We Wear The Mask

Suit up

Notes:

This chapter was a little bittersweet to read through, but we hope you enjoy it as much as we did writing it. Get ready for some T and Carlos shenanigans.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

The next night

Carlos shuffles his way behind T nervously as they quietly make their way to the mad science lab. He usually didn't mind doing T favors, but when they had made the plans he had no idea it would involve breaking and entering into the school. Well, they hadn't broken anything... yet. But still. He was anxious.

He should have known better than to answer vague questions from T at this point. Or at least know enough to ask what the other boy was planning. He bites back a groan, he was going to get in so much trouble for this. He could just feel it.

He doesn't even question how T knows the way to the labs at this point. He found it just safer to assume that it wasn't the first time T had done this.

When T finally closes the door to the lab, he finally lets out the breath he'd been holding. "Do I even want to know how many times you've done this?"

T turns to Carlos, "Enough." He shrugs before he pulls himself up on a counter. He pulls his bag into his lap and flips the flap open before he digs into it, searching for something.

Carlos snorts before he shakes his head. "So, why the lab again?"

"Experiments." T grins at him, as he pulls out the silky cloth. "Got a hold of one of Seniors robes and wanted to see if we could find a way to reproduce it with other fabrics."

"Wicked!" Carlos sits on a stool and slides over to watch T, "Science is so awesome."

"Agreed." T smiles in response. "Also why I needed your help." He adds.

"We could make E and D's like, whole year if we can crack the chemical makeup of that material." Carlos opens up drawers and starts pulling out goggles, masks, and gloves.

T chuckles lowly, as he moves to sit in a stool next to Carlos. "So... What exactly can I help with?"

"First..." Carlos slides to the nearby wall, "We gotta suit up." He grins as he grabs two white coats from pegs.

"Suit up?" T questions curiously.

"Yeah," Carlos wheels the stool back to T and tosses him one of the lab coats, "gotta be safe when doing science."

"Kay." T nods, not arguing as he put on yet another layer, and snaps the odd-looking goggles over his face.

"Right..." Carlos snaps his gloves on and pulls the goggles over his eyes, "Let's science this bitch."

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"We should probably start cleaning up." T comments around five hours later.

Carlos lets out a frustration-fueled sigh, "But we're so close... I have so many notes..." His eyes travel to the three notebooks scattered on the table between the smoldering bits of fabric and glass jars of chemicals.

"I wasn't expecting you to figure so much shit out so quickly." T admits, with a lazy grin, "And I totally get wanting to finish when you're close... But we, well, you, did make a lot of progress tonight. However, it's totally your call. I don't actually go to school here."

"Shit... What time is it?"

"Nearly four." T points at the clock. "You've been hunched over for hours." He adds with a look of concern. "I think it's time to hang it up for the night. I don't mind coming out to do this."

Carlos grimaces as he straightens up, but he pouts as soon as he looks back to the work, "I guess." He slowly admits, his legs slightly kicking back and forth in disappointment.

"You clean up your notes, and I'll play clean up?" T offers as he already starts patting out the burning embers in their latest attempt.

"But-"

"No buts." T shakes his head, "We'll come back tomorrow. Promise I want to figure it out as much as you- I just know this shit takes time." He continues cleaning up after the two of them.

"Fine," Carlos grumbles childishly, before he walks around the table, collecting his notebooks and stray scratch paper he'd scribbled equations and formulas on when the books hadn't been close enough. "I have a couple of books at my place I want to reference anyways."

T can't help the smile of amusement, "Of course you do." He teases before he pauses. "Speaking of books though... I've been meaning to ask you something."

Carlos looks up with a sheepish grin as his freckled cheeks turn pink, "Sup?

"Um... When it comes to reading," His eyes narrow, "Do you know if it's normal for like certain letters to like, flip on you?"

"I don't think it's..." Carlos furrows his brow and brings his thumb to his lips, "Uh, No... I wouldn't say that's normal."

"Heard." T nods, as he returns to cleaning.

"Why?"

T studies Carlos for a moment as if weighing something before he sighs, "Trying to teach someone else to read." He admits after a moment. "But they're having problems recognizing the difference in letters like b,d, p, and q and shit. So... was just curious if you knew anything about that since you know... You go to school with other kids and shit..."

Carlos frowns before he begins to nibble on his thumbnail, "I could ask Yensid. If anyone would know what it is it would be him." He drops his hand from his mouth as he grins, "He's pretty much the only adult who cares about us. And he enjoys helping us learn and stuff, so I'm sure he'd want to help."

T chews his lip, Carlos was already doing so much for him already. "I mean if you remember that would be cool..." He admits hesitantly.

"Sure thing. I'd hate to not be able to read, so I'd like to help-" His voice suddenly drops as he looks around, "You know. If I can."

"I really appreciate it." T sighs in relief, "Reading has been a lifesaver since you taught me." He admits with a genuine smile. "I totally get wanting to help other people escape like that-Especially here." He turns to continue cleaning. "You're way more awesome than you give yourself credit for."

Carlos blushes again as he ducks his head, "Glad ta help." He mumbles.

Notes:

Hey guys,

We hope you enjoyed more science bro fluff from the two nerds in the groups. It was a lot of fun to write this chapter and Dark does an amazing Carlos. We know it was a bit short, but it was a fluffy way to show T initiating another project with Carlos. So question time. How are you guys enjoying the science bromance between Carlos and T? Did you anticipate this would be where the chapter 'Usually...' ended up going? Did we do a good job with Carlos breaking into the school? And does anyone have any theories about why sometimes T has to go at certain times and can stay out late on others?

We're excited to hear back from you guys! And FC and Dobby thank you so much for your continuing support and responses to these fun little mini chapter reviews. We really appreciate hearing how the story is coming off and learning better ways to become more efficient writers.

Much love and appreciation,

Dark and Twisted