Crystals shuttered as they stared out over the increasingly shrinking sight of the island. Pale hands gripped the edge of the ship while the spheres glared at the image; challenging the stupid island to disappear faster. The vanishing silhouette was a much appreciated view in the youth's hate filled eyes.

Young Valon could sense the presence standing behind him, but he refused to move from his spot until the entire damn detention center had faded behind the thrashing horizon.

The Atlantean looming over him grinned in satisfaction when he noticed the trembling in the brunette's figure and the hatred burning deep within his eyes.

Slowly, as the boat moved ahead, the sight of the dreaded correctional facility was consumed by the dark blue waters; causing the Australian teenager to release his vice grip on the boat's bow almost instantly. He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, "Good riddance," he whispered underneath his breath.

He turned around and gently rubbed his scratched hands as he looked up to meet the stare of his new employer. "What a' you lookin' at ponytail?" he snapped in irritation. Dartz chuckled softly, "I'm merely observing you," he brushed the younger off while turning on his heel. Valon raised a brow wondering why the man would have sought him out and then left him so suddenly. "Well do make yourself comfortable...we'll be arriving at my headquarters within a few hours." he warned him; walking away.

Valon glared after the atlantean, but pivoted to stare at the vast ocean instead of continuing his glower. The water looked calmer for some strange reason now that the object of his despise was no longer in sight. The brunette sighed deeply, for once taking in the salty scent of the sea with assuagement. He carefully sat himself down and leaned his back up against the wooden bow of the ship.

Closing his eyes, he allowed the gentle rocking motions of the waves to lull him into an alert daze.

...

Valon kept his arm loosely at his sides as he followed the bi-eye colored man. Baby blue's flickered over the ceiling, walls, and floor; absorbing every last detail of his new surroundings. Purely out of habit his mind was making a map and marking down every exit he could find; taking caution to remember them all in case he ever needed to bolt. His frame was relaxed but still revealed a tenseness; his body strung like a bow ready to snap at the slightest sound or movement.

They came up to large double doors that Dartz pushed open to reveal a long table with several chairs placed around it. However, what surprised the youth was that only two other people were occupying those seats.

Even stranger was the fact that the two present looked...around his age. Probably older than himself, but in the same range nonetheless. Dartz strode into the room and up to the front of the large table, though Valon stood in the doorway wearing a confused expression. The atlantean took his seat with a surprising amount of grace in his motions. A mismatched set of sea foam and golden iris's looked up smoothly and met with the crystal blue pair from the other side of the room.

Valon's frame jerked faintly, probably so faintly that no one noticed. For some strange reason Valon could feel a chill running down his spine when he was met with the intense gaze of the elder. The Atlantan's eyes were...beckoning him almost, but the eerie aura surrounding the man kept the young Australian at bay.

Something vague flashed within Dartz unnerving stare when his invitation to approach was perceivably denied.

"Everyone this is our newest employee, Valon," Dartz announced suddenly; most likely addressing the other two occupants. Valon met the icy gray stare as well as the passive dark blue one with a firm and defensive glare of his own. Dartz smirked subtly upon seeing the Aussie's reaction, "Make him feel welcome," he purred out chuckling beneath his breath.

The boy with the gray eyes leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms while sending Valon an annoyed glower, "Why do we need this stupid little punk?" he snapped in disgruntlement at the aqua haired man. Dartz glanced fleetingly at the red head, but was never given a chance to voice a reply.

Valon's eyes narrowed dangerously and he gritted his teeth together; clenching his fists tightly ready to charge at the other teen, "Ya wanna say that ta my face pretty boy!" he challenged the older boy. The red head looked over at the newbie sharply and growled at the brunette, quickly standing to his feet, "What was that Crocodile-boy!" he shot back at him.

The blue eyed blonde grunted at the teenager, "Alister cut it out," he ordered in a gruff voice.

Alister defiantly ignored the blonde's command though and stomped up to the Aussie until he stood nose to nose with him. He roughly jerked the boy by his collar, "Well Hedgehog?" he prompted yanking the shorter teen forward. Valon snarled at him his blue glare flaring up treacherously, "Fuck off, Bluey!" Valon shouted.

At a break neck speed Valon grabbed the red head's wrist; wrapping his hand around it tightly. Alister widened his eyes upon feeling the impressive force that was now latched onto his wrist; digging into it almost painfully.

Valon tightened his grip and squeezed the appendage like a rattlesnake that constricted it's prey; forcing the elder to release his shirt abruptly. Unlike his challenger, Valon hardly needed two seconds after he was freed to recover and raise his own fist to aim a punch to the smug assholes jaw.

Just as his knuckles were about to make contact with Alister's jawline, his blow was intercepted by another hand that wrapped fast around his own.

The shock hit him and raced through his body like a lightning bolt that traveled through water. His silhouette became rigid and his eyes went wide when the satisfaction he had been about to achieve was so suddenly ripped cruelly from his grasp.

He blinked incredulously and glanced up to see who had stopped his attack only to see a pair of placid cobalt iris's boring down into his own lighter colored ones.

"Both of you stop it," the blonde ordered glaring down primarily at Alister who snarled agitatedly at him.

"Oh piss off Raphael!"

Raphael grunted and curtly released Valon's fist; prompting said boy to hastily draw his hand in, cradling the aching appendage against his chest. Instead of reprimanding him, like Valon naturally assumed he would, the large man turned toward Alister, "We're supposed to be welcoming him not threatening to beat him up," he reminded the seething child with a reproachful tone.

Alister grumbled something along the lines of curses beneath his breath, but quickly retreated back to his seat; obviously knowing not to try and challenge the taller blonde's authority. Valon continued to rub his hand but nevertheless glanced up to sneak a peek at the mediator that had told off the redhead. He found himself nearly regretting this when he found that the boy was already looking down at him.

"W-What a' you lookin' at mate," he asked, his defiant tone wavering slightly as he took a step away from the blonde; purely out of caution. After all if that stupid Alister punk wasn't even trying to argue with this guy, then that obviously meant that there was some reason he wouldn't.

Valon wasn't too sure if he wanted to find out that reason.

"Come on. I'll show you to your room," Raphael replied ignoring the younger boy's question as he sidestepped past him. Valon raised a brow at this, not at all having been prepared for that kind of a reply. Valon shook himself mentally and swiftly pivoted to his side, only to see that the taller boy had already walked into the hallway.

He widened his eyes, "H-Hey! Wait up!" he called out running out of the room to catch up with the blonde.

...

The older boy's pace refused to falter or slow down though as he journeyed through the corridors, much to the Aussie's duly noted irritation. Once he had managed to catch up with the blonde, he peered up at the other's face, "So..what did ya say your name was?" Valon asked hesitantly still feeling that he should remain cautious around his new...associate.

"Raphael."

Valon frowned and looked back at the floor; feeling almost disappointed that the teenager had kept his response so short. He glanced up again, "So um..when did pony-tail employ you?" he probed diffidently.

A brief look of bemusement crossed Raphael's features; causing him to glance down at the Aussie trailing along at his side. "Pony-tail?" he echoed, raising a brow. Valon coughed awkwardly, "Ya know..that Dartz bloke," he clarified opting to remove his nickname for his aqua haired boss.

"I see," the blonde breathed out ephemerally while looking away from the paler child. "He took me in after I was rescued from an island," he replied simply.

Light blue orbs fluttered incredulously, "Hold on a second. An island?" he parroted dumbly. "Why the hell were you on an island?" he interrogated furrowing his brows together. Raphael closed his eyes solemnly, suddenly making Valon regret his question until the dark pair of eyes reopened.

"My family was killed when a tidal wave sunk our boat and stranded me on an island."

Valon's legs halted against his mind's will as he stared, wide eyed, at Raphael's retreating figure. The blonde stopped upon noticing that the younger boy was no longer walking alongside him. He turned to the side and looked back at the still frozen solid figure of the brunette.

"What is it?" he asked stoically.

Valon's brows creased together as he opened his mouth, "I...I-I'm sorry mate. I didn't..realize tha-" he stammered remorsefully casting his gaze down to his feet. This was a good way to start off in his new living space with his new 'roommates'.

/Great. So far one wants ta kill me, and I just managed ta bring up the worst moment in the otha one's life!/

"You don't have to be sorry."

Valon's next words of apology were instantly silenced by that phrase. He looked up to meet the other's gaze and blinked at him perplexedly, "What?" he asked wondering if he had misheard the blonde.

"It happened a long time ago," he continued passively. "And besides you asked didn't you?"

Valon tilted his head to the side trying to figure out why the teen's words didn't compute to him.

Raphael raised a brow at the odd motion, "Didn't you?" he repeated; inciting the youth to answer him.

Valon swallowed and nodded tentatively. Raphael sighed heavily closing his eyes for a brief moment before meeting Valon's confused stare, "So don't apologize because I answered a question," he said plainly. With that the older boy turned to face forward again, "Come on," he instructed.

Valon released a breath he hadn't been really holding and walked back to his previous spot at the man's side as he continued down the hall. From the distance between where they had stopped and where Valon's new room was the two exchanged little more than glances.

Which were technically not exchanged, since Valon was the only one performing the action.

Finally the two came to a stop and Raphael pushed open a door. Valon laid his hand against the outside of the doors frame and poked his head into the room. There were two beds on each side of the room with night stand's next to each. Actually the room was rather empty and bare aside from a table in the corner next to the door with a few chairs and a dresser against the wall on the opposite side of the door.

Raphael glanced down at the top of the Aussie's head watching as he scoped the new terrain, "Well...go in," he urged. Valon blinked and tilted his head up to look at the blue eyed boy, "Huh?"

Raphael crossed his arms loosely, "It's your room...you can go inside," he explained slowly.

Crystal blue sphere's alighted with realization and recognition, but there was something about the brunette's reaction that made it seem like the concept of having a room was new to him.

"Oh..Right," he whispered stepping inside. He walked, immediately, toward the bed on the right wall and sat down. This caused his gaze to fall on the bed that was located directly across from his own, "Is...someone else stayin' here?" he questioned.

Raphael shook his head, "No. You're pretty lucky to get the room to yourself," he noted almost offhandedly. The blonde sighed again, "Well I'll be going now. You should get some rest," he informed the Aussie before shutting the door and walking off.

Valon stared at the door detachedly while his mind processed the day at a hummingbird pace. The experiences of an entire twenty four hours flashed by and ended in less than a minute. Valon's gaze fell finally and he released a long drawn out sigh; falling back against the mattress. His eyes remained closed as he focused on the brief bouncing reverberations of the mattress moving beneath him. The motions died down quickly though leaving the surface beneath the Aussie still, which cauused said teenager's eyes to open.

Crystal blue orbs stared somberly at the stark white ceiling that seemed to stare right back at him unwaveringly.

Another unnoticed breath slipped past his lips; expressing the faint exhaustion that weighed down on the brunette. His mind went silent in order to match the ambience of his surroundings, and his breathing grew soft.

His arms were splayed out carelessly beside his head; palms up facing the ceiling, finger's brushing against the wild strands of his hair. His legs were hanging off the edge of the bed causing his feet to dangle a few inches off the ground.

Momentarily the words Raphael had spoken to him whispered through his ears. And his body, completely void of will, chose to obey the previous advice.

Valon scooted up on the mattress and brought his legs up to rest against the sheets while his head laid against the pillow. The Australian once again stared up at the ceiling waiting to see if any desire for movement or need for thought would arise within him.

But when none came he submitted to the call of slumber and let his eyes slip shut.

...

A month.

A month since he had departed from the detention center. A month since he had been employed by the company Paradiso. A month since he had arrived in this strange place and had met the three..colorful characters that were now his team mates.

A bloody month.

The thought rang clearly through Valon's head as he walked into the kitchen. He didn't mind his new living space so much, when compared to the facility it was rather nice; it was the people he couldn't stand.

Well...person.

In the span of the month Valon had grown hesitantly acquainted with the two other duelists. However, being as heedful as he was around new people, he hadn't really gotten to know either of them all that intimately. From what Valon knew about Raphael...he was strong but silent. And for some unknown reason held some sort of position of influence.

This was the reason Valon avoided the older blonde.

He wasn't afraid of him. He just knew how not to get killed.

Sure, normally he was one of the first people to challenge authority, but there was something off about the blonde. Until Valon knew why Raphael was able to command others so easily, either by the use of respect or fear, he knew he should steer clear of him.

Less he end up making a fatal mistake.

And then there was Alister...Alister, Valon had interacted with on more than a few occasions. None of them coming close to anything that could be considered civil and or pleasant.

The brunette opened the fridge and grabbed a pop from inside and shut the door. He turned back around while nonchalantly cracking the can open to take a drink. Barely a second after the aluminum touched his lips the sound of footsteps greeted his ears.

Valon lowered the can and watched the doorway attentively; his legs instinctively tensing, ready in case he would have to make a quick escape or a swift ambush.

The footfalls grew closer until the very same red head walked into the room. Valon's gaze narrowed abruptly toward the older boy as he sauntered through the entryway; looking like he owned the entire god damned world. Despite his bitter feeling's for Alister, Valon's frame relaxed, knowing that there was no real danger near by.

Gray orbs shifted to meet bright blue and in likeness to Valon's; grew darker.

Alister crossed his arms over his chest, "What are you staring at Crocodile Dundee?" he hissed in a miffed tone of voice. Valon bit his tongue while his pale fingers clenched around the aluminum can; causing the material to bend and twist beneath his fingertips.

"Oy Bluey, why don' you cut out all the nicknames," he growled out lowly. So far Alister had come up with a large conglomerate of nicknames for Valon. Most revolving around his Australian heritage such as, Crocodile Hunter, Crocodile Boy, Crocodile Dundee, Kangaroo Jack, Steve Irwin, and thousands more. Honestly Valon couldn't hazard a guess as to why the boy considered crocodiles to be a large symbol of Australia. Right off the top of his head he could think of plenty, far, more appropriate animals.

Quite frankly after an entire month of hearing them Valon had grown just a little bit sick of it.

A smug smirk appeared on the pale boy's features, "Why would I do that?" he pondered aloud. It was an obvious fact that Valon and Alister didn't get along. So the response was just as expected as it always was; Alister would do anything to ruffle Valon's feathers. The smile instantly faded; however, and the expression was replaced by a warning glare. "Look hedgehog, when are you gonna get it through that thick skull of yours that you don't fit in around here."

Valon glowered at the other, "Says who?" he interrogated rhetorically. "I don' care what you think about me. Ya got that Pretty boy? Wether you like it or not I'm not leavin' until I got a reason ta go," he informed him firmly. The defensive glint in his gaze intensified, "And you have to get it through your head that not everythin' revolves aroun' you just cause your lil brotha' got blown up."

Instantaneously Alister's rather passive persona ignited and exploded into a roaring fire of fury. He took a few quick steps toward Valon and grabbed the front of his shirt roughly with both hands, "What did you just say!" he shouted at him; shaking the Aussie threateningly.

The can that had been clenched in the Australian's hand fell to the ground; sending the contents of it splashing all over the tiled floor.

The blistering hatred in the elder's eyes was matched by an animalistic aggression that seemed to have been haunting Valon's gaze for much too long. "You heard me!" he spat venomously in Alister's face.

Alister's fist reared back and came down roughly against Valon's face. The teen cried out as his body was sent flying and his back smashed against the damp floor. He sat up quickly though and wiped the blood, that was now trickling down the side of his mouth, off with his hand. He spared the crimson smear a glance before he glared back up at the still seething teen, who's gray eyes were filled with detest now.

"And you think you're so much better! What the fuck did you even lose!" he shouted at the youth. Alister's cold eyes grew even icier as hissed in a rough timbre, "A stupid church and a useless nun!"

Crystal sphere's grew round as the snake like voice rang through his ears. The words vibrated and bounced off the walls of his brain; growing sharper and louder the more they smashed against his subconscious. The rest of Alister's speech had faded away leaving only two of his words to jeer against Valon's brain.

Useless Nun.

Valon's eyes sparked and a menacing snarl tore through his throat, "She wasn' useless!" he shrieked jumping back to his feet and punching Alister square in his jaw. The red head's eyes widened in pain as he stumbled backwards from the sheer force of the blow.

A twisted chuckle emitted the red head; however, while a sick grin appeared on his face, "Heh. She is now," he snickered. Valon growled loudly and seized the snickering duelist by his collar and punched him again, "Don' you dare say that about her!" he shouted.

A maniacally pleased laugh tore from Alister's bloody lips, "Doesn't feel so good does it?" he taunted. "And what's worse is that my brother was killed accidentally, but that bitch was burned up on purpose."

Valon snapped.

He threw the other onto the floor and pinned him against the cold surface. His fists collided with every section of the older boy's body, each blow returning with even more force than the last. The anger and resentment fueled his movements, and the sight of the boy's laughing face becoming tainted with blood and bruises only spurred him on.

"Don' call her that! She had more of a right ta live than you eva will!" he screamed pressing his left hand against the red head's windpipe while his right hand came down mercilessly against Alister's face. The laughing that had been taunting Valon was ceased abruptly by this and was replaced with the frantic sound of choking. "Don' eva talk about her like that again! So help me I'll kill you!"

Alister began struggling frenetically beneath Valon; desperate to breathe and escape the painful barrage. Valon snarled incandescently when he saw this and violently slammed the others head back, which caused the back of Alister's skull to collide sharply with the ground.

It was only after that sickening crack had sounded did Valon finally release the elder duelist's throat. The strident noise had shaken him out of his scarlet tinted sight. Immediately Alister began coughing and gasping; choking on the air that he took in.

Valon panted hoarsely; growling underneath his breath. Not even the sight of Alister battered and bruised; writhing in pain and gasping for air was able to satisfy the venomous malice within him.

However, Valon quickly got off the boy and fled the scene.

...

"Fuckin' Alister!"

*pant* *pant*

"GOD DAMNIT!"

Valon shouted and swore as loud as he could while his sore fists pounded against the brick wall of the alley he had escaped into right outside of his living space. It was purely out of instinct that he had chosen to run away.

It was his nature now.

Fight as hard as you can and then run as fast as you can before the blaring sound of sirens can catch up to you. Fight and flee. Fight and run before anyone can grab you and drag you away. Fight and run...fight and run. Fight and run...Survive.

"What are you doing out here?"

Valon's eyes widened and he turned sharply only to be met with the sight of Raphael standing behind him, looking placid as ever, instead of a police officer. Valon sniffled and vainly tried to push back the moisture that had begun to build along the edges of his dark lashes. His reddening sphere's glared with an exhausted spite. An exhaustion that had been plaguing Valon for years. He was sick and tired of fighting and running. He was sick of having to survive the way he did. He hated carrying around this hatred and coupling it with the loneliness that only made the numbness fade away.

Valon could feel the Orichalcos surging through him at this thought; it's darkness eagerly surrounding him to soothe away his pain. The dark green symbol materialized on his forehead almost transparently as the red haired orphan's words rang painfully through his head. It's energy coursed through his veins; trying to numb the brunt of his agony, but even the symbol could only do so much.

Raphael's gaze remained calm, "I saw what you did to Alister," he stated softly. Watching the emerald mark pale on the fair skinned child's head until it disappeared completely.

"And!" Valon snapped. "Who the fuck cares about him!"

Raphael didn't answer though. He didn't head the youth's comment, he merely continued on as if Valon had never spoken, "I took him back to his room. You beat him up pretty badly; gave him a concussion." he informed the orphan evenly.

Valon stepped forward boldly, "Good!" he barked. "I'm glad that bastard's in pain!" he declared.

Raphael raised a slender brow at this, "What's wrong with you?" he asked mildly. Wondering why Valon was acting up so dramatically, considering that the Aussie had behaved rather meekly around him until now.

Valon growled at him, "Nothin'!" he retorted. "Just leave me alone!" he ordered the blonde. However, the taller duelist did nothing but stand completely still. For some reason it caused the brunette's hostility to swell within him. The hatred for Alister, for the things he said, the pain he harbored, the survival he no longer cared for, all came to a head.

He lunged at the Raphael; attacking him with the same ferocity he had shown Alister.

Dark blue water's widened briefly in surprise upon seeing Valon's reaction. The older duelist wordlessly dodged the younger brunette's punches with ease. He only watched him in a surprised silence while Valon shut his eyes tightly; trying to resist the intense sting.

Slowly, Valon's fury began to dwindle and his speed decreased as a result of the suppressed emotions that were weighing down on his subconcious. He continued throwing punches with just as much intent; the firmly imbedded instinct to fight, run, and survive influencing him even though he no longer wished to follow it's guidance. His barrage was suddenly halted when his right fist was expertly caught in Raphael's much larger hand.

A choked sob escaped the Aussie's lips as it mingled with a growl.

Slender brows creased in confusion upon seeing this, "Why are you doing this?" Raphael asked. Feeling a spark of concern when he noticed the distinct difference in the younger boy's actions. The anger wasn't the same...it was full of sorrow and pain. His fists reacted in frustration at having no other known outlet to use to express the agony that had collectively boiled up inside of him.

Valon's vision blurred as thick tears continued to build; creating a cloudy wall. The brunette growled louder, the elder's words flying right past him, for his ears had long since refused to listen. The tears he despised so much burned his eyes while he threw his other fist out; only to have it instantly caught by Raphael's other hand.

Valon weakly attempted to struggle away from the unwanted grip, but his will had diminished alongside with the rest of his energy. The teen stepped back slightly; trying to balance himself as he panted raggedly and hung his head. Whimpers and sobs he had tried to repress for years interlaced with his harsh breathing.

"Stop."

The soft spoken command shot through him like an arrow, but the emotions that begged to be released, that had been begging for years, refused to allow their rampage to cease. Valon shook his head violently and abruptly began fighting against Raphael's grip once more, "NO!" he screamed deafeningly.

His head whipped up and tear filled crystal's stared with a misplaced anger into dark cobalt iris's. "She didn't deserve to die! She wasn' even supposed to be in the church at night!" he shouted as the tears finally fell and coursed down his flushed bruised cheeks. The admittance had finally been voiced, the secret thoughts he had locked away in his mind and had beaten away into submission suddenly broke free.

And now he couldn't stop his mouth.

The blonde listened, but kept his hold steady to assure that Valon would be unable to tear away from him and inflict even more damage onto himself.

The shouting wavered as the pain filled cries overpowered them, "She shouldn't be dead..." Valon said hanging his head again in a strange form of defeat, or acceptance. Perhaps it was relief, relief that finally the secret's that Valon had been dragging along with him were out. That the one thing that had truly been causing him his torment was now...free.

Someone knew now.

He didn't have to be the only one to carry the knowledge around. Someone knew of the regret. Finally he admitted the grief he had felt upon seeing that church burning down. The regret that he had not been there to save his only caretaker. The unfelt blame that he directed towards her at knowing she shouldn't have been there at night. The blame he put onto himself for allowing it all to happen.

For not being able to save her.

Raphael stared down at the top of the brunette's head watching as his shoulders began to shake, "She wasn't useless...She shouldn't have had ta die..." he whispered brokenly.

Blue orbs softened with something akin to understanding when this was voiced. Raphael slowly released the boy's bleeding fists and allowed the Aussie teenager to stumble backwards. Valon shoved his back up against the brick wall and quickly sank down; crossing his arms over his knee's and burying his face in them as the grief racked his body.

For a moment Raphael just stood there staring down at the Australian with pity, but then carefully stepped forward toward the youth. Ever so discreetly he imitated the brunette's position and sat himself down against the wall alongside the sobbing child. He drew his knee's up slightly and rested his elbows on his knee's while glancing sideways at the boy.

Valon's entire body had curled into a tight ball; his shoulder and back trembled at the force of his cries, which seemed to take on a muffled echo in the air surrounding them. They were heartfelt and long...they were choked down and then released with the deepest expressions of pain that the brunette could muster. They were genuine...and long overdue.

"I-I couldn' save her," Valon's watery voice suddenly sounded from the ball. Raphael's sideways stare remained on the duelist intently; listening carefully to everything Valon had to say. "She shouldn' have died.." he sobbed out. "W-Why didn' I get there soona'," he asked himself; hammering down into the nail of guilt that he had stuck inside of himself long ago.

The blonde's gaze softened further at hearing this.

"I-I should have been there for her...l-like she was there for me." he confessed aloud, his voice constricting as the tears fell faster. He pressed his head further into his arms while his pale blood smudged finger's clenched desperately around his own arms; digging into them in order to feel somewhat grounded.

"I-I should...h-have been there...t-ta help her," he cried softly, his entire body quaking upon the phrase.

Raphael gazed commiseratively at the youth and lifted up the arm closest to the brunette. He gently wrapped it around the other's shoulder's; eliciting a choked sound of surprise from the boy while his shivering silhouette shuttered beneath the touch.

And then Raphael said the one phrase that Valon had never been told when the fire was started, the one thing that he needed to hear.

"..It wasn't your fault."

That low whisper of reassurance was all it took for the weeping to grow louder. But this time it wasn't completely caused by agony...it was of relief. Relief that Valon had been told the thing he had subconsciously been longing for someone, anyone, to tell him. All he had ever wanted was for someone to tell him that it wasn't his fault. That he wasn't the one to blame for her death.

Valon vaguely registered the feeling of Raphael's arm tightening around his shoulders reassuringly.

And for some reason Valon was okay with it. It...made him feel better to know that he was there with him. For the first time since...she had died...someone's presence actually felt consoling to him.

Raphael didn't say another word after that though. He only sat there beside Valon as he cried and kept his arm around him; his eyes never leaving the teenager's form.

He could have said more...but he didn't have to. It would only be padding to the one phrase he had already uttered out. That was the only one that mattered.

After an hour or so Valon's cries seemed to slow and quiet; subduing themselves with time. The brunette teen shifted subtly and lifted his head up from his arms; sniffling quietly while his red rimmed baby blue eyes stared at the ground. The tears had dried on his face leaving his cheeks flushed and damp in the water's midst. The trembling of his body had pacified itself mostly, leaving him to shudder every so often.

He sniffled a couple more times while he stared at the black pavement beneath him. He focused soley on the feeling of all of the emotions he had previously despised and ignored...vacating him. They exuded his body slowly, having finally been set free and expressed in the way that they had been desiring.

They had found the outlet they had never been allowed.

Raphael took in a soft breath through his nose and released it while using the hand still on Valon's shoulder to rub the child's back before patting it gently.

"You'll be alright," he assured silently in a mildly confident tone.

It was at that that Valon turned his head and met the older boy's gaze. The emotion that he saw reflected in dark cobalt water's was sincere though and understanding. And it set Valon's nerves at ease to see it. In a quick instance the Aussie felt his trepidation and fear of the older blonde disperse from his mind, and instead his caution was replaced by a bond of trust that Raphael seemed to reciprocate.

Valon lifted his sleeve up and wiped his eyes and his face off. When he lowered his hand he opened his mouth and took in a deep shaky breath and exhaled it. For a moment he stared at Raphael as if trying to find something hidden on the older boy.

Raphael shifted though breaking the eye contact between them in order to regain stimulation in his limbs. The blonde sighed softly and reached into his pocket; rummaging through it while he spoke, "Let me see your hands," he told the boy.

Valon blinked in question while he uncrossed his arms and allowed his legs to straighten themselves before him. "Why?" he asked confusedly.

Raphael's hand emerged holding a role of bandages within it, "Your hands are still bleeding," he replied.

Valon glanced down and lifted up his hands so that his palms were facing up. He could see the smears of crimson blotching his pale skin. He turned his hands over and stared at the ugly cuts on his knuckles. He grimaced at the sight of them; they were still bleeding, sending tendrils of scarlet down his hands staining his flesh.

"Oh...right," he breathed out and offered his hand to the older blonde who cradled it with a surprising gentleness. Raphael unrolled the bandages and ripped off a small section of his shirt and began cleaning off the other's appendage.

Valon raised a brow, "Hey," he said quietly earning the duelist's attention. Raphael peered at the Aussie, prompting him to continue, "How did you know that I'd be hurt?" he questioned wondering why the teen would just randomly carry around a role of bandages.

Raphael only shrugged his broad shoulders, "Well after seeing the number you did on Alister I figured that you wouldn't have gotten away without a scratch or two," he explained knowingly. Valon nodded in understanding as Raphael continued.

"Don't listen to what Alister says by the way," he told the youth. "He's only trying to get a rise out of you. He doesn't get along with anybody really so just try to ignore him. Chances are that whatever he said to make you angry he didn't even mean anyways."

Valon snorted however and rolled his eyes, "Sure seemed like he meant it," he muttered out.

Raphael chuckled quietly, surprising Valon once more, "He's just hot headed." he answered. Once again Raphael met Valon's lighter eyes, "You should know that people say a lot of things they don't mean when they're angry." he said redolently with a soft smile.

...

"Valon?"

"Valon?"

"Valon wake up."

A soft hesitant voice drifted through the brunette's ears; gently waking him from his reminiscent slumber. His lashes fluttered open to expose somnolent sapphire's that stared up at a familiar darkened ceiling. The memory slowly faded and the colors of the images ran down; smudging the pictures like when water is splashed onto paint.

The weight settled on him again awakening him into reality when he felt something shaking his arm. He blinked a few times and turned his head only to be met with a pair of bright scarlet eyes that were gazing anxiously at him in the dark.

His body was fully alert when he realized who had woken him up, and this caused him to sit up on his elbows and rub his eyes. He looked back at the blonde with worry masking his features, "Joey? What's wrong? Why are you up so late?" he whispered tiredly.

It had been a week. A full week that Joey had been staying here at Doma. Nothing much had really occurred over that time span though...much to Valon's disappointment. Joey's fever had kicked back up...and then had gone down again, and then the process repeated like a roller coaster.

Joey had another shower and...ate maybe a few bites and that was pretty much it. His fever had finally started to consistently diminish this morning and the blonde had been sleeping for most of the day.

Possibly the only thing of significance that had taken place was their conversations.

Joey had told him more about the 'Mai' person he had spoken vaguely of before. She seemed to be the only one that Joey still talked fondly of. As Joey had put it previously she was the only real one because she was the only one who had left him and had not 'pretended'.

Golden strands fell delicately over Joey's forehead, the sleep mussed amber locks framing the boy's tanned feature's artfully as his flushed lips parted to draw in a baited breath. The blonde's brow was creased faintly through the darkness of the room and his bright ruby eyes shone brightly; expressing hesitance and unease.

The younger boy was kneeling on the ground beside Valon's bed and his fingers were still placed pleadingly on the Aussie's mattress; near his arm.

Joey face contorted momentarily while he shifted in his kneeling position, "U-Umm," he muttered reluctantly keeping his voice softer than needed. Valon stared down at his charge patiently awaiting for his response as the young duelist stammered.

Scarlet sea's quivered while they looked into crystal spheres and then away from them, "I-I was wondering if I-I could...uhm," he murmured pausing again despite how eagerly he had awoken the brunette. It was strange how all of a sudden his confidence just seemed to come back and then leave him once more so quickly.

Valon blinked a few times staring at the golden haired youth in a mild bemusement.

"Yes?" Valon prompted softly. "Wonderin' if you could what?" he encouraged the boy supportively.

Joey's slim finger's picked at the elder's sheets, "I-If I could...sleep here," he whispered out mutely.

Valon's eyes widened slightly, "Huh?" he breathed out. The blush grew dark on the young blonde's cheeks, "Why do ya want ta sleep here, mate? Somethin' the matta'?" he inquired concernedly.

Joey shuffled keeping his eyes on the ground, "N-No...not..not exactly," he replied. "I-I...I just had a bad dream that's all..." he admitted. Joey's cheeks grew redder, "B-But now that I think about it this is pretty stupid of me," he feigned chuckling. "I'll just let you go back to sleep," he started; shuffling up from his spot on the ground to make a hasty retreat.

Valon smiled and shook his head, "No you're not," he told the boy assuredly.

Joey immediately stopped and looked up at the other; blinking with doe-like eyes.

Valon chuckled and scooted aside; pulling back the covers, "Come on, get in," he ushered the blonde with a gentle jerk of his head. The smile on his face grew when Joey eagerly scurried up from the ground and into his bed.

Valon sighed softly and threw the covers back so that they covered them both. He settled back down while Joey nudged closer to him; burying his head into the nape of the brunette's neck. Joey closed his eyes and breathed evenly causing Valon to smile through the dimness. He raised his arm up and used it to encircle the teen's side, giving Joey more room to nuzzle against his shoulder.

The biker breathed in a deep contented breath as his lashes slipped down to rest against his cheeks. Gently, he rested the side of his head against the top of Joey's golden hair, careful not to disturb his slumber.

"G'night Joey," he whispered into the darkening night.

TBC

Wow...weird. Guys this whole flashback Valon was something i thought up randomly and i was like aww that's kinda cute. Then i was like huh...should i actually write that... Then I was like yeah sure but way later in compensation. Then I was trying to figure out what the next chapter should be and I was like...fuck it we'll do this. Lol I really needed there to be a time skip. So sorry guys but...I realized jsut how fucking slow this was moving so I had to speed it up a tad. Lol well I really liked wriitng Valon's thing. Yeah m'not saying I would write yaoi fucs about Raphael and Valon together but...I think they're just very sweet! Lol! And besides I really like Valon's whole pent up feeling what nots and his connection to the nun! Yay! Lol well anyways...it's funny I never had the orichacos een showing up in this chapter at first and then i thought about mai when she was dueling joey and I was like...yes.

Lol! Okay and guys if any of you were wondering in the flashback thing Valon is supposed to be 14..I stated that in the last chapter. Alister's supposed to be around 16..so in the flashback he doesn't totally look like a transvestite...he's still got some of the shag in his hair and he doesn't yet wear a training bra LOL! Okay and Raphael is supposed to be like 18...or around then honestly it jsut works but then again that would make him close to 30 in this present story...we'll ignore that. Whatever he'd be like 27 or something. Yes well then if you didn't catch that whole Raphael thing interacting with Alister at first it's supposed to be like...Raphael was here first so...he's kinda the expert. And he's sort of like the person who consoled those two. Well it was never stated with Alister but it's supposed to be something like that. Okay! Sorry if it kinda sucks at the end. What else...Oh well...i thought alister's nicknames were kinda funny. Don't know why um that's pretty much it if I keep going these notes will be longer then the chapter. REVIEW!