Practicing with Tim and Ian, the ball almost hit Ian in the face as he looked to the side with his jaw practically down to his collar bone. Nathan retrieved the ball where it had bounced off of him and turned to see Tanner walk in the gate. Rachel abandoned whatever she was doing to run up to him with excitement. She tried to hug him, but he stopped her with a hand directly to her forehead and a frown.

Nathan laughed, and so did Ian next to him. Maybe he shouldn't have, because Tanner glared at them after the fact. The entire distance from the chain-link door to the court, Tanner look agonized, as if this were slow torture. It also appeared as if being outside wasn't doing him any favors. The man had his hair up in a tight, low ponytail, but his neck was wrapped in a scarf, and he was tucked away in coat that went to his knees.

"You won't be able to move very well in that," Nathan said to Tanner as he walked up to them, and he narrowed his eyes on him.

"How do you play in this frigid weather? Don't you know how to take the winter off?" Tanner complained at him, and Nathan smiled. It was a friendlier comment than he'd expected. Nathan had little experience interacting with Tanner.

"Some of us get fat if we sit around," Donovan said, approaching them, and Tanner stiffened. "If you actually play, you'll warm up, though most of us wear gloves to keep our fingers attached."

"I've been dragged here against my will. I will play, but I haven't done so before." Tanner sounded livid when he spoke to Donovan, but Donovan brushed it off as he played with the basketball in his hands. There had been tension between all of them and Donovan once they'd found out that he wasn't hanging by the same noose.

Twirling the basketball on his finger, Donovan eyed Tanner in thought. "Not difficult. I'm sure you know the ball goes in the basket."

Tanner rolled his eyes.

"Well, there isn't much else. Pushing people or tripping them in a foul. Contact is fine, as long as you're not intentionally trying to shove them. I'm sure you could lift half these kids with one arm and minimal effort. Don't." Donovan's tone was sharp and Tanner frowned. "Otherwise, stay in bounds," Donovan pointed to the lines around the court. "You can steal, intercept, and toss the ball wherever. You just have to dribble it whenever you move and can only hold it in your hands when you are still to pass it or shoot. Three points beyond that line and two any closer." Donovan bounced the ball to Tanner, and he caught it stiffly.

"It'll be all right, Tanner. It takes a little bit, but you'll get the hang of it," Rachel insisted, and the man sighed.

"Also, I'm totally taking Rachel." Donovan smirked.

Tanner's expression darkened until Rachel laughed at his side.

"Not away from you, Tanner. Relax." She pat him on the arm, but his expression had changed none. Ian did start laughing at his side, and Nathan sighed. They were all going to kill each other before the afternoon was over.

"I'll be on Tanner's team." Halen leaned off of the fence from the corner and came up to them. "It's practically a handicap having Nathan on Tanner's team, so we'll never win, but I'll even it out a bit."

The Moceri thug had been hanging around Rachel ever since the incident with the murder, but he didn't play most days, just watched her like a creeper. Tanner looked briefly surprised to see him, but it eased his anger a bit.

"Tell you what, Tanner." Donovan speaking, drew Tanner's gaze to him. Every time they interacted, the air got tighter, but it was better they were communicating. "If you can manage to help Nathan get a basket, I'll give you Rachel for the next game we play."

"Donovan! Why would you do that to me?" Nathan took a step back from Tanner as he looked to him.

"That is cruel, Donovan. Tanner and Nathan already don't get along well," Ian concurred.

Tanner was going to hate him.

"I'll accept." Tanner smirked at Donovan.

"You're going to be eating that one." Rachel laughed as they grouped up on the court.

Donovan's team was up, and Rachel had the ball first. She took off like a bullet, and it was amazing how quickly she moved, but also pretty impressive how easily Tanner cut her off halfway down the court. Unable to pass him, Rachel just bounced the ball under Tanner's left arm and Donovan received it and then tossed it for three points into the basket. Sticking out her tongue, Rachel taunted Tanner and he stiffened in annoyance.

"Your turn," Ian said bringing the ball to Tanner. "Honey," he added at the end, and they all snickered at him. "Let's get a basket." Ian laughed with everyone else as they formed up into positions.

Tanner understood dribbling quickly enough, and he was already swift and skilled at handling moving objects, so he easily took off toward the basket. Rachel was a different sort of evil though and she had half her team get in his way. As he froze, unsure how to pass them, Donovan slid in behind him and smacked the ball out of his hands into his own.

Nathan had never seen Donovan smirk before, but he sure did when he looked directly at Tanner and threw the ball backwards over his shoulders for a two point basket. More laughter chased Tanner as Rachel met Donovan for a high five, and all of Tanner's muscles tightened.

Ian came up to them afterward with the ball. "Rachel and Donovan live this game. Try and walk it off. We are never going to win. Let's just plan out how we'll get Nathan to score a point. I have an idea. Time out." Ian huddled up their team together and planned out the next couple rounds, and Nathan listened to his idea but paled slightly.

"Didn't they say it's illegal to move someone in the game?" Tanner asked cautiously.

"They don't care so much as long as it isn't you shoving someone really. Donovan is lax on the rules as long as no one gets hurt."

"This sounds like a bad idea," Nathan complained, but Tanner chuckled heavily.

"No, I like it. Let's do it."

"All right then! To pulling one over Donovan!" Ian put his hand in the center and they all joined in, Tanner last, not quit understanding. They did their normal cheer and then broke away back to the court.

Nathan twitched nervously.

This was a bad idea.

For the next few rounds, Ian started, then Halen, followed by Tanner. It was almost the same play each time. One would start, pass the ball to Tanner or Halen, and then the other. Halen mostly scored two point baskets, and Tanner ended up with more three pointers than most of the team. They didn't always go in, but it was okay as long as the pattern was the same.

The only one that mattered was the last play.

Rachel and Donovan picked up on the strategy pretty quickly, and as Ian suspected, they stopped paying attention to him. On the last rotation, Nathan was starting and he was awful. They were guarding their three main players heavily enough the Nathan made it down to half court pretty easily before ducking it under one of the boys to Tim, who grabbed it easily and then as Halen advanced to the hoop, Tim passed it backwards to Ian who was furthest from the basket.

Confused, Rachel and Donovan turned back to him, and he passed it back to Tim, who quickly took up position for a three point basket. Nathan the entire time had been sneaking closer to the basket, while Halen headed back toward Ian.

Tim faked the three point shot and then dribbled it to Halen who smirked, now out in the open, and he took off towards the right side of the basket. They followed him, and the entire time, they kept the ball away from Tanner, who had been feigning defensive positions, until he could make his way to Nathan's side. Halen tossed the ball for the basket, and Donovan was there to attempt to block, but Halen clearly overshot his hands and the basket.

It sailed over the rim completely to Tanner who caught it and smirked right back at Donovan. There was only one kid guarding him now, and Tanner easily dropped the ball to Nathan where he caught it and looked nervously to Tanner. Nathan couldn't make a side basket for his life and they knew it.

Rachel didn't even look worried, until Tanner leaned over and slid his arms around him. It was terrifying having someone like Tanner, who he didn't even know well, grab him and hoist him up. It was worse how he lifted him with such ease before settling Nathan on his shoulder. Without much time to deliberate, Nathan reached forward and dunked the basketball.

Ian and Halen laughed halfway down the court, and from up on Tanner's shoulders Nathan could see even Donovan and Rachel laughing at their display. Everyone seemed in such good spirits that Nathan couldn't help smiling as well and laughing as Tanner lowered him back down.

For the man Nathan thought Tanner was, he sure returned him to the ground gently. Standing at his side, Nathan was sort of stuck looking back up to him, and Tanner's eyes glittered in a friendly manner as he smiled.

"I suppose I'm stuck relinquishing Rachel to your team tomorrow." There was distaste in Donovan's voice when he spoke, but it was obviously still playful. It was really nice to see them all getting along. "I can't believe you actually lifted him onto your shoulders." Donovan twitched as he looked at them, and Nathan blushed.

"Thank god Ian can't do that," Nathan said, fiddling with his hands, and Tanner laughed darkly at his side.

"I would get so winded. Don't even joke about that." Ian slung an arm around Nathan's neck from his other side as he came up to him. "You make me feel less manly when comparing me to Tanner's amount of solid muscle." Ian leered at him, and Nathan swallowed awkwardly.

"Me too!" Rachel came up to Tanner, and he looked down to her, confused. "Lift me!" Rachel clarified, and Tanner just laughed, looking away from her.

"I'm not humoring you." Tanner slid his hands in his pockets, and Rachel pouted.

"Is this how nice he usually is to you? Seems a bit disagreeable," Donovan taunted, dribbling the basketball in his hands.

Tanner whipped an enraged glare at Donovan that had Nathan skittering behind Ian. It was a long hard moment as they stared into each other's eyes, Nathan fearing that their shallow truce may have passed.

"Fine," Tanner snapped at Donovan before outstretching his hand to Rachel. Touching the side of her head, Tanner pulled her to himself and then up into the air just as quickly. Rachel squeaked something terrible as he lifted her into the air, letting her down just enough so that her face hovered over his.

Nathan averted his eyes just about the time their lips touched. So did Donovan, who looked to be aggravated by Tanner's forward show toward Rachel. A tug on Nathan's neck, pulled his attention out of the awkward silence to meet Ian's eyes much too close to him.

"I'm jealous," Ian said into his own lips, and Nathan flinched back. It caused Ian's expression to lighten slightly and he backed away, releasing him. Since what had happened, Ian had never forced anything on him except for the occasional arm around his neck, a hug, or a potential nudge in the shoulder.

"Hey, she's here again," Rachel said, pointing to the end of the fence.

Nathan looked over to the find the girl who had visited the first couple times, clinging to the fence. For the winter, she'd been away most of it. The first one across the court was Donovan, but Nathan quickly followed him and so did Tanner and Ian. Tanner actually carried Rachel the whole way on one arm like she was a parrot.

"Where is your mother?" Donovan asked, and the girl's eyes narrowed. It was a mature look for someone who wasn't even a teen yet. At least she was dressed properly, in a small coat, a scarf, and some mittens. The girl even had a pair of ear muffs over her head.

"Mommy's in jail," the girl said, though she didn't sound even slightly bothered. Donovan's jaw tensed, likely from how calmly she'd said it. "Mommy was doing drugs again. Auntie Janette is taking care of me now. She's nice–" The girl squeaked and backed away from the fence as Tanner set Rachel down and knelt to her height.

"Tanner!" Donovan growled at him, but he waved him off as if he were being over protective.

"What's your name, tiny thing?" Tanner asked.

"Rose." The girl's tone was so standoffish that Nathan chuckled with Ian a few feet from the fence.

"Do you like shiny things?" Tanner asked, slipping his hand into his pocket and pulling out a rather large coin.

Hanging it through the fence in two fingers, he lured the girl back to him. When she reached out to take it, he pulled it back, and she glared. Spinning it in his fingers, Tanner ran it from one hand to the other before he rolled them together and it disappeared.

The girl giggled, and Tanner smiled. It was such a kind expression that it stunned Nathan.

Tanner put his hands together again and the coin reappeared. He rolled in on the chain links, drawing her closer, and then he slid his fingers out through the mesh to graze her ear just lightly. As he pulled it back in front of her, he spun the coin into a small flower, which he offered her.

The girl accepted it and laughed, her face lit up with happiness. Another chuckle sounded from behind the girl, and Tanner stood quickly.

"A real lady's man, aren't you?" a woman said, and Rose ran over to offer the flower up to her. The woman had a kind smile as she leaned down and accepted it, examining it. "We've been out here too long watching your friends, Rose. Let's go in. You're turning into an icicle."

"Okay," Rose answered sweetly, taking the woman's hand, she gave them a wave before they walked down to the building that she lived in. "Bye!" Rose called to them, and Donovan waved timidly, followed by Nathan and Rachel. Tanner was stiff as stone until they were gone.

"We should get the hell out of here," Tanner said when they were out of sight, and Rachel chuckled, crawling to his side.

"For a guy who hates kids you sure are good with them, huh?" Rachel slipped her arm around Tanner's, and Nathan watched them. Tanner let her touch him and turned his face down to hers in a normal manner.

"I'm good with young children, just not people your age." Tanner pushed her forehead with a finger, and Rachel teetered before she rubbed the spot. Their exchange was playful and Tanner had a pleasant expression for the entirety of it, despite taunting her.

The expression Tanner had worn for Rose had been something Nathan had never seen on his face before either. Though Nathan had seen Tanner concerned and happy on the few occasions, a moment ago he had really looked... gentle.

Even when Tanner had lifted him, his hands on him hadn't felt rough or uncaring either. Somewhere with all of the conflict in the house, Nathan had not noticed how much Tanner paid attention and was considerate to the people around him.

"If you stare too hard, he'll notice." A whisper in his ear made him jump up and squeak, drawing Tanner and Rachel's attention back to them. They laughed and then continued to leave as Ian collapsed on his shoulders in similar amusement.

"Are you coming home, Nathan?" Donovan asked, and a few of the boys nudged him intentionally as they passed.

"Yeah." Nathan liked that thought.

Home.

Word count: 2743 -- Edited July 15th, 2020