QUICK IMPORTANT NOTE: When picturing the characters: Kolin - similar to Josh Hutcherson. Jeffrey - similar to Riker Lynch. Dimitri - similar to Ross Lynch.

I do not own MBAV, but select characters and the plotline are mine to go Somewhere.

The Damned's Piece of Heaven

Meeting The Blondes

~Kolin's P.O.V.~

I'm dreaming.

I know I'm dreaming, because this is a nightmare. A nightmare in which I am being chased by whole skeletons with eyes. Every now and then, the heads fall off and the skeleton has to pick it up (that would normally be comical, but it just downright terrifies me).

Nothing gives me the creeps more than bones, or tendons, or flesh, or anything that should be inside skin. If I think about it too hard, about what's actually under the soft layer that surrounds people, I get real freaked.

Doctors have diagnosed me with a strong mix of anthrophobia, osteophobia, and hemophobia. 'I've never seen anyone like this,' they say. 'I suppose it's osteophobia, but that's never been diagnosed before . . .'

Anyway, the dream.

Even though I know I'm dreaming, I can't stop running. They kept chasing me, I kept running. Wash, rinse, repeat.

"Kolin!" Someone calls from above. I look up and respond to the familiar voice, shouting his name in return. He doesn't hear. "Time to wake up!"

I open my eyes. And I am laying in my bed at the Morgan - Weir residence. Ethan hovers in the door frame, a wide smile on his face. I look away; his teeth look too sharp, eyes too wide. I look again, and he is normal.

My alarm clock looks at me condescending. I told you to wake up, but you wouldn't listen. It says, with it's disappointed 11:32. I roll my eyes and sit up, half-looking at Ethan.

"What do you want so early?"

"I have friends coming over."

"Okay. Thanks for tellin' me." I say. When he or our roommate Benny have friends over, I usually stay up in my room.

"No, Kolin, I mean, I think it's time you meet more people."

My eyes shoot up to him. "What? No. Ethan, we've talked about this-"

"And that is totally disregarded today. You'll be like this forever if we don't do something." He walks over and opens the curtain. Sunlight streams in, and when my eyes adjust, he says, "It's time to go outside, see the world, smell the roses!"

"I hate roses. You know that. And the world, it's scary, Ethan. Why bother looking for a diamond in this coal? No such thing." I get up and close the curtain. Ethan pouts and opens them again.

"God, Kolin. Please." He gives me a serious look. "I'm just asking this one thing. Two people. Two. They want more buddies, and you need more buddies, so this will be great."

"They won't understand me. Not like you and Benny do." I reasoned. I started shoving on some jeans.

"Maybe not. But they actually have a couple quirks themselves." Ethan winked.

"Really? What?"

"Meet them and find out! They'll be here soon, so hurry downstairs!" He said as he did so himself.

I sighed, at war with myself on if I should try this. I decided, finally, that I would do it. But not for me. For Ethan and Benny, because they mean well in their intentions.

I searched my drawers for a good shirt, and settled on a loose dark green t-shirt. I went into the bathroom. Deodorant, toothpaste, hairbrush. I checked myself out in the mirror: my brown hair undercut and now styled, my brown eyes now free of sleep, my naturally tan skin pale as always, if not a little green with nerves. My muscles stood out well, giving me a hint of life, at least.

I shoved into a pair of ankle socks and black chucks. Then I went downstairs.

Ethan grinned at me. "A new man, I tell you."

Benny peeked over from the couch and smirked sleepily. Ethan probably woke the night owl and made him come downstairs, where he more than likely fell asleep on the couch. "Hey, Kolin. You look human again." He muttered.

"Jeez, did I really look that bad?" I asked.

"Yeah. But it's cool. Grab you some food; Ethan made blueberry waffles."

I perked up. I loved waffles. I grabbed the second from the top and drenched it in syrup and smeared it with butter. It was gone in eight bites.

Just as I reached for seconds, Ethan went to the door. "I see them coming up the driveway! Kolin, come on!"

"What? I can't even wait until they're inside?" But Ethan gave me a stern look and opened the door, waving his arm for me to go. "No, I am not going first. I'm right behind you." He rolled his eyes and went outside, and I reluctantly followed.

There were two figures approaching, both with mops of blonde hair. I was surprised they had walked - we live kind of out of town, and the driveway is long and uphill.

When we were close enough, I checked them out. The two men were both blonde and brown eyed and very attractive in their own way, but that where the similarities end.

One was short, his hair messy and long, framing his rounder face with a button nose. His gait was slow and relaxed. He was in shape, but not thick or buff.

The other was tall, hair cropped in an undercut similar to mine, but his angular face wore it better. He walked slow with the other, but you could tell his long legs objected. He was fit for sure, but not the buff kind. He was kind of lean, actually.

Ethan raised a hand in greeting, and the two smirked. "Hey, guys! How have you been?"

"I can't complain, honestly." Said the short one. He nodded his head at me. "Who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is Kolin. Kolin, this is Dimitri," - He nodded at the shorter one - "and Jeffrey."

"Hello." Said Dimitri politely.

"You can call me Jeff, if you want. It's nice to meet you." He stretched out his hand to shake mine.

I screwed up.

His tendons poked out as he stretched his long fingers, and I thought too hard about it. I freaked.

I took a jerking step back, my heart thudding in my rib cage. The thought of that just made me more anxious, and I looked fearfully into Jeff's eyes, who looked affronted.

"Hey, what's your problem?" Dimitri scowled.

Jeff withdrew his hand and looked at Ethan questioningly. I watched as the tendon in his neck stretched, and imagined his windpipe being twisted shut with the movement.

"Kolin." Ethan spoke firmly. "Chill. It's okay."

I looked pleadingly into his solid ones. But even that wasn't enough today. "I can't do this." I rasped. I turned and stumbled toward the house. Dimitri was shouting thing behind me, calling me rude. Ethan quieted him, and I knew he would soon start explaining. But I was inside before I could hear.

When in my room, safe in my bed, and my mind calmed and my heart settled, I thought about what Ethan would be saying.

'I'm sorry. He has trouble with people. He has a few phobias.' He'd list them, holding his hands up in a peaceful way. 'I mean, he can do alright with emotions and talking, but physical stuff, even the sight, sets him off. But once he's used to you, it'll be cool.'

I imagined them standing there, arms crossed and pissed off, spitting about me not being worth it, walking away. Just like the others.

I screwed it up again.

~Ethan's P.O.V.~

I tapped lightly on Kolin's door. "Kolin?"

He didn't answer. "Kolin, open the door."

"No."

"Kolin." My voice became stern as my patience waned. "I mean it. I'm not joking."

He swung the door open and glared at me, then his eyes flickered to the two figures beside me.

"Hey." Jeff said.

Dimitri quickly took over. "Ethan explained everything. We'd like to formally apologize for our behavior."

"Dimitri, quit saying we." Jeff said, shoulder bumping him.

Dimitri blushed. "Right. We - I - also give you my word to try to understand your situation better. If you would like to give us another try, I'm willing if you are."

Kolin looked stunned. His eyes were wide, lips parted. I almost smirked.

"Uh. . ." He said smartly. "Well, I mean, yeah. Sure." He gave the boys The Smile; Kolin was always so shy and introverted, but when he smiled, it took everyone's breath away. Even I, with no attraction toward him, forget how to breathe.

"Alright, then." Dimitri said after a moment. I looked at Jeff, who's cheeks were red and eyes were wide. I grinned. "Well, we're all going to eat tomorrow evening. Would you have any interest in joining us?"

"Sure." Kolin said, his voice cheerful. His eyes shone with joy, and his cheeks were pink in excitement. He was such a kid sometimes.

"Alright. We will see you at six-thirty."

"Okay." Kolin smiled again. Jeff flushed out again. He cleared his throat and said a polite farewell.

I saw them out, then after they were far enough, I turned to Benny, who was half awake watching TV on the couch. I grinned lazily, watching his head bob up and him rubbing his eyes. A sense of peace overcame me, and I went to sit next to him.

He jumped as I landed. "How'd it go?" He slurred.

"Kolin agreed to come with us tomorrow."

Benny grinned over my shoulder. "If anyone could do it, it'd be you, E." I smiled. "Now hold still."

my heart pounded in fear and excitement and slight arousal from his words, but he just leaned his head on my shoulder and fell asleep. Disappointed though I was, I smiled again and watched the lame TV with his soft snores in my ear.