Work Text:
INT. HEFFLEY HOUSE - DAWN
The house is dim, the early-morning sun just managing to brighten the empty home enough to see. The basement stairs, down which we stare through the open door, are even darker, the only light coming from a lamp somewhere off screen. RODRICK HEFFLEY peeks out from behind the corner at the bottom, peering up the stairs as if someone is waiting there. He is wearing boxers and a worn band T-shirt that appears to be a couple sizes too big. His eyeliner is smudged, and his hair is mussed from sleep. Upon seeing nobody is there, he begins to creep up the steps, clearly trying to be quiet. He manages to get to the third-from-the-top step before a voice off screen speaks.
YOUNG MALE VOICE
(loudly, as if to scare more than to get an answer)
What are you doing?
RODRICK shrieks, turning to his right. We follow, revealing GREG HEFFLEY standing against the wall beside the door frame, arms crossed and looking smug. He is fully dressed in his typical jeans and striped shirt, hair combed and styled. RODRICK frowns, hopping up the last steps to tower over GREG and point his finger at him.
RODRICK
(in a low, serious voice)
Do that again, and you're toast. Got that?
GREG rolls his eyes before speaking.
GREG
I'm not twelve, you'll have to try harder than that to scare me.
RODRICK
And don't think I won't.
GREG gives him a confused look, but changes the subject anyway.
GREG
Whatever. What were you doing creeping around in your underwear, anyway?
Sticking his tongue out, RODRICK mirrors his brother in crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame. He's not as still as GREG, however, his leg bouncing and hands moving to his pockets as he speaks.
RODRICK
None of your beeswax, twerp. Why are you home? Don't you go to school or something?
GREG
Missed the bus, Mom already left, and there's no way I'm walking to school in this cold.
RODRICK
Well, don't expect me to take you.
At this, GREG stands up straight, immediately taking on a more aggressive expression.
GREG
What?! Rodrick! Why not?
RODRICK shrugs.
RODRICK
I don't have time, I've got my own shit to do.
GREG
Oh yeah? Like what, playing your little bongos? It's not like it'll take all day!
RODRICK moves to get in GREG'S face, closer than before. GREG seems to pick up on the fact he's really ticked him off now, and cowers slightly.
RODRICK
Listen, dipshit, I play in a professional band now. We have actual, scheduled practices, and as you can see I still have to get ready to go to Jack's in twenty minutes. You're either walking, or facing Mom and Dad's wrath for skipping. Pick your poison.
He stands still as GREG mulls over fighting back or accepting his fate. After a second or so, the young teen's eyes narrow in suspicion.
GREG
Weren't you just at Nick's last night to drink?
RODRICK blinks, momentarily taken aback, before he regains his composure.
RODRICK
(tone taking on a nervous edge)
Yeah? So what?
GREG
(becoming more sure of himself)
Didn't you say he was gonna drive you home?
RODRICK stays silent, eyebrows furrowing as he tries to figure out where this is going.
GREG
His car's still here.
Both moving at lightening speed, RODRICK rushes to block the entrance to the basement while GREG tries to squeeze past. They struggle against each other for a while, RODRICK appearing surprised at his brother's strength.
After a moment, GREG body-checks RODRICK, forcing him to lift his arms and catch the door frame in order to avoid falling down the stairs. GREG uses this to duck under his arms and race down the stairs, RODRICK following as soon as he's caught his balance.
RODRICK
Hey! Get back here, you little shit!
This does not deter GREG in the slightest, and he leaps from the fourth-last step to the basement floor, barely evading RODRICK'S grasp.
We follow just behind RODRICK as he chases his brother, until finally GREG reaches the bedroom and we catch up to him. He flings the door open, and we first catch a glimpse of his surprised yet gleeful face, then rotate to view RODRICK'S room. It's messy, magazines and clothes strewn everywhere, soda cans and chip bags covering the floor. Finally, we pan over to the bed, where NICK RUIZ is sitting up against the wall with the blanket over his waist, shirtless, phone in hand, clearly surprised to see GREG standing in the doorway.
RODRICK comes up behind GREG, a little out of breath. There's a moment of complete silence, broken finally by GREG.
GREG
(in a vindicated tone)
I knew you were gay!
RODRICK appears too stunned to reply, giving NICK time to speak up.
NICK
He's bi, actually.
We watch GREG turn to RODRICK with a pure jovial expression, the other sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose.
RODRICK
You CANNOT tell Dad.
END SCENE