I swallowed my words to keep from lying

[preanimator]

WHO: Sherlock Holmes & Herbert West
TONE: Probably snarky and at least a little bitter
RATING: PG
WHEN: Nowish
WHERE: Ravenclaw 6th year boy's dorm
WHAT: Herbert's been scarce. Sherlock comments.
STATUS: Ongoing


Herbert had been scarce in the Ravenclaw 6th year boy's dorms for the past few weeks - ever since the whole Valentine's Day debacle. He didn't think he could handle hearing any more about how terrible it must have been for Tony, or deal with Tony and Bruce being all sweet and lovey-dovey with each other. And if bloody Stark tried to offer him one more damn thing to 'apologize' ...

It was just easier not to be there most times. To sleep down in the common room, or stay out late and come back when everyone had already gone to sleep. He had his own work, after all, and that was far more important than some stupid crush that had never had any legs to begin with. It was all just moronic human nature, and he had enough of his emotions ruling him - it had never occurred to him that avoiding the whole situation was pretty much exactly that, letting his bitterness and hurt feelings dictate his actions.

But he couldn't stay out of the room forever, and there were times we he inevitably had to be in the room with at least one of his roommates in a conscious state. Today it was Sherlock, when he ducked in to get some potion supplies from his trunk. Herbert did his best to ignore the other boy, but it was taking him awhile to find what he needed, and he muttered curses to himself as he dug through everything.

Comments

[preanimator]

Herbert had never even considered that, and it's obvious in his face. "Why would he think that? That's ridiculous, he knows we hate each other!"

[3potionproblem]

"He also knows you and Tony had kissed but only Tony was under the potion. He can observe Tony trying to make things up to you and you not accepting. Not willing to settle? Still have your pride? It's a clear leap in flawed logic to assume perhaps you had feelings involved that were hurt and Bruce is more likely to project onto you the appreciation of Tony's attractive nature rather than believe he was the object of your desires."

[preanimator]

"That's-" All too plausible, really. Bruce would rather think that Herbert had a thing for someone he fought with constantly, rather than for one of the very few people on the planet he got along with. "Gah. Well, fine, then I'll just have to make it clear that's not the case."

He sighed, and rubbed the bridge of his nose under his glasses. Why did he have to have a sex drive at all? It was becoming terribly inconvenient.

[3potionproblem]

"Well, so be it, I suppose. I get something of a front row seat regardless. This might actually be very helpful to me down the road."

[preanimator]

"Oh, what, when you're involved in a murder investigation?" Herbert asked dryly.

[3potionproblem]

"Perhaps. Understanding people's motivations and expectations make them easier to read." Sherlock shrugged, leaning against a bedpost.

[preanimator]

The smaller boy snorted. "You must be so pleased with your roommates, then."

[3potionproblem]

"I am endlessly impressed by how stupid smart people can be if that's what you mean."

[preanimator]

"You know, you can be a prime example of that at times," Herbert pointed out.

[3potionproblem]

Sherlock looked almost affronted. "To a much smaller degree, though."

[preanimator]

"That's arguable," Herbert said, shrugging. "I think you're just less obvious about it. But you can be a real idiot sometimes, just as badly as me or Stark."

[3potionproblem]

"I'm smarter than you at being an idiot? Oddest compliment I've ever received but thank you, West. I do try."

[preanimator]

"I'm sure you put a great deal of effort into it," Herbert said dryly.

[3potionproblem]

"Only more than some." He smiles and twists away to go find something to read from his own trunk. It's a dull day but that was entertaining at least.

[preanimator]

Since the conversation was apparently over (and he'd actually seemed to have escaped relatively unscathed, for once), Herbert turned back to his trunk to fetch the supplies he needed. It was good to know the other Ravenclaw wasn't going to mention anything to Bruce, at least. That was all he really cared about.