A/N: This word gave me flashbacks to ASB in middle school –shudders-…

Warning: Awesome-O says that this is GAY. Full of GAY. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I… I gots nothing. Really. Nothing. Sorry.

Summary: Challenge fic. 25 Random Words. The rules? Just use the word in a scene, sentence, or paragraph about the pairing. Chapter 4: Historian.

Remember:

"Blah" – Speech

Blah –Thoughts/Emphasis

Blah – Self Explanatory

…

4. Historian

Ike was scowling, which was weird for Shadow to dislike, let alone for Ike to make. Shadow pushed up from his desolate spot and walked over to his conformist friend (friend in the loosest possible term since having friends is conformist, but honestly, what else can he call Ike without suspicion?)

"Why ya look so pissed?" he asked, stomping out a half-finished cigarette. Ike was startled, and dropped his book bag onto the slushy curb.

"Jesus! Can you not sneak up on me?" he snapped, bending to pick up his books.

"I'm wearing combat boots. I can't even sneak up on the deaf," Shadow deadpanned. Ike deflated, hanging his head as he wiped off the melting snow from muddy brown fabric. The pentacle pin Shadow got him for his birthday was glinting in the drowsy sunlight, making the goth somewhat swell in pride.

"Sorry… I just got out of my first Student Body meeting… I lost to Filmore again…"

"Correct me if I'm wrong," Shadow said as Ike straightened up, "But shouldn't that make one not snap at their peers? Shouldn't there be some kind of preppy party you plan to throw?"

"I'm the Student Body President!" Ike exclaimed. Shadow slowly blinked. Exasperated, the Canadian threw up his hands in defeat. "I don't want to be the president of our student body!"

"Agreed, it sucks worse Dracula," Shadow quipped. Ike didn't even laugh. That couldn't be a good sign.

"I only went because I'm in the class, and I just thought it would be neat to be Historian and-and-and…!" Ike erupted into tears just then; Shadow actually stepped back, not expecting such a reaction. He was even more unsuspecting when Ike dove into his chest and clung on tightly.

"Ike?" Shadow's voice, despite his years of damage via smoking, went up in an uncomfortably high octave.

"Just shut up and let me hug you, you nonconformist asshole!" Ike demanded in a muffle as he buried his wet face in a black button-up. The goth calmed down considerably, slightly put off by the tone of the younger male. "You're supposed to wrap your arms around me…"

Shadow didn't think twice, just brought his arms up and around Ike, securely holding him in place. "Better?"

"Thank you…" Ike whispered. Shadow said nothing, but felt his fingers twitch against the light blue sweater the Canadian was wearing. It took a few good minutes before Ike pulled back slowly. By then, Shadow didn't quite wish to let his arms move away from the slim frame of his friend. "Sorry 'bout that…"

"Don't worry," was the response as Shadow lit up a second smoke (he felt the urge for nicotine shoot up from some reason), "You can make it up to me by allowing smoking on campus."

"I don't think I have that kind of power…" Ike said, rubbing his nose on his sleeve briefly.

"Fuck, no wonder you were crying."

"Oh, just be quiet and walk me home…"

"Sure thing, prez."

—END?—