Disclaimer: David and Griffin do not belong to me, I just borrow them for the purpose of fic :D


"So that's the whole plan? Figure out how to get the bracelets off, find somewhere out of the way to hole up in, and take out every Paladin we come across? Do you have any idea how many problems there are with that?"

"Shut up, David." Griffin's scowled, rather adorably in David's opinion, and flicked a pebble at David's bare back, where it bounced harmlessly off to the ground. They were lounging around the pond today, skipping stones and making out and just spending time together before the other students returned tomorrow and classes resumed. Since Christmas, they'd been wrapped completely in the thrall of each other, and thus hadn't said a word about the request David had made that night, preferring instead to talk or listen to music or make love, enjoying the serenity of being almost the only two people in their world for the time being.

But the end of Christmas holidays signaled an invisible countdown. Students were only kept at the Academy until their eighteenth birthdays. Griffin's was in March. They had less than three months to make their getaway before they'd be separated, possibly forever. Griffin hadn't ever been allowed to specialize his training during his years at school, and in conjunction with never having been told about his future placement, something he should've known months ago, both boys had an uneasy feeling that since weren't going to bode well for him once he'd "graduated." The worry and fear had slowly been working on Griffin the last few days, making him a little more edgy and snappish with David then he usually was. David could foresee this becoming a real problem, so he was doing his best to relieve the tension when he could and reassure Griffin that no matter what, they were a team now and David was committed to getting both of their sorry asses out.

It was easier said than done though, as Griffin was determined to give no quarter when it came to the escape plan. More than once after he'd tried to bring it up and been shot down, had David wondered if maybe his… boyfriend, didn't want David coming along at all. It was the little things though, small habits Griffin had that David had begun to pick up on, like the way he always had to touch David, even just a little after they'd argued, like maybe David would disappear if he didn't. That convinced David that most of the obstinacy was probably born out of the fear of loss. Really didn't surprise David at all, knowing what he knows now about Griffin's past. It did make discussing the subject resemble a tightrope walk over a chasm filled with angry bears, but David endured and today his persistence had paid off when Griffin hadn't immediately shot the topic down the moment it was brought up.

"I'm serious Griffin. There's got to be some way to get these things off. Some kind of device or key or something. Even if it just loosens them enough to take a pair of bolt cutters to them." David continued from where he was lying, sprawled on his stomach in the soft grasses. Griffin was sitting a few inches away, cross-legged and leaning back against the large rock, his left knee pressed to David's waist. They'd been out here for a couple of hours already, having stripped their shirts off long ago to enjoy the sunshine. David turned his head further to examine Griffin's expression and gauge whether or not it was ok to keep pushing the issue. Griffin looked sullen definitely, but David seemed to have worn him down enough at least for him to listen. He was also looking slightly sunburned across his nose and shoulders, David noted. Probably time to head back for dinner soon anyways. With a sigh David shifted, rising with little grace to his knees, then shuffling forward to clamber into Griffin's lap, the other boy stretching out his bent legs to better accommodate David' warm weight. Griffin let out a little appreciative noise as they settled, chest to chest, his arms coming around David's waist to rest against the lovely small of his back. David leaned and gave a little sweet kiss, barely a brushing of mouths, before drawing back a little and ignoring the protesting grunt from the older boy.

"Griffin, listen to me. I'm with you on this, totally, 110%. You know that. We have to start figuring this stuff out though before we wind up separated. We're stronger together; you know that, and they'll figure it out soon enough too. If we don't act now, we'll lose our only shot. And I'm not giving this up, not giving you up so easily!" David's impassioned argument really hit home, if Griffin's suddenly moist eyes and tightening embrace were anything to go by. David sighed in pleasure as he was pulled in closer, turning his face into the curve of Griffin's neck where it met his shoulder. The skin there was definitely pink and a little sunburned. David mentioned it, but Griffin was busy tracing the shell of his ear with his tongue and only "hmmed" slightly in reply. Not that David was complaining, of course. With a wicked smirk, he went to work darkening a fading hickey on Griffin's neck.


They'd been late to dinner and had arrived tellingly rumpled, despite their better efforts at composing themselves before entering the cafeteria. The large man who'd broken up their fight that first day, Counselor Gardener, was one of the few staff who'd stayed for the holidays. He looked up from his novel and coffee at their entrance with a thoughtful frown on his lips. David ducked his head a little and pulled Griffin a little more roughly to their table than he rightly should of, but the look had made him uncomfortable. He was afraid that they could be separated early if the secret got out. There was no hiding the fact that Griffin was anti-establishment and his behavior over the years had earned him a place on every watch list the UIJC had. They'd better work on keeping a lower profile, or else they might draw to much unwanted…

"A little late tonight, boys?"

…attention. SHIT! Counselor Gardener was hulking over them like, well, the Incredible Hulk of guidance counselors really. David immediately felt himself shrink a little into his seat, French fries forgotten, his old inbred 'Respect for Authority' voice demanding no less. Griffin, however, had no such compulsions. He straightened in his seat, posture taking on a more defensive air. If he were an animal in the wild, he'd definitely be throwing off tons of "leave me alone" vibes. David wanted to kick him under the table, warn him off making waves right now, terrified somehow that they'd been discovered, that maybe the creepy counselor could read minds or something. Griffin appeared perfectly calm, despite his obvious hostility. Under the table, David felt a foot gently rub against his leg, then again and again until he took the hint, forcing him to relax and let Griffin handle the situation.

"Something you wanted, Horace?" David gaped at his boyfriend; the utter gall making him feel a little light-headed with panic. Right now the last thing they needed was Griffin in trouble with the staff! The touch of the foot the David's calf had him calming again, but David really, really wished he knew what Griffin's plan was. Seemingly heedless of David's distress, Griffin continued. "Would've thought you'd be tickled pink to see me out of trouble, or was I the only entertainment in this dump?"

David trusted Griffin, as a general rule. Really he did. But right now, David was slowly dying inside of sheer unparalleled terror. Griffin obviously had some kind of plan; he wouldn't be so thoroughly confident if he didn't but whatever it was, David couldn't see it. He watched, visibly tense, as his boyfriend leaned back almost casually in his seat, angling his body in such a way that he was cock-eyed in the chair, one arm slung over the back in the very picture of brazen indifference. David wasn't so concerned about the picture Griffin was presenting so much as he was about the delicate patch of skin revealed by his jacket collar after his artful slump; the space on his neck where just an hour ago David had left a deep, dark purple hickey. David risked a glance at Horace…Counselor Gardener's face, looking for signs that he'd noticed. Judging by the raised eyebrows and questioning gaze, he had.

Well, that was just… David couldn't think of a good enough adverb to properly finish the sentence; he was too busy dying quietly in his seat from panic and mortification. Griffin had to know the mark was on display! It was so new, it probably still tingled…and the memory of the activity that put it there was drawing a fiery blush to David's face, neck, and ears. It was about that moment that Griffin became aware of the holes being bored into the side of his neck from two sets of eyes. The play of expressions on his face as he realized what both his companions were looking at dawned on him was priceless. He suddenly sat straight upright, metal rod through his spine, self-consciously pulling his jacket collar up to cover the incriminating mark. Far too late though, for both of them. David allowed his eyes to drift skyward, sending a quick prayer to whoever watched over young, dumb, horny rebels to make his death slow and quick.

"S'not what it looks like." Griffin's defensive rebuttal was too little too late, and everyone knew it. The silence stretched taut over the table for a moment, before it was sharply broken.

By Counselor Gardener's loud, braying laugh.

The noise drew every eye in the room and David felt himself flush further, even as his hysteria receded a little. Gradually, Counselor Gardener between too quiet himself, slowly regaining his composure until his mirth was fully contained. Dragging a chair in a rapid motion from the next table over; the large man lowered himself gracefully into the seat, lifting one ankle to rest on the opposite knee. His grin was irrepressible as he leaned in closer, mindful of the prying eyes, and addressed the boys in a low voice.

"Really Griffin, if I'd known that the way to sooth the savage beast was to toss a doe-eyed morsel your way, I'd have done it years ago! Be gentle with him though. People willing to put up with your shit are in pretty short supply." With one last cackle, the man rose, collected his stuff and swept from the cafeteria. David was deaf to all but the rushing in his ears. Morsel indeed! He was going to murder that smug, condescending asshole… David was out the door of the cafeteria after Horace with barely half a thought, heading unswervingly right to the large retreating back. At least, until Griffin's arm hooked around his midsection and hauled him back, struggling and spitting curses until they made it behind the cafeteria proper and David was pushed back against the brick and kissed breathless; Griffin's tongue licking like fire into all the little corners of David's mouth. David moaned into his boyfriend's mouth, disappointed when the kiss was broken entirely too soon for his liking. Griffin gave him a little wry tilt of the lips when he'd pulled back before speaking.

"As grateful as I am for you to go leaping in to defend our collective honour, I need you to understand two very important things. First, your language is atrocious when you're angry." Griffin's point was punctuated with a large eye-roll, and David had the decency to feel a little ashamed. "Seriously Davy, you walk into a bar with that mouth, and seconds later all the drunks and hooligans come tearing out like the place is on fire." David laughed involuntarily at the mental image; the last of the rage draining from his system and his body relaxing more into the other boy's arms. Griffin smiled at that before speaking again.

"The other thing, my Davy, is that as priggish as that shitheel is, this was according to plan." David blinked, regarding his boyfriend with shock.

"Come again?"


It wasn't until they were safely ensconced in their room that Griffin agreed to explain. He settled himself down on David's bed after stealing the pillows and blankets off his own, and David crawled into the makeshift nest after him; both boys snuggling together against the headboard. Once they were comfortably entwined, Griffin began to talk.

"Ever played chess Davy?" David nodded against Griffin's shoulder, where his head was resting, wondering what that had to do with what had happened in the cafeteria.

"Sometimes in chess, sacrifices must be made. Trade the life of a Pawn for a Rook, a Bishop for the Queen, and all that. This was really the same thing."

"How so?"

"We have a really big secret, right? One that will be the end of us if it gets out. We've been disappearing together for hours on end all holiday Davy, and despite our fight the first day, we've been stuck together like glue at all meals and all free time when classes are in session. We've even been seen talking and laughing together. While that may have been the usual for you at your old school, no one here has ever seen me take to anyone. Mostly because I haven't taken to anyone, ever. Ever. You're the first Davy." And David knew that, he did, and that made this thing between them even more precious for it. He let his hand fall to Griffin's knee, playing with the little fold of denim there, letting him know with a touch that it was understood.

"By doing all that, we've made ourselves suspicious. I mean, I always have been since they had to drug me to get me here. You might've escaped that, but you allied with me and that will put you under scrutiny too. So you see, by sacrificing one secret, one not as dangerous but no less significant; we've thrown them off and bought ourselves some leeway. It was a bit of a crapshoot, admittedly. They could have separated us like school protocols demand, but since neither of us have anyone who'd complain that the school was allowing indecent activities to occur, and because I appear to be less antagonistic and more 'manageable' this way, I knew they'd let it lie. Might even encourage it, for all I know. Wasn't expecting him to have such an attitude about it, but I knew he wouldn't really care. Not like I can get you pregnant or anything…" This drew and indignant gasp from David.

"What makes you think I'm the girl in this relationship?" David's face went red again at the implications of his statement. Griffin leapt on the comment with a saucy reply.

"Because only virginal maidens blush like you do, love." The reply was accompanied by a quick pinch to David's ass.

"GRIFFIN!"

______________________________________________________________________________

A week after Counselor Gardener found out about them, David stood outside his office door, scuffing his feet nervously while he worked up the courage to knock. Once he did though, he found himself ushered in and sat in front of the large oak desk with little fanfare.

"So what can I do for you today Mr. Rice?" The smarmy grin on the man's otherwise attractive face set butterflies awhirl in David's gut, but he sucked up the feeling to respond.

"I was told you could acquisition…things. For students. In need." Gardener laughed heartily at him and David's face was already burning, with signs of worsening. Damn his pale complexion!

"Sorry little guy, we don't distribute condoms here. We're not supposed to be encouraging all you little horndogs any. Not that you need the encouragement, right?"

"No! Not...not those… I need clothes? I didn't pack many and I understand my dad signed over all custody…" David allowed his best kicked puppy look to dominate his features, trying to emphasize the 'poor little unwanted boy" aspect of his story. It seemed to work. The man immediately adopting a slightly guilty expression and shifting gears straight into business mode, turning to a large filing cabinet on the left.

"Right then, let's check your file… Ah, yes, I see. You are allotted a small personal budget every year for clothes and the like. What do you need and in what size? I'll get it ordered for you." Bingo.

"Well, another hoodie would be nice. Medium. And some new sneakers, size 8. These are falling apart. A new pair of jeans, 32" x 32" with boot cut and dark wash. And a dozen pairs of boxers. Medium." At this, Gardener raised his eyes.

"A dozen? What you change them twice a day or something?" David allowed the blush to rise again, using his natural response to his favour for once.

"They all got torn sir."

"Torn, David?" The blush deepened.

"Griffin, he…he likes to tear them off. Sometimes with his teeth. I've been going commando for three days now cause he almost shredded the last pair and it's really not that comfortable. I keep catching myself in my zipper and talking to him about it does no good. He just doesn't listen, I mean I doubt I have to tell you how stubborn he is, and it's even worse when he's horny and he has to go through all those layers just too…" David had allowed to words to rush out of him, one long run-on sentence worth of cringe inducing 'TMI,' slowly watching Gardener's face turn an interested shade of puce until he was finally cut off.

"That's enough! That's enough, David; I'll order the damn boxers." Almost there. "Anything else or can you get the hell out of my office?" Checkmate.

"One more thing sir." David fidgeted nervously in his seat; the very picture of teenage awkwardness, hot red blush in full force. "Could…I mean, I don't know if it's even possible, but maybe you could, just a little…"

"Spit it out Mr. Rice!" Hook, line and sinker.

"Adjust the bracelet? It was a little uncomfortable to begin with, and I've been eating full meals for once since I got here, and even with the added… exercise, I've gained a couple of pounds, and the bracelet, sir, it's digging in and it hurts!" At that, David lifted his arm, displaying his bracelet adorned wrist. His previous statement wasn't entirely untrue, now that he was eating three squares a day, he had gained a couple of pounds; the extra weight padding his slender frame a little and making the bracelet fit a little snugger, just shy of outright uncomfortable. Mostly though, the stricken look on Gardener's face was David's little coup de grace; he'd spent the last couple of days worrying at the slight pinch, rubbing the flesh of his wrist as if the bracelet had been cutting of circulation. The constant tugging and fidgeting had caused his wrist to swell a little, making the pinch bad enough to actually cause a mild feeling of pins and needles in his hand. As the wrist swelled, the bracelet dug in more and the result was a red, raw mess around the bracelet that was even a little bloody in one place. It looked much worse than it was, but that's what David was counting on. Gardener spluttered.

"Oh God! Why didn't you say something sooner! Let me call the nurse…"

"It's ok sir, really. I'm sure it will be fine if it's a little looser. My dad always said that it was uncharitable to bother more important people than oneself with your silly little problems…" David knew he had him even before he added the little quiver in his lower lip, like the mention of his father pained him. Gardener didn't even hesitate before yanking open to top right hand drawer of his desk and extracting a small silver key. Leaning down to the drawer on the bottom left of his desk, he fit the key in the lock and withdrew a small box, the kind jewelry is held in.

David watched with bated breath as the velvet case yielded what looked like a small black gear. Offering his wrist, David tipped his head down but kept his eyes trained on the proceedings, rapt gaze hidden by his blond fringe. With practiced ease, Gardener set the gear-shaped key to the underside of David's wrist, where it clicked into the line of grooves that ran the length of the bracelet. Delicately with one finger, Gardener spun the key until there were three soft clicks, one after another.

"Is that better?"Gardener queried. The pressure on David's wrist had loosened just enough to let the blood flow better, but he knew that even after the swelling went down, while he'd have a little more give than before, it would only be a hairbreadth or two. That's ok, getting his bracelet loosened was only a means to an end. David nodded, and Gardener removed the key, placing it back in its velvet case and locking the whole thing back into his desk

Thanking Gardener for his help and promising to visit the nurse for some ointment, David set off towards the dorms, forcing himself to keep a casual pace even though he wanted to sprint through the hallways, whooping. Making his way across the quad and then to room 22A seemed to take longer than it ever had before. When he entered, Griffin was pacing trenches in the ground between the beds.

"Well?" David had barely shut the door behind himself before Griffin was on him, pulling his arm up to inspect the bracelet. "What'd he say? Did it work? Did he do it?"

"He did it Griffin. I know how the bracelets work now, and I know how to get them off. And after the lies I had to tell him to throw him off-balance enough to not ask questions, I think I've earned an orgasm. Don't you agree?"

Griffin's smile was electric

"Your wish, love, is my command."


And thus, there is actual plot advancement! And suggestions of porn, which may or may not be written, depending on if my muse is cooperative or not.