Aiden was angry. That, Reegan had to be blind not to see. She had absolutely no clue what brought it on, but it was there. He held it in and abused the steering wheel as he guided the car down the empty streets.

She rubbed Kale's back and murmured soothing words in his ear. He laid across the seat and was totally still. Whether he was asleep or just zoned out, Reegan didn't know. He was quiet and seemed at peace. And she wasn't going to disturb him.

"Almost there, Synie, almost there," she whispered in his ear. She glanced up and looked out the front windshield as her and Aiden's house became closer and closer. Aiden pulled into the driveway and the automatic lights over the front door came on. He eased the car into park. One arm reached across the passenger seat and he looked at the two behind him. Kale was lifeless. It tore his heart seeing the bruise. By God, he was going to find out who did that to him and when he did...

He cleared his throat and spoke softly, "Ready to get him inside?"

Reegan just nodded. Her fingers twining in Kale's stiff hair stilled and she spoke quietly down to him.

"Kale, sweetie, we're here. Come on, get up so we can get you inside."

Kale's head moved up and down on her thigh. He let out a slow breath and lifted himself up. The light shining from the porch illuminated a house and a yard he had never seen before. The darkness surrounding the lit area sent a chill throughout him. Did he just step into some movie set? The house was perfect for the beginning of a 'slaughter the innocent victims' scene. He looked between the two people in the car with him. Reegan, staring down with an uneasy, concerned face. Aiden, quiet and controlled anger. Kale started his downward spiral again. What had he done to piss Aiden off? Was Reegan's look of concern because of what he did? He tried to think back. Tried to remember what had brought him there, to that exact moment. After seeing the two of them and then falling face first to the floor, it was a blur. The sound of a deep sigh pulled him back to reality. He watched as Aiden exited the car and walked around to his side. His body recoiled and shrank against Reegan.

"It's okay, just relax." Worry lit his eyes. How could she say relax? What was there to relax about? He listened as the door made a muted click and opened.

Aiden leaned inside and spoke as calmly as he could. "Come on, Kale. Let's go inside and get you a drink. Sound good?"

"Uh..."

"You're going to be alright." Aiden held his hand out and made a 'come here' motion. Hesitation kept Kale in place. "Come on shorty, let's just go inside."

Reegan nudged his back and whispered words of encouragement. It was a losing battle. He was surrounded by stubborn people. A shaky hand rubbed through his hair and down his face. He grunted softly as he scooted out of the car.

Reegan got out and had walked to his side of the car by the time he got all the way out. His knees knocked together and he leaned against the car for support. Walking, yeah, that wasn't going to be happening any time soon.

A saddened voice spoke in his ear. The warmth dancing across his neck. "I can carry you inside if you want." Anger no longer evident in those eyes. It was replaced with a heartbreaking saddness. He was going to hate himself later. He really was. When he thought back to that moment when he wordlessly nodded his head, he would hate how weak he had appeared.

Strong, warm arms lifted him up and cradled him like the big baby he was. Two sets of steps rebounded off the house as they walked up the rest of the driveway and to the porch. Reegan patted his cheek and unlocked the door. The two walked side by side as Aiden carried Kale through the living room to the couch.

The plush fabric swallowed him. Wrapped itself around him in a comfortable hug. He could feel the two moving around him. Who was where, he had no idea. His eyes were squeezed tightly closed. There was a shift in the couch when someone sat next to him. The soft whisper of heavy wood being dragged drifted past his ears. A warm hand tapped his knee. This was it, he thought. The moment when the ridicule would start. He had make-up on, one tic against him. He was seen at a kink get together, another tic. He made out with the carpet, yet another tic. Don't forget the tears, the stuttering, the whining, and being carried like a baby. Tic, tic, tic, and tic.

He waited...

And waited...

And...

"Kale, can you open your eyes, please?" Reegan's little hands rubbed his elbow. So that's who was beside him. Now or never Kale. He peeked through his lashes, slowly lifting his lids and made eye contact with Aiden.

"Hi there." The hand on his knee messaged lightly, while Aiden let out an elated sigh.

"Uhm, hi?"

Reegan let out a small squeal and hugged him against her. "Hi, nice to see you again." Her smile was radient. Just beaming with a giddy excitement. Until she noticed his eye. She darted a look at Aiden and understood the behavior in the car.

"How are you feeling? Do you want a drink? Water? Anything?" Reegan started to rise, prepared to get him anything he wanted. His nervous decline brought her back down.

Aiden was ready for answers. "What happened to your eye?"

Kale raised his hand breifly and touched the side of his face. "Uh...it...it was nothing." There was no way he was going to admit to being beat up. No. Way. Not after how the evening had turned out. "Just a uh, a difference of opinion with someone."

They weren't buying it. And there was that angry heat coming from Aiden's eyes again.

"Kale, Raven said you and what was his name? Jason? She said you two got into a fight. Did he, do that?" Reegan was gentle. Holding him close and stroking his sides. Aiden sat on the coffee table, hands on Kale's thighs, waiting for the answer. They looked...worried. Concerned for him. It broke something inside of Kale. The two people that his mind always brought up. They were there and being so kind and warm and...loving. They were...caring for him. His body crumpled and sobs consumed him. It had to be some kind of trick. He knew it. Tears poured out of him, unbidden and unwanted.

Again, strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him up, and cradling him against a firm chest. He didn't fight it. Just let it happen. Damn him, but he needed and wanted the affection. Aiden's hand snaked around his back and the other placed Kale's head on his shoulder. All the while, making a light rocking motion. In the silent room, all three sat while Kale let the pain and saddness be washed away by his tears and their support.

When he felt Kale deflate against him, Aiden placed a delicate kiss on his forehead. The contact was barely felt between the two. But the deep inhale and drawn out exhale, proved that Kale felt it, deeper than just on his skin. Unsteady legs flopped out of Aiden's grasp and landed with a thud. He shifted and rolled off of Aiden's lap. The couch propped him up and he pulled his long legs up and rested his chin on his knees. His arms wrapped around his shins and he held himself in a tight ball.

"Why did you do that?" Fear wove it's way through his voice.

Aiden and Reegan exchanged a nervous glance. It was their turn for an awkward moment.

"Did it bother you?" Aiden watched as Kale slighty moved his head side to side. The movement calmed Aiden. "I did it, because I felt like it and because you look like you needed it."

"Oh."

"And I'd do it again."

Kale jerked his head up and stared at Aiden. Disbelief and shock warring with lust and hope. "You would?" Aiden only nodded yes.

"Why?"

"Ah, ah, you have answers I want first. Then we will both answer any question you have." He laughed when Kale's shoulders slumped back down. "What happened Kale?"

They sat while Kale told them all about his fight with Jason. Of course, he left out the reason for the fight. Aiden might have kissed him but he was not going to reveal his secret. He watched as they both listened. Reegan would cover her face and shake her head. A glisten of unshed tears in her eyes. Her reaction was easy to digest. Aiden. Well Aiden's freaked him out. Cold outrage seemed to ooze out of him. His fists would flex and his jaw would tense up. He looked ready to attack. That sight, it confused Kale. Why was he so mad? He didn't matter that much to those two. He could understand being mad, caring about someone being hurt. But the rage, it didn't make sense.

"Kale, I know you're leaving something out. I need you to tell me everything."

The tenderness Kale heard did not match the beast of man sitting in front of him.

"I... I can't." His face disappeared. His arms came up and covered his head. "It's embarassing enough that I got my ass handed to me."

Reegan shushed him and patted his back. "Kale, why were you fighting?" His strangled groan didn't deter her. "Why? I swear to you, that whatever you say, we won't laugh. Why were you fighting?"

"He was mad."

In unison Aiden and Reegan asked, "about what?"

Another deep inhale and exhale. "Me. You two."

A vein in Aiden's neck bulged. "Why us?"

"Please don't make me say it. Please."

"Kale."

"I don't like you right now Aiden. I really don't."

"Kale."

"Go away."

"Kale. Answer me."

Kale let out a small growl and replied as quickly as he could. If they understood him, great. If they didn't, even greater. "BecauseIhaveAcrushOnYouTwo." Tiny peek through his arms. Oh shit, not good. Not good at all. They were smiling. Now it was time for the teasing.

"Hey Kale," Reegan whispered in his ear. "Wanna know something?"

"You want me to leave."

"Nope." She giggled in his ear, then leaned in closer. "I have a crush on you too. And so does the Boss Man, but don't tell him I told you." She reached up and lightly yanked on his hair.

"Whatever."

"Oh my little Syn, it's true. Do you want proof?"

Kale discreetly pinched himself. He had to be dreaming. There was no way Reegan would really be saying those things to him.

"Kale, look at me." The deep voice held an aire of command. And dammit, Kale's head just lifted up like he had no control over it and looked Aiden straight in the eye "It. Is. True."

He couldn't help the smile. He was cheesin' out. His mouth just wasn't big enough to express the overwhelming happiness that those three words brought out. Dream or not, he didn't care anymore. He was going to take those words and hold them close to his heart.