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Kit blinked and shook his head as if to clear it. "Right...well, you're still a minor." Sixteen, then? So very near his little sister's age. He had to stop thinking about her.

The taller young man snorted at Benji's eye roll and sneer and returned his usual grin to his face. "Not a chance. I just didn't expect you to go around making jokes like that. I mean even most teenage guys who make dirty jokes all the time wouldn't go anywhere near words like that because they'd worry people would call them homo. Unless you are, in which case I wouldn't judge."

He turned back around to face forward. "That reminds me of the story of the Snow Queen. Heard of it?" Again, this kid didn't want to talk about his eye, but now he was bringing it up himself. Something must really have been bothering him. "As for food...ever try a barbeque pork bun before?"

"It doesn't matter what year it is; there will always be people who take offense to things. As touchy as you seem about other stuff, I'm surprised you're not bothered by that."

Kit laughed aloud at the mention of having hung out with some real assholes. "First of all, I'm still a teenager, too. Second, yeah, I went to high school at Hillworth, so naturally a lot of the guys there were assholes, but I'm talking about guys I know and met recently. I can name at least a couple who would love to punch me for even suggesting they might be homo."

"The Disney movie...? Oh, hell, no!" he laughed. "Your little brother? Really? You should tell him the real story, then, because it's a lot cooler. Darker, but cooler. Wish they'd made the movie more like it."

The black-haired male paused, looking thoughtful as he tried to think of how to describe the food he was imagining. "Nah...I guess it'd be kinda like a bao bun, but those are usually steamed and the ones I'm talking about are baked. They look like regular buns of bread on the outside, but usually have some sort of sweet glaze on top. They're a meat pastry. My sister's favorite." There he went, thinking of his sister again. "Think you might wanna try some? There are less sweet ones, too, if you prefer, like curry bread and stuff."

The taller teen smiled ahead with a faraway look in his mismatched eyes. "Plenty. Aside from the fact that I emancipated myself a little early from my parents and was lacking in money, I tended to be very...touchy. Didn't like keeping my hands to myself and never could get the hang of behaving." And then there were the other incidents involving his disruptions of class. But those hadn't been intentional and Benji didn't need to know about that.

"Basically, I was just myself. I ended up enjoying it, though, because there's nothing like looking like an angel next to trouble-makers far worse than you. And things were rarely boring; it was easy to stir stuff up if it became too dull."

He raised his brows and whistled at the mention of Horizon Institute. "'HITS'? Good for you! Sounds like you have a promising future ahead of you." Kit winked as Benji pointed out something. "Good catch. I'm eighteen. I'll be nineteen in March. Just recently started attending Sovereign Heights Prep myself."

He stopped right in front of a small bakery and opened the door for his companion to enter. "Roger that. I'll be happy to finish either if it turns out you don't like them. Or can't finish them, runt that you are," Kit teased. Upon hearing Benji's statement regarding paying him back, though, he laughed and reached out to ruffle the younger male's hair.

"You better have been joking. I'm fine with paying, sweetheart, but I don't do well around talk of suicide." Kit continued to grin as he looked up at the menu items on a board above the register, but the smile no longer seem to reach his eyes.

The black-haired young man gave his companion a coy grin as his gaze glittered mischeviously. "I won't deny that I've often been called a creep. But at least I'm open about it; I don't restrict myself to bathrooms." He chuckled slyly. "No need to fret, though, cupcake. You don't think they'd let a deviant like me graduate if they weren't sure I was fit to enter decent society, do you?" Kit peered at Benji out the corner of his eye. "Or at least fit enough to seem like I can."

He continued to grin like an idiot as he ordered food for them both, pretending not to notice the younger male bringing out his phone to look up his name. Once he'd paid, he picked up their food and turned to find them a table with some empty seats, doing his best not to break into a fit of laughter.

"I said my name was Kit," he told the high schooler. "Kit Paine. P-A-I-N-E. But you're not likely to find my name on anything because one, I didn't do anything that bad - just teased a few peers for fun, which everyone did all the time at Hillworth when they could get away with it. And two..."

He hesitated, suddenly not sure he should have revealed there was a second reason. Now that he already had, however, he figured he might as well go through with saying what it was lest Benji get more suspicious of him than necessary. "...it wasn't the name I was born with. I just recently changed my legal name when I left my family and moved to Destiny City. Not because I did anything bad or I'm in any kind of trouble. Just 'cause I wanted to get away from them and didn't want them to find me."

Kit sat down and put a finger to his lips. "No telling, though." Another playful smile lit his face. "In exchange, I promise not to drug you." He handed Benji one of the buns. "This one's the barbeque pork bun, I think. Try it first and see how you like it. This other one's the curry bread, or 'kare-pan' as they call it here."

Smirking at the one-eyed teen's clarification about being too angry at the world, the elder sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah? That's good...I think. Why're you so angry at it, though?"

“That’s true. But the world needs a little crazy in it or it wouldn’t be any fun. And thank you.” He watched him put his phone away before asking, “Hey, mind taking that out again for a sec? Just thought of something.”

He stared at Benji for a moment, perplexed, as the younger teen began to urge him that he was better off without his family. This virtual stranger was attempting to console him, that much was certain, but why so adamantly? Was he sympathizing, or possibly empathizing, speaking from his own feelings and experience? Either way, Kit found himself moved by the other young man’s efforts to comfort him. He smiled gratefully.

“It’s mostly better, yeah,” he agreed, “just gets a little lonely from time to time. But I’m getting used to it. Heh, they weren’t really bad people...my parents and I just didn’t get along because they didn’t exactly respect my decisions about my life and they weren’t much open to discussion, so it was hard to communicate with them. They seemed to think it was their duty to micro-manage my life or else I’d end up miserable. I didn’t want to be their problem anymore, so I figured I needed to get away and cut ties with them.” Kit shrugged. “Still end up missing them every now and then, though.” His gaze rose to meet Benji’s once more. “How about you? You get along okay with your family?”

The curly-haired teen’s reaction to the temperature-hot food caused Kit to push a cup of water toward him. “Ouch, you okay? Is it bad?” His smile had become lopsided. “Kinda hard to enjoy tastes with a burned tongue. But if you say so. Here.” Reaching over, he traded one bun for the other.

Taking the phone Benji put down, Kit went to contacts and input his name and number. “Listen, I’m giving you my number, so if you ever feel like you just wanna talk or hang out with someone, I’m always there for you, okay? It can be tough being angry at the world when you have no one to vent to. Heck, you can even beat up on me if it’ll make you feel better. One of many things I learned at Hillworth was how to take a hit. Or twenty.” His smile was warn as he handed the phone back to its owner.

He nodded in acknowledgement upon hearing about the younger teen’s family. “Lame? Why do you say that?” he wondered aloud. “How many siblings do you have? Older or younger?” Kit tilted his head curiously. “You mean feeling out of place among your siblings, or your family in general? And why do you feel like that? Do you know?” One of the reasons he himself felt lonely was because he had cut himself off so completely from his own family. Since Benji seemed to still be living with his, though, the older male was having a little trouble trying to understand where he was coming from.

Benji’s last question took Kit by surprise, however. He paused, considering, before answering cheerfully, “Not at all. I’m living my own life and making my own decisions, so even if I make a mistake, it’s my mistake, not something someone else chose for me. Being in total control of the choices I make keeps me from having any regrets because I have no one but myself to blame for anything regardless of if it’s positive or negative.” He blew lightly on the bun that Benji had burned his tongue on before taking a small bite.

Taking the phone Benji put down, Kit went to contacts and input his name and number. “Listen, I’m giving you my number, so if you ever feel like you just wanna talk or hang out with someone, I’m always there for you, okay? It can be tough being angry at the world when you have no one to vent to. Heck, you can even beat up on me if it’ll make you feel better. One of many things I learned at Hillworth was how to take a hit. Or twenty.” His smile was warn as he handed the phone back to its owner.


He nodded in acknowledgement upon hearing about the younger teen’s family. “Lame? Why do you say that?” he wondered aloud. “How many siblings do you have? Older or younger?” Kit tilted his head curiously. “You mean feeling out of place among your siblings, or your family in general? And why do you feel like that? Do you know?” One of the reasons he himself felt lonely was because he had cut himself off so completely from his own family. Since Benji seemed to still be living with his, though, the older male was having a little trouble trying to understand where he was coming from.


Benji’s last question took Kit by surprise, however. He paused, considering, before answering cheerfully, “Not at all. I’m living my own life and making my own decisions, so even if I make a mistake, it’s my mistake, not something someone else chose for me. Being in total control of the choices I make keeps me from having any regrets because I have no one but myself to blame for anything regardless of if it’s positive or negative.” He blew lightly on the bun that Benji had burned his tongue on before taking a small bite.



Benji didn't know what to say about the man putting his number so casually into his phone. They had literally met only a few minutes earlier, and yet he didn't find himself stopping the other. In fact, he took the phone back once offered with a very slight smile, looking down at the name and number. Could this really, truly be a friend...? The teen really didn't have it in him to question it.


"I don't want to beat you up. I have other people I can beat up if I really wanted to. But that's cool, thanks, I guess..." In just a moment, he managed to type out a quick 'yo' and send it, hearing the satisfying sound of a messaged received. He would allow this little friendship to start. Or whatever the ******** it was.


"I got an older sister and a young brother. Both just... Weird? My mom and dad too. I dunno... Like, they can't ever know what s**t I go through, they think I'm always ******** angry for no reason. But I'm not. I'm angry for SO MUCH but it's things I just can't say. It's none of their goddamn business." He grumbled the last bit under his breath, taking an angry bite out of the second bun. It was much less face scathingly hot, so he found himself enjoying it despite the scowl.


"You're way too peppy for all that s**t. Aren't you at least a little angry?"


“Other people offering to be your punching bag?” Kit chuckled. “Or does beating up on a guy who’s offering kinda put you off?” He thought he could understand that. It probably wasn’t as satisfying to take your anger out on someone who seemed to enjoy it or want you to. A vibration from his pocket prompted him to pull it out and smile at the message. He quickly added Benji as a contact and responded with a ‘;D’ emote.


Nodding in acknowledgement, he took another bite of the bun in his hand and contemplated the younger teen’s situation. “...Sounds like you want to tell them, but you don’t feel like you can for whatever reason. And the misconceptions and assumptions they might create from a lack of understanding are what’s causing your feeling of distance from them, especially since you feel you can’t do anything about it.” He ran his free hand through his hair. “Must be rough.”


Blinking, he met Benji’s gaze and sneered. “Peppy? Heh...nah, I guess I’m just…” Kit paused, searching for how best to describe it. “I’m good at not letting things bother or get to me. But that has its disadvantages, too. If I seem peppy, might just be because I try embody the concept of ‘grin and bear it’. Best way I know how to cope with things.” He shrugged, grinning his usual grin as if for emphasis. “But like with most people, there’s usually more than meets the eye.”


“I like to fight, there's no denying that, but I don't just pick fights for the sake of fighting. There needs to be a reason. Justice or defending the weak, and what not.” A small bit of a blush and a smile graces his face for a small moment as he sees the text before tucking the phone into his pocket again. “I’ll be sure keep you in mind though.”


Returning to his own bun, Benji tried to focus solely on it and ignore any analytical crap that Kit tries to spew out on him. “It's okay, don't think on it too much. My problems are honestly stupid compared to some, so it's whatever.”


Kit’s grin was oddly contagious, though Benji wasn't much of a grinner. Still, he smiles at him, becoming much more relaxed in the other’s company. Maybe he really could make a friend of this strange man.


“I think maybe just a tiny bit I would like to learn a little more of what's behind the mask and smiles then. Looks like you don't have many to trust yourself and could use a friend.”


“Being angry isn’t reason enough?” the taller teen mused. “What if there’s no justice to uphold or weak to defend when you feel like releasing some of that pent-up anger? You just keep it in?”


Realizing he may have been assuming too much himself, Kit shrugged and took another big bite of his BBQ bun, chewing thoughtfully. “They’re not stupid to you, though. And it sounds like it’s really bothering you. Could have a bigger, more negative impact on your life in the long run if it keeps up. Can’t just ignore it and hope it goes away, kiddo.” He smiled back, glad to see the younger male willing to make the expression, but curious as to how long it must have been since he had genuinely had a reason to do so.


Benji’s final comment caused the other to laugh again and he took another huge bite of his meal, waiting to swallow before replying. “I appreciate that. And if you want to, maybe you will. It’s true I get pretty lonely myself, but I try to make the most of it. There are probably reasons I don’t have friends and I’d hate to scare you off too early on. Y’know, like with my being unable to keep my hands to myself and all that. Be careful what you wish for, ‘cause you might just get it.” He winked and held out the last few bites worth of his bun. “Want any more of this one? Should be cooled enough.”



“Eh, it could be, but whatever. Too much to think about right now, so no more of that s**t.” As amusing as this man was, he did start to get a bit preachy. That was certainly no fun at all.


Wickedness came over Benji’s mind, and a wonderful and teasing idea came to him as Kit held out the last bit of the bun. After ensuring the little booth was hidden away from the eyes of most, a tanned hand darted out to grab at the older man's wrist, pulling it closer to his face. He loved doing things like this; when done to the creeps in the alley, it always earned him a pinch on the rear and a hand on his head, pushing him down further towards where his playful tongue could be put to well use.


Of course, being in public and all, Benji didn't intend on doing such things here, but there was no harm in teasing a bit. With the hand and food so close to his face and held in his grasp, as gently as he could the young man took the bit into his mouth, chewing and enjoying it slowly. Swallowing and making sure his mouth was clear, he smiled, peering up through his curly lashes and gave the tip of his new ‘friend's’ fingers a quick little lick, making sure his lips brushed against them as well. Finding himself pleases with this, he sat back in his booth and finally grinned back cheerily at Kit.


“Yeah, it's much better when it's not boiling hot, for sure.”


Taking the hint, Kit dropped the subject. Before he could think of a new one, however, Benji brought one up for him, albeit not with words. The college student sneered slowly at the obvious display, wondering if he was seriously being flirted with by this guy who had just a little a while ago seemed so angry and hostile toward him. A slight shiver ran down his spine as his fingers were licked and he continued to stare at the curly-haired teen across from him when he sat back once more.


“Uh...do you do that often?” he asked with his own bemused grin. “Or was the food just that good?” Had he...maybe thought Kit had meant something more than just calling to talk when he’d entered his phone number into his phone?


”Often enough.” His voice returned to its normal level, playing it off as if nothing had happened. Attention returned to the last bit of the other bun infront of him. He had enjoyed his moment of teasing, but it passed, and the emptiness from before returned. Shame they weren't alone, he'd gain the proper praise he wanted.


“It’s good, I'll have to remember this place come the next time I'm hungry. But if you like that, then maybe… If you're not up to talking you can give me a call for something else. I'm told I'm proper good with my mouth and I owe you for the meal after all.” How he hated his contrary nature! But it was nice seeing confusion over Kit's face.


“Damn, your mouth’s dirtier in more ways than one, isn’t it?” the older teen chuckled. “Thanks for the offer, angel-face, but...I think I’d feel like I was taking advantage if it was you.” He tilted his head to regard Benji with a fond smirk. “Makes me wonder how experienced you are to be told stuff like that.” He glanced out the window. “You finished?”


”It's not taking advantage of me if I'm willing, right? I'm not the most experienced but it's fun.” He shrugged and finished up, wiping his mouth a little then tossing the napkin with the rest of the wrappers and trash.


“Yes, I'm done. Thank you for the food, and the number.” His smile faded slowly to the point where he just barely had a smile on his lips. This was it, wasn't it? How doubtful was it that his number would be even looked at again? Ah well, it was nice while it lasted.


“Depending on the reason you’re willing, it can be,” Kit answered, knowing he was risking annoying Benji again, but feeling it was necessary to state. He crumpled and threw out his own trash as he got up from the table.


“Hey,” the taller teen called, noticing the other’s expression fall. “I gave you that number for a reason, got it? If it’s fun you want, that’s cool with me. Same with needing to rant or beat up on someone. Just let me know and don’t hesitate to reach out.” As if he meant physically, he brought up a hand to gingerly stroke the side of Benji’s face.


Then he slid his hand lower, slipped the tips of his fingers down the front of the other young man’s shirt, and dropped something down it. It was one of the strange, solid crystal snowflakes he’d picked up from outside.


Benji followed suit and stood, taking his trash out to where it belonged. There was truth to what Kit had said, but as with many other things so far, the young man decided to ignore it.


He certainly wasn't expecting the sudden tenderness that came from the stranger, nor that hand that came to his cheek but hey, he kinda deserved the creeping after what he had done. He was still tired from all that had came down to pass recently and didn't have enough fight in him to protest. Plus he kinda liked that hand being there.


Absently, Benji nodded, finding peace with what was going on until the other’s hand found its way into his shirt and dropped something in it! Immediately he raged and hopped back, tugging at his shirt until the flake fell out.


“Gah!! What the ******** man?!” he hissed, face red again in a flurry of renewed irritation. “I thought we were having a ******** moment!!”



Kit was nearly doubled over in laughter, already turning toward the exit to make his escape. “We were,” he gasped through his chortles, “And now we’re having another of a different kind. Just something to remember me by~” He continued to laugh, pushing his way out the door with a hand raised in farewell. “See you around, Benji.”

Kitomyx