ataraxionlogs | (no subject)

CHARACTERS: Miles |

scamp and John

theyalldieforme
LOCATION: So there's this ship in space
WARNINGS: Miles is in the premises, so expect a lot of swearing and punches in the face.
SUMMARY: Miles tries to steal John's laptop! John is not taking any of that nonsense! Apparently Miles is!
NOTES: Forward dated to a few good minutes before the jump warning thing activates!

[It's... been a very, very boring month. Fight with that stupid fucking Swedish tower aside, Miles has little to entertain himself with and been limited to behaving (so to speak) and occasionally pushing a few buttons around the network. He's thought about taking his vandalizing tendencies back up around here, but the lack of materials available turn that into a challenge he's not enthusiastic about yet. Instead he wanders about while Cat is too busy having nothing to do and neither of them have any matters to discuss.

Maybe she's warned him multiple times about what happens today, but the thought is apparently very far away from his mind right now.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A long, long boring month. Quiet, too. John has his laptop out and he's fiddling with it before the jump, trying to get his programs to set right.

It's just a minute that he's up. Barely that, just enough time to look at something else in the space, to take his eyes away from his computer. Who would take it? There's no where to run.]

[Maybe John's steps were heard, maybe they weren't (who knows - and who cares?), but when Miles looks to the side and catches a laptop screen buzzing with light it's enough to hold his attention and slow him down. He's been chewing idly on a toothpick, now held between fingertips while he looks around and back at the thing. For all the technology lying around, suddenly something as common as an actual computer seems out of place. He could wonder and guess what someone would need it for - assuming it belongs to anyone - but another tempting thought crosses his mind instead.

Miles never had a computer.

All it takes are a few steps, another look around and his palms reaching over to press it shut. He's not quite quick enough to pick it up, but close.]

[It's a split second that gives John the time he needs to see the near lift and cry out]

Hands off!

[He knows how to be menacing - or at least how to push someone around.]

[Miles isn't exactly threatened, but he's definitely surprised enough to jerk away and turn around, wide eyes staring back for a beat. The telling expression quickly gives place to a defensive frown, hands at his sides.]

What do you mean, 'hands off'?

[John's eyes go to the computer - his computer - and then to the boy. He seems...well, actually, John doesn't care what he seems]

I mean hands. Off.

Calm the fuck down, yeah? [He shows John his hands, but doesn't look like he's ready to back off.] I was jus' taking a look.

[And being full of shit.]

And lifting it?

[John isn't going to let this go because well.]

Fuck you! What would I need a computer for?

How about you tell me?

[This is where he spreads his arms and shifts his shoulders.]

'You calling me a thief?

Maybe I am.

[He's not the only one taking a posture. John is squaring his shoulders]

[THIS WILL END WELL.]

Come here and say that again then!

[Oh, now John is in your face, kid.]

Don't touch my computer.

Don't fucking tell me what to do! [He sounds as affronted as John should be, barely giving it a beat before his hands shove him back, ready hand out more with clenched teeth. It could've been a convincing display, had he not been caught in the act and just answered with hostility. Way to be smooth, Miles.]

[Once, John would have walked away from this. Once the words you're never safe would have caused him to move away from this fight.

Now he just punches the kid in the face, because now he doesn't have the relief of Skynet being gone. Now this is how he expresses his anger.]

[There's absolutely no trace of surprise or fear when the fist connects with his cheekbone, disorienting Miles for a second before he gets back on track and lunges at John's stomach with his shoulder. It isn't the first or last time he's going up against someone bigger and stronger than him, not even in this bloody ship anymore, and he's not getting any less aggressive for it.]

I'll kill you!

[John has been trained for this. He knows how to fight, to disable, to turn someone against themselves.

Fortunately for Miles, all that goes out the window in this fight. He just takes the weight, his elbows and fists connecting as often as they're not]

[Fortunately indeed - Miles is experienced, yes, but not even remotely effective enough, all force and no technique. Still he tries to pull away from any attempts to be grabbed, slamming his fists and feet whenever he gets the chance, reaching for anything that he can hurt. The fight goes on with a couple of bruises to add to his repertoire (Cat won't be happy, or maybe she just won't care) and blood trailing down from his nose and brow until the ship sounds a very distinctive alarm. If nothing else, it at least gets Miles to stop and look up, stumbled somewhere a couple of steps away from John. He's panting and his voice is coarse, shoulders lifting and dropping.]

What's that?

[John is sporting bruises of his own, including a black eye and a lip sliced open. He takes a panting breath]

Jump alarm - it's the jump alarm-

[He scrabbles up]]

The jump--? [He breathes out before confusion breaks down to reveal something a lot more startled, following John with a some loss. Cat warned him about it multiple times - apparently not enough to stick to memory. Not that the distraction helped much.]

The jump's today? Fuck! Where are we supposed to go?

[John looks over for a second before he nods - follow - and starts leading him the couches. He may not like this kid but he doesn't want him to die, either.

But he does grab his computer and tucks it under his arm on the way.]

[Where he lacks in strength he compensates with speed, apparently - the vicious liar from before gives way to an alert teen, running after John with an impressive number of curses under his breath. His voice breaks with distress, but at least the adrenaline's managed to mute most of the throbbing pain.]

[They get to the couches in record time, and John just tosses him a glance - well - before he ditches him for a couch a few feet away.]