You know the drill. Enjoy!

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Third Person Switch

One word. That explains it all. What Fang and Miles' stomachs felt like in this situation and what was running on through their minds like a drag race.

"Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!"

"Um … hi, Max," Fang said with a fake smile. What else could he say in a situation like this? Hi, Max was the only thing that seemed okay to say and was also the first thing to pop in his head.

"What's up?" Miles asked, uttering a rather nervous laugh.

Max's mouth dropped a couple of inches until she closed it, and then let it drop once more. Fang and Miles knew that she was trying to say something, but just couldn't find the right words to sputter. So, the whole moment was nothing but a blur of utter silence for the three teens.

"What am I going to do? What are we going to do?" Fang thought panic-stricken. He didn't want to look at Miles right now, especially since they were still in the top-and-bottom position Max found them in. He figured now would be a really good time to get off of Miles, but he just couldn't bring his body to move. It took all of his strength to even blink let alone lift his whole body up. But he also didn't want to stare at Max's shocked face; her cheeks turning a fair shade of crimson red it was as if they were forming into big, juicy apples.

"Crap."

"Um …" Fang tried to locate the right words to say since the silence was getting to him now. Yep. Mr. Never-Says-More-Than-Five-Sentences was actually getting angsty from lack of words. "T-this isn't what it looks like. I mean—Miles and I … we, um, we were—I mean, what happened was, uh."

"Boy isn't he amazing with words?" Miles thought, narrowing his eyes into a lazy glare. Don't get me wrong, he wasn't all that fond with Max finding him and Fang in this position either. I mean, sure, he acted gay towards Fang, but that was just to annoy the shit out of him and drive him mad. That was clearly for his own amusement, but he never really wanted anyone thinking he actually was gay! Especially Max. If she thought he was gay, the chances with them getting together weren't gonna happen.

"I have to do something. Something quick. But what?" Miles thought as he started looking around for any source that would get him out of this predicament. Any sign of a Christmas miracle. It'd be a lot easier if Fang wasn't still pinning his body to the ground. Max was watching them for Christ sake! You think now would be the perfect opportunity to get off of him!

Max shook her head roughly, holding up her hands in a surrendering position to stop Fang's muttering that was going absolutely nowhere. "Hold up," she said. "I just need a little time to get my head straight." She pinched the brim of her nose while Miles eyes grew wide with relief.

"Yes! This'll do!" he said, reaching for something that was just within his grasp. Fang noticed and eyed Miles suspiciously from the corner of his eye.

"What are you doing?" he whispered but Miles ignored him greatly.

"Alright," Max started. "For the past week since Miles and his flock found us and decided to go to the School with us so we can have a little 'chat' with Jeb and our good ol' whitecoat buddies, I've known you two giving off some rather weird signs. Some signs of sworn enemies. But then I found out that you were friends back in the past, but that's it! I thought you two were just friends. I didn't know you guys were more than this 'cuz you sure didn't act like it towards each other. Look, I guess what I'm trying to say is is that I'm a little … shocked about finding out your guys' relationship. I can except the fact that you two are, um … g-gay, but I think it'll be best if you don't let the others find out until Miles and his flock leave, okay. I mean, it'll only cause pandemonium and I don't think any of us want to deal with judgment and confusion and—"

Fang didn't see it coming. He honestly didn't see it coming, even when he saw Miles reaching right for it! But he had to hand it to him, knocking Max out with a nice, hard rock striking her right in the head was the best idea he's ever had since they started their journey for the School.

"How much you wanna bet she's gonna think it was all just a dream?" Miles asked, looking up at Fang.

"With that bump on her head, she'll probably have debates on whether it actually was a dream or a real-life experience."

Miles looked over at Max, glancing at her unconscious body lying on the concrete ground; out like a light. He shrugged his shoulders. "We'll just tell her she hit her head on the pedestal. It'll work. I'm sure it will."

Fang shook his head, laughing a little bit while Miles joined in.

"What a crazy night."

"Craziest night we've ever had," Miles laughed, looking back at Fang. "That is, until you left."

Fang was silent, looking off into the street, watching as a couple of cars passed by with their blinding red lights.

"Do you ever regret leaving, Fang?" Miles asked him, making Fang look back down at him. "I mean, if it weren't for the fact that you were leaving with Max, would you've gone and left still?"

Fang stared into Miles' dark eyes as if searching for a forgotten sentence Miles didn't utter. His eyes were so deep. Deep and innocent, but hard and serious when they needed to be, like Fang's. They were gentle eyes that belonged to a baby deer, shaded a deep, dark color that draws you in and then traps you in a realm of darkness with no way out.

"I don't know," he said, letting out a small sigh. "Maybe."

Miles looked a little hurt as his eyes lingered south. "We use to be really good friends ….And we let it all drift away just because of a girl."

Flashback

"You flippin' bastard!" Miles yelled making Fang flinch. "You left me when I needed you! I needed you help and you just let them take me away! What kind of person abandons his friend!? You left me!"

Fang got up. "But—you have to understand, Miles. They said that they weren't going to let you survive if I tried to help you. I couldn't do anything. I'm sorry."

Miles sent a penetrating glare towards Fang before he spoke in a furious tone. "I would've rather died then go through what they've made me into now."

Fang cocked his eyebrow and then looked at Miles like he was over-exaggerating. "Oh, come on. What could've they done to you that was so bad?"

Miles was silent as he turned his back on Fang, facing the sliding door. "Something that'll scar me for life. Something that won't make me the same ever again."

Fang stood puzzled as he saw Miles walk out the door. But before he left, he witnessed black wings with red tips spreading fully until the door began to close.

"I'll never forgive you for this, Fang. From now on, we're rivals. And don't you forget it."

And with that, the door finally closed.

"Miles!"

End of Flashback

Fang shook his head back and forth. "No ….It wasn't Max's fault our friendship began to drift apart." He looked down at Miles, his dark hair curtaining his cheeks, his long bangs dangling freely, enough to see his eyes. Miles noticed what Fang was getting at, his eyes growing wide before he turned his head to the side, blocking Fang's face away from his vision.

"What did they do to you, Miles?" Fang asked. "What was so bad that made you so mad at me for not helping you?"

Miles was silent, biting his bottom lip as if to keep himself from spilling his confessions. Fang's eyes narrowed slightly as he began shaking Miles a little, his voice rising.

"Tell me, Miles! What did they do to you?"

Miles shut his eyes, brims of moist tears outlining the crease of his eyes. He clenched his fist, his teeth grinding against one another as he let out a small whimper. Fang stopped, looking down at his former friend. Underneath him, in the peak of darkness and only the small bit of light from the top of the church shadowing his features, Miles looked so small to Fang. Like a frightened little child crying for his mothers' comfort. A sad, lonely child with no friends—no family. Just a kid wondering in the busy streets with nothing but the clothes on his back and a couple of strangers he could call siblings to look after.

"Effin' whitecoats," Miles growled, hot tears streaming down his cheeks like serpent rivers. His voice sounded breathless, like a preteen's voice beginning to change into a man's voice. "—— them all! I hope those —— bastards rot in —— hell on Christmas day! —— them all! —— THEM ALL, THOSE —— LITTLE PIECES OF SHIT!"

Fang's eyes grew wide in surprise. Never in all the years they've been at the School has Miles ever cussed out any of the whitecoats. Well, maybe just a little but never this severely. Fang knew Miles ever since they were just seven-years-old. Deep down inside, Miles was a really compassionate and loving guy. He had his soft spots for younger kids and, one day, would make a great father if he lived to be that long and ever found someone. But, just now, the way he just erupted like a powerful volcano—it was as if he really wanted all of them dead. Even if he had to kill all of them himself.

Fang could picture Miles doing such a thing. Punching and kicking and smashing heads. His hands painted with crimson liquid, his eyes glazed with evil, a sinister smile planted on his face as he let out low, satisfied chuckles.

No! He couldn't picture something like that. Miles would never do anything along the lines of that. Never. Fang couldn't evil believe that he was going to even hurt Jeb like he said he was going to when they got to the School. Miles just didn't have the heart to seriously hurt anyone. He saw what he did to that Eraser that almost chopped Fang up into little tiny pieces. He pelted him enough to make it go unconscious, but Fang knew Miles' true strength. If he wanted to, he could've easily killed that Eraser right on the spot, but he didn't.

He was holding back.

"Fang."

Fang looked back down at Miles. His eyes were still a little watery, but he was coming around. Miles hated for anyone to see him bawling like a baby. He liked acting tough around other people, like what Fang did a lot. But Fang knew that Miles was a big softy. It didn't take much to make him cry, he just hid it fairly well. Until tonight.

"Yeah?" he asked.

Miles gulped, looking across the empty street as he spoke. "If … I mean—I want you to promise me something."

Fang cocked his eyebrow in confusion.

"Even though we're still rivals"—he looked at him—"Even though tonight won't change anything between you and me, I still want you to promise me something. And you can't break this promise, okay?"

Fang was at a loss, but thought it best to nod his head. Somewhere within his heart, he and Miles were still best friends. He'd do anything for his best friend; that crazy little seven-year-old that he could easily call his brother.

Miles let out a sigh, as if getting rid of any fear or apprehension that was surging through his body and drew in any hint of courage before he spoke. "If I ever turn into something. Something that'll hurt Max, my flock … you, whether it be mentally or physically—I want you to …" Miles drew in another breath, shutting his eyes. "I want you to kill me."

Fang's eyes grew wide with shock as he looked down at Miles, his heart skipping a few beats.

"Fang—if I'm changing, if I'm turning into something … bad—will you deal with it?"

That's what Max told him back when they were living with Anne. At first, he didn't know what Max was getting at, but by the look on her face—scared and helpless—he figured all he could do was follow her orders. When the time came, if that ever did happen, he would do his best to deal with it. He just hoped it would never have to happen. Never.

"Fang," Miles spoke. "Will you promise me that? Please."

Fang felt his eyes stinging; getting moister and his vision starting to blur. He shut his eyes tightly, clenching and unclenching his fist. Why was it that the weight of the world was beginning to crush him more and more each day? It was enough having Max telling him to kill her if something really bad ever happened, but having Miles—his best friend … his big brother—tell him to do the same ….He just couldn't do it. He didn't want to do it. For either him or Max.

He sniffed, drawing in a raggedy breath. "Alright"—he was glad he had such long bangs, enough to shield his now puffy red eyes—"I promise."

Miles smiled, clearing his throat before he spoke. "Um, I think now's a good time to get off of me."

"Huh?" Fang looked down and noticed that he and Miles were still in the same position Max found them in. The same position that got them in big trouble until Miles clubbed her with a nearby rock. His cheeks went slightly red. "Oh."

Miles laughed as Fang moved off of him, letting Miles free to sit up and rise to his feet. They both looked over at Max, who was now soundly asleep, snoring quietly with her chest rising and falling.

"I'll get her inside," Fang said before Miles placed his hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Nuh-uh," he said, shaking his finger. "Remember, we're still rivals here."

Fang grumbled, watching as Miles walked over to Max and began to scoop her up in his arms. She mumbled something in her sleep, snuggling up to Miles' chest which made him grin.

He turned to Fang, making sure that he saw Max. "Wouldn't this be a lovely wedding picture?" he asked teasingly.

Fang rolled his eyes. "Just take her inside before she wakes up," he said, walking behind Miles as a car passed by through the streets; its windows rolled down while a song blasted through into the night, making both boys stop in their tracks as the music trailed through their eardrums.

We faced each other from different sides The anger burns, can't remember It's kind of crazy to cause such pain Our foolish pride makes us hate this way

Fang looked up at Miles, watching as his head drooped down slightly, looking at Max with his dark eyes.

We watch our world fall apart Tell me what good is winning When you lose your heart

Brother, my brother Tell me, what are we fighting for Isn't life worth so much more

Flashback

"My brother!" seven-year-old Miles said, grinning cheekily as he threw his arm over seven-year-old Fang's shoulder.

"Brother?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Miles looked at him unsurely. "Yeah. You don't know what a brother is?" he asked.

Fang shook his head. "I know what a brother is, but why are you calling me your brother?"

"'Cause you are my brother, brother!" he cried, shaking him a little.

It was Fang's turn to look at him unsurely.

Miles smiled. "Come on; don't tell me you don't think of me as a brother."

Fang paused, looking down at the ground before looking back up at his best friend. "You—really think of me as a brother?"

"Of course!" he cried, giving his shoulder another shake, his smile brightening up the features on his face. "My brother."

Fang smiled, throwing his arm over Miles shoulders and laughed. "My brother. My crazy, demented big brother."

Miles laughed, capturing Fang in a headlock before providing him with a playful noogie.

End Flashback

Fang felt his eyes beginning to tear up again. Salty crystals snaked down Miles' cheeks, hitting against the collar of his shirt before he wiped them away with the sleeve.

We should love one another Oh can't we just pretend This war never began

Tell me why …

"Brother, my brother," they both said, keeping their gazes away from each other as the car vroomed off once the streetlight turned green, turning a corner as the melody of the song drifted along with it.

A gentle silence lingered above their heads as the icy wind flew towards them in a harsh blow. Their bodies froze in that spot as if they were frozen in time, hearing the birds chirp musically as the sky was painted in a creamy orange color. Fang looked up at his best friend, the young seven-year-old he grew to love back when he was just a little kid. He looked up at his brother, the one who looked out for him. The one he should've looked out for when the whitecoats took him away. The one he should've stuck through to the very end, like Miles would've done for him. His brother.

Quiet footsteps could be heard traveling through Fang's eardrums as he entered back into reality as he watched Miles go back into the church. Pounding footsteps that were nothing more than just gentle taps but sounded so clamorous to Fang. At that time, he didn't see the young seven-year-old he met at the School anymore. He didn't see his big brother anymore. All he saw was another experiment. Someone's face he saw a couple of times in the halls or at the training grounds.

Just another stranger.

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(Sigh) Wow that chapter was long. Sorry, didn't mean for it to be that long, but I really like what came out. Amazing what you can do when you're really into the topic. I know you don't read my stories, but I'd like to thank my little bro for still being a hardcore Pokémon fan and making me sit through the first movie. For those of you who are interested, this song is called "Brother, My Brother" by Blessid Union of Souls from "Pokémon: The First Movie".

So, until then, which will probably be in a couple of hours, see ya laterz!