I wasn't sure if I should continue, in which case I have to thank gc rocker gal 13 and MoonAssassin for reviewing. And I feel bad, cause I really only started this story cause this whole week I've been having writer's block, this is basically something to clear it up.

When Doves Cry
Chapter Two

I didn't see Lash for a while after that incident in the bathroom, being that he'd probably been avoiding me that day, and the next day he didn't even come to school (I'd been unable to tell if Coach Boomer had been happy about that or not). During dinner, I'd been struck with the bright idea to go over to his house -- I knew where he lived because one time I'd been hanging out with Layla and her parents, and we'd been coming from some restaurant; I'd seen Lash going into his house from his parents' car.

Why are you making such a big deal out of this?

It was that inside voice again, asking the questions that I didn't want to answer. I was making a big deal out of this because he was a kid getting beat up by his parents. I was making a big deal out of this because I, believe it or not, had a crush on Lash. Ever since the first day of school when he'd tried to intimidate me -- before he knew I was a Stronghold.

"Where are you going?"

I finished putting my jacket on, and turned to my mom who was standing at the bottom of the stairs, getting ready to ascend. I shoved my fists into my pockets and gave a shrug, trying to look casual. I don't know why, but it was like I felt she could read my mind.

"Just for a walk." I said. "It's a nice night."

I realized I was wrong when I took a step outside, it was pretty much freezing, and I was glad I had my jacket. It didn't take too long to reach Lash's house, and once I did, I kind of just stopped outside, standing near the sidewalk that split from the main one, and led up to his front door -- I probably seemed like some kind of stalker.

As if on cue, the front door suddenly slammed open, and I recognized the lanky figure outlined by the light coming from inside. A woman's cantankerous voice was shouting something, but the only word I was able to make out was 'worthless'. My first instinct was to dive into the closest bush, but instead, I froze -- a deer caught in the headlights. Lash threw the door shut -- something that would've caused major damage had it been me doing it -- and he hopped down from the front stoop. He wiped at his face, and even in the darkness it was obvious he was on the verge of crying.

He stopped at the end of his walk, and turned to me sharply.

"Will."

I didn't know what was more shocking, his use of my first name, or the fact that his voice had sounded so different than it normally did. Much softer.

"Hey," I said lamely, trying to put on a casual front. "How's it goin'?"

He snorted, and turned, starting to walk away from me. I trotted a few paces to keep up with him, and fell in step beside him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, not looking at me.

"I want to talk to you." I said.

He rolled his eyes. "Stronghold, there's nothing to talk about." My last name again. "Just leave me alone."

I stopped, and grabbed his arm. He winced and took in a sharp breath.

"I'm sorry." I said quickly, taking my hand back; I didn't think I'd grabbed him that hard.

He shook his head slowly, looking down at the ground with an air of almost defeat.

"No, it's not you." he said.

He didn't meet my eyes as he pulled his infamous, striped sleeve up. The pale skin of his arm glowed in the dim light, and I was able to make out a small group of bruises near the crook of his elbow -- a hand print was basically visible. My mouth formed a small 'o', but I didn't know what to say. As though thinking I'd seen enough, he yanked his sleeve back down, quickly walking away again.

It was only natural for me to continue following him, and once again, I fell into step with him.

"You have to tell someone." I said.

"Tell them what?" he asked, the tone of his voice was dripping with slight skepticism. "Not like anyone would believe me."

"Why wouldn't they?" I asked.

He stopped abruptly, and I almost continued right passed him. I turned to him, but he walked around me, and sat down on the curb. I stood behind him for a moment, unsure of what to do because he looked like he was ready to cry again. I should've basked in the glory of seeing him cry with all the shit he'd put me through, but instead it only was like a kick to the gut.

"Nobody cares about what happens to me." he said slowly.

I gave a sigh and sat down next to him, not realizing how close I was until I was able to feel the heat radiating off of his body. It was then I realized how cold he must've been and I felt slightly bad for the fact that I had my jacket with me.

"Lash," I said. "No offense, but I think you kind of made people not care about you."

He snorted, he did it quite often, and you'd think it would make him less attractive. Not really.

"I started being a prick to people because they didn't care." he said. "I mean...when I started going to Sky High, the only thing I had going for me was that I was put into the hero class."

"So what?" I asked. "Look at Larry -- that's the only thing he's got going."

Lash shook his head, and covered his face with both hands, massaging his temples. "You wouldn't understand."

We were both silent for a moment. I side-glanced him. "So you're just gonna let your dad continue to beat you up?" I asked.

His hands dropped, and he turned to me. There was a new bruise already forming on his jaw bone, and he saw me notice it. He reached up slowly and grazed his fingertips over it.

"What else can I do?" he asked, he gave a dry laugh -- there wasn't any humor in it. "Too bad my power isn't like...instant perfect make-up or something to cover it up."

"Well," I said, offering a smirk. "Instead of that, you could wish for healing powers -- most guys typically don't want to wear make-up."

He laughed again, and this time I was glad to hear that it was slightly real. "I don't know if I should be offended or not." he said. "I think you were pretty much hinting that I was gay there for a moment."

I laughed, but it sounded kind of robotic. I hoped I wasn't subconsciously trying anything on him, it was just a crush.

"Nah," was all I could get out.

He took a deep breath, and gave a shake of his head, getting his hair out of his eyes as he turned to me again. I raised my eyebrows as I side-glanced him once more.

"Tell anyone about this, Stronghold," he said. "And I'll murder you."

I raised my hands defensively. "I don't doubt that." I said.

He grinned at me, and I felt a little flutter in my stomach, the butterflies had appeared. He looked away again, pulling his knees closer to his chest.

"Why do you care anyway?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I'm a caring guy, I guess." I said.

He gave another laugh, pushing my shoulder with his. "You're a fuckin' nerd, man." he said.

I grinned. "There's the Lash I'm used to." I said.

He turned to me again, still grinning. It was one of those moments, those perfect movie moments, where I could've leaned in, and given him a kiss. Only one problem, we were both guys, and I strongly doubted that he was interested.

"This is so cheesy." he said, "I can practically hear the dramatic background music."

I laughed, and stood up, needing to do something else. "Tell me about it." I said.

He followed suit, standing up, and it was then that I think he got how close we were. Being that I was shorter than him I had to look up to keep eye contact, but we were so close our chests were almost touching. He took a deep breath, and glanced behind me, down the sidewalk towards where his house was.

"You don't want to go back, huh?" I asked.

He shook his head, lowering his gaze. "My mom's pretty pissed tonight." he said.

"Does she beat you up too?"

He shook his head. "Nah, just eggs him on." he said.

"You could stay at my place." I said. Shit. Nice way to give it away, Stronghold.

"No thanks." he said with a snort. "I don't need your charity."

It was like he was battling with himself, there was the Lash that wanted to accept my help, and the Lash that wanted to keep his pride and tough facade. I shoved my hands into my pockets, and glanced around. I didn't know how long I'd been out, but I was sure my mom was waiting for me.

"I have to get going." I said.

He nodded, and looked down again. "I think I'm going to stay out a little longer." he said. "Maybe take a walk around the whole block or something."

"You gonna be alright?" I asked.

He laughed, and reached over to shove me in a border-line playful way. "What, are you in love with me or something?" he asked.

"Oh, haha." there was my fake laugh again. I could feel my face heating up, and I just couldn't stop laughing.

He cocked an eyebrow at me, and I shook my head, looking away quickly. When I glanced back up at him, he smirked.

"See you later, Will." he said.

He turned on his heel and strode away casually. I watched him for a moment, disappearing out from underneath the streetlight and into the darkness, and then I started back towards my house. When I passed his, I glanced up at one of the windows where there was light. I could see two shadows, and the way they were moving, it looked as though they were fighting. Did Lash have to deal with that every night?