"There's something about you, Hal. I can't put my finger on it." Abin's eyes were focused on Hal's, his eyebrows drawn together. "It keeps me coming back to you even though I know I shouldn't."

They've had this conversation a couple of times in the past year. Abin's yet to figure it out.

Hal gazed back at him, aware that Abin knew what risk he was taking by talking that way. He was revealing that either one of them was dangerous for the other, and for what reason, Hal could only ponder. 

Abin looked away, leaning back on the bench they were sitting side by side on, where they almost always met after school. If Abin does go to a school. He pressed his lips together. "Some of your friends don't approve of me. Of us meeting."

Hal frowned. "You mean Antonio? I don't know what's wrong with him, but he doesn't trust people easily in general." He paused. "Well, he doesn't trust anyone, basically."

"He trusts you."

"With exceptions."

"Hm." Abin shrugged lightly. "Your girlfriend, too. Catalina?"

Hal didn't bother correcting him. "She's like that, too."

And then there was that time when Abin almost let slip who he lived with. The people who took care of him. The mysterious They. Hal remembered the rush of excitement he felt at learning more about Abin's life, rather than give Abin an arsenal of how to ruin Hal's life every time they talk, if Abin wished to.

Abin was leaning forward, as if ready to whisper his secrets to Hal. The café wasn't too crowded and Hal was on cashier duty. And until anyone comes up to order, he was free.

"I'm too sick of them, Hals," Abin said, his eyes trained on the cup of coffee in his hand, his shoulders hunched and his musclesstrained. "It hurts all over."

Hal behind the counter fidgeted nervously. He knew it wasn't safe for Abin to talk like that. Kind of for the same reason it wouldn't have been safe for Hal to speak like that a few years ago, before his mother found him behind the local bank, broken and ready to give up. Yes, he had started to figure out who Abin really was, even if he hadn't gotten the complete picture.

"They're too strict with me," Abin continued tiredly, his voice sleepy, "they barely give me any space to breath on my will. Even that I must do with their stupid permission."

Hal knew he was speaking from the heart, letting his guard down. Breaking up for air.

"They just want me running around, listening to them, do what they say. It's sickening. Can you believe it? They've even tried to stop me from going out-" He froze and looked up at Hal. His eyes flickered from Hal to the cup to around him. "I-" he leaned closer. "How about you forget everything you just heard?"

Hal nodded automatically. "Yep. Filed away for erasing." Abin shook his head and placed it on the counter, putting his hands over them. "Run away, Abin," Hal said, nudging him. "Those people aren't good for you."

He let out a mirthless laugh and came back up. "I wish it were that easy. Run away," he scoffed. Then his face fell and he rubbed his face with his hands. "I can't, Hal. They're not very nice to me."

"My point exactly."

Abin shifted slightly in his seat. "The...the people at the orphanage-"

This time, Hal let out a hollow laugh. "Oh, come of it, Joyson."

Abin simply frowned at him. Maybe he knew Hal had figured out the truth about him, which could mean that he's figured his secret too. But more likely was the idea that he knew that Hal understands that Abin's stuck in a place that is worse than bondage and there was no erasing that from Hal's knowledge.

No, Hal didn't believe that he was from an orphanage. He believed that he was from somewhere worse. That he was something else, something like him. And Hal has never dared to confront him about it. There is nothing more frightening than being discovered, he knew.

Beside him, he realized Abin was having a hard time forming words. His muscles were strained and his whole body was a ball of tension. "Abin, breath," Hal coaxed, alarmed. 

Abin nodded stiffly. All the while, his eyes were darting around as if he expected some group to gang up on them or attack him. And his worry was spreading onto Hal. Abin sensed this, and suddenly his body relaxed a little and his grip on Hal's arm loosened. And Hal was thankful for it, but he guessed Abin's calm look was just all show.

"What is up with you today?" Hal asked gingerly, afraid maybe he'd set him off again.

Abin looked at him in thought, then nodded to the carnival area, where sounds of children laughing and the blinking noises of rides trying to attract more people drifted from. "Say, why don't we go for a little ride?"