Work Text:
“What if I gave you a bribe? Surely there must be something you want.”
Yeah, you GONE.
With a sigh, Lou crossed his arms and tapped his foot. Needless to say that when he first purchased this house? A previous tenant here was the last thing he expected.
The previous tenant being an apparition was the very, very last thing he expected. Nor was it what he wanted. Especially a snarky one!
Lou had been so excited for this place too. Great neighborhood, amazing location surrounded by all kinds of great businesses, and wasn’t too far away from his job. At first, he was suspicious that a house this nice and sizable went for so cheap. But he could learn to accept it and not think about it too much.
Then there was the Realtor. She was practically drooling once his signature was on the paper. She threw him the keys before the ink could even dry, smoke practically coming from her shoes as she left while cackling out ‘They’re your problem now!’
All Lou could think in that moment was They who? If she had meant the neighbors? Well, he could deal with bad neighbors. He could even deal with nosy neighbors. What he could not and, quite frankly right now, did NOT want to deal with was a ghost that didn’t know the meaning of get out.
This ghost didn’t show itself until after the first month he had been there. Lou came down to make breakfast before work and found his kitchen completely wrecked – fridge open, food thrown every where, hand prints all on the walls, jam on the cabinets spelling ‘LEAVE NOW!’. He honestly would’ve been terrified if it weren’t for the fact that he liked ghosts. Lou found their connections to the areas/people/objects around them absolutely fascinating and now he had one trying to haunt him out of his own place.
“Listen. There has to be some kind of deal we can work out? I already signed a three year lease for this place. I can’t just up and leave.”
Cry me a river. Then build me a bridge and get over it – as you leave my home!
Lou scoffed but couldn’t help the smile that was forming on his lips. “At least you’re a lively one.”
The blocky, violet words began to form. If you’re trying to be funny---
“Whoa! Hang on. I’m not trying to be funny. It’s a uh...weird fleshy saying.”
Oh. Oh ok.
“Look, you have to admit I’m a pretty clean roommate. I cook, I’m quiet. I’m respectful of the property. I have no intentions of changing any of the rooms or painting the walls.”
Lou noticed there was wavy lines in the air yet no words were forming and took a chance to press on further.
“Unless you want me to redecorate? Maybe we could paint a wall or five your favorite color?” Biting his lip, he really hoped his unseen roomie took the bait. It only made sense: If they were going to share the same space then it should look and feel the way they would both like.
...I like mauve.
“Great! So I can go to the paint store and we can paint a few walls. Do you know how to paint?”
No…
“Well. I’d be happy to teach you.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Lou was sitting in the living room, sipping his beer as he looked at the latest painted wall. The new furniture would be there in a couple of days and he couldn’t wait to see what his new friend thought of it when it got here.
“So, what do you think?”
I think I paint better than you.
“Yeah, NOW you might but in the beginning I had a heck of a time washing paint out of my hair!” Lou’s head lowered as he laughed at the memory of when they first started a few weeks ago. It had been one heck of a time getting paint off the ceiling.
“By the way. We’ve been taking it so slow in getting to know each other that I don’t know your name. I just always call you ‘Hey, pal’ or ‘Buddy’. May I know your name?”
I’m Stella.
“Hi, Stella. I’m Louis but you can call me Lou. It’s nice to meet you.”
Nice to meet you too.
Grinning, Lou raised his beer into the air as a salute before taking another swig.
Hey, Lou?
“Yes, Stella?”
Thank you.
His eyebrows shot up at that and he sat back on the couch. “Thank you for what? This was your home. You’re the one letting me stay. If anything? I should be thanking you.”
Thank you for not running away when I was trying to get you to leave. And thank you for working with me to decorate. It’s the first time in a long time that this place has looked like the home I used to have.
Lou slowly nodded, putting his elbows on his knees as he smiled fondly up at the text in the air. “You are more than welcome.”