Summary: Silver really hadn't meant to interfere. Under the new government, you were better off turning a blind eye to anything out of the ordinary. But what was he supposed to do when a half-dead man stumbles out of an alleyway at the crack of dawn and collapses at his feet? Common sense dictated he report it and let the police handle it. Unfortunately for Silver, common sense had decided to take the week off on that particular Monday.

NOW REVISED!

Impromptu Intervention

Silver

Shivering as a gust of biting wind shot through him when he stepped outside, Silver clutched the threadbare scratchy jacket tighter around him. Shuffling through the knee-deep snow, he went about setting up the Open sign outside his bakery.

Winter had set in early that year, and people were scrambling to prepare for a harsh one. The snowstorms that had hit the city had taken all the citizens by surprise as there had been no mention of it on the weather forecast.

Then again, Silver supposed it could be the government's idea of a sick joke because they were bored again. Two years back, a sudden drought had left all of them struggling to survive because they had had no warning and hadn't bothered to save up any water. Back then, it hadn't been rare to see dead bodies littering the alleyways and police squads, well-fed and lazy and jeering at their predicament before dragging the corpses away. No one had dared to say a word though. They had quickly learned that prison or execution was the only outcome of any protest.

Straightening as he finished setting up a worn-looking sign, Silver glanced behind him at the glass-domed structure looming above the city. The Capital, full of gleaming buildings and elegantly-carved spires could be seen anywhere in the city, taunting them for their powerless stature. The entire city was blocked off by a wall, metal and reinforced with a net of electricity that prevented anyone from leaving.

To this day, Silver still didn't understand what their new government had wanted when they had taken the city by force six years ago, beating the citizens into submission and getting rid of those who tried to rebel. But they had still been allowed to continue their everyday life, and Silver had learned that keeping his head down and out of everyone else's business was the best way to survive.

With a sigh, he turned to make his way back into his bakery to prepare for another day of work when a shuffling sound and labored breathing reached his ears. He immediately stiffened and spun around. There were never many people up at this hour and Silver had never actually seen anyone on his street up before he had finished setting out the day's bread and cakes.

His eyes widened and he took a quick step back as a tall figure stumbled out of the alleyway beside his bakery, staggering a few steps towards him before collapsing into the snow, facedown and unmoving save for the shallow gasps that stirred the man's chest.

Silver stayed frozen in place, mind scrambling to make sense of this new development. His mind immediately jumped to the phone in his shop, mere steps away. He should call the police, and they would take care of all this. Silver would never see this person again, and he could put the incident out of mind and continue with his life.

He stared at the man for a moment longer, taking in the tangled black hair that would normally reach at least mid-back and the grey clothing that hung in rags off his shoulders.

Silver wasn't stupid, no matter how ignorant an impression he gave to passing officers. If he turned this man in, he would be sentencing him to death. But there were also a million and one reasons why doing anything but that would be a very, very, bad idea.

Hesitating for a second longer, he approached the prone form reluctantly. Maybe the man was just exhausted, and was actually a law-abiding citizen who happened to take the night shift at some seedy hotel and had gotten lost on his way home in all the snow.

Yeah fucking right, he thought derisively, even as he extended a cautious hand towards the stranger.

"Hey," He murmured in a low voice, shaking the man's thin shoulder a little. "Hey, are you alright?"

The man rolled over under his push without resistance and Silver recoiled at the face that stared back at him. Scratches marred the stranger's hollow cheeks and his dangerously pale blue lips were cracked and bloody. But what caught Silver's attention were not the gaunt features or the feeble flutter of the man's pulse in the side of a too-thin throat; instead, his gaze was drawn to the thick metal band locked around the figure's neck.

This man was a government prisoner.

Or used to be. Somehow, he had managed to escape out of the Capital and into the city. Not many people had been able to do that and all had eventually been found and shot down.

Silver rocked onto the back of his heels. Phoning the police was simply making the inevitable happen sooner. No doubt, the prison guards would notice before long, if not already, and squads would be sent out to hunt this man down.

With a shake of his head, Silver stood and headed indoors. He couldn't help this man; it would eventually come back to bite him in the ass if he did. And it was just some stranger; he had watched neighbors dragged off in front of him and hadn't said a word. He couldn't get arrested now.

Opening the door, Silver's gaze landed on the phone sitting innocently on the shop counter before automatically shifting to the small framed photo positioned by the cashier. He paused, gnawing on his bottom lip indecisively before glancing back at the still figure still lying in the snow.

He couldn't. He just couldn't. He had learned his lesson the first time around. But…

He looked back at the photo again, taking in the sunset-colored hair and blue eyes and sharp grin.

It was almost certain suicide to hide a fugitive of the law. Jet had drilled that into his head time and time again and he had never listened. But could he do it? Sentence a man to death with his own two hands, even after all these years?

He turned back, letting the shop door swing shut behind him again. One glance at his surroundings told him not a soul was in sight.

Without another thought, he made his way back to the stranger, reaching down and hauling the man up. He was taller than Silver by at least half a head, but was also thin from hunger and general neglect. Half dragging, half carrying the man over to his bakery, Silver struggled through the door and towards the stairs that led to the second floor. His gaze landed once more on the small picture as he reached the steps, trying not to shiver as the chill all but radiating from the unconscious fugitive seeped through his own coat.

I'm sorry, Jet. His eyes flickered briefly to the silent phone before he started up the stairs. But that's not me.

Jayden

Warmth and the smell of something foreign and mouthwatering roused Jayden from a restless sleep. He didn't open his eyes right away, letting his ears take in sounds around him first. There was the faint ticking of a clock, the muffled howling of wind, and the distant murmur of voices, but nothing else.

Cautiously cracking an eye open, he shifted a little to take in his surroundings, only to bite back a hiss as pain lanced through his entire being. Not the worst he'd ever felt considering all the beatings he'd taken, but he still felt like crap.

Slowly sitting up, he blinked as the multiple blankets covering him fell away, revealing neat white bandages wound around various parts of his body. His prison clothes were gone, leaving him shirtless but wearing a pair of faded pajama pants.

So someone had found him and taken him in. One hand automatically rose to touch the metal collar around his neck.

Someone had found him, knew he was a fugitive, and had still taken him in.

Jayden frowned and looked around, gaze sweeping over the modest room. A wooden table, a chair beside the bed, an open door that presumably led to a bathroom as he squinted and caught sight of a shower stall, a small closet, and he was lying in the only bed, twin-sized and old. The blankets piled on him looked about the same age but were surprisingly thick and soft. An old clock hung from one wall, the numbers and paint faded. The only light in the room was switched off and the curtains pulled tight over the only window. Another door at the far end of the room probably led to the rest of the house.

The distant thump of footsteps snapped his full attention to said door, and without hesitation, Jayden tossed back the blankets and staggered out of bed, ignoring the way his muscles bitched at him as he reached for the chair. It was the only movable object he could use as a weapon.

The footsteps paused outside the door before the doorknob turned and a young man pushed his way inside, a tray of food in hand. He stopped when he caught sight of Jayden, standing across the room with the chair in hand, wary and tense.

Jayden watched as the man's eyebrows rose, staring at him with a touch of confusion in vivid blue eyes. He took the moment to study the stranger's petite frame, eyes scanning the sleek russet hair tied back with a worn black ribbon. This person was a good half a head shorter than he was, and girlishly slender to boot.

Good. He shouldn't have any problem fighting his way out if he had to.

And then the man came into the room, movements careful and slow, and Jayden shifted with him, keeping him in his direct line of sight. But the stranger only moved to the table and lowered the tray onto the surface before turning back to face Jayden.

"You've been out for a day. If you feel like eating," The man said in a quiet alto. "Help yourself. I don't have time to deal with you at the moment. Just don't leave the room and keep quiet. And try not to reopen any of your wounds. Bandages are hard to come by these days."

That said, he made for the door again, slipping back outside and quietly closing the door behind him, leaving Jayden staring and thoroughly unnerved.

Were civilians supposed to be that calm in the face of an escaped convict?

Slowly, Jayden lowered the chair again, turning to look at the food on the table. There was soup, and soft-looking bread, and even a small bowl of rice topped with an omelet and a side of ham. He could barely remember the last time he had had anything other than hard expired bread and the occasional piece of meat.

Making his way over to the table with the chair, he carefully lowered himself onto the wooden furniture, scowling as his stomach growled. The thought that it might be poisoned briefly crossed his mind, but if the man had wanted him dead, leaving him outside would've been simpler and more effective.

So, temporarily tossing caution to the wind, Jayden tore into the meal, almost choking as he wolfed down the best he had had for almost as long as he could remember.

Barely ten minutes later, he was licking the last grains of rice from the bowl, foregoing the chopsticks. He had never quite learned how to use them anyway.

Sighing in satisfaction, Jayden leaned back, staring idly at the peeling paint of the ceiling. His caretaker was a great cook, he could give him that.

Now, what should he do? It was obvious that the man had no intention of turning him in, but then again, when the police squads hit the streets and started interrogating people, the man could always change his mind.

Rising to his feet, Jayden made his way to the window, twitching back the rough curtains to peer outside. Swirling snow met his eyes and only narrowing his eyes and staring a little harder outside did he catch sight of other buildings, simple but solid.

Trying to escape in this snowstorm was probably just asking to die, so he would wait it out and get as much rest as he could in the meantime.

He moved back to the bed and settled into it, staying in a sitting position instead of lying down again. He must have been more tired than he thought though, because the next time he became aware, jerking awake with a start, he was lying on his side, facing the wall, and someone else was in the room.

Jayden shot up, twisting around and casting about for some sort of makeshift weapon, panic spreading in his chest as the blankets caged him to the bed and the last dredges of nightmares lingered in his mind. He looked up, meeting skeptical blue eyes, and somehow, Jayden found himself settling under that calm, almost soothing gaze.

"…Who the fuck are you, bastard?" He snapped out instinctively.

Back in the prison, whenever he was too tired to fight the pull of sleep, he would wake up panicked and wild, and not even the prison guards and their sedatives could hold him until he calmed himself down and found his balance again. That a civilian, a complete stranger, could push the breath-freezing fear out of his sleep-clouded mind almost instantly was more than a little disconcerting.

The man in front of him only watched him for a moment longer before inquiring flatly, "First the chair, and now this. Has anyone ever told you that your manners are absolutely endearing?"

If Jayden hadn't been hardened by prison and learned the hard way that emotions worn on one's sleeve didn't make the best plan for survival, he would have gaped at the smaller man. Instead, he settled for a dark scowl, untangling himself from the blankets as he kept a guarded eye on the russet-haired stranger.

"Who are you then?" Jayden asked again, voice rough as he tried to curb his language. He supposed he owed the man that much.

"…Silver," His caretaker revealed shortly, still studying him with that unwavering blue. "You?"

Jayden ignored the question, staring dubiously at Silver instead.

"Fucking weird name," He grunted. "Exactly which part of you is silver?"

Silver just heaved a sigh. "My personality," He deadpanned. "Now what's your name?"

Jayden was man enough to admit that he had no idea what the smaller man was saying, but decided not to pursue it. He would probably receive an even more cryptic explanation.

"…Jayden," He revealed after a moment. It couldn't hurt. Even if Silver suddenly decided to turn him in. It wasn't as if the police could catch him with just a name.

"…Exactly which part of you is jade?" And Jayden couldn't quite hold back the disbelieving snort at the retort Silver shot back at him with a completely straight face.

"You…" Jayden scowled harder at the other man. "Aren't you scared at all?"

Silver only shrugged, the action graceful and tired in equal measure. "Should I be?"

Jayden paused, tilting his head to observe the man from a different angle to see if he could figure this person out. Nothing changed.

"I could kill you," Jayden informed him with a razor-sharp stretch of his lips.

Silver smiled back, humorless and unperturbed. "So could I."

Jayden snarled in annoyance and lunged for the lithe form. Was this idiot underestimating him or just plain stupid?

A moment later, not even two seconds after Jayden had tried to show the smaller man exactly why he should be scared, the fugitive quickly found himself spun around again, legs kicked out from under him, his arms twisted firmly behind his back and chest pressed into the edge of the bed.

"Fuck!" He snapped, craning his head around to peer at Silver in blatant shock as his head reeled from the sudden turn of events. "The fuck are you? An assassin-for-hire?"

A delicate snort answered him before he was released.

"A baker, actually," Silver told him mildly, extending one slender but calloused hand to help him up.

Jayden glanced warily at the offered limb before clasping it briefly to heave himself back onto the bed. His injuries were throbbing from his efforts and he could only glare sullenly at the other man as Silver settled down in the chair again.

"A baker my ass!" He snapped. "Bakers fucking bake; they're not supposed to be able to-"

Jayden shut his mouth abruptly, not able to continue without insulting himself. He may not be at the peak of health, but he had been one of the strongest in the prison when the government dogs let them out into the fighting ring, and the fact that such a small-framed civilian could disarm him so easily was doing nothing for his pride.

Silver only smiled again, this time a touch more genuine. "I used to fight all the time. Not anymore."

'Why not' was on the tip of Jayden's tongue but he bit it back in favor of studying the smaller a man a little more. No matter how he studied him, Silver remained harmless-looking and girlishly slim, perhaps even a little underweight, though how that was possible for a baker Jayden didn't know. He looked like the average person, albeit prettier than any Jayden had ever seen, and not at all like he had ever seen a fight in his life, much less participated in one.

Silver must have seen his bewilderment because his caretaker suddenly took on an almost sad countenance, a tired sort of sorrow that made Jayden tense in discomfort. He didn't really like this expression on the smaller man`s face.

"It helps me survive," Silver explained, and Jayden quickly made the connection in his mind. The police squads he had dealt with had never been very bright, and they wouldn't hesitate to underestimate the baker.

In the next moment, Silver abruptly rose from his seat, and Jayden instinctively tensed a little, tracking the smaller man's movements to the closet.

"Take a shower," The baker ordered, digging through the modest cabinet. "You stink, and I need to strip the bed sheets. You can borrow these."

Jayden was more than a little taken aback as a bundle of clothes was thrown his way, only catching them in reflex as his gaze remained on Silver's bake.

"You want me to shower." Jayden repeated flatly, the concept slightly foreign to him.

Silver turned and nodded. "The bandages are waterproof. Just don't move around too much."

Jayden stayed sitting on the bed, now staring between the clothes and the bathroom.

"What are you waiting for?" Silver prompted. "Go on."

Jayden's jaw clenched. What if something happened while he was in the shower? He could be caught unawares, or…

Silver heaved a sigh, cutting off his thoughts. "Look, I'll sit at the table. You can keep the bathroom door open. I won't peek, and you can keep an eye on me the entire time. Okay?"

Jayden stayed still for a moment longer, considering the baker's words before shifting to his feet and making for the bathroom. He had no idea why Silver was being so accommodating but he wasn't about to complain. A hot shower was a luxury he hadn't been able to indulge in in a long time.

Silver

Silver slumped against the table as he heard the shower start, head pillowed on his arms. It had been a tiring day today, with so many people coming in and out of his shop to buy bread for the winter.

While that meant he had earned a little more than usual, the stream of customers hadn't done anything for his heart. He had been unable to keep his eyes from drifting back to the shop windows every few minutes, expecting a squad of officers to burst into his bakery at any minute. But there had been no sign of them, and Silver could only conclude that they had either not noticed one of their prisoners missing yet, or had started the search elsewhere.

Which brought him back to the escaped convict currently using his bathroom. What should he do now? The man, Jayden, couldn't stay cooped up in this room for the rest of his life. Silver didn't think it was possible anyway. He could sense the cagey tension lining the man's body even while he was sleeping. This room might as well be another prison cell for him.

Silver sighed again and shifted in his chair. He stilled when he heard the quiet movements behind him pause, and waited for Jayden to start moving again before continuing his line of thought.

Jayden was rude, but Silver couldn't really damn him for it, and the man seemed okay overall. He had been prepared for an even more volatile temper and hostile mistrust, as the fugitives he had met before years ago tended to be, but Jayden seemed cordial enough for someone on the run.

He heard the water turn off and waited until he heard the taller man's footsteps behind him before turning around. His eyebrows rose as he took in the now-sleek black hair that tumbled down Jayden's back. Some good food and rest would actually turn the convict back into a rather handsome man.

Silver gave himself a metal slap and a silent reprimand. Now was not the time to think about that.

"Done then?" He asked instead. "Help me with the sheets then."

He made his way over to the bed and stripped the bedding and blankets, tossing a few to the slightly startled-looking man standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.

"Washer's downstairs," He reported, heading for the door. "I've closed up for the night and the curtains are all drawn, so feel free to poke around a bit. Just don't make any noise."

Silver made his way down the small flight of steps, shuffling into the small laundry room attached to his bakery. Jayden followed him inside, copying his actions as he dumped the sheets into the washing machine.

"…You live alone?"

Silver paused, hand stilling momentarily as he reached for the detergent before continuing the movement.

"Yes," He replied noncommittally, ignoring the dull pang in his chest that followed his admittance. "It's just me here."

"…Who's the man in the picture, then? You have two of the same photo."

Silver turned to look at the other man, tipping his head back with a mild frown. He barely reached Jayden's chin.

He hadn't expected to be asked about the photos. The one he had placed in his room had been neatly tucked away in his closet, out of sight. Jayden must have caught a glimpse of it when Silver had been finding clothes for him. The other photo was in the bakery, and Silver had to give the escaped convict some credit for being so observant. They hadn't really needed to step inside the bakery to get to the laundry room.

"…Jet," Silver revealed after a long moment. "You're a little nosy."

Jayden only shrugged, unrepentant. His eyes lingered on Silver's hair and eyes. "Your brother?"

Silver turned away, reaching out to start the washing machine before moving out of the room.

"You're nosy," He repeated, and ignored the man's question as he disappeared up the stairs again.

Pausing long enough in the narrow hallway leading to the only bedroom to open the small linen closet and pulling out a new set of sheets, Silver hurried back into his room to prepare the bed. Jayden seemed to have at least a spark of tact since he didn't follow Silver back up again right away. That, or the man just wanted room to stretch his legs a bit.

Smoothing out the linen, Silver set out a few blankets on the floor. If he wore enough layers and curled himself in the blankets, there shouldn't be too much of a chance of getting sick.

"…Hey,"

Silver glanced at the doorway where Jayden had just appeared in, stalling just outside the room. "What?"

"…How long can I stay?"

Silver straightened, turning to face the taller man fully. "I took you in. You're my responsibility now. If neither of us is hauled off, then you can stay for as long as you want. Keep quiet and out of sight while I'm working and we shouldn't have any problems, at least until the police gets around. When they do, just stay in this room; they won't bother coming up here."

Jayden shot him a strange look. "They're damn thorough when they want to be." He scoffed. "You can't be sure."

Silver shrugged. "Think what you want. You're safer here than most places. This city…" He paused. "Do you want to sit down? I'll give you a run through and I doubt you want to stand through all of it."

Jayden frowned a little at him but obeyed after a moment, making his way over to the chair. Silver settled on the blankets on the ground, back against the bed.

"This city is under complete control of the government now," Silver started again. "Put a toe out of line and you'll be arrested faster than you can blink. There aren't many people who will protect others anymore. Too afraid. You never know who might be watching, so most people just report anything they see, just in case someone sees them not reporting it."

Jayden snorted. "Fuckin' typical. But that doesn't explain why I'd be safe here."

"…Because I'm harmless." And Silver smiled, sweet and guileless, and almost laughed at the surprise on Jayden's face. "I'm a good actor, that's all. Now get some sleep. You look ready to fall over."

Still looking a touch puzzled, Jayden rose to his feet and hesitated again, uncertainty making his movements awkward.

Silver gestured to the bed. "You can take it. I'll sleep on the floor."

A frown crept over the taller man's features. "I can take the floor. Don't need a damn bed."

Silver scowled, the first touch of irritation since he had met this man surfacing on his face. "Then you'll just wake up sore in the morning and complain my ear off. Take the bed."

When Jayden looked like he was going to protest again, Silver crossed the small room in two strides, not missing the way the man tensed and drew back defensively. He ignored it in favor of tilting back his head to stare directly into the man's haunted grey eyes.

"You're not there anymore," Silver said, voice low and urgent and firm. "You're here, and safe, and you can stop now. Just for a little while. Okay?"

Jayden remained motionless, body still wired with tension, but something flickered across his face, a little like confusion and a little like relief, and Silver stepped back and offered him a genuine half-smile.

"Take the bed and get some rest. I'm just going to grab a shower."

Without another word, he made his way to the closet, grabbed some clothes, and slipped into the bathroom, leaving the door open halfway. If a little loss of dignity would make Jayden feel that much safer, then Silver didn't really mind giving it up.

By the time he reappeared from the bathroom, Jayden's soft even breathing could be heard, and Silver couldn't quite stop a smile from surfacing when he realized that the taller man was not facing the bathroom door, curled up in the blankets against the wall instead.

Jayden

When Jayden woke up again, it was a slow stirring into awareness, and for the first time in almost six years, he simply wanted to burrow deeper into the warm blankets wrapped around him and go back to sleep. But years of staying alert for any signs of danger had honed his senses to the finest point, and he could sense that there was no one else in the room with him.

Rolling over, he struggled into a sitting position and peered over the bed, noting the neatly folded blankets on the floor. A glance at the clock told him it was still relatively early. Did bakers have to get up at this hour for work?

Slowly pushing back the blankets, Jayden swore under his breath as the cold morning air gripped him in icy claws. Gritting his teeth, he moved to stand, only to catch sight of a set of clothes on the table. Blinking, he rose and shuffled over, eyebrows shooting as he realized the clothes were warm. He picked them up, only to find a small portable heater under it, plugged in and puffing out breaths of warm air.

He stayed still for a moment, fingering the cloth. The words the baker had said to him rushed back, and he wondered at the ease in which he had believed them. He wasn't safe, of course, and both of them knew that, but Jayden was as safe as he possibly could be under the circumstances, and Silver had said as much.

Jayden had no idea what the smaller man's angle was here, helping him without asking for anything in return, but the baker should know very well that Jayden couldn't pay even half of what he had been given.

So was Silver simply helping him just because? Because he pitied Jayden? Because he couldn't turn away anyone worse off than himself? Because…what?

With a huff of annoyance, he turned for the bathroom, quickly shucking off the sleeping clothes and throwing on the new set, a grey shirt, a black sweater, and a pair of black slacks. He paused on his way out of the room, and then decided to pull the plug on the heater. No need to run up the baker's electricity bill.

Making his way downstairs on silent footsteps, he peered cautiously into the bakery, only relaxing when he caught sight of the familiar baker standing by the shop window. Clearing his throat quietly, he watched Silver stiffen but remained motionless, back still turned to him.

"…Silver?" The name was strange on his tongue, but he was more interested in what the smaller man was looking at through the blinds. It didn't seem like the baker had heard him anyway.

"…They know you escaped," Silver eventually revealed, and Jayden immediately tensed, hovering pensively in the doorway. "They've already gone through this street three times. Five houses have been marked. As soon as the day starts, they'll start the door-to-door inspections."

Jayden stared hard at the still figure as he carefully moved into the room. Hesitantly, he stepped up beside the baker, one hand hovering in the air before reaching forward to brush rough fingertips against the back of the hand that was pulling back the blinds. It was ice cold.

With a dark scowl, he clasped Silver's shoulder and hauled him away from the window. "How the fuck long have you been standing there? Are you crazy?"

Silver only returned his glower with an even gaze, shrugging off his hand. "I always wake up at four to get ready for the day. Everything I sell has to be fresh. They started roaming the streets an hour after I got down here. So, not that long."

Jayden snorted, hiding his confusion behind righteous frustration. "What the hell are you doing?" He hissed in a low voice. "Helping me isn't doing you any favors! What if you're caught? They'll execute you on the spot! You have a death wish or something?"

Silver arched an eyebrow at him. "I have my reasons. If you're well enough to complain, then you can help me set the food out. I open in half an hour."

Jayden watched him disappear behind the counter and through a side door, trying not to gape in disbelief. How could the man be so calm? He hadn't seen any fear in those blue eyes at all. As if Jayden was simply extra help at the bakery instead of an escaped convict!

With a curse, he stalked after his caretaker. None of this was making any sense to him. Silver was just a baker, wasn't he? And yet the way he treated Jayden, without any surprise or expectations in the way he acted, without asking any questions, as if he hid fugitives all the time, was more than a little perplexing.

Twenty minutes later, Jayden was shooed upstairs again, with a warning to not make any noise for the rest of the day. He had rolled his eyes. Did Silver think he was completely clueless about his situation?

The rest of the day was spent pacing the tiny hallway and room, only stopping when loud voices, different from the nervous murmurs of customers, rolled into the bakery. There were jeers and glass breaking, and Jayden had to force himself to stay still at the top of the stairs when a streak of protective resentment and anger ran through him as he heard some of the cruder suggestions the officers threw into the open. Another crash and a dull thud sent him slinking down the steps, careful not to step on any creaking wood. Fury coursed through him as he watched, in a shadowed corner at the bottom of the steps, one of the officers bend down and drag a weakly-struggling Silver up by the hair. Their backs were turned to him so Jayden ventured another step forward, hands clenching on the banister.

"The same no-brain fool as last time," The man holding Silver up sneered. "Retarded piece of trash. How do you keep this place running?"

The officers around him laughed as Silver was tossed back into the counter with a painful crash. To Jayden's shock, Silver's face was meek when he looked up, blinking in a confused, pitiful manner.

"…Sorry?" Silver offered uncertainly in a feeble voice. "I'm not really sure how…"

The officer in charge snorted, one booted foot lashing out and catching Silver in the ribs. "Let's go. Leave the pathetic fool. He's only good for a laugh."

The officers piled out of the shop, knocking food off the shelves as they went and a heavy silence fell in their wake as their figures were swallowed up by the storm brewing outside.

Jayden was out of the hallway and in the bakery within the next three seconds, ignoring the glass crunching under his feet as he dropped down beside Silver.

"Easy," He muttered, automatically helping the baker sit up. "You okay?"

Silver grunted. "Nothing broken," He reported, his voice back to normal as he patted his ribs. "Thanks."

Jayden was quiet for a moment, just watching the smaller man breathe.

"…What was that?" He asked, eyes searching. "You were… completely tame. Why didn't you do anything?"

Silver shrugged, and then winced. "It helps me survive," He voiced softly, and Jayden remembered the words from yesterday.

Bitterness spread in his chest. "Then you're just some bootlicker," He accused thoughtlessly. "Did you hear yourself? That was fucking cowardly. You just let them push you around!"

Silver smiled back at him, empty and tired. "Sometimes, being a coward is the only way to survive."

Jayden opened his mouth to argue, but thought better of it and shut it with a click. He couldn't afford to start an argument here. The blinds were pulled open and the shop wasn't soundproof. With a snarl, he rose, spun around, and stalked back upstairs, ignoring the stab of guilt as he left Silver in the bakery.

He would never be able to comprehend how someone could just fold like that. Being so weak under people as inhumane as the government ruling them sickened him.

He just couldn't understand how Silver, who had had the guts to take him in, would fold so easily under a few berating taunts.

Silver

Wiping a trickle of blood from his split lip, Silver eased himself to his feet, telling himself not to feel too hurt by Jayden's words. It wasn't as if the fugitive's opinion mattered, and the man was telling the truth after all.

With a sigh, he stooped to grab a fallen broomstick and started sweeping up the broken glass and spilled food. The only bright side to this situation was that he could close early today. Resting a little seemed like a good idea at the moment.

It took him a good hour and a half before all the glass was swept up, the ruined food thrown away or saved if it wasn't too badly, the wooden counter patched up as best he could, and a home-cooked meal whipped up for Jayden. After the beating, he couldn't quite muster up an appetite.

Sweeping a hand through his hair, Silver glanced around the shop before pulling down the blinds and heading upstairs. He would have to face Jayden some time.

Cautiously, he entered his bedroom, eyes landing on the taller man immediately as he quietly shut the door behind him. Jayden was sitting on the chair beside the window, long legs splayed idly in front of him.

Grey eyes shot him a cursory look as he came in, before announcing, "This room doesn't fit."

Silver twitched imperceptibly. "My apologies if the accommodations aren't to your liking," He drawled, straight-faced. He found himself inexplicably pleased when Jayden had the decency to look at least a touch sheepish.

"Not what I meant," The taller man muttered, but said nothing more, rising to his feet and stretching out his muscles instead. Silver's eyes followed the surprisingly elegant cat-like movement before catching himself and forcing his gaze back to Jayden's face.

"There's food downstairs in the kitchen if you're hungry. Help yourself."

Without another word, he turned and entered the bathroom, shutting the door before sitting down on the closed toilet bowl and trying to take a deep breath without making his ribs ache. It didn't work.

Lifting his shirt, Silver grimaced at the ugly purple blotch marring his pale skin before tugging the clothing down again. At least no bones had been broken. He wasn't sure if he could afford to go to the doctor's at the moment. The clinic would no doubt have doubled their prices again ever since winter set in and more people were going home with colds.

'This room doesn't fit.'

Silver paused as Jayden's words drifted back into his mind. So the man had notice already. Well, he had learned that the escaped convict was more observant than most, and there really was nothing else to do during the day. Perhaps he could run to the bookstore and buy a couple books for the man.

He frowned at the thought. Jayden was not a guest. He was a fugitive. What was he doing trying to make the man at home? Surely Jayden would want to leave as soon as the storms let up, even if Silver had offered to let the man stay?

With a sigh, he rose and made his way out of the bathroom. Almost twenty-one and he was hiding out in the bathroom. Just great.

Stepping back into the bedroom, he glanced at the empty chair before setting out the makeshift bedding again. It was barely six in the evening, but he wasn't hungry and he had nothing better to do. With any luck, he could just sleep until tomorrow morning.

Grabbing his pajamas, he quickly showered and brushed his teeth before tossing his clothes over the back of the chair. Jayden could sit on the bed instead.

The room door opened just as Silver was slipping back under the covers. He glanced up to meet a pair of startled grey eyes.

"You're going to sleep?"

Silver grunted. "Nothing better to do. I sleep, I eat, I work, I sleep again. That's about what my life amounts to nowadays. I'm a boring person."

"…Then you wanna eat before you sleep?"

Silver blinked, looking up and finally noticing the small bowl Jayden was cradling almost awkwardly.

Soup.

He hadn't made soup for dinner tonight.

For a moment, a warm feeling pooled in his chest, and he offered a rare, bright smile in the taller man's direction. Jayden looked thrown, gaze focused on his mouth, and Silver had to force down a blush at the intensity in that look.

"Okay," Silver stretched out a hand. "Sounds good. Smells good too."

The soup was delicious, and Silver wondered how someone who had spent so much time in jail could make something like this. Jayden must have been able to cook before he had been locked up.

"Thanks, this is great." Silver found himself smiling again even as Jayden only grunted and threw himself on the bed, rolling to face the wall. He grinned a little before rising and setting the bowl on the table.

Sleep came easily enough and Silver only jolted awake again when a distant, muffled knocking cut through his consciousness. He shot up, already knowing what the sound was even as Jayden sat up on the bed, looking disconcerted and ready to fight-or-flee at the same time.

"Grab some clothes," Silver hissed as he threw back his blankets. "And gather these up." He tossed his bedding and pillow at the confused fugitive. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

Silver hurtled out of the bedroom and flew down the stairs, crossing the bakery to the front door in a matter of seconds and throwing it open.

"Ms. Sanders," Silver murmured, dipping his head at the slightly plump, brown-haired woman standing before him, a ten-year-old girl clutching a teddy bear in tow. "Hello Kristie. Come on in."

Kristie was pushed into the bakery and the girl automatically reached for Silver's hand. Silver spared her a quick reassuring smile before turning back to the woman.

"I'll take care of her. Remember, don't come back until I say it's okay."

The woman nodded tearfully, wringing her hands.

"God bless you, Silver." She whispered, before reaching for her daughter and cupping her face gently. "You be good now, sweetie. Do what Silver tells you."

Kristie nodded solemnly and Ms. Sanders let go, nodding once more at Silver before disappearing down the street.

Moments later, another woman, tall and pale with faded black hair tied into a messy bun came into view, a black-haired boy around the same age as Kristie in hand. She nodded warily at Silver before handing her son to him, giving him a brief hug before hurrying away.

Silver smiled gently at the two children now standing on either side of him. "We just have to wait for Amy now. Are you cold?"

Both children shook their heads but Silver ushered them towards the bottom of the stairs. "Wait there. Amy should be here any moment."

Two minutes later, a petite blonde no more than four years old came into view, carried by a tired-looking man with tousled light brown hair.

"Sorry we're late," The man panted, handing the girl over to silver without hesitation. "My wife's sick in bed and it took a while for me to get her clothes together."

Silver nodded. "Don't worry about it, Mr. Crane. You came in time. I'll take care of her until they leave. Don't return until I come get you."

The man dipped his head in thanks, clasping Silver's hand briefly before patting Amy on the head. "You do exactly what Silver tells you, my girl. And Silver," He paused, brow clearing for a moment. "You're a good lad. Don't listen to what anyone else says. Jet would've been proud."

Silver stilled before mustering a slightly shaky smile. "Thank you sir. Amy will be safe with me."

Mr. Crane nodded briefly before turning away and heading off down the street again. Silver let the door clang shut, locking it before hurrying for the stairs, still carrying Amy.

"Alright, let's go," Silver waited for Kristie and Tom to scamper up the steps, following behind at a more sedated pace as he smiled down at Amy.

"You had to wake up quick today didn't you?" He murmured as Amy stared back at him with big green eyes. "You've been brave so far. You just have to stay quiet for a little longer."

Amy only smiled wordlessly, nestling closer to Silver, one small hand tightening around his shirt.

A startled gasp made him look up and Silver saw both children frozen in the bedroom doorway. He cursed silently, hurrying the last few steps and gently pushing past the children. A frozen Jayden met his eyes and he sighed heavily.

"We've got no time," Silver whispered urgently, shoving the fugitive towards the closet. "Amy, Kristie, Tom, this is my… friend. He needs to hide too but he's new so could you show him what to do?"

Tom and Kristie exchanged uncertain looks even as Silver set Amy down. The blonde immediately shrank behind the baker, green eyes fearful, and Kristie remained quiet near the door. It was Tom who stepped forward, one hand reaching out to grasp Jayden's sleeve.

"This way, Mister," Tom tugged the fugitive the rest of the way, opening the closet and only letting go to crawl inside.

Jayden made a questioning sound and glanced sharply at Silver. The baker ignored it, simply motioning for Kristie to follow Tom.

"Quickly! We don't have much time."

This seemed to spur Kristie into action as she darted after Tom, only casting a wary glance at Jayden before crawling inside as well. Silver crouched down to Amy's eyelevel, placing both hands on her shoulders.

"Amy, honey," He murmured. "Have I ever tricked you before?"

The blonde shook her head cautiously, eyes darting between Silver and Jayden.

"And I won't ever trick you either," Silver brushed a stray strand of golden hair from her face. "You have to trust me. He won't hurt you. I promise. He just needs a place to hide, just as much as you do. Can you share the hiding place with him?"

A long tense moment passed before Amy finally nodded, letting go of Silver's shirt before making her way to the closet, still keeping a wary eye on Jayden and giving him a wide berth. She quickly crawled in after Tom and Kristie, and a second later, Silver found himself all but accosted by Jayden.

"What's going on?" The man demanded, gesturing at the bundle of blankets he was holding. He had thrown a sweater over himself while Silver was downstairs and his eyes gleamed in the dim light of sunrise seeping feebly through the snow and curtains.

"Secret inspection," Silver revealed curtly, pushing Jayden towards the closet. "You need to hide. Don't swear in front of the children. Keep quiet. Stay put until I come and get you, no matter what you hear. Understand?"

Jayden ignored his question.

"In a closet?" He snapped instead. "And you think they won't find us?"

Silver smiled a little. "You said so yourself," He reminded. "'This room doesn't fit'. Now hurry!"

Jayden blinked before glancing back at the closet. A loud thump downstairs made both of them jump and the fugitive leapt for the closet, long hair breezing behind him as he clambered awkwardly inside. Silver was already closing the doors as the tall man's feet disappeared from view.

Another knock sent him flying out of the room after a quick glance around to check that nothing was out of the ordinary.

Downstairs, Silver paused at the door, taking a deep breath before rearranging his face to innocently placid. The door was shoved open as soon as he unlocked it, and he obligingly went sprawling to the ground.

A familiar dark-haired officer trekked in, sneer already glued on his face as his nose wrinkled distastefully down at Silver. Behind him, three more officers entered, all with disgust on their face.

"Well, well," The officer drawled. "Here we are again. We're practically meeting everyday now, aren't we?"

Before Silver could respond, the officer lashed out, foot catching him around the middle and sending him tumbling across the floorboards, gasping for breath.

"…Yes sir," He mumbled, trying to stand.

The officer snorted. "I don't feel like playing with you today, boy. We're just doing rounds, though why we have to check this establishment is beyond me. You don't have the brains to even talk back sensibly much less anything else."

With a put-upon sigh, the man headed up the stairs uninvited, silently directing the other three to check the ground floor. Silver quickly stumbled after him, anxiety already clenching his stomach.

The linen closet was pulled open and some of the old blankets were carelessly pulled out before the officer continued to the bedroom.

"Well now," He stopped by the closet and Silver felt dread pool in his stomach as the man's voice took on that tone. "Looks like you just got out of bed. And I've got a little time too, hmm?"

The officer pulled open the closet, peering inside dismissively before shutting it and turning to Silver, grin lecherous as dark eyes scanned him. "Let's do something fun."

Silver pasted a frozen uncertain smile on his face. "Fun?"

Next thing he knew, Silver was knocked from his feet to his knees, his long hair grasped tightly by the officer.

"Yes, fun," The man voiced roughly. "The only thing you're good for anyway. At the very least, you've got your looks."

Silver forced himself not to tense as the man's hand moved to his belt. He was supposed to be stupid, brainless, a mere docile fool who couldn't think for himself. It was the only reason the officers had never bothered with him after Jet's downfall. He couldn't let on that all he wanted to do was kill this man.

He was soon yanked up into a bruising kiss, all teeth and cruelty and he bit back the urge to whimper as his already-split lip started bleeding again. When the officer pulled back, the man's pants were already pulled down and his cock, already hard and dripping, was thrust forward into Silver's face.

Ah, a blowjob today then.

"Hurry up, boy," The man growled hungrily.

Silver kept his face blank, emptied his heart of any emotions, filled his head with for-the-children-for-the-children-for-Jayden, and leaned forward, mouth opening to take in the thick length.

It wasn't long before the officer was thrusting hard into Silver's mouth, groaning loudly as the hand in his hair tightened. Silver almost choked on a particularly rough thrust, tears beading at the corners of his eyes, but he forced his throat to relax, pulling back momentarily to let his tongue flick at the tip of the man's cock before deep-throating him again. His hands stayed unmoving at his sides though, clenched into fists to hold back the urge to fight, to push away. What felt like hours but couldn't have been more than several minutes later, bitter liquid spilled into his mouth, clogging his throat as he ignored the burn and swallowed the seed.

The officer pulled out, cock now flaccid, and the hand in Silver's hair loosened, letting him go. Silver slumped on to the ground, jaw aching, just catching himself with his hands as he tried not to let himself throw up just yet.

The man just grinned down at him, tucking his cock back into his pants and fixing his clothes before sauntering for the door. "I see that mouth of yours is still good for something. Don't worry; you don't have to see me out. Until next time."

Silver waited until the officer's footsteps receded downstairs and the shop door close for the last time before slumping to the ground and curling up right there on the cold floorboards.

Just for a little while, he would stay here, and close his eyes and shut his ears, and pretend that the foul taste in his mouth wasn't real and he wasn't stuck in this world where everything was just a monotone grey.

Jayden

At the first not-so-subtle suggestion, Jayden had gritted his teeth and had weighed the pros and cons of bursting out of the space behind the closet and just beating the man to death, consequences be damned.

At the first groan, loud and ringing in his ears, Jayden had forgotten why the hell he was hiding when his caretaker was being raped not ten feet away from him and had prepared to leap out of the closet; only the small blonde girl's white-knuckled grip on his sleeve kept him in place as almost blinding rage surged through him, hot and furious.

When the sounds stopped and muffled footsteps descended the stairs again, Jayden had felt the fight drain from his body, slumping against the wooden wall behind him as three kids crowded around him, trembling.

Jayden could feel it now, a choking shame rising in his throat and threatening to overtake him. He had called Silver a coward when he hadn't even known. Well, he knew now, fat lot of good that did anyone. Children were hauled off by the government to train to become their soldiers almost as soon as they were born. There were practically no children in the city anymore, besides the ones in the poorest parts of the city, and he had been shocked when three of them had appeared in front of him, glancing every few seconds at Silver as if the baker's presence was all they needed to feel safe.

And he still didn't know the whole story, but he could guess. Even he could admit that Silver, though underweight and tired most of the time, was very good-looking. Coupled with innocent stupidity, the officers would never notice the sharp intelligence behind the baker's façade and see what he was capable of doing behind their backs, nor would they search the bakery as thoroughly as they probably did other houses.

"…Do you-" Jayden's voice cracked and he cleared his throat quietly before trying again. "Do you hear that a lot?"

Amy didn't move and Tom just stared blankly ahead, but Kristie, huddled on his left in the cramped space, murmured, "Not all the time, but, when that bad man isn't in a hurry, he stays and does that with Silver."

Her voice dropped to an almost soundless whisper. "Sometimes, they go on for a long time. Hours."

Jayden closed his eyes, trying not to think about it. The groans would sound all the same to the children, and he doubted Silver would ever make a sound while the kids were within earshot, but a blowjob or a handjob wouldn't take hours long.

"He's a great person," Tom suddenly spoke up, voice hushed but defensive. "Silver. He's taken care of me and Kristie since we were babies. Before they came, Silver used to babysit us. Jet sometimes did too, but it was mostly Silver. He played with me when my dad was busy and couldn't, and he made Kristie laugh when she was sad after her papa died. And when they came to take all the children away, it was Silver who came and hid us. He made us fake death cerfi-certificates to show the bad people so they wouldn't look for us. And he's been hiding Amy since she was born. Silver's a great person!"

Jayden's jaw clenched, gaze not quite able to meet Tom's burning eyes.

"Yeah," He nodded tiredly. "I know. I know that now."

Tom seemed to relax somewhat at his acknowledgement, and Jayden glanced at the door separating them from the outside. "Can we go out now?"

Amy's grip on her sleeve tightened as Kristie shook her head. "We have to wait until Silver comes to get us."

She hesitated a little before confessing anxiously, "He doesn't like us hearing those things. At the beginning, he told us to cover our ears, but we didn't and we heard, and he knows now but he doesn't like that. And, once, almost two years ago, we tried going out after we heard the bad men leave without waiting for Silver to come get us."

Her voiced dropped to a strained whisper and Jayden flinched at her words.

"He was crying and shaking and he wouldn't talk or get up for ages. He only moved when Amy started crying too. And the next time, he made us promise not to go out until he came to get us."

Jayden swallowed hard, feeling sick to his stomach, but didn't have a chance to digest this as the thump of a closet door opening sounded and the entrance to the hollowed out room was pulled aside.

Amy moved first, quick and nervous as she hurried out. Jayden let Kristie and Tom clamber through the small doorway first as well before climbing out himself. His eyes immediately landed on Silver, carrying Amy once again, and Jayden only just stopped himself from cringing.

The baker's face was cold, icy and blank, and the still features might as well have been carved out of stone for all the emotion it showed. The smaller man's gaze that wouldn't meet his even as he tried to catch it was a dull and lifeless blue, no longer the vivid, bright azure that he was just coming to realize was a brief, rare, priceless thing.

"Stay here," Silver's voice was hoarse and gravelly as he grounded out the words in Jayden's general direction. The baker then turned and ushered the children downstairs, never looking back.

Jayden stayed motionless for a few seconds longer, listening to the ticking of the clock before making his way over to the bed and gingerly easing himself on top of it.

It was a full thirteen hours later before Jayden saw him again, having stayed seated on the bed most of the time, watching the minute hand go by for the entire day.

His attention immediately snapped to the baker, but it was as if Silver didn't even know he was there. Instead, the smaller man made his way to the bathroom, door swinging shut behind him with deafening finality. Moments later, retching sounds could be heard, and Jayden knew instantly that Silver hadn't eaten a thing today, had only worked until his mind had numbed the events from this morning.

With a curse, Jayden sprang to his feet and hurried to the bathroom door. It was locked and he could only raise a fist and thump it heavily against the wood, head falling forward to rest against it as well.

"Sil-" His voice cracked as it had earlier that day, and he quickly tried again. "Silver? Silver, fuck, could you fucking- could you let me in?"

Nothing, save the sound of the baker dry-heaving, and Jayden swore again, angry at the officers for doing this and angry at himself for doing nothing.

With a silent promise that he would fix the lock at a later time, he pulled back and lashed a foot out. The door gave a little under his kick, and when he did it again, the lock snapped and the door swung open.

Silver

Dry-heaving into the toilet bowl as he always did after these sessions, Silver was dimly aware of a loud bang somewhere over his left shoulder but he paid it no mind. He didn't think he could care if the entire police force and their grandparents came to arrest him at this moment.

So he barely flinched when a large hand snaked around his back, rubbing it soothingly, and another hand, gentle and careful and nothing like the one that had held him that morning, gathered his hair back and away from his face.

Countless minutes passed before he could finally stop, gasping and choking on a dry sob as he shuddered in the warm hold supporting him. Glancing up weakly, he met stormy grey eyes and it finally occurred to his clouded mind just who it was that was helping him and holding him up and seeing him like this.

With a startled cry, Silver pulled away, throwing himself to the right with enough force to make him stumble and trip over thin air, and he landed heavily on the ground, head knocking back into the wall hard enough to make him see stars.

"Silver!"

Jayden's voice sounded alarmed and somewhere at the back of his mind, Silver noted that it was the first time he had heard the fugitive call him by name.

"Stay away," He croaked, one hand cradling his head, his eyes glued determinedly to the floor. "Just go away. I'm fine. I'll be fine. I'm fi-"

His voice cracked and the next thing he knew, he was being pulled forward despite his immediate, if half-hearted, resistance, and into a strong lean body.

"-right, alright, you'll be fine," Jayden's uncharacteristically gentle voice pierced the overpowering shame weighing him down and he gulped in air as he tried to concentrate on the words. "You'll be fine, I hear ya, but yur not fine right now, so just let me in, 'kay? I won't judge ya, I won't say anything, I'll just be right 'ere, right 'ere, so just- just stay with me, 'kay? Let it go, let it all go, I'll still be here. Just let it go."

And Silver wanted to push this man away, because he hated this, he hated all of this, and not even Jet had ever seen him like this before, shamed and dirty and lower than trash. But all he could do was slump against the arms wrapped around him, keeping everything away instead of caging him in, and he felt safe and protected and cared for and how an escaped convict he had met only three days ago could make him feel like this was far beyond him.

But slowly, ever so slowly, his breathing calmed and he realized he had been crying into a warm shoulder even as strong arms rocked him back and forth, one hand combing through his hair.

"…I'm sorry," He finally whispered, not moving from his position even as he felt Jayden stiffen.

"What the fuck for?" Jayden demanded, and under any other circumstances, Silver would have smiled as the man's language returned to normal.

"For having you hear that. I didn't-"

He couldn't continue as his voice broke on a sob again and felt Jayden's arms tighten around him.

"You're an idiot," The taller man voiced softly, chin coming to rest on top of Silver's head. "I know you didn't want it. Of course you didn't fucking want it. I should be the one who's sorry. I didn't- didn't stop it from happening even when I heard."

Silver stilled, fingers twitching in the material of Jayden's shirt.

"You're not- you're not disgusted?" And his voice was painfully small as he posed his question.

Jayden pulled back this time and Silver only had a moment to feel a pang of irrational terror at the thought of this man leaving before large calloused hands cupped his face, tilting his head up to finally meet Jayden's eyes, and Silver's breath caught as he saw concern at the forefront in a storm of grey.

"Never," Jayden told him, serious and earnest. "Never. Not you. Them. This is their fault. Not yours."

Silver released a shaky breath and nodded weakly when Jayden released him. He pulled back a little himself and flushed red when he realized he had just had a mental breakdown in his own bathroom against Jayden's shoulder. He glanced up quickly and blinked when he saw an amused smile on said man's face.

"This is the first time I've ever seen you blush," The taller man remarked, rocking back on his heels. "It's not a bad look."

Silver could feel his face heat up even further and he sprang to his feet, momentarily dizzy as he glared furiously at the fugitive.

"Shut it. And get out. I want a shower."

Jayden nodded obligingly, an easy smirk on his face even as one hand reached out to tuck a stray russet lock behind Silver's ear.

"Don't take too long. I'm going to make dinner." The man breezed out even as Silver snapped out of his temporary shock and swatted at the man.

Three hours later, they were both getting ready for bed, and Silver couldn't believe how much he had eaten for dinner. It wasn't usual for him to eat that much on a normal day, much less on a day of one of the sessions. But Jayden had watched him like a hawk and had glared every time Silver so much as twitched to put down his eating utensils.

Now, staring at the peeling paint on his ceiling twenty minutes after they had settled down for the night, Silver tried to get comfortable on the ground. It was colder tonight and memories of that morning flooded his mind again as the silence settled around him.

And then a foot nudged against his leg, making him freeze momentarily as Jayden spoke up, impatient and drowsy.

"Get up 'ere if ya can't get comfortable down there."

Silver hesitated, about to decline when the fugitive's head appeared, looming over him and squinting sleepily down at him as a hand reached down, grasping his own and tugging him up.

"C'mon," Jayden muttered. "Ya need your beauty sleep, princess."

Silver huffed indignantly even as he obliged and crawled onto the narrow bed, dragging his pillow with him. "Don't call me that. I'm not a girl."

Jayden's sleep-clouded eyes suddenly cleared and a teasing smirk curved his lips. "Oh I know that much. You are very nicely male."

Silver could only gape a bit as he settled next to the raven-haired man. Was the fugitive hitting on him?

But Jayden's eyes grew somber in the next second even as a protective arm curled around his waist. "I won't do anything you don't want. You know that right?"

Silver could only nod dumbly, a warm spark of contentment spreading across his chest as Jayden offered a small smile and pulled him close, tugging the blankets firmly over both of them. Silver closed his eyes and listened as Jayden's breathing evened, enjoying the beating of the other man's heart.

'I won't do anything you don't want', not 'I won't do anything'.

Was that just a slip of the tongue, or was Jayden…

Silver's eyes flickered open again, studying the still-gaunt features up close. One hand came up to push back a stray raven lock of hair that had fallen into the man's face.

He had known Jayden for all of three days, but it was the first time he had ever felt… attached to anyone. Even Jet hadn't been someone he had absolutely needed, but even the thought of Jayden leaving had sent a thrum of fear running through him.

How had that happened? When exactly was it that he had let someone like Jayden into-

"Ya know, if ya think any harder, you're brain's goin' ta explode."

The sleepy drawl made him start but Jayden's arm only tightened around him as grey eyes lazily blinked open, studying him with a mixture of amusement and concern.

"…Will not," Silver shot back after a moment. "I'm not you."

A huff of laughter spilled from Jayden's lips, much to Silver's secret delight, so it came as a surprise when Jayden's next words came out unnaturally serious.

"…I'm sorry I called you a coward. I didn't know."

Silver mulled the apology over in his head as he shifted onto his back with a sigh.

"…You weren't exactly wrong," Silver admitted, tugging absentmindedly at Jayden's shirt when the man made to interrupt. "I've watched people dragged off to the execution block or prison right in front of me and I didn't do anything."

"Because of the children," Jayden interjected insistently, one hand coming up to tilt Silver's face back towards him. "You can't save everyone. Some people live and some people die."

"…And some people die so some people can live." Silver murmured, and he could see the sorrow reflected in Jayden's eyes.

They were quiet for a while after that, but neither fell asleep again and it was Jayden who spoke up again first.

"…Who is Jet?" The question made Silver tense, and Jayden hastily tacked on, "You don't have to answer. I was just curious. You have two photos of him, but sometimes, I see you avoid them like you can't bear to look at him. And Tom mentioned him too; something about babysitting?"

Silver blew out a soft breath and shifted onto his side again, absently reaching out to fiddle with a stray thread on the shirt Jayden was wearing.

"…Jet's my older brother," He eventually revealed, glancing up to meet intent silver. "Our parents died when we were kids and we were shipped off to the orphanage. Jet was the good boy; got good grades, did well in sports, played nice with the other kids. I was the black sheep; I couldn't concentrate in school, I had no interest in kicking a ball around or splashing in a pool, and I liked being by myself more than with other people. So the other kids at the orphanage and at school learned to avoid me, and when adults came to meet us at the orphanage, well, they always wanted Jet, but not me."

Silver paused and a wistful smile surfaced on his face.

"But Jet always insisted we were a package deal. If they didn't take both of us, then they wouldn't get either. He stayed for me at the orphanage for five years and never complained. He never told me to shape up and cut the crap so we could get adopted. He always just said 'Be yourself, don't let anyone else change you. You're fine the way you are.' I was eleven and Jet was fifteen when we finally got out of there. A couple, the ones who owned this bakery actually, took a liking to both of us and adopted us. They were kind and we were both happy here for four years. But then they came."

Jayden had stayed quiet through Silver's monologue and one look told the baker that the man was riveted, gaze never wavering.

"The new government came, and Jet and I barely managed to smuggle our parents out. Jet wanted me to leave as well but I refused. I didn't want to go without him, and Jet, well he had a girl, Freya. They weren't married yet because they wanted a summer wedding but Freya was pregnant. She wasn't strong enough to make the journey and Jet would never leave her. So we stayed."

Here, Silver fell silent again, and he felt Jayden pull him closer, the action protective.

"…The baby?"

Silver glanced up before shaking his head. "The baby was never born. Never had a chance to. I got all three of them killed before that."

He felt Jayden start and pull back.

"I don't even have to hear the story to know you would never do that!" Jayden muttered angrily. "Don't say things like that."

Silver sighed. "I was fifteen and wild and angry and stupid. I told you before: I used to fight all the time. Street fights, mostly. Other people picked on me because I look like a girl, even more so back then. And after the government came, I couldn't " I couldn't stand by and watch people die."

Silver could actually see the exact moment when understanding dawned on Jayden's face and he hurried on before the other man could say anything.

"Jet warned me, time and time again. That I couldn't save everyone. That I should only protect those closest to me. I didn't listen to him. Refused to, because I thought he was wrong. I tried to hide the people who were being tracked down. Fought off officers when they were travelling down back alleys and took their prisoners away. Back then, I don't know if you remember, but they didn't do door-to-door inspections, so I could hide them, in my closet, under my bed. To make a long story short, I was caught, ratted out by a neighbor who saw me smuggle someone inside. …They came down on us hard."

Silver bowed his head, tears prickling his eyes as he dredged up memories he thought he had gotten over.

"They dragged us out to the front of the bakery; me, Jet, and Freya. The people I had been hiding were slaughtered in front of us, one by one. And then it was our turn.

…They wanted to execute us on the spot, as an example to everyone else. And then Jet started talking. You didn't know him, but he had this way of saying things that makes you want to believe him. He was charismatic I suppose, and he got the guards to buy his story easily enough. He told them it was all him, all his idea to hide fugitives inside our house. Told them I didn't know much, that I was just a mentally-inflicted foolish boy who always did what he was told. And while he was spinning that story, he held my hand, so tightly I thought he would break it, and I knew everything he wanted to say to me then, but couldn't. That he didn't blame me, that he knew why I did what I did, that he wanted me to live more than anything else. He knew what would happen, but he still chose me. They killed Freya and their unborn son in front of him. I thought Jet was going to die of grief anyway before the executioner got around to him. But just before they shot him, he looked at me, and his eyes, his eyes begged me to listen to him, just once, just that one time, and say nothing. And like the coward I am, the one time I should have disobeyed him and said something, I stayed silent."

Silver finally looked up, trying to keep the pain at bay. "Do you understand now? Why I say I am a coward? Why I say I got them killed? I keep the photos where I can see them to remind me; to never be so foolish again."

Jayden was quiet for a long moment, staring down at him with a storm of emotions, so mixed up together that Silver couldn't quite catch any of them. And then he spoke, and it wasn't condemnation or even denial.

It was a story.

"…I had a sister, once, a younger sister." Jayden started, voice flat with only an undercurrent of emotion to it. "Before they came. Julia, her name was. I was a lot like you too, when they first arrived. Pissed off as hell that some outsiders would just charge in here, killing without mercy because they had nothing better to do. Julia always warned me against it, but I was so gung-ho back then. I was strong, and I thought nothing could touch me. I attacked police squads, ambushed them at night, and then disappeared before anyone could get a good look at me. Well, they didn't get to where they are now by being completely stupid. They eventually tracked me down, and kicked our front door down in the middle of the night. Dragged my sister out and restrained me. Made me watch as they…"

He trailed off and glanced down momentarily at Silver, and Silver understood, without words, what had happened. He nodded and a flash of relieved gratitude crossed Jayden's face before the man continued.

"And then they killed her, and dumped her body in the river that ran close to our home. After that, I was arrested, and I didn't understand why they didn't kill me until I saw the fighting ring."

Silver frowned. "Fighting ring?"

Jayden nodded. "The prisoners are let out in an arena and they fight to the death or until some bastard higher-up said we could stop; for the government's entertainment."

"What do the winners get?"

Jayden smiled humorlessly, a hint of darkness edging it. "Cleaner cells and a piece of meat."

Silver flinched and tightened his hold on Jayden's shirt. The taller man seemed to understand because his smile softened and the hand attached to the arm still curled around his waist tugged almost affectionately on a lock of his hair behind his back.

"…You paid for it though," Silver spoke after a few seconds. "Julia-"

Jayden cut him off sharply. "You did too, didn't you?" And his hand trailed down Silver's shirt, fingers brushing briefly against his lower back.

Silver tensed but found himself relaxing again in a matter of seconds. "That's-"

"If you say that's different, I'm goin' ta be kinda pissed off." Jayden scowled down at him. "I was stupid and you were stupid, and we both paid for it in full, so let's just call us even and say it's the government's fault, okay?"

This startled a laugh out of Silver, strained but genuine, and he sighed and nodded slowly against Jayden's chest. "I suppose that's fair. But…"

Jayden snorted above him but only grumbled, "Oh go ta sleep; you're a lost cause. You're probably the type that only gets it after being fucking nagged a lot. I'll keep that in mind."

Silver couldn't quite keep the smile off his face, even as his eyes slid shut. After everything, he knew a little more about Jayden now, and that thought, even as he drifted off to sleep, made him feel ridiculously happy.

Jayden

When he drifted awake, the first thought Jayden had was that he was the most content he had ever felt for a good six years. The next thought was the fact that someone warm was pressed comfortably against him, and he blinked his eyes open to meet a tousled mass of sunset hair.

"…Silver," He murmured after a moment, and his mouth curved up involuntarily as he observed the smaller man settled against his chest, breathing calm and even.

There were still dark smudges shadowing Silver's eyes, but Jayden thought the baker looked more peaceful than he had ever seen.

Of course, three days was hardly the ideal time when it came to getting to know a person, but Jayden found himself quite pleased that Silver could look this serene in his arms.

He frowned. Well, that was a startling thought.

His mind cast back to last night and he peered down at the smaller man again, trying to find the reason that had prompted him to open up to the baker without a second thought.

Besides his sister, Jayden had never felt this attached to anyone before. And even then, this feeling was different; familiar, but still foreign. He could identify the protectiveness, but there was also an edge of something else, stronger and… just different.

Silver stirred against his chest and Jayden quickly looked down again, wondering how the baker would react when he woke up. To his surprise (Silver seemed to have a very good knack for that), when the smaller man's blue eyes fluttered open, they only scanned him drowsily before mumbling "good morning", followed by a cat-like yawn as he burrowed further against Jayden's chest.

Jayden watched all this with raised eyebrows. Either Silver wasn't quite awake enough to freak out on him yet, or there really was nothing much that could perturb this man.

When blue orbs remained visible behind half-lidded eyes and the baker simply watched him with a patient, almost curious air as if waiting to see what Jayden would do, he guessed it was the latter.

"Good mornin'," He returned slowly, blinking when a small lazy smile was directed up at him. "Don't you have work?"

Silver grumbled something unintelligible into his chest and nestled further into the blankets. "I have you now. You can help me with the morning preparations. Then it won't take as long. I'm going to sleep for another hour."

Jayden scoffed, jostling him lightly. "So now I'm the hired help, huh? Brat."

One blue eye peeked open again. "Don't call me 'brat'. It makes you sound old."

Jayden smirked. "I'm older than you. You're what, twenty? Twenty-one?"

A scowl. "Almost twenty-one."

Jayden nodded. "Exactly. I'm twenty-five. Or close enough."

Silver huffed. "That's only four years apart. And you're more of a brat than I'll ever be."

Jayden only made an indulgent sound which only served to make Silver scowl harder. They stayed like that for a while longer, Silver's glower receding quickly enough until his brow smoothed again.

"…Why did you save me?"

Jayden felt Silver start against him and glanced down, absently combing his fingers through russet locks as he studied the baker.

"I've always wondered," He admitted. "And after what you said last night… well you could get arrested, and the children…"

Silver was silent for a long time, and Jayden waited, trying not to fidget.

"I couldn't," Silver responded at last. "I couldn't do it. All the people I've seen dragged off have never been reported by me. I've never ratted on anyone. And you… you came stumbling out of the alleyway, half-dead, and collapsed right in front of me. You never even twitched when I touched you; your life was literally in my hands. And I was going to; report you I mean, and just let the police handle it. But…"

"…But?" Jayden prompted, impatient for the baker's next words.

"…But you were just lying there, and you didn't even know that all your efforts put into escaping was all for nothing, and I thought, well, you had come this far, out of the Capital and into the city; it seemed beyond cruel to get you dragged back again."

Silver fell silent, and Jayden found himself releasing a breath, not realizing he had been barely breathing until after the fact.

"…I'm glad I didn't turn you in."

Jayden blinked at the quiet confession and chuckled. "Well, I suppose I should tell you I'm glad you didn't turn me in too."

His eyes widened as a soft laugh, unfamiliar and almost childish, reached his ears, and he actually pulled back a little to look at Silver. The baker was smiling up at him, and the vivid brightness had returned to the azure gaze, open and warm.

"…You should laugh more often. You look even better when you do." Jayden muttered, still staring intently at this new expression. To his private smug delight, a light red flushed the baker's cheeks almost immediately before Silver rolled away, suddenly tossing back the blankets and ignoring Jayden's startled hiss as the cold air hit them.

"I'm going to be late for work," The baker announced, back turned to Jayden as he scampered over to the closet.

Jayden snorted, grabbing the blankets and curling them back around him again. "You own this bakery. You could close for the day and the damn customers would just have to suck it up and deal."

"And what are they going to do if they need my food?" Silver retorted as he made his way into the bathroom. "Get up. You're helping me today."

"Bossy, aren't you?" Jayden muttered, more amused than anything else as the bathroom door closed behind the baker.

He stretched leisurely before rolling out of bed with a sigh, throwing on a sweater before making his way downstairs. He had observed Silver when the smaller man had gotten ready for work the day before and knew what kitchen appliances to set out for him. He had no idea how to make bread or cakes though, and resolved to learn today. If he was going to stay here for a while, it would only be fair to pull his own weight.

And so it went for the next two weeks. Jayden had insisted on learning how to bake, and Silver had caved without too much protest. His first efforts were clumsy and embarrassment-inducing, but it made Silver laugh so Jayden couldn't really find it in himself to complain.

They settled into a routine; both would prepare for the day in the morning, and then Silver would work out front in the bakery while Jayden stayed in the kitchen, careful not to make too much noise. They had both been nervous when they had first tried it, and every time the bell chimed to signal a customer's arrival or departure, Jayden's heart would drop to his stomach. But eventually, even he relaxed a little, still cautious but far less jumpy.

Neither of them had said anything when they both ended up sleeping together on the single bed every night after the first time. They both slept better, at least Jayden did, and when he woke up in the morning, Silver would still be resting peacefully against him.

For the first time in six years, Jayden actually found himself content, even happy, and he often found himself standing just inside the doorway of the kitchen, hidden from any unwanted eyes but with a clear view of Silver. When he wasn't working, his gaze would automatically start tracking the smaller man's movements around the bakery, and he never tired of watching him do even the most menial of tasks.

The customers that came and went all seemed to know Silver and greeted him warmly enough. Sometimes, Jayden would catch the baker slipping extra pieces of bread or small cakes into their shopping bags when the tired-looking shoppers could only offer a few meager coins that day, and his eyes would drift to the photograph near the cashier and study the man with the crooked smile and eyes and hair exactly like Silver's, and he would wonder if Silver's brother had felt the same mixture of exasperation and fondness in these moments.

But most of all, Jayden enjoyed their evenings most of all, when they would sit around the tiny dining table in the kitchen or in their bedroom (and somehow, it had become their bedroom now instead of Silver's bedroom), and just eat and talk and enjoy each other's company. Sometimes, they would argue, and other times, Silver would regale Jayden with stories from his childhood with Jet. In return, Jayden would offer excerpts of his life with his sister, before the new government had come, telling him about the village he had lived in, close enough to the city but far enough to be able to enjoy the natural quiet.

And then, two weeks later, their semblance of peace was disrupted once more when Jayden was getting ready for the day and Silver appeared again in their bedroom, three children in tow, face pale and almost-scared.

Jayden waited until the children had crawled into the hiding place before crossing over to Silver in two strides, hands coming up to shake the smaller man.

"You can't do this!" He hissed, trying not to see the unnatural blankness in Silver's eyes. "Can't you pretend you're just not in at the moment? You can hide with us!"

Silver was already shaking his head and Jayden tried to ignore the pain in his chest.

"I can't," Silver mumbled even as he shoved Jayden towards the closet. "You know I can't. They'd never buy it. Where would I go? Why would I go? He'll know right away."

'He' was the officer Jayden had cursed to the darkest depths of hell in the privacy of his mind.

"Jayden," And Jayden glanced up as he tried to unlock his jaw.

"He can't afford to stay long this time," Silver reassured him softly. Frankly, Jayden didn't think he was very good at it.

"He can't stay long," The baker repeated. "Word is out that you've escaped. They need to catch you since they're afraid it would give other people ideas. The squads have been sent out to scour the streets as quickly as possible. He can't do much to me with the time he has."

An angry bang downstairs made them stiffen and Jayden grasped at Silver's forearms desperately.

"Please," He begged hoarsely, trying not to let the fear show in his voice. "You can't fucking do this. You can't- I can't stand-"

"You'll have to." And Jayden flinched at the cold tone Silver used. "Now go. And don't come out, no matter what. You've got three children to think about too."

And then Jayden could do nothing but let Silver push him into the closet, and he felt completely helpless as he settled down between Kristie and Amy again, even more helpless than when Julia had been raped in front of him because back then, at the very least, he had been able to rage and scream at the officers, no matter how futile that had been, and at least Julia had known Jayden had been doing everything he possibly could to help her. But Silver, Silver was all alone, out there, while Jayden sat safely in hiding, doing nothing, nothing, when he should be doing everything-

A dull thud sounded through the thin walls as a body hit the floor and Jayden almost bit right through his tongue as he turned and clapped shaky hands over Amy's ears, glancing pointedly at Tom and Kristie, both wide-eyed with fear and misery. Both children hesitated only briefly before obeying his wordless command and covered their ears as well, huddling closer to him as voices sounded.

And then all Jayden could do was listen.

Silver

Silver hit the floor with a soundless wince, not even having time to rub the arm that had taken the brunt of the impact before the dark-eyed officer was on him, roughly turning him over and shoving his face into the floorboards and yanking his pants down.

"Fucking trash," He growled, and Silver could hear the sound of the man's belt clinking as he fumbled with the buckle. "Wasting our time. We should've killed him when we had the chance."

Silver's mind cast back to Jayden and felt a thrum of satisfaction rush through him even as the officer grasped his hips in a bruising grip, jerking his ass into the air as he rested his head on his arms.

He only just had time to grit his teeth and try to relax to reduce the pain when the man thrust in, dry and without warning. Silver barely muffled an agonized scream into his arm, biting down on his shirt as the officer began to move, thrusting without mercy into his entrance. He felt something wet trickle down his thighs and knew he was bleeding again.

The rough thrusts sent ripples of pain shooting through his entire being and Silver tried to force back the tears stinging his eyes. He wanted to cry, wanted to scream, but he wouldn't do either because the children were listening and Jayden was listening and he couldn't give the fugitive any more reason to commit murder.

He choked on a dry sob as the officer behind him yanked him higher, groaning, and the thrusts became harder, faster. One last thrust driving deep inside him sent Silver skittering a few inches forward, gasping from the agony clouding his mind as he distantly felt the man's cum fill his ass and spill out of him, no doubt mixing with the blood when the officer had torn his entrance open.

And then Silver could only slump onto his side as the man pulled out, dropping him unceremoniously to the floor. Silver could distantly hear the man say something above him through the haze of pain and darkness dragging him down but could no longer make out the words.

His last thought was of the children and Jayden and he needed to get up, to return the kids and to tell Jayden that he was alright, that he would be fine, like he had always been fine before…

Jayden

As soon as Jayden heard the footsteps recede and a loud distant bang of the bakery door closing, he shook off the children clutching at him and lunged for the door, all but ripping it open as he scrambled through and into the closet. He pushed the closet doors open, eyes widening as he caught sight of the still figure on the ground before scrambling out, blocking the children with his body.

"Stay inside until I come get you," He instructed, and his voice brooked no arguments. The children obeyed instantly, retreating back inside the hollowed space as Jayden quickly shut the closet.

A moment later, he was crouched beside Silver, trying to quell the rage and fear threatening to swallow him whole as he gently shifted the baker to assess the damage. Cum and blood were smeared on pale thighs and ugly purple bruises were already blossoming on the man's hips.

"You idiot," Jayden whispered painfully. "'Can't do much' my ass."

Hesitating briefly, he decided to take the baker directly to the shower. He had never dealt with rape victims before but he figured Silver would want to be clean as soon as possible.

He snaked his arms under the smaller man, wincing when a near-silent whimper sounded, and tried to be as careful as he could. Silver was light, perhaps even as light as his sister had been. He had known Silver was underweight, but not to this extent. How did the man take care of himself?

In the shower, Jayden didn't bother with his own clothes and only tugged Silver's pants down before stepping into the shower. Turning the water on to a warm temperature as he supported the smaller man with his body, Silver's head cradled against his shoulder, he gently let the water wash away the traces of the rape, brushing at the drying blood and cum.

When Silver whimpered again against his throat, low and hurt, Jayden could only close his eyes briefly to block the guilt clutching at his heart.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," He whispered fervently. "Just bear with me for a few minutes longer. We're almost done. I'm sorry."

As if hearing him and sensing his distress, the whimpers quieted, and Jayden could only wonder what exactly it was that he had done for Silver that this man would try and help him even in the state he was in.

A few minutes later, Jayden switched off the water and stepped out of the stall, careful not to jostle the baker. He grabbed a clean towel from a shelf and lightly dried the smaller man's legs before carrying him back out into the bedroom. Gently placing Silver back onto the bed, he cast around the room before grabbing a pair of pants, a shirt and fresh underwear from the closet, noting with relief that the entrance to the hollowed space was shut again. Quickly dressing Silver, he made sure the russet-haired man was turned on his side before pulling up the blankets over his shoulders, smoothing back tousled locks and searching the pale face for any signs of discomfort.

Seeing none but the faintest of frowns creasing Silver's brow, Jayden sighed, glanced at the spots of blood and semen on the floor and returned to the bathroom to grab a wet towel and dispose of any signs of the assault. Silver would never forgive him if he let the children see any traces of this.

When Jayden went to retrieve the children after he had changed out of his wet clothes, all three were huddled against the door, eyes anxious and worried.

"How's Silver?" Tom demanded as soon as Jayden slid the entrance back.

Jayden managed an awkward, tired smile. "He'll get better. Right now, he needs rest. Where does he take you after those fu- bad men leave?"

It was Kristie who answered him, her eyes glued on the figure on the bed the entire time. "Downstairs to the laundry room. Then he goes out and makes sure the bad men are gone before getting our parents. They come and pick us up."

Jayden sighed. Great. What the hell was he supposed to do now? He couldn't go out.

He glanced back at Silver's form. No way was he going to wake the man, even if Silver had done this before. The baker had been alone then and had had no choice but to force himself. But Jayden was here now, and he'd be damned if Silver had to do everything on his own again.

"Okay," Jayden turned decisively to the kids. "You three stay here. Give me your addresses. I'll go get your parents."

They turned wide eyes on him.

"Are you sure?" Kristie asked anxiously. "Silver said you had to hide too."

Jayden mustered as reassuring a smile as he possibly could even as fear gnawed at his heart. "Don't worry. I can take care of myself for a little while. I'll be quick so none of the officers see me. But you three have to stay in this room, 'kay?"

One by one, they nodded obediently, giving him their addresses. Amy had already crawled onto the bed and curled up beside Silver. For a moment, Jayden considered warning the girl not to jostle the baker, but Amy simply lay down beside him, small hand tangling into a lock of sunset, her whole body still as stone.

Satisfied, Jayden disappeared downstairs, throwing on a dark grey coat, wrapping a scarf around his neck to hide the metal band, and stuffing a hat over his head before slipping on the biggest pair of boots he could find in a corner of the laundry room. They fit, and Jayden guessed they had once belonged to Jet.

Hesitating only briefly at the bakery door, he took a deep breath and stepped outside.

Snow swirled around him and Jayden quickly set off to the nearest house, keeping a wary eye out for any officers. There were none, and he guessed that they had gone elsewhere to search.

The first house he reached was Kristie's, and a nervous-looking woman answered his knock.

"How- how may I help you?"

Jayden made sure to tilt his hat down and his eyes averted.

"Silver can't make it," He muttered quickly. "Come get yur kid."

The woman stilled, gaze anxious. "I- I don't have a child." She mumbled, and Jayden could hear the lie in her voice.

His mind cast back to Silver, lying on his bed without Jaydenthere to take care of him and what little patience he still had disappeared.

"Look lady," He hissed. "Silver's hurt and I need to be there ta take care of 'im. Yur wastin' my time. Either go pick up Kristie, or I'll toss her out myself. I'm not Silver. I'm not that kind."

Now the woman looked terrified, but finally nodded, hands shaking as she reached for a coat.

"W-where-?" She stuttered out, and Jayden jerked his head in the direction of the bakery.

"Just go and call for her. She's in the bedroom. Don't go up. Just tell her to come down."

And without another word, Jayden turned and set off in a different direction, this time to Tom's house.

His conversation with a black-haired woman wasn't much different, but Jayden had the sneaking suspicion that she had somehow guessed who he was. Her gaze was shrewd and assessing in a way that made his skin crawl, as if she was storing the information away for later use. But the woman said nothing and Jayden quickly headed off to Amy's house, trekking through the growing snow with some difficulty.

When the door to Amy's house opened, a tired-looking man stood in the doorway, studying him with sharp green eyes and a neutral expression. Jayden glanced at the man for a brief moment, hand already reaching up to tug his hat further down.

"Silver's unavailable," He explained. "Go get yur kid."

To his surprise, unlike the other two, the man only nodded and inquired, after a moment, "Did you go see that Tom's mother as well?"

At Jayden's stiff nod, the man shook his head as he retrieved a coat from a hanger by the door.

"You be careful, lad," He warned. "That household's Missus has a nasty personality. There's no one she wouldn't sacrifice to save herself. The only reason she's hidin' her boy is because the father insists. He's the only one she won't go against."

Jayden's breath froze in his lungs as he jerked back a step away from the man. That woman had known, he was sure, and this man had…

The man only gave him a kind, if sorrowful, smile as he shut the door behind him.

"I've got no right to say anything to you, lad," He said softly. "If Silver's taken you in, you can't be a bad sort. And don't think I haven't noticed how much happier that boy's been these days. Not even my Amy could make him smile like that after Jet died, and he's had more of a hand in raising my girl than I have."

The man gave him a piercing look, one that made Jayden unable to look away. "You take care of him, ya hear?"

Jayden's features hardened, a stirring of irritation and respect mingling inside him.

"I plan to," He returned curtly before making for the bakery. The man seemed content with his answer and said no more, and Jayden was left alone with his thoughts the rest of the way back.

When they entered the bakery, a glance at snow tracked into the doorway told Jayden that Kristie and Tom were already gone. He hesitated, not knowing how to tell this man to wait while he went up to get his daughter when this man seemed to genuinely care about Silver, but unwilling to show him all the same.

But the man just smiled at him knowingly, as if he understood something about Jayden's behavior, which was quite a feat in his book because Jayden himself didn't understand why he didn't want even someone who cared about Silver to approach the baker.

"I'll wait here," The man announced, rubbing his hands as he stayed by the door. "Don't want to track snow everywhere."

Jayden blinked before dipping his head in thanks. He liked this man.

Upstairs, Amy was still curled up beside Silver, and from what Jayden could see, the baker hadn't moved either.

"Amy," He called softly, and the blonde stirred, blinking up at him with large green eyes that Jayden would swear seemed to know more than a four-year-old should. "Your father's here."

The little girl nodded, and Jayden couldn't help but wonder why she never talked. Perhaps growing up under these conditions had taught her to talk only when absolutely necessary.

The girl turned back to Silver to give the man a pat on the cheek before slipping off the bed. Jayden found himself smiling just a little at the protective gleam in her eyes even as she approached Jayden.

Jayden offered a hand, feeling more pleased than he probably should when Amy took it without faltering. But as they headed back down the stairs and to her father waiting by the door with a gentle smile, Amy turned back to him, green eyes luminous as she took her father's hand. Jayden's eyes widened when she opened her mouth, her voice a thin, wavering soprano, unused and quiet.

"Run," She murmured, staring at him with steadfast concentration. "Run. If you don't want to lose him, run."

Jayden stayed rooted to his spot, bewildered and not a little uneasy. His eyes flickered to the man standing beside her, who seemed just as worried. He looked up to meet Jayden's glance and a frown deepened on his brow.

"Amy's always had a knack for… well, I wouldn't say telling the future, but sometimes, on occasion, she sees things. Gives warnings ahead of time. It's usually for small things though; when I'm going home late, what's for dinner before my wife starts cooking, that sort of thing."

The man offered a hesitant smile. "It sounds important this time though. Remember her words, alright?"

Jayden nodded slowly, still puzzling over the words, but returned Amy's wave as she left.

He couldn't think about it now. Silver needed his help, and that was the most important thing at the moment. He closed the blinds and dragged in the Open sign, switching off the lights in the bakery. Screw the customers; they wouldn't die from a couple days of no bread.

When Silver opened his eyes five hours later, Jayden honestly wanted to cry. The blue eyes were blank again, unseeing even when Jayden crouched directly in front of him. He remained limp on the bed, only moving when Jayden helped him into a sitting position a pressed a glass of water to his lips.

So Jayden held him. He lay down beside Silver, curled an arm around the man's waist, and waited for him to come back. Sometimes, he would talk, mostly about meaningless things, about his past, about food, about the last disaster his attempt at baking a cake had been. But other times, he would fall silent, staring at the still pale face and willing even just a spark of life to return to the dull blue gaze.

And Jayden would wonder just how it was possible to feel so lost when Silver was not beside him, talking to him, laughing with him, teaching him how to bake, not beside him.

It was nearing midnight by the time Silver finally stirred on his own. Jayden had foregone dinner in favor of staying with Silver, and his patience had paid off.

"Silver?" He hovered anxiously over the russet-haired man as a tiny glimmer of light seemed to return to his eyes. "Silver, are ya with me?"

Silver shifted, blinking before his gaze finally focused, and Jayden only had a second to exhale a sigh of relief before anguish rushed into the baker's features, and Jayden had to concentrate on keeping his arms around Silver as the man tried to

make a run for it.

"Let go!" He cried, trying to twist away from Jayden even as pain warred with the shame on his face. "Let go! I don't want you to see me like this! Just let go! You can't-!"

Jayden swore and rolled them both so they were on their sides and he quickly locked his arms around the smaller man, pulling him into a tight hug even as Silver continued to struggle.

"Stop that!" He snapped. "Let go? Like hell I'm goin' ta let go! And I've already seen ya at yur worst! There's nothing about you that could ever make me let you go, so shut up and stop moving before ya hurt yurself even more! Silver!"

Jayden's voice had risen to a desperate shout as he barked out the baker's name, and just like that, Silver seemed to collapse into himself, gasping on sobs as his entire body shook.

But instead of turning away, Silver curled into his chest instead, clutching at his shirt, and Jayden took that as a victory.

Eventually, the sobs subsided, and the trembles that had coursed through the smaller man's body went with it.

When a calm silence finally fell around them, Jayden shifted a little to peer down at the baker. "How are you feelin'?"

Silver immediately opened his mouth to respond and Jayden quickly pinned him with a sharp glare. "The next word out of your mouth better not be 'fine'."

Silver blinked and his eyes skittered away.

"…I'll be alright," He finally voiced softly, voice hoarse. "Just hurts, that's all. Always does. It'll go away soon enough."

Jayden suppressed a wince at the flippant words and his fingers trailed down to the smaller man's lower back. He waited to see if Silver would pull away, but when the baker only stiffened momentarily before relaxing again, he flattened a hand against it, slowly massaging the area with a gentle touch.

"No more," He murmured, staring down at the baker. "Ya can't do this anymore. I can't stand it, even if you can."

"I have-"

"You don't," Jayden glowered fiercely at the smaller man. "You don't, because I'll kill 'im."

"Then we'll have the entire government knocking down our front door."

Jayden snorted. "We'll just get rid of the body. Dump it in a river."

"It'll be traced back to us. He never goes anywhere alone. His officers are always downstairs."

"Then I'll kill them too."

"Autopsies, when they eventually find the bodies."

"Then we'll burn them. We won't leave a trace."

"…You're determined to win this argument, aren't you?"

"Damn fuckin' straight."

Jayden heard Silver sigh. "You're insane. You're on the run from the law. The only thing you should be worried about is finding a safe place to live."

Jayden tightened his hold around the baker. "I'm fine here with you."

Belatedly, he realized the words sounded far too cheesy coming from him, and he glanced at Silver again, wondering how the younger man would take it.

He blinked, pleasantly surprised at the rising blush on the pale face.

"Don't be stupid," The baker muttered when he caught sight of the grin on Jayden's face.

"I'm not," Jayden returned easily. "I mean it. I like it here, on most days."

Silver just shook his head and sighed. "He won't come back for at least another two weeks. That's about how regular his visits are."

Jayden twitched, features darkening at the thought.

"I meant every word I said," He muttered. "I'll kill the son-of-a-bitch if he ever lays a finger on you ever again."

He felt Silver still, and hoped his words had gotten through when a fleeting pressure against his lips made him stiffen in surprise.

Silver

Silver had no idea what he was doing when he stretched up and brushed his lips against the man lying beside him. But something had welled up inside him at the blatant protectiveness Jayden showed in his words and he had kissed the man before his mind could catch up with his actions.

Silver jerked away, eyes wide as equally surprised grey eyes blinked down at him.

"I'm sorry!" Silver shrank back hastily. "I don't know why""

He was cut off when chapped lips covered his, gentle and a touch uncertain. When Jayden pulled back, Silver could only stare at the taller man smiling lopsidedly at him.

"…Can I?" The fugitive asked softly, grey eyes gleaming.

Hesitantly, Silver nodded, and this time, when lips pressed against his own again, he made sure to return it, curious and clumsy.

He stiffened a little when something wet flickered across his lips, but relaxed again a second later and let his mouth open. A strong tongue slipped into his mouth, brushing against his own and coaxing him into participating.

Silver broke away with a soft gasp several seconds later, licking his lips and blushing when he saw darkened grey eyes follow the movement.

"Um-" He could only stutter out, turning redder when Jayden only smiled warmly at him again and pulled him close.

"Sleep," The man ordered. "We can talk about anything and everything under the sun tomorrow. Don't think about complicated things tonight."

And Silver obeyed, relaxing against Jayden's chest and letting the man's steady heartbeat lull him to sleep.

It was a niggling worry at the back of his mind that prompted Silver back to consciousness and a glance at the clock told him it was well past sunrise, nearing ten in the morning.

"Stop moving," A gruff voice sounded next to his ear. "You're not working today."

Silver huffed and fell back against the bed. Something was still bothering him.

He shot up again, wincing as pain shot up his back and ignoring the look of disapproval sent his way by Jayden.

"The children!" Silver cast about frantically as if looking hard enough would suddenly make the three kids appear in front of him. "What happened to the children?"

Jayden groaned and sat up as well, black hair sleep-tousled as he blinked blearily at Silver. "I got the parents to pick them up. The kids told me what to do."

"You-" Silver gaped at the fugitive. "What do you mean 'you got the parents'? How did you-"

Jayden pinned him with an annoyed scowl. "You weren't exactly in any condition to be going anywhere. I don't care how you usually do things after that fucker comes, but I'm here now and I wasn't about to wake you when you were in that much pain."

"But-"

"No one knew me," He interrupted, and then amended, "At least, most people didn't know me."

Silver could feel hysteria rising in his throat. "What do you mean 'most people'?"

"Amy's old man knew, but he didn't care. And… well, I think Tom's mom was suspicious."

Silver didn't know whether to start freaking out or start looking for another place Jayden could hide in. He settled for letting his shoulders sag.

"Amy's dad is okay," He mumbled. "I've known him since I started living at this bakery. Her mom too. They're a nice family. But Tom's mother…"

"I know," Jayden nodded. "Amy's old man told me. She wasn't sure, and it wouldn't benefit her in telling anyone anyway. Her son wouldn't be able to hide here if she gave me away. I'll be more careful from now on."

Silver sighed but nodded. There wasn't anything else they could do.

And then he cleared his throat as last night flooded his mind again. A smile tilted Jayden's lips as Silver felt his face heat up again. Before he could react, the taller man had leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips before moving away and rolling out of bed.

"Don't move," He said cheerfully to Silver, who was gaping after him. "I'll go get breakfast. Or brunch. Whatever."

Silver scowled, grabbed a pillow, and threw it after Jayden, who quickly ducked into the bathroom, a bark of laughter following him as the pillow thumped against the now-closed door.

Silver rolled his eyes and settled down in bed again, mouth involuntarily curving into a smile. What did this mean now? He knew he felt something for Jayden. He always felt safer when the older man was around, happier too.

And in return, Jayden seemed to worry about him excessively, even putting himself at risk so Silver could rest.

Silver frowned at that. Jayden didn't know Tom's mother as well as he did. The woman would put the information to good use sooner or later. He had to find a way to protect Jayden when that time came.

He shifted onto his side. No matter how oppressed they were, people always found a way to rebel. Silver had always known of an underground group that worked to smuggle citizens out of the walls that surrounded the city, but they charged a high price for it. The fugitives that he had managed to save all those years ago had escaped that way, with Silver paying for their passage.

He had money saved up, hidden away, but it was only barely enough for one and he had meant it for Amy when she was old enough to fend for herself. Of the three children, though he would never admit it aloud, it was Amy he cared for most. He had first seen her when she was one month old and her father had shown up at his door seconds before a secret inspection, desperate and pleading as he held out a small bundle. Silver hadn't been able to say no, and what was one more to his hidden group, especially someone as small as a baby?

So he had taken the girl in, and, always so much quieter than a baby rightfully should be, she had wormed her way into Silver's heart almost instantly. Sometimes, Silver considered Amy as much his as her real parents.

But there was Jayden now, and Silver could always use the money to smuggle Jayden out and then save up more for Amy when she was old enough. The blonde would never be able to go by herself until at least ten years from now. And while it would be hard to save up that much from selling bread and cakes, he could do it.

"What did I say about thinking too hard?"

Silver rolled over and glanced up at Jayden, standing by the bathroom and drying his hair with a towel.

"I think I said I'm not you," Silver retorted mildly.

Jayden just grinned before tossing the towel back in the bathroom and heading for the door. "I'll get you breakfast, princess. Don't move."

Silver watched him go, affection welling up inside him. There was no helping it. Perhaps it wasn't love now, but it was very close, and there was no way Silver would ever be able to survive if Jayden were to die or be imprisoned once again.

Another three weeks flashed by with no sign of anything abnormal. The officer did not stop by, much to Silver's relief. He had heard the promise in Jayden's voice and had no doubt the man would never let the officer leave alive.

On the other hand, the strange peace made him nervous and he went out every day to walk the streets and listen to any new rumors. The squads had apparently moved to a different part of the city to search for Jayden, and for this, Silver was grateful.

Each time he returned, Jayden would be waiting impatiently for him, worried and tense until Silver was safely back in the bakery. They had taken to sharing kisses at any time of the day, and Silver found that Jayden was much more affectionate than an escaped convict rightfully should be.

But Jayden hadn't pushed him into anything further than that, and Silver found himself both relieved and somewhat disappointed. He was glad the man seemed to understand his need for space, but Silver was also curious about what sex would be like with someone he trusted.

So, one night, when they were both in bed and Jayden was shifting almost restlessly beside him (he had done this several times before, usually after a heady make-out session with Silver, and it had puzzled him to no end), Silver moved and pressed their pelvises together, rocking gently into Jayden, only to freeze, blinking in surprise.

Jayden was hard.

His face flushed and Silver barely registered the fact that Jayden had stilled as well. So the older man had been holding back all this time, even when he had wanted to go further with Silver. The thought sent a thrill of heated excitement through him and cautiously, Silver rocked his hips forward again, grinning smugly when a nearly inaudible groan slipped from Jayden's lips.

"Fuck!" Jayden muttered, his hands clenching on Silver's hips. "Silver don't-"

Silver cut him off with a harder roll of his hips, finding himself panting lightly as well.

"Why not?" He murmured against the older man's lips.

A moment later, he found himself on his back, Jayden looming over him, his grey eyes darkened to a near black from a swirling storm of heat as they gleamed in the darkness.

"Because," Jayden leaned down to murmur in his ear, and Silver couldn't quite suppress a shiver. "I won't be able to hold back anymore. And I don't want to do this with you until you want to. Until you're ready."

Silver stilled and then smiled, genuine and warm as he reached up to brush a stray strand of hair from Jayden's eyes.

"I want this," He told him. "I trust you."

Dark eyes searched his face for any sign of hesitation and Silver waited patiently for Jayden to be satisfied. A moment later, the older man was kissing him, tongue plundering his mouth in a fierce, heated kiss.

Silver moaned into Jayden's mouth, hips bucking up involuntarily when Jayden grinded down. When Jayden tore away, breathing hard, one of his hands trailed down to the hem of Silver's pants.

"You're sure?" Jayden asked, voice husky. "You're absolutely sure?"

And Silver nodded, lifting his hips up so Jayden could tug his pants down and then quickly worked his shirt off. A second later, the fugitive had kicked his own pants off and shrugged off his shirt, and then their cocks clashed and twin groans filled the air.

Silver was caught up in another kiss, crushing and hard, before the mouth tore away and teeth scraped gently at his throat, sucking and licking, making him gasp.

"Ah!" Silver cried out when a calloused hand wrapped around him, swift strokes pooling heat in his stomach as he thrust up into the touch. "Jayden!"

A muffled curse reached his ears and then a hand touched his cheek, and Silver blinked his eyes open, not realizing they had closed in the first place.

Silver started a little when a finger brushed his entrance but Jayden simply growled, "Can I?"

The baker didn't hesitate, nodding almost shyly at the taller man. Jayden smiled down at him, the expression tender. "Wait here. Be right back."

The older man's weight left him momentarily before returning seconds later. Silver blinked in confusion at the small bottle of hand lotion Jayden was now holding.

"Have you ever done this properly before?" Jayden asked quietly.

Silver frowned. "…Properly?"

Jayden was silent for a moment.

"I mean," He gestured at the bottle. "Did that bastard ever prepare you?"

Silver hesitated before slowly shaking his head. Jayden's features darkened briefly. "And he took your first time?"

Again, Silver nodded, and murder flashed through stormy eyes at his answer. "Jayden?"

Jayden sighed.

"Never mind," One hand reached up to smooth back Silver's hair from his face. "You trust me?"

Silver smiled. "Always."

Something flickered across the taller man's features, foreign and breathtaking, but too quick for Silver to place it. And then Jayden nodded.

"Okay then, just relax."

Silver released a breath, tensing only briefly when something cold circled his entrance.

"Relax," Jayden murmured, and then a finger was breaching him, working into him gently.

Silver gasped, clutching at Jayden's shoulders. It wasn't even uncomfortable, but it was strange that there was no pain. The finger thrust into him a few times before a second one joined it. This was a tighter stretch, and Silver tensed up instinctively. He cried out when a hand closed around his cock again, stroking him firmly as the two fingers stretched him.

"Ah!"

Silver arched right off the bed when the fingers inside him brushed something that sent white sparks of heat and pleasure dancing over his nerves.

His gaze focused on Jayden's smug smirk. "W-what"?"

"Your prostate," Jayden murmured, before moving his fingers and brushing the spot again.

Silver cried out again, instinctively spreading his legs a little wider. When a third finger breached him, he was already panting heavily, arms curled around Jayden's neck.

A hot wet mouth latched onto one of his nipples and all Silver could feel was a dizzying rush of pleasure cloud his mind. He barely felt the fingers pull away, replaced by something more blunt.

He quickly came off his high though when Jayden started pushing in.

"Relax," Jayden soothed through gritted teeth. "Just relax. It'll feel better soon."

Silver swallowed hard and tried to relax. Jayden was thick and long, and when the taller man finally stopped, hilted fully inside him, Silver was gasping for breath even as he realized that Jayden was shaking a little above him, strain clear on his face.

"Okay?" Jayden panted, his body taut from holding back.

Silver took a deep breath, noting that the sting he had felt when Jayden had been entering him was slowly fading, leaving a faint stir of pleasure in its place. Experimentally, he clenched his lower muscles and almost immediately, Jayden groaned, head falling forward, a curtain of black cascading around them.

"Shit, you're tight! Silver-!"

Silver found Jayden's mouth and pressed a firm kiss to his lips, legs lifting to hook around the taller man's waist.

"Move." He whispered.

And Jayden obliged.

When Jayden pulled back and then thrust in again, heat ran along his nerves and he bucked up in time with Jayden's harder thrusts. Time blurred as all Silver could register was pleasure and heat and sloppy kisses and Jayden above him, around him, inside him, faster and harder until the world exploded into a landscape of white.

Silver cried out as he came, feeling Jayden thrust into him one last time before the husky voice echoed his cry, and Silver felt something warm bloom deep inside him.

When Silver could see again, he stared at the ceiling as Jayden's weight rested comfortably in on top of him, trying to regain his breath. He felt the older man stir before shifting and easing out of him. Silver hissed a little at the movement but he was nowhere near as sore as he thought he'd be.

"Okay?" Jayden's low tenor rumbled beside him.

Silver huffed out a laugh. His limbs felt like liquid and he had never felt so sated in his life. "Never better."

He sensed Jayden smile beside him even as the man drew him close, using an extra blanket to wipe away the mess from their stomachs before tucking Silver against his bare chest.

"…Love you, I think." Jayden mumbled sleepily from somewhere above him, and Silver froze, his breath catching as his mind processed the words.

A few seconds later, the older man's breathing evened out and Silver relaxed again, nestling closer to him as his eyes drooped as well.

"Idiot," He whispered softly. "Don't fall asleep until I say it back."

When Silver woke up again, it was to a faint ache in his ass and the most contented feeling he felt in a long time.

He blinked blearily at ceiling before checking the clock. Six. Great. He should've woken up an hour ago.

"Mornin', princess. Could ya not think about work first thing in the morning? It's damaging to my ego."

Silver turned to the voice, mouth curving up into a shy smile as he met amused grey eyes.

"Good morning," He returned softly.

Jayden chuckled, reaching out to comb his fingers through Silver's hair. "Never thought you even knew how to be shy when I first metch'ya."

Silver quickly scowled and swatted him away before rolling out of bed, forcing down a blush as he realized they were both naked. "Shut it. We have to get to work."

A hand snaking around his waist made him pause, and he peered back at Jayden.

"You feel okay?" Jayden asked quietly, eyes somber. "I didn't hurt you?"

Silver smiled softly at the concern. "I'm fine. You could never hurt me."

Jayden smiled a little at this, pleased surprise evident on his face.

"Okay then," He sat up and stretched. "Work time."

Silver quirked a smile before rising and heading for the bathroom. He could get used to waking up like this for the rest of his life.

Six hours later, Silver had set out as usual to scour the streets for any news. Even now, a faint smile painted his features and he had received more than one raised eyebrow as he walked with an almost-bounce in his step.

Of course, the moment you feel like you're on top of the world, life always decides you're too happy and you needed to be taken down a notch or ten.

Silver blinked when Tom ran up, suddenly alert and alarmed.

"Tom!" He hissed urgently as the boy skidded to a stop in front of him. "You shouldn't be out right now!"

Silver paused when he noticed the traces of tears on the boy's face. "Tom? What's wrong?"

"It's mum," He gasped out. "The person that hid with us the last two times; I overheard mum on the phone with the bad men, talking about him! And she said your name!"

Silver's blood froze and his heart dropped, heavy with dread.

"Okay," Silver jerked back to the present, trying to ignore the thousand and one things that could go wrong. "Okay, I get it. Go home now, Tom. Right now. Stop by Kristie's and Amy's house and tell them to stay indoors as well. You mustn't be seen. Understand?"

The boy nodded fearfully and turned to leave, but paused, eyes suddenly unusually shrewd.

"We won't see you again, will we?"

Silver stilled before reaching out and pulling Tom into a hug.

"Take care of Kristie and Amy," He whispered. "And take care of yourself. You three have to be strong, no matter what happens. You should have plenty of hiding places now. Always switch between them. Never let them catch you."

Silver let go and tears welled up in Tom's eyes. But the boy scrubbed a sleeve over his eyes even as he nodded.

"You take care of yourself too, Silver."

Silver mustered a smile and nodded, watching him disappear down the street before spinning around and sprinting home.

They had finally run out of time.

Jayden

When Silver burst into the bakery, a strained smile that looked more like a pained grimace on his face, Jayden knew something was terribly wrong.

"Silver?" He was by the smaller man's side in an instant. "What's goin' on? Is he back?"

Silver gasped for breath before glancing up at him. Something a lot like sorrow reflected back at Jayden as he searched that endless blue gaze for a hint of what was happening.

"No," The baker muttered hurriedly, tearing away from him and into the laundry room. "No, he's not back. Not yet anyway. He's not the problem. I-"

Jayden watched Silver stop beside the washing machine, reaching behind it and withdrawing an old wooden box. The baker took a deep breath, staring at the small chest for a moment before turning to face him, features strangely peaceful all of a sudden.

"I need you to take this to this address," Silver pushed the box into his hands, along with a piece of paper taped to it, smile almost wistful. "Directly to this place and give it to anyone you see there. Okay?"

Jayden stared hard at the baker. "Why all of a sudden?" He asked cautiously. Something was very wrong here.

Silver just smiled at him again, genuine but pained at the same time. "It's important to me. Please?"

Jayden hesitated. "…What's in here?"

"Something very precious to me. I need you to deliver it for me. Will you do it?"

Jayden stayed motionless for a while longer. He had never heard Silver use this tone before, pleading and calm at the same time, and wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

Finally, still uncertain, he nodded slowly. "Right now?"

Silver nodded, and this time, the smile was one of relief. "Right now. As fast as you can."

Jayden grunted, reaching for the jacket hanging on a hook in the laundry room. "Alright. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Silver only smiled one last time, hands at his side. "Be safe."

Jayden nodded, tugging on a pair of boots and putting on a hat and scarf. "I will. You too."

"…Jayden?"

Jayden turned back. Silver opened his mouth, blinked, and then closed it again.

"Nothing. Just hurry."

Jayden cast the smaller man a searching look before moving back and leaning down to kiss the baker. Silver returned it, softly, gently, as he always did, and Jayden could sense nothing out of the ordinary. He pulled back and smiled down at Silver.

"I'll be right back."

Hurrying down the streets, Jayden searched the streets for any sign of police squads, but all he saw were everyday citizens and he didn't spare them any thought as he broke out into a light jog. The address was not too far from here, but still at the edge of this district.

It took him almost half an hour to reach his destination after taking two wrong turns and having to double back, and Jayden was relieved to see a number of people coming and going from a cabin-like house, seemingly trading with other people.

"'Scuse me," He called out gruffly. One of the men paused and gave him a cursory glance, eyes lingering briefly on his scarf.

"Ya got the money?"

Jayden hesitated, before extending the wooden box. "I was told to give this to anyone here."

The man took the box and opened it, and Jayden blinked as he saw the wads of money inside. The man grunted in surprise.

"There's a lot 'ere. Good enough for the entire trip. Someone must love ya a lot."

Jayden froze and there suddenly didn't seem to be enough air around him. "…What?"

The man glanced back at him. "Ya do know what yur doin' 'ere, right?"

Jayden stayed silent and the man heaved a put-upon sigh. "This is a smugglin' organization, so ta speak. Basically, we smuggle people like you," He stared pointedly at the scarf Jayden was wearing. "Or anyone else who 'as the money, out of the city. Beyond the walls. Like I said, this 'ere is more than enough. Don't worry, we'll getch'ya out safe and" oy, you alright? Yur turnin' white."

Jayden could feel the color drain from his face as his mind cast back to Silver, calm, efficient, self-sacrificing Silver who wouldn't hesitate to do anything to keep even the smallest child safe.

Silver had sent him out here to get away, not to deliver something and then return. Something had happened, his location had been found"

The woman.

It could only be her. The bitch had ratted him out, and Silver had heard and had immediately made plans to get him to safety. Plans that didn't include Silver.

The words little Amy had said to him weeks ago flooded back into his mind, chilling his heart.

Run. Run. If you don't want to lose him, run.

Jayden ran.

He barely heard the man shout after him, his entire being focused on getting back to Silver, his Silver, the only person besides Julia he had ever"

Loved.

Loved. Oh god, he loved the man, and he was a whole fuckin' half hour away, and he wasn't going to make it, nonono-

He skidded to a stop as a small truck wheeled in front of him and a string of curses burst from his lips, fear and frustration tearing at him. It took him a moment to recognize the man sitting at the wheel and the little blonde girl sitting beside him in the arms of a slender blonde woman.

"Well?" The man demanded. "What are you waiting for? Get on!"

Jayden obeyed instantly, scrambling into the back of the truck. "How"?"

"Amy," The man revealed as he slammed a foot on the gas pedal. The truck lurched forward, almost tossing Jayden into the front. "She saw some things. Said you could use some help. And that Silver's in danger."

Jayden fell silent, the fear rushing back as they hurtled back towards the bakery.

Wait for me, Silver. I'm coming right now. Just hang on!

Ten minutes but what might as well have been an eternity later, the truck slowed and stopped in an alleyway and Jayden all but lunged for the door.

"Wait!"

Jayden clenched his jaw. "Wait? There's no time to wait!"

"Listen to me, boy," The man frowned sternly at him and Jayden wondered if this was a little of what it would feel like being stared down by a father. "Grab Silver and use this truck to get away."

Jayden paused long enough to digest this. "What about you?"

The man sent a grim smile in his direction as he pulled out three guns and tossed one in his direction. Beside him, the woman smiled gently at him as well, smoothing down Amy's hair with a fond hand.

"There's a box under your seat," He nodded in the general direction and Jayden glanced down. "Money enough for two, and while the bastards down at the tunnel are greedy as hell, they'll honor any agreement made. So long as you've the money, they'll get you out if it kills them."

"But what about you?" Jayden demanded, his gaze sliding momentarily to Amy.

The man shook his head. "Not enough money. My wife and I, we've been savin' up, but we've only got enough for two. Silver should have enough for one more. Don't tell 'im we know, by the way. He's a good lad. We know he was saving it for Amy. Done more for us than we can ever repay. But there's money for three now. Please take our daughter with you."

"Take your-!" Jayden spluttered. "Are you insane? You're askin' me ta take a four-year-old girl away from her parents to God only knows where!"

"Anywhere is better than here," The woman interjected quietly.

"Then " then one of you go with her." Jayden suggested. "I'll- I'll stay behind."

The woman was already shaking her head. "We couldn't do that to Silver. One look at his face and we could tell you mean the world to him."

"But Amy-!"

"She already knows," The woman smiled again, this time down at her daughter. The little girl blinked back at her, green eyes wide and sorrowful with knowledge. "She's a good girl, our Amy. At the very least, she'll have Silver with her."

Jayden hesitated for a moment longer. "Then you'll…"

The man smiled again, hand already opening his door as he passed a gun to his wife. "We'll stay behind, buy you some time."

Jayden swallowed hard, feeling tears sting his eyes.

"…And some people die so some people can live."

Silver had said that once. What a world they lived in, where parents who loved their children had to choose to die.

"Anything special we should know about the officers we're goin' up against?" The man asked, shouldering his rifle. Beside him, the woman copied the movement, her eyes flickering back to her daughter sitting silently in the car.

Jayden glanced back as well before his features hardened, hand tightening around his gun. "Just one: if you see a man with black eyes and brown hair and looks like a fucking rapist, leave him alone."

The couple stared at him, obviously startled. Jayden let a wide feral grin spread across his features, an expression he hadn't shown since his last battle in the fighting ring.

"He's mine."

Without another word, Jayden spun on his heel and sprinted out of the alley. He could already hear shouts and gunshots nearby, and hoped that meant that Silver was still alive.

A minute later, he turned onto the street the bakery was on, only to stop short, his two temporary comrade-in-arms beside him.

Barely twenty feet away stood Silver, standing in front of his bakery and surrounded by police officers, alive and dead. Crimson stood out against the white shirt he was wearing and even from this distance, he could see how Silver was favoring his left leg.

But none of that had been what had stopped Jayden in his tracks. Not the large number, not the dead bodies, nor the baker's obvious injuries.

It was the look on his face.

Silver was small, his frame petite, and he looked too much like a girl half the time for anyone to think him a real threat.

Which was why Jayden had forgotten.

He had fought in the fighting ring for years, and had only lost three times during the first few months he was there. After that, he had been undefeated, taking down opponent after opponent without fail. But Silver, a harmless-looking unassuming baker of all things had brought Jayden to his knees in a matter of seconds.

Granted, he hadn't been expecting it at the time, but from the looks of it, neither were the officers standing on the street. They all looked baffled at the small man situated before them, usually so meek, mouth now pulled back in a knife-sharp grin, blue eyes glittering almost malevolently as he glared at the men surrounding him.

"Well?" Silver called out, voice a taunting jeer. "How many of you will it take to kill me? If this is the level you men fight at, you better bring your entire police force here! I'll take every one of you with me straight to hell!"

Five men charged the baker at the same time and Jayden stared in complete astonishment as Silver, weaponless and hurt, slipped away from their knives and bullets like a shadow, hands lashing out to crack against their necks. Five clean breaks and they were done, dead before they hit the ground.

As a whole, every man there raised their guns, taking aim at Silver, and while Jayden now had more than a little faith in the baker's fighting skills, he was hardly going to leave the man to fend for himself.

With a snarl, he hurtled forward, catching the first four officers unawares and flooring them with well placed punches and kicks. He knew where to hit; they wouldn't be getting back up anytime soon.

A second later, chaos erupted on the street as confusion tossed the uniformed men into disarray.

"Jayden!"

The horror and disbelief in Silver's voice made him turn, and he caught sight of blue eyes, terrified and angry.

Well good. That was exactly how Jayden felt.

"You damn fool!" He howled above the din, shooting down a few more men as he made his way over to the baker. "You ever do this again and I'll kick yur ass into the next century! Did ya really think I would've just left ya behind?"

Silver looked stumped for a moment, before snapping out of his daze and slamming a kick into an oncoming officer's gut, propelling the man backwards.

"I was trying to protect you!"

Jayden snorted, grabbing a knife someone had dropped and gutting three more officers.

"You listen to me, ya goddamn idiotic, self-sacrificing moron," Jayden hissed, momentarily ignoring the fight around them to seize the baker's collar, shaking him for good measure. "I will never leave you behind, so save us both the trouble and just tell me when something's wrong! I will never forgive you if ya do this to me again! Understand? I can't lose you!"

Silver froze in his grip, blue eyes wide, before a hand came up to clutch at his wrist.

"…I can't lose you either," Came the broken whisper, barely audible above the shouts and gunshots around them.

Jayden's grip slackened, his hand slipping back to grip Silver's.

"Then we stay together," He countered softly. "You'll protect me and I'll protect you. That's the way it's gonna be from now on. Okay?"

Silver looked up, expression twisting a little before he turned away and floored another two men.

"Okay,"

Jayden gunned down another officer, glancing back at the soft affirmative in time to meet Silver's gaze. "Okay, I get it. We'll do that."

Jayden huffed, relief slumping his shoulders. "Shoulda just agreed with me ta begin with. Sending me on a wild goose chase."

Silver scoffed behind him but Jayden caught the beginning of a smile on the baker's face as both leapt forward into the fray.

"Amy's parents are goin' ta buy us time!" Jayden shouted, pushing his way back towards the truck, one hand seizing Silver's arm and hauling the man after him. "We're goin' ta take their truck and get to the tunnel, with Amy!"

He saw Silver's expression freeze but grimly ignored it as he cut down the men in their way.

"They're not coming?"

Jayden barely caught the question, but he glanced back and shook his head. "Can't. Not enough money. They saved up enough for two. Plus what you saved up; that's enough for the three of us."

Jayden thought the baker would protest, but Silver only swallowed hard, face hardening before he nodded. "Okay, lead the way."

It took them another five minutes to get through the throng of officers and then they were sprinting away, turning off the street and back towards the truck.

"Jayden!"

Jayden glanced back questioningly, only to get knocked clean off his feet as Silver barreled into him. A gunshot rang out at the same time, and Jayden's heart froze.

Silver slumped on top of him, body convulsing, and Jayden watched, silent with terror as crimson soaked through the baker's shirt, a rip in the side where a bullet had gone through.

"…Silver?" Jayden dimly noted that his voice had become very strange, small and uncertain as he reached out and gently shook the man.

Silver rolled with his push, not resisting, and Jayden felt his heart seize as the baker slumped in the snow, coughing weakly as blood leaked out of the bullet wound in his side.

"In- in the alley!" Silver gasped, and the fugitive snapped his head around just in time to see a familiar officer step out into the open, grin wide.

"Oh? I missed, did I?" The officer sneered, idly hefting his gun. "Ah well, no big loss. The little whore was getting boring anyway."

Jayden's blood roared in his ears but his movements were careful as he shed his jacket and pressed it to the bullet wound. He carefully eased Silver's head down, reassuring the man as best he could without words. He stood, brushing snow from his pants and ignoring the gun and knife that had skittered away from him when Silver had knocked him down.

And then he stared the smirking officer straight in the eye, expression deadly calm, and charged.

Jayden slammed into the officer before the man could ready his gun, tumbling both of them into the snow. The officer was physically bigger and broader, but Jayden hadn't spent almost six years fighting for his life for nothing. He slammed a knee straight into the man's crotch, and without pausing to take in the man's howl of pain, threw a fist straight into his gut.

He heard the man's gun skitter away and kicked the officer away from him before rolling to his feet, fingers reaching for the weapon. A moment later, he was towering over the suddenly pasty-faced officer now trying to crawl away. A harsh kick to the man's face sent him tumbling to the ground again and Jayden planted a firm foot on the man's chest, gun pointed straight between the officer's terrified eyes.

"Death's too good for you, ya rapist pig," Jayden hissed, low and dangerous, watching with dark satisfaction as pleading whimpers spilled from bloodied lips. "But I don't have time for you. If there's any justice in this world, you'll rot in hell for the rest of eternity."

And then he pulled the trigger, point blank, not even wincing when some of the man's blood splattered onto his pants.

Without another word, Jayden spun around, dropping the gun and flying back to Silver, dropping to his knees beside the injured man.

"Silver? Silver! Look at me! Hey!"

His hands shook as he shifted the baker's head onto his lap, reaching out to pull his jacket back. All he could see was crimson and a strained, agonized sound crawled up his throat.

"Silver, you idiot!"

A spluttering chuckle answered him and a trickle of blood trailed from the baker's mouth. "D " Don't call… a dying man… an id " idiot."

"Shut up!" Jayden snapped, voice cracking as he snaked his arms under the body. "Yur not gonna die so just shut the fuck up!"

He staggered to his feet, rising hysteria making him dizzy, and then he froze as four officers stepped out in front of him, guns raised.

Before Jayden had time to do anything more than swear, a gunshot pierced the air and one of the officers slumped to the ground. Jayden's gaze flashed to the left, blinking as he caught sight of Amy's parents.

"Go!" The man shouted, temple bleeding but eyes still bright with adrenaline and determination. "We'll stop them here!"

The woman stood firm beside him, firing off another shot and downing another officer before glancing at them. "Good luck," She called out. "Take care of yourselves."

Jayden managed a shaky nod. When they were safe, if they could ever be safe, he would make sure these two were remembered, even if it would just be empty graves.

Without another word, he spun around and loped off, not daring to look back as Silver shuddered in his arms.

"Yur gonna be fine," He muttered, more for his own benefit than Silver's. "Just hang on. Yur gonna be fine."

Seconds later, the truck came into view and Amy, God bless her, was already standing in the snow, a water bottle and bandages in hand.

"Good girl," Jayden panted as he ran up, apologizing in his head as he quickly placed Jayden into the back seat. He quickly grabbed the bottle, tore his jacket away, and poured a good amount of it over the injury. Some of the crimson cleared away, and Jayden could actually see where the bullet had entered. He ducked his head and quickly found an exit wound as well. Praying that the bullet had only gone through flesh, he grabbed the bandages Amy was holding out, yanked open Silver's shirt, and roughly wrapped the bandages around his torso, tying it off firmly.

"Climb in with him and hold onto him until we get to the tunnel." He instructed the blonde. "Keep pressure on that wound."

Amy nodded silently, scrambling into the backseat to crouch beside Silver as Jayden went around and climbed into the driver's seat.

He hadn't actually driven a vehicle in six years, and before that, had only just started learning, but this was hardly the time to be worrying over driving skills so he quickly turned the key still in the ignition and floored it.

Driving a truck wasn't that hard. Trying to go fast and not jostle Silver was another matter entirely. Jayden winced every time they hit a bump and Silver cried out once or twice, already too far gone to even force the pain away.

They couldn't get to the tunnel fast enough, and when they finally arrived, Jayden was out of the truck before it had come to a complete stop, already hauling Silver out before Amy could move to help.

"Come on," He waited for the blonde to clamber out after Silver, breathing a sigh of relief when the girl grabbed the money box first, before hurrying for the cabin, cradling his precious load.

"Back again, I see. I was just about ta take the money and scarper."

Jayden skidded to a halt, eyes desperate as the man he had talked to before appeared.

"We have money for two more but before that, do you have a doctor on site?" He demanded. "Please say you have a doctor on site."

The man blinked. "Yeah," He nodded, gaze falling on to Silver. "We do. Follow m-""

He froze, and Jayden shifted impatiently on the spot as the man drew closer, eyes widening.

"Hey!" He glanced up at Jayden, shock clear on his face. "Ain't this Jet's little bro? Ain't this Silver?"

Jayden nodded with irritation, too worried to even be curious. "What of it?" He barked. "He's bleedin' to death!"

This seemed to snap the man into action and he quickly motioned for Jayden to follow, suddenly much more animated. "This way! Hurry!"

Jayden had been reluctant to hand Silver over to anyone, but the man who had led him to the doctor had promised not to harm Silver with an unnatural gleam of protectiveness in his eyes, and Jayden had acquiesced.

"So how do ya know Silver?"

Jayden glanced to his right at the brown-haired man studying him with new interest. On his left, Amy was huddled beside him, one hand clasping the money box, the other clutching Jayden's hand.

"Took me in after I escaped," Jayden replied curtly. "How do you know him?"

The man snorted. "Who doesn't know Silver? He helped dozens of fugitives escape before someone ratted him out to those damn officers. Er, pardon my language." He tacked on hastily as Jayden glared sharply at him.

"Anyway, after his bro died, we offered to smuggle him out for free, but he refused. Said there were people he still had to protect. Haven't heard from 'im since."

Jayden grunted as he absorbed this new information. He blinked when the wooden box he had handed to the man earlier was thrust under his nose.

"Take it," The man offered. "Keep the other box too. You'll need money after ya get out."

Jayden frowned. "Why?"

The man shrugged. "We owe Silver quite a bit. He's got a head on his shoulders and knows how to use it. Before he was caught, he used ta trick the officers and direct their searches for us elsewhere. We can protect ourselves now, but back then, if it hadn't been for him, we'd all 'ave been hauled off to prison."

Jayden slowly took the box, nodding a tired thanks before glancing at Amy still sitting quietly beside him. If only they had known that before.

An hour slowly trekked by. None of them slept, and when the doctor finally appeared in the doorway, Jayden almost leapt up to grab him.

"Silver?" Was all he could manage, throat clogged with heart-clenching trepidation.

The doctor nodded. "He'll be fine after some rest. Flesh wound, but it nicked an artery. That's why there was so much blood. He was lucky. If he hadn't been moving when he was shot, the bullet would have killed him almost instantly."

Jayden felt relieved and sick to his stomach at the same time, but he slumped back into his seat, clutching Amy's hand a little tighter as the girl released a sigh of relief.

"Bear!"

Another man burst through the door, a harried expression on his face.

"They've gotta leave," The man barked, nodding at Jayden and Amy. "The police are ten minutes away."

The man still sitting beside Jayden, Bear, leapt up cursing unintelligibly under his breath.

"Doc!" He snapped. "Can Silver be moved?"

The doctor hesitated before nodding reluctantly. "Normally, I wouldn't recommend it, but under the circumstances, we don't have a choice."

He turned to Jayden, passing him a packet of white pills and a bottle of red ones. "White ones are the painkillers. Red ones slow the bleeding down in case the stitches come undone. Come through and get your friend. I'll prepare a medical bag for you."

Jayden raced into the makeshift medical room, pocketing the pills as he darted to Silver's side, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw the baker's face.

"Amy," He turned to the little girl, holding out the box. "Can you hold both of these?"

The blonde nodded without complaint, gathering the boxes into her arms.

"I'll carry the medical bag too." She voiced softly.

Jayden swallowed hard before dropping a gentle hand on her head. "You're a brave girl, Amy."

The blonde only smiled a little, turning to meet the doctor as the man came in with a small duffel bag.

Two minutes later, Jayden was carrying Silver once again, Amy beside her and Bear ahead of them carrying two sacks of food. Twisted wood and greenery had hid a small manhole that, upon closer inspection, was safeguarded by half a dozen locks and codes, and instead of dropping into the sewers, a metal structure, firmly held together by expert architecture, greeted their eyes.

"We'll be safe from here on out," Bear announced. "They'll never find this tunnel. I'll be yur guide for the next two days." He grinned. "Welcome to a taste of freedom."

Silver

When Silver awoke, instead of the peeling paint of his ceiling, silver steel greeted him. He shifted in confusion, stopping when pain flashed through his side.

"You scared me," A soft murmur above him jolted him out of his half-stupor and his eyes slowly focused on a familiar face.

"Jayden," He mumbled softly. "Where…"

"The tunnel," A gentle hand combed through his untied hair. "We're about half a day away from the walls."

"We made it?" Silver tried to sit up, only for firm hands to press him back down again.

"Rest," Jayden said sternly. "You need it. You were shot. I thought you were gonna die."

Silver smiled, settling down again. "Sorry. I'd do it again though."

Jayden snorted. "Yeah, don't I know it. …Thanks."

Silver's smile widened. "And Amy?"

Jayden nodded to the left. "Sleeping. She's a good girl. Brave. Never complained even once. Hasn't even cried."

Silver nodded tiredly. "She's like that. Always so quiet. It'll catch up with her one day."

Jayden made a noncommittal sound. "You'll be there."

Silver glanced sharply at him. "We'll be there."

Jayden smiled a little crookedly and nodded.

And then, "Do you know a 'Bear'?"

Silver blinked, and then blinked again. "Do I know a bear?"

Jayden chuckled. "A man named Bear. He's guiding us. Sleeping right now too."

Silver frowned before nodding slowly. "Yeah. Long time ago. Still in the business, huh?"

"Yeah; he offered us free passage because of you."

"…Amy, her parents…"

Jayden's face twisted a little. "Yeah. But we didn't know. There's nothin' we can do now."

Silver just sighed, trying not to think about it. When Amy finally broke down, he'd have days to play the blame game.

"I forgot to tell you," He spoke up suddenly, voice suddenly hushed as he peered up at Jayden. It was completely off-topic but it had been nudging at him since that night everything changed, and now that his mind finally realized they were relatively safe, the words came rushing back to the forefront of his thoughts.

"I love you too."

He flushed a little, but kept his gaze steady as Jayden froze, staring at him in complete shock before clearing his throat, grey eyes suddenly unwaveringly intent.

"Ah… 'too'?"

Silver swallowed down the sudden nervousness welling up in his throat. "You said you loved me after we…"

He blushed again and Jayden's face softened, grey eyes bright.

"Don't remember," He announced bluntly before leaning down to kiss him, pulling away only after they both needed air. "So I'll say it now;"

He paused and Silver shifted closer to him, breathless and happy even in their situation as Jayden smiled down at him, tender and affectionate and glowing with that same emotion Silver had seen that time he had told the older man he trusted him.

"I love you."

Finished! Please review this very very very long oneshot!