Why? Because SOMETHING needs an update, and this is actually getting hit with favs and alerts. -squeals- AND! I finally realized I knew Prowl and 'Cade's last name the whole time. XD It's Atlas. Wow, I feel stupid lol.

Dis/claimer: on one and two. -grins-

Chapter Six

Anicon

Barricade noted easily, as he spent the next few days with him, that Anicon was really sweet once you got past his shy exterior. The Asian biker found himself wanting to spend more time with the kid. He felt something he hadn't felt since Lockdown crushed his, well, crush. He felt what he thought only stunt riding would let him feel. He felt alive.

Anicon wasn't the only one who changed since Barricade met him. While Anicon became more open and sure of himself around him, Barricade began to open up as well. He told Anicon things only Kup had ever known. Things Torque and Lockdown and Rodimus didn't know. Things he had never wanted to remember.

Rodimus and Kup noticed him change. They noticed he'd come back to the Hell in Nowhere with a grin on his face. They'd notice he no longer wore his sunglasses, and was actually reading. They heard him constantly on his cell phone, talking to someone about nature biology and botany. Rodimus had asked since when he liked it, and he just said "My friend likes it". Kup just shook his head, a knowing smile on his face.

The young man was a constant companion when he wasn't in school. They spent most of their time in the library, or at a coffee shop. Barricade tried getting him to go to a straight bar, but the younger kid was too afraid, even with Barricade around.

But since Barricade, there were a few people who recognized him. Some had tried to approach, but he just glared, and they backed off. Anicon just grinned at him.

"Hey Barricade?" Anicon said one day at the library.

"Yes Anicon?" Barricade asked, reading "Wyvernhail".

"Why haven't I met your friends and twin yet?" Anicon asked.

"You'll meet them Friday."

"Why not sooner?"

"Because it'd be fucking awkward."

"And me just being at the show, not knowing anybody. Wouldn't be awkward?" Anicon frowned. That made Barricade sigh.

"Alright... When do you want to meet them?" He asked.

"Can I meet them today? O-or tomorrow!" Anicon squeaked when Barricade frowned.

"No, it's fine. At the very least, you can meet Prowl and Kup..."

"Kup? As in, the racer?" Anicon asked as they put their books back and left the library.

"Yeah. You know'm?"

"I heard about his crash. My dad's friend was a racer-junky. Said his favorite racer got into a bad crash during a show." Anicon frowned.

"Yeah... He ain't rode since. Taught me and Rodi, though." Barricade nodded, "Was a bad accident. I saw the tape. It was awful."

"How bad?"

"Ani, he hasn't rode since." Barricade frowned. Anicon blushed at the nickname. They got on Barricade's bike, Anicon wearing the helmet. Barricade turned it on, and headed off, Anicon clinging to him. The ride was short on his bike, and he parked it on the curb. Anicon got off, and took off the helmet. Barricade grinned, and ruffled his hair.

"Helmet hair." He said as Anicon swiped at his hand. They approached the Hell, and entered.

"Kup?" He called.

"You need to start doing your own fucking laundry." Kup said as he came in with the basket. He stared at Anicon. "Who's this?"

"Kup, this is Anicon. Anicon, this is my Sensei." Barricade said. Anicon smiled shyly.

"H-hi..."

"So you're the kid that's being sweet on Barricade." Kup blinked. Barricade's palm met his face as Anicon blushed.

"U-uhm, I... I guess..."

"Kid, "I guess" ain't an answer. Back in my day, when a boy like Barricade starts to change the way he has, somebody's being sweet on him and if it ain't you, I'll have to get worried." Kup said. Barricade moaned.

"No more "Back in my day" stories. Please!" He begged. Kup laughed, as Anicon stood there, blushing.

"Fine. No more stories. Has he met your brother yet?" The old man asked.

"No. Have you?" Barricade replied simply. It was a common game they've had since Barricade had learned his brother was in Detroit a few years ago.

"Funny. Is he gunna?"

"We're headed there next. Right Ani?" Anicon nodded.

"R-Right Barri." Anicon said, slipping in what he hoped could be his pet name for Barricade. Barricade smiled weakly as Kup stared.

"I used to think the day anybody aside from your older brother could ever get away with calling you something other than Barricade or 'Cade, I'd be dead." Barricade scowled.

"Come on Ani, let's go before he starts with the damn stories again." Anicon giggled.

"Actually, I got a call from Rodimus." Barricade froze.

"Yeah?"

"He's going to meet you at Lockdown's, said I should come with."

"Oh you assholes..." Barricade growled.

"It was Lockdown's idea, so don't get your briches in a bunch. Prowl wants to meet us, thank you very much."

"I still hate you all!"

"What about him?"

"'Cept him. Anicon I love."

"Did you just say the-!"

"I STILL HATE YOU KUP!" Barricade shouted, leaving the house. Anicon giggled again as he followed him, and Kup after him.

Anicon was sure that meeting Barricade's friends would be interesting.