Syndrome

As the day drug on, Rex was deep in thought about the proposal he'd written up to get Behr out of prison. He knew none of his friends would understand, but he had to get him out. Leaving him there just didn't seem right. Not that the crimes he had committed were any better, he thought as the dismissal bell for the next class rang out loudly. Gathering his things he tried to switch his mind to something else, like costume shopping.

"Rexi!" Fischer said, coming to stand at his side, "I'm so excited to go costume shopping! Lammy's still not sure I should go dressed in full on Lolita, but I'm like eff anyone who doesn't like it. I'm sick of trying to conform and walk on eggshells, 'cause what I like makes some close-minded, uneducated person uncomfortable. Nope... So, what are you going to be?"

"You? Conform? When did that ever happen?" Rex asked, teasing him with a laugh as they strolled down the hall to their next class.

"Oh, it happen for a while lil' mister." Fish said, wrapping his arm around his shoulders.

"Uh-huh...anyway I've decided to be a dinosaur."

"A giant lizard!? Can I put a bow on you?"

"Absolutely not! No bows, no makeup, none of it!!!"

"But we're gonna clash!" Fish whined, "I'm being a sweet Lolita, and you'll be, I assume green? Wait, you're going to wear something with color? I've got to see this!" he said with a laugh.

"I wear color all the time. What's so interesting about that!"

"What? Black?" Fish asked, trying to recall the last time he'd seen him in anything other than black.

"Black's a color..."

"True. But I'm talking about something other than black. Now I'm actually over the potential clash-factor. Just you in color alone will be worth it."

"Whatever... I'm the one who's worried about clashing." Rex said, as the sight of Holden and his clique of friends caught his eye, "Well, I see one half of the Thakkar twins is still living..." he said, with an annoyed sigh. He could've gone at least the rest of the month without seeing him or Estrella.

Fischer followed his gaze, letting out a groan,

"Good Lord. Why? I'm trying to stay in a positive space and here he and his dumb friends come to wreck it."

"Well, well... If it ain't Casper and Samurai Jack..." Holden said, stopping in front of them.

"What is it you want?" Fish asked, taking his arm from around Rex's shoulders, "We don't have time for your shit today. Where's your master? I'm surprised you can think without her telling you how." he asked, looking him up and down.

"My sister is off with her new BF... she'll be back in a few weeks. Phantom-hive actually knows him, so I'm sure you'll be happy when they come back together?" he said, turning his attention to Rex momentarily.

"Who are you talking about?" Rex asked, cocking his head to the side curiously.

"I'd hate to ruin the surprise. It's a special gift just for you. She even has one lined up for you too, sushi roll. I know you'll both love your gifts." Holden said, as the feeling of a heavy hand pushed him in the back of his head. He stumbled forward, quickly catching himself as he whirled around to see who had pushed him.

"Why can't you ever get a life?" Lamb asked, shooting him a fierce glare.

"Oh, it's just you... What may I help you with, Lambert? The Immigration's officers just left, I guess they forgot one. I'm sure if I give ICE a quick call they'll be happy to come and deport you."

"You'd almost be funny if you weren't so Goddamn pathetic. I'm as legal as your ass is. So if they come for this brownie they comin' for you, too. So get out of my face with that." Lamb said, giving Fish and Rex a look to come here. They walked around Holden and his friends and went to stand behind him.

"We're gonna go now, 'cause we don't have time for your comedy-hour. Maybe next time you'll have some better material worth getting offended over. But regardless, please don't make me go postal on you."

"Haha, please, I'll have you thrown in jail for assault. You're lucky I dropped the charges last time. I know it's hard for little Julio to afford something this lavish. A good education is a hard thing to come by, eh, esé? Although, even

if you drop out there's still 'Manuel-labor' out there for you. My family is in the market for some cheap Mexican landscaping. Let me know when you're available." Holden spat out, with a laugh. Greg & Euless laughing behind him.

"Are you serious?!!" Fish snapped, taking a flying leap at Holden. Lamb snatched him back, wrapping his brawny arms around him.

"You're so lucky I have self control... That's all imma say, 'cause I'd hate for you to get a matching fake tooth." he said, turning around. He placed Fish on the floor, grabbed his hand and Rex's and pulled them away. He was fuming from Holden's comments, but Holden wasn't about to make him act as rowdy as he had in the past.

Halfway down the hall, Fish snatched his hand away from him,

"Are you seriously gonna let him get away with saying something like that?!" he asked, his eyes focusing on Lamb's with outrage.

"It's words, babe... At the end of the day, he's not the first or the last person to say something like that to me. Do I think it's right? Nah, I don't. But I can't beat up every racist idiot. He wants to say stuff like that, then he can. You had to bail me out of jail not too long ago for beating his ass, and I just finished my community service--" Lamb said, taking a deep breath. He ran his hand through his hair, as he exhaled, "I'm not about to go to jail or prison for beating his ass again. I've only been to juvie, which was bad enough, but actual time with a whole host of criminals... No... I can't. I won't. I've got too long of a life and too many people to help. I'm trying to build this shelter... Center... whatever it's called... I'm trying to be a better example. Me getting angry over some words is not gonna do anything."

Fish stared at him, knowing he was right. It just broke his heart to hear someone say something like that to the man he loved,

"I get it... I just want him to get his karma. That's all I'm saying. But not at your expense. You should've let me slap him. I'm so sick of his ass!" Fish said, with a groan as he leaned against the lockers. Lamb came and stood in front of him, placing his left arm over his shoulder as he rested his head against his.

Rex leaned against the adjacent lockers, trying to rake his brain for who Estrella's new Boyfriend was.

"How many more hours of school do we have left?" Fish asked, "I can't take anymore dumbness."

Lamb pulled out his phone to check the time,

"Two more classes, for you and Rex... three for me, I've got a anthropology test to retake..."

"Well, that's just two and a half more hours. After, you can come with Rexi and me to the costume shop."

"I'm actually hitching a ride with Leo. He said he'd be back to pick me up." Rex said, walking over to stand by them, "We're going to meet you there. We have some other commitments to attend to first."

"Awwws, he's coming, too?" Fish asked, with a teasing smile.

"That's the same thing he said about you." Rex pointed out, tapping him on his arm playfully.

Fish rolled his eyes, and ruffled his hair as he skipped away, "I guess he can come, if he must. I can never just have you to myself. Where are you two going anyways?"

"You weren't going to have me to yourself anyway... Lamb's going."

"You know what I mean, Rexi." Fish said, with a huff.

Rex giggled, "I guess I do. Anyway, we're going to visit that little boy we helped at the carnival that time. Lamb and I saw him at the market a *few days* ago. He and his mum invited us over, and Aerrow really has a thing for Leo and I. So, I told her we'd come over to see him before Leo went sailing off."

"I see... Well, that'll be fun. As long as you don't try to get out of costume hunting." Fish said, flicking his eyes at him suspiciously.

"I won't. Though the thought hadn't even crossed my mind, until now." Rex said, flashing a sneaky grin at him.

"Well, that's okay. I'll just buy your costume for you if you don't show up. I think that should be incintive enough to make sure you come, yes?" Fish said, using his wicked ways to control the situation.

"Yes..." Rex said, side eyeing with a defeated sigh."

"Grand. Let's get to class then, I need a distraction and if that distraction is calculus, so be it." Fish said, waving his hand in the air as he hightailed it class. Rex and Lamb followed behind with a chuckle.

"You're okay, right?" Rex asked, looking over at Lamb with a concerned expression.

Lamb flashed him a smile, "Yeah, no worries, Gothico... Thank you though. I'm just ready to get the hell out of dodge for two months. But now I'm even more worried. Who the hell was Holden talking about? Who would be stupid enough to date that harpy?"

"I don't know... but I have what you'd call a sinking feeling. I hope never to find out." Rex answered with a sigh.

"Holden's a god damn liar! She's probably dating her BOB (Battery operated boyfriend). That's the only man who can't control the distance it can keep from her. I take everything those two say with an atom of salt. Not even a grain." Fischer said, with a laugh. Lamb and Rex shook their heads in agreement.

*****

Across town, after Leo had finished getting a bite to eat he walked the the four blocks to the auto-shop to pick up his beloved motorcycle. Once there he did a quick walk around of his bike. It had been so long since he'd seen his motor-baby he'd forgotten what it looked like.

"Thanks Vance! How much do I owe ya?"

"Lana-Lou already took care of it. Your caddy won't be ready until late December, though." he said, looking over his progress papers.

"Dude, I've got to be quicker on the draw... Thank you for taking care of my babies. Keep me posted." Leo said, giving him a handshake before putting on his helmet. He climbed on his bike and zoomed off, feeling joyous to be able to drive himself around, even if it was just for a day.

******

Hours had whittled away as Fish and Rex sat in their last class counting the seconds on the clock. The seconds ticked away an the beautiful sound of the bell ringing gave them the signal that the day was finally over.

They gathered their things and dashed out of the room before everyone else. Making it outside they let out a relieved breath.

"I'm ready to get out of here. You wanna text Lion-king and tell him you're ready? I'll just stay here by my lonesome and wait for Lammy..."

"You're so melodramatic. I'll stay with you until Lamb's done. Oh, I know, I'll have Lamb drive me there, and Leo can drive you to the costume shop, but who would drive your car?" Rex joked, placing his bag at his feet.

"As if I'd get on that dangerous thing. But I did see this video once—"

"Does this pertain to a porno?" Rex asked, side eying him.

"Maybe... But it was amazing. I'll show you later. I might have to borrow his bike."

"For something like that? I doubt he'd let you. Please, don't give his perverted ass anymore ideas."

"Fine, fine... You're no fun. That gives him a goal to look forward to."

"Honestly.... The only goal he needs to look forward to is getting here safely. A dunderhead shouldn't be on something so dangerous, but does he listen to me? NO..."

"But you have to admit, it's sexy."

"You think Leo's sexy, so you would think that, Fischer."

"Me? Think him sexy? You kid, right? I'd never!" Fish said, pretending to be appauled.

"He irks you, but you think he's hot. What was that nickname you gave him...? Oh, Leonardo Di' Fine?"

"I plead the fifth." Fish said, rolling his eyes, "Anyway, why're y'all going to see this little rugrat?"

"Hmm... I don't know actually. He really took a liking to us. There's something about him that just has me drawn to him. I can't explain it."

"You've got a nurturing instinct that just doesn't know when to say when. Me, I'd be like, nope can't do it, not coming. I just don't like kids. Detest the little varmints. But you're better than me, I suppose."

"You're so bad, Fish... No, I don't know what it is... But, putting my WWLS cap on---"

"Your what kind of cap?"

"What-Would-Leo-Say." Rex answered with a chuckle.

"Oh, I see... Okay, go on.."

"Well, Lamb looked up Aerrow's mother and found that she used to be a big model back in the 80's and 90's."

"Really? That's pretty cool."

"Mmm... Well, her maiden name is the same as my adopted..." he paused, switching his words, "She and Fawn share the same maiden name. I think it's just a common surname, but Leo believes they're related. Mrs. Darlington's wiki page says she has a sister, but it didn't mention her name. Maybe part of me thinks there's something there. But, I'm not telling Leo that. I've already given him the command to not speak unless spoken to. Will he listen and obey? Probably not."

"That'd be freaky if they were related! Like, that six degrees of separation kind of thing."

"Yeah... I guess so. I'm sure, it's nothing."

"Just like you were sure Ryan wasn't your mommy." Fish said, nudging him playfully.

"I'm finished speaking to you."

"Do you promise?" Fish asked, winking at him, "Well, have fun with the little gremlin."

"I will..." Rex said, crossing his arms over his chest with a playful ornery expression.

"All right, turn down little firecracker. Give me your bag and I'll throw it into the trunk."

"For what?" Rex chuckled, handing him his bag, "I made a music reference there."

"Yes... I heard... About time you get hip to some hip-hop."

Fish said, chuckling lightly as he marched off to his car.

A couple of minutes passed as the sound of a motorcycle speeding like a bat out of hell came into earshot. Not paying too much attention to it, Rex headed off to follow Fish to the car, but before he could take another step the motorcycle circled in front of him before coming to a sliding stop.

"Hey!! You almost hit me you maniac! Are you crazy?" Rexalynn shouted over the growling bike. The motorcyclist turned the bike off, kicked the kickstand down and climbed off. Rex stood with his hands posted on his hips and scowled at the person approaching.

"I told you, I'd catch you if you tried to ditch me." The person said, removing their helmet.

"Leo?!" Rex said scanning his face.

"The one and only." he said, walking over with a cocky grin.

"You psycho killer! You tried to mow me down?! Are you insane?!" Rex asked, slapping him in his chest.

"Eh, I know how to drive, kid... It's been awhile, but I'm a pro. Sheesh. You're so melodramatic." Leo said, rolling his eyes. He flashed him a dimpled grin, knowing he couldn't resist.

"Well excuse me... I didn't know it was you. So when I see some maniac circling around me with guns blazing, I tend to freak out..."

"Whoooaaaa, I think you should calm down, brother. Although, you're cute when you're angry."

"I... You... You're insane!" Rex snapped, throwing his arms in the air before slapping them back down against his sides, "I'm going to ride with Fischer instead." Rex said in a flustered voice, walking away.

"Aww, wait!! Wait!!" Leo said, pulling him back to him. He pulled him against his body and held him by his waist, "How can I make it up to you? I'll let you torture me with school work. I know how much you love that."

"I'm not talking to someone who tried to run me over." Rex said, pushing against Leo's chest to free himself.

"You're a little brat. Get over it! I already apologized." Leo said, with a laugh.

"I didn't hear you." Rex said with a smirk.

Leo rolled his eyes with a sigh,

"I'm sorry for almost running you down, even though I was nowhere near close to you... Emphasis on nowhere close... Is that better?"

"Yes, I suppose. I accept your apology."

"Do you now? How nice. Anyways, let's get out of here." Leo said, releasing him. He walked back over to his bike, unfastened the extra helmet from the back and tossed it to him, "Armor up! Would hate for that horn of yours to snap off." he teased.

Rex rolled his eyes at him, fastening his helmet on, "Do you know the way to the Darlington's home?"

"I know that area pretty well, use to go down there and pillage out of their golden trash cans. They always threw away stuff that was relatively brand new. I got my first Xbox from a trash can. Nothing wrong with, save it was an old model. Anyway, hopefully the traffic won't be too bad, but we can always take a scenic route. There're plenty of old roads leading to the aristocratic suburbs..." Leo said, climbing onto his bike.

"Well, that's an interesting story. I'm sure you have plenty." Rex said, sliding his visor down on his helmet accidentally. Leo chuckled to himself thinking it cute, "Let me tell Fish we're about to go... Oh, I told him I'd wait to Lamb was done."

"Boy bye, Fish is a big boy. He can handle himself. Anyway, if they come looking for us, we'll be pretty hard to find... It'll definitely give them something to do. Call it.. advanced hide and seek. Oh my fucking God!!" Leo said, clapping his hands excitedly, "I'm a genius! I love me so much!"

"You're a Goddamn fool! I'll just send Fish a text and tell him I'm going 'cause I've been kidnapped by a lion." Rex said, pulling his phone from his back pocket. As he typed his message, Leo jumped off his bike and snatched Rex's phone away.

"If you want this back you'll have to unzip me for it." Leo said, sliding Rex's phone inside of his pants, "Just in case you're feeling feisty, I should warn you... I'm commando today. Had to let baby Leo be free."

"Eww! Seriously!? Now my phone... I can't." Rex said, struggling to find words, "You can keep it! You sicko!" he said, pushing him playfully.

Leo laughed, giving him a wink as he climbed back on the bike. He revved it up enticing him to climb on. Rex shook his head and climbed on, wrapping his arms securely around Leo's waist.

"Hold tight, 'cause we're about to take flight, be outta sight like a kite in the night..."

"You just came up with that all on your own, huh?" Rexalynn asked in a mocking tone.

"Oh, oh he does a little rapping on the side."

"Is that what you call it?"

"Whatever, you're just jelly."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, how you say?..." Rex started to say, losing his train of thought momentarily, "Oh, 'rag' on your rapping skills."

"Yes, yes you did... But that's okay." Leo said, flashing a wicked grin underneath his helmet, "I'm just gonna go extra fast."

"Wait, what?!" Rex asked, sweeping him tighter as they rocketed off.

As they zoomed off down the road, Fischer came back from the car seeing them careening out of sight. He sighed, thinking he'd give Leo a lecture about stealing his friend without permission later...

*****

Flying down one of the old service roads, Rex and Leo came to a stop at a rusty old stop sign.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Rex lifted his visor up, and looked around at what looked to be abandoned buildings.

An old gas station that looked like it hadn't seen life since the 40's if even then...  Peppered around it were some houses that looked like they'd been in a fire.

"Where are we?" Rex asked, still surveying the scene.

"Abandon city... Formally known as, Camden isles. The city foreclosed back in the early 2000's. No one has touched the land since. The mayor was dealing in some shady behavior, which was later revealed to be gambling. Rumor has it that he gambled the city away. When he lost it, the dude who won evicted every out of the city."

"Can someone do that?"

"Mmm... I'm not sure... But he forced a lot of businesses to close and most people left but not silently. They torched their houses as a sign of protest, destroyed stores... It was some wild shit... I remember hearing about it on the news as a kid. Someone tried to build out here once but a bunch of kids who used to live here came a destroyed it every time they made some headway. Now it's basically ruins and old memories. No one comes out here unless they are passing through. Although, the authorities did catch a bunch of criminals from around here quite a few times. It's like a hideaway. Everyone tries to avoid this place. Which with that said, we should get going."

"Criminals? I could see them hiding out here. It'd be pretty hard to get caught... But where'd all the people of the city go?"

"Wherever they could, I guess. Family, friends, different islands... It had a major effect on the economy for a minute, but it bounced back after 4 years."

"I see... Strange, that they've never tried again. But I guess people are still angry about losing their homes and businesses."

"I would be. They were a tight knit community. This used to be a bunch of ma & pa shops, diners... The true entrepreneurs. Would've loved living in a place like this. But now that's not gonna happen. If someone with sense would come and rebuild and invite the old inhabitants of the city, maybe it could rise from the ashes once more... But it would take a miracle for that I suppose. Anywho, we've got a couple of miles to go and we'll be at the gates of prestige." Leo said, revving up his bike, "Hold tight."

Rex held on tight, as he continued looking around at wreckage of charred buildings. As he scanned one the many destroyed houses he couldn't swarm he saw someone. He didn't believe in ghost, so that couldn't have been it. But he felt a strange aura was watching them from the shadows of destruction. He shrugged the feeling off, thinking he was just being a bit paranoid.

After a few more miles, they pulled up to the gated community of, 'Crystal isles'.

"This is even fancier than before. I guess it would be, I haven't been out here since I was 14..." Leo said, lifting his visor up to stare at the tall iron gates.

"How are we supposed to get in?" Rex asked, scanning around for a button or something to open the gate.

"That's easy... You just wait for one of the peeps who lives here to open the gates. Then you just stroll in. I don't get the point of a gated community, that just entices folks to want to come in more. You don't put a fence up and not expect folks to climb over it. I mean, come on..." Leo said, as opportunity came in the form of a luxury car coming out, "That wait didn't take too long." Leo said, revving up his bike.

The gates parted, and the little sports car zoomed off, without a second care. Leo zoomed in, taking in the mansions that had to range from the millions if not billions... He paid close attention to the addresses hoping he didn't end up missing the Darlington estate.

As they continued on, they reached a traditional styled house that looked more like a castle than an actual house.

"Looks like this is it... This is a damn compound." Leo said, blinking up at the large fortress of imported stone, Spanish tile roof and pristine craftsmanship, "This place—"

"Is insane. Someone lives here?" Rex asked, staring up at what had to have been a three story house, "I feel under-dressed." he said, thinking that this was a dream that few ever got to experience.

"I don't... But this is just... Wow. It's makes my patents penthouse look like a one bedroom." he said, pulling up to the intercom that was posted on an intricate looking pole. He typed in the code that rang the inside and waited.

"Darlington estate... How may I help you, Sir?" a male voice asked.

"Whoa..." Leo said, glancing around for the hidden cameras, "Yeah, hello, we're here to see Aerrow Darlington."

"Names?"

"Leo and Rex..." Leo answered, hoping they were on the list of visitors.

"Please hold, sir..."

"I hope we get in. It'd be a shame to have driven all the way here for nothing." Rex said, lifting his visor up.

"Never a wasted journey, Uni. I don't believe that. There's always something good to come out of things like this. No worries." Leo said, lifting his spirits a bit.

"True... I got to see a different side of the island, which is fun. So, I guess you're right."

"Music to my ears... I wish I had a recorded for when you said things like that."

"Your recordings would be far a few..." Rex teased.

"So mean--"

"I will buzz you in now, please park on the far right side. Then come to the front door, ring once and one of the other house members will let you in." the man said, opening the gates.

"Okay, thank you." Leo said. He pulled inside, the black iron gates closing with a loud clank behind him. The cobblestone circle driveway felt foreign and uneven beneath his bike wheels. He circled the drive once before parking where he'd been instructed. Once parked, he and Rex slid the helmets off and headed to the large black steel looking door. It looked like it had been salvaged from the iron ages. There was a large lion head knocker, and an intricate vintage looking door handle that made the door feel more like a work of art than anything. As they waited, Rex paced around, taking in more of the refined craftsmanship. The fancy shutters that lined all the windows, except the two on either side of the house that had Juliet balconies. This place was truly a palace. As he continued staring in awe at it, the sound of the large metal door unlocking what sounded like locks to a maximum security caught his attention. After what felt like several minutes, which at the most was probably two, the door finally swung open on its heavy hinges.

An older black woman with salt and pepper hair answered the door. She looked at them for a moment with a curious expression before a smile came onto her face.

"Hello, please come in. Mrs. Darlington and the boys are in the back garden. Please, follow me." she said, ushering them inside. Closing the door Rex and Leo stared around with their jaws dropped to the ground. It's always a thrill to see the outside of a house, but even more so the inside that put the exterior to shame, if that was even plausible.

"Please remove your shoes, before we continue." the woman said, gesturing to a place to set their shoes for the time being.

Slipping out of their shoes, they absorbed the interior like children in a candy store. It was impossible not to admire the Swarovski crystal chandeliers that lined the ceilings along with what looked like a European *mural" oil painting that was lined with gold trimming. It complimented the intricate light fixtures well. There was a double grand staircase with a swirly style, dark cherry wood floors, European furniture that cost more than most cars, and expensive looking art ranging in sizes and mediums.

Setting their shoes by the door, the woman led them to the back garden.

As they followed the maid, they continued scanning every inch they could.

Though the house was full of anything a person could imagine, it seemed so lonely and cold. It was hard to think that children actually lived here. It was obviously well kept, probably by the many maids that kept such a massive abode like this from crumbling and decaying with dust.

Opening the *round top French doors, the sound of children playing filled the void of silence that had echoed through the inside of the massive palace.  

"Mrs. Darlington—" the woman said, leading the way to a bunch of lounge chairs that were lined up in front of a natural stone pool full of children.

"Isn't it a bit cool to be swimming?" Rex whispered to Leo.

"I'm sure it's a heated pool. I now know where to come to swim in autumn." Leo said, taking in the tranquil looking pool.

"Oh, Georgina, you startled me." Mrs. Darlington said, placing her magazine on the little table that sat next to her chair.

"My apologies ma'am. A Leo and Rex are here to see you and young master Aerrow."

"Oh!" she said, swinging her legs around to the ground. She was dressed in black polka dot wedgies, a large floppy sun hat, cuffed red shorts and a white sweetheart neckline bustier top, "Welcome!" she said, pulling them both into a hug, "Thank you Georgina."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Darlington." she said, with a smile, "May I get either of you something to drink; water, coffee, tea, lemonade?" she asked, turning her attention to Leo and Rex.

"Oh, may I get a green tea?" Leo asked, pulling his attention away from the pool.

"Sure. And you?" she said, awaiting Rex's order.

"Ohh, may I just have a lemonade?" he said, as Aerrow finally noticed him and Leo.

"Rex!!!!" Aerrow yelled, quickly hopping out of the pool. He ran over to him excitedly and went to hug him before Mrs. Darlington pulled him back.

"Towel off first, hug second." she said, ruffling his wet hair.

"Yes mommyyyy...." he said, with a pouty expression going off to grab his towel.

"Sorry about that. I hope the place wasn't too hard to find. All the houses look so much alike." she said, with an airy chuckle.

"No ma'am, it wasn't hard to find at all. Your house looks nothing like the others, it's exquisite! Every inch of it is even better than the last." Leo said, giving her a smile.

"Why thank you darling." she said, fixing her coral shaded lips in a smile, "Anyway, I know you all can't stay long, but I appreciate you coming. Aerrow usually doesn't take to strangers, but he's just *enamored by the both of you."

"Aww, we're just glad we were there to help." Rex said, watching Aerrow coming back with a green towel wrapped around his shoulders.

"If I may be so bold, where are you headed, Leo?" Drew asked.

"Oh, I'm going to help my best friend's family. There was a hurricane that hit Starrybourne island not too long ago, and Presely Hollows was hit the worse. So, my best friend, his mom and I are going to offer some assistance to his family and help other families rebuild their homes and businesses. We plan to be back before Christmas, so I'm excited. Nervous, 'cause I've never been off the island."

"I see... Well, Starrybourne island is just gorgeous. I lived there as a little girl. The island has a lot of different climates, which makes for interesting weather at any given time. Aside from the hurricane season, it's one of the prettiest islands yet. You'll love it. Are you going Rex?"

"No ma'am. I'm staying behind. Nothing but school and work for me."

"Nothing wrong with that." she said, tucking a strand of mocha colored hair behind her ear.

"What part of Starrybourne island were you from? I assume you were born there." Leo asked, slyly trying to get some answered to satisfy his curiosity. Rex cut him a side eye look, wishing he could chastise him at the moment. It drag him inside by his ear and ask him what he thought he was doing.

"I was born in Sun Crest Hollows, but spent a lot of time in White Pine perusing my modeling career back in the days when fire was first discovered." she laughed.

"I highly doubt that. You don't look a day over 20." he said, slightly flirting with her.

"Aren't you sweet?!" she chuckled, putting her hand on his shoulder, "Honey I'm probably old enough to be your mother. I'm an old gal."

Rex zoomed in on her touchiness with Leo. He knew he had nothing to worry about, but he had to tell himself to remain calm. Realizing he was jealous, he closed his eyes wondering what Leo had turned him into. He didn't think he was territorial, but turns out he was. He let out a low sigh, telling himself to stop acting like a possessive lover. It wasn't like she was flirting with him. She was just being nice. A little too nice... He thought, taking in her outfit again.

"Yeah, my sister and I used to go to this restaurant in Sun Crest Hollows called, 'Olive Branch'. Best Greek food ever! Hopefully it's still standing. I highly recommend it."

"Ahh, awesome. I'll totally check it out."

"Mooooommmmm.... I wanna show them my room..." Aerrow said, getting impatient.

"Oh, yes, of course. Go ahead, then come back and swim a little more because it's almost time for dinner." she said, looking at her Cartier watch.

"Ok!!" he said, flashing a big grin, "Come on!" he said, grabbing their hands.

"Careful! Don't make them trip honey!" she said, taking her seat back on her chair as she set her attention back to her other kids.

Dragging them upstairs Aerrow opened the door to the palatial orange room, that had just had freshly new carpeting installed.

His walls were lined with huge framed photographs of old planes, cars and trains. There were Legos scattered about, hot wheels here and there along with race track pieces. Action figures with and without arms, and coloring books full of spiderman and dinosaurs. A true boy for sure.

"Isn't it cool?!" he asked flopping down on his queen sized bed, we're the giant deer was tucked in under the covers.

"Why champ! This is really cool! You don't share a room with your brothers?" Leo asked, taking a seat on the floor. Aerrow quickly joined him as they rearranged some of the race car tracks.

"No, we all have our own rooms. We like it like that. Daddy says it helps build independence."

"Does it?" Leo asked, "I guess it would. But my brother and I used to share a room, and we're both pretty independent. We hated it though!" Leo said, wrikling his nose up at the thought, "So you're lucky. You get to have your room just how you like it."

"Daddy says I keep my room too messy. But I can't find anything unless it's like this."  Aerrow said, with a low sigh.

"Same here!" Leo said, "I call it an organized mess. Simple as that." Leo said, rolling a car down one of the lanes of the race track. Aerrow copied, feeling happy that someone understood.

Rex took a seat on the bed and observed his room. As he looked around his eyes fell onto a picture of a man on his nightstand. He picked it up, looking at the bald headed man, his eyes were ice blue to match his cold stare. He was handsome in a weird way. Just from this picture, one could guess he was the strict type.

"Is this your dad?" Rex asked, holding the picture up to show Aerrow.

He shook his head before he answered with a small, "Yes..." his eyes losing their euphoric glow.

Leo cocked his head at him, "What's wrong, Lil' A? You and your pop don't get along, eh?" he asked, knowing exactly what that look was.

Aerrow shook his head up and down, "He's not home too much... But he's the toughest on me. My brothers hardly ever get in trouble, but I'm always in trouble. I'm too loud, too messy... too much of a gimp..." he said, wiping his eyes.

"Hey now..." Leo said pulling him against him, "I'm sure that's not true... You're a boy, you're supposed to be loud and messy. There's nothing wrong with that. Do you know what a gimp even is?" he asked, patting his head.

"A bad word for a handicapped person..." he answered with a sniffle.

"Yea, that it is... You're not handicap, ar-are you? You don't seem like you are to me." Leo said, drying his face.

Aerrow wiped his eyes with his palms before talking again, "Yes... I have fake legs. I've had them since I was four. I was born without the tibia part of my left leg, and when I turned three, I fell on a rusty metal pole that was sticking out of the ground on my right side. I got really sick with a bacterial infection that ate away at my right leg. Daddy... he isn't very happy that he has a disabled son." he said, tearing up again.

"There's nothing disabled about you—"

"But that's what he and the doctor say. I am disabled."

"Listen, to be disabled means you can't do anything: run, swim, move, or do anything that kids your age do. As long as you still have the will and determination to live life to the fullest, you can never truly be disabled. You run, jump, swim... You still do all that cool stuff... So, you don't have the same kinds of legs as everyone else, who cares? You're still just as awesome. You're like, cyborg or iron man, and you wanna know what the three of you have in common?"

"Yes... What?" he asked, looking up at him excitedly awaiting the answer.

"Mmm.... It's a secret. I don't know if you're ready to hear it just yet." Leo said, making him wait.

"I won't tell! Promise!"

"Mmm, okay... But you have to pinky promise, cross your heart, that you won't let anyone know."

Leo said, put his pinky out to him.

"I promise, cross my heart pinky swear that I won't tell." he said, wrapping his pinky around his.

"Okay... So, the thing you all have in common is, you're all cool!... Wait, I just got another incoming message from them..." he said, closing his eyes tightly as he pretended to concentrate, "They want me to also tell you, don't let anyone, including your dad, tell you other wise 'cause they're just jealous."

Aerrow grinned widely at him before wrapping his arms tightly around Leo's neck.

Rex smiled, thinking that Leo truly was the sweetest guy in the universe.

"You feel better?" Leo asked, patting his back. There was nothing he hated more than a father go treated their son like shit.

"Mmm hmm... You're so cool, Leo!" he said, flashing a big grin at him. Leo gave him his signature grin, happy that he was able to cheer him up, "I'll be right back! I want to give you something." he said, pushing himself off of him.  

Rex sighed, "Who'd think he had a dad who talked to him like that? He's such a sweetheart." he said, taking a seat next to him.

"Yeah... I hope he keeps in mind what I told him. No one, especially a kid should have their spirit broken like that." Leo said, letting out a sharp exhale.

Rex looked at him, seeing that he was going to that place he didn't like to go to. His eyebrows were furrowed, as he stared off in to deep thought.

"Leo?" he said, caressing his face. He turned his face to look at him, "You know, you would make a wonderful father?" he said, looking into his eyes.

Leo smiled, "I hope so. I wouldn't ever make my son feel like he's not good enough. It really ruffles my feathers."

"I can tell... It's horrid for a man to treat their children badly. But you are amazing! I so wouldn't know how to cheer him up like that. I feel bad that I upset him."

Leo chuckled, "You didn't upset him. His father's pic did. Silly... He adores you... Like I do." he said, pulling him over by his tie into a deep kiss.

"Okay, I'm back!" Aerrow said, walking in on them kissing. He giggled, and plopped down between them, "I drew this in school. My art teacher was really impressed." he said, handing them each a drawing.

"Wow, these are amazing!" Leo said, looking at a picture of a lion and a dinosaur with hearts between them.

"I told my teacher that the lion is in love with the dinosaur and that they are going to be married and have lots of lion-o-sauruses."

Leo laughed, "That's fantastic!! Are these of me and Rex?"

"Mmm hmm..." he said happily, "But I know you and Rex can't have babies 'cause Rex is a boy."

"Oh, you... you know I'm a boy?" Rex asked, recalling the last time he'd seen Aerrow he'd called him a girl.

"Yes, mommy said she thought you were a girl at first too, until she saw you on the late night news. But then my older brothers said that since you were born a girl, and now are a boy that you're transgender. I didn't really understand, and Daddy didn't believe it... But he doesn't believe that people are born in the wrong bodies or that people of the same gender can really love each other... But I think people are, even though dad told me I wasn't thinking correctly. Sooo, maybe you could guys could have babies, right?"

Rex blinked, "Oh, oh dear... I... I guess we could. I'm not so sure we should be discussing this with a 10 year old, but I guess I could one day."

"Good! I want to be the ring bearer on your wedding then."

"You've got a deal, little man." Leo said, agreeing to something Rex couldn't see happening, "But maybe make Rex into a unicorn, and we'll have a special licorn. Lion slash unicorn hybrids! Wicked right!"

"Totally! I'm going to draw another one and have it ready for when you come back from your trip. I hope you guys come back and can have dinner next time."

"You bet! Maybe your dad will be here. I'd like to talk to him." Leo said, thinking of the choice words he'd say to him.

"Probably not... But I'll be here, so that's all that matters." he said, with a laugh.  

"For sure... Well, Rex and I have to go. I've got some last minute packing to do, and Rex has a future wedding to plan." Leo said with a snorted laugh.

"You're full of jokes today, Troublefield.." Rex said, pushing himself off the floor, "Anyway, it was good to see you. We will come back over when Leo comes back."

Aerrow jumped up and hugged him, "Do you promise!?"

"I promise." he said, patting him on his head.

"Yay!!! Okay, I'll walk you guys out. I guess mommy will want to say bye too. We'll go there first."

Leo and Rex locked eyes, and smiled as they followed behind Aerrow.

"Mommy!! Rex and Leo are leaving... They wanna tell you goodbye. I invited them back for dinner."

"Oh, okay sweety." she said, walking over to them, "Why don't you go swim a littl bit more before we head inside?" she said, kidding Aerrow on his head.

"Ok..." he said, "Bye Leo! Bye Rex! See you guys next time!" he said, running off to the pool to join his brothers in diving for pool rings.

"Thank you both for coming. You really made his day..." she said, looking back at him over her shoulder with a joyous smile, "Please, come back again when you can, okay?" she said, hugging them both. She gave them a benign smile, noticing the drawings in their hands, "Oh, he gave you the drawings he drew a few weeks ago?"

"Yuppers, he's quite the artist! He's such a sweet heart... I hope he never loses that confidence. He uh, told us about his legs. Never would've known if he hadn't of said anything."

"Did he? He's usually a bit embarrassed to say anything about them. He thinks he'll be a

freak if he does. Which his father doesn't make that fear any better..." she paused, quickly changing the subject, "Anyway, I'll let you get going. Have a safe trip, Leo. Rex, I hope you can come over again during Leo's absence."

"I will try my best..." he said, waving a goodbye at Aerrow.

With that Leo and Rex took their leave. Leo was couldn't help thinking about how heart broken Aerrow has seemed just from the thought or image, of his father. He hoped he'd be okay. Having a father of his own who deliberately tried to block out his light, he understood too well what he felt like. He knew it wasn't his place to check on Aerrow, but he figured it wouldn't be too much trouble if he did. At least, he hoped it wouldn't be.