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[sayshazam]

Billy didn't necessarily like stealing things but he didn't really have a problem with it either. He never stole except when he couldn't afford to buy something and it was an actual necessity and right now it was necessary that he got some new clothes.

He didn't care that other kids at school gave him shit for looking and being poor. He was poor and they were just a bunch of spoiled kids who didn't know how good they had it. His monthly stipend from the city just barely stretched enough to cover his apartment and dog food. Toiletries were hard to come by but not impossible and forget about being able to afford shoes.

Finding food for himself was a bit easier, what with school breakfast and lunch, but he was hungry all the time. He stuffed himself every chance he got but between his training with Korra and a tight budget, he didn't even realize how gaunt he looked.

But some new clothes would help, which was why he was outside a thrift shop drop off area, waiting for the right moment. A family pulled up and they had a son that looked about Billy's age. His eyes caught sight of exactly what he needed... a box of clothes with some sneakers sticking out. Pulling up the hood of his ratty hoodie over his head, Billy started at a bit of a job, like he was just a kid on the track team out for a run.

Once he got close he picked up the pace, turning it into a full on sprint after he snatched up the box. He heard shouting behind him and he picked up the pace. His training with Korra might have left him ridiculously hungry but it also made him fast. Not only that, but he was pretty sure the store employees weren't allowed to give chase.

Sprinting as hard as he could for a few blocks he risked a glance over his shoulder and when he didn't see anyone in pursuit he gave a laugh and ducked into an alley to see what he'd score. Alright, maybe there was a bit of a thrill to stealing.

Comments

[sayshazam]

"That would be like living with a foster family, no thanks," he said, shaking his head. The last thing he wanted was some adult around who was making sure that he was responsible. Kids his own age were just as bad because most of them weren't all that mature or just generally got on his nerves. Maybe if one of his foster siblings showed up, he could live with one of them.

"I don't need someone to be an authority figure, I'd just need someone to foot half the bill."

[babochka_x899]

Alex rolls her eyes. Had she been like this when she first met Nikita? Worse, probably, which would make this payback of a sort. "Hence my use of the word 'roommate' not 'guardian'. And it's not like I made any suggestions as to who that should be. Just... someone to foot half the bill."

[sayshazam]

"Where am I going to find a roommate then?" he asked.

There was no way that there would be anyone who was willing to room with a kid. Even if he had a guaranteed income most people wouldn't think that he was reliable enough. Either that or it would be someone that annoyed him.

"Put up an add on the internet and get a bunch of weirdo creeps offering? No thanks."

[babochka_x899]

"I'd skip whatever passes for Craig's List around here." She would avoid that no matter where they were. "Get to know people. You're bound to find somebody else who'd rather save money than spend it all on rent, and if you're lucky, they'd be someone you wouldn't hate sharing a roof with. It doesn't have to be any more than that. You might be surprised."

[sayshazam]

"I don't trust that many people to know that I'm living on my own," he said with a shake of his head.

There were a few people that knew out of necessity from when he needed to fake having a parent but he didn't think Helen or Vanessa were looking for a roommate. There was always Fred but... that was different.

"It's not worth risking someone trying to put me in a home."

[babochka_x899]

"You'll probably say 'no,' and that's cool." Alex held up her hands in surrender before even finishing her thought. This was pretty obviously a bad idea for a ton of reasons, but she liked the guy. He was... what she or Jason might have been if things had gone differently. Which meant he could also become like her and Jason if things followed a familiar path, and she'd stop that if she could.

She counted off points on her fingers. "I know you're living on your own. I'm sure as hell not going to put you in a home. And I could really use socking some funds away for the future."

[sayshazam]

It took Billy a while to realize that she was talking about herself. He could sort of understand why she was doing it, wanting to help out another street kid, he was pretty sure the saving money thing was bullshit. Billy really didn't know anything about her though, everything she told him could be a lie. Alex had shown him her tits though and that had been pretty awesome.

"Are you very messy?" he asked, figuring he might as well find out of there were any reasons to reject the offer out of hand before he seriously considered it. "Because if there's one thing you learn in orphanages and foster homes, it's how to keep clean."

[babochka_x899]

"When you're used to not having much, you learn to take care of it," she countered. "I'm not messy." And there'd been the surprise inspections at Division too, when they'd look for contraband, but punishments for not keeping things up to regulations were the norm even if nothing unapproved was found.

"Obviously, I have a dog. I don't smoke. I don't drink, but don't care if other people do. I'm a pretty terrible cook. But I pull my share. Anything else you want to know?"

[sayshazam]

"You wouldn't go into my room without permission?" Billy asked, eyes narrowing just a bit. There was friendship and then there was the sanctity of privacy. When you weren't used to having a lot or staying in one place, everything that was yours was precious to you and you'd mess up anyone who tried to take it.

Alex seemed like she understood that sort of thing. The more he talked to her the more he believe that she really did spend time on the street.

"No looking through my stuff, right? And my dog can come?"

[babochka_x899]

"The common areas are fair game: living room and kitchen basically, and the hall bath has a lock. Bedrooms and anything in them are private space, entered by permission only." Alex paused a moment, an almost frown forming. "Unless there's an immediate threat of some kind, like a fire or not fun screams or something, but I don't see that being much of an issue." She'd just have to make sure not to bring her not-exactly-work home with her, that was all. But at least she wouldn't have to worry about him finding her weapons or the other gear she'd been collecting.

"We should probably make sure your dog and Seymour get along okay since they'll be rooming together too. I'm not going to make you get rid of your dog."

One more thing came to mind, and if it was going to be a deal-breaker, better to find out now. "I do have a... friend who I've said can crash with me whenever. He hasn't, and maybe never will, but he can sleep in my room if it ever comes up."

[sayshazam]

The way she says "not fun screams" and hesitates to say "friend" makes Billy make a face. It's not like he hadn't lived in foster homes where sex was going on but this was different, this would be in his place with a person he saw every day. Still, that was probably better than living on the street. He could afford some headphones if it came to that.

"My dog is too dumb not to like other animals," he said with a shrug. That was easier than saying that he'd accept her offer. "I'm sure he'll be happy to have a playmate."

[babochka_x899]

She could have told Billy it wasn't like he assumed with Jason, but her phrasing had been deliberate to fuel those assumptions and keep him from wondering too closely about Jason or how Alex knew him.

"So a doggie playdate in the park's no big deal. And I can make sure the second bedroom's ready for whenever you're ready to move."

[sayshazam]

"Alright. Play date with the dogs and- and I'll think about it, okay?"

Already he was pretty sure that he was going to take her up on her offer. It would be nice to not have to scrimp and save so much. Plus, she seemed to understand how to make this work. Besides, Billy could always change his mind after a bit.

[babochka_x899]

"Okay." He was going to say yes. She could see it in the line of his shoulders, the length of eye contact. But she didn't let that knowledge show and spook him off.

"But for now...you still up for that ice cream?"

What Would Nikita Do? take number whatever. Alex just hoped she wouldn't screw this up, leaving Billy to pay the price.