Sorry this one took so long. School has been just awful. End of the year exams and all that. I got this chapter done though and I made it a little longer to make up for the wait. I hope you are all enjoying it so far! I actually have a fixed plan for this story so inspiration shouldn't be an issue. *fingers crossed* Anyway please review and tell me what you think! Enjoy! I own nothing but the storyline
Throughout the rest of the week Jim never saw Moran again. He was never waiting for Eric by his locker nor wandering the halls. Jim began to wonder if he'd disappeared off the face of the earth. He became concerned about his whereabouts. It wasn't like Jim not to know where all the students were at every moment.
It go to the point that by Friday after school Jim became so desperate he considered talking to Rowles about Moran. Luckily he was saved from having to sink to that level.
He stood outside the school on Friday, waiting for Maxwell who, once again, was late. He'd talked to his mother about this but she had shrugged it off saying it didn't to learn patience. Jim may have needed lessons in patience but this was just torturous! His complaints fell on deaf ears though. He had to tough it out and make the best of the situation.
The sun shone coolly down on the students in the courtyard. Jim shivered and pulled his sweater closer around him. He'd have to start bringing warmer jackets soon. He could almost smell the looming snow in the air. Winter was so disgusting.
Jim checked his watch and groaned. If Maxwell wasn't here by now he wouldn't be here for awhile. He took a seat on a bench close by and kept a sharp eye on the entrance to the parking lot.
Tomorrow was the party. He had a plan to confront Moran; he would reveal that he knew everything about him. Usually Jim wouldn't flaunt his knowledge but he wanted to see Moran's cocky smile disappear from his face. He needed to show the tiger who was really in charge here. There would be respect coming from the boy from now on. It was time for Moran to learn his lesson.
"You seem to be thinking hard there." Moran said above him.
Jim looked up and frowned. Millions of questions and thoughts swarmed in his head. He refused to ask any of them. He wouldn't give Moran the satisfaction of knowing Jim had been thinking about him. That obnoxiously was plastered on his adorable mug. Jim would've stood if it would have made a difference. Moran was taller than him no matter if he was sitting or standing and so always hovered above him. Jim hated that. There was nothing, sadly, nothing he could do about it.
Jim crossed his arms and said in a stuck up tone "I was in fact. Were you raised in a barn Moran? It's rude to interrupt people!"
Moran stared down at him in amusement "You're cute when you're angry." He stated nonchalantly but Jim blinked in surprise and clenched his jaw. He was determined not to blush in front of him. Moran took a seat beside him, not noticing Jim's reaction "You still going tomorrow?"
"Why do you care?"
Moran shrugged "If you're there maybe I'll be entertained."
"What's the point of going if you think it'll be dull?" Jim asked suspiciously. He moved over the slightest away from Moran. Silently hoping didn't notice. "Don't you have better things to do than go to somewhere you don't really want to?"
Another shrug. This boy must have a small vocabulary if he spoke in these infuriating gestures. The Moran family had really gone downhill since they'd been mostly destroyed. His parents must be so disappointed.
The boy looked at him slowly and said "Because sometimes mundane is nice. A change from the chaos of everyday life." Wit that he stood and walked away without another word.
Jim watched him go, Moran's hair lifting in the light breeze that passed through the courtyard. Maybe he wasn't as big an idiot as he originally thought. Jim repressed a shiver as he reluctantly refocused on the parking lot. When he saw his car he dashed over to it. He just wanted to be out of there. The Moran boy was not mysterious anymore, he was dangerous. Jim had always believed it was better to be occupied. That way you'd never be bored. Now he wasn't so sure, Jim hated being uncertain. It left room for error and such mistakes were simply not an option. It wasn't an option with him, nor his family. They were the best of the best after all. His mother would be mortified if Jim was anything but perfect. Top class and ready to take over the family business.
There was no way Jim would let a loose cannon like Moran take that away from him. His family was nothing. Jim refuse to be dragged down into that Hell of a world. It had gotten to the point where Jim had to learn how to repress his emotions. Usually this wasn't an issue, so why was it he wanted to talk and be around Moran? If it wasn't simple curiosity about his past as Jim had suspected... Then what?
The next evening Maxwell drove Jim to the address Molly had given him. She'd been telling the truth when she'd said it was complicated to find. Maxwell had trouble and was going to give up when Jim saw the flashing lights around the next corner. He signalled his driver to simply follow them and they pulled up in front of it. Jim got out of the car and told Maxwell he'd call him later. As Maxwell drove away Jim took a deep breath and entered the house.
Molly Hooper's house was large but nothing like his. It was furnished modestly and Jim was sure it was a lovely home when there wasn't bodies writhing around it. Loud music boomed from speakers somewhere in the house and people danced pressed against each other in the main room; which had been cleared away of all furniture to make space for them.
Jim made his way through the mass of people. He entered the kitchen and snagged a red cup. Silently he prayed someone had spiked it. If he was to get through this without killing someone he would need to be drunk.
Sebastian had been wrong about one thing; this was not going to be a boring party.
He snatched a jumbo shrimp from a platter as Molly came bouncing over. She grinned at him and said "You came!"
"I said I would didn't I?" Jim replied with an indulging smile.
She smiled shyly and swirled the cup in her hand, "Yeah you did...Oh! I almost forgot!" She hiccupped before continuing "Sebastian said to tell you to meet him by the staircase when you got here."
Jim smirked "That's quite the message Miss Hooper."
She went a dark red and giggled happily "Even drunk my brain works perfectly."
He laughed and patted her shoulder amiably. He pushed past her gently, searching for the staircase. The music blasting from the speakers made it difficult to focus but Jim managed to find his way through the sweaty bodies occupying the dance floor. Jim avoided bumping into them as best he could. He jumped out of the way as a drunk girl crashed into him with an absent minded grin.
Jim tossed her gently back into the writhing bodies and got out of the fray. He found the staircase and Sebastian leaning against it. He looked to be talking up a junior, a Philip Anderson. A skittish boy who thought he knew everything. Jim rolled his eyes every time he opened his mouth. At the moment Moran was smiling politely as Anderson talked his ear off about some boring subject that didn't have any importance.
"Molly said you were looking for me." Jim said, interrupting Anderson mid-sentence.
Moran looked over at him with a grin. He turned his back on Anderson and Jim watched the boy huff and stalk away. "Yeah I was. I told you, I want to be entertained."
Jim grinned and leaned on his hip, hand resting there lazily "And... What makes you think I can help with that?"
"You already have." Moran replied, eyeing Jim up and down. He ran his tongue glided over his teeth, that cocky grin coming back onto his face.
He watched Moran move so he stood in front of Jim. He towered over Jim but for once it didn't anger him. Jim was used to people being taller than him. It was one of the reasons he made sure he was smarter than everyone. Jim felt himself squirm the slightest under Moran's gaze. Desperately wishing to break the tension he said "Want a drink?"
"Looks like you already have one." Moran pointed out with an amused grin. He crossed his arms loosely over his chest "But yes that'd be great."
Jim nodded slowly and led the way back to the table. While he grabbed Moran a cup he felt strong arms wrap around his waist. He stiffened and looked at Moran over his shoulder. The boy was grinning down at him. That cocky grin of his that drove Jim insane. What did he have to be so confident about? Did he think that just because he was cute that Jim would bend to his will?
He cleared his throat and Moran dropped his arms instantly. At least the boy knew his manners. Jim handed him the cup and took a sip from his own. Moran kept his eyes locked on Jim as he drank. His top lip slipping over the rim of it. Jim shifted on his feet uncomfortably and debated walking away. But no, he had to gloat to Moran about his past. Find out more information. Show this cocky German boy who was really in charge.
"You look uncomfortable." Moran noted with a raised eyebrow. "Should I leave?"
Jim shook his head "I'm not uncomfortable, I'm curious." Yeah that makes sense. He thought sarcastically.
"Curious? About what?"
"What happened to Rowles." Jim said, thinking quickly. It wasn't exactly a lie He was curious as to why suddenly Rowles was gone. Not completely of course, but Jim never saw them together. It made him cringe to realize he was happy about that. What was going on with him? He never got attached to those he wanted something from. Especially when it was simply information to use as blackmail.
Moran motioned with his head for Jim to follow him. They left the loud house, seeking quiet in the backyard.
The yard was well tended to with brilliant flowers everywhere. Fruit trees stood along the sides of fences that lined the Hooper property. There wasn't any fruit at this time of year but a few rotten ones lay along the fresh green lawn. The air was crisp, a warm breeze blowing through with memories of a forgotten summer. Jim felt the grass give way under his feet as Moran showed him to a couple of lawn chair and a table near the far end of the yard.
It was almost like he'd been here before; which didn't really surprise him. Moran seemed to get along with everyone. There was always some person talking to him at school.
"I figured some privacy and quiet would be welcomed." Moran said simply, taking a seat."
Jim shrugged "it is much nicer." Okay lame... He thought. What had happened to his vocabulary?
Moran didn't notice of the infuriating simple words. He was gazing off into the shadows that the fading light cast over the trees. Jim wasn't used to people making him wait. People understood that when Jim Moriarty asked for something that he wanted it right away. Clear, precise and to the point. He supposed Moran hadn't gotten the memo.
Minutes passed and Jim slowly began to appreciate the dying beauty of the yard. It was real and not posed. The flower beds were proper, the flowers only just starting to die. The Hooper family really seemed to enjoy gardening.
"He wasn't interesting." Moran said after the few minutes. "He was safe and I thought that's what I needed." He shook his head with a dangerous grin "I was wrong I need someone who attracts danger. Someone who won't sit by letting me make all the decisions." After a short paused he continued "I've been raised to be a soldier. Soldiers need their orders."
Jim, felt a giant grin spread over his lips "A soldier huh?"
"I figured you already knew." Moran told him "Eric told me you knew everything. He told me to not get on your bad side." Moran leaned forward and took Jim's hands "That's when I knew you wouldn't mind if a little danger were to follow us everywhere."
True, Jim welcomed danger and all the fun that came with every breath he took. And what was fun about lying around in a safe suburban house? He still wasn't sure what Moran was trying to say. He was exasperatingly cryptic. He supposed it made a little more sense now that Jim knew his background. Which reminded him...
"Snipers," Jim said with a lopsided smile "A huge family of snipers."
Moran nodded knowingly "See? I knew you would find it." He releasing Jim's hands he continued "We can have a real conversation now." He crossed his arms over his chest. He reclined gracefully in the chair while his eyes were guarded. To Jim he looked like a tiger ready to pounce.
"What? We've never had one before?" Jim asked with a forced laugh "I always so enjoyed our little conversations in the hallway."
Moran laughed whole heartedly "I know you're smarter than that Jim! Besides, I'm sure you've already thought out exactly what's going to happen here tonight."
So the boy did know who was in charge. That certainly made things easier "Oh you think so?" He said instead. He'd toy with him a little .See how much he was willing to give up without Jim giving any of his personal information up.
"I do. I know so." Moran said confidently "after all you run the school and everyone in it. No one dares to mess with you. They're way too scared."
Jim couldn't help but smile at the compliment. That was just how he liked it. When people knew their place in the world. Jim put his elbows on the table in between them and rested his chin lazily on his folded hands. "You certainly know how to flatter a boy Moran."
"Please, just Sebastian. Moran sounds like a damned delinquent."
Jim rolled his eyes "Well aren't you one anyone?"
Sebastian shrugged with a cheeky grin "Maybe."
"Remind me to stay on your good side too then." Jim said softly with a playful smile. He winked at Sebastian before going on to say "When I read up on your family I couldn't help but notice that you are the only heir. I'm so sorry for your losses."
His face darkened but he stayed pleasant "They all bit the dust before I was born. Nothing interesting, heart attacks and a few car accidents mom always tells me."
At first Jim realized his mom may have kept the truth from him but then he saw the look in Moran's eyes. It was anything but friendly. He knew the truth, he knew it all. Still he didn't see a single shred of blame in his eyes. There was anger yes, but a grim understanding as well.
He obviously understood the sacrifice of war and that death was simply a part of life. Smart boy. It took s strong will not to let your emotions drive you. It was a skill Jim had had to learn at a young age. If he remembered correctly he'd been seven when his uncle was shot. In the middle of a crowded street, they'd been walking in downtown London a week before his birthday. His uncle had come to visit since he was heading out the next day. Jim still didn't know for what but he figured it was something illegal. One minute they'd been laughing happily and the next his uncle had pushed him to the ground as a loud crack resounded through the crowd. It echoed off the buildings, causing people to scream. It had been the first time a family or employee had saved Jim's life by giving theirs. It also hadn't been the last time.
After that day it seemed he'd been a target for snipers all over. He remembered his mother cursing her employees after yet another died to save her son. His father always yelled for hours following each attack. Jim hated when they fought and as much as he hated his dull father it was comforting to know how much he cared, especially at such a young age. As he grew though he realized that caring is a weakness but this was a parent's weakness that couldn't be helped.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Jim said, reaching out and taking Moran's hand comfortingly. It wasn't something he usually offered, but he felt he owed it to the boy.
Sebastian nodded, avoiding Jim's eyes. He squeezed his hand, continuing to gaze off into the distance. His eyes were distant, not really taking in what they saw. Jim wondered if Sebastian was regretting ever coming out to talk with him. He wouldn't blame him if he did.
What he didn't expect was for Sebastian to suddenly stand and pull Jim up with him. He put his hands on Jim's hips. His hands were warm and felt strong resting there. Moran's eyes were focused now, staring in Jim's with a sure glint in them. Jim still couldn't decipher what they were truly saying. For once he didn't mind. Maybe sometimes a little mystery wasn't so bad.
Slowly Sebastian pulled Jim close, sliding his hands around to rest on his lower back. His shirt had slid up the slightest, giving Moran's hands clear access to his bare skin. Their faces were now inches from one another, Moran leaning in close to Jim. Lightly he pressed his lips to Jim's, holding him close.
Jim blinked in surprise, his own hands finding Sebastian's back. He gripped his shirt in his fingers, taking charge of the situation. He pressed closer to the young boy, feeling the warmth from Moran's chest seep into his own thin shirt. Jim opened his mouth the slightest, moving his hands up into Moran's hair.
Moran moaned softly again Jim's lips and moved his hands up Jim's back under his shirt. Jim nipped at the other boy's bottom lip with a grin. He could almost feel the young sniper melting under his fingers. He would never get over the rush he felt when people acknowledged his obvious higher position on the scale.
Staying in control Jim made sure he was the one to break off the kiss. As much as he didn't want to he pulled back. He stared in Sebastian's dark blue eyes, pressing their foreheads together. He did his best to keep the disbelief from his eyes, still not fully believing that had just happened. That the boy standing in front of him had just kissed him. Jim waited for the silence pressing down on them to break. For a bird to chirp or even the wind to rustle the little foliage that was left on the trees. None of that happened. They stood there staring at each other for what felt like an eternity. For the first time Jim was at a loss for words. There wasn't a single word in the English language that was appropriate to what he was feeling.
Sebastian smiled at Jim, not quite showing his teeth but still a comforting sight. He brushed the back of his hand across Jim's cheek and whispered "I've wanted to do that for awhile now."
"Yeah?" Jim asked, his voice breathy "What stopped you?"
The sniper shrugged and curled a strand of Jim's hair around his finger "Not supposed to get close to people." He looked upward with a frustrated sigh "My parents are secretive people with reasons of course but we move so much. I've never been in one place for more than ten years."
Jim nodded, he understood on some scale. His mother wasn't that secretive or that drastic but she still made a point of not telling Jim everything. She only told him bits of information, enough to keep him informed but out of harm's way if he were ever kidnapped. It annoyed him yes but he understood why she did it. Despite her prickly appearance she really did care about her family. It was a weakness and one of them main reasons Jim had decided long ago he didn't need friends. Why he would never have a family of his own.
That of course didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun..
He took Sebastian's hands off his back and whispered "No one needs to know." He leaned forward to kiss him again with a cheeky smirk.
"I'm good with that." Sebastian whispered. He kissed Jim, moving his hands into his hair.
As Jim kissed him he thought, A little fun won't hurt. This'll be over before the week his up!
