-Seto's POV-

The next day at school flew by in a blur. We talked to Mitch and Jerome at lunch and they agreed to meet us after school.

We didn't tell them about Chase, just that we could all meet up to go back to our flat.

Ty was sick, so Adam couldn't stay, and had to take care of him, which was really sweet of him. But it also made me anxious.

If Chase had his goons with him, we didn't stand a chance if they jumped us.

I was nervously biting my lip and tapping against the table leg sitting next to Brice, waiting desperately for the bell to signal the end of the day.

Brice put his hand on my thigh to stop my leg tapping, and gently rubbed it, trying to calm my nerves.

He looked at me reassuringly and whispered "There's nothing to worry about baby. I said I'd protect you, no matter what."

He smiled and leaned back in his chair, still holding my leg. "Anyway, I don't think he'd try anything. He has too much to lose from it. Don't fret Seto, we'll be fine."

His assurance made me relax, and I felt a little less terrified. Suddenly, a loud shrill ring pierced my daydream, and I groaned.

Hoards of students rushed to get out. We hung back until the classroom was empty, then quietly walked to the old music room. Brice gripped my hand tight as we neared the door.

"Nervous?" he asked, glancing at me. I gulped and nodded, and without a word, he swung open the door.

"Hey guys! Ready to go?" Mitch's voice rang out. He and Jerome were sitting next to each other on the worn out couch, legs wrapped around one another's.

Brice furrowed his brow. "Sorry doods, gotta wait for someone. I need to... give them something."

Mitch nodded and Jerome just shrugged. "Who are they?" he asked casually. Brice shot me a look and I nodded. They would find out anyway.

"Well, um, that's kinda what we've been meaning to-" The door flung open again and we spun around.

There was Chase, standing in the doorway, hands in his pockets, smirking slyly at us, eyeing over Mitch and Jerome.

He stepped in and Brice shut the door behind, nervously locking it as he turned back.

I glanced to Mitch and Jerome, who were now stood, Mitch cowering behind Jerome in terror.

Jerome had a look of rage and confusion as he looked from me, to Brice, to Chase, and back to Brice.

Chase glanced over to them and smirked, earning a growl from Jerome.

I gulped as I realised that Chase and his friends must have hurt Mitch in some way as well as me, and no doubt a few others.

I gave Brice a knowing look. He flashed me a small, reassuring smile before turning to look at Chase cooly.

"So do you have what I want?" Chase asked, folding his arms. Brice glared at him coldly, before bending down and pulling a small black box out of his bag. He slowly handed it to Chase, who grinned evilly.

Before it touched his hands, Brice snatched it back. "One condition first." Brice snarled.

Chase frowned and tilted his head to one side to show he was listening.

"Don't even think of touching our friends, and leaves us the fuck alone."

Chase seemed to consider this momentarily, before sticking out his hand to shakes Brice's, laughing.

"Fine, deal." he said, Brice finally handing him the box. He opened it and pulled the gun it, examining it closely in the light.

Jerome suddenly strode up to Brice, livid, teeth gnashing, Mitch scurrying close behind, probably scared out of his mind.

"What. The actual. Fuck." he seethed, Mitch pulling him back by the arm, face pale and staring at the gun in Chase's hands.

"I'll explain later." Brice muttered. Chase grunted, satisfied with the gun and put it back in the case, slipping it into his bag.

"Well, I'll leave you losers to do whatever. You probably won't be seeing much of me in the future."

He turned to the door to leave, before glancing back at Mitch with an icy smirk, causing Mitch to shrink back further behind Jerome.

"Nice seeing you again Mitchell. It been a while. Davey and Hanson say hi." he said, then walked out of the door and disappeared down the corridor.

Brice slammed the door and dragged me over to one of the couches. He sat down and put his head in his hands, sighing heavily.

I sat with him and looked at him anxiously. Suddenly Jerome stormed over, with a terrified Mitch in tow, and sat down opposite.

"Ok. Talk. Now." he said, disturbingly calm despite his anger, putting a protective arm around Mitch, who was obviously shaken, trembling into his boyfriends arm.

I sat down next to Brice and put a hand on his shoulder. He put his head up, dropping his hands and took a shaky breath.

"Well, it's a long story. Um, firstly, there's something you need to know about Seto. And don't go crazy!" he said, looking at me.

I took my cue and stood up and rubbed my hands together, eyes closed. When I opened them, I heard Jerome gasp and a wispy purple haze swirling around me.

I made a small flame appear in my hands, and looked with amusement as Mitch and Jerome gawked at it, wide eyed.

I relaxed my aura and sat back down, now normal again, and closed my eyes. I still wasn't used to my new powers, so it really took it out of me when I used them even a little bit.

I leaned my head on Brice's shoulder, who snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me onto his lap, where I snuggled in and buried my head in his chest.

I listened to Brice tell the guys about the accident, and what Chase had done and said.

Once he had finished, I lifted my head tiredly and pecked his jaw, making a light pink blush spread across his face.

I smiled and sat up, hugging him. He turned and kissed me sweetly, smiling into it. He turned to Mitch and Jerome, who were looking at each other with a weird look.

"What ?" Brice asked and and they looked at us sharply. I hid in his neck, tired and slightly anxious and uncomfortable at the stares.

"Nothing... but wow, I mean... just wow..." Mitch mumbled, Jerome still strangely quiet.

There was an awkward silence before Jerome turned to Mitch with a sigh. Mitch just closed his eyes and nodded, gesturing towards us.

Jerome took his hand and squeezed it and looked at us. "Well, since you guys have been honest about Seto, I think it's time we were honest about me."

I tilted my head in confusion as Jerome stood up. Brice was about to say something but Jerome cut him off with his hand.

He shrugged off his jacket and shoes, then cracked his knuckles.

"Promise me you won't freak out. I'm about to show you my... true form... I'm a hybrid, before you ask, just... just wait til you see..."

He blinked his eyes, suddenly black. Fur sprouted in thick tufts all over his body and before we had time to react, a large, fully grown bacca was standing before us, paws folded against his chest.

My eyes widened with realisation and I looked over to Mitch, who was watching Jerome with admiration and love.

I glanced at Brice, who was the only one who had no idea what was going on.

Only people of magic generally knew about hybrids and interacted with them, few humans knew of their existence entirely.

Mitch obviously knew from Jerome and with me being a sorcerer it didn't startle either of us, but just looking at Brice made me realise that he was in a state of shock and fear.

I gently broke him out of his trance and signed 'A bacca hybrid, a shape shifter, Brice. It's ok it's still Jerome.'

He nodded at me flabbergasted, still staring at Jerome with awe, mouth open.

I poked him hard and he snapped out of it and looked at me. He still looked pretty dazed and I couldn't blame him. A lot had happened today.

Jerome flopped back down next to Mitch, who lay against him, lazily running his hands through the baccas fur, making him purr contently.

Mitch had a look of pride when he stared into Jerome's eyes, but I could see a trace of lust in them, and I smiled.

I turned to Brice and tugged his sleeve. He looked at me and I jerked my thumb at the two love birds laying on the couch, cuddling and whispering cute things to one another. Brice smiled and faced Mitch and Jerome.

"You still up for hanging out or do you two want some alone time, if you get what I'm saying." he winked at the two. Mitch smiled gratefully.

"Number 2 please." he muttered, and Brice and I took that as our cue to leave.

We went out of the room as we heard Mitch and Jerome sloppily making out, the occasional grunt and growl coming from behind the door, making us both giggle.

We exited the school building and got in the car. Once we were in, I sighed happily, glad to get this secret off my shoulders.

I felt Brice's hand shyly brush my own and I gladly held it, tired and content at the same time.

I looked out of the window, eyes half closed as we pulled out of the car park. They shot open fully as I did a double take at what is saw.

There was a figure, standing hidden in the shadow of the trees, watching us. I blinked and rubbed my eyes with my free hand.

I looked again. Whoever it was had gone, leaving nothing but the rustling breeze. I shook my head. I'm just tired, I must be seeing things, I thought, and turned up the radio.

When we got home it was raining hard. We sprinted back to the flat with our bags over our heads, racing up the stairs, and when we reached the door, we both lunged into it, collapsing together in the floor, soaked to the bone.

"I know you want me Seto, but at least wait until we're in the front door!" Brice chortled, hauling himself off me and got up, reaching out his hand to help me.

I blushed and took it and he pulled me up. He told me to wait in the living room as he went to the cupboard.

I sat on the couch and waited for him. He emerged soon with two big fluffy towels. He wrapped one around his shoulders then sat down next to me, sitting cross legged in front.

He flung the other towel over my head and started to ruffle my hair dry. The action was soothing and made me lean close to him ~

"Mommy mommy, look! Daddy and I made tree forts!" Little Seto cried, jumping out of his fathers arms and running to his mother, who was standing in the the kitchen wearing a pink apron, busy with the oven.

She turns and smiles at him, squatting down with open arms and catching him in a hug. She looked at her husband and smiled.

"That's sounds wonderful darling. I hope you had a great time playing with daddy. But now mister, it's time for a bath!"

Little Seto squirmed around as his mother scooped him up and carried him to the bathroom, quickly kissing her husband as she went. He chuckled as they went upstairs.

"Good luck with that Helena!" he called. "Hush Tobias!" she retorted from the stairs, making her husband laugh and walk away, shaking his head.

She got the fidgeting boy to the bathroom and got him ready for a bath, running the taps and she held him still.

She plopped him in the bubbly water and he giggled, splashing water around. His mother smiled and picked up a duck toy, making it float in the palm of her hands.

Seto clapped his hands and reached out for the toy, waving his hands around as his mother washed him.

Once he was clean, she pulled the plug and pulled Little Seto out, quickly catching him in a big white towel.

With another she wrapped it around his head, rubbing and fluffing his hair to dry it. It made the boy yawn tiredly as she finished and carried him to his room. She dressed him in his pyjamas and tucked him into bed.

"There we go my little sorcerer, time for sleepy time." she whispered, kissing his forehead.

"I wuv you mommy..." Little Seto murmured sleepily. His mother smiled and rubbed noses with him, making him smile as he closed his eyes and feel asleep to the sound of his mothers singing.

~ I gasped for air after the flashback, tears springing to my eyes. I jumped and fell off the couch, gripping my head and groaned.

My parents...

"Seto, baby, what's wrong?" Brice asked alarmed. He got off and crouched next to me, helping me back up on the couch.

I rocked slightly as Brice held my hand, rubbing my back, asking over and over if I was alright.

I couldn't believe it. After ten years I thought I had stopped having flashbacks.

I blinked rapidly and looked at Brice. His handsome face calmed me, even when contorted with concern, as if when I was with him nothing else mattered.

I smiled at him weakly, genuinely feeling better, and signed 'Just a flashback, no big deal. Don't really want to talk about it though.'

Brice gave me a warm, understanding smile and nodded, knowing not to press on. He patted my arm and gestured to the bedroom.

We stood up and Brice put and arm around my waist, still cautious about me having another dizzy moment.

We got to his bedroom and stripped to our boxers. Unlike the first time we did so, I didn't cringe or cover up at all.

I was glad that I felt more confident with my body around Brice. He never looked disgusted at my scars, or sneer at my skinny body in comparison to his huge abs - my little treat while watching him undress was getting a glimpse of them - and I could finally feel that I could trust again.

All thanks to Brice.

We got in bed and I lay on my side, facing the window, Brice wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me tight, spooning me.

He kissed the back of my neck and rested his chin in my shoulder. I placed my hands on his and he squeezed me tighter.

"Love you Seto. Night night." he mumbled, closing his eyes.

I smiled and felt my own eyes closing wearily. I looked ahead out the windows as I feel asleep.

The shadowy figure stared back on the balcony, hand pressed against the window as the sleep clouding my vision suddenly lifted.

He was trying to get in.

Hi guys! Just a little thank you for all the support you tossers give me. 554 reads?! Awesome sauce guys! And I hope you like the whole SkyLox/Merome additions to the story as well. Luvs yas! Laika out. (My out correct keeps changing that to Lanka, I mean, wtf?) :3