It's been almost a year since I updated, I know and I'm sorry. But I did say I update this whenever I have time and inspiration, so it can be quite slow :P Still, I'll try to get the next one up a little faster.

Anyway, thanks Aerle for Betaing again :)

Hope you all enjoy the chapter! And please, please leave a review! You have no idea how important they are to an author. Also, many thanks for everyone who left a review at the past chapters already! I love you all!

Chapter 3

It was a few minutes before his last class of the day was finished, when Killer got a text message. Expecting one of his friends to send him a dumb message, he was surprised when his phone said it was from 'Dad'. Killer frowned. He had a hunch what this message would be about, but he couldn't imagine why it couldn't wait until Killer would be home. So he opened the message.

"I'm waiting outside in the car. You can leave your bike at school for a night."

Killer sighed. That was just great. Still, it surprised him a bit. He hadn't expected his dad to react so extremely. It wasn't a secret that Kid hadn't been an exemplary student himself, so he usually didn't say much about it when Killer got into a fight or anything.

The bell rang to announce the end of the class, but Killer didn't particularly hurry to pack his bag. He left the class as one of the last, and was disappointed when he didn't meet any friends who could distract him on his way towards the main exit of the school.

He walked through the door and rolled his eyes. Kid was parked right in front of the exit, which made sure everyone saw their ugly car. Because it wasn't one to be missed, having a giraffe-like print, only with black and bright yellow. Killer really didn't know why Kid liked the car so much, and he hated to be seen with it. So, as fast as possible and without looking at his father, Killer got into the passenger's seat, throwing his bag on the backseat. "Was it really necessary to come pick me up?"

"Yeah," Kid answered as he started the engine. "It's your cousin's birthday and we're expected to come."

Killer was a little relieved that a birthday was the reason for Kid coming to pick him up, and not the fight.

"Meanwhile, we can have a little chat about what happened today."

Killer strongly disliked family meetings like this. The only reason he hadn't tried to talk himself out of it was because this was the birthday of his favorite cousin. That was to say, one of the few family members he could stand. Most of them were so narrow-minded they only managed to irritate Killer.

His cousin, Apoo, who had turned 22 today, came sitting next to him. "So, Killer, how're you doing?"

Killer shrugged. "Fine, I guess. Trying to survive school and all the idiots in it."

Apoo chuckled. "Those good old days."

Killer kind of envied him, not having to study anymore, as Apoo just got hired as a music teacher, but on the other hand, Killer didn't want to think about getting a job yet either. Studying was relatively easy, at least to him.

"So…" Apoo came a little closer to him and started to talk quietly. "Do you have a girlfriend already?"

Killer rolled his eyes, being positive his cousin wasn't able to see it anyway, due to all the hair covering his face. "No."

"A boyfriend, perhaps?" Apoo continued.

Killer froze. It wasn't that obvious, was it? He looked at Apoo to see if he was serious, but his cousin shrugged.

"Hey, I'm just saying you could tell me if you had, I'm not judging you."

Killer shook his head. "No, I don't have a boyfriend." He couldn't help but making it sound like Apoo had suggested something ridiculous. It was self-defense, probably. "It's just not something I'm really interested in right now."

Apoo snorted. "I don't believe that. You're sixteen, I remember being horny all the time at that age."

Killer blushed slightly. He didn't feel comfortable enough with Apoo to discuss that kind of thing with him. "Being horny is something else than wanting a relationship."

Apoo raised his eyebrows and laughed. "So you're having sex with someone?"

"What? No!" Killer really wanted to get out of this situation before it became even more awkward. "Can we please talk about something else?"

Apoo chuckled. "Sure. Have you discovered any nice bands lately?" he asked, because music was something they were both interested in.

Killer was relieved to talk about something else, but still, he was glad to know at least his cousin accepted him for who he was. Unfortunately, he didn't get the same impression of the three other family members that asked him the girlfriend question that day. He would really have to step up his game, if he wanted to keep pretending he wasn't gay.

Penguin had barely opened the front door when Bepo spurted outside, pulling his owner with him, and barking happily. Penguin gave a pull on the leash. "Not so fast," he commented, as he pulled the door shut behind him. His father was still working, so he was the one who had to take Bepo for a walk.

The dog looked at him, his head slightly downcast, as if he was apologizing for his behavior.

Penguin closed his jacket. "No need to look so sad."

The dog bowed his head some deeper, as if to apologize for looking sad. Penguin shook his head and chuckled. "Alright, let's go."

It was a nice early autumn day, the wind was a little chilly, but the sun made sure it wasn't too cold. Penguin closed his eyes. He loved this weather; the world was slowly making itself ready for winter. He hoped they would get a lot of snow this year. Or ice, that was fine too, as long as it was thick enough to skate on.

He didn't mind much where they were going, he just let Bepo lead him to wherever he wanted. Penguin knew he should actually make it a short walk and start on his homework, but he really didn't feel like doing homework. And taking Bepo for a nice long walk seemed like the perfect excuse not to be doing what he actually should.

They had been walking for about fifteen minutes when Penguin realized they were in a part of the city that he barely knew. He never had any reason to come here, even though it wasn't that far from his house. He just hoped he would be able to find his way back again.

While he wandered farther into the foreign street, he saw a hideous looking car driving into the street, way faster than the speed limit around here. Penguin raised his eyebrows when the yellow and black car made a sharp turn and drove up the driveway of one of the houses.

After having stopped for a moment, he started walking again. Not being able to suppress his curiosity, Penguin walked past the driveway and looked at what kind of person would drive such a car.

The door at the driver's side opened and a man with bright red hair stepped out of it. He did look almost as ridiculous as his car, though Penguin thought he was kind of handsome, in a certain light, and if you liked older men. Or maybe he was someone his father would like. No, he didn't want to think about dates for his father. Besides, Law had better taste than that.

The man looked annoyed when he stepped out of the car. "You know what, next time you're driving. It's about time you get your driver's license anyway."

"I'll start driving when you buy another car," another voice came from the vehicle. The door on the passenger's side opened and a blond guy, all too familiar to Penguin, got out of the car. "A better one! I wouldn't want to be caught dead inside this piece of shit."

Penguin wondered if it was too late to hide anywhere, when Bepo started barking. Both Killer and the man who was presumably his dad – though he didn't look very dad-like – looked up. The red haired man only cast a short look at the dog and then started to walk in the direction of the house, but Killer seemed to be frozen in place.

"What are you doing here?"

Killer's father stopped and turned around to only now notice Penguin. "Oh, you know this guy?"

"Yeah, he's from my school," Killer answered. "Just go inside, I'll deal with him."

"Alright," Eustass Senior said and he continued his way.

"So, you gonna answer my question or not?" Killer asked as he stepped a little closer to Penguin.

"I was just passing by," Penguin answered, shrugging. He pretended not to care, but inside he felt a little victorious for finding out where Killer lived. He didn't even know why, it wasn't like he'd ever do something with that information, but still, it felt good to know. "I wondered who would drive in such a hideous car. I can't say I'm surprised."

"What's that supposed to mean? I hate that car just as much as you do. I can't help it that my father has no taste whatsoever," Killer defended himself. He wasn't sure why he made the effort, though. What did he care what Penguin thought of him? He wanted nothing to do with the guy. It might even be better if Penguin thought badly about him. It would only make things easier.

"Still, he's your dad, you can't be that different," Penguin joked. Somehow, he couldn't help teasing Killer some more. He surprised himself a little though; he usually didn't talk this much to people he didn't know well. Killer was just easy to talk to, he discovered. Well, easy to mock, easy to get angry at. Maybe 'talking' wasn't the right word.

"Yeah, you're right, you're probably just like your dad as well," Killer shot back.

Penguin wanted to protest, but at that moment Bepo began barking loudly again. The dog walked towards Killer and began sniffing at him. To Penguin's surprise, he saw a smile on Killer's face.

"Is he yours?" Killer asked. "Or is it a she?"

"He's mine, yes. His name's Bepo."

Killer squatted down so he was almost at the same level as the dog and started to pet him. "He looks like a small polar bear," he said, chuckling, as he ruffled Bepo's fur lovingly. He added in a softer tone to the dog, "Hey, Bepo."

"That's probably why I like him so much," Penguin admitted. However, he was a little confused. Why was Killer acting so kind towards him all of a sudden? Or at least towards his dog. He'd never thought Killer was such an animal lover.

Killer seemed to realize the same thing, as he suddenly got up, the smile gone from his face. "Of course, it's a nice addition to your arctic family. Let me guess, your dad's a seal and your mom is a… killer whale?"

Penguin's mood turned dark and he looked angry Killer. "Don't you dare say something about my mom!"

Killer snorted. "Or what?"

Before Penguin could try to kill Killer, Bepo barked again.

"You should leave," Killer said. "And take your polar bear with you."

Penguin still had enough sense in him to not start fighting here in front of Killer's house, so he gave in for this time. "Fine." He pulled on Bepo's leash. "I'll see you at bio."

"If it's really necessary," Killer mumbled, before he walked towards his front door.

Penguin sighed and started to walk into the direction he'd come from, hoping the way back wouldn't be too hard to find. All the while he thought about what happened. Mostly about finding out where Killer lived. He could now visit him at any time, if he wanted. Not that he had any reason to want that… He could also spy on him. If he wanted. Or maybe he should just take a walk in that direction more often. Bepo had led him here after all, so it seemed the dog liked this neighborhood. Yeah, that had to be a good reason to come here more often. Not that that had anything to do with Killer's home anymore, of course. It was just a funny coincidence his house was in the same area.

TBC

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