Toru Niles was an awkward child. That's what Liam realized upon meeting him. Still, the little boy went with the two people who managed to drag him on clothes shopping. Well, he wouldn't mind to buy another clothes as he had some money to spare.
Liam took a second to observe his appearance. Toru was small and thin. His white shirt tattered and blood stained around its neck from before. His azure eyes slightly dull and tired. Not to mention, he had bruises and bloodied lips recently and tried to brush their act of kindness. It did nothing but forcing Liam to do something for him, like buying him clothes. It was stupid but better than nothing.
"It's not a big deal. I had a lot of shirt and hoodie, it's fine if it ripped. You should not waste your money on it."
Liam let out a sigh. He realized his friend had low self esteem rather than being considerate but he would rather him be mad because Liam would be too if it happened to him.
"I know it didn't seem like it... but I'm fine. I really do appreciate you being here though," Toru was anxiously playing with the hem of his green-striped shirt.
"Really?" He nodded. Liam looked at his friend's azure eyes for a moment before he averted his eyes to further avoid being blinded by his friendly gaze.
He saw Nadya gave him a thumbs up and sincere smile. He blushed just looking her and wondered back to looking for his own hoodie. They spend an extra hour debating the most suitable color him besides the usual ones. Black and blue.
"What do you think, Ruru?"
"Hey, that's a girly nickname! Stop calling me that!" He protested and prodded his index finger to Liam. He threatened the latter about telling his secret to his friends and Liam finally relented as he put his hands up to signal his own defeat.
"Ugh... fine," Toru grinned evilly before Liam continuing the topic from before.
"What do you think about this, Toru?" Liam said and pronounced his name slowly. He held up a navy blue hoodie and Toru could see that it's not much different from his usual clothes with an additional short sleeves.
"Not bad. At least we know that you had no fashion sense," Toru grinned, followed by Nadya giggling behind her original.
"What about you, huh? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black." Liam answered back, not noticing the change of atmosphere around him. The said boy was looking down and rubbed his hands together.
"Y-You're right," Toru squeezed his hands and forcing a smile on his face.
"See?" Nadya stood silent as she watched the interaction between the two. She wanted to smack Liam in the head for his careless remarks. It's obvious that his friend was hurt by it.
"I guess you had a point."
Toru deliberated for ten seconds as if trying to recall something. He reluctantly trudged forward and looking to other men section. He can't believe that Liam only stayed in hoodie section for his clothes.
"Yeah, I wondered about that too. Why is it, Liam?" Nadya tilted her head, confused.
"I bought everything online except the hoodie. It's itchy, that's why I bought it here." Liam said it casually like it's not a big deal.
"I think I can find something for you. Don't worry it'll feel a lot more fitting and comfortable than before," Toru's eyes turned sharp with a gaze focused on him as his smile split into a wicked grin. Nadya followed suit.
•
•
Liam looked at himself in the mirror near the dressing curtain. The blue parka lined with black fur that ended right below his jawline. It had a slightly shorter fit at the waist and covering him from the cold. A grey t-shirt with black printing saying Nonsense and dark jeans. His brown leather sneakers completed the outfit.
He looked great, what's more it's not uncomfortable at all. His parka are quite warm despite the thick material enveloped his body and the other was usual besides its color.
In fact, he could use a change or two. Being rich has its benefit afterall.
"You look great, Liam. What about you, Nadya?"
"Oh, you don't need to worry about me. I am what he wanted, so anything I wear based on that." Nadya said in a soft tone and smiling lightly. They went out of the store after Liam finished paying. He insisted that Toru can go with him to his house.
"I'm fine really. Besides, I had homework." Toru said shortly and pretended to stretch his body while he tried to brought his hand to his side.
"What about your injuries? It's swollen purple, you know. Not to mention, your arms and legs are probably scratched." Toru shrugged it off as he wanted to go home quickly. The two auburn-haired look alike nodded reluctantly and took out their phones to exchange numbers.
"If you need anything, call us okay?" A genuine smile plastered in Toru's face. He felt warm and familiar inside him, a few years passed and this is the first time he did.
"Sure." He lied and flinch slightly. They both were unsure to leave him or not but decided the former was probably the best choice as Toru still shocked about what happened.
The two figure who he called friends finally gone and he quickly sprinted to the nearest bathroom and locked himself in a stall. The throbbing in his shoulders were results of the beating from before. But one thing he know though, he should stop.
"It seem like I'm pushing my luck too far." He sighed in pain. It's a lot of bruises and he decided to ignore it for now as he pulled his shirt back up and fixed his hoodie.
"Toru?" Liam walked towards him and he flinched. The latter tried thinking of ways to explain himself but nothing come up.
"Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes... you startled me," Toru replied after a slight pause and smiling in relief.
"You know... you don't have to lie. I saw what he did to you, so it's not something I discovered. I knew we just met but I really wanted to be your friends. Do you?"
Should he? He have nothing. Money, family and friends. Three basic needs of normal person. Toru was practically worthless. But the words thrown at him caught him off guard and tears started to roll down his cheeks.
"I-I do. I-I wanted to be friends with you," The burden of loneliness finally took a toll on him and Liam understood. Better than anyone. He walked up to Toru and hugged the boy tightly. He decided to become friends with him, for now and ever. But for Toru, he finally understood that Liam was good at noticing little things. Nonetheless, he was glad that it was him.
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