"And in the end, we were all just humans... Drunk on the idea that love, only love, could heal our brokenness." -F. Scott Fitzgerland
It all started with a chance encounter. Two cold lonely souls seeking shelter from the pouring rain and unsympathetic world.
Anders tried to wrap his coat tighter around himself as he hunkered down in one of the many abandoned buildings that littered the city. This one was probably an old bar, probably closed down because of the rat infestation. He thought glumly as he watched another furry creature dart across the room.
He never really thought he'd find himself in this condemned building. Alone, and rejected by his family. Then again, Anders had never felt entirely connected to his brothers. They had only ever used him, and blamed him when things went wrong. To be fair it was just Mike who started things. Axl didn't know any better and Ty never took part in it. But neither of them fought for him.
And when his brothers found out he was gay...
Well, it wasn't too long after that that Anders fled his home and bought a flight ticket to anywhere but Auckland. Eventually he found himself in Sequim, Washington. Far away from New Zealand. But money was hard to come by, so he was reduced to sleeping in abandoned buildings until he had enough money to start a new life.
Anders' thoughts where interrupted as another boy roughly his age shoved open the door to the building and slammed it shut again, completely soaked from the pouring rain outside.
He had shaggy dark hair, which he brushed out of his face with hands clad in fingerless gloves. Anders remained motionless as the brunette surveyed the empty room until dark eyes settled on the blond.
"Sorry, I didn't realize this place was already occupied." He spoke with a thick Irish accent.
"It's fine." Anders shrugged.
Lazily wandering over to the side of the building Anders was curled up against, the dark-haired boy leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to sit on the ground. He was slightly thinner than Anders, now that he got a better look at him; he had delicate defined features with a strong jaw that not even the grime that coated his face could hide.
Digging through his pockets the brunette pulled out a crushed damp cigarette box.
"Smoke?" He offered Anders the case.
"No thanks."
Nodding, the brunette pressed a cigarette between his lips and pulled out a worn lighter and lit the end of the cigarette. Taking a deep intake of breath, the boy observed Anders.
"I'm Mitchell."
Anders took Mitchell's extended hand.
"Anders."
Nodding, Mitchell took another drag from his cigarette.
"So tell me Anders, what caused a boy from New Zealand to run away to the states?"
Anders stared back at the brunette. "What makes you think I'm running away from something?"
"Because you're clearly not hunkering down in an abandoned building for kicks. And you only leave home for a few reasons: you're tired of the abuse, or they didn't accept you, probably because you're gay. So which is it?"
The blond could feel those dark penetrating eyes staring at him, awaiting an answer.
Anders tugged his jacket closer around himself, taking his time before answering.
"Gay. Why are you here?"
Chuckling darkly, Mitchell stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets. "Gay, but that wasn't really the problem... Let's just say I didn't agree with my step-father's nightly expectations and leave it at that."
An uncomfortable silence fell between the two. Both of them caught in memories they'd rather forget.
Mitchell continued to smoke until the cigarette was nothing but a stump that he quietly and effortlessly stubbed out. Anders was strangely sad when the smell began to fade. He felt as if the mixed aroma of the smoke and the rain outside suited the brunette.
O O O
Anders didn't even know he had fallen asleep until he started awake the next morning. The two boys had unintentionally used the other as a cushion during the night; Mitchell's head was nuzzled into Anders' neck. His hair was soft and curly after it had dried.
Unwrapping himself from the blond, Mitchell moved to the door he came from and pushed it open. The sunlight can streaming in, temporarily blinding Anders, and when he regained his vision he nearly lost his breath instead. Mitchell was truly stunning in full light. His eyes weren't just dark, they were a deep amber that caught the sun in just the right way. The color of his hair was pure ebony as Mitchell brushed it out of his face with his nimble fingers clad in dark green fingerless gloves. He looked less dangerous in the daylight, almost more exotic instead.
"Do you have a better place to stay than this Anders?"
Interrupted from his thoughts, Anders stared up at the brunette, lightly shaking his head. Mitchell nodded.
"Yeah me neither. Listen, come back here tomorrow night. We're better off sticking together, and I've got some money stashed away. I only need a little more before I can afford a cheap apartment close by. If you want you can stay with me, get a job, and help pay for rent?"
The brunette watched as Anders stared up at him with a shocked expression. It was abrupt, he knew, but for some reason he didn't want to lose contact with the blond. And it's not like the partnership was only beneficial for him. Anders did need a safe place to sleep, and it was safer for the both of them to stay together. The world isn't a kind place, and it's full of people who would be more than willing to take advantage of a kid alone on the streets.
"S-sure. Are you sure you won't mind?" Anders replied.
Smiling, Mitchell shook his head, quietly relieved that the blond said yes.
"No I don't mind. Besides, it'll be easier to pay rent if we split it between the two of us. I usually work night shifts, so I can help you find a job during the day. See you tomorrow night Anders."
And with that, Mitchell strode into the sunlight. Anders stared at the vacant doorway for several minutes, contemplating what just occurred. Within the span of a month his life had changed forever, and in all honestly he thought he might never be happy again. But in one night, in a condemned bar, Anders saw a glimmer of hope reflected in a pair of dark eyes and a bright smile.
And he thought that maybe, just maybe, things might start to be alright again.
Just thought I'd contribute to the fandom with a classic Runaways!AU. Hope you guys enjoy!
I'd love to have some feedback if you are so inclined!
