Small flecks of snow floated down from the sky, none touching the ground before they vanished. The hideous rumble of a city pulsated every where. The world seemed full of humanity's corruption. People the system had let down curling closer to each other to prevent the inevitable from claiming them sooner. People on phones and in suits too wrapped up in love affairs and business to see the other humans dying before their eyes.

Trudging through it all, head low was a silver haired boy with a round face. Large framed glasses rested on his delicate features. His hands were digging deep into the pockets of the expensive-looking black blazer he wore over a pastel blue shirt. A few freckles dotted his cheeks, adding to the look of innocence that his face held. His posture however did not help him looking innocent, as he was hunched occasionally twitching out of apparent anxiety.

Not one person looked at him, not one person even acknowledged the short boy's existence. This suited him perfectly, he liked his quiet world.

No one can suspect you if no one knows who you are.

A large grey building loomed against the slate grey sky, the windows were small. A high fence surrounded it, either to keep people out or to keep people in. The young man never changed how he was walking, just heading slowly into the building.

The school. The unit. The place. Whatever you chose to call it those attending knew it as hell.

A large number of students, wearing whatever they had cobbled together turned to stare at the new boy. Each one whispering to whoever was next to them. What is he in for? How known is he? He looks too innocent to be in this hell. What class will he be in? Do his parents not care?

Those whispers followed him as he made his way through the cold halls. Pulling some paper from his pocket he looked at it closely before slipping it back in and continuing the journey, now more sure of where he was going.

Sighing to himself the young man stopped before a locker. The blue metal was labelled "Hokuteru Himo." A small black square was under the italic writing.

Looking about he saw a red haired boy put his thumb to the black square before removing it, the door opening shortly after. The boy was attractive, that was obvious. He was tall, his hair neat. He wore a white shirt, it fitting his form perfectly. He was muscled, not too much, but just enough, obviously still having a little bit of softness to his form.

The grey haired male squinted to read the label on the locker. Rimi Noro. Turning his attention back to Noro he had reached into the locker, pulling out some books before closing it and turning to the short suit wearing other. Apon seeing him Noro frowned and headed over. "What the fuck are you looking at shortass?"

Those words, despite the angry tone struck sharp daggers into the shorters fragile heart. Those, frankly insulting, words tugged at his heartstrings and by the gods did he want to be the one to calm that anger and change it to softness and compassion and perhaps love.

Mouth opening, he looked at his feet, feeling the blush spread along his face. His mind was going places that he did not want to. The notion of curling up under a blanket on a sofa and watching Disney films filled his mind, the faint scent of lavender accenting the room.

Noro flicked the side of his head. "Oi, I asked you a question dickhead. You gonna answer?"

Looking up at Noro, into those pink eyes, so perfect. He tilted his head. "I was... I was trying to uh- figure out how the lockers work." Gods, get it together idiot. He mentally scolded himself for stammering.

Noro frowned. "Okay... Well what's your name then?" The red haired boy seemed to relax as he spoke.

"Homo- I- I mean Himo! Himo Hokuteru. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The shorter stammered, looking stressed by the slip of his tongue. Fuck it all.

Noro smiled slightly, shaking from concealed chuckles. "Noro Rimi. I'm glad to meet you Himo. Now do you want help with the locker? Your books and timetable and dorm room key should be in there."

Himo nodded, still looking confused. "How do you open it anyway?"

"See that little black square? It will read your thumb print, before you ask it was taken when you got arrested. Put your thumb to it and it'll open when you move it away." Noro instructed. His voice was monotone, everyone was a criminal of some kind.

Himo nodded and did as he was told, the blue metal swinging open almost as soon as he removed his thumb.

Inside the locker were several books, each with his name already on them, and a small white envelope resting near the front. He picked up the envelope and tore it open with one finger. He tipped it open and let a small silver key drop onto his right hand. Turning the envelope he read the numbers at the back 316. 

Turning back to the tall redhead Himo tilted his head, smiling, that -oh so embarrassing- rose tint still staining his face. "Room 316." He said with a small laugh. Seriously, how had he changed his attitude so quickly? 

Noro looked shocked for a fraction of a second before regaining his composure. "Guess we're next to each other.  Don't bother asking about dorm mates, we don't get them. Now, check what you have first and get the book. You really don't want to be late in this place."He sounded so serious, pink eyes so cold, that it caused Himo to shudder.

"Okay..." He quickly turned and looked at the inside of his locker, seeing a white piece of paper, classes listed on it. "Maths... Fuck..." He muttered before looking for his maths book, getting the red covered A5 booklet out of his locker. He closed it and turned back to Noro. 

"We have the same timetable then. Lets get going." Not long after saying that Noro swept away along the cold corridors, so graceful on his feet, appearing to glide.

Shaking himself back to reality Himo scurried after him. Himo had to run to catch up with Noro, just as he caught up with him he nearly fell over. Curse heels.

Just before he fell Noro grabbed his shoulder, yanking him back to his feet. "Don't run in heels dipshit." His voice was cold and he never looked at Himo.

The silver haired boy just nodded and followed, far more subdued. After about another minute- Noro obviously moving slower than he would have liked to be, but sometimes you just have to accept that the person following you happens to be short and in heels- they arrived at a door. "Mr. Horimaya doesn't take kindly to tardiness, just stay behind me and don't speak." Noro said, finally turning to Himo, his features had softened slightly, but not much.

Himo nodded. "Okay."

"Let's go in then." Noro turned back and pushed the door open, showing a class full of students, a handful of free seats dotted about the room. 

Almost instantly a harsh-faced bald man turned to look at them, scarlet eyes burning in frustration. "You're late Rimi." He snapped as soon as he saw Noro.

Noro wrinkled his nose. "Sorry Mr. Horimaya, I was looking after the new kid." He said, waving Himo in. Himo looked anxious as he held his book in his arms, gently rocking.

Mr. Horimaya rolled his eyes. "Both of you just sit down then. And be quick about it."

And together they took their seats, right at the back of the class, alone. Himo was confused about this, the students seemed like the sort to sit near the back corner -ideal for slightly illicit activities- and go on their phones. But where Noro's seat was students appeared to give him a wide berth. What crimes had he committed? Himo wondered to himself, before beginning to take notes in the back of his book. 

Almost an hour had elapsed, Himo having fallen asleep somewhere in the middle of it, not long after Noro. Mr. Horimaya just had that kind of dull voice. A finger poked into Himo's -frankly squishy- side. Blinking groggily he raised his head, adjusting his glasses as he did so. He saw Noro looking at him, face tired. "We need to at least pretend to have been awake." he said with a laugh.

Himo nodded and sat a little straighter. Hands running over the black fabric of the blazer he wore over his shoulders. "Gods." He muttered to himself. "I just need to go to my dorm, get set up and relax for a bit."

Noro nodded. "Preach. Wanna go there together? I can show you where it is, we have two free periods anyway."

"Sure, if you're good with not touching the stuff for my altars or my crystals." Himo said as he stretched.

Noro just elbowed his side and the two waited for class to end. Once it did they left together, Noro once again taking the lead.

Twisting past people wrapped up in their own minds Himo found himself slipping into an old habit, pickpocketing. The petty theft was basically second nature to him at this point and he could take things without the victim realising.

By the time they had left the jostling crowd Himo looked in his pockets, not much new. He sighed, knowing how against the rules the nearly subconscious act was he called Noro to a stop and gently placed the stolen items on one of the shelves.

Noro stood by, looking thoughtful. "Were you a theif?" His voice was quiet.

Himo placed the final little charm down before turning to Noro, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I wouldn't call myself a theif... More of a collector of varied goods through less than legal methods. But I guess the common lexicon would define me as a theif." As he said the label he did air quotes, being called a petty theif is frankly insulting.

Noro shook his head, laughing silently. "Let's just get going dickhead."

And together they headed for the dorms, each hiding secrets, each hiding behind masks.

Would they ever let them down for the other?