Acquainted With The Night

Leonardo Harada had been alive for just over 1000 years and for just over 973 of them he had walked a fine line of existence. It was his job to walk on both planes, to see the darkness and the light and to take out what threatened to destroy the balance of the world and all who survived. Leo was the most well known assassin on the planet. Demons hesitated to say his name. Angels thought twice before commissioning him. The world needed to come to an end for him to be called in. For 1000 years, Leo was the baddest thing to walk the night…and now here he was, wearing Abercrombie as he was escorted from class to class in a high school.

The irony of his situation was not lost on him. While Leo had not actually met God (or the devil for that matter) he was well aware that God possessed a whacked sense of humor…and His so-called Lightbringer was the grandest joke of them all. THIS was the being made to bring light back onto the planet? THIS was the shining candle in the darkness, the beacon of hope to mankind as the world came spiraling into its darkest days?

Leo had spent the entire day with the braided teen and he still didn’t get it. Okay, so Sora was nice enough, but from what Leo had seen he was also naïve. He was a skinny slip of a boy who probably had no idea that darkness even existed let alone knew how to deal with it. In his happy, sunlit world people didn’t get hurt.

And yet…as Leo dutifully followed the kid around from class to class, they were practically mobbed by the masses. If there were established cliques at this place, they were not only broken but shattered by Sora Hikari. Jocks, skaters, preps, nerds, all flocked around Sora for no other reason that Leo could see other than to speak to him and get a response, even just as simple as a smile. Okay so Leo could admit that the boy had a killer smile, but what did the masses think that this skinny little kid could do about their problems?

Just moving from class to class he had heard about a litter of kittens some cheerleader’s mother wouldn’t let her keep, sets that needed painting, problems balancing home life with social life and a list of other complaints he didn’t even want to think about. What could Sora do about any of these problems? Nothing…except maybe the set thing…but whatever. So why did they descend?

Sora smiled at him as they neared the cafeteria. “Ready for lunch?”

Leo shrugged. “I guess.” What he was ready for was caffeine…he hadn’t slept a wink the night before for fear of doing something regrettable (if not enjoyable) to his too gorgeous roommate. “Lemme put my stuff into my locker.” The books in his bag were going to kill him. Honestly, how did they deal with this every day? The things weighed a ton and nobody else seemed to mind that their backs were slowly bending the wrong way and they’d probably have spine problems as adults.

Sora threw him a wry glance. “You sure you want to saunter down the runway by yourself?”

Leo gave him a blank look. “I think I can find my way to the cafeteria by myself, Sor.” He replied dryly, moving away and ignoring Sora’s call of his name. He headed down the hallway, pausing a moment outside of the English room. He had realized quickly that he had the same schedule as Sora (thank you, Uriel) and they would have English the next day. From what Gaaron had said, however, he could tell that his partner was going over like a sack of dog poop left to burn on someone’s porch. One half of the student body was sure that he was out of his mind, the other half was still too intrigued by his mysterious good looks to care.

Stepping into the room, he was not surprised to find Alexionn sitting at his desk, looking like he might commit suicide. “Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”

Alexionn didn’t even look up. “Refrain from such comments.” He replied coolly. “Someone’s going to think I’m getting involved with my students. That, in case you didn’t know, is illegal.”

“And what a pity that is, Lexi…seeing as how utterly hot you are.” Leo replied contentedly, ignoring him as he perched on the edge of Alexionn’s desk.

Alexionn gave him a stony glare. “Don’t you have someone ELSE to torment?” He asked icily. “Someone to protect?”

“Nobody is going to attack in the cafeteria.” Leo replied dryly. “And if they do, the entire student body as a whole will stand up and protest. That boy has to be the most popular kid in school.” He leaned back and felt the backpack rest on the desk, letting out a sigh of appreciation as the weight was taken off his back. “You know, I’m going to resign my post as God’s Bounty Hunter and become a chiropractor.”

Alexionn was staring at him as if expecting the punch line of a joke, his eyebrows raised. “A chiropractor.”

“Mmm. By the time these kids are 30 they’re going to need one. Do you know how much these books weigh?”

Alexionn continued staring. “You’re out of your mind, do you know that?”

Leo laughed and kicked his feet in front of him. “There is a fine line between insanity and brilliance, Lexi.” He paused. “How are you holding up? I know how I am…my back is killing me and I’m dying from lack of sleep. Did you know that sadistic woman put me in the same room as Gaaron?”

Alexionn pinned him with an intense violet gaze. “You haven’t done anything…”

Leo gave him a glare, slightly hurt by the accusation in his words. “No.” He replied coolly. “I haven’t done anything to hurt him. He’s a kid. True, he’s sexy as hell, but he’s just a kid. I don’t hurt kids…which is why I am going to sleep through your class tomorrow. I figure three hours a week should do it don’t you?” He asked bitterly.

Alexionn stared at him for a long moment. “There’s nobody who knows who you are and could act as a donor to keep you from going…” He paused.

Leo rolled his eyes. “Are you volunteering, Lex? Because other than you, the only ones who know enough about me to realize I’m going to lose it are full angels who, as you’re well aware I’m sure, don’t sleep.” Without waiting for Alexionn to do something stupid and noble like volunteering to lead Leo down the dark road, he sighed. “I’ll be fine. It isn’t the first time I’ve survived off of short periods of sleep. I’ll sleep when I get back while everyone is awake, do my homework or whatever while everyone sleeps.”

He didn’t like the assessing look in Alexionn’s eyes. “You might be able to get some rest during the weekends if you told them you had a night job. Gives you an excuse to prowl around if you feel the urge and sleep all day while everyone else is awake. Less temptation.”

Despite his annoyance at his partner, Leo was grateful for the sensible suggestion. It was perfect. “Good idea, baby…not bad at all.” He was also grateful that Alexionn hadn’t demanded to know why Leo had no interest in a donor. Truth be told, Alexionn wasn’t sure that, once indulging that side of himself, even in innocent willingness by a non intimate partner, he could draw away again. He was terrified that he would lose himself and become the very thing he hunted down so passionately. God had a screwed up sense of humor and the truly devout claimed that God never gave you more than you could handle. In Leo’s way of thinking, this was a good way of saying, “Life sucks and then you die.”

Alexionn looked awkward, his brow furrowed. “Are you going to be okay?”

Leo was warmed by his concern, even as hesitant as it was. Obviously Alexionn was not used to having to offer concern to anyone, but it was a nice gesture. “I’ll be fine, Lexi. I came to check in on you. The half of the school that doesn’t think you’re the sexiest thing on the planet think you’re out of your mind.”

Alexionn sighed. “I hate teenagers.”

Leo snorted, but had to laugh as Alexionn gave him a disgruntled look. “That must be because you’re such an old man.” He teased.

Alexionn rolled his eyes. “It has nothing to do with my age and everything to do with disrespectful, loud…”

Leo laughed again. “I get it. I may have to stay awake in your class just to make fun of you. Honestly, you take life so seriously.”

Alexionn gave him a dry look. “And you don’t take it seriously enough.”

Leo smirked and got up. “Life isn’t serious, Lex. It’s exciting and crazy and sometimes it will break your heart…but it’s not serious…and should never be taken seriously.” Not waiting for a reply but feeling Alexionn’s eyes on him, Leo started for the door. “And I have a braided savior waiting for me so I’ll leave you to your brooding on the depravation of teenagers in this day and age. Have a good lunch, baby…and try not to look like someone jammed a tree up your ass…” Turning, he dimpled. “…though I’d be happy to investigate it for you.” Alexionn’s answer was so creatively obscene that he howled with laughter as he left the room.

He was still laughing ten minutes later, as, after stashing his books in his locker, he pushed open the doors to the cafeteria. Instantly, he stopped dead, astonished as he glanced around. Tables were set up on either side of a long room, a walkway cutting directly through the center. The kitchen was at the other end of the room, forcing someone to walk to the scrutiny of their peers as they went to purchase something. Really…it was cruel. Leo could easily imagine something bad happening…something like what was going on now.

The girl who was making her way up the aisle was hardly fat by Leo’s standards, but deliciously voluptuous. Still, it would take her peers another five to ten years to figure out that anorexia was not attractive on a female, and she was regarded with vicious disdain as she carried a hamburger and a pile of fries up the room. He could see not only her clothing (low rise jeans only looked good on men in Leo’s opinion) was being assessed but her food choice as well…and people were hiding smiles as derisive comments were being whispered.

Really…it was so disturbingly vicious, it reminded Leo heavily of the time he spent in the French Revolution. Leo stepped forward and put a sway into his step. Instantly he was pinned by hundreds of gazes…and he preened to himself, tossing back his hair and knowing he looked great as he started down the “runway” and made his way to the girl, flashing her his best smile. The girl went dead still as he met her eyes squarely and gave her an approving look. “Hello, beautiful.” He greeted with a smile. “Pity you’ve already paid…you’ll have to allow me the luxury of paying for your lunch tomorrow. I insist.” Pulling a pen out of his pocket, he drew her hand into his own and jotted down the home number on her palm before kissing the back of her hand in the most gallant gesture he could think of. “Have a nice day.” He murmured, smiling as he continued down the so-called “runway” without acknowledging any of the looks he was getting.

Sora’s violet eyes sparkled with undisguised delight and Gaaron was chuckling as he made his way forward. Humming with satisfaction, he took the seat between Sora and Gaaron her and calmly stole one of his roommate’s fries. “What’s shaking?”

Gaaron snorted before bursting into laughter. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

Sora only smiled before glancing at the girl’s retreating back, sighing in satisfaction. “I bought you something to eat.”

“Thanks.” Leo glanced at the slice of pizza, the salad and the coke and pounced on the coke. Caffeine.

Sora fixed him with a dazzling smile, and Leo had to smile back…he couldn’t help it. “Leo, this is David and Jesse Thompson. Gaaron introduced the two strangers at the table. “Guys, this is the new guy at my house, Leo Harada.”

He received nods from the twins stuffing vast amounts of carbohydrates into their mouths, making Sora laugh and tease them about choking. Normally, he would have devoted himself to drawling sardonic comments as he watched the reactions of his new acquaintances…but he had found himself fixed on Sebastian Ranier’s reaction to his name.

Tall and impossibly dark, Sebastian looked like a charcoal drawing come to life. His black hair hung in obsidian eyes. His skin was too pale, his face chiseled and impossibly beautiful. He had been bent over a sketch pad, not paying any attention to anything…though Leo had seen him take a few hurried glances at Sora before bending over the pad again…but when Leo’s full name had been spoken aloud, he had reacted like someone had stuck a pin into his back. “Leo…Harada?” He asked, sounding choked.

Leo smirked at the teen. “What of it?” He drawled. So the boy knew his name…which made him far more than the average high school student…and dangerous. Leo didn’t mind uncertainties or variables in his job…they made things more interesting…but he knew that Alexionn was not going to like it. Bad luck that he had read the roll BEFORE Sora and Sebastian walked in.

Sebastian gave him a decidedly distrusting look, his face impassive but his eyes alive. “I thought…I heard your name in the past…but you can’t…”

Leo smiled brilliantly at him. “My name is pretty unique.” He replied sweetly. “I probably AM the one you heard about.” Yes that’s right, vampire boy…for surely that’s what he had to be…I’m onto you.

0 0 0

Sebastian was frozen in shock as he stared at the young platinum blond now cheerfully engaged in a friendly debate about football with Jesse Thompson, Gaaron laughing and making the occasional comment. Though Leo made no outward sign that he was aware of Sebastian’s gaze, every so often his sapphire blue eyes would flick over, and a smile more wicked than the one he previously wore would appear on his face. Oh yes…Leo was well aware of Sebastian’s gaze…and was not bothered by it.

Only a foolish vampire didn’t know the name of the man known as, “Gods Hammer.” Leo was the assassin of God, he was the sword arm of the angeli when they could not deal with the problem themselves. Devastatingly thorough, when Leo Harada went after a man, that man never survived the encounter. His name was spoken with awe and hatred by all demons who walked the night, whispered, as if speaking the name would summon the man. Leo’s notoriety was a worldwide phenomenon…so what the HELL was he doing sitting at the lunch table of a tiny high school?

Sebastian had been good…he always left the people he fed from alive, if not a little foggy for a day or so. He didn’t hurt anyone, lived quietly, avoided doing anything that would call attention to himself…and force him away from Sora. There had been no focus on him…at least not until he had reacted to the name spoken. Now Leo was eyeing him, but it was with more amusement than hostility. Perhaps he wasn’t called here to deal with Sebastian.

Sebastian didn’t know if that left him relieved or if it worried him even more. At least if Leo had been called on a hunt for him, he knew what the blond was here for…this seemed all too random to him, and left him extremely unhappy. He recalled the intense, almost feral gaze Leo had fixed Sora with as they walked into the classroom together and something inside of him froze. Surely not…surely he hadn’t been called here after SORA.

They shared the same classes, they were eating lunch together. He was staying with Sora’s friend Gaaron…surely not all coincidence? Sebastian’s blood ran cold and he wanted to leap across the table and take the blond out before he could do anything to destroy the boy Sebastian had fallen in love with. He did nothing, but watched Leo with undisguised dislike.

“Sebastian!”

Realizing someone was calling him, he jumped. Sora fixed him with his patient look. “I’ve been calling you for almost five minutes. Where do you slip off to when you disappear?” He asked, green eyes sparkling. “You really need to get more sleep at night.” He murmured.

“Yes, those insomnia bursts are TERRIBLE for the complexion.” Leo agreed, a wicked gleam in his blue eyes. Sebastian shot him a rude hand gesture, making Leo snort with laughter.

“Sebastian!” He froze. Sora was regarding him with disapproval and a bit of shocked sadness…he hated that sad look. “What’s wrong?”

Sebastian knew there was no way he could talk his way out of this…he would have to take Sora’s unhappiness. “You don’t even know me.” He snapped at Leo. “Or my sleeping habits. Don’t assume you know ANYTHING about me.”

Leo gave him an unrepentant look. “I know it worries your friends when you zone out like that. You were looking at me…I’m guessing it’s not because I’m so hot…” He ignored the twins, who both choked at his words, Gaaron’s snort of amusement and Sora’s wide-eyed apprehension.

“Damn straight.” Sebastian snapped in reply.

“Sebastian’s not gay.” Gaaron put in mildly.

Leo laughed so hard he cried and Sebastian fixed him with a fierce scowl, but the blond didn’t seem to have any sort of interest in speaking again, though he regarded Gaaron, Sebastian and Sora with a look of high amusement, as if he had recognized the triangle between them instantly. “I never said he was.” Leo murmured with laughter still evident in his voice. “It was the whole thing…is being gay that much of a social stigma around here?”

Sora fixed Leo with a curious look. “No…well I mean…” He blushed. “…why do you ask?”

Leo gave Sora an ironic look. “It isn’t obvious?” Sora’s mouth fell open in surprise, but Sebastian noticed that Gaaron didn’t look shocked…only a bit sad as he regarded Leo. The look was not lost on the blond either, because he glanced curiously at Gaaron. “What?”

Gaaron squirmed uncomfortably. “That’s…why you got into trouble…at your old school, wasn’t it?” He asked, his voice quiet. It was obvious that he would have much rather discussed this in private, but recognized that he would probably have no time.

A bemused look crossed Leo’s face, followed by one of resigned humor. “I suppose that’s open to interpretation.” He replied after a long moment. “What exactly did they tell you?”

Gaaron looked like he would rather shoot himself than answer, and Sebastian regarded him sourly…it wasn’t like his interest in Sora was unknown…so what was he so squeamish about? He released a long breath. “Not in the lunch room.”

Leo’s eyebrows shot up. “Gaaron.” He replied quietly. “You brought this up, so you’re going to finish this.” There was an almost gentle expression on his face. “Tell me what you heard.”

Gaaron’s face was a mottled shade of red now, and Sora was looking distressed, his gaze flickering between Gaaron and Leo with alarm. He didn’t speak however, as if recognizing that this was not his fight. “We were told…” He looked unhappy. “…that you were looking for love in the wrong places…and that you looked in a lot of places.” The words remained unspoken but clearly heard…Leo had been a whore at his old school. Nothing more than a piece of ass…which didn’t exactly surprise Sebastian hearing the boy talk.

Leo’s mouth dropped open in startled surprise before the same mixture of amusement and resignation crossed his face. “That’s one way of putting it I suppose.” He replied after a long moment. “Just so you know…” He stood up. “I’m pure as the driven snow.” Stealing another fry, he waved it lazily. “I have yet to find anyone who can put up with me for longer than a day or so, male OR female…” He dimpled. “I just have more luck with men.”

Sora glanced at his book. “Do you guys mind taking this to the physics room for me? I want to stop by the art room real fast. I left my sketch pad there.”

“No problem, Sora.” Sebastian said smoothly, staring at Leo’s bright eyes. “I’ll take care of your pet foster kid.”

Sora gave him a look that was a cross between a smile of thanks and a frown of annoyance at his choice of words. “Thanks.” To his utter annoyance, he touched Leo’s shoulder gently before getting to his feet, starting for the door. As usual, Sora didn’t even seem to notice the gazes focused on him, though he grinned at people who called out to him as he made his way out.

Thoughtfully, Leo watched, eating his pizza as Sora took a full ten minutes to manage to make it out of the door. “That normal?”

“What?” Gaaron had stopped paying attention and was involved in a stirring debate of the football team’s chances in the game that weekend, and he glanced over as Leo spoke and looked up just in time to watch Sora finish with the last person who called his name, smiling slightly. “Oh…that? Yeah…it takes Sora forever to get anywhere if we’re not with him.”

Leo tilted his head. “Okay…I get the people asking him to help paint sets or whatever, he’s an art student right? So what’s the deal? He can’t solve their problems.”

“He doesn’t have to.” Sebastian gave Leo a cold look. “He WANTS to and that’s enough for most people.”

Gaaron shrugged. “Sora genuinely cares…and…well…” He grinned. “…you’d be surprised how many problems he DOES solve. That’s just Sora.”

“Hmm.” Leo still looked thoughtfully at the door, his eyes distant, and Sebastian’s uneasiness grew as he watched the incubus finish his lunch. As if Sora’s departure was a switch, the light behind Leo’s eyes had dimmed slightly. This, Sebastian was used to…the world seemed less THERE when Sora was gone…but he didn’t think much of Leo not only noticing but reacting the way they all did. If the incubus tried to take Sora…Sebastian would kill him. As if his thought sparked Leo’s fire back up, the blond looked over and dimpled. “Well, gorgeous. Whenever you’re ready.” Picking up his coke, he finished it and gave the can a long look before crumpling it. “Remind me to get another one of these before next period or I’m not going to survive.”

“Long night?” Sebastian asked coldly, disdain in his voice.

Leo looked up and there was a clear warning in his ancient sapphire gaze. “Excruciatingly.” He replied calmly. When Gaaron looked up sharply, he managed a rueful smile. “You know how it is, beautiful. New place, new school, hard to sleep the first night. I’m sure that tonight will be different.” Sora would probably have heard the lie in his voice as clearly as Sebastian did, but he could tell that Gaaron was gullible enough to believe him. Smiling at Sebastian with wicked amusement, he bowed. “Come on, let’s get to physics.” He sighed as he looked at his schedule. “Physics.”

Sebastian waited until they got into the hallway to look at the incubus. “You were around when they INVENTED physics, why would you have a problem with it?”

Leo flashed him a dangerous smile. “All masks down, hmm?” He asked serenely. “Next time pretend you DON’T recognize my name. You might as well have tattooed a sign onto your forehead saying, ‘I’m an overgrown mosquito.’”

Sebastian growled and turned, slamming the incubus against the lockers. The sound of his body impacting resounded up and down the hallway. “What the HELL are you doing here, Harada?!” He demanded angrily.

Leo didn’t move but didn’t look alarmed as Sebastian pinned him to the wall. “None of your damn business.” He purred in reply. “And if you don’t want me to take more of an interest in your unnatural interest in a couple of innocent human high schoolers, leave it alone. Count your blessings I’m not hunting your ass and leave it there.”

Sebastian gave the incubus a cold look. “I can’t do that.”

Leo snorted and ice filled his sapphire eyes. “You aren’t going to have a choice. You and I both know that you’re no match for me in your worst mood.” Arrogantly, Leo raised his hand and flicked back his hair. “I’m Gods Hammer, Vampire Boy. YOU are a tick posing as a human. I WILL destroy you if you get in my way.”

Sebastian’s fingers tightened into the incubus’ arms, knowing with a scowl that the only reason he still had the upper hand was because Leo had no interest in fighting back. He opened his mouth, but Sora’s voice cut him off…and the agony in it made his heart go cold. “Sebastian! What are you doing?”

Hurriedly, Sebastian pulled back, but the damage was done. Sora stepped up to Leo, concern in his gaze. Quietly his fingers touched Leo’s shoulders, and Leo sucked in a sharp breath as Sora’s fingers came into contact with his bare skin. His eyes widened in shock, as Sora’s fingers traveled over his skin where bruises would form. Wordlessly, he stared at Sora, who bit his lip. “I’m sorry.” Sora whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

Leo stared at him for a long, long moment, and for a moment, Sebastian saw the same wonder that Sora inspired in everyone else. Sora’s touch was healing, and his pain was genuine. Sora was a natural empath, but unlike others, his very touch healed. Leo touched Sora’s cheek very softly. “I understand now.” He whispered as Sora stared at him with wide eyes and Sebastian gritted his teeth. He looked at Sebastian. /Don’t get in my way, vampire./ He warned softly, the words filling Sebastian’s mind. /Or I’ll destroy you./

0 0 0

Alexionn wasn’t prepared for the look on Sora’s face as the boy walked into his classroom for detention. He looked…pained, his green eyes like panes of clear glass, dim and duller than he had seen before. “Mr. Hikari.” He greeted calmly, then paused as Sora sat down in his desk. They stared at each other, Alexionn at a loss for words and Sora unspeaking. He hesitated. “What do you usually do…when you have detention?”

Sora’s lips twitched slightly but no smile crossed his face. Instead the sad look remained and he shrugged. “Homework usually. Once we had to scrape the gum off of the bottom of the cafeteria tables.”

Alexionn wrinkled his nose. “That’s disgusting.”

Sora nodded gravely. “Yeah…” A slight smile appeared on his face and Alexionn was startled at how fast it changed his face.

Alexionn paused. “Well…that sounds okay. Homework. Have at it.” Sitting down, he began to go over the lesson plans, but the pain in the clear green gaze haunted him. He sighed. “Mr. Hikari…” Sora looked up sharply, and Alexionn drew a sharp breath at the beauty in the gaze of the boy sitting before him. “…are you all right?”

Sora hesitated. “Do you mind…” He paused. “…if I work on my art project instead of my homework?” He asked quietly, shyly. “If it’s a problem, don’t worry about it, but…” he hesitated. “…I just…”

It was painful to watch the boy stammer and stutter through his emotion, and Alexionn paused. “Mr. Hikari…get up.” He said quietly and gathered his papers, following the boy down the hallway. He was unnerved by the emotion in the boy’s eyes. Alexionn was an assassin…he had no idea how to deal with emotion, let alone the emotion of the boy he was assigned to protect. Then again, he had no idea how to deal with a teenager either. Teenagers…angsty pains in the…

He stopped dead as he watched the braided teen walk forward and pull aside a curtain over the entire back wall, revealing the painting beneath. Most of it was still undone, but the lines were drawn out. Without even realizing he was moving, he stepped forward and took a good look at the mural. It was all the beauty of the old world. A great Greek temple stood in the right foreground, an intricate temple that almost looked Indian disappearing to the left. Greenery surrounded it all, a great river flowing steadily between the two temples, winding around what looked like great pyramids and a sphinx looming on the horizon. In the sky two moons floated lazily, a massive planet rising beside it. It was beautiful, disturbing and beautiful all at once. Wordlessly, Alexionn stepped into the room and watched Sora move toward a set of paints left out on a desk. “Are…you working on this with others?”

Sora turned and a faint smile crossed his face. “No…why?” He stepped back.

Alexionn hesitated. “Where did you come up with it?”

Sora shrugged. “A dream.” He replied quietly, picking up a paintbrush. Silence fell between them, but it was a soft, companionable silence as Alexionn sat down at one of the high desks, his papers in front of him. Even as a half hour passed, Alexionn was aware that he spent more than 90% of the time watching the boy work. Sora became engrossed in his painting, working solely on the water, and Alexionn found himself lost in the different colors of blue.

“Mr. Hikari…”

“Sora.”

“What?” Alexionn paused, startled, by this quick word. The boy didn’t even turn to look at him, his eyes focused entirely on the painting.

“My name.” He replied calmly. “It’s Sora. Wish you wouldn’t call me ‘Mr. Hikari’ like that.”

“You’re a student.” Alexionn replied stiffly. “It would be improper to call you anything else.”

Sora turned and a slight smile crossed his face. “All right. Call me ‘Sora’ when you’re ready.” Alexionn snorted and looked away. The silence fell between them again, broken only by Sora as he lifted his brush to the painting. “What is it?”

Alexionn released a long breath and he licked his lips lightly. “What went wrong today?” And God…GOD please don’t let it involve Leo…

Sora stiffened and then released a long breath. “My friend Sebastian…he was cruel to the new guy…Leo.”

Well…it DID involve Leo, but not the way that Alexionn had worried about. “Ah yes…Sebastian.” The dark haired, pale beauty that had given him such an insolent…disturbing look. Leo’s looks had NOTHING on Sebastian’s…and he never wanted to feel that look again. He scowled. He had had the boy in his English class earlier that day as well. The boy had slept through most of it, and was rude for the rest. He did not give Alexionn much hope for the future.

His derisive opinion must have been clear, because Sora snorted. “You don’t like him…do you?”

Alexionn hesitated. On one hand, it would probably be best to claim he liked someone close to the boy. On the other hand…well…something inside of him rebelled at the idea of lying to him. “He does not give me a lot of hope for your generation.”

To his surprise, the braided boy laughed. “Most teachers don’t like Sebastian. It’s okay.” He hesitated. “I’ve never seen him act that way before though.” His voice became more subdued. “He had Leo pinned to the lockers.”

There were a lot of responses to that, and Alexionn cringed at a few of them. Deciding to go the more neutral route as he PRAYED that the idiot hadn’t actually been trying to seduce Sebastian, he ran a hand through his hair. “I wouldn’t worry about it…Leo can take care of himself.” Gulping as Sora gave him an unreadable look, he floundered. “Or…at least he looks it.”

Sora shrugged. “That isn’t the point.”

Alexionn paused. “What IS the point?”

Sora licked his lips lightly. “He was cruel…and I don’t understand why.” He dipped his brush into a burst of sapphire blue that reminded Alexionn disturbingly of Leo’s eyes. “Do you ever feel like there’s another world hidden behind the one you live in?” He asked quietly. “That your life means something more to some people even if you never do anything more than deliver mail your whole life?”

Alexionn shrugged. “Everyone dreams of being more than they are.” He replied quietly. “Some people…some are right.”

Sora glanced over and smiled faintly. “There’s something about some people…like looking at two people. You’re like that.”

“Me?” Startled and slightly disturbed, Alexionn paused. The most important part of their job was to ensure that Sora learned about their world when he was ready. He was still a boy.

Sora nodded. “Yeah. Like there’s someone in you that’s not you.”

“Well you know I put on a cape after leaving the school.” Alexionn shot back.

He had wanted to make Sora laugh, wanted to see the light in his face again, and he succeeded, as the boy turned sharply, laughter lighting up his face. “You made a joke!”

Alexionn snorted. “Was it that bad?”

Sora approached, and he grinned. “No. But are you okay? The joke didn’t hurt?”

Alexionn didn’t smile, but he could feel his face soften. “Stop laughing.” He ordered. “Or they’re going to think that detention with me is fun.”

“Oh yes.” Sora replied with dazzling eyes. “Wouldn’t want to ruin your psychopath reputation.”

Alexionn flinched. “You heard that too?” He hadn’t truly believed Leo when he had said it…Leo LIKED pissing him off.

Sora laughed again and winked. “Yeah well…I’m looking forward to your class…and maybe there are more sides to you than you think.”