#lea sinclair

Riku blinked slowly across the table at his two friends as they all tiredly ate their breakfasts. He definitely had not wanted to take an eight AM class on a Monday morning, but her he was, 7:30 AM, chewing on a bagel in The Usual Spot and watching as Sora tried not to fall asleep on Kairi’s shoulder. Kairi was staring at her donut intently and Riku was just wondering what she was thinking about when the redhead spoke up. “Would dating a vampire be considered necrophilia?”

Riku legitimately choked on his bagel, “What?” He stared incredulously at his best friend as Sora also looked up at her, looking much more awake than he had a moment ago.

“Is it considered necrophilia to date a vampire? If vampires were real of course.” In all the vampire novels Riku had read with these two (whether to make fun of them or actually enjoy them), never had he considered the mortal dating the undead character could possibly be considered a necrophile. It literally made him nauseous to think about.

“Do we really have to have these types of discussions when I’m trying to eat breakfast?” This wasn’t the first time the other two had brought up gross topics during breakfast, they actually had quite the habit of doing just that.

Sora grinned, “We’re curious people, Riku, you can’t just stop the thoughts from coming.”

Kairi nodded, “I personally think it comes down to whether people consider vampires dead or not.”

“Technically vampires are undead, not dead, so, yeah,” Riku looked up at Lea’s voice, receiving a kiss on the cheek from his boyfriend before the redhead sat next to him at the table.

Kairi nodded for a moment, stopping when Sora spoke up, “But so are zombies.” Riku gagged on his coffee at the thought of someone wanting a relationship with a shambling corpse.

Kairi groaned, “And being with an undead person could still count as necrophilia since, you know, their heart doesn’t beat.”

Lea rubbed his back gently, but continued taking part in Sora and Kairi’s disgusting conversation, “So even an undead person is technically dead.”

Sora hummed in thought for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip, “Imma ask Vanni. He reads a bunch of vampire novels.”

Riku rolled his eyes, “Ok first off, we read vampire novels too, and second, that does not make him the foremost expert on what the difference between dead and undead is and if a relationship with an undead person is necrophilia.”

Sora shrugged, “It’s our best option, Reeks.” He got up and stalked over to where Vanitas and Iris were sitting drinking their coffee and talking. “Hey, Van!” Vanitas looked up with a sigh, knowing Sora was probably having one of those weird morning discussions when he looked and saw Kairi, Riku, and Lea all standing behind his younger brother.

“What?”

“Would dating a vampire be considered necrophilia?”

Vanitas’s golden eyes widened, staring at the other brunet like he was crazy, but Iris grinned. “Well, medically they’re dead, so yes, it is necrophilia, but by philosophical standards, they are alive, so actually it’s not.” Everyone looked at her in shock as she rattled off an answer and she blushed at the stares. “I was around Ignis a lot. I asked him all sorts of weird questions as a kid and he always found an answer for me.”

Sora looked absolutely flabbergasted for a moment before he crossed his arms over his chest, pouting a little, “I never thought of asking Ignis.”

Iris giggled, “Really? Prompto and I annoy him with that type of thing all the time.”

Vanitas nodded, “Oh yeah, I ask him shit too. He’s got loads of random knowledge rattling around up there in that head of his.”

Kairi just nodded, looking mildly impressed, “Note to self, talk to Ignis more.”

Sora just continued pouting, “Now I feel like a bad cousin, not even knowing my cousin’s boyfriend’s level of trivial knowledge.”

Iris shrugged, “To be fair, he only is used to weird questions like that because I broke him down many, many years ago.”

Vanitas looked at her in horror as she casually stated that she basically broke someone’s will power, “Why?”

Iris shrugged again, making an ‘I don’t know’ sound, “What can I say? I’m a curious bean.”

Riku sighed, “Okay, are we done here then? You got your gross answer, let’s get to class!”

Sora and Kairi nodded, turning to go before Kairi suddenly turned sharply and grabbed Iris’s shoulder, “Wait! What about zombies?”

Iris sneered, “Oh, totally undead. Walking corpses definitely would qualify as necrophilia to me.”

Kairi just grinned, “Ok, thanks Iri!”

Iris smiled at her, waving as they left the café, “You’re welcome!”

Riku shook his head with a groan, “Why can’t I ever eat a bagel in peace with you two?”

Ventus stared in shock as Riku rushed out of the cafe. Lea went to follow right on his heels but was immediately bombarded by Sora and Kairi.

Sora stood to his full height, puffing his chest out and staring Lea down as best as he could from almost a foot below his eye level. “I swear on Leviathan's wrath if you’re two timing Ri-“ Lea didn’t even let him finish before picking him up and setting him aside, rushing out the door of the café.

Sora huffed and Kairi immediately turned their wrath on Isa. “This is your doing isn’t it? You asked Demyx to play a song for you and Lea!”

Ventus glanced sideways at Iris and Vanitas. Iris looked just as shocked as he did and Vanitas sipped his soda, watching like this was the most interesting thing in the world. Ventus turned back to Sora, Kairi, and Isa, seeing the shorter two poking Isa in the chest and angrily whispering to him so as not to disturb the other patrons.

Isa arched an eyebrow at them, brushing their hands away like one would brush away flies. “I merely came here to see my friend, not to rekindle some romance that never should have been in the first place, nor to fight with you.” Isa looked down his nose at the two of them, “Just what do you two think you can accomplish here? Neither of you are big enough to present a problem for me.”

Kairi and Sora both gasped in indignation, “Is that a challenge?”

Isa’s mouth twitched upwards in a smug smirk, “No, merely an observation.”

Kairi and Sora both moved forward as if to confront him, but stopped when they heard the bell on the door ring again. Riku and Lea walked in, Riku looking abashed with Lea’s arm around him. They sat at the table and Sora and Kairi immediately surrounded Riku, pushing Lea to the side. “Are you ok, Reeks?”

“I’m fine. It was just a misunderstanding on my part.”

Kairi glared over at Isa and Lea, “Are you sure? We’ll kick their asses for you.”

Riku laughed, “Well, maybe you could take Lea, but not Isa.”

“Hey!” Lea looked insulted while Isa smirked. He elbowed Isa, “Well, aren’t you going to defend my honor? Tell them I could totally beat them?”

Isa rolled his eyes, “Oh, you mean I’m supposed to lie?”

Lea crossed his arms, pouting, “Some friend you are.”

Isa smiled for the first time any of them had seen that day, “You know you love me, Loser.”

Lea smirked, “Yeah, yeah, and you love me, Lunatic.”

“Ok, I’ll see you then. Love you too. Bye.” Riku looked up from his book, suspicion all over his face as his boyfriend pressed end call on his cell phone.

“Was that your parents? Sibling? Some other relative?”

Lea shook his head with a smile, “Nah, that was just Isa. He’s decided to come visit me. We've been talking about seeing each other again since I moved but with the job I don’t really have much time and he didn’t need a job since his parents are paying for his school.”

“Isa…your um…” Riku cleared his throat, trying to hold down the little green monster of envy threatening to claw it’s way up his larynx, “your childhood friend right?”

Lea just smiled brightly, “Yep! We’re probably as close as you and Sora are. I’ve known him since daycare.”

Riku looked back down at his textbook, brow furrowed, “Well, that’s nice.”

Lea arched his brow at Riku, his grin quickly fading away. “You’re jealous.”

Riku threw him a glare over top of the turquoise glasses he was wearing. “Am not.”

“Uh huh. Just do me a favor, Ku?” Riku hummed in acknowledgment before Lea continued, “Give him a chance?”

Riku sighed, just barely resisting rolling his eyes, “Anything for you, babe.”

Lea sent him a tight smile, grabbing up his messenger bag. “Well, I’ve gotta get to class. See you later?”

Riku nodded, “Of course.” Lea gave him a kiss on the top of the head before walking out. Riku immediately texted Sora and Kairi everything.

##

Kairi and Sora bounced in their chairs as they sat in the café on music night. “This is so exciting, meeting your boyfriend’s ex!” Kairi grinned at the boys seated next to her.

Sora smiled back at her, “I know! So much drama. Do they still have feelings for each other? Will he beg for Lea back? Why do our siblings hate him so much?”

Riku rolled his eyes at them, “C’mon guys, they aren’t exes. They’re just friends. And Roxas and Xion have beefs with a lot of people so I don’t really think they’re the best judges of character.”

Sora scoffed at him while Kairi pouted, “party pooper.”

Ventus, Vanitas, and Iris showed up to hang out with them since Xion and Roxas refused to come and Sora and Kairi spent the whole time they waited for Lea and Isa to show gossiping about hypotheticals of what the two really were to each other. Riku pouted until he saw a familiar mop of red hair walking by the windows.

Lea pushed open the door to the café, yanking off his beanie and leading his blue haired companion over to the couple of tables the group of six was occupying. “Hey guys, sorry we’re a little late, but there’s a blizzard in Radiant Garden that delayed the train a little. I want you all to meet my friend, Isa,” Lea smiled, gesturing to the stoic looking man beside him, “Isa, this is Ventus, Iris, Vanitas, Sora, Kairi, and, most importantly, my boyfriend Riku.”

Riku looked at the other man. He was attractive for sure. He had an angular, but pretty face, full lips, bright green eyes, and long, silky blue hair flowing over his shoulder in a braid. He was as tall as Lea and as bulky as Riku. Intimidating was definitely a descriptor now running through Riku’s head about Isa, but the actual ‘threat to my relationship’ alarm hadn’t gone off…yet.

“Hello. It’s nice to meet you all,” Isa's voice was quiet and calm. He didn’t smile, but nodded in acknowledgment to them all before taking a seat while Lea got them something to drink.

Riku rolled his teacup around in his hands, looking at Isa sitting a seat away from him. He had left room for Lea to sit between the two of them and Riku was grateful for that. “So,” Riku cleared his throat as the word came out hoarsely, “what are you studying, Isa?”

Intense green eyes met his own blue-green ones and he immediately wished he hadn’t spoken up without Lea as a buffer. The corner of Isa's mouth twitched up in an almost smile though, so Riku considered it a win. “Astronomy. I love space. Stars, nebulae, galaxies, but especially the moon.”

“Oh, wow, that’s awesome!”

“And you?”

“Oh, um, I’m undecided right now.” Riku blushed a little, just knowing that Lea's friend would think he was stupid for not knowing what he wanted to do.

Isa just nodded, “I was too my first year of college. I actually was almost completely misguided by my admiration for Xemnas Chi. The man nearly had me convinced to go into the field of cardiac medicine.” Riku raised his eyebrow at Isa’s seeming willingness to talk about Xemnas. According to Roxas and Xion, he’d been the last to finally admit to himself that Xemnas' Organization was simply a well disguised crime outfit.

“Yes the Chis do love their hearts.”

Riku saw another little mouth twitch from Isa that may have been a smirk, “Indeed.”

Lea came back with two mugs and set one down in front of Isa. He had a huge grin on his face as he sat down, “You two seem to be getting along.” Riku and Isa said nothing, but it was just as well, as Demyx had just taken the stage, acoustic guitar strapped to him.

Demyx immediately started playing a song that had people tapping their feet and some joined him singing. Riku looked over and saw that Lea was laughing at something Isa had said to him. Sora and Kairi were watching like it was an episode of a soap opera. Riku nudged Sora, “Stop it. They’re just two friends who haven’t seen each other in a while.” Sora pouted and rubbed his ribs where Riku’s elbow had caught him.

Demyx finished his sing a smiled at the crowd. “How's everyone doing tonight?” The small crowd in the café cheered in response and Demyx grinned even wider. “Today I want to play something special for two dear friends of mine because one of them is visiting from out of town. Isa, take a bow.” Isa rolled his eyes as Demyx gestured to him, but waved a little. Demyx didn’t press him further and continued on. “So, for Isa and Lea, here’s your song.”

Riku's eyes grew wide as Demyx began strumming his guitar again. Sora was looking between Isa, Lea, and Riku with his hand covering his mouth, eyebrows raised in shock. Lea and Isa were looking at the stage horrified and Riku could feel the pang in his chest growing sharper by the second.

“Where did you come from

Where did I go?

You and I

Walking the mile now

Need you to know

You and I

When I try to leave you

You won't go

This is a love song nobody knows”

Riku could feel his eyes stinging as he listened to the song. They had a song, what sounded like a love song. They had been an item at one time, and Lea had lied to him.

“You and I

Hate the way you make me feel

I need you

Hate the way it's only ever

You and I

Can't escape

You always steal my shadow

Give it back

Give it back

Give it back!

You and I

You and I”

Riku felt a hand on his shoulder and he immediately brushed it off. He had to get out of there before he actually started crying. In the back of his mind he vaguely registered multiple voices calling his name as he rushed to the door, coat barely even on. He started aimlessly walking, only to stop when the bitter wind bit right through the sweater he was wearing. Riku stopped to zip up his coat, his fingers fumbling in the cold. He’d left his gloves and hat back at the café, but he refused to go back, so he threw up the faux fur lined hood of his coat, shoved his hands in his pockets and continued on. In the silence of the night, he distantly heard the bell on the café door.

“Riku!” He heard Lea’s voice behind him and huffed, not stopping for him. “Riku, please wait!” Riku closed his eyes, looking down towards the ground. He had stopped moving and he started shivering as the cold began to creep in.

“You lied to me.” He knew his voice was shaking but he couldn’t bring himself to care at the moment. He could feel Lea's body heat radiating off of him as he stepped closer and tried to resist pressing into it just to get warm.

“You know I didn’t lie. I never said we didn’t try dating. I said we were just like you and Sora.” Riku blushed as he remembered he’d actually told Lea about the time in high school he and Sora had tried dating (and Kairi too which was probably why it didn’t work out because of Riku’s jealousy issues).

“Why did Demyx play your guys' song like you’re still together?”

Lea put his hand on his hips, shaking his head, “It’s a breakup song, Ku. It was a song we dedicated to each other when we agreed we couldn’t date. Because we do still need each other in our lives, just not in that way.”

“I’m sorry. I…” Riku shivered, hunkering further into his hood as the cold wind whistled last him, “I can be really irrational and jealous.”

Lea chuckled, “You have to hold it deep inside until you eventually get over it, like I do when I see you messing around with Sora and Kairi.”

Riku blushed again, looking up into Lea's eyes, “I didn’t know that made you jealous.”

Lea shrugged, “Only sometimes, like when you guys joke that you’re all together and madly in love, but I also get that you guys are really close friends and probably couldn’t live without each other.”

Riku nodded, leaning on Lea’s chest, “I should have understood. I just…”

“What?”

Riku’s blush deepened and he hid his face in Lea’s chest, “He’s really pretty.”

“Excuse me sir, do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior, Yevon?” Riku stiffened as he heard those words, the voice sounding eerily similar to his father. Lea, who he had just been giggling and joking with a moment ago, had his eyebrows raised, mouth pulled tight to avoid grinning.

Riku sighed, turning around, turquoise eyes narrowed in a glare, “Sorry, I want nothing to do with-“ he froze, eyes widening as he saw the giant grin on his older brother’s face. “Squall!” He practically threw himself into the brunet's arms, hugging him tight as he heard Lea chuckling behind him.

“Hey, Reeks. How have you been?” Squall pulled away from his younger brother, eyes scrutinizing as he looked him up and down.

Riku grinned at him, “I’m awesome. College is great. I mean, classes are tough, but it’s great!”

Squall chuckled, “And I see you got yourself a new boy toy as well.”

Riku blushed as Lea laughed out loud. “You must be Squall. I’m Lea.” He held out his hand and Squall shook it with a grin.

“Cute and polite to boot. Looks like you’ve got a winner here, Reeks.” Both Lea and Riku blushed at that.

Riku quickly decided to change the subject before Squall embarrassed him more in front of his new boyfriend, “Have you seen Terra yet?”

Squall shook his head, “I just got parked and then saw you two canoodling as I was walking by.” He grinned at Riku’s tomato red face, “Why don’t you take me to this café you guys are always ranting and raving about, I’m sure he’ll show up there eventually.”

Terra was already at The Usual Spot when they arrived, and Squall had received a punch on the shoulder for not letting his twin know he was here. Squall sucked in air through his teeth as he rubbed the sore spot on his left shoulder. “Shiva's tits, Terra. You didn’t have to hit so hard.”

Terra snorted, “Don’t be such a baby. I know with all your training you probably barely felt it.”

The shorter twin smirked, “Yes but what kind of brother would I be if I didn’t make a fuss about it?”

“A good one.” Terra smiled at his twin before sitting back down at the table. He closed his laptop and looked at Squall. “So how did you even get time off to visit?”

Squall shrugged and turned his gaze to Riku and Lea who were ordering at the counter. “Had a run in with a few thugs… Quistis got a little too emotional if you catch my drift and I told the commander I had to get away.”

“Ah. How’s your scar? Still hurting?”

Squall visibly winced and brushed his scar lightly with his fingertips. “Yeah… but don’t tell Riku I don’t want him to worry. It only hurts when I… emote.”

Terra sipped his drink, “or talk, apparently.”

“Could you look anymore like a meme right now?”

Terra snorted, “but seriously promise me you’ll talk to a doctor about that?”

“I promise.”

“Promise what?”

The two older Leonharts looked up to see Riku and Lea. Riku had three cups wedged in his hands while Lea was carrying several plates with the skill only a server would have. Terra and Squall shared a quick look.

“That I’ll bring Rinoa next time.”

Riku nodded, “yeah dude I miss her! I like how she teased you.” He said the last part with a smile as he set down the cups and sat down between his brothers.

Terra snorted as Squall pursed his lips at the memory of his two brothers and new girlfriend roasting him alive. “Shut up. Now are you ever going to tell me how you and Lea met?”

Lea set down the plates with a groan, “oh god please don’t”

Riku grinned maniacally, “gather round brothers and I shall tell you the tale of the wayward elbow and how Lea broke my nose.”

“Say what now?”

Lea groaned and thumped his head on the table as Riku out his hand on his shoulder. “Okay it was the end of last semester and I was in this café studying when Vanitas walked in telling me he needed someone to go to a concert with him.”

“Oh, was this that Volbeat concert you got into a fight in!?”

Riku nodded as Terra rolled his eyes, “wait Squall it gets better.”

“Right.”

Riku cleared his throat, “so as you know I went to the concert and broke my nose, man it was awful. What I didn’t tell you is how I broke my nose exactly. See Roxas and Xion also went to the concert with some of their Organization friends which no big deal, we pushed our way to them and we were all chilling and dancing when this buffoon tries talking to me.” He lovingly put his arm around the tall redhead who just groaned again. “I couldn’t really hear him over the music so I just nod and smile and he goes back to dancing and flailing his arms around which is ridiculous considering he’s a ballerina.”

Lea brought his head up with an annoyed glare, “oh I’m sorry was I supposed to be good at all dance? I was having fun you animal!”

Riku rolled his eyes and pushed lead head back down, “shhhh it will be over quickly. Anyways, so he’s dancing and I’m stuck next to what I think is a human slim Jim. I try to enjoy the concert when suddenly an elbow comes out of nowhere and just bam!” He clapped his hands for emphasis making Squall jump lightly. “He hits my point blank in my nose and cracks the bridge. Immediately I’m covered in blood, Vanitas and Roxas are sending me to the bathroom and they find an employee and I get cleaned up, Lea finds me and apologizes and the rest is history.”

Squall raised his eyebrow, “and you wanted to date him?”

Riku nodded happily, “well yeah look at him! He was so cute and flustered I had to! Besides, didn’t Rinoa drag you around at the opening ball for the SeeD program?”

Squall smiled fondly at the memory of his first introduction to the eccentric woman. “Yeah. I didn’t even know her name.”

Terra rolled his eyes, “you both are weird.”

Squall sighed, “well sorry we can’t all fall in love with people from the island Terra. Not all of us have childhood sweethearts.”

Lea brought his head back up, “you’ve known Aqua that long?”

Terra nodded with a fond grin. “Yeah and let me tell you, she was just as bossy back then as she is now.”

“Damn.”

Squall sipped the drink Riku got him and made a noise of happiness. “Where is my blue haired sister? I was looking forward to see her.”

“She’s at Spellweaver, which Lea,” Terra turned to the redhead who had a stricken look on his face. “Shouldn’t you be there?”

“I completely forgot! Oh, gods she’s going to be so pissed!” Lea gathered his stuff and ran out the door, startling some of the nearby patrons.

Riku shook his head fondly, “that boy. Aqua is going to kill him.”

“Nah she would never ruin her precious ballet dancers.”

“True.”

Squall heaved a sigh and looked around the café, “sometimes I wish I could have gone to college with you two.”

Riku and Terra looked at each other before turning back to the eldest of the three (even if it was only by a few minutes). “Come on squall don’t say that, you love being in the SeeD program!”

“Yeah, I do, but…” he trailed off and chuckled darkly shaking his head. “Never mind, don’t worry about it.”

Riku leaned forward and put his hand on his arm, “Squall we’re always here for you. You can call us whenever you want! You know that.”

“Yeah I know but it’s hard sometimes. I’m trying to get transferred closer but I don’t think they’re listening.”

Terra frowned, “just keep bothering them until they do. Come on we grew up with you! We know just how annoying you can be.” He said the part with a smile making Squall laugh at the memories of their childhoods.

“Thanks guys. You always know just what to say.”

Riku smiled, “we’re your brothers, we have to.”

They fell silent for a moment before Squall placed his hands flat on the table, “well! Now that the mushy stuff is out of the way, who wants to go prank the Strifes?”

Instantly Riku and Terra’s faces broke out into evil looking grins. “We are so in!”

     Soon enough he had entered the woods and while he had fallen here and there, nothing was gonna stop him from running. He didn’t care if he was broken or bleeding, he had to escape them or something far worse than a broken bone or scraped knee was in store. He figured he’d have to dodge roots and rocks; what he didn’t take into account, however, was the small cliff-side overlooking a lake. Had this always been here? It wasn’t very big or steep, he’d surely survive the jump, but would he really have to? The group of boys had managed to keep pace with him throughout the chase. They’d be here any second now. He hadn’t thought this far ahead. What now? If he jumps he’ll survive but walk away with a broken bone if he was lucky to not hit any rocks. He could wait to see if they’d even find him, but then he’d have to accept he’d be dead at fifteen and that his body would most likely never be found. Just as he was about to make a decision the thicket before him began to shift and move. They’d found him. 

     “We got you now Sinclair, youse got nowhere to go.” The greasiest boy of all of them, Tommy Sykes. He was known for being a weasel in life, seven-teen years old and had more “experience” than anyone else in their school. Did people treat him like a slut? No they honoured him, worshiped the guy. It only Infuriated him further. “What’cha gonna do now Sinclair? Your too much of a pussy to jump.” Tommy’s group snickered behind him. They practically surrounded him. He’d die here in the woods, and the only person who’d know hes gone would be Arlene. The goth girl told him his impulse control would get him in trouble. Why couldn’t he just listen? Why did he have to kiss that boy? Why couldn’t he see it was a trap? 

     “C’mon Tommy, let’s get this shit over with, I ain’t missing tonight’s game.” One of his lackeys said spitting afterwards. Tommy only smiled, his swollen cheek straining his face. What was he thinking?

     “Yeah, y’know you don’t deserve the long drawn out beatin’. So,” he paused, drawing a knife from is back pocket. “I’ll make this quick.” This was it, he was gonna die alone in the woods. Before anyone could move a muscle, howling was heard. Tommy and his group looked around for the source but he hadn’t dared to take his eyes off of them. His eyes widened when a large pack of wolves slowly came up behind Tommy and his posse. They were all boxed in. One of the boys went to kick at a wolf, trying to be a tough guy and scare it away, but that only resulted in a nasty bite to the ankle. The kids screams filled the woods, jolting them all. A few of the other boys went to help him but were halted by the snapping of more wolves. The first wolf eventually let go, blood dripping from its grey fur. It snarled and bared its teeth. Was this better than dying by Tommy’s hand? He had no clue. He could feel his sweat seeping through his thin shirt and gulped back his fear. He decided if he was gonna go out he’d go out his way, even if it means slowly at the bottom of a cliff. So in an instant, he had turned away from Tommy’s group and bolted forward, jumping right off the cliff. 

     The only sounds he heard other than the wind rushing past his ears  were wolf snarls and snapping along with the yelps and screams of the gang. Was it bad to leave them at the mercy of the wolves? No. They deserve what’s coming to ‘em. The lake surface was rushing up faster than he could register, and in a moment he was under the water. Struggling only a moment, then he breaching the surface. He gasped for breath, that was the most intense thing ever and judging by the fact the only sounds were the water and swaying trees, it was safe to assume the gang either ran or were subsequently eaten by wolves. Though it was unlikely Tommy’s gang met their demise, he had hoped that was what happened. The shore wasn’t too far away so without another thought he began swimming. There was no doubt his shitty phone and wallet were ruined. Meaning he couldn’t call anyone, he’d have to trek back into town and all the way home soaked. Maybe he could stay out in the woods in hopes someone would come looking for him, but really other than Arlene who was gonna look for him? He wasn’t popular in school and his brother and dad had disowned him. They couldn’t care less about him. The only thing he could do was trek through the woods and hope he doesn’t get lost. 

    He reached the shore quickly, thankfully he was wearing some light jeans as opposed to his usual baggy choice. He crawled on to shore and flopped on his back finally letting go. Hot tears rolled down the sides of his face. This was his life, why was it like this? Couldn’t he have been born straight? Why did god hate him so? Was there even a god anymore? After everything he’d been through, if there was a God then they absolutely picked favourites. He was suffering from being alive, being who he is while people like Tommy and worse roam free. Why why why? It was all he could think, his small sobs turned loud. He curled in on himself, sobbing loudly. He couldn’t understand why things were this way, he couldn’t understand what made him this way, he couldn’t understand why he was alive. His mother could have chosen her life over his, if he could go back in time he'd make sure he'd never been born. Then he wouldn’t have to suffer. His sobs died down, now becoming small sniffles. He wondered how long it had been since he left town. Slowly he sat up and brushed the red hair from his face, he hated this. He didn’t know how long it was he sat there, he just knew his tears had dried and he was more damp than soaked. He wanted to stay here, rot in the woods, he wouldn’t bother anyone that way. But he knew he couldn’t. He was either too stubborn or a coward, he couldn’t tell which. He sat in silence, his head swimming with thoughts when rustling came from behind him. Had Tommy come back for more Did they live and decide to come back and finish what they started? He didn’t care anymore. 

     “If you’re comin’ back to kill me, you best make it quick.” He spoke to the person behind him. It wasn’t an animal, they were too heavy to be a small animal. Maybe it was a wolf, but even still his statement still stands. He heard a grunt from behind him and he furrowed his brows. He turned to see a taller boy. He was maybe 5’11” with black hair. He couldn't be no older than seven-teen. He wasn’t wearing much it looked like some torn shorts and shirt. He was breathing heavily and holding his side like he was in pain. Who was he? He wasn’t part of Tommy’s gang, he would have remembered that. The boy limped closer to him, grunting with every step. What was he gonna do? Was he gonna bully him too? He couldn’t take anymore. A clunk was heard and looking down near the boys feet was Tommy’s pocket knife. It was bloodied and bent but it was there. It was like a trophy, this boy was there, this boy defended him without knowing him, and this boy won the fight and had the knife to show for it. It clicked with him then, he got stabbed in the process of protecting him. He cleared his throat and began to strip his shirt. 

     “Come here,” he paused looking at the hesitant boy. “You’re bleedin’, please, let me help you.” The raven haired boy slowly got closer and sat down in front of him. Lifting his hand he could see bright red blood. Immediately he got to work. What seemed like a stab was really just a shallow slash. It shouldn’t need stitches, at least he didn’t think so. He tied the shirt tightly against the strangers waist and sighed at the sight. 

    “What’s your name?” 

He got a grunt in return. Of course he wasn’t gonna get a name, he probably didn’t want to be associated with him. His face dropped and he looked away from the boy and towards the knife on the ground. He showed it to him like it was a trophy, like he was saying I won on your behalf. Why?

   “Isea.” 

   “What?”

   “Isea...Marshall.” 

A name he got a name. Maybe it was hesitance but he got it. He smiled lightly at Isea. 

     “Well then Isa, I’m Lea, Lea Sinclair. Nice to meet you.” Lea stuck out his hand to Isea, and slowly Isea too his hand and shook it. Isea had a firm grip but it didn’t hurt. It matched his physical appearance, mean and rough but not out to kill you. “Did you fight Tommy? By yourself?” He asked with genuine worry. It was bad enough he was on Tommy’s radar, he didn’t want the Isa to be on it too. Isea shook his head and picked up the knife. 

     “Not alone. Family helped.” His voice was hoarse like he hadn’t talked properly in years. Man could Lea fall in love here and now? You bet you sweet bippy he could. 

     “Your family? Where are they?” Lea had only asked out of curiosity, but to his surprise Isa turned his head and howled. Like straight up Howled to the sky. At first nothing but then a pack of maybe seven or more wolves howled back and Lea could hear the shrubbery rustling around them. The pack of wolves was his family. Isea didn’t live in society, he lived in the woods. Behind Isa, wolves appeared. The exact ones that distracted his bullies long enough for him to escape. This was their doing. And Isa was smack in the middle of it. Isea looked behind him to see his family sitting down in a semi circle around the two of them. They understood what Isea couldn’t. He didn’t know what made him jump into action, he just knew he couldn’t let them hurt this boy. They’d have to go through him. And he’d make damn well sure they wouldn’t even get that far. “I don’t know what I expected but it wasn't this.” Lea spoke suddenly breaking the silence between them. Isea nodded sadly and went to move away from him when Lea grabbed his hand. It was much larger than his with literal claws. “Stay please.” Lea’s voice broke slightly. 

     Isea only stared at him before getting up and pulling Lea along with him. Lea shivered due to wet and cold. He looked to the sky to see the sun setting. Had it really gotten so late. 

     “It’s late...go home tomorrow.” Isa’s voice was low and hoarse, but he projected it so Lea could hear. It hurt him he could tell so rather than asking any questions when Isea began to walk away, Lea just followed after him. The pack lead the way for the two human teens, Isea was staying very close to Lea. They walked a short distance before coming up to a small alcove in the side of the cliff. It was their den. While the wolves got settled in the den Isea made quick work on a fire pit for Lea. He didn’t much like fire pits as he used the warmth of the den to stay warm but he felt that Lea would be more comfortable if he wasn’t surrounded by large predators. Soon enough the pit was made and lit thanks to Isea and the two were left outside the den while the wolves were left to their own devices. 

     “I don’t know if I thanked you earlier but thank you. Seriously I would’ve been dead meat back there.” Lea spoke softly, afraid he’d break out into tears again. Isea only nodded and scooted towards Lea, who even with the fire was still shivering. He got close and when Lea showed hesitant he backed off a bit. “What are you doing?” 

     Isea nodded to the den behind them. “Warmth.” It clicked again. Body heat would help get him warm. He nodded slowly and leaned towards Isea, who sat a bit behind Lea. They touched slightly, then fully. It was like neither have ever felt affection before. They both wanted it more than anything. But they both stayed put. Isea was basically cradling Lea who had finally stopped shivering and was passing out from exhaustion. Isea himself was drifting into a light sleep when Lea asked one final question. 

     “Isea, are we friends?” Lea’s voice was so soft it almost hurt him to hear it. He grunted in response and nuzzled his face against Lea’s forehead. 

     “Yes...friends.” His own voice was slow and low like he was already asleep. Lea smiled a very small smile and curled into the warm body behind him and drifted off into a dreamless sleep. Maybe, it was best he didn’t change. He liked this a lot. And if he wasn’t the way he was, he wouldn’t have been snuggled up to a cute guy. A real Tarzan scenario but he enjoyed that movie a lot. 

     Maybe God knew what he was doing after all.