Pete just wants to go home. He knows he isn't the only one - not by a long shot - but he is the newest. So the smell of his mother's cooking, his father's aftershave, and Andrew and Hillary's baby powder is still fresh on his mind.

He'd give anything to be back home, even if it's just for a day. Alas, it is not possible, and he will not be seeing any of his family until May, which is seven months away. And that's if he and Hurley don't fight to the death before that.

Speaking of Andy, he is currently staring at Pete and has been for the whole hour they're been in class. Pete's gotten used to it from Patrick, who stares because he can't talk. He listens attentively with his eyes focused on Pete every time Pete does something as small as his breath hitching, which it does a lot when he realises that the flush that seems to never leave his cheeks is the cause of Patrick.

So it does get hotter in the room when Patrick is around. Good to know.

"Can I walk with you to fourth period?" Pete leans over into Patrick's personal space to ask. A look of panic arises on Patrick's face because Pete knows he has to go to the infirmary before fourth period everyday. "I- it's fine. I'll .. I'll walk with you. To the infirmary, I mean. I know you go there everyday."

Patrick's eyes widen, and he nods slowly, a small smile appearing on his face. He grabs his paper and pencil and writes five words that almost break Pete's heart: You don't think I'm weird?

Pete gasps audibly, gaining the attention of more people in the room, his never-ending flush becoming worse. He waits until they're all turned around to answer Patrick's question. "Of course not, Patrick. I think you're fucking great." Patrick's small smile immediately becomes a full one at Pete's words.

The bell rings, and Patrick doesn't run out of the room as fast as he can today. He waits for Pete to collect his stuff first before they both make the short walk to the infirmary.

A youngish-looking lady is sitting inside, her head snapping up when Pete and Patrick walk in the door. "Patrick! And you brought a friend?" She seems confused, scratching the back of her head. "You're not Andy or Joe."

"No, that's because I'm Pete. I'm new here." Pete smiles, holding his hand out to her. She nods, taking his hand and smirking at Patrick.

"He sure is easy on the eyes, 'Trick." The nurse says, and Patrick's face flushes red, dropping his head. The nurse laughs at the surprised look on Pete's face as she hands Patrick a cup of pills. Patrick takes his backpack off, looking in it for something for a good thirty seconds before rolling his eyes and putting his backpack back on.

He signs something to the nurse, who nods and walks to the fridge, opening it. "Oh, that's right! I gave my last water bottle to Mr. Wells. I'm sorry, Patrick." She says, a small frown on her face.

Pete smiles and reaches into his backpack, handing Patrick his water. At Patrick and the nurse's confused looks, he says, "I'm a water bender, I have like twelve bottles of water in my backpack for emergencies."

"Emergencies, right.." The nurse trails off. She and Patrick lock eyes before turning back to Pete. "Okay, you two best be going. Ace is probably wondering where you are."

Patrick hands Pete the water bottle back and nods his head at the nurse, as if he's thanking her. She smiles and waves them off.

They walk to the football field in silence, Pete shivering when they go out of the gym doors. Patrick has his eyes forward as they walk, so Pete doesn't even get the warmth that comes with his gaze.

Pete doesn't notice his teeth clattering until he feels himself heating up from Patrick's stare. "What? Oh, sorry." Pete clenches his teeth to make them stop knocking together. Patrick gives him a soft smile, taking Pete's hand in his own. Almost immediately, Pete warms up about fifteen degrees. "Holy fuck." He mumbles, looking down at their conjoined hands. Patrick frowns and tries to pull his hand away, probably afraid of Pete's discomfort, but Pete acts quickly, squeezing Patrick's hand. "No, it's okay. I like it."

Patrick's smile is back, more blinding than ever as he squeezes Pete's hand in response. They make it to the field about two minutes later, where Andy and Joe are sitting on a bench, huddled together for warmth.

"Took you fuckers long enough." Andy mumbles, shivering. Joe pulls him closer and offers Pete and Patrick a smile.

"Ace is looking for you both. He isn't happy." Joe says, his face more pale than usual since he's so cold. Patrick rolls his eyes and lets go of Pete to walk over to Andy and Joe and kiss both of their foreheads.

They warm up just as quickly as Pete did, smiling at their friend as a thank you. Patrick returns to Pete's side, offering his hand out. Pete takes it, relishing in the moment that all of them are together, warm, and no one is fighting.

But only for a second. Because then Ace is storming back onto the football field, literally fuming. "Peter! Patrick!" He booms, nostrils flaring and eyes widened. Patrick looks to Pete before nodding his head and letting go of Pete's hand. He steps in front of Pete, pushing the latter backwards until he gets the hint and drops onto the bench next to Andy. "Where the fuck have you been?"

Patrick sighs, shrugging his shoulders. Ace isn't satisfied and begins to shout, getting in Patrick's face. Patrick just stands there, not moving and not flinching everytime Ace pokes his chest. Pete looks to Andy and Joe for help. Why aren't they doing anything about this?

"Why don't you leave him alone?" Pete asks, standing up and walking to Patrick's side. If Patrick's best friends won't stand up for him, Pete will. Patrick's eyes widen, and he shakes his head, pushing Pete backwards. His jaw is clenched, but Pete hears a voice - a voice that would probably be Patrick's if he could talk - in his head that tells him to sit the fuck down right now. That's.. strange.

"What's the matter, Patrick? Don't want your boyfriend to get hurt?" Ace asks, taunting Patrick, who doesn't even acknowledge the fact that Ace is making fun of him. "Answer me!" He booms, getting in Patrick's face again.

Patrick, of course, doesn't answer. He looks Ace in his eyes, the smirk on his face even more teasing than usual. "Patrick." Andy warns, and when Patrick looks back to his three friends, they all shake their heads. "Don't do anything stupid."

Patrick nods, winking at them. He holds his hand out, and Ace drags him by the wrist to the field house. "Where the fuck is he taking Patrick?" Pete jumps up, demanding an answer  from Andy and Joe.

"Listen to what your boy told you, Rookie. Sit the fuck down." Andy says, lying his head on Joe's shoulder.

"You.. you heard that too?" Pete asks carefully, and Andy rolls his eyes, standing up to make eye contact with Pete.

"You're probably the biggest airhead I've ever met." Andy says, taking his necklace out from under his shirt. "What the fuck do you think these necklaces make us do?"

Pete stops to think for a second. "I thought they were just to make us look cool." He says dumbly, which earns a huff of breath from Andy, which can be seen in the air since it's so cold.

"These necklaces control our power, first of all. Take this necklace off, and you can't do shit." Andy explains, and Pete's eyes widen. "Second of all - and I don't know if this was some sort of accident or not - we can communicate when we have them on. Telepathy, I guess."

"The whole reason we wear the necklaces is so the Academy is always a step ahead. If they want us without powers, all they have to do is confiscate our necklaces. Which is a lot easier than it seems with power restraints all over our bodies." Joe explains, trying to help his.. Andy out.

Pete winces as he hears Patrick talking to himself, talking about needing to stay strong and get through this. "That doesn't explain where the fuck Ace took Patrick or what he's planning to do to him."

"We don't know." Andy says after a few moments. He exchanges a look with Joe. "He disappears with Ace, and when they come back, Ace is fine. So is Patrick. He'd tell us if he was getting hurt."

"I swear to god, if he lays a finger on Patrick, I'll fucking kill him." Pete says, and it's a promise.

thank u all for reading !!

thoughts?