Chapter Text
Tyler didn’t know why he had been let into nevermore. he couldn’t fathom why the school would change their minds about Hyde’s, especially after what he had done, but here he was standing at the gates of the outcast school dreading what was waiting on the other side. He had considered turning down the invitation to attend nevermore but hey, anything was better than being locked behind bars and shackled to a cell for the rest of his life. He took one last breath before walking through the gates into his new hell, alone.
Tyler had no clue where he was going or who he would be rooming with, all he had was a room number that had been emailed to him with his enrolment confirmation. He trudged through the grounds trying to ignore the stares and whispers that followed him, why had he come here again? After a few minutes of aimlessly walking around with no clue where to go, he saw a sign with the name of his hall. Ready to burst from the feeling of eyes constantly on him he hurried through the door and up the stairs to the rooms, scanning the numbers for a match to the one he had scribbled on his hand.
It didn’t take long to find and he was so ready to just get settled and ignore whatever poor soul had been stuck with him. Shuffling his bag around he opened the door to his new home and his jaw almost hit the floor, standing in the middle of the room unpacking what looked like an easel was non-other then Xavier fucking Thorpe the guy who probably hated him most in the world, besides his father of course.
“Hey,” Xavier said giving Tyler a small wave.
Tyler mentally shook himself back to awareness and managed a small “hey” in return. The universe really was one sick bastard he thought to himself.
Xavier already knew who his roommate would be. At first, he had hated the idea, replacing Rowan with his own killer seemed like a cruel joke that Wednesday would definitely find joy in; but Xavier was determined to convince the board Tyler deserved a chance. Xavier hated Tyler sure but he knew it wasn’t the boy's fault. he had seen what he went through in his visions. he had seen the abuse Tyler faced at the hands of Ms. Thornhill… or rather Laure Gates, She had manipulated and beat him until he was her perfect puppet, and Xavier couldn’t hate him for that. That’s why he did it. That’s why he convinced the school to let him in, no other reason.
Seeing Tyler actually in his room, in his space was a lot different than he imagined. The world didn’t seem to turn on its head, everything didn’t crash down around him, honestly Tyler fit. Standing there awkward and clearly shocked at who he was rooming with, Xavier would’ve felt the same if he hadn’t done this to himself. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad sharing a room, maybe he could forget who that side of the room used to belong to and why he’s gone now.
After throwing a mild greeting at Tyler Xavier went back to setting up his easel and art supplies.
After recovering from the initial shock Tyler closed the door behind him and set his single duffel bag on his bed slowly taking the few clothes he had out and putting them in the dresser the school provided. Closing the top drawer he noticed a set of initials carved into the wood R.L. (Rowan Laslow) Tyler ran his hands over the initials, he didn’t belong here, he was the reason Rowan was gone. Was dead.
“It wasn’t your fault, not really,”
Tyler jumped he hadn’t realized Xavier walk up behind him.
“I killed him. How’s that not my fault,” Tyler scoffed taking his hand off the carving and crossing his arms across his chest.
“You weren’t in control. She was your master she made you hurt people, it wasn’t you” Xavier reached out to rest a hand on Tyler’s shoulder, sure the guy could be a dick but he was hurting for something Xavier knew wasn’t his fault.
Tyler flinched away from the touch turning away from Xavier “you know nothing,” he mumbled bumping his shoulder into him as he pushed past and went back to rummaging through the bag for his last belongings, a small journal and a single pen.
Xavier huffed out a sigh before going back to his side of the room. He was pointedly ignoring the tingling in his shoulder where Tyler had brushed past him and any unhelpful and potentially problematic feeling that could insinuate. All he wanted to do was show Tyler he wasn’t the monster he thought himself to be. Because god damn it if even Xavier can see that Tyler was not at fault for his actions he was not going to rest until Tyler could see it himself.
“When is dinner” it was the first words Tyler had spoken in hours. He had been silently pretending to journal well really just watching Xavier unpack and start to paint.
Xavier looked up from his painting and then down at his phone “shit! It’s in like 5 minutes grab your phone I’ll walk with you to the hall” Xavier spun around grabbing his bag and pocketing his phone.
“I don’t need your help” Tyler marched to the door and swung it open before pausing. He had no fucking clue where he was going.
Xavier chuckled behind him “stop trying to act so lone wolf tough guy and let me show you the dinner hall,” Xavier rested his hand on Tyler’s shoulder as he walked past him and lead the way.
Tyler stood there in shock for a minute confused as to why Xavier didn’t seem to hate him, why was he being so nice, why wasn’t he angry he was stuck with him, why was he showing him around and helping him out?
“Are you coming or not?” Xavier turned around throwing his arms up and flashing a smile as he walked backward down the hall. Tyler hurriedly closed the door behind him and rushed to catch up walking a few paces behind Xavier.
The dinner hall was nice it was open and warm, most of the kids ate out on the quad for reasons Tyler couldn’t figure out but some chose the quieter hall as their sanctuary to eat in peace and hide from the world. That was much more Tyler’s speed than the crowded loud quad. After getting his food he went and found a quiet table to sit at by himself and observe.
Xavier followed him over, “aren’t you going to come sit out on the quad”
“Now why exactly would I do that? Most of the people out there hate me, and I’d much rather sit here on my own, So, please. Leave me alone,” Tyler heard the venom in his own voice and immediately regretted it, but it was too late the look on Xavier’s face already said everything.
“Fine, whatever, be that fucking way,”
Xavier walked out to the quad footsteps echoing. He flopped himself down at a table next to Wednesday, Ajax, and Enid.
“Hey buddy what’s got you in such a huff,” Ajax asked flashing a smile
“My new roomie has the attitude of a sour grape mixed with a pile of werewolf shit,” Xavier stabbed at the carrots on his plate.
Ajax rubbed his back and let out a light laugh, “he’s that bad already is he” he asked patting Xavier’s back again.
“I doubt he’s that bad, his side of the room probably doesn’t look like happiness and sunshine vomited its guts up,” Wednesday deadpans earning a glare from Enid. Xavier used to think that they were fighting but he knew better now this is how Enid and Wednesday joked.
“He’s not actually that bad. His self-loathing is just killing me slowly,”
“Is that because it’s annoying and pitiful or because you’re angry you care about his pitiful emotions,” of course, Wednesday Addams would be the one to blatantly state his feelings without even batting an eye. He said nothing just continued stabbing at his food. Everyone at the table looked between one another before going back to eating and talking pretending nothing had been said at all. Wednesday looked confused for a second before engaging Enid in some conversation about their shared room and how her dreaded colour window was encroaching on her side again. Everyone knew Wednesday wasn’t actually going to do anything about it. Xavier had had enough he stood up and went back into the dining hall.
Tyler had enjoyed his peaceful moment alone with nothing but his thoughts and food that tasted like food for the first time in forever, but now he was faced with an annoyed-looking Xavier walking toward him agin. Great, he thought I’ve already pissed off the one person I am required to be in constant close proximity to. Before Xavier could even start talking Tyler was already going, “I’m sorry! Ok I’m sorry I was harsh, I just needed a minute to think by myself,” he looked down hoping it was enough to get Xavier to calm down.
“It’s fine. Do you want to go back to the room with me,” Xavier’s voice wasn’t harsh it was soft? it surprised Tyler he still wasn’t sure what Xavier’s game was, or why he was being so nice, but he wasn’t going to question it right now.
“Ya room sounds nice,” Tyler stood up and he and Xavier walked together silently back to their room.