Acquainted With The Night

Author’s Note: This does contain slash and was rated for a purpose. If this offends you, please refrain from reading.

Dedication: This is for my best friend Brian who will probably never read this, but who was always looking for something more original that would make even a pyro feel hot.

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Leo hummed softly to himself as they drove up the Washington coast. He was used to the New Jersey shoreline, the flat beaches, the gentle rolling waves…there was nothing gentle about the Pacific Ocean now crashing with a startling ferocity against the shoreline. The coast was rocky rather than smooth, wilder and fiercer than Leo was used to…Leo loved it.

Alexionn’s reaction to their new home was lost to Leo as he had arrived the day before to go through a quick interview at the school and settle in. The coast reminded him of Alexionn, actually…rocky, a bit cold, wild and fierce in a way that was entirely untamable. He released a long breath as they drove into town. “How big is this place?”

His social worker, Ann Davis, gave him a look out of the corner of her eye. “Not large. You’ll find this place far different than Seattle, Mr. Harada.” The warning was evident in her tone…this was not Seattle, his attitude and actions would not be accepted here.

The whole thing left Leo amused. Trust Uriel to tell the Washington Department of Social Services that he was an unmanageable teen, someone with an attitude problem who had gotten into a bit of trouble in his past. Vaguely he wondered just what it was Uriel had told them…judging from the warning glare Ann Davis was giving him, he betted it was a good story. He struggled not to laugh and calmly folded his hands over his stomach. “Of course not.” He replied demurely. “I’ve turned over a new leaf.” He ignored her snort and sat up straighter as they started up a long driveway, toward a comfortable looking house at the edge of town. “That it?”

“That’s it.” Ann agreed, her voice tight. “You know the routine, Mr. Harada…be polite, helpful and quiet. Obey your foster parents. Don’t do anything stupid…or you’re looking at a Home.”

Leo rolled his eyes. “Threatening me isn’t going to get me to behave.” He replied before he had a chance to think about what he was saying. He was rewarded for his lapse in judgment by a fierce scowl. Damn…just for that he considered visiting her dreams that night and teaching her just what threatening him would do. With a regretful sigh he almost heard the response from his angel counterparts on the other side of the psychic veil over town…hurting humans wasn’t nice. Nice little incubi didn’t hurt humans.

Well aware that he would get the lecture of his life if he remained in the car, he was out and moving the second that it stopped, ignoring the irate social worker calling his name. When he was sure he was at a safe distance away, he paused and took a good look around, a pleasant shiver shuddering through his entire body as a cold wind blew across his body. “If you’re thinking of running…” He looked up sharply and froze. “…you might want to rethink. It feels like we might get a frost tonight.”

The teen now facing him was tall and broad shouldered, a long-sleeved shirt molding to his chest. His dark gold hair sprung in waves and curls over the boy’s head and sparkling amber eyes shone at him. Sun-kissed skin disappeared beneath the shirt, and Leo wondered absently if it was natural or if he had tan lines. Speculatively he stared at the boy, starting only when the blond shifted uncomfortably. Shaking his head, Leo looked up into the golden eyes. “I wasn’t planning on running, Sunshine.”

A wry smile crossed the teen’s face, and Leo was lost. DAMN but the boy was hot…and judging by the bemused look on the teen’s face at Leo’s words, he didn’t seem to have a clue. Leo loved them that way…beautiful and dense. “So what’s your name, Sunshine?” Leo asked, circling the teen, delight in his eyes.

The blond teen turned red beneath the curious gaze but remained firm. “Gaaron.”

“Gaaron.” Leo repeated, practically purring the name. “Unique.”

The boy opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off as a woman joined them, her light brown hair worn short, blue eyes warm. “Leo?” He nodded and she smiled at him. “Welcome home, honey. I see you’ve met my son, Gaaron.” She glanced at the house where Ann Davis stood on the porch, her arms crossed impatiently over her chest. “Come on, boys…I’m making spaghetti for dinner. Gaaron, please check the sauce while I deal with Ms. Davis.”

Leo grinned. He already liked this woman. “Yes…let’s go slay the Dragon Lady.” He agreed, and she laughed, a happy, tinkling sound…he liked her all the more for her sweet laugh that had no reservations. If the small woman was daunted by the idea of having a problem teen in her house, she didn’t show it, and even placed a hand on his shoulder as she led him up toward the house.

“Your husband?” Ms. Davis asked coolly, frowning slightly.

“He’ll be home in an hour.” His foster mother replied graciously. “He would have liked to be here to welcome Leo, but got caught up in a project at work and couldn’t get out of it. He should be home in time for dinner however, would you like to stay, Ms. Davis?”

Leo’s social worker pursed her lips and shook her head. “Thank you, Julianna…but no. I have to follow up with Mr. Harada’s paperwork before getting some much needed rest.” She forced a smile. “You’re sure…”

Julianna Wolfe slid her arm around Leo’s shoulders. “I’m sure. Gaaron and his friends will be a good influence on him and this is a small town…” She smiled. “…there is less trouble to get into around here.” She paused. “Leo, your bedroom is upstairs. Go up, take the first right. You and Gaaron will be sharing if that’s all right with you.”

Leo paled slightly. He was sharing a bedroom with Golden Boy? Sleeping right next to him? Damn…it was going to be extremely difficult to avoid taking advantage of such a situation…especially since Gaaron was incredibly appealing, a beautiful teen. He was so screwed. “Er…” He gulped and forced a smile himself. “…sure. That’s fine.” He was going to shove a fiery sword right up Uriel’s ass for this.

The bedroom was large and cool, with a large window dominating one of the walls, overlooking the ocean. Two twin beds had been set up on different sides of the room, two desks at the end of the beds. A massive dresser stood near the door and half was covered in photographs, art work and books. One of the beds was rumpled with a deep red comforter, the other was neatly made, a blue comforter smooth and flat over it. Curious about his roommate, Leo wandered across the room to look at the many photos on the wall.

There were a plethora of family photos, some showing pretty Julianna, others showing a dark haired young man that Leo highly doubted was Gaaron’s real father. Family photographs melted into pictures of a much younger set. Children grinned out at him, teens smiled with arms wound around each other. There were a few pictures of a pretty girl with bright blue eyes and black hair, but most sported a short brunet boy who grinned amiably from the walls.

Artwork covered every inch of space not already taken by pictures. Graphite drawings of fantastic fantasy scenes were hung with pride and Leo moved toward the only colored piece on the wall. The little town was drawn with painstaking care, every tiny detail shaded in, making it look almost as real as the photographs around it. In the sky two moons shone down on the little town as a gas giant done in fantastic swirls of blue and green rose slowly over the horizon. The scene was hauntingly beautiful and deliciously bizarre. “Cool isn’t it?”

Leo turned and smiled as Gaaron entered the room. “You draw?”

Gaaron snorted dismissively. “I can’t even draw a good stick figure.” He replied dryly. “My best friend drew those.”

“The brunet in the pictures?” Leo asked curiously.

Gaaron turned toward him sharply before flushing a little. “Yeah. That’s Sora.” Leo shook his head inwardly. So…Golden Boy had a crush on his best friend? That figured…the beautiful ones were always taken.

The silence stretched between them as Leo crossed the room and stopped beside his bed, tossing his suitcase on the floor. He made a face at the smooth covering…there was something impersonal about a perfectly made bed, it reminded him unpleasantly of either the army or a hotel room. Having spent plenty of time in both places, Leo was in no hurry to relive those experiences. He shook the blankets before leaping bodily into bed, staring up at the ceiling. Rolling twice, he slid from the bed and looked at it reflexively…not as good as a rumpled bed after…never mind…it would do. He sighed in satisfaction. “I hate made beds.”

Warm laughter filled his ears, and gooseflesh appeared on his arms. Like his mother…Gaaron had a great laugh. Leo turned toward the boy and sighed appreciatively. “So, Sunshine. You have an original name…nickname or real?”

Gaaron shrugged. “Nickname. My real name is Gabriel Aaron and yes, that’s my first name. It was my cousin at the age of three who started calling me ‘Gaaron’ and it stuck.” Gaaron paused. “Which works since my father’s name is Gabriel.”

“So…that’s your dad?” He motioned to the black haired man on the wall, inwardly praying. There was a chance wasn’t there? This didn’t HAVE to be the Gabriel who was a Halfling. This was a foster home after all…maybe there was another Gabriel.

Gaaron followed his gaze and ran a hand through his hair. “My stepfather, yeah. My mom married Greg when I was still little. I’ve never met my real father.”

Leo’s heart sank into his feet and he looked sympathetically at Gaaron, knowing that Gaaron would misinterpret his sympathy. Gaaron was half angel…and he would be coming into his power soon. His entire life was going to be thrown out of whack by this, and Leo was not looking forward to being the jerk who had to tell him. “Sunshine…” he murmured, touching Gaaron’s shoulder. “…I’m sorry.”

Gaaron looked startled before smiling wryly. “Nothing to be sorry for…Leo right?” When Leo nodded, Gaaron continued. “I love my stepfather. He’s great and he’s good for my mom. So…there’s nothing to feel sorry for.”

Leo snorted. He had his own opinions on the whole matter despite Gaaron’s happiness. Too many angel Halflings didn’t get that happiness. Angels floated blithely through life and occasionally found a soul that resonated with them. From that union a Halfling could be born, someone who could exist full time on the earthly plane, someone who battled the darkness that threatened humankind. Some actually grew wings, others just became brilliant adults, all of them inspired greatness in the people they came into contact with.

On the other side of the story were the children. Angels did not stay to raise their offspring, they didn’t work that way. There were times when Leo was certain that angels had no heart…certainly they had no souls. They were either overwhelmingly do-good jerks who were afraid to get their hands dirty when it came to REAL darkness, or they were cold and clinical warriors. Like the coldest CEO cliché in the movies, they got the job done…and didn’t care who they had to walk all over to do it. Their children grew up alone, their mothers forced to raise their babies by themselves. Many times angeli Halflings became orphans. Occasionally…occasionally they got lucky enough to be like Gaaron, with a happy family…but it was very occasional.

Leo himself got lucky, he had been the offspring of a forbidden match between an angel and a succubus. His mother had taught him everything she knew and never hesitated to tell him about the reality of his father. While Leo’s childhood might not have had the warmth of Gaaron’s, he had at least known who and what he was. He had been able to prepare for it when he came into his power.

Wordlessly he followed Gaaron down as Julianna called up to them for dinner, his eyes distant. “Gaar, is Sora coming over tonight?”

Gaaron shook his head. “No, he promised to babysit the neighbors. Tried to get out of it when he heard Leo was coming, but didn’t have any luck.” He grinned at Leo. “Prepare to get jumped tomorrow.”

“Jumped?” Leo asked, inclining one eyebrow. “I know I’m sexy, but I didn’t count on that.”

There was a pause as both of his new housemates thought his words over, then laughter as both decided he was obviously kidding. Relief flooded through Leo…he loved people with senses of humor. He took the offered plate and hungrily rolled a bite of spaghetti…he loved spaghetti, and his moan of appreciation resounded through the room. Spicy and sweet, perfectly seasoned…delicious.

Julianna eyed him with amusement evident on her face. “I’m glad you like it. Eat as much as you’d like, I made a lot. We need to put more meat on your skinny bones.” She put a hand on his head. “Honestly, honey…don’t you eat?”

Leo smiled as she smoothed back his hair and tutted over his slim frame. He winked at Gaaron, who grinned in reply before tucking into his dinner in a way that made his enthusiasm plainly clear.

There was only so long he could put Julianna off. Leo had tried the time change difference, he had tried the excuse that he had to call a friend to tell them that he was okay…he was running out of excuses to not go to bed, and her irritation was becoming clear. “BED, Leo.” She ordered right on time, poking her head into the living room. The step-father, Greg, had come and gone, and Julianna was turning out lights as she prepared to go up after him.

Resigned to his fate, Leo sighed and started up the stairs, poking his head into the room. He half hoped that Gaaron would be awake, but he had no luck. His roommate was fast asleep, body spread across and utterly dominating the twin sized bed. A slight smile crossed Leo’s face as he watched the teen sleep but the smile vanished instantly as a wave of hunger shot through his system.

Leo had learned quickly how to suppress his incubus nature. He slept in the presence only of the angeli, and their presence helped to focus his will. He had never given into the incubus side of himself…but the boy lying asleep right across from him was damn tempting. He wanted badly to dive into the boy’s head, to learn what he dreamed about…and to know him better than anyone else would ever know him. He shuddered as his eyes traced the column of Gaaron’s throat. He was not the slut he pretended to be…and he would not take advantage of an innocent teenage boy. Shaking slightly, he walked over to his bed and sat down, drawing his knees to his chest. It was going to be a long night.

0 0 0

Sebastian Ranier hated the sun. The sun hurt his sensitive eyes, it burned his sensitive skin, and it made the air hot and muggy. If he had his way, the sun would be shot from the sky to rain down in fiery death. He grimaced as he stepped out of his small apartment and into the crisp November morning. He hated the early morning sun in particular.

It was like the day was mocking his having to be awake by being as CHEERFUL as freaking possible. Birds chirruped, little children yelled and there was general pandemonium everywhere he looked. Mornings should have been outlawed. With a soft sigh of resignation, he ducked his head into his black turtleneck as far as it would go, pulling his hood up to cover his hair and most of his face. Feeling like a turtle, he crossed the street to a housing district.

All around him he was aware of the morning. Frost sparkled over every surface. Sebastian liked frost…it was pretty. Little animals scampered as they collected breakfast and inside each house he passed, little people did the same. Really…he had to wonder if they realized they were no different from the squirrels who lived in the trees.

His destination was a house painted a pale yellow, bright blue trim jumping out at anyone who looked. Most of the time this would be an eyesore…considering the people inside, Sebastian had to smile ever so slightly as he saw it. His combat boots thunked hard on the wooden porch as he mounted, not even bothering to knock before opening the front door.

“Good morning, Sebastian.” He looked up and met the eyes of a woman in her mid thirties. Small and petite, she was Asian grace personified, and, Sebastian knew, the personal wet dream of many teenagers who lived in the area. Akima Hikari smiled warmly at him. “There’s coffee in the kitchen and Sora’s up in his room.”

He nodded politely to her. “Thanks, Mrs. Hikari.”

Wanting to avoid the entirely unappetizing ritual of coffee for as long as he could manage it, Sebastian mounted the stairs and headed for the attic bedroom. The Hikari family had renovated the old inn years before, enlarging the rooms, bringing the appliances up to date but leaving the integrity of the house intact. Sebastian was sure that this was the most beautiful house in existence. He loved the wrap-around porch and the bay windows overlooking the cliffs and the sea below. He loved that the stairs actually spiraled as he climbed to the top, each step creaking under his weight. He loved Sora’s room best of all.

At one point it had been an attic, complete with an ancient widow’s walk. Now it was a bright, airy bedroom utterly dominated by a huge window, the small balcony holding three chairs.

Sebastian didn’t knock on the bedroom door, peering intently into the room. Bed, unmade and deliciously rumpled, closet door open with a rumpled green and white Hawaiian shirt hanging from a hanger, no owner standing near it. Curious, Sebastian stepped farther into the room and spotted the object of his obsession sitting on one of the chairs on the widow’s walk, head bent over his lap.

The Hikari family had moved to Roanoke, Washington seven years before Sebastian had wandered into their lives. Tired, irritated, Sebastian had intended to stay in Roanoke long enough to have a snack and access his bank account. He had no intention of staying. Little towns, he had come to learn, tended to be more actively aware of what was going on around them. Sebastian preferred the anonymity of the big cities. It was easier to hunt when nobody looked at him twice.

Sebastian knew the way the world worked, and one of the most important lessons he had learned over his 732 years of life was that people didn’t change. Times changed and that brought economical and technological advances, but at the root of it was people…and people never changed.

Humans were a massive parasite boil on the backside of the earth. They destroyed all they came into contact with, including each other. Humans possessed small degrees of decency, but in general they were no better than the squirrels they resembled…self serving, greedy rodents who spread disease.

The best place to secure a snack, he had learned, was a school. There his mysterious ways and dark, emo good looks got him noticed by girls who wanted a little fun, and he was more than willing to give it to them. Sebastian was not biased…he disliked humans in general, but he had nothing against indulging them in their desires. He was the first to admit that he could be a bit of an ass.

Another thing he learned about small towns…they didn’t like what was different. Sebastian’s tall, lanky stature and his all black ensemble had inspired righteous indignation in the hearts of the hot blooded All-American boys, and he had found himself shoved bodily into a trash can. The bag was just about to be tied around his waist and Sebastian was just getting ready to make the Boy Next Door wish he was never born when a voice broke through the crowd.

Sebastian was well used to righteous indignation, but what he wasn’t used to was hurt. There had been hurt in Sora Hikari’s eyes as he lectured the boys. There had been hurt in his movements as, thoroughly chastised by the slender teenager, they slunk off. Pain had filled the boy’s gaze as he helped Sebastian out of the garbage can and even insisted on loaning him his gym clothes so he wouldn’t have to walk around in the chili the cafeteria had served for lunch that day. Sora had made no excuses for their behavior, he had not tried to talk Sebastian out of his mood, he had only looked sorrowful and hurt…as if he had been the one shoved into the trash can.

The day became a week and became a month. Sebastian couldn’t get enough of the boy…he was like the first snow of the year…cool, crisp, clean and utterly magical. Sora lived life in a way that Sebastian had never encountered before. He believed…in everything. He was sensitive to a fault and got easily emotional, but had to be the strongest person Sebastian knew. Sora viewed the world and everything in it with optimism that would have seemed fake if you didn’t know him, saw the darkness and the light and rejoiced in them both.

When it was Sebastian had fallen in love with Sora in the last two years, he wasn’t entirely sure…all he knew was that he was…and probably always had been. He knocked lightly on the glass before stepping out onto the widow’s walk. “Hey.”

Sora looked up from his notebook, and Sebastian’s breath caught in his throat as he was pinned by clear green eyes like panes of glass that lit up in greeting. “Hey! I didn’t see you come in.”

He stood gracefully and Sebastian was lost. His faded blue jeans hung low on his slim hips, dipping down just enough to show a mouthwatering patch of sunkissed skin. His chest and stomach were tight, flat planes that practically BEGGED to be tasted. He turned to slip the book down into the compartment below his chair and his knee-length chestnut hair, still damp from the shower, fanned out over his back. Even as he watched in helpless attention, a drop of water slipped from the hair just behind his ear and trailed down the teen’s throat and down over his chest.

“Sebastian?” Startled, Sebastian jumped and blinked at his companion. “Did you fall asleep with your eyes open?” Sora snorted. “You really need to sleep at night you know.”

“Ha.” He replied lamely, backing up into the bedroom. “You know I have insomnia.”

“If the moon is up, you’re up.” Sora smiled at him. “Either you’re a vampire or you’re a werewolf…which is it?”

Sebastian approached the brunet and he grinned down at him. “If I was a vampire I’d really enjoy biting every inch of skin you possess, Sora…and if I was a werewolf…well…” He smirked. “…hell…there’s nothing sexy about a werewolf.”

Sora only laughed in reply, oblivious, as always, to Sebastian’s advances and innuendos. “Never once did I say sexy and you know it.” Yes, he knew it…and it killed him. Sora had to be the most oblivious person on the planet.

Sora slipped his arms into his shirt, buttoning it up before pulling back his long dark hair and starting his trademark braid. “Did you do the English homework?”

Sebastian snorted. “Do I ever do the English homework?”

“Point taken.” Sora gave him a dry look. “You’re going to fail out of senior year and be one of those pathetic people who are stuck there until you’re 25.”

Sebastian laughed lazily. He had never failed a test before in his life, and he had been around when most of the concepts they taught were invented. “I fail to see how mind numbing work prepares us for the world ahead.” He replied instead, watching as Sora tied off the end of his braid.

“So you can get a mind numbing job of course, raise a mind numbing family and die a mind numbing death before floating along in the Great Unknown afterlife.” Sora replied with a laugh. “At least in the Sebastian Ranier World Of Angst.”

“I’d rather live there than in your happy dancing squirrel animated world, Sor.” He replied dryly. Sora stuck out his tongue and Sebastian thought seriously about jumping him. “Don’t stick it out if you’re not going to use it.”

Yelping and turning red, Sora made a face at him. “Pervert.”

Sebastian laughed. “Someone has to be. You’re like one of those princesses in the Disney movies, pure as the driven snow.”

As was normal for this topic of conversation, Sora ignored him and entered the main level of the house. Sebastian, both amused and resigned, followed. Sebastian inwardly sighed as Mrs. Hikari handed him a cup of coffee. “Your usual morning pick-me-up.” She told him with a wink.

There was only one thing that Sebastian wanted from the Hikari as a morning pick-me-up and unfortunately for him, both of the Hikaris currently occupying the house seemed oblivious to his desire. He supposed he couldn’t blame them…they just didn’t see life that way. In a way it gave him hope for the human race, in another it frustrated him beyond belief. Resigned, he sipped the bitter brew and tried not to grimace as it flowed over his tongue. “Caffeine.” He murmured, following the morning ritual.

“You know that stuff is addictive.” Sora informed him, pulling a bagel out of a bag and liberally spreading cream cheese.

“Everything good is.” Sebastian replied with a satisfied sigh, contentedly watching Sora’s movements over his glass.

“I’m starting to think that the only reason you show up over here is for the coffee.” Mrs. Hikari teased, putting the lid on the salad she had been making.

“The reason I come is to stare at your son.” Sebastian didn’t bother lying, knowing that both Sora and his mother would only laugh. “The coffee is just a bonus.” He had been right, they laughed and he smiled in spite of himself. It was easy to joke around and casually hang out with these people.

“And you’re both going to be late for school if you don’t leave now.” Mrs. Hikari pointed out. “Do you want a ride?”

“No thanks, Mom.” Sora replied with a smile, kissing his mother’s cheek lightly. “We’ll be on time if we hurry.”

“Have a good day, boys. Sebastian, will you be joining us for dinner?”

Sebastian hesitated. This was offered every day, and most days, he took it. He had told both of the Hikaris that his father was a truck driver and was rarely around, and the lack of parenting had inspired both of the Hikari parents to jump down his throat in desperate attempts to parent him. Already he could see the stubborn look fill Mrs. Hikari’s dark eyes and he had to smile. “Sure. I’ll be here. What are we having?”

Mrs. Hikari shrugged. “Whatever Sora feels the urge to cook. It’s his night.”

Sebastian shuddered. “Then maybe I won’t stay for dinner.”

As he had hoped, Sora pounced on him, and laughing, they stumbled out of the door and into the street. Sebastian took advantage of the situation by pulling Sora against his chest, hauling him down the road. Sora yelped. “You’re squashing my bagel!” He complained, poking him in the side.

Sebastian sighed as he released his young captive. “I don’t know why you love those stupid things.” He complained.

Sora took a bite and closed his eyes, his expression one of unabashed pleasure. Sebastian watched with rapt attention, his heart hammering against his chest. How easy it would be to picture Sora’s satisfaction after a long, sweaty night of…a spot of cream cheese stuck to Sora’s lips, and Sebastian moaned aloud as he watched Sora lick it off. Sora’s eyes flew open and he blinked over. “You okay?”

Yeah if okay was being head over heels in love with your best friend who was quite possibly the sexiest creature on the planet and had no idea, he was fine. “Sure…but there’s no way we’re getting to school on time unless you can fly.”

Startled, Sora glanced down at his watch and his eyes widened. “Crud!” Looking frantic, he broke into a run and took off down the street. Sebastian took a moment to admire the way his body moved as he ran before ducking his head down into his turtleneck and taking off after his friend.

Sora skidded to a halt, breathing hard, just outside of their homeroom. “Sor, most people…” Sebastian nearly crashed into him. “…go IN the classroom.”

Sora was red faced from running so hard, breathing hard. He doubled over, holding his stomach. “I hate it…” He gasped. “…when she gives me…” Gasp. “…that look. That ‘You’re late and I want to eat you’ look.”

“Sor, she’s pregnant. She wants to eat everyone.” When Sora made no move to open the door, Sebastian rolled his eyes and boldly stepped forward, throwing open the door. Rather than a pissed-off redhead whose belly was bulging so much she looked like she stuffed a basketball beneath her shirt every day glaring at him, Sebastian found himself facing a dark haired young man now giving him an impatient look. “That…isn’t Ms. McCrae.”

The tall young man gave him a cold look, obviously having very little patience with the morning. “Thank you for noticing. You’re late. Come in, take your seat.”

Sebastian couldn’t move. His eyes drank in the new teacher. Dark locks of hair slipped down to hang in amethyst eyes, which, even narrowed dangerously, were stunning. Tall but slim and fit, he was deliciously edible. Hands pressed against his back and propelled him into the room, and he whirled, glaring at Sora. Sora gave him an apologetic look. “You fell asleep again didn’t you?” He asked, looking both amused and resigned.

Sebastian rolled his eyes and turned, but caught sight of the teacher again. The man was staring at Sora, his eyes widening in surprise. He looked as if someone had hit him, his eyes locked on Sora’s face.

Sora flushed under the teacher’s stare, and, as per usual, misinterpreted it. “I’m sorry we’re late, sir. It’s my fault…I was stalling this morning.”

His words seemed to shake the teacher out of his stunned state, because he shook his head slightly and the cool mask fell back over his face. “Very well. I’ll see you after class, Mr…” He paused.

“Hikari.” Sora replied quietly, blushing scarlet and looking miserable. “Sora Hikari.”

The teacher nodded his head. “Mr. Hikari. Please…take your seat.” Wordlessly, Sora slipped past him and started down the row toward his seat beside Gaaron Wolfe. Sebastian reluctantly followed, shooting the teacher a frown as he went. What had that look been about?

The teacher was not the only new face in the room…and he was not the only one who was staring at Sora either. This wasn’t exactly new to Sebastian…everyone stared at Sora. Girls flocked around Sora, boys asked for his advise…people just liked to be around Sora. The platinum blond in question sat in the back of the room behind Gaaron, slouching slightly in his desk. As Sora approached and took his seat, he sat up straighter, and there was a look in his sapphire blue eyes that almost appeared…hungry. Sebastian’s eyes narrowed as he took his seat on Sora’s other side. The blond either didn’t notice or didn’t care that he was being glared at, only looking up as the teacher began to speak.

“My name is Alexionn Tamsin.” He wrote it out on the board. “I went to school at Harvard and grew up in New Jersey. Your teacher, Ms. McCrae is out on maternity leave and will be out for at least the rest of the semester. I will be your teacher from now until then.”

There were cheers, and Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest, unsure if he was pleased or not by this news. On one hand the man had stared at Sora like he was lunch…on the other hand he was mighty easy on the eyes and definitely an improvement over the overly hormonal whale that had been teaching their classes. Mr. Tamsin paused. “Don’t celebrate yet.” He advised, and some of the cheers abated. “If you want my respect you must give it back. That means that you will be here on time…” he paused and his eyes found Sora again. Sora turned red. “…you will assemble quietly and take your seats. In homeroom when the announcements come on, just listen to them however inane they may be. If you have me for English, you’ll learn more then.” He paused as the bell rang. “Very well…off to your first classes.”

Sebastian glanced at his friends as they got up. To his surprise, the platinum blond who had stared at Sora joined their group. Before he had a chance to demand an explanation, Gaaron introduced him. “This is Leo, he’s the new guy at the house.”

Sora took on a stricken look. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t get over last night.” He hurriedly apologized to the bemused looking blond. “I wanted to welcome you but ended up having to babysit.” He paused and smiled. “Let me buy you lunch?”

“Sora…” Sebastian began, rolling his eyes.

“No need…” Leo also began.

Sora’s face took on an expression that Sebastian instantly recognized. “It would be a nice thing to do, he’s new here.” He looked at Leo. “You’re new here.”

Leo blinked at him for a moment before a smile crossed his face. “All right, beautiful. Whatever you say.”

Glaring at the new kid, Sebastian headed for the door but stopped as Sora made his way toward the front. “Teacher.” Sora threw him an apologetic look. “See you in Physics.”

Sebastian paused, knowing full well that they should both be taking the detention. He sighed and walked out of the room. Sometimes Sora was too noble for his own good.

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Alexionn already hated teenagers. He had only done one class, and it hadn’t even been a real CLASS and he hated teenagers. He was pretty sure that American teenagers had to be the most irresponsible, loud, annoying people on the planet.

The black haired boy with the black eyes had been the worst. There had been insolence in his dark gaze, but that had changed into a look so sexual that Alexionn had felt vaguely violated as it swept over him. He shook his head…it was no different than Leo’s looks…but then, he couldn’t fool himself…it had been different. Leo’s looks were all talk and no promises, as saucy as his attitude. He had half expected the dark goth teen to jump him where he stood.

He looked up as Sora Hikari approached. The Lightbringer was in his homeroom. The boy’s braid twitched over his back as he made his way forward and smiled shyly at him. “Sir…I really am sorry for being late…” he began.

“No need to apologize.” Alexionn tried to sound gentler but it came out clipped even in his own ears. He winced. “It’s done…what is the usual protocol for being late to class?”

Sora gave him an odd look, his eyes so clear they were like green panes of glass. “This is your first job isn’t it?” He asked.

Alexionn winced. “Is it that obvious?” He made a face. He hadn’t meant to say that aloud…but there was something about the boy that made him want to relax in his presence.

Sora laughed softly. “Yeah…but that’s okay. Detention usually follows being late.”

Detention…well…if nothing else it would give him an excuse to stick to the kid, though he had to resist the urge to pack the brunet up and send him to the nearest safehouse. “One week I guess. One hour every day after school.”

Sora gave him a single nod. “Yes, sir.” He paused, shouldering his bag as he headed for the door. “Good luck on your first day.”

“Thanks.” Alexionn replied too softly for the boy to hear as he watched Sora leave, his mind on that gently shy smile. He sighed as the class began to fill with loud teenagers, all talking at the top of their lungs. “I’m going to need it.”