“Are you okay?” Happy frowned as he glanced over at a silent Sam who bounced the red ball off the wall and caught it between his hands again. He glanced over at Happy who was watching him with a worried expression—his brows furrowed, lips turned down. “You seem quiet.”
Sam nodded, he was too embarrassed to tell Happy what had happened—that he had stupidly followed Hunter and the blond boy but got caught. He gulped, swallowing thickly when he remembered Hunter’s voice down his ear, his warm breath running down his neck as he shivered in fear. He remembered what Hunter had said as well.
“You know… someone’s gonna start thinking you’ve got a thing for me…”
Sam’s brows furrowed as he threw the ball again, oblivious to Happy watching him observantly.
Why would Hunter say that? Did Hunter think he was gay? He isn’t gay… but maybe Hunter is? No… surely not someone like him…?
Sam stared out into the court yard as he tried to piece together the puzzle of the confusing bad boy. Everyone seemed petrified of Hunter, it was as if his name was forbidden and just by uttering it out Sam could make everyone shriek in terror.
It was almost as if his name summoned him…like Voldemort…
Sam snickered, snorting as he thought about it.
Happy smirked, looking over towards Sam. “Sommet funny?”
Sam cleared his throat, shaking his head as he shuffled. “No. Just thinking about a joke my friend once told me.”
Happy nodded, leaving it at that, but he knew Sam was lying. Sam was about to toss the ball again when he saw the blond standing at the corner of the court, talking to some guy.
“Hey,” Sam nodded his head subtly towards the blond. “Who’s that?”
“HiS” Happy looked up from his phone as he gazed over in the direction Sam was nodding too. “Ah—him?”
Sam nodded.
“That’s Lyle. He’s been after Hunter’s title for ages now” Happy lifted hit hand to cover his eyes as the sunlight struck down on him. Sam nodded humming as he watched Lyle laugh and shove another guy.
“I don’t get it.. why does everyone want to try and win this title?” Sam frowned as he turned his attention to Happy who was slightly amused at his innocence. “I say just leave him be.”
Happy threw back his head as he let out a throaty laugh. “Oh man—you really don’t belong here huh?” He chortled as he clapped Sam’s back. Sam’s lit up red as he scowled like an embarrassed child and looked away. Happy teased him as he poked his soft cheek and so Sam batted away the poking finger. Finally taking him seriously, Happy smiled gently at Sam.
“The minute Hunter ended up here he was a loner and a mystery. He didn’t even try to make friends and when anyone tried to approach him, he’d walk off with that glare of his and that stirred up a lot of tension. People were angry at him, they weren’t used to not being respected and so a group of guys tried to start a fight with him. Now, Hunter was new. He was quiet, and no one knew anything about him… so you can imagine our surprise when he beats the shit out of all of them—and the toughest ones too. Ever since then he’s never lost a fight and so even though he never said it—he ended up with the title of the toughest guy in school. The Bad Boy of Eastville High. A lot of other schools have heard about him too. Whether he wants to or not, everyone here wants that title and the only way to get it is to challenge the one who owns it.”
Sam was struck into silence as he imagined a cold, isolated Hunter in the middle of a circle of guys all ready to beat him up only to get their asses delivered to themselves. He bet that Hunter probably just walked away instead of staying to gloat. Sam opened his mouth to pry into Happy more but suddenly Kay came rushing over with Bear walking calmly beside him.
Kay’s eyes were wide, his chest rising and falling with each pant that escaped as he inhaled sharply before slamming his finger towards the building.
“THERE’S A FIGHT!”
Happy jumped up and Sam was hot on his heels as they rushed over to the building. Sam felt the worry and fear crawl over him as he was unsure why everyone was so happy—were they really that brutal that they’d enjoy watching each others pain? But as Sam got to the crowd, Kay shoving people aside who turned and gave his nasty looks, Sam managed to get to the front and what he witnessed before his eyes made him finally understand why Hunter was a Lion amongst Wolves.
The green eyes were burning with fire as rage danced around the black pupils inflamed with anger. His jaw was clenched shut like a steel lock and he breathed in so hard that his teeth could be seen through his hollow cheekbones. His nostrils flared as his black brows arched and his curled fists swung through the air. The tall, skinny guy behind Hunter received a kick to the chest as he flew against the wall, groaning as he slid down it. Sam could tell that was no normal kick but a rib breaking one that probably would have stopped the guys heart.
The shorter guy in front was suddenly taken down by Hunter’s producing fist that drove through the air and slammed against his cheekbone. Teeth scattered against the floor and the crowd erupted in roars. Blood splattered against his fists as he inhaled and exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling with stuttered beats.
By now, the only thing Hunter could hear was his heart thumping madly and the sound of his own blood rushing through his veins. Hunter straddled the shorter guy as he repeatedly slammed his fists down on the broken face. The beaten bruise beneath Hunter became limp but Hunter could not stop now.
“STOP!”
Everyone fell silent as all eyes fell to Sam. Sam nervously looked around as he clasped his mouth. He didn’t mean to say it aloud, he was scared and hated the sight he was seeing but he couldn’t just walk away- he was afraid if he did Hunter wouldn’t stop.
Hunter gritted his jaw, his fist frozen in the air as he got up with a slight sway. Once he steadied himself he walked agonizing slow towards Sam who heart had stopped once seeing the rage seeping out of the lion. Happy nervously stepped beside Sam as he tried to put his arm in front of the small boy. “He didn’t mean—”
Hunter only had to glance towards Happy to shut him up and get Happy to slowly retreat his arm back. Sam gulped, stepping backwards but someone child him shoved him forward as he almost collided with Hunter who wan now towering over him, looking down at him through those thick, black lashes. Sam felt like a wimp as his eyes watered up and he knew if he was here any longer he would burst into tears from the fear pumping around his body. He knew if he cried he would become the victim for everyone.
It was agonisingly slow for everyone. Hunter only seemed to be standing in front of Sam, exhaling sharply and glaring with those jaded eyes but did not make a move or say a word. Everyone held their breath- unsure if he was going to suddenly toss the small boy into his circle of prey and beat the shit out of him too.
Instead, Hunter stepped back so he was standing in front of the groaning boy on the floor covered in blood. Hunter snarled, his lips curling into a growl as he spat blood onto the floor. He outstretched his arms. “YOU WANT THE DAMN TILE?” He yelled as everyone flinched. “WELL. COME FUCKING TAKE IT!”
No one moved, no one even dared to blink until Hunter gritted his jaw and stalked off down the halls. The burst of chatter broke out the minute Hunter left, and Sam felt people clapping his shoulders telling him how cool and brave he was and how they had never met anyone who had that much guts. Sam laughed nervously as he made his way over to Happy and the rest of the guys. Once he got there he saw them all looking serious and concerned.
“What?” Sam mumbled, rubbing the nape of his neck.
Happy glanced at Kay who for once had shut up and was not saying anything. Happy pursed his lips in a serious manner that showed he was confused and suspicious. “No one’s ever got him to stop before…” Happy whispered to a startled Sam.
As the three walked back to the dorms, Sam turned to Happy with a nervous expression. “Can’t I stay with you?” Sam pleaded as he looked between Kay and Happy.
Happy smiled softly as he ruffled Sam’s caramel coloured locks. “Sorry—policy doesn’t allow more than two” Happy chuckled at Sam’s desperate face.
Kay, who was leaning “coolly” against the wall with one foot up against the bricks, rolled his eyes as he dragged the cigarette from his lips. “Quit moaning, newbie. Ain’t like he’s gonna kill ya”
Happy nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets as he grinned at Sam to reassure him, but Sam only became deflated. Happy couldn’t help but think of what a cute little puppy Sam looked like. “See ya tomorrow, Sam. You’ll be fine, Kid”
Sam nodded as he half heartedly waved Happy and Kay goodbye.
He slowly walked towards his room as he tried to take the smallest of footsteps. When he finally reached the door, he hoped and prayed that Hunter was not inside, that maybe he had gone to cool off somewhere. But to Sam’s luck when he opened the door, Hunter was laying down on his back, one arm bent behind his head as he closed his eyes. Sam stilled, unsure if Hunter was asleep. He tried to tip toe into the room as he winced, worried Hunter could hear his pounding heart.
He risked a glance over at the exhausted boy whose lip was cut only slightly to show that the other party had only got in one throw which was probably the one that started the entire fight. He eyed Hunter’s hands which were bruised and cut beyond belief. His eyes then fell to his ladder as he tried to think of how to climb up without making creaking noises or waking the sleeping lion. He hoped Hunter would be a heavy sleeper, but he never seemed to snore or toss about, also he remembered how easily he had woke Hunter up just by tossing and turning himself.
Sam carefully shut the door behind him but the minute he turned around to tip toe towards the ladders, Hunter’s eyes were open and watching Sam like the prey he always felt he was. He stilled, feeling tiny under the intense gaze and waiting for anything, for something, but the exhausted boy only closed his eyes. Sam glanced around as if the answer for Hunter’s strange behaviour was going to be written on the walls. He awkwardly made his way towards the ladder as he went to climb up them but stopped. He cursed himself silently, begging himself not too but the kindness was encoded into his veins and he couldn’t stop himself. “Are you okay?”
Hunter’s eyes slowly flickered open again, this time they locked with Sam’s, but no intense burn remained there. Though Sam couldn’t find a hint of any emotion, they were just empty. Hunter said nothing but rolled onto his side where his shirt strained against his back muscles. Sam looked down at the floor for a moment before he looked at the toned back and opened his mouth to say something.
“Go to sleep.” The mumbled groan vibrated through the room.
“No.”
It was now Hunter who was stirling, freezing as he heard the reply echo back. He slowly turned around, his eyes narrowing as they landed on the sheepish puppy who shrunk back and gulped nervously. Sam stepped forward hesitantly but quickly stepped back with frantic eyes “I-I want to help.”
Hunter rolled off the bottom bed with ease as he stood up, once again towering over Sam with case as he walked towards him. Sam stumbled backwards until he hit the wall. This time Hunter did not grab his throat or cup his cheek but simply stood a few inches from him.
“You have a habit of telling me what to do.” Hunter whispered lowly. His eyes flickered over Sam’s face for a moment before locking with his giant, doe eyes again. Sam rubbed his sweaty palms together as he looked away from Hunter, but the gaze of the green eyes burned into his cheek. Sam suddenly felt himself being pushed a little forcedly into the wall as Hunter used his index finger to push Sam’s chest a little. “What? You want the title?” Hunter’s face was starting to curl up into disgust and hatred as if just thinking about the damn title would provoke this from him.
Sam shook his head as he whispered softly, “I don’t want that burden.” A flicker of shock dawned on Hunter’s face for a moment as if Sam had drawn his breath away from him. Hunter quickly put his walls back up and shielded his face from emotion as he stepped closer to Sam. His arms came up either side of Sam’s head as Sam was now caged between Hunter’s elbows.
Hunter tilted his head as his warm breath ran down Sam’s neck yet again.
“What do you want then?”
Sam looked nervously at the floor as he stammered between Hunter’s muscular arms. “I—I just want to help. R-Really.”
Hunter snickered bitterly as he looked Sam up and down. “No one’s that nice. They always want something in return”
Sam jolted his head up as he frantically shook his head with a desperate puppy look that secretly tugged at Hunter’s heart strings. Hunter narrowed his eyes, though this time it was due to thinking rather than anger. Sam couldn’t think, not with Hunter trapping him against the wall. He was scared beyond belief but was taken aback by surprise when Hunter suddenly stepped back, dropping himself onto the couch as he outstretched his arm and wiggled his bruised fingers. “Fine. Fix it”
Sam blinked rapidly for a moment as he watched Hunter arch a brow at him before nodding and quickly scuttering to grab his backpack. Hunter raised a brow again as Sam bashfully smiled, “My mom makes me take a first aid ki…” Hunter said nothing but watched as the shy boy opened his backpack and began to grab out small items. When Sam dropped to his knees between Hunter’s legs, so he could reach his hand, Hunter had to look away for a moment to control himself before looking back at the boy between his legs.
As Sam wiped the antiseptic wipe over Hunter’s knuckles, who hissed and jerked his fingers, Sam smiled sympathetically as he tugged Hunter’s hand back towards him and continued to clean up the wounds.
Hunter watched Sam the entire time, not his hand or how Sam was cleaning it but Sam himself and Sam did not fall oblivious to this as he could feel the burn on his face. His cheeks were flushed red and every time he would glance up to see if Hunter was still looking he would quickly look back and go back to wrapping up his knuckles. “There.”
Sam grinned as he patted Hunter’s hand where it wasn’t bruised. Hunter drew his hand back, flexing his fingers as he turned it to observe the bandage. Once satisfied he dropped his hand against his thick thigh and looked back down at Sam who was now getting up. Sam’s legs were slightly shaky due to being knelt down for so long and so he leaned down to rub his aching kneecaps before he went to climb into bed.
“What? You didn’t bring pyjamas?” Hunter asked. When Sam turned around, Hunter was still turning his hand back and forth as he toyed with the bandage.
Sam’s cheeks lit red as he shyly shook his head. “I-I did—b-but.”
Hunter’s eyes finally flickered up to Sam as he pursed his lips. “What? Scared I’ll tackle you and fuck you till your throats raw?”
Sam took in a sharp intake of breath as he almost stumbled backwards from Hunter’s detailed question. Hunter only laughed in an exhale way out of his nose before standing up and cracking his sore arms.
Hunter looked over at Sam with a ‘don’t be an idiot’ expression.
“Get changed, Bambi. I’m going to bed.” And with that Hunter dropped himself onto his bed as Sam reluctantly changed, shyly turning his back as he got dressed as quickly as he could. He crawled up into his own bed after turning the lights out. He never thought that Hunter would want to have sex with him, but he was afraid Hunter would pull some kind of trick that guys loved to do, you know… throw him out in the hall without his clothes? He sighed,turning onto his side as he tried to forget about the lion sleeping below him.
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