Jason and Brice had decided to look through Brice's sketchbook while they waited. Brice was telling Jason about a sketch he had done the other day, but when he flicked to it all that he could find was an empty page and a drawing he had done a few days before. He checked his sketchbook back to front with no results. Until he found a couple of bits of paper that would be left behind if someone had ripped a sketch out of the sketchbook. He frowned and turned to Jason who looked at him with a confused stare. Brice got up and began to pace, trying to remember what had happened to his sketchbook before and after the drawing had been done. He remembered talking to Seto, comforting Seto, waiting for Seto, going out with Seto and returning home with Seto to go to bed. The next couple of days his sketchbook had been beside his bed in his bedside table's drawers. The only time he had left it out of his sight had been when he was waiting for Seto and while he was out. But everyone else was out and he hadn't seen anyone come in or out while he was waiting. So maybe Seto knew who it was. And he was certain that no one came back before him and Seto.
Jason got up and left to let Brice think alone. He walked into the kitchen and then out and up the stairs to grab his duvet. He folded it and walked down the stairs. He turned around quickly when he heard a yelp. He was pushed backwards as a mop of brown hair collided with his chest. He let go of the duvet and wrapped his arms around the back of the other man. He let out a grunt as his back collided with the cold wood of the floor. Mitch ran out of the kitchen followed closely by Ty and Seto. They stopped when they saw the two still interlocked.
Jason heard the giggle and slowly turned his head as Seto pushed Mitch and Ty back into the kitchen, while Sky, Brice and Jerome peeked out from behind the door frame. He blushed as Tyler pushed himself off Jason's chest.
"Uh…Thanks for that. I mean for saving me and stuff", Tyler said looking at the ceiling as he lay on his back.
"That's okay", Jason mumbled as he turned his head to look away from Tyler.
"No it's not! I-I mean, I'm sorry for knocking you over that must have hurt", Tyler whispered near the end of his sentence.
Jason sat up and looked at the stairs.
"I was just in the right place at the right time, Tyler. It didn't hurt that much anyway."
"This is all my fault; I really am a screw-up."
Tyler sat up, but felt his body jerk backwards as Jason appeared in front of his face with an angry look.
"What did I tell you, Tyler", Jason whispered, dangerously.
"T-That I'm not useless…", Tyler trailed off, tears welling.
"Yeah, so that means you're not a screw up either", Jason said as he looked at Tyler sternly, but softly.
"And if anyone says you are, they'll have to answer to me", Jason whispered, so no one but Tyler could hear.
Jason pulled Tyler into a hug and let him cry on his shoulder.
"Aw", Mitch whispered as he watched the two hug.
"They're so cute", Ty added in a hushed voice.
The others chuckled lightly as they watched the two part.
"Such a pity that they couldn't have stayed together for a while longer", Seto said as he leaned on the kitchen sink.
"Yeah, but you can't have everything", Brice mumbled as he walked over to Seto's position.
Seto sighed at Brice's sour mood.
"What's wrong?", Seto said as Brice leaned on the sink with him.
"Nothing, just lost a picture I work hard to sketch", Brice said sulkily, crossing his arms and pouting.
"I can help you find it. What does it look like?", Seto asked turning his head to Brice.
"It's an all black figure, like a shadow, with golden eyes, teeth like knives and claws that could rip through steel", Brice replied, happy that Seto would help him find his missing picture.
The world stood still. Sky, Ty, Husky, Jerome and Seto stilled, their eyes widening. Mitch and Brice looked at them curiously as the three pondered over what Brice had just said.
"You wouldn't happen to know where Brice's picture is, would you?", Mitch asked the five, who still had their eyes wide and mouths partially agape. It was then Ty walked slowly out of the kitchen, up the stairs and with a quiet creak, closed his bedroom door. Isolating himself from the rest of his friends. Sky sighed as he closed his eyes and walked back into the living room. Jerome sat down at the kitchen table and put his head in his hands. Husky looked at the ground frowning for a second or two before turning and muttering that he would be in his room, should anyone need him. Seto stayed in the kitchen, eyes lowered, watching the ground. Brice stood still, eventually turning to Seto and trying to get his attention. Mitch looked around before walking over to the kitchen table to sit down, he tried to talk to Jerome, but all he got in response was silence. Ian huffed and turned to go to his bedroom. Tyler and Jason had long ago left to talk outside under the starry night sky. Seto looked up as he heard Brice cough for his attention. He stared with empty eyes at the other man. Brice looked at him and quickly averted his eyes, he hated that look that Seto now had. The emptiness of his eyes reflecting his heart and emotions, usually so lively, now looking as if they were dead. Brice steeled his nerves and sighed, he looked at Seto and asked if Seto would help him find the picture. Seto's eyes changed in an instant, but Brice liked this change more than the last. His eyes and emotions turned from emptiness to calculating, as if he were unsure of what to say, Brice could almost see the cogs clicking as he thought. Brice smiled a fraction and took Seto's hand. The pair walked up the stairs and Brice couldn't help but think about his friends. They weren't just hiding something; they were scared of something.