Dream With Me
Ch. 16 All my Dreams (ride shotgun now)

Pepito was beginning to feel the change in temperature, signaling that he was indeed returning home. After a beautiful week spent with random, fellow Hawaii escapists, Pepito couldn't imagine that he would have to return to the strict schedules and watching eyes that his everyday life held. At least there were eight days until school started up once more.

He had always liked flying, and after the numerous rides all through his life Pepito couldn't muster the energy to worry of a fiery, tragic death. It also helped that there had never really been a threat of that, he'd be just fine by morning, especially considering the passenger two places to his left, his father.

Easing the window open, Pepito was met with thick clouds lined in a barely visible, early morning glow. Todd would like flying I bet.... He smiled, imagining the paranoid boy strapping himself down, griping the seat tight and fixing his eyes on the captain's alert speaker. He had always liked the idea of things like flying, but never trusted them completely. Pepito closed his eyes, leaning back into the seat. Edgar had apparently let the boy off grounding just in time for winter break...just in time for Pepito to be packing to leave. Not that Todd would have let him around anyways...but maybe he would have.

Pepito couldn't help but wonder considering how Todd had been acting. Just before break he had sat with his friends at lunch several times and not once had Todd sought a fight with him! That in itself was a miracle, and Pepito was anxious to see if it had changed in his short absence.

"Pepi, darling, we'll probably start to land soon. Remember to grab your bag." His mother whispered, shaking his shoulder gently.

"Mhmm, okay mother."

- – - – - – - – - – - – -
A good two hours later, after baggage reclaim, finding one of their lost luggage carriers, and a tiring drive from the city, Pepito was finally home. He threw his bags on the floor, crawling over them to his bed, cuddling one of his pillows. It was amazing how good home smelled.

"Pepito!"

"Yeeees?" He crooned, ready for a nap.

"Don't forget to put everything away, son!"

"....Yes father."

Jet lag had him dragging himself about the room, stuffing his things into random places. A job that should have taken him a good half hour was condensed into about five minutes. He turned once more to his bed, shoving the suitcases under his bed, pulled back his blankets and-

"Son?"

Nooooo...I just imagined that...please no!

"Turning in? Too much sleep isn't good for you, you know." Mr. Diablo chuckled.

"Yeah...just tired and...what was it you wanted, padre?" Pepito pushed away from the bed, willing himself to not fall backwards as he turned to face his father.

"Ah, yes! Lessons, you may not be in school officially but you still have to keep up on your private lessons."

"Of course, I even tried practicing while we were out."

"How did it go?" his father leaned against the door frame.

"Okay...."

"Well, be sure to study up, I want to see you try this afternoon as well. Possessions really shouldn't be this hard son."

"I...know. Sorry padre." Pepito tried to sound sincere, but was too tired to truly care about his horrible past performances.

After a final glance around the room, his father smiled and turned to leave, "Do a good job and you may find yourself Off restriction before school starts."

That certainly had his attention; Pepito beamed pulling back the covers for his nap. Glancing at his phone he noted it was only seven a.m. Plenty of time for a good nap.

Funny how tired you could be from a vacation.

- – - – - – - – - – - – -

"Pepi...Pepi darling?"

"Hnnn...." he heard the whine long before it processed.

"Pepito, that thing has been buzzing for the past half hour! Really now, wake up." His mother's reprimanding tone sounded distant.

Wait...buzz...phone? Phone thing, uhg.... He forced a hand to flop out from under his warm cocoon of blankets, searching aimlessly for his phone. After hitting the lamp, the house phone, his car keys and a glass of water he was considering opening an eye.

"Ha, there you are...right where I put you last." he snorted at himself before flipping open the phone.

"One missed call.... Do I really care right now...?"

Though he really didn't care to see who had called, his phone alerted him of a voice mail and it had always been a rule he had with himself that if someone bothered to leave a message it was probably worth listening to.

"I swear..." he clicked at the voice mail, pressing the phone to his ear, "if this is Adam I'll kill him."

'Please enter your password.'

"..."

'you have ONE new message. To listen pre-'

-beep-

'….'

"Are you serious? Blank? Ugh-" Just as he was about to toss the phone back on the table he hear a soft 'hey'.

'I...uh...Mr. Edgar said you'd get home today. You're probably on the plane or whatever. Uh...yeah. Well...bye?'

-click-

"...Todd?"

Pepito lowered the phone, pushing himself up out of bed, suddenly not so tired. It was only two o'clock and somewhere inside he was dying to just lie back down. Instead he inched his feet to the floor, vaguely aware he had stripped to his boxers at one point. Oh...need bathroom. He shuffled down the hall shaking his head in the hopes of regaining coherency.

On the way back o his room Pepito could hear his mother chastising him on his attire.

"It's not like anyone's even here!"

"Decency, Pepito! Your mother taught it to you so act like it!"

He couldn't help but laugh while closing the door behind him. Pulling on the clothes he had previously discarded, he glanced at his phone once more. With Todd it was never clear what he wanted. Should he go over to the house or just call back? If Todd had something to say over the phone, wouldn't he have just said it? But it could be something family related that he didn't want him over for....

Old memories of Todd helping Mr. Edgar scrub off the smeared, dried blood from Nny's midnight finds set his mind on edge. ...Or maybe he just wanted to call for a nice average, non-trauma educed reason. They may have been his thoughts, but he still didn't feel it was likely. Todd had never, never, not even once, called just because. Even when they were at their closest. No...it had to be for something.

Pepito made up his mind, grabbing for his car keys, and digging through his closet for a jacket and scarf. Once he stood in front of his bedroom door, Pepito pondered the best way to execute his mini-escape. Really, he should just do his lessons, then leave...but he wasn't ready, not that he'd get much practice on possessing while out driving.

I should just keep it casual, try to make a steady walk to the door.His brow creased in concentration, Pepito eased the door open and did just that. He made it to the bottom of the stairs.

"Up and about already, I see?"

"Yes father." Pepito tried to smile casually.

"Hm, and where are you off to?"

"Off to?"

"The scarf?"

"Ah...uh..." he tried to weigh his chance at a lie actually working, "...out. Todd called so."

"Oh, well that's fine, be sure to tell him hello." his father smiled.

"You should make sure to be back by five though."

"Okay...why five?" Pepito fiddled with the keys in his pocket.

"Dinner I sat six, and that should give us plenty of time for a lesson." Diablo tilted his head at his son, confused as to why he should be explaining it.

"Right , lesson...right." Pepito stared at the wall behind his father, barely in the conversation anymore, "I'm- see you then."

Spinning on his heel, Pepito strode towards the door, the cool air cad him paused for only a second. He ran to his car, in a hurry to start the heater.

The drive over was spent huddled over the steering wheel, hatefully glaring out at the world. At least...it's not New York cold....

Edgar was the first to reach the door, but the noise level in the household made it clear Nny was on the first level. Perfect. he thought.

"Pepito."

The emotion on the man's face was muddled, but not off putting so Pepito smiled up at him.

"Hello, Mr. Edgar. Is Todd here?" Where else would he be?

Edgar's face seemed to mirror Pepito's thoughts, "Yes but he's...in the shower."

"Oh." Did that mean he had to go?

"Come on it."

Apparently not.

"So how was Hawaii?" He asked, walking back towards the kitchen.

"Oh good- great. Warm." he sputtered, walking briskly after him. He could feel Nny watch them walking by but chose not to acknowledge the blatant stare. The house was pristine as usual, aside from the dishes Mr. Edgar was in the middle of.

"Well, that's good. Last year, was it, the issues with the tsunami?" He drove his hands back into the dish water.

"Two years." Pepito started to take a seat at the table but thought better of it, searching for a towel to dry with.

"Hm, sounded pretty crazy. Next to the stove."

"Huh? Oh, thanks. Yeah it was."

"Hm."

He had dropped the ball, letting the conversation die on his end. Once that happened with Mr. Edgar it was difficult to rekindle, especially if he wasn't quiet in the mood for one. Pepito had never been very good at judging Todd's parent's moods. Johnny's because he was sporadic, Edgar's were just buried too deep.

Time passed, the dished were near done, and Pepito had yet to think of a proper conversation starter. He'd had a few failures so far.

"Todd sure does take long showers." he thought out loud.

Mr. Edgar gave him a rather flat look.

What was that for?!

As if he knew he was being talked about, the water stopped and minutes later Todd's feet could be heard padding along the hardwood.

"Hey, mom we're out of body wa-" Todd's tone immediately changed from casual to defensive, "-at are you doing here?"

"You called." Pepito quipped, drying off the last of the silverware, before turning to face Todd.

He stood hands on hips, neck jutted out, clad in pajama bottoms, obviously too lazy to get dressed. "Yes, I called. Why are you here?"

Damn...should have just called back.

"Uh-"
"Todd, you're dripping water on the floor." Mr. Edgar cut in.

"Oh shit! Sorry!" and with that the angry teen ran from the kitchen, back into the bathroom.

"Now...Pepito, I don't know why you're here but you might want to think of a reason. He's been a bit moody." Edgar raised his eyebrows, the light glaring off his glasses.

"Yes, sir. Sorry." Pepito grinned and tossed the towel back where he had grabbed it, jogging airily out of the room.

"...Compromise Todd, please just compromise." Edgar sighed.

"What?!"

"Nothing, Nny!"

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - –

Pepito paused at the door, unsure on whether he was free to enter, but ignored the red flag. "Hey."

"Agh!" Todd jumped, dropping his towel in the sink, "Geez, what? Don't do that!"

"Uh, yeah. So what did you call about?"

"Why are you here?"

"...Because you called." Pepito stressed the words, trying to keep his cool.

"You should have called." Todd mimicked his tone, rubbing at his hair with the already damp towel.

"Wanted out of the house is all." It was only a partial lie really.

"Ah." Todd stared at Pepito's reflection in the mirror, "Didn't you just get back?"

"Being with family for too long drives me crazy," he sighed, leaning against the towel rack, "Not that I don't adore Madre but...she gets a little neurotic after a week."

Todd laughed, but it sounded off, strained, "Yeah...."

The silence mounted, Nny's television blaring even from across the house. He seemed to be thinking, drifting, and although that was normal Pepito didn't have all the time in the world. He glanced down at his phone; it was a quarter to three.

"Todd?"

"Let's go."

"What?" Pepito laughed at the odd jump.

"Let's go." Todd repeated, he definitely still sounded moody.

Pepito didn't even have time to question before the boy was out of the room, and down the hall.

"W-what? Where? And...why?"

"What? Go. I don't care and because." Todd tittered from the bedroom.

"O..kay? Really?" Pepito sighed, entering the room just as Todd jerked off the fleece pants, roughly pulling up a fresh pair of jeans.

He stood as quiet as possible as Todd dug through the dresser for a suitable shirt. Next he slipped on a rather thin coat, grabbed his phone and strode past him out the door.

"...Really?"

"Pepi, shut up and walk." Todd shouted from the front door.

He walked towards Todd but froze as Nny appeared next to him.

"Walk? Where ya going squeegee?"

"Just...nowhere I guess. Just driving."

"That's dumb."

"Hey, Nny could you help me with this?" Edgar shouted from the kitchen.

Nny scoffed at the kitchen doorway, glaring one last dagger at Pepito, "Remember, no gross drunken parties."

"I remember." Todd hurried out the door to Pepito's car.

"Yeah, me and my drunken parties at 3 in the afternoon...." He waited till he was out of ear shot.

"What?" Todd called from the passenger seat.

"Nothing Todd."

Pepito slid behind the wheel, waiting for the heat to kick on and pulling out of the drive way. "And we are off." He spoke slow, waiting for Todd to finish with where they were off to. No such luck, the boy simply smiled at Pepito's odd voicing and turned away to watch the passing scenery.

"...so...uh..." Pepito drummed on the wheel;, slowing to a near stop every time they reached a possible turn in the road, "what was with the sudden 'let's get outta here'?"

"...How was Hawaii?" There was a distinct lack of caring for whatever answer Pepito would have provided.

"Great, hot, lots of swimsuits," he rushed through the explanation, "same as always. How was your break?"

"Great."

If Todd wouldn't talk then it was down to fishing around for the right button. Hopefully he wouldn't accidentally press self-destruct.

"How's Peter?"

"Good?"

"You hang out?"

"Yep."

"Cool cool."

"Yeah."

"...Yeah...."

Fuck I have no idea where to go with this. It's probably fucking family related! He pouted, slumping into his seat. Todd had made it quite clear family was 'off limits for Pepito at Thanks Giving. A sudden twisting in his stomach grabbed his attention. Holy crap I'm starving! How did I just notice that?!

"Hey, Todd...."

He hummed in response, eyes not leaving the window.

"Hungry?

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Pepito sat pleasantly munching away at his half of the foot long, chicken bacon ranch. Turned out that Todd had forgotten to grab his wallet in the rush out the door. He was more than happy to pay but Todd only wanted half of a sub, offering to go next door as well and get them both ice creams. It just so happened to be Pepito's favorite creamery in town, so he didn't mind the personal cost. It made Todd that much closer to comfort and, although casual, he still seemed distant. He figured he'd talk eventually.

Taking another large bite just as Todd walked through the double door entrance sporting two ice creams, Pepito tried to force a smile. He only managed to drop a piece of lettuce that had yet to make it past his lips.

"Charming. Started without me I see."

"Am just sho hungry, shorry amigo!" he slurred around the unnecessarily large bite.

Todd looked highly grossed out, but then shook his head and even laughed, taking a seat across from him. He started in on the frozen treat.

Pepito finally managed to swallow, though forcefully, and stared at Todd's choice in a first course, "Dessert first?"

"Well, yes. You know how much of a rebel I am against the whole forced orders in meals." Todd rolled his eyes.

"Shame, shame." Pepito smiled, wagging a finger at the boy.

"I'm getting scolded for breaking food rules...from the devil's son?"

"Hey, I'm no Anti-Christ," he paused to chuckle at Todd's dead panned expression, "I am but the friendly neighborhood school boy, that is both devilishly good looking...and heavily dedicated to his studies." he mused, waggling his eyebrows from behind the sub sandwich.

"Oh, you forgot modest." Todd rested his head on a hand, leaving the other to continue lazily spooning away at the ice cream as he stared out the large window pane.

Does he have a thing for windows or what?

"You people watching or something?"

"Huh? What, no. What people?" he snorted.

"Guess it is kind of barren out, today." They were in fact the only occupants in the restaurant aside from a very bored store clerk. She looked as if a bullet to the forehead would be an improvement to her current occupation.

"What you thinking bout?"

"Nothing."

"Sure you aren't fantasizing about mopping up spills with a blam-omg?"

A coy smirk showed how close he had been, before Todd had the chance to admit it. "Maybe. I was… kinda thinking about the turbo-oven."

"You guys and your infomercials! " Pepito laughed, still perplexed as to how anyone could enjoy those things.

"You live with Nny long enough you start to like 'em, ya know?"

He seems to be in a good mood today. He looked like he only mildly disliked me instead of the usual loathing.

"Oh, haha...yeah...." Pepito seemed to phase out, picking idly at a bit of lettuce at the edge of his tray.

As the silence mounted, Todd turned to his faithful window watching. I'm really fine, you know. We're fine, maybe I'm just whining! …I should be quiet.Todd glanced at Pepito once more...still staring at his food. It's not like he cares, anyways. I'm just wasting his time. ..and his money… I should go home. Mr. Edgar says I need to…but it's so stupid. Why Pepito? He's...ngg.
"...Todd, you never call for no reason."

"I know." Todd couldn't help the deep sigh that followed.

"I mean, this is a great way to procrastinate on lessons and all, but I know you need-you want to talk to me about whatever this is. You can stew however long you want to about it; I'll wait, but know that I have to be back at my house by five."

Five? What time it now? It could only be 3 something. After a quick, hopefully subtle peak at his phone, Todd realized it was already four thirty. Holy crap, I'm a time suck. He realized with a surprising amount of dismay. Is this my now or never warning? How lame….

"I'm…um…thanks for buying all this for me, Pepi, how much was it anyways? I can pay you back when we get home; I know Mr. Edgar always keeps a certain amount of-"

"Todd…" Pepito was giving him that weary look, like one gives a beaten puppy too pathetic to dignify with an 'I'm sorry', "it's not a big deal, you don't have to pay me back, it's not like I can't afford it you know."

Todd fidgeted with the hems of his jacket sleeves, staring at his slender, almost bony fingers. Idly he rubbed at the side of his left hand with the thumb of his right, making the skin there turn pink and raw. Pepito swatted his right hand away from his left and muttered some sort of reprimand. 'Don't do that' or 'stop it', 'quit it'-

"Todd, just talk to me," Pepito said, calmly and plainly. It wasn't an order, or really a question, nor a plea. Todd couldn't bring lift his gaze from the tabletop, he wasn't even sure if Pepito was the one who'd said it at this point, maybe it was his own thoughts resolutely reminding him of his initial mission?

"You know Nny was really mad this…this morning, cuz Mr. Edgar had gone to the store early and brought home some trial cans of paint, you know those kinds they just give you they're like a quart, I dunno. And he was like, 'what is this? Painting the car? The furniture?' and Mr. Edgar was gonna try and say something about painting the walls you know cuz he's always wanted to and Nny just-"

"Todd?"

"…and there was this one time where Mr. Edgar wasn't…and he tried to get him to hit back I think I dunno, but he wouldn't and then he took me to the car and we went paint shopping, I dunno why it's so goddamn important, it's just paint!" Todd spluttered, his eyes stung and so did his nose, like he was gonna sneeze. Instead he felt the tears starting to slide down his cheeks and he could feel Pepito shifting nervously in his seat.

"Todd what does this have to do with-"

"It has everything to do with this Pepi what the fuck am…I…even saying…anymore…" Todd had thought he knew where he was going with this, he'd had a point somewhere…along the line. Why couldn't Pepito just read his mind? Wait, that's not a good idea…never mind.

"C'mon Todd, stop, stop crying, it's okay, shhh," through his blurred vision Todd could see Pepito holding his hands up and making shushing motions like he was trying to calm a rabid animal. He kept looking around them, his eyes alighting on customers that Todd didn't remember being there before.

Todd swiped at his eyes mumbling, "I'm sorry…"

"It's ok, it's ok, gah, c'mon amigo, don't be such a girl about this, just shut up!" Pepito was pulling him out of his chair now roughly, abandoning their trash as he hastily yanked him out of the shop.

Todd stopped crying instantly, feeling what little emotion that had burst forth suck itself back in rapidly until all that was left was a dry and pinched ghost of feeling. His eyelids drooped a bit and he felt tired. But mostly he felt like he'd been smacked. It didn't quite feel like the cool flat of a blade, but for some reason it left him with the same empty, grasping feeling inside, like he was reaching out for something that was really nothing.

Pepito guided him to the passenger side and let him fall, discombobulated into the front seat. Todd arranged his gangly, numb limbs inside the car. Pepito shut the door with unnecessary force while Todd tried to buckle himself in. He was going to fold his hands in his lap but thought better of it, electing to stare out the window.

"Todd…I…Its not the sharing thing. Its just-"

"No…no…I'm fine." Todd replied wispy tone.

"No really, listen," He only realized just how awful his reaction had been, once they were safely within the car, "Mother…says its not appropriate to cry in stores."

Todd merely continued to stare at his lap, looking as limp as a ragdoll. Whyyy? Why couldn't I have just let him cry!? Pepito felt like pulling out his hair, or yelling but knew it would only upset Todd further. Maybe I could….hmmm

"Please…."

"What? What, Todd?" Pepito asked, feeling a tad horrid about how much he hoped that this might be another breakdown.

"Take me home…." It was bairly a whisper, and Todd tried to cover it up by clearing his throat half heartedly.

"Please. Take me home." he tried again, resulting in a near normal sound.

"Yeah…that's…probably best."

Pepito started the car, and pulled out into the evening traffic almost immediately.

"Shit." He hissed.

Todd visibly winced at the sound, but didn't bother inquiring.

I'm going to be fucking late! He wanted to scream now, more than ever. Squeezing the wheel he tried to recall his already memorized step-by-step possession guide. He should have learned it years ago, but it had slipped his teacher's mind at the time. It was a simple procedure, one that came in handy often, or so he was told. But he, the Anti-Christ, was only just learning it. It was like starting to learn the correct names for colors…at the age of 16. Possessions, or rather the half-possessions he was capable of so far, were very interesting. It was like being with someone in the body, controlling their actions…yet they had to just sit and watch from the side lines. His version…had an issue though…but he was working on perfecting it, and he just knew he'd get it in no time.

Wait…possessions. Possessions! That's it!

"TODD!" he screamed, lunging towards him.

"Gah, what! Fuck!"

"I have a really good idea."

"…no." Todd squeaked.

"Okay, well no really. Its good! I think I finally thought of what we can do to help you around the normal kids or whatever!" Pepito grinned, maneuvering around several extra slow commuters. Damn after-work traffic….

"Pepi…I'm just not in the mood."

Pepito tried to sit still, tried to not talk…but it just wasn't working. "No I promise, it'll allow you to be even weirder without having to worry so much! And since you'd just be fixing their thoughts, you wouldn't need to learn how to move their body! That's the really hard part." Pepito glared, remembering his first try at walking.

"What…what are you even talking about?" he sounded drained, tired and annoyed, but mostly tired.

"Possession."

"Wha-"

"Trust me, amigo! I'll show you everything I know! …Right after my lesson…or else I'll be grounded…more." Pepito only faltered in his proud smile for a moment, reaching over to pat a very displeased looking Todd.

"Trust you…yeah."