Green stared down at the four males sitting demurely, subdued before him. In fact not so demure Green corrected himself as he fought down the urge to throw a hissy fit.

Hissy fit as in a major throw shit round kind of fit. But he had manners and essentially a kind of 'front' and 'image' to uphold. Green sighed, some days he wished he could go back to that awful, insolent, flirty teenager he used to be. The only reason he changed was because he met Red. In a sense Red was the reason he was so uptight about everything- but more than anything he wanted to bring these boys up like his own children- teach them how to become proper adults with all the right upbringing. Because hell did they need it. Fuck they needed it.

Green exhaled loudly through his nose gearing up for something truly special right there and then. He honestly had no idea how these young men in front of him would ever become proper and SAFE additions to society, especially after all the COMPLAINTS the psychologist had received today- more than he could count the hairs on his head. Green ran a hand through his perfectly spiked hair, he was not amused. The four before him just... He didn't know when or how they were going to see that they couldn't act like they were invincible.

They weren't invincible.

They liked to think that they were and that was what their downfall would be.

Green didn't want to see them get hurt because of that. He wasn't always going to be around for them forever.

Green crossed his arms biting the inside of his cheek as he looked at each individual misfit carefully, his intellectual mind whirring. They were all so different but at the same time they all mirrored one another so well. Despite both Morty and Falkner being perfectly healthy mentally, the Tournament had obviously left it's imprint, its scar on them too. The brunette checked his watch and glared at the lot of them as they shifted in the pregnant silence.

Gold was insolently picking his teeth and sitting in a rather sprawled unrefined manner (Gold just screamed 'naughty bad boy' and Green had no idea how Silver found that attractive.) Morty was reclining elegantly like a large exotic and powerful cat, imperiously inspecting his fingernails with an air of supreme boredom in his liquid violet eyes. Falkner was lying on his back like a beached whale, being out right rebellious with his feet- shoes still on mind you, propped up on the suite sofa cushions whilst blowing soft raspberries as the silence dragged on and Silver... Well Silver was perfect. Always perfect and the brunette had to admit that the redhead whilst influenced easily often realised his wrongs thereafter rather quickly. Green had no issues with how Silver was sitting straight backed, head bowed slightly his lips in a thin serious line as if he knew exactly what was going on- all of this was in respect for his elder- and his elders' subsequent rage that was slowly rolling off of the brunette psychologist in waves. Green pinched the bridge of his nose before taking a lengthy sip of water from the glass beside him on the table.

Where to start?

He glanced over at Red and instantly regretted doing so as Red was a little ways off, plucking at his bellybutton for some strange reason and flicking whatever he found into the carpet. That was just gross. Pikachu was in a post-coital state of bliss, his catnip bag having split ages ago yet that did not prevent the after effects of the plant. It was still wearing off of the feline and Pikachu was beyond loopy, he was high. Deciding to leave it and ignoring his OCD was rather difficult, Green found he could manage in the end and turned away from his lover with a shudder. Red had strange habits- Green had only really come to terms with it as of now. Red had some seriously strange habits that Green had no hopes of making him get rid of. But that was not as important as the band of misfits in front of him now.

Clicking his tongue he eyeballed them all quietly, Morty held his stare rather well before glancing away like he knew he had done wrong; yet a small quirky smile tore at his lips- giving Green the impression that the blonde gymnast was not at all sorry. Green knew he would have a hard time getting his message through to the impish young athlete. Falkner didn't even meet his gaze- guilty as they came. Gold's hawk amber stare was piercing and Green allowed himself not to flinch- the powerful raven haired male was lucky he was gifted with such a unique eye colour. The bright amber gold - the eyes and colour of a predator- could convey the most brutal of glares and in this case, heart stopping stares. But eventually Gold turned away blowing his fringe out of his eye in boredom.

Silver met his gaze shyly, his pale silvery gaze was soft and trusting, a huge contrast to his boyfriends' impertinent hot stare- his pale cheeks dusted with a giveaway precious pink from embarrassment and shame. Green felt his heart melting for Silver. The poor baby was such an easy target for the other three nasty boys surrounding him. Green felt like he needed to protect Silver- from these salivating hungry wolves because they were corrupting the redhead too quickly. And in a bad way as well. Such bad influences Green through crossly as Silver let out a small squeak and hid his face behind his gorgeous long shining dark foxy red curtain of hair. Smiling softly more to himself Green sighed once more before pinning his most icy glare to his features. He might as well try to do it right before his facade dropped and the boys wouldn't take him seriously because honestly they were all such lovely people... He couldn't stay mad at them for long.

"I'm glad to see you all made it here on time. That is impressive seeing as you Gold, you are normally tardy and Falkner you often don't give a shit about time."

Falkner flinched at this as if stung by the basic comment on his habits- it wasn't like he was actively trying to be late, he just... Falkner looked like he was contemplating as to why he was always late to things. Green continued his voice quiet yet held a certain kind of gravity that made you WANT to listen to what the psychologist wanted and had to say. Even Red who normally showed no interest in such things was listening intently his scarlet eyes flickering with a smoulder of curiosity.

"Morty do NOT touch Falkner until I've finished this session."

Morty cringed back his violet eyes narrowed with concentration and annoyance as if he were only behaving so he could have the rights to touch his boyfriend back. Green suppressed a smirk at this. Silver was looking at him owlishly, somewhat fearful of the dark rage emitting from his rather terrifying psychologist. Green rolled his shoulder smoothly and addressed the redhead.

"I expected better from you."

At this it was as if something had snapped in Silver and his eyes blazed to life with a glow of white fire. Green had to admit saying something like that to the somewhat temperamental redhead was a bit cruel. All his childhood Silver had had expectations of him, that he needed to do better and he was a disappointment. Green sighed, he couldn't help that though, Silver just needed to get over his past issues now. This was why he was so anxious that the four in front of him LEARNT their lessons.

"I assume none of you went away today after your punishments and felt ANY remorse as you reoffended?"

Green stood over then slowly building up his fury. Morty had the cheek to grin and elbowed Gold who shrugged him off. Green tugged out a piece of paper from his pocket and waved it at the two , who were snickering and tying Falkner's (who was now dozing off) shoelaces together.

"Do you know what this is?!"

Green hissed his verdant eyes narrowed and Gold snorted his golden eyes alight with humour.

"Piece of paper?"

Green almost kicked him, but Red beat him to it and threw a sofa cushion at the raven haired male. Gold snorted as he tossed the cushion back over to Red who eyed him up quietly.

"That's incredibly funny Gold. No. This is the bill for ALL the things and places you've wrecked today!"

Gold held his hands up in defence looking surprised before pointing at Morty.

"Hey that wasn't me at all! That was Morty, he uprooted the plant first and then chased me with it!"

"Don't blame it on others!"

Green growled, crushing the flimsy paper in his fist, Gold really irritated him sometimes. Gold rubbed his forehead tiredly before kicking Morty in the side.

"Dude you fucking uprooted that damn tree!"

"It was fake. I hate fake vegetation."

Morty replied with a sniff and Gold gaped at him before gesturing wildly to the blonde with his hands as if telling Green that this COULD NOT be acceptable. It wasn't acceptable. You couldn't hate on fake plants!

"You can't just ragequit on fake plants bro."

Gold said quietly to Morty, Falkner was giggling now and Silver shushed him hurriedly with his hands, covering the navy haired archers' mouth hastily- Silver squealed loudly when Falkner licked his palms instead. Green sent the two smaller boys a glare and they shut up and began to tap his foot impatiently as he watched the blonde and the hawkeyed male sort it out between themselves as to who was responsible for the demolition of the mini putt course. Morty was still adamant on his discrimination towards fake flora.

"I think the people who thought they needed to put FAKE greenery onto a perfectly natural golf course need to be shot."

"Dude that still doesn't justify why you just ripped it out of the ground and CHASED ME THROUGH THE HOTEL LOBBY WITH IT!"

Gold cried out fully pissed off now that Morty was refusing to acknowledge his wrongs. Morty shrugged, still not really interested over the issue of nearly killing Gold with a fake potted tree. Green looked at the next thing on the list.

"I also received a complaint that not only did you leave that fake plant in the main swimming pool, but that you ALSO drove a golf buggy into the ladies changing room."

Green bit out and Gold blinked and pointed at Morty who punched him hard on the shoulder.

"Fuck you man, that was totally YOU!"

Gold rubbed his shoulder awkwardly.

"You were giving me the directions."

"No."

"Uh yeah, I remember you getting pissy when I didn't take the shortcut through the car park and tried to drive and we ended up crashing through the beach changing rooms. Saw more than I wanted to, why the fuck did it have to be a GIRLS changing room!? I swear I was going to die from the fumes."

Gold stuck his tongue out as he recalled the obnoxious fermentation of various spray deodorants raping his nostrils. Morty sighed.

"Fine. I'll admit to that. But it was YOUR fault that you and me actully, got your nose raped by the smell in there, you were too busy trying to see what kind of bikini would look good on Silver!"

Gold horrified kicked Morty again who retaliated with a hiss and Green running both his hands down his face barked at the two to just shut the fuck up and stop fighting. Silver had gone bright red as he stared at Gold with a mixture of horror and embarrassment, Falkner was cackling away merrily into the redheads' slender shoulder. Red decided to voice the one question that was probably bugging the majority of them.

"Why were you driving a golf buggy? How come I wasn't there?"

Gold shoved Morty off of him, the blonde was attempting to bite his nose. Gold batted the gymnast away once more as he turned to Red distracted.

"You were too busy rearranging the mini putt course, sticking flowers into the holes and everything- so we got bored- Morty did cause he can't golf for shit ('OW!' Gold yelped as Morty bit him on the ear in annoyance: 'I'm not shitty at golf!') And took a day trip to the other golf course on the other side of the hotel."

Green sighed as he watched the two bicker some more, eventually Morty sitting in Gold's lap, nose to nose with him arguing as Gold stuck his fingers in his ears, not listening, spouting nonsense as the blonde attempted to point out how horrible a human being he was. Green decided now was a good time to just bust a blood vessel and let it all out.

"ENOUGH ALL OF YOU JUST, ENOUGH!"

"Blah blah blah- can't hear youuuu~ waffles on a sunny floppy grandmother's train-what?"

Gold unplugged his ears, squinting up at Green who inhaled deeply through his nose, his whole being shaking. Falkner had curled up into Morty's side in fear and Silver was left stranded- that was the extent of his and the archers' deep friendship apparently- so the redhead merely rolled in on himself and looked apologetic. Green basked in the pure simple silence that greeted his ears, that is until Red gave Pikachu a round of applause as the feline toppled, heavy muscle and all in what could be called a 'cat forward roll'. Sending Red a pointed look Green watched as the strange man wrinkled his nose in apology and shuffled off on his butt with his cat to a corner where they could continue their... whatever the hell they were doing without disrupting the solemn atmosphere. Turning back to the task at hand Green considered what he wanted to say next.

"Not only did you both destroy a changing room with a golf buggy but apparently you went streaking."

"Oh. That was me."

Falkner raised his hand awkwardly from where he was cushioned into Morty's side. Green pinned the archer with a evil stare and Falkner cringed further into his boyfriend.

"Why!?"

Green asked exasperated and Falkner scratched his head as if he couldn't remember correctly.

"Well I remember telling Silver it was easier to train in the nude... He kind of bought it but told me he'd only do it if I did too."

Green almost face palmed. Silver was too naive for his own good, the poor baby was going to get manipulated badly later on in life, especially when Gold wasn't there to save him. Silver was looking at his friend horrified.

"You tricked me!?"

Falkner gave him a sheepish smile. Silver hissed angrily like a livid cat.

"You took PHOTOS."

Falkner's smile grew.

"Yup, Instagram baby."

Silver groaned. Gold perked up pulling out his phone with a smirk.

"Naked photos of Silver? Where? What's your Instagram?"

Falkner leered at Gold.

"You have to apologise to Mort-Mort first before I give you ANY pics."

Gold flipped him off and Green felt like his authority was slipping. Badly. He just couldn't control them. He would use Red to gain that authority back but he wanted to do this by himself. Green could never understand why no one took him seriously when he was mad... Green wondered if it was because he was so nice to everyone he just... Green sat down at the dining room table with a sad sigh feeling totally drained, he couldn't do this. They just wouldn't understand.

At all.

None of them.

Green wanted them to though.

He knew what it felt like to be at the peak of health, strength and pumped up on life. It felt amazing, great, enthralling and it was like you were standing, owning the fucking world. Green had been through that and was glad he had been pulled down a peg by a man called Red Pallet. He stayed silent for a long time until the bickering and tomfoolery subsided as the four realised he wasn't focusing on them anymore. Gold was actually looking concerned now. Falkner had the grace to look guilty, Morty had a poker face and Silver was creeping over quietly to check if the therapist was feeling alright.

"Green?"

Silver whispered, his voice low as if he didn't want to spook some flighty skittish animal. Green slowly met Silver's worried gaze and raised his eyebrows slowly. Silver cocked his head to one side.

"Green?"

Green said nothing and watched the redhead fidget under his calm emerald stare. Silver blinked a few times before glancing over at his shoulder were Falkner mouthed something to him. Silver turned back to him- Red was looking now. Green ignored the strangely pressurising stare of Red.

"Say something... please?"

Silver asked, unsure, and Green took his time, allowing himself a slow sip from his glass of water before uncrossing his legs.

"Now do you get it?"

He asked the four quietly and Gold looked at him quizzically. Green laughed softly.

"I know you all feel like everything you do, won't have consequences. But believe me once you all get out to the real world... You'll all have a huge shock."

Gold laughed.

Hard and it wasn't a kind sound either.

Green thinned his lips, pissed. Gold sobered quickly though before pinning his psychologist with a serious look, his voice betrayed no hint of fooling around. His voice was surprisingly mature. Green honestly had to admit he deep down very impressed and surprised.

"Green, I knew you were a worry wart but this is a bit ridiculous. We know everything we do has consequences,"

Green cut over him annoyed that his point hadn't gotten across.

"No you do not!"

Gold shot back his expression stony as if insulted that Green had forgotten something important.

"Yes I think we do."

Green opened his mouth to retort but Gold silenced him with the simple action of standing and as he did so took his shirt off. There, under the warm glow of the suite lighting in the darkening gloom of the summer night pressing down like a comforting blanket, stood in sharp contrast, the awful ridges of the tally charts of cuts.

Scars.

Green felt winded.

Of course. Gold looked worried and upset that the brunette male had not remembered something so potent. Pulling his shirt back on Gold's voice was gentle.

"My choices back then to act on finding you could've ended up with me dead. (Silver shivered at the thought.) And I have to admit it Green but when you ran out that room poorly disguised as Silver I won't lie, I was proud but furious at you for your stupidity. You could've died. I care about you a lot Green. You've helped me. But seeing you do something so irrationally stupid just wasn't like you. The Green I know would've thought it out a bit more. What I'm saying here is we all do stupid things in life, you only live once and today I will admit we crossed the boundaries between downright moronic and acceptable stupidity."

"That still doesn't explain anything for why you did it anyway! And what else could I do?! Stay put? Trapped like the rest of you and let more people die?! Let them take Silver?!"

Green growled. Gold closed his eyes quietly.

"People would've died anyway. Regardless if you had gone or not."

Green was silent as he realised this was true. Gold watched him silently his expression relaxed but somewhat sad.

"I... I just wanted to save Silver. They wanted him, I couldn't let them take him. I just couldn't..."

Green choked out, slumping further into his chair in fatigue before shakily brushing his lips with his right hand.

"They threatened to tear out my tongue you know. I couldn't, well didn't dare speak for the fear that if I opened my mouth they'd do it."

Green murmured and Gold swallowed visibly. Silver was watching the exchange through wide eyes and Falkner was playing with his shoelaces. Morty had gone rigid. Red was prowling on the edge of the shadows unsure if he should come forwards to comfort the brunette male.

"They fucked us all up. But we're okay."

Gold said, his voice surprisingly strong, reverberating round the walls of suite, amplifying its power.

"I was fucked up."

Morty muttered, recalling how he had been put out of action with the shrapnel embedded deeply into his shoulder, cutting into his back. The blonde continued all the usual spunk and fight in him was gone and he was merely another vulnerable human being.

"I went through withdrawals after I woke up in hospital. They told me I could never do another handstand. So I became angry, I was useless to my passion. But Falkner was there for me, we made it together without anyone else, we're still battling it now but we're getting there. Whilst I can't fully support my own weight on that side again I'm glad I can still perform and train."

Falkner kissed Morty gently on the cheek sweetly before turning to Green.

"I still see dead people in my dreams sometimes. They were bad people yes, but all those people... I still actively killed... I also went through a phase of anorexia."

"WHAT!?"

Silver cried out turning to look at his friend fully alert and near hysterical at the news. Falkner waved his hands calmingly in the redheads' direction.

"It was a phase Silver, don't worry. I'm a healthy weight now and I go for checkups regularly. But Morty and I were so damaged after getting out of that nightmare. And we understand what you want to say to us Green. We're sorry for causing you stress and being general immature boys."

Green had to admit his scolding session, he never thought it would turn out to be a therapy session, where they revealed their hurts, the hurts that still stung from when they were first created all up till the present. But he felt like it was good to do this. Perhaps this was what they needed. More than a simple shouting match filled with testosterone and aggression.

He felt his heart contract painfully with compassion and love for these boys he loved so dearly with all his heart. He could see each vulnerability naked on their faces. Red emerged.

"I was a coward."

Green startled looked at his lover.

"I'm sorry Green."

"Why?"

Green asked mystified and Red dipped his head shyly feeling small now everyone was focusing on him.

"I didn't keep your promise. You made me promise to look after Gold and Silver. I ran away on the same night to Mt. Silver when you were taken away."

Green stared at his feet.

"Why there?"

"I felt safe up there. I felt like I could run away from my problems and everything. No one to find me, hurt me because I am their enemy. No one to intrude on us. Pikachu hated it at first but he learnt to live with it."

Red smiled and petted his tank like cat on his broad square-ish head lovingly. Pikachu purred, sweeping his poofy bottlebrush tail in agreement. Red dipped his head again in apology. Silver then realised it was probably his turn to speak. Clearing his throat he found he had nothing and expressed this. Falkner immediately called his bluff. Silver was lost:

"No, I'm serious... I can't..."

Green wordlessly shoved a half filled sketchpad over to the redhead and then rolled a pen. Red grunted- hating that fact someone else was using one of his sketchbooks, but he could always neatly tear out that page anyway. Silver took the pad and pen thoughtfully.

"Draw the thing you fear the most and we'll go from there."

Green said kindly, Silver gave a wry thin smile at this and glanced quickly up at Gold who looked down at his lover vaguely confused. Silver drew quickly and precisely, this time not bothering to get dimensions or anything correct, he just drew. When he was finished Falkner was trying his best not to laugh at the redhead's poor art skills. Silver turned it this way and that as if he too was also trying to figure out what it was before tearing out the page and scrunching it up. Green heard Red whimper next to him as his beautiful pristine sketchbook was mauled. Silver took up the pen and drew again. And again, and again until a small pile of paper balls had accumulated at his feet. Finally Red couldn't stand it anymore and in a moment of pure kindness offered to draw what the mercury eyed teen wanted. Silver seemed to think this over before agreeing hesitatingly. Passing the pen and pad to its rightful owner Silver whispered into Red's ear what he had been attempting to draw.

Green knew it was something interesting judging by the blatant display surprise that flickered across Red's usually emotionless face- his dark slender brows shooting up into his hairline. The action was not missed by the other three males- Gold specifically intrigued by this bent over to look as Red began to draw for Silver.

A perfect clock.

Red had drawn a perfect piece of clockwork. Silver hummed approvingly and Green stared at the drawing entranced- knowing perfectly well Silver didn't fear clocks or anything as such. But he glanced up at the redhead asking him silently with his eyes to explain. Silver did.

"I fear time. I fear it because it's never ending and moments can be relived because of this and thus the past can never actually be forgotten. I am afraid of what happened, what Team Rocket wanted from me; I keep going back in my mind to what if... what if they won? What if I gave myself up and you stayed behind? What if... you died?"

Silver turned to Gold who said nothing but looked down at his chest where he knew Silver was looking at the scars. Silver shook himself.

"I know it's stupid. Being caught up in the past but I can't help it. I know you still cry Gold."

Silver addressed the raven haired male directly and Gold didn't look embarrassed and nodded, admitting it.

"Yeah, I do. want to know why? Because I can't believe I made it out alive."

Gold was blunt but Green could hear his voice wavering. Morty agreed with him on that- expressing how he had blacked out after the 3rd explosion and wondered if he was dying. But woke instead to Falkner's puffy tear stained face in a hospital a day later. Falkner went over to Silver and then held out his hand for the drawing, Red passed it to him, uncaring now what happened to that specific sketchpad seeing as Silver had already ruined it. Taking the pen Falkner drew a big 'X' through it with purpose.

"You are not clockwork."

Silver stared.

Falkner continued:

"You, nor I or them, or anyone for that matter, not even Pikachu are clockwork. We might be wound up on a spring that will eventually stop one day but we aren't as simple as that. We're people, not machines. Time is important but instead of dying over and over in the past like a piece of clockwork, perhaps you need to stop thinking so old fashioned and pick up... say a remote, a T.V remote and fast-forward into the future. Where do you see yourself in ten years time?"

Falkner asked, the question being open to the floor. Red shrugged and looked at Green pointedly who blushed. Morty expressed he'd like to be living quietly in a small town in Hoenn together with Falkner- perhaps they'd have adoptive kids. Falkner gaped at Morty realising what this meant.

"Did you just indirectly propose to me?"

Falkner asked awed and Morty blinked and covered his mouth with a hand as he realised his glorious mistake. Falkner dropped the sketchpad and flew into the blonde's awaiting arms to kiss him passionately.

"Yes. My answer is yes Morty. I do. I will, oh my God! Yes, I'll say it a thousand times if I have to!"

Smiling through his tears Falkner cuddled the blonde goofily before remembering his initial question and gazed at Silver through dewy eyes.

Silver looked at Gold who gave him a crooked smile and Silver didn't know exactly how to think. All his life he had been taught life was clockwork, like clockwork, was clockwork. That you were wound up at the beginning of life and wound down till you stopped all together- dead. That different lives, love for things, others and more and that interactions round him fit together seamlessly like a huge machine and now here was one person, his best friend telling him to ignore that whole lifestyle he had created for himself... And think outside the box. Silver contemplated this- he desperately wanted to let go of the past. He really did. So he contemplated his options and glanced at the hawkeyed male nearby.

"I need some time to think about that... All my life it's been so... as much as I hate to admit it, so cookie cut. I can't answer what I'd be doing in ten years time because it's so hard for me to 'fast forward into the future'. Sorry... if it's okay, may I leave to go think about it? I want some time alone."

Silver sent his navy haired friend an apologetic smile and Falkner waved him off flippantly in a manner that suggested ironically he had all the time he wanted to think about it. Standing and walking over the Green Silver knelt and pulled the psychologist into a tight hug.

"Thanks. Sorry for being an embarrassment and a little shit."

Green patted Silver on the head gently.

"It's fine honey- don't stay out too late ok?"

Silver nodded and stepping over to Gold the mercury eyed male pressed a fleeting quick kiss to the taller males' lips before darting off and out the door, shutting it properly and neatly behind him. Falkner looked at Gold and Gold opened his mouth then closed it to stare at the front door after Silver who had disappeared so quickly.

"I'm with Silver. I cannot outright say what I'd be doing in ten years time because I can't see it. I just hope it's with him though."

Gold shrugged helplessly and Falkner sighed dramatically as he threaded his fingers through Morty's flyaway blonde hair.

"Don't tell me you need to think it over?"

Gold gave him a sheepish smile. Falkner rolled his eyes in good humour.

"Shoo then! You both obviously need to get over yourselves before you say you want to get married to each other I guess. Go meditate on your thoughts- you both still have clearly unfinished business with your traumas."

Gold shocked stared at Falkner who winked knowingly and Green chuckled at the exchange. The archer was impish as he winked again.

"I know you want to."

"Yeah but..."

"Oh just go."

Falkner laughed tossing a pair of flip flops at the teen, Gold caught them and Morty slapped Falkner in annoyance on the butt gently.

"Oi, those are my flip flops."

"Oops?"

Falkner grinned as Gold left with a purpose. Pinching Morty on the cheek the frisky archer was by the open door in a flash. Taunting the blonde Falkner, giddy from his now official engagement- well sort of- to Morty beckoned him.

"Catch me if you can!"

Morty was on his feet in seconds and Green couldn't believe how quickly that had escalated as all four boys were gone- then again... Boy will be boys- Green didn't want to keep them leashed forever. But it still astounded him that they had all just left. Just like that. Red went and closed the suite door with a huff, Pikachu was curled up on one of the sofa's like a big furry cushion, sleeping soundly. Green scratched his head absentmindedly- what originally had been his attempt to subdue them into fearing him and his authority... had ended up into a gigantic feels session instead. But Green had to admit he didn't mind much. perhaps he wasn't built, made for anger. It wasn't in his blood. But he was glad they had revealed to one another such raw feelings, because that was taking them closer to healing properly without scars. Green felt a bit stupid though for thinking for one second those boys, no those young men didn't know the real world.

In fact in a single day- less than a day actually, they had all experienced the worst of the world and more of it than anyone would normally have to in a single lifetime. Red came over to nuzzle up against him comfortingly, Green put his arms round his tall lanky frame silently. They stayed like that for a while before Red snorted softly and pulled back to kiss him on the nose.

"I love you."

Red said almost inaudibly and Green felt his heart stop. Then start up again erratically, thudding wildly a mile a minute, he felt his cheeks flush bright magenta and his palms grow clammy from the blunt, yet so damn genuine declaration. Green felt his chest constrict as Red kissed him again, not on the nose but on the lips.

Warm and tasting of peppermint Red pulled back to send Green a clear signal, one message with his eyes alone and Green squirmed inwardly as he realised what Red wanted. Though he was no stranger when it came to sex Green was a virgin in the sense Red was his first true male partner and serious long term relationship. Tugging the nervous emerald eyed male close Red focused on calming him down, petting his back in smooth long strokes, murmuring nonsense- sweet nonetheless into his ear and littering his neck and cheeks with feathery kisses. Green in response shyly slid his hands up Red's shirt to feel lean muscle before stopping in shock as he felt something that generally was not meant to be found on a person's abdomen.

"Red...?"

Green didn't feel like he wanted to know and Red nuzzled him affectionately.

"Ah. Do you like my Zen garden?"

Green cringed.

Oh.