Chapter 36: Twice Smitten

Friday, September 11 Year 2

Kyle

Kyle watched Stan flitter about the room packing everything they could possibly need as they moved through the city for a second time. Damien's stash of food had dwindled to lean meals and the gas for his generator had finally run dry. For these reasons, and because there was no sign of the nation's military liberating the city any time soon, the group collectively agreed it was time to leave.

It was hard to say whether or not this trip would run smoother than the last. On one hand they hadn't heard any explosions in well over a week, and on the other Kyle was still sporting a healing broken rib and Bebe waddled like a duck. Kyle also didn't feel emotionally ready to make the perilous journey a second time, but he kept those complaints to himself. What was the alternative? Starving?

"I think we're all set," said Stan as he held the gym bag up triumphantly. He turned, flashing Kyle his best smile. He looked just as apprehensive.

"Looks like you're bringing everything but the kitchen sink."

"We have to be prepared for anything, and you're still hurt." Stan set the bag by the door and came up to the bedside. "You sure you're fit for travel?"

"I'm feeling a lot better," Kyle assured him.

Stan lingered there, eyes staring vacantly ahead, and Kyle wanted nothing more than to break him free from his thoughts with a kiss. And there was the problem.

"Have you thought about what I said?" Stan's voice was flat, most likely his attempt at sounding indifferent.

"I have." It's how Kyle had spent most of his time trapped in bed. The topic clawed away at the back of his mind until there was no other though to think. It consumed him, and while it was painful, he was forced to make a decision. "Stan-"

The man flinched, as if the sound of his name burned him.

"Sit." Kyle patted the mattress beside his stretched legs and the man hesitated before taking up the space. At first he kept his head down, but after a moment, when Kyle didn't speak, he looked up at the redhead.

Kyle grasped Stan's left hand and ran the pad of his thumb over his knuckles. They were rough from the cold and dotted in tiny white scars. It was hard to say which ones he'd collected over his lifetime and how many were from this latest disaster. None of them were getting out of this unmarred.

"Stan," Kyle looked into his best friend's deep blue eyes and offered a smile. "You have always been my best friend and you always will be. But honestly I've always wanted to be more than friends. When we were young I didn't really understand it, but I eventually realized I was gay because of you."

Confusion crossed Stan's face and his eye stretched wide. Kyle didn't allow for him to interrupt.

"I never told you because you were my straight super best friend. I'd already felt blessed to have you accept me for who I am, I didn't want to selfishly ask for more. And, of course, you've been in love with Wendy for almost as long as I've known you."

Stan's eyes began to water at the mention of her name. He rapidly blinked the tears away.

"I would have never confessed to you, so thanks for being the brave one." Kyle squeezed Stan's hand, who immediately squeezed back.

"So does this mean…?"

Kyle leaned over and pressed his forehead into Stan's. "I would like to share my forever with you." Stan moved to crash their lips together just as Kyle pulled away. "But first I have to talk with Kenny."

Saturday, September 12 Year 2

Kenny

Kenny and Ike were huddled together inside the bed of a red pickup truck. They had cover from above thanks to the canopy and a wall between them and the bugs that littered the streets in swarms. Normally the start of fall brought clouds of gnats, but there were just as many flies buzzing about. It had to be the smell of blood that attracted them. Kenny might have been annoyed, but the insects helped to spot fresh corpses and, in a sense, warned them of possible dangers.

They'd spotted the truck and figured it was a good of place as any for a brief pit-stop. As soon as they'd shut the glass window behind themselves Kenny searched for the water bottle buried in his pack. He found it with little trouble and gulped a third of it down before passing it to Ike.

"Thanks." The boy examined the nozzle, as if contemplating the germs that would be on it, before taking a swig. "What's for lunch?"

Kenny pulled out the last of the MREs Clyde had stolen for him. This one claimed to be Salisbury steak. He tore the packaging and got to work on making the meal presentable. Once done, the two of them settled into the cold metal of the truck and dug into their meager portions.

Ike's nose immediately crinkled as he made a hacking noise in the back of his throat. "God this tastes awful."

Kenny rolled his eyes. The boy knew nothing. "Try eating out of a dumpster."

Ike considered his food once more before trying another bite. Only the sound of chewing permeated the air until they were finished. Kenny took a small slip of the diminishing water before eyeballing the liquid.

"We'll need to resupply soon."

Soon came several blocks later when they found an Asian market. The door was locked though and a placard in the window warned of a security system. The metal pipe Kenny had insisted on bringing suddenly felt like a two ton burden. He could break the glass and get the supplies they needed, but that would put him on a similar level to all of the thieves and murderers who'd torn the city asunder.

He couldn't do it, and Ike didn't ask him to.

"Look, there's a hose on the side of the building. Let's fill the bottles and look for grub elsewhere."

Kenny kept watch as Ike stooped over the hose. It was amazing they hadn't run into anyone blindly shooting or getting stab happy yet. It helped that they'd carefully planned each route and took their time getting from point A to point B. But their luck had to run out eventually.

Sunday, September 13 Year 2

The deeper they crawled through the city the less cover there was. Swaths of open space had both men on edge. On occasion they passed other people who were equally in a hurry to be somewhere else. Kenny had been able to stop and talk to a few of them, he asked if they'd seen Kyle or Stan, describing them both in detail. The people who bothered to answer only spouted apologies before running off.

Soon no luck met bad luck.

"And it's dead," Ike said as he crammed his phone into one of his back pockets. They'd been diligently following his maps to avoid trouble but his phone could only last for so long. "Probably didn't help that mom kept trying to call."

"You really shouldn't have left without saying something to her."

"Better to ask for forgiveness, right?"

Kenny did not want to be in either of their shoes when they returned. If Stan's stories were anything to go by, they would be in a world of trouble. It might soften the blow if we bring Kyle back with us. Just another reason they had to find him.

Progress was slow, their pace half the speed of the other day. Slow but smart. Ike and Kenny were always on the lookout for safe places to rest at, so when Ike noticed a bakery off the beaten path he made a beeline for it. He dropped into the building's shadow and slouched against its bubblegum pink walls. Kenny was a step behind him, but where Ike sought respite he saw opportunity.

The back door had been left open, more inviting than the Asian market, which meant there was a chance someone else had already done the breaking in. Sure it was still stealing, but Kenny felt less weird about shifting through someone else's leftovers.

"I'll check it out," he announced before dipping inside the backdoor.

The smell was nostalgic. Even though it was clear no one had been baking there for awhile—a layer of dust coated the prep-station where flour should have been—a sweet aroma still hung in the air. Kenny missed the café, he missed Tweek's coffee and he missed gossiping with Bebe.

That's when it dawned on him. Life will never be the same.

The sadness was overwhelming but he didn't let himself get swept up in it. He found some dry baking ingredients that could be eaten separately and a surprisingly large stash of dried fruit. He searched for anything else that would be useful but all he saw was a busted cash register. At least there were no bodies.

When Kenny returned he caught Ike pacing. As their eyes met all of the tension from his shoulders deflated like an untied balloon.

"I was getting worried," he confessed after he'd been handed his portion of the rations. "I didn't follow you because I didn't want to startle you again, but we should really stick together. Always."

Kenny didn't look up from where he was stowing the rest of the food into his bag. "You're right, I'm sorry. Either one of us could have been ambushed and I had our only weapon."

He tried not to dwell on all the bad things that could have happened and instead focused on helping Ike plot their next course. It was a familiar routine, reminiscent of Stan's little powwows though with less people to bicker and nitpick the ideas. Ike had the map from his phone pretty much memorized, but it was only useful knowledge if they knew where they were going.

Kenny asked about the their general location, landmarks and street names close to where they were. Almost like a robot, Ike repeated what he could remember before asking through a mouthful of dried apricots, "Are we lost?"

"No. This is the area, we just need to comb it for awhile." They had reached the vicinity where Kenny had last seen Stan well over an hour ago, but so far they hadn't come across him or Kyle. I really didn't think this plan through. If he is here he'll be hiding, keeping his head down and out of trouble.

Kenny was trying to think of their next step, munching away on stale granola, when Ike grabbed his elbow. It was a bone crushing grip, one that would no doubt leave bruises. Clearly Ike, who would never hurt him, was trying to subtly get his attention. And it worked. Kenny glanced up from his food to take notice of their surroundings.

Across the street he spotted a small group of people. It was an older woman, most likely in her late forties, flanked by two fellows who looked like they hadn't shaved or bathed ever. To be fair, everyone inside the city looked like shit these days. What made these people stand out were the odd belts and necklaces displayed atop their clothes. It was hard to identify all of the ivory shapes from this distance, but Kenny knew a femur when he saw one. Maybe they were costumes, a quick trick to scare people away. Maybe. But the other thing that made these people stand out, and most likely why Ike drew his attention, was that as Kenny stared at them they stared back.

Kenny's toes curled inside his skate shoes as he imagined what angle he'd need to push off at to sprint. With the bakery behind them and a wall to their right, there weren't many options for a quick escape. A fight was more likely, and for that he'd need his hands.

Without ever looking away from the trio, Kenny allowed the bits of granola to slip from his cupped palm to land on the ground between his bent legs. He could hear Ike shift beside him as the pressure on his elbow eased to one of comfort.

My pipe is right beside me so I'll have no trouble grabbing it before they get here. Ike doesn't have a weapon, and most likely has less hand-to-hand combat experience than I do. Should I give him the pipe? Have him run? Should we toss it at them and run? But what if they catch up?

"Something's not right."

Kenny didn't dare look away from the people, couldn't look away. He didn't see what Ike was seeing, as nothing had changed. And then he understood.

The realization came nearly too late. Kenny sprung to his feet pulling Ike with him. The boy must have been prepared because he rose as if they were one body. Both ran to the left, not bothering to grab the pipe, not having time to pick up their bulky packs. Just as they vacated the building's shadows a fourth person appeared from the backdoor of the bakery.

Pop! Pop!

Kenny saw a bullet ricochet off the asphalt in front of them, leaving a white divit and the smell of gunpowder. He didn't slow. He would run no matter what because stopping meant death. Then the pressure left his elbow entirely and the reality of what that could mean halted him to his core.

He didn't have time to dwell on whether or not Ike had been shot, if he was now dead like so many others they'd tread past. He didn't have time. As soon as his step faltered there was a hand crushing his own and wrenching him forward.

Pop!

Together Ike and Kenny dashed behind the closest building for cover, gunfire and pounding feet echoing their retreat. They ran and ran down city blocks until the fire in Kenny's legs had him crying out in protest.

Ike lead them a few feet further toward a van parked halfway inside the front window of an insurance company. The few extra steps were more than Kenny could take and his legs dropped him like a mic. He fell with a cry and Ike pulled up on their conjoined hands. For just a second his knees were suspended above the spray of broken glass, then Ike's other arm swooped around his waist to fully support him. Kenny wanted to thank him for the save, but the words died in his throat. The bluish-green pigmentation of Ike's eyes appeared black as ink due to the fading sun. Wide and unblinking, they broadcasted his feeling better than any words ever could.

Ike indicated the van with a jerk of his head, "We should get inside."

All Kenny could do was nod and fumble for the handle. It was locked. Ike left Kenny leaning against the vehicle's frame before he went around to the driver's side and popped the rear door open. All the while Kenny kept a lookout for those people, just in case they'd followed the long distance

Inside the van were remnants of summer. On the floor of the trunk were two deflated beach balls, a Frisbee, a blue popup tent and rumpled neon towels still peppered in sand. Kenny also spotted one flip flop, a bottle of windshield wiper fluid and a red plastic tunnel. To get inside he and Ike shoved everything towards the smashed front end of the van. Then they pushed down the backseats so they'd have room to stretch out. Satisfied, they crawled in and Ike locked the door behind them. Both of them flopped down to catch their breath.

Kenny waited for his heart to stop sounding like an overworked fan before asking, "Are you alright?"

"Never better." Ike propped himself up on his elbows. "Did you see what they were wearing?"

"I think their necklaces were finger bones."

"Think they hunt people for sport? Maybe they were cannibals? The news said people were eating each other."

Kenny didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to think about how they could have died just now, about how he drug Ike into this mess, or how he stupidly came back to the city with less of a plan and more of a wish list. But not thinking about it left little else. He rubbed his palms into his eyes trying to clear his thoughts. They'd lost everything. They lost their water, the food, the sleeping bags and the first-aid kit. All gone.

"You're worrying again."

"How can I not?" He peeked out at Ike through his finger barrier. "We lost all of our supplies and nearly died."

"But we didn't." Ike said it so plainly. His lips ticked up into a half smile as he stared back at Kenny. "And we still have each other."

Kenny snapped his eyes closed to hide his own self-consciousness. He didn't want Ike to see how relieved he was to have him there. They could have died and Kenny was happy to not be alone. Being alone was all too common for Kenny. He'd gone through most of his shitty life feeling like it was him against the world. After his parents were murdered no adult gave him the time of day. He always had Karen but refused to burden her with his problems. When he'd been taken by Dale he didn't dare have the expectation of someone rescuing him only for his hopes to be crushed. More recently, when trying to flee the city, everyone had been so trapped in their own head-space the lonesomeness was suffocating. But here he wasn't alone. Didn't feel alone.

As soon as his heart vacated his throat Kenny replied, "Best case scenario."

That earned him a chuckle from Ike who began rifling through the beach stuff. Sadly there was no food to be found in the back of the van, only sunscreen and melted chapstick. The chapstick was cherry flavored but no one was that desperate.

Done searching, Ike pulled a bright green towel from the pile and shook it. Waves of sand flew off. He gave it a few more shakes before offering it to Kenny. "It's going to get pretty cold tonight without our sleeping bags. This is better than nothing."

Kenny threw it across his legs as he watch Ike attempt to clean off a lemon colored towel for himself.

"Wish I still had my pack of cards." Ike spread his towel out but it only covered up to his mid-chest. "I'm not tired yet."

"That's probably from the adrenaline."

"Or the hunger."

Add that to the growing list of how I've let him down.

"Or the cold," Ike continued.

"That I can at least help with." Kenny scooted the half a foot distance so he was hip-to-hip with Ike before turning and cuddling into his side. "Just think of me as your personal heater as thanks."

Ike

Ike returned the embrace by tucking Kenny into the groove of his body. He fit perfectly as if they'd been made for one another. He rested his chin against the top of Kenny's head, a position he'd become quite fond of. Like two puzzle pieces.

"Thanks for what?" He didn't really need his ego stroked, he just wanted to hear Kenny's voice and to feel his words vibrate through him.

"For today. For everything."

"You don't have to thank me for that," Ike's arms constricted. "But no moving."

Kenny's laughter was muffled against Ike's jacket. He mumbled something else but the only thing coherent was 'mutual.' Despite the layers of clothes, Ike was sure he could feel the heat from the blonde's breath against his chest.

He was so hungry it felt like his cells had taken a jackhammer to his lower stomach. His feet's calluses had calluses, his nails were all chipped, his mouth tasted like sewage—he hadn't brushed his teeth since boot camp—and he must have been laying on a rock because it sure as hell felt like it. And yet the world felt right.

Monday, September 14 Year 2

Kenny

"Is your shoulder okay?"

"Huh?" Ike lowered his hand from where it had previously been rubbing the back of his shoulder. "Oh, yeah. Slept on a rock or something."

"Our accommodations were pretty shit." Kenny nodded his head sympathetically. "When we get home let's give them a one star review."

"Definitely not honeymoon material."

They were on the topic of best wedding destinations, both in favor of being out in nature over destination cities—though their current setting may have played a role in their opinions—when the familiar scuffle of feet on street halted them in their tracks. Ike ducked behind the row of cars and Kenny ducked down beside him.

They shared a look, syncing their thoughts as if they were fancy watches, before gazing through the car's windows. It was hard to make out the people in the distance. Kenny's first priority was to check for bone apparel but his eyesight was drawn to a nest of red curls.

"Holy shit it's them!" Kenny jumped out of hiding, slid across the hood of the muscle car, and went tearing across the adjacent parking lot.

The group spotted him before he'd even made it halfway. They must have recognized him because multiple voices called out in greeting. Up close he saw that it was not only Kyle and Stan, but Bebe and Damien too. His heart soared that they were okay, but it worried him that they were still in the city.

He ran straight for Kyle, going for one of those anime glomps he'd read about. Instead he ran full force into Stan's arm as it blocked him from making contact. The officer answered the question before Kenny had a chance to ask.

"His broken ribs are still healing, so maybe not so fast?"

The redhead himself elbowed his way past the arm to hug Kenny. "Am I hallucinating? What are you doing here? You didn't make it out of the city with Cartman?" Kyle leaned back and examined him closely, most likely looking for injuries.

"I did, but I came back for you! We came for you," Kenny said before looking over his shoulder. A lot slower than the blonde had been, but Ike was now running to join the group. "I'm just sorry it took so long."

Kenny wanted to indulge in the hug for as long as possible but all too soon it ended as Kyle pulled back. The man wore a smile but it was easy to spot the tension in his cheeks. Something was wrong. Was the hug too tight after all? Did I hurt him?

"Kyle?"

"Sorry, I'm just-"

"Kyle!" Ike came barreling down the path Kenny had taken. He didn't try to slam into his brother though and instead came to a halt beside Stan.

"What are you doing here?" Kyle's face went pale with concern.

"I wanted to help save your sorry ass." The proud grin was smug, as if this was a sort of one-upmanship between brothers.

"You shouldn't have brought him!" Kyle's wide eyes bore holes into Kenny's.

"I didn't, he followed me until it was too late to send him back." Which was 100% the truth. "We made it just fine."

"We make a great team," Ike added.

"This is a dangerous place, you shouldn't be here," Kyle began lecturing.

"This is all well and good, and like I'm glad to see you guys are okay, but we're in the middle of nowhere. Let's get moving and save all this for later," said Damien from the back of the traveling party. Beside him Bebe was all smiles, her hands delicately folded over the top of her bulging belly.

"You're right, sorry," Kyle pinched the bridge of his nose and took a shallow breath. "Let's get out of here."

As if on cue everyone started walking along the sidewalk. It felt strange to be in such a large traveling party once more, and he would miss the intimacy of just two people, but Kenny knew exactly where he needed to be. He fell into his old place beside Kyle and reached for his hand. Their fingers brushed but instead of Kyle closing the distance his hand flinched back. The redhead looked over, his eyebrows raised in confusion. Realization lit his brown eyes and then his expression turned from surprised to apologetic.

That's when Kenny noticed that Kyle's right hand was already occupied.

"Thank you Stan, I can take over from here," Kenny held out his hand to receive Kyle's. Both men stared at it but neither made a move. Kenny could almost see the gears in their heads turning, trying to process the request. It was his turn to be confused. "Kyle?"

Their steps slowed and the distance between them and the others grew. If Kenny had looked, he would have seen Ike had stopped to wait, but his attention was on his two friends. Both men attempted and failed to say something. It was plenty though and Kenny withdrew the offer.

That roused Kyle's voice. "It wasn't planned but I-"

"We," Stan corrected.

"We." Kyle repeated but struggled to finish his thought.

"It's okay, I get it." Kenny forced a smile as he straightened his posture and continued walking. There was a time and a place for getting upset about this, and he knew this was not then. "Damien's right, we should get going."

Up ahead Ike's own expression mirrored the shock and betrayal Kenny felt. Whether or not he heard the pitiful exchange he could see the truth for himself. His hands balled into fists as he headed for the couple who'd fallen behind. He reminded Kenny of a knight stalking off to battle, which is exactly why he stopped him.

"Oh no you don't," Kenny snagged the boy's arm and started pulling him along after Bebe and Damien. For a pregnant woman Bebe was fast on her feet.

"But!" Ike gave no physical protest as he fell into step beside Kenny. "I can't believe this."

"It's not so far fetched."

"He shouldn't have dumped you for Stan."

The words hurt. Because that's what it was, right? They didn't say as much, but now was not the time for a heart-to-heart conversation. Maybe this is one of those huge misunderstandings that romance stories thrive on. But it so obviously wasn't. Beside him Ike was still fuming, hands still clenched into fists. Kenny moved his hand down the boy's arm and pried at his fingers. Mistaking his intention, Ike grabbed his hand. Kenny could feel the tremor of anger coursing through Ike and wanted to put a stop to it. This wasn't how he wanted their reunion to go.

"S'okay, really, I expected as much."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not." He puffed his cheeks, ready to argue, but was interrupted by a shout from D.

"Run!"

From what?!

Bebe and Damien took off in one direction and Ike and Kenny made to follow. In the distance they could hear someone gunning an engine. It was so startling because no one had driven since the city's main arteries became a clusterfuck of car crashes and roadblocks.

Stan and Kyle caught up to them quickly, and soon all four of them were darting into a back alley after the others. Kenny had to let go of Ike as each of them took turns scaling a chain link fence. Damien and Ike scrambled over it first to assist Bebe.

"Are they following?" Kyle asked as he made his way over the top next, his movements slow and steady. On the other side Ike was reaching up to help stable him.

Kenny looked back to see but he needn't bothered. A sleek red motorcycle appeared at the end of the alley as its driver revved the engine. Bebe's shriek was drowned out by the sound of a metal bat scraping asphalt at 15 mph. Still on the other side of the fence, Kenny might have just stood there as a spectator to his own death, but Stan hauled him and then hauled ass in the opposite direction of the others.

There had been no time to scale the fence as second behind them the motorcycle was already there making the impossible U curve to follow.

"I know where we are!" Stan yelled. Behind them they could hear the biker crashing into plastic garbage bins. If they were lucky he'd get careless and run into a metal one.

The two of them took every difficult path they could think of. After leaving the back alley of a Chinese restaurant they sprinted across a small park littered with a sandboxes, slides and swings. Back into the throng of buildings Stan abruptly stopped them and motioned up. An escape ladder, of course. Both of them wasted no time in climbing. Kenny loathed to be on another roof so soon, but this one was blessedly closer to the ground and kept them away from the psycho chasing them.

Neither man said anything as the purr of the motor went past. When the sound didn't return Stan deemed it safe and they effortlessly scaled back down.

"Don't worry, we had a contingency plan in place if we got separated in each portion of the city, and as it turns out we're close to one." Stan explained as he lead the way.

The meet up location was next to an out of place angel statue. Kenny thought it looked like a grave marker but didn't comment as much. They were the first ones there so he settled in against the base of the bronze statue to try and blend in. Stan approached and he scooted to make room, but instead of sitting he stopped at Kenny's feet.

"Look, I know it won't change anything but you can punch me," said Stan. "Punch me wherever you want. I deserve it."

Is he an idiot? Kenny tried not to laugh at how serious the man was. Stan was such a good guy, of course he would feel bad. But I feel bad too. "You love him right?" The man nodded furiously. "Just... make him happy."

"What?" Stan accepted the offered seat. "Aren't you angry?"

"Of course." Kenny glared out at the city because there was no true source for his anger. "Kyle lied to me and himself. He loved you yet he focused his attention on me." Kenny felt a tightness in his throat and tried to will any tears away. He glanced at Stan. "I kind of knew he felt that way about you." It was hard not to notice. If not in person then all of those photo albums. "He was so nice to me, he cared. All of it was so new to me, and despite my reservations he kept pushing." He wiped at a tear that got away. "I knew it wouldn't last. I just never expected it to hurt so much."

They sat in silence after that as Stan politely ignored the fact that Kenny was crying. It didn't take long for the others to come running their way.

One look at the situation had Ike glaring at Stan, "What did you do?"

"Besides steal his boyfriend," pipped in Damien.

"I-" Stan shook his head.

"Nothing." Kenny tried on a smile. It felt okay. "I'm glad you guys got here safely." He decided now was a good time to hug his friends, because he hadn't yet and that was a real shame. He snagged a side hug Bebe nearly and Damien popped his spine in his crushing hug.

"Tonight we just have to catch up," Bebe insisted, her eyes drifting over to Kyle as she spoke.

Thursday, September 17 Year 2

Ike

Damien was efficient. It was hard to believe, but out of everyone Ike thought he made the best leader. Kenny had street smarts—and was perfect—and Stan had years of being on the force, but Damien had a no bullshit meter that maxed out at zero. It was much appreciated and made the trip back through the city almost enjoyable. One time they got stopped by some thugs but Damien, with some backup from Stan, only had to look at them funny before scaring them off. Then that motorcycle returned but, having anticipated something like that happening, Damien pulled out homemade caltrops. The bike hit one and spun out of control. Ike could still smell the burning rubber.

About the only thing scarier than Damien was Bebe, because no one pissed off a pregnant lady. Between the two of them the awkwardness of the group was dialed low. It still didn't stop Kenny's melancholy though and today was especially bad. They were nearing the edge of the city and not even that could rouse a smile from the smaller man.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll live."

"Sleep on a rock?" he tried to joke. Kenny smirked and Ike had to reign in a fist pump.

"Something like that," the blonde said as he cast his gaze to where Stan and Kyle walked ahead of them.

"My brother is such an idiot."

The words had been mumbled but Kenny heard and commented, "Well not everyone can be a genius."

"You're right. Kyle has nothing on me."

Bright blue eyes combed him over. "Well he is taller."

"I'm still growing. And I'm taller than you."

"Older."

"Age is irrelevant past 18."

"How old are you again?"

"20."

"Well then there's his feisty personality."

Ike knew he was being teased but he'd play along just to see Kenny's mischievous smile. It was a thousand times better than the alternative. "Have you ever seen me play MMOs?"

"He's caring," this one was said wistfully.

"I care! About some things."

"He's a great kisser." Kenny watched him from the corner of his eye.

"I-" Ike balked, surprised the joke would go there. "I'm a damn good kisser."

Kenny laughed as a blush dusted his skin. He slapped Ike on the shoulder in an over jovial manner. "Sorry, I was messing with you. You and Kyle are both completely different people, both wonderful in your own ways, so you shouldn't compare yourself to him."

"Completely different people."

"That's not a bad thing," Kenny gave him a small smile. "In fact, I think that's a good thing you're not a lot like your brother."

"Because I'm better?"

Kenny just smiled and kept walking. Ike decided not to press it.

-.-.-.-

"Okay guys, this is the final push." Damien clapped his hands together and pointed at the crude map Ike had drawn from memory with art supplies they'd pilfered. The group had hidden inside in small crafts store. One of its walls was covered in rows of colorful fabrics and the opposite was filled with equally vibrant paints. Damien pointed at the ink doodle that was their current location and moved it north. "According to these guys-" he waved at Kenny and Ike, "This area is the last we know of with active hostility. We'll scout ahead, but I say we press for tonight."

It was past mid-day but there was still plenty of daylight left. They were already in a hurry to leave the city, but Bebe's back pain and constant cramps had intensified their drive to get out.

Not even a second had passed before Kenny was volunteering. "I can take a look,"

"I don't care what military training you got in that short amount of time, I'm much more qualified for this. I'll go scout," said Stan, holding up a hand as Kenny went to complain. "Don't argue this."

Thank you!

"Maybe I should go with you." It was Kyle this time.

"Are you joking? With your busted rib? I'll be faster alone." The two shared a look before Stan left the cutting table to prepare for his trip. He wouldn't need much more than Damien's binoculars.

As Stan went to scout the last stretch of city the five of them lounged in the sewing section since it had the most furniture, a few of them models for sewing projects. Bebe kept the conversation lively, continuing to ask Kenny and Ike questions about boot camp. The other day they'd shared their story of how they'd been in training, but it was Bebe who pressed for details. She seemed especially excited when Kenny brought up the short time Ike had been there. Ike liked to think she was rooting for them.

FUCK! Ike jumped from his seat startling everyone. All of their voices mingled as they tried to understand what was going on but he registered none of their words. There can be an us now! Shit, fuck, I'm so happy! Ah, but shit, does that make me a bad person? Fuck it, I don't care!

"Ike?"

There was a light rap on the end of his nose. Staring down it Kenny's face was all he could see. Concern was etched into his features as blonde brows pulled together. He made to say something but Ike interrupted by picking the smaller man up and twirling. Kenny's swinging feet knocked over spools of thread, which clattered to the floor, and Ike's ass nearly knocked over a sewing machine. This didn't stop him though, and he continued his careless spin.

"What are you doing?" Kyle's voice pitched high.

"I think he's broken," Damien answered.

Bebe fell into a fit of giggles.

Finally too dizzy to continue, Ike set Kenny back on his feet. The blonde looked just as dazed and giddy as he felt. Kyle moved in closer for an interrogation but Ike was spared answering him because just then the door pushed open and in walked Stan. Everyone stopped what they were doing to gather around the fabric cutting station where the map from earlier had been left.

"There are people, sentries, here and here," Stan marked the map with a red sharpie. "I didn't see them, but I'm sure there are others."

"What's the point? Bebe asked as she leaned in to get a better look. "What are they guarding?"

"I think they're trying to keep people in the city, though for what reason I don't know." Stan made a new mark in blue. "This looked to be our best bet for exit, but with it so easy to get through it almost feels like a trap."

"Probably is," Damien agreed. "What are our other options?"

"Honestly, there are none. I mean, we could try to literally go through buildings, but I have an inkling not all of them are abandoned." Stan ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back out of his eyes. "I hate to say it but these guys look well organized, like they've been working together all this time. I didn't see any visible tatts, though that doesn't mean they aren't associated with gangs…"

An air of unease grew around them. It was Bebe who took the bait, "What are you saying?"

"What I think we've always known. These people are working together for a common goal."

"Which is?"

He shrugged, casting his gaze at each of them, "Who knows. Let's just pray we never have the chance to ask."

This was the longest it ever took for the group to decide on a plan. It came down to either look for a different way out, though other areas of the city could—and most likely would—be the same, or they could attempt the safer route which was most likely a trap. Arguments were had and a few insults were thrown. Finally, Damien who took no bullshit, said he was going.

"If we know it's a trap then we can do our best to prepare for it. But this city is an ever tightening noose," His eyes flicked to Bebe. Her jaw was set and her eyes calm, she nodded her approval and he continued."I won't stay to be hung. No matter what these assholes throw at us we're getting out. You with me?" He stuck out his hand like one of those cheesy sports rally maneuvers.

Ike surprised even himself by being the first to slap his own hand atop of Damien's. Kenny's was just a second behind. They shared a reassuring smile as more hands joined in.

"Alright!" Damien bellowed into the circle they'd formed. "Time to get the fuck out of dodge."