“Be that as it may, I believe Malcolm is right about the solution.” Specks, Elliott, broke in smoothly. “I can balance it out at my apartment tomorrow, if you like. I’m afraid it’s far too late in the evening to take us all there and back without trouble and wasting the night.”

“Apartment? You make it sound like you live alone.”

“I do, at that.”

“Wait. Really? You’re like, only a year older than me, how does that work?”

“It was far more convenient to my studies to move out over the summer and seek a place close to school, cram school, and nearer to the future jobsite.”

Oh. Right. Ethan had mentioned a new branch being built nearer to the education district. Something about a trial run of his duties once they hit senior status. Maybe that meant Elliott was going to be interning at that building too. Ren was still just blown by the fact the man had his own freedom to do what he pleased.

“That’s so cool! You get your own place, decorate it however you want. Ah man, I wish I had that kind of independence.” He forced his train of thought to slow down on the tracks, moving back towards his initial process. “I mean, I don’t really have anything else to do this weekend aside from a project I was gonna head out with on Sunday. If you’re cool with it, I’ll totally figure out a way to get you back.”

“Compensation for the favor would be the reward of no longer worrying that your poor hair looked like it’d gone three rounds with a chainsaw and lost.” Elliott murmured dryly, eyes dancing behind his glasses. Ren couldn’t help himself, before he could think, the blond had his tongue out at the older teen. Malcolm laughed outright at the sight, and soon the whole table was filled with snorts and chuckles, warm with mirth.

It further helped to dissolve all the all the barriers that gossip and rumor had created over the pair, things he felt silly about reading too far into. Stupid gullibility. Elliot wasn’t cold, nor did he think he was better than anyone. He was just quiet and fairly introspective. Malcolm seemed to be a teddy bear, once you got talking to him. The gruffness was real, but obviously those intimidated by the growl didn’t stick around long enough to see the warm smile and laugh. It was just like all those rumors about his bestie, the ones he ignored outright. And now he was in with the bunch too. What a group of misfits.

“I dunno bout you guys, but I’m more than ready to head back out on the floor for more.” Ren tilted his head towards the hall, where a good amount of the day kids were filtering out for dinner at home and homework that awaited. It seemed like the cue, as everyone started up and gathering their trash, until Elliott reached out to still one of his hands.

“Wait, there’s one last thing.”

Ren paused, swallowing thickly. Right, too good to be true. It was something he’d expected, though sooner and from Ethan instead, which could likely be attributed to paranoia. However Elliott had that sharp mind, and he’d been staring at Ren like a puzzle to be solved ever since they’d sat down.

“What do you like to be called?” It was a simple question, but one that made Ren’s chest ache more than the bandages pressing those useless bags of flesh down. They all had slowed, Ethan looked somewhat distant but no less attentive as he often did, even Malcolm had paused to watch the interaction with interest. “As you now doubt understand by now, Malcolm and Ethan like to call me Specks, or El. Ethan tends to call Malcolm Mal, or Bruiser when he’s feeling rather immature. Is...there something else you go by?” It was somewhat of an out, Elliott seemed to pick up on that deer in headlights moment Ren was currently settled into. Cheers, friend.

He took a deep breath to sooth his nerves, then another, tentatively reining his thoughts back in until the butterflies settled in his stomach. This was his chance, it had to be now. Like a gift almost. Destiny? Clear green eyes tilted up, sweeping over the group still waiting for his answer.

“Ren. Call me Ren. Please.” His smile broke out, anxious and somewhat small but no doubt there when El simply nodded back and turned to his tray as though the most important part of Ren’s life hadn’t just happened. Excellent.

“Lark was boring, huh?” Ethan teased on his way past, bumping Ren’s shoulder slightly on his way to dump his trash. “Short. Simple. I like it. Were you gonna mention it at some point before El pushed the subject? Or do I get to poke fun at you for being too chicken to say something to me?”

“I was. Just didn’t expect all this happening today, you know?” Who expects to gain two new intimidating friends, talking your best friend down from a jealousy binge, and trying to out yourself all at once? “I swear that was kinda my priority. It was just. Hard.” Understatement of the century.

“I get it. Is that why all the-” He gestured to the baggie outfit, and the beanie Ren was settling back on his head. “I don’t care, you know. You’re still my friend.” Ethan was quick to assure, pausing by the dump bin. “If you think you’re getting out of that easily, you’re crazy. I’m too lazy to make new ones.”

“Yeah, I know you don’t care. It’s why I’ve been trying to figure out a way to bring it up for awhile.” Ren returned, watching the other two scout for games. “Good thing these guys came around, huh? It feels better, to get it out now.” Ethan nodded, satisfied and guiding them over towards the rest of their group.

The next two hours were a blur of friendly rivalries, bouncing from area to area at the arcade while each person showed off their various strengths in all games. Malcolm had tips for them all in his favorite shooters, Ren thoroughly trounced them at the premiere racing game, and they all took turns at the dance pad, where Elliott ruled supreme with calculated confidence and amazing coordination.

By the time they’d closed out the arcade with the stragglers, each of them had worked up a good sweat, even El was somewhat drooping which was alarmingly different considering his normal poise and stature. Ren’s chest ached constantly, a dull throb that had him recalling what happened if you compressed for too long. The walk would do wonders in cooling him off, so he politely declined the option for a ride, instead promising to meet up around noon for a trip to El’s apartment.

That morning, the world had looked so bleak and terrifying, completely covered in a shroud of anxiety and dread for what he was contemplating on doing. And yet, after the deed, he’d not only gained support from his only friend, but found it in two more new ones. He whistled quietly under his breath as he jammed his key in the door, fiddling with the stubborn lock and eventually dragging it open. Things were looking up.

“Sweetheart? Is that you?”

Damn.