Author's Notes: This seriously deranged fic was inspired by two completely different songs: "Live and Learn" by Alannis Morissete and "Yellowstone" by Rhexx. Also inspired by Zarla's JtHM fanfic "Vargas." Yer gonna need to read that in order to get this fic. Sorry. I have no idea where this is set in the Vargas timeline. Seriously. NO. FREAKIN'. CLUE. Right. Bye.

Disclaimer: I don't own Edgar or Johnny. Jhonen "Ill-Prone Belly" Vasquez owns them. Scriabin, no matter how much he doesn't like it, is owned by Zarla.

Momentum

by Dai

Awkward silence. Sunlight drifting through the kitchen window, bathing them in an unwanted orange glow.

Both of them stared. Not at anything in particular. . .Just anywhere but at the other.

"So. . ."

"Mm'hm."

". . .Yeah."

Edgar scratched the back of his head as Nny stared at the table's glass surface.

Mornings had followed in the same way since Nny, without really asking, had moved in with him.

"Did you, uhm. . .Did you want something to eat?"

Fantastic, Edgar. You've officially adopted your own little murderer. How benevolent. Shelter him, feed him, clothe him. . .

I haven't given him any clothes. . .

That's not the point!

"I'm not hungry." Nny continued to watch the kitchen table, face destitute of any emotion.

"Oh. Right. Well, uh. . .I'm going to take a shower, so. . .You can, you know, watch TV or read."

Or go search for innocent victims.

Shut up!

"All right."

Edgar stood up, hesitant to leave Nny by himself. "Uhm. . ." Don't say it! "Are you sure you're not hungry?" You idiot.

There was a sharp clatter as Johnny stood up, knocking the chair over and grabbing Edgar by the front of his shirt.

"I said I'm not hungry so quit being so #&ing nice to me!"

Edgar was startled by his words. "I just. . .You're my guest and I, er, want to make sure you're comfortable. . ."

Liar.

Nny glared at him a moment before dropping him. "You're lying."

You're a horrible liar, my dear.

Shut up.

"What makes you think that?"

I'm stunned. No 'er's or 'uhm's or stuttering!

"I'm not a guest. You didn't invite me."

Edgar returned to his chair. "But I didn't kick you out. I let you stay."

Johnny watched him carefully as he picked up the fallen chair and sat back down. "That's not the same as inviting me."

"How?"

You're arguing with a psycho killer!

Confusion spread across Nny's formerly emotionless face. "What?"

Edgar put his elbows on the table, leaning forward slightly. "How is it different?"

Nny frowned. "If you had invited me, then you would want me here."

"But if I didn't want you here, then I wouldn't let you stay."

Are you saying you want him here?

That look of perplexity returned and Johnny had to run what was said over in his mind before he could respond. "Are you implying that you do want me here?"

Edgar abruptly stood up. "I'm going to take a shower now."

"Don't you walk away! Answer me, god dammit!"

Edgar halted on his way to the bathroom. "Maybe I do."

There was a few moments of silence before he turned around to see Nny trembling where he stood. "Nny? What. . .?"

"Stop it."

Edgar slowly walked towards him. "Stop. . .what?"

"Stop it!" Johnny slumped forwards onto his knees, shoulders shaking. "Just. . .stop. Don't. . .being nice. . .like. . .I don't. . .don't want. . .love."

Edgar's eyes widened. "What?"

He said 'love'.

I know what he said, dammit!

He slid down into a kneeling position in front of Nny. Tentatively, he reached his hand out and placed it on one of Johnny's trembling shoulders. "Nny?"

"Don't. . .love. . .stop. . ." Johnny grabbed Edgar's shoulders and leaned forward to hide his face in his shirt. "Want. . . dead. Want you dead."

Edgar cautiously put his arms around the thin, shivering form. "I'd. . . I'd rather not die, but. . ."

"Why do you like me? Why are you so nice to me?"

Good question.

"I. . .I'm not really sure. But I. . .I think. . ." Edgar tried to put it in words that Nny would understand better and that would mean more to him. "I think I 'want you dead,' too."

You're a freak, Edgar.

Johnny stopped shaking and looked up at Edgar. "You mean you. . .You love. . .?" He trailed off, leaving the question hanging.

Edgar coughed softly. "Yeah."

Aw. How sweet.

Shut up.

"Why?" Nny leaned back on his knees, knuckles white from the tight grip on the sleeves of Edgar's shirt.

He shrugged. "I honestly don't know. I just know that I do."

"I'll probably end up killing you."

Edgar smiled gently. "I know."

Confusion again. "But you still. . .You still love me?"

"It's a strange emotion like that."

"Prove it."

Edgar's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"Prove that you love me and that you're not just lying again."

"How. . ." Edgar began to ask, then realized he didn't really need to. He gave a nervous cough. "I'm not sure I can do that."

"Then you don't."

Irritation suddenly flooded through him. "Yes. I do."

"No, you don't!"

God, you two fight like children.

He started it!

I rest my case.

Edgar fought to keep calm, but lost it as Nny continued to glare at him and mouth "You don't."

"Fine! I'll prove it!" He grabbed the front of Johnny's shirt and jerked him forward, covering Nny's lips with his own.

There was a moment's struggle before Johnny's grip tightened on his shoulders and Edgar felt himself pulled forward as well.

Mouths opened and tongues fought for dominance.

There was a muffled thump as Johnny's back hit the carpet. He growled and fought to get up, but Edgar was healthier and stronger and pinned him down by his arms.

I won't let him win!

You're nuts, Edgar. He'll kill you.

I did what he said. I'm proving it.

He's still going to kill you.

He was going to kill me anyway!

. . .Good point.

Without breaking the rather aggressive kiss, Edgar put his arm behind Johnny's back and pulled him up, shuffling sideways down the hall with him.

There were a few grunts as they stumbled over each other's feet, then a loud crash followed by a string of curses as they fell into Edgar's bedroom door.

This is more amusing than reality TV.

God, will you shut up?!

After several four-letter words from Nny, Edgar dragged him over to his neatly made bed and kissed him again, this time more gently.

He carefully pulled him forward to sit on his lap, where Johnny immeadiately went limp.