following the leader

Newt smiled at the boys excitement, he wouldn’t deny it got him excited too. He loved talking about his creatures, even if he was having to pretend they didn’t exist. He turned around a small hand drawing of a small, black creature with a long snout. It looked a tiny bit similar to a platypus. “This one if called a Niffler.  They have a pouch on their bellies which can hold hundreds of things! Even for such a small creature, it can fit tonnes into the pouch! But they’re also really gentle and affectionate, not to mention trouble makers!”

[to: 💞🐶🌸] did you give the flowers to him? [to: 💞🐶🌸] I imagine that would have been awkward for all involved.  [to: 💞🐶🌸] it’s very rude to jilt someone for their sibling, trust me !! I’ve been reading all about the ‘girl code’ & i’m sure there is a male equivalent.

Annie looks down at Ollie and smiles. “Do you think so? I always thought that he looked more like my husband? Maybe minus the hair colour. Yeah, it would definitely be more concerning if he didn’t.” She laughs and scrunches up her nose. “I do! Aw, that’s great, she’s a lovely girl.”

“I guess I never met your husband so it’d be hard to tell. I think he looks at least a bit like you, though.” Michael smiled kindly up towards the woman. “I can’t believe you know her! She’s great. I just never thought I’d run into someone who knows my sister! I guess it really is a small world, huh?”

Newt felt bad for trying to brush off the subject of his creatures and disappointing the other. Surely he wouldn’t need to oblivate him if he continued playing on the idea of them being make-believe? “Alright, I’ll tell you about it. If you promise you won’t tell anyone else. It’s a secret.”

“R-really?!” Michael’s eyes lit up with wonder, a smile quickly growing on his lips. He nodded excessively for a long moment before lowering his voice. “Of course! I’m great at keeping secrets! I promise! Cross my heart!”

        the redhead must to admit that he has like a really valid point there ❝yeah, it’s way better. well, we can keep looking together, then❞

“Oh great! I’m Michael, by the way. Michael Darling.” He introduced himself with a polite smile. “What’s your name?”

There was still that small, quiet voice in the back of his mind telling him that Michael was only going to be around for a few minutes until he found his sister and forget about him. Of course, that was probably wrong, but Golden’s mind wanted to remind him that he was unloveable. That friends stuck around for a little, until they found out what trouble he’d gotten into and left. He just knew that the other was too kind, to pure to understand that what he’d done was… inevitable. He had to hurt people to stay alive or else he’d be stuck in parts and services to get ‘fixed,’ and fixed just meant tossed out. It was like his mind was forcing him to push people out of his life, he did his best to shut it up and focused back into the conversation at hand, forcing a smile on his lips. “Nev-Neverla-nd?” He said it with a childlike wonder, he wanted to know what it was like. The details, what about the mermaids, did he knew Tinkerbell? The lost boys? –– If he was alive right now, he could believe anything, and if this boy really did go to Neverland with Peter Pan, he’d try his best to get anything he could out of him. “Yeah, it’s a-a really famous book! Ev-Everyone kno-ows about Peter Pan an-and the Cap-Captain Hook and Tinkerb-bell,” he grinned, hoping that he didn’t ruin the boys view on anything. “I-I just didn’t know. I don’t ha-have m-many new friends here… just friends from back ho-home.” Golden confessed, sighing softly and nibbling at the inside of his cheek. “Hey, it’s alright. At-At least you’re a good Michael, ri-right?” He tried to make up for bringing the tone down and talking about his brother, or at least it brought the tone down to him. Golden just knew that it was probably for the best that steering away from conversation of his family was for the best. A murderous father and brother and a sister who’d gone missing? That wasn’t exactly the best topic when making a new friend. “Uh, y-yeah!” He grinned before wincing once more at the touch, looking at the boy’s hand that was hidden by the fabric of his jumper. He watched him take a few steps before rushing to catch up with him, sucking up his fear and sliding his hand under his and linking his arm around the others. He had to get over it sometime and he knew this was the only thing that was going to help.

She nods her head, a soft smile still on her lips. “Alright, if you say so then.” Annie turns towards her son and picks him up carefully. “Thank you, I think that as well. Ollie just turned one recently.” Annie beams as Oliver just gives Michael a smile. “It’s lovely to make to make your acquaintance as well, Michael! I know of a Wendy Darling, I assume you two are related?”

Still giggling and cooing at the baby, Michael finally turned his attention back to Annie. “Ya know, he kind of looks like you! Which would make sense since he’s your baby.” He laughed awkwardly for a moment. “You know Wendy?!” Michael exclaimed, his eyes wide. “Yeah! She’s my big sister!”

“It’s the most beautiful planet I’ve ever seen.” She smiles in bright reply to the young boy. Continuing to easily walk along as she did so. “Ah… That’s the question of the millennium. I don’t know to be honest.”

Golden had always been someone who had a small amount of friends, it was a small group. He lived with them and died with them, spending a majority of his life with them frozen in time, in a suit. Something that would keep his broken for the rest of his life, something he’d never forget as long as he lived. And he was sure as Hell never going to share it with someone, no matter how close they would be or get. The only people who knew were the ones who had witnessed the nightmare he caused. It sounded dramatic whenever he would think about it, but it was always worse then he remembered it and the simply thought of ruining the innocence of this boy, that was something that made his heart ache. –– Seeing the happiness drain from his eyes, knowing that this boy he’d laid a hand on had been killed and that he had killed. He knew he shouldn’t have thought about it, but he couldn’t help but think about how this boy had became a friend, almost. He could talk to him, he could say more than two words to him and that was a friend in his book. The expression on his face seemed like he’d never heard someone talk about the famous children’s book. “That’s wild, huh? I mean, I-I think everyone knows about the boo-book and Cap-tain Hook and Smee and that dastardly cr-crocodile!” Something that he loved as a child, he was finally talking about and maybe that was while he could talk to easily with Michael. Of course, his logical skills weren’t too sharp, not putting the whole Michael, Wendy, John thing together, but it didn’t matter. He enjoyed the conversation too much. “Ne-New pal?” His voice was soft, hopeful maybe. Making friends wasn’t something he was particularly good at, so being called a pal made him smile softly, a blush crawling up his cheeks. “I–– He wasn’t he best brother, though,” not a lie, but not the whole truth. “Yo-You’re right, I’m su-sure we’ll find her th-there.” He couldn’t deny that letting go of a friend would make him a bit upset, but he had to see his sister. It was just the feeling a friend that wasn’t from Freddy’s was such a lovely feeling. Like he had a chance to be considered normal here.

       “ it means you’d be DEAD for merely being friends with me—-if that were ever to happen, ” she stated flatly, her irritation growing and GROWING as he continued to speak. “ i don’t have a CHOICE, kid. not that i want to quit… ”

His eyes went wide as the word dead was spoken. “But...that doesn’t make any sense!” Michael spoke, more to himself than to her. “Sure you do. Everyone has a choice. Always.”

It kind of hurt, seeing this sweet, caring, kind boy step away from him like he had a mistake. There were no mistakes made, it was just Golden’s stupid brain telling him that people who laid a hand on him were out to hurt him. Maybe that’s why Freddy would always ask if he was okay, if anyone had touched, because it might’ve been the truth. Anyone who even tried to touch him were just out to hurt him. Was it the murder’s he committed? They all wanted him dead because he’d hurt someone they loved. Certainly not this boy. He didn’t know anyone named John or Wendy. Or maybe he did, his mind was just blank so he didn’t care enough to know the name of the dead. Whatever it was, he just wanted to never be touched. Whether it was warm and almost calming, like the boys, or cold and deadly like his brothers. A soft laugh came from his lips, not having a lot of capacity to find his own jokes funny, yet a genuine smile finally came from his lips. This was the same feeling he’d get when he made the children smile –– when he stopped them from crying. “Pi-Pirates? Like Captain Hook in Peter P-Pan? I thought they weren’t rea-real,” he mumbled, even if he had the thought process of a nine year old, there was a lot he missed out. Pirates could be real for all he knew. I mean, he knew Foxy the Pirate, but real ones… seemed too cool to be true. “Oh, coo-cool. I have a real brother named Michael –– weird, h-h-huh?” It had just dawned on him, his brother’s name was Michael. Maybe that’s why the hand felt like fire. Maybe that’s why this caring touch felt like pain. “Yeah, I’ll loo-look for it. I think there’s a-a bookstore some-somewhere ‘round here.”

Although he looked over to the other boy’s face, Michael had a nearly impossible time trying to read it. He was like nobody he’d ever met - which Michael thought was a good thing, but couldn’t quite decide yet. He seemed reserved, cautious, and Michael was quite the opposite. He figured it wasn’t something to get caught up on but still, he couldn’t help but wonder what was going through the other’s head. Thankfully, Michael did know his manners so despite the dozens and dozens of questions he wanted to ask, he bit his tongue, taking another small step to the side, the grip between his fingers growing tighter and tighter. Suddenly though, he heard a laugh. Seeing Oliver smile - seemingly genuinely, brought a smile to Michael’s face. He had really only seen him with a neutral or sad expression, and Michael loved seeing people smile. His eyes suddenly going wide though, his jaw nearly dropped to the ground, taking a few long moments to gather his thoughts. “You know about Captain Hook and Peter Pan too?! No way!” He suddenly felt himself grinning from ear-to-ear. “That’s exactly what I meant! I met Captain Hook! And Peter Pan! And all of them! ‘Course I was a lot younger when that happened...but Captain Hook and his scraggly gang of pirates have always had it out for me and my siblings! I’m sure that’s how I got here.” He concluded, nodding for a short moment. The excitement taking over though, Michael finally let go of his hands and let them fall to his sides. “What? No way! I mean, I know my name is pretty common, but who would’ve thought that it’d also be the name of my new pal’s brother?!” He chuckled for a moment, not even considering that he’d only known the other male for a very short amount of time, and friend might have not been the best word to use. Despite that though, Michael considered everyone his friend until they did something to make him question that. “Hey! We should go look for it now! And Wendy loves books...maybe I’ll find her there!”

Shifting awkwardly in his chair, Newt ran his hand down his face. “It’s rather boring. A fictional documentary of sorts. Of made up magical creatures.” Newt continued to lie poorly. He was surprised the other didn’t suspect something, but he guess Muggles just didn’t know of anything Magic so it was just normal for them.  “It’s rather dull, as I said… Perhaps there is something more interesting the pair of us could participate in?”

“Made up magical creatures?!” Michael exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder. “How on earth could that be boring? I love stuff like that!” He grinned widely, though it quickly faded as the other male spoke. “Oh, well...I guess if you don’t wanna talk about it...” He pouted, feeling beyond disappointed.

“It’s hard to describe. It’s just a planet. It’s… It’s the most beautiful one every though. So much green… No place like it really. It’s one big park.”

“Ooh it sounds really pretty!” Michael spoke in a dreamy voice as he pictured this planet. “Wait. If you were on the planet...Naboo?” He questioned, hoping he got the name right before continuing, “Then how’d you end up on Earth?”

It wasn’t exactly that he hated the caring nature of others, it was simply that he couldn’t stand contact with other. Even with his family from the pizzeria, he was terrified of being touched, it was just something that he never experienced in such a caring way. The last time he’d been touched by someone it was by his brother and second after he was dead, but this boy’s touch felt different and he wasn’t sure if he liked that different. Golden would rather remain untouched by other, especially strangers. Though, he couldn’t deny the warmth had a charming touch to it, leaving it mark along his spine. “Europe? –– Hm…” He remembers seeing Europe on a world map that was in the back of his classroom, but he never knew what contained it. Maybe it was all England and he guessed London was smack-dab in the middle of it; even if that was completely incorrect. “A whole ocean? Maybe you sw-swam here.” It was almost a joke the way he said it, he knew someone couldn’t swim that far, but he didn’t want to make him worry anymore than he already was. It was his (sad) attempt at trying to lighten up the situation they were in. “We didn’t rea-really read stories like that in fourth gr-grade–– I mean, uh…” He cleared his throat, nibbling on his bottom lip, “I-I’ve never heard of it.”

Taking a small step away from the other male, Michael didn’t want to cross any boundaries. It was not a secret that he was a very touchy-feely kind of person, but it quickly became evident that Oliver - as Michael decide to call him - was not. Because of this he made sure he kept his distance, keeping his hands held tightly together as if to stop himself from reaching out and accidentally touching him again. For some reason Michael found himself caught up in thinking about this - wondering why anyone would shy away from human touch, as he’d never met anyone like that. Other than Captain Hook, but that was another thing entirely. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to actually speaking with the other small boy. “Yep! Pretty far away.” Suddenly bursting out laughing, Michael had to pause for a moment to catch his breath - he wasn’t expecting Oliver to be so funny. “Ha! Swimming! That’s funny.” Taking a deep breath, Michael lowered his voice for a moment as he spoke, “Between you and me, I think it was pirates that brought me here. But I’m not 100% sure yet.” Raising his voice back to it’s normal volume, Michael paid no mind to him directly mentioning the fourth grade. “Oh, Wendy told it to me and John since we were just little! Wendy and John are my siblings, by the way. I don’t remember if I’ve told you that yet.” He admitted a tad sheepishly. Since he was no longer thinking about how he was lost, or how uncomfortable he had made this poor male he had just met, Michael was - at least for a moment - back to his token silly, naive ways. “You should read it sometime! It’s very good. It can be kind of hard to read at first, but it’s worth it.”

 “well, sometimes you walk, and walk, and walk, and end up in unfamiliar places every once in a while – that’s why you should carry a map,” she smiled at him, taking one from her bag and offering it to him. she’d been carrying it with her, but she was already familiar enough with new york city. “see?? you look at places here, and if you need any help, this will keep you grounded.” jj grinned at the boy, before looking around. “north yorkshire?? oh, i can help you get there, absolutely. perhaps you’d like to stop for some ice cream on our way there??

Nodding, Michael knew she was right. “I guess so. I was just so excited to explore! I guess I wasn’t really using my head.” He laughed sheepishly. Taking the map from the kind lady before him, Michael gave a grateful smile. “Thanks! Are you sure you don’t mind if I take this?” He questioned. She was being very kind to him, and he almost felt bad about it. “Would you really help me?” He asked, before feeling his eyes go wide. “Ice cream?! I love ice cream!!”