Chapter Text
Ross and Robert sat quietly on the couch in the former’s house. The TV was droning on. Some old-ish movie that Ross couldn’t bear to stop his eyes drooping for. It was late, anyway. Around twelve by now.
He looked up at the clock on the wall next to the TV, pulling his beanie back slightly so he could get a better view of the hands. ‘11:37’, the clock read. Ross bit his lip and glanced over at Robert who gave him a nervous shrug back.
Roy was supposed to have shown up hours ago. They were supposed to be in their sleeping bags by now. Or, at least, Ross and Robert were supposed to be in sleeping bags by now. Ross always let Roy sleep in his bed whenever they had sleepovers.
“I don’t think he’s coming,” Robert prompted. A subtle way of telling Ross it was probably best that they started to turn in for the night. Ross didn’t reply. Just grabbed the remote and shut the TV off before standing up and starting to head up the stairs. Robert silently in tow.
Tension had been brewing between the trio since Halloween. Roy in particular had seemed more on edge than usual. His version of being on edge, that is. Getting more snippy and aggressive, even with Ross and Robert themselves.
In Roy’s defense, Halloween had always been a little weird for them. In fact, Robert and his sister were the only real reason they had gone out at all this year. Because something always had to happen on Halloween. Whether it be eldritch entities or rogue serial killers, they could never have a peaceful Halloween night. And there was only one thing that stayed the same.
Those damn kids were always involved.
Ross completely understood why Roy had such a deep seeded vendetta against the two trouble-makers. They always had to come in and mess things up at the worst times possible for everyone around them, and they were easy pickings as well.
However, on the flip side, Ross himself had become sort of fond of the two kids. At least a little. He could understand they didn’t mean to antagonize Roy, and Ross would at least try to get involved if something ever started up that got Roy upset.
But it was clear that Roy in particular had some negative memories attached to the two. Well, they all did, but Roy wasn’t exactly known for being open and honest about his feelings. As Ross had learned over the past few years, there was apparently a lot about Roy that neither he nor Robert knew.
The floorboards creaked softly under the combined weight of the two boys’ feet as they headed up the stairs, only to be stopped in their tracks by the doorbell ringing incessantly a few times. Like someone was impatient.
Ross froze and didn’t move a muscle, goosebumps rising on his skin as a shiver was sent down his spine. It was so late, what would someone need them for at this hour?
He exchanged glances with Robert, fear glazing both of their eyes before Ross walked steadily towards the door, standing up on his toes to get a good look through the peep-hole at who was on the other side.
He let out a quiet gasp – both surprise and relief – as he recognized the messy bush of brown hair below on the other side and reached for the door handle quickly.
“Roy!” Ross exclaimed, a wide smile appearing on both his and Robert’s faces at the sight of their friend. But Roy reciprocated very weakly.
The duo’s grins fell slightly as they saw the slightly weary look on Roy’s face. “Hey, uh… Ross… D’you think I could stay-”
“-Of course- like, you were supposed to be here hours-”
“-For- for a few nights… I mean,” Roy finished. The others stared at him in silence. Roy’s gaze flicked between his shoes and the others’ stunned faces. As if he was ashamed.
Ross’ gaze grazed over him in the porch light. Now taking the time to look at him in person, instead of through the peephole. Roy looked rough.
Bags were under his eyes, his hair was even messier than usual and on top of all of that, he wasn’t even wearing his hat. Meaning he had probably come straight from his parents’ house to Ross’ without bothering to pick it up from its hiding spot.
He watched as Roy caught himself playing with a loose threat on his sweater and moved his hand back down to his side before staring back up at the two.
“...Uh… of course…” Ross murmured and gingerly stepped out of the way to let Roy into the room. Robert did the same and they exchanged worried looks.
Roy’s stature faltered as he walked. He hunched slightly and let out a soft breath of air like a sigh as he trudged into the living room and flopped down on Ross’ couch. Roy grabbed a nearby pillow and started fiddling with the seam, his face scrunched in anger.
Neither Ross nor Robert said anything. They just looked at Roy with concern. But that was enough to get Roy to talk.
“...I got into a fight with my stupid parents,” He explained, gritting his teeth and strangling the pillow.
Robert stepped in to try and console him, “Aw man. That suc-”
“-My uncle is staying with us for the week,” Roy interrupted, loosening his grip on the pillow slightly, however, still looking like anger was boiling deep within him. Like he wanted to just punch something.
Ross and Robert exchanged glances once more, both of their eyebrows knitted in concern and Ross felt a small pit in his stomach.
“Stop looking like that!” Roy snapped when the two of them looked back at him. He let out a huff and then threw the pillow to the other side of the couch. “I just need… a place to stay for a bit…”
Once again, Ross stayed quiet, letting Robert take the reins by giving him a small nod. “I- I’m sure Mrs. Jaune won’t mind letting you stay… I’m sure she would understand… and, uh, we’re here for you too, y’know…?” He gave Roy a small smile.
Roy bit the inside of his cheek and stared off for a moment. Not quite in thought, not quite all there at the moment.
Upstairs, Ross’ parents were in bed. It wasn’t abnormal for Ross to have his friends over for sleepovers and his parents kinda just let the others do whatever they pleased when they were together.
Ross never really talked to his parents about his friends. He didn’t talk about what he got up to with Robert and Roy – he knew his mom wouldn’t approve. Especially on Halloween. He didn’t talk to them about Roy.
He wasn’t sure what he was going to say to them when they woke up to Ross asking them if Roy could stay. Roy’s parents were rude. Maybe he could lead with that. Everyone knew how snobbish they were and it wouldn’t be entirely unexpected for Roy to rebel.
Not that that’s what he was doing. But it’s an explanation. One he knew was safe and one he knew Roy wouldn’t kill him for using.
It took Ross a moment to realize that Robert had disappeared and Roy was now laying down on the couch, staring up at the ceiling.
Ross wanted to say something to him, but nothing came to him at the moment. The best Ross could do was offer him a warm and sympathetic gaze. Roy’s gaze softened slightly, but he quickly looked away from Ross with a soft scoff.
There was rustling from the kitchen and Robert came back with three hot cocoas balanced precariously in his arms.
He smiled at the two and set the cocoas down. Handing one to Ross then Roy. Ross takes his gratefully and blows on it to cool it down.
Roy stalls for a moment before taking his own cup of cocoa. Taking a sip before letting it cool which causes him to recoil and grunt slightly before staring down at the three large marshmallows floating lazily inside.
Roy generally knew his way well around Ross’ house at this point. Maybe even more than Robert. While they spent most of their time out and about around the town, most of the time they came back to Ross’ house when they got tired or wanted to play video games.
The two of them had never even seen the inside or outside of Roy’s house. The closest they’ve gotten is watching his parents roll up in their fancy limousine to whisk Roy away whenever they felt like. In fact, Ross’ house felt more like Roy’s home. Like any time he went ‘home’, he was just going away for a sleepover. Only to come back home again the next day.
Robert and Ross gently moved to sit down next to Roy. The other tensed before melting slightly back into the couch, now sitting up again so he could drink his cocoa.
Robert grabbed the remote off of the side table and flicked the TV on, sifting through channels until they found something to put on. Ross wasn’t sure what. Not even which genre. He was more-so focused on Roy.
He seemed fine now, though even as he watched the TV and drank his cocoa, his eyes were slightly glazed. As if he was holding back tears.