Waylon pouted on the porch swing refusing to make dinner for Miles, his basket empty and tossed aside. "Way you can't be mad at more forever. I'll make it up to you. I'll have you tag along tonight."

"Again Miles? You're going out again?"

"C'mon, you can't tell me you like sitting in the house all day anyway."

"More than I do hiding in air ducts." Waylon crossed his arms in front of him now more for the chill in the air and less for being upset.

"Whatever do as you please, I'm going out tonight and this time I'll capture something on this baby." Miles proudly motioned to his old camera.

Waylon grumbled and shot up. "I can't believe I forgot….my apples."

"Who cares, I mean Jesus Way it looks like you bought more than enough."

"Yeah, I have more than enough…already…"

Miles opened the front door and stood facing Waylon he ruffled his hair playfully and kneeled down to face him,"Way, Tomorrow I promise we will go out and do something."

"Yeah, yeah I know. You'd better go before common sense catches up to you."

With that Miles took off into the darkness. Uncomfortable now alone, Waylon turned his porch light on. Moths clamored and it caught his attention for a while watching them dance around it. Waylon tilted his head back further and let the memories of earlier torture him. A loud thumping disturbed Waylon's obsessing.

Waylon sat up while trying to make something out of the darkness. He saw a large man jogging up the road. The noise was terrible. It sounded he was running with chains in his pockets. Maybe some crazy weight training with cardio? Familiar with the figure as he ran most nights Waylon relaxed. He let himself fall into the pillow on the wood he only rested his eyes for a moment.

Birds chirped loudly The light was blinding and Waylon's neck and back were screaming in pain. He slowly rose not trying to test the pain he already felt. The morning was cool and there was dew everywhere, including on Waylon. Cursing himself he rose unlocking the door calling out to Miles. "MILES! Miles, why'd you leave me out there?" No answer. Waylon walked to the Journalists room which was a hurricane of papers and articles. Nothing but an unmade bed was there.

Waylon shrugged knowing this was typical but a twinge of worry bothered him.

Usually Miles would look for much less dangerous things. He needed to burn off this nervous energy, maybe a run would help?

Waylon walked to his room which was cozy and simple. A few Knick knacks were placed thoughtfully on his dresser. Most of his room was a mess of wires and his large desktop computer. He ruffled in his clean clothes still in a bin, unfolded. Waylon pulled out a short pair of shorts and a white Tee. He grabbed his ipod and headed out. Music loudly poured into his ears as he pounded the pavement maybe not as hard as the night jogger but still good for a slim man such as Waylon. He saw the Pumpkin seed as he jogged by. Unwanted hope flashed in him as he hoped he'd see Eddie as he strode up the street. Shame and embarrassment flushed his face. It was still early morning so the headlights were bright in Waylon's eyes.

Waylon turned his glance till he saw realized he recognized the license plate. Yes, he had memorized it, he'd seen it so much as he casually visited the store more than he needed. He happened to see this car in the employee parking maybe seeing Eddie getting into it once or twice. Waylon's heart stopped. His breath froze and his heart beat was erratic. Sweat fell from his brow. For a moment Waylon caught Eddies blue eyes. Eddies music could be heard from his rolled down car windows. Waylon heard the classic oldies over his Aerosmith. Time stopped but Waylon didn't, eyes completely fixed onto Eddie he slammed hard into a stop sign. Pain erupted from his nose now bleeding. He fell hard to the ground also scraping his knee. Dizziness overcoming him as he heard a voice rich and sweet like caramel minutes later. A large firm hand touched his shoulder firmly. "Hey, are you alright? Can you hear me? Answer me."

Waylon was still, breathing shallow,"Yes…I must have been blinded by your brights." Anything, anything so he wouldn't, he wouldn't think you're a freak. Any lie any excuse would work. Eddie on his knees now, his brow knitted together said,"How careless of me. I am deeply sorry you must be in pain. Here lend me your hand." Eddie offered his other hand not already touching Waylon.

In a daze and compelled to comply Waylon reluctantly offered his hand to Eddie.

"Come now, you're a bloody mess. I am opening the store this morning so I can afford to take a few moments to tend to you."

Waylon felt nothing but buzzing bubbles though his entire body, only moving because Eddie lead him. His vision cleared and noticed Eddie's red Impala was haphazardly parked in the middle of the road. Guilt rose in his voice,"You you don't have to I'm fine I-"

"Nonsense. I saw you fall and you hit your head hard enough to worry about a concussion. I'd be a disgrace to leave you to bleed in the grass. Let me assist you…you speaking of which may I have your name?"

"P..ppark, erm my first names Waylon."

"Well, Mr. Park, I'm Eddie, Gluskin." He showed a devilish smile as he opened the car door for Waylon.

Waylon all most fell into the car since he knees buckled underneath him.

"Oh, Mr. Park are you alright, oh your knee is also damaged. Don't worry. I'll make you good as new." A softness held in his voice and Waylon felt safe. His car was uncommonly clean and the scent of vanilla lingered. Eddie was calm and focused on driving. Waylon's body was in a strange mix of elation and pain. They pulled into the empty parking lot and Eddie quickly opened the door again for Mr. park.

Waylon protested,"I'm…alright I can-"

"Don't be silly now. You mustn't play tough with me."

More embarrassed than before Waylon stopped arguing seeing as how it only made Eddie cuter to him as he swiftly conquered your protests. Eddie's body was lit by a street lamp meant to light the parking lot. He was a tall man with broad shoulders. His hair neat and shaven on the sides with a black steak of slicked back hair at the top. He wore a white button up with slacks. A black bow tie adorned his muscular neck while he wore black fingerless gloves. He had a long confident stride. Waylon had to take two steps to his one.

Finally Eddie reached the deactivated automatic doors. He ruffled in his pockets, while Waylon tried pinching himself to wake up. The familure sound of the doors whooshing open started Waylon. Waylon only guided by a smile from Eddie walked inside the dark store. The doors closed nosily behind them.

A loud clicking ended the silence and light flooded the store. Eddie swiftly lead Waylon to the back room, which could be assumed to be an employee only area. "Wait here. I'll be back." Waylon sat awkwardly in the plastic chair while he pinched his nose to stop it from bleeding. He scanned the room with curiosity. It was fairly unremarkable. A simple room mostly white plastered with posters about the wage rate and corporate numbers.

He could hear a rusting from behind the wall. Eddie appeared a short moment later carrying a first aid kit. Waylon blushed deeper and leaned backward in his seat.

"Mr. Park I know it's not perhaps medical grade but I do have a few things to work with." Eddie frowned when he opened it up and saw band aids though they were Hello Kitty band aids. "I apologize my boss has a sense of humor and an obsession with children's cartoons." For the first time Waylon smiled and chuckled,"It's alright I've got some Courage the Cowardly Dog ones at home." Eddie head tilted in confusion, the joke was lost on him. Waylon smiled and rambled something into his armpit to avoid the discomfort boiling within him. "Mr. Park tilt your head back." Waylon obeyed as Eddie dabbed a cotton ball against his nose cleaning the blood from it. "Tssskkk" Eddie heard Waylon's whimper and moved closer and said softly," Shhhh. It's alright it won't hurt too much." Waylon's head felt like it was floating on top of his body. The unintended sexual implication sent chills in his hot body confusing him further.

Eddie satisfied with cleaning Waylon's nose and seeing the bleeding stop then retrieved a cold pack that he ripped from its container. He heard a crackle and Eddie placed it gently to the nice bump now showing on his left temple. Numbness cooled Waylon's head. "Aw finally, Now this will hurt, I'm afraid." Eddie had a cloth with peroxide and rubbed it gingerly onto Waylon's bloody knee. "Not so rough please ughf." Eddie continued at his pressure. "It's only because you have some debris in here. If I don't clean it, it'll be a problem later. Here, if you need squeeze my hand since there a pebble logged in here that I must be a bit rough with." Waylon's breath was hitched. He couldn't process all this. What was happening right now? He was actually sitting with Eddie Gluskin while he was offering him his hand while he was offering him medical care! It was all too much.

Eddie placed his hand onto Waylon's since he hadn't reached for him and he must be aggressive. Eddie felt a shudder which much have been pain. Eddie breathed in deeply and angled his fingers with the cloth hard into Waylon's wound. It was strange to be healing a wound instead of inflicting them. What a strange feeling. More than care for this man it was curiosity being in this situation. He felt pleasure from being in control of such an obedient small man, who seemed to possibly enjoy his company. Mostly people ran from him when he….assisted them privately. He was a strange man Mr. Park, flushing, squirming and making strange unnecessary noises. He piqued Eddie's interests but not enough to bother with him further, maybe observe him from a distance.

Waylon felt Eddie's heat from his hand and bit his lip absent mindedly. A sweet release of pressure came from his knee as a gentle ping noise was heard against the tile floor. "There you go Mr. Park! Let me just bandage you up and we'll be done here." "Thanks….you…really went out of your way for me..I wish there was something I could do in return." Eddie bent down and was working the packaging for the bandaids. "If you'd like to repay me maybe going jogging later in the day hm?" A playful smile glided across his lips. Waylon snickered,"You've got a deal Eddie." Waylon looked down at his newly adorned Hello Kitty bandaged leg. "Not ideal but you can care for it when you return home." Waylon's spirit dropped a little. He didn't want leave, leave Eddie. A tug of guilt filled him, he'd already embarrassed himself so much and wasted Eddie's time so much. Waylon shifted and rose, his leg shot pain though him in protest. Eddie raised an eyebrow,"Mr. Park are you able to return home with your injuries, shall I perhaps call a cab? I'd return you home but I need to be opening soon, I'm already behind as it is…I'm afraid." "Noonononono I'm fine, it's just stiff! Please, don't trouble yourself more I'm so grateful for what you've already done."

Eddie walked Waylon out of the store and smiled as the doors closed, a physical barrier between him and Eddie. A gentle wave came from Eddie as he hurried to work. The flush never left his face still burning his cheeks. Waylon hobbled home slowly but he didn't feel pain only butterflies in his stomach. "I, I can't believe this, it's unreal." "The way he touched me, when he spoke God it was like…ah I don't even know."

He ignored Miles that could be seen from the window as he drew closer to his house. The keys seemed heavier in his hand. The door opened before he could steady his hand enough to place the key in the hole.

Miles as loud as ever bombarded Waylon with noise . "Man you look like shit warmed over."

Waylon flatly said,"Love you too Miles." "You find your serial killer last night?"

Miles shuffled his feet and answered quickly,"I've uncovered a few things of interest."

That meant he had nothing.

Waylon tired from bleeding and his encounter with Eddie laid down on a plush couch in the back of the living room. Before the conversation was over Waylon was fast asleep.

Eddie walked back to the breakroom to finally clean up his mess from earlier. He cleaned the wrappers up and spotted some blood on the floor. He placed his ring finger against it smearing it, excitement rose in Eddie unexpectedly. Would this be the last time he'd touch Waylon's blood?