is seriously sneaking up on a person. He sidles into view to side-step people and furniture easily, boots light and movements flowing, soundless, as if he avoids the world around him. A smile is flicked Billy's way, covert with a Shh motion, and then he clasps both hands behind his back as his body shifts into a more normal gait and he leans over Tim's shoulder to whisper, ]

Who are we talking about, boys?

[mostdangerousbird]

[ Tim jerks to attention when Loki is suddenly there behind him, in his ear and peripheral vision. He’s immediately off kilter, and he hates that all it took was one jump scare.

A little embarrassed at getting snuck up on, too, and maybe for more reasons than that, because there’s a rush of questions like “is he trying to whisper in my ear?” and “where is safe to look?” Tim can’t look at Billy without blushing hard and can’t turn to Loki in a room this crowded because they’d almost bump noses, he’s so close.

After a second to jump back into his skin, Tim angles his chin towards Loki with his eyes down at the floor. Tries to recover some dignity and self control from the flutter. ]

We were talking about you, and you know it.

[wordiness]

[ billy gives loki a look that's one part exasperated and one part fond, and reaches out to tweak his nose. ] Stop menacing Tim, Loki. [ he already seemed kind of stressed. being approached so suddenly by your boyfriend's friend, only to have your boyfriend show up to cause problems, would be a lot for anyone, much less for someone potentially with a lot of anxiety.

he rolls his eyes, glance flicking back to tim's face, smile quirking up. ] He does this shit to me, too. It's how he shows affection.

[ he flicks a dark strand of hair out of the god's face, brows arching. ] Did you thoroughly test out the keys, then?

[ikols]

I know nothing, alas.

[ He winks at Tim, distracted by Billy's touch to his nose and hair that has him standing beside both of them. ]

I did, they work. I improved them, too. [ Randomly, after a certain amount of uses, they open a portal directly over the couch instead of into the house's front door. Just because. Shh. His attention slides to Tim, zeroing in with a slightly softer, considering smile as he suggests with rare kindness, ] Don't use the keys.

[mostdangerousbird]

I didn’t say stop menacing me if that’s the case.

[ If that’s the case. If it’s how Loki shows affection, that Tim can’t bring himself to ask for directly with an audience.

He’s not naturally physically affectionate, but Tim’s certainly not against it if he’s involved.

Billy, however… Tim doesn’t know what to make of that kind of casual touch. They say they’re friends, but friends don’t go petting each other’s hair in his experience.

Ruffle or noogie it, maybe. But then there’s the wink, and Billy’s married, although people cheat… it’s mixed signals everywhere, and Tim’s very aware of his relative lack of experience and familiarity to interpret them correctly.

Kinda hates how stupid he feels in this moment and how stepping out of the conversation would cast a spotlight on his potential overreact.

With a wary glance at Billy, Tim turns to Loki, and - oh. That’s. That’s a gorgeous smile, and Tim’s staring with one corner of his mouth pulled up in a dazed half smile. ]

Why, what did you do to the keys?

[ Sign him up for a dunce cap if it means getting looked at like that. ]

[wordiness]

Damnit, Loki, what did you do to my housewarming gift? [ here he is just trying to be nice and make a good impression and loki may or may not be lovingly sabotaging that attempt. if he has to pick apart a bunch of alterations to his spell--

his mouth shuts with a click as tim turns a dopey look on loki, though, brows arching as he glances to the god. well, alright then. that's a sign if ever he's seen one that he's now officially in third wheel territory. ]

I'm gonna' go check on them, you two try to behave.

[ikols]

I didn't do anything, not really. They function to the same principles.

[ Just funnier ones! As Billy makes his excuses and sidles off, Loki turns his full attention on his remaining quarry. He scoops up a hand and kisses Tim's knuckles briefly, a real greeting, swaying his hold on him afterward. ]

Are you enjoying the party?

[mostdangerousbird]

[ For a second, Tim gapes after Billy, trying to call up a protest about their behaviour that won’t involve a squeak. He fails.

But Loki’s a presence, and he’s turned up the charm hard. Tim lets out a soft huff of an exhale at the kiss - it’s not a kiss he expects to receive. Gendered and formal, but also sweet and old-fashioned, and why shouldn’t he expect that? ]

I am now.

[ He tries to be honest with Loki, but that was a frank, artless slip. Tim ducks his head and tries to laugh through the embarrassment. ]

I - that was corny, I’m sorry.

[ikols]

[ Loki stands straight, letting Tim have his hand back. His own clasp behind his back as he teases him, eyes dancing over the fluster he causes. ]

Always nice to know you're wanted, no harm done. You came with your friends, Steph and Cass, yes? I said hello.

[ He did a little more than that, but. ]

[mostdangerousbird]

Yeah. It… really is. I think I forgot that for awhile.

[ Hooking his thumbs into his pockets, Tim shrugs upwards slightly. Coughs up a little piece of himself because he’s learning that Loki likes his own impact being acknowledged. ]

Except when you were around. You were always confusingly flattering.

[ But he can’t avoid that Loki met the Girls of Bat forever, and Tim glances off to where he last saw them - to where they are not. Meaning that they had nice chats with Loki out of sight. Oh, that’s not good. That’s… potentially a nightmare, really. Why did he tell Steph about Loki? ]

How did you - what did they tell you? What did you tell them?

[ He’s not sure which he’s more worried about. Probably what they could tell Loki. ]

[ikols]

[ He doesn't have to do much to entertain himself around Tim, who blushes awkwardly and has it all covered with an innocent charm about him. The same mild smile lingers as he watches him steadily, arching a brow when the boy panics. ]

Why are you so worried?

[mostdangerousbird]

Because I wasn’t there, and none of you are wired like me!

[ Mildly exasperated but also fond and chuckling. Tim is well aware that that is also exactly why he likes them. ]

Cass wouldn’t have a filter if I put her in a coffee pot. Steph has a selective filter, because she’s clever and friendly and likes all the “hot goss”, and you have the same selective filter on steroids. And now you all know each other, and I don’t get to control the information flow.

[ikols]

Darling, you'll never know everything.

[ His arm comes around Tim's shoulders, steering him away from the party to a quieter corner if Tim will come along. ]

It's a nice surprise, meeting you here. [ Green eyes stay steady, a smile curling Loki's lips for emphasis despite his soft voice. ] Please stop your worrying.

[mostdangerousbird]

That doesn’t mean I have to stop trying to know everything.

[ Loki can lead him wherever he wants, as far as Tim’s concerned.

Tim does a final check towards Billy. ]

It’s strategically ensuring that your friends like me and wishing my snoopy friends didn’t know yet, because I … kinda like being a nice surprise.

[ His arm slides around Loki’s waist with a focused casualness that is not as subtle as Tim intends. ]

You’re a better one, though. I don’t think you’d ever be boring enough to just be nice.

[ikols]

[ Loki cups Tim's cheek, thumb brushing over the rise of it. ]

Dear boy, what's wrong with being nice?

[mostdangerousbird]

[ Oh, um. They're just going to touch like that in public? ... apparently so, unless Tim's going to resist the urge to lean into the touch.

Nope, resistance is futile, and Loki's hand almost makes him shiver. ]

Nice can be boring. Nice is... nice, but it doesn't know how to keep up with exciting. I might have a thing for exciting.

[ikols]

Nice is okay.

[ He leans in and kisses him on the cheek, near the corner of his lips. Nothing to make his head pop off in anxiety around his friends. Loki runs his hand down Tim's side, resting on his waist, then totally does not whisper, ]

Are you going out patrolling tonight?

[mostdangerousbird]

I don't want to be just okay.

[ He has a pretty strong drive to be considered good, good at things. To get approval and not disappoint. Being "okay" at anything is what, par? Who wants to be par? ]

I want to keep up with you.

[ Which he almost is, if you squint. He's leaning closer now, pressing into his side with a wide smile, half hidden with his hand and ducked head.

Tim drops to a whisper, in hopes of encouraging Loki to do the same without making an overblown denial of the question for everyone else. If he doesn't say anything, no one will remember. ]

Depends. Are you going to keep your voice down?

[ikols]

Right now or when I have you trapped on a rooftop?

[ It's an innocent question. ]

[mostdangerousbird]

Both.

[ Innocent answer, at first. And then suspicious. ]

Why are you trapping me on a rooftop in this scenario?

[ikols]

[ What a dumb, clever boy. ]

Because I'm going to be kissing you, darling. A lot.

[mostdangerousbird]

[ He almost snaps back something about how stupid that would be -

thinks about it -

Decides that he'd rather be an idiot than a hypocrite and a liar. Idiots get kissed. ]

Only when I'm not actively chasing someone?

[ikols]

What if you're chasing me?

[ Hands looped behind Tim's back to bring him fully into Loki's space, he arches a brow. ]

Best keep an ear on the police radio tonight. You wouldn't want to miss anything.