Brisk cold air blows stray gusts of wind. Crescent's thin windbreaker can't hold his heat, arms tucked by his side to block whatever they can.

He shivers, a slow blink of his eyes casting his worry, but his face expresses loneliness. Standing on the side of the gymnasium exit, his weight against the brick, Crescent's paranoia remains high. Every Elite he passed in the hall today got a stare-down, hoping they wouldn't be the ones to take him out.

They have been showing up more in general public since coming back from Hilla Cure. Maybe it is a tactic to keep an eye on the halls.

Without any protection from Asho, Saikai promises he will return in a few days and Kisha has to deal with his issues only leaving Crescent in the presence of Ahni. Between his fingers, his device is clutched for comfort. He hates standing here all alone looking at everything that moves.

Certain his class schedule is leaked, Crescent tries his best to not get as close to anyone as possible. The only break he gets from searching his surroundings is during class. Not knowing what is in store has become a routine that plagues his mind.

Impatient, he bounces on his heels. He waits impatiently for his brother, who will be coming from tower two. Their classes are split so far apart due to Ahni's testing scores. He doesn't receive high marks at all, and Crescent knows he is partially to blame for that.

Ahni hasn't been in a school setting since they stayed with their Aunt. He's a child. Crescent tries to teach him all that he knows, but even then, he is limited on things. Maybe within these walls, Ahni will be able to learn more than anything and become that smart adult he often talks about. Crescent is sure it will take years for him to achieve it, but he is determined.

The day turns into night, and the traces of the sun begin to say their goodbyes with a lovely trail of colors. If the world is as peaceful as the transitioning sky, would Crescent be alright staring at it every day? He can't make such promises, and though his brother is a fantasizer, Crescent often dives into deep questions. He just doesn't let anyone know he is that naive.

What purpose would it give?

A wind chill hits him again, and he closes his eyes, huddling up. He is a small figure standing here, watching the trees and bushes dance. The courtyard in front of him is empty, newly painted grass prepped for the upcoming snowy season. Every chance he gets, he sits by the window in the classroom and counts the number of men coming to spray over the brown patches.

Tables are empty, leaves left to pile at the legs, his focus trying to calm his alertness until his ears pick up the faint scraping of sneakers against the pavement. Though he doesn't want to look, his gaze travels with composure. Inside, the burn of something happening to him racks his mind. It is only Ahni, and he calms, but Ahni has been pointing with the widest smile on his face at the space beside him.

Crescent can do nothing but bask in the innocent image. How can someone go through so much and smile? He too smiles, but that's not what it feels like inside. Is this Ahni's way of trying to be positive, or has he truly been happy?

"Crescent! Look, I made a new friend! He came up to me during art! He's really cool!" A small chuckle Crescent hears from Ahni as he follows his brother's enthusiastic aura. Landing upon a familiar figure, Crescent watches the black-haired male give a slight wave.

"We meet again, Mr. Bride." A cool airy tone, excited to see him. 

Ahni and Ralp have a different feel about them. They remind Crescent of the grass. While he stands before the paint, drowning in brown spots and dying blades, Ralp and Ahni reside on top of the newly painted grass.

It is greener on their side.

A slight vibration in his pocket steals his attention, but he can still hear Ahni's sudden confusion.

"W-wait, you two know each other? And why are you calling my brother... Bride?" A quick eyebrow raised at an innocent smile from Ralp, whose eyes are closed from how big his lips spread. Ralp wants to let off a small laugh, but he settles for a quick blow of air through his nose.

"Hey..." Crescent responds. He cut Ralp an annoyed expression before pulling his device from his pocket. Tapping the screen, it lit up before the message highlighted across his screen read The Informant. Asho's a quick mover. Already setting him up for another job? He can only imagine this job will be focused on The Pack this time. Word of Saikai's absence will not be a secret to the leaders. No other update on his promotion either. Crescent believes maybe Vergyl has something to do with it.

If he's made to follow Asho around, he will never be able to interact with Kisha and he doubts Kisha will come to him.

Kisha... How's he holding up?

Crescent locks the phone, placing it in his pocket before he gives the two waiting for him his undivided attention. A small sigh,

"Let's go you two." Crescent walks through the two, breaking their close stance. They follow behind him quietly. Hands tucked into his pockets, he faces forward. Finally, he turns into the comfort of his room. Nothing happens to the students in their dorms unless they are dumb enough to march into enemy territory.

"Did you... Boss's parents came to pick him up." Ralp sounds sure and proud of himself as Ahni can't get over the usage of the title. Ralp admitted he was part of a gang during their art class and showed him his ID, but is that really necessary? Just show signs of respect. Ahni believes everything else is nonsense. Calling someone Boss when they aren't your actual Boss, like from a job, is just weird. Authority figures don't have anything to prove their status but someone else telling them their worth.

How are they the Boss?

"Who?" Crescent hopes it isn't Kisha. He had planned to see him even without the consent of those around him. Who knows how long fever takes? It can be a whole week and he's to sit here, hoping he'd come across Kisha in the halls. He will give it three days before he decides enough is enough. He doesn't want to seem desperate, but things are looking that way.

"Boss Saikai."

Is Saikai that smart? Whatever happens from here on out, Crescent is willing to give Saikai more respect than he originally handed to him. He has guts. If somehow he can pull off something good against the monster Diamond, then everything for Crescent can begin to trickle in place.

Given the cue Crescent is ready. Saikai fed them all his cover-up because he wasn't going to see his parents at all. Crescent feels the need to text Saikai and let him know that everything is ok, but he holds back because of one small detail. He plans on breaking their trust. His endeavors are not in vain... yet.

The spaced-out look across his demeanor has Ralp curious. Crescent slows in pace gapping unnecessarily between them. They ascend a flight of stairs and he seems more in thought, taking each step only after both feet have touched. Mindlessly guiding himself forward because of muscle movement. A tilt of Ralp's head and he calls out to Crescent,

"You ok, Crescent? He is coming back..." Reassuring him that Saikai is in the best hands. There are days when they all wish their parents would come for them just so they can tell everyone they have parents.

People who love them back home and only want to see them do good in life. It's a shame that here at Nirvana Academy, the only ones with love and people back home seem to be the gang leaders. The reason being so many occupants here-- nowhere else to go. A death row, but a more pleasant way to die. Home away from Nirvana... rare. As rare as the peace that lacks within these walls.

Crescent shakes his head slowly in response, focusing on Ralp's calming words. He hopes Saikai does come back unharmed.

"Anything new?" Ralp decides to change the subject, hands clamping behind his back. He's able to get Crescent back on track because Crescent starts to lightly jog up the remaining steps.

Ahni follows suit, leaving Ralp as the lowest of the three. Ralp isn't in a rush, but rather enjoying the air outside. The smell the trees release during transitioning seasons is a welcoming party to many of the animals.

While soon breeding season is to come across the horizon, they all need to prepare for their favorite time of the year. No matter where they come from winter is the season of wolves. Ralp can't contain his excitement, his steps mimic a dancer's stride weightless, nimble, and agility-dominant.

"You move like you can run reaaaally fast." Ahni's curious compliment fills Ralp with a confidence boost.

"I've yet to be beat!" Ralp innocently chuckles, but there is always a dark side to having such abilities. The lack of courage drained from his body on a daily basis, a stagnant dry air filled with the desire to flee. In short, Ralp knows he's worth nothing, but a moment within warm words is a little alright. A toothed grin follows a click of his tongue, he skips a few steps before joining the brothers in matching actions. He likes these two. They know how to make him feel welcome even when he doesn't like himself.

"I got another mission." Crescent decides it's best to rain on their happy parade. The two are getting along well, too well as kindred spirits. They share a glow, they are similar and feed off each other and the only oddball in this pack of three is Crescent. He doesn't like it. Ahni can relate to someone close to Kisha. Maybe Ralp can get him close--

A sharp inhale by Crescent and he scoffs at what he had been thinking. Get Ahni close to... Kisha? Yeah, right. So that Kisha can bully him around and say smart shit to him? Mother Crescent will be knocking a wolf out if that happens. He'll only allow the two a few minutes so that Ahni will stop whining about it. The instant he sees the shifts in Kisha's eyes, they are both leaving.

As they clear the area, traveling around the first tower, Crescent spots colorful graffiti on a nearby half wall. It's placed on a side of the slab that faces the school. Students in the first tower hall can look from the windows and see it. An advertising ploy that only takes one student to notice. The letters will then spill like wildfire and everyone will know.

Capital T infused inside a capital D. Crescent studies it curiously. The only gangs he knows of are the top three. Though chubby first year did tell him about the minor gangs, he didn't care to remember them. Their significance has been as small as their movements. Minor gangs are like the fleas in the bug world according to Asho. Asho runs the ant hill. Diamond is a hornet nest and Saikai... well... a flurry of innocent moths.

"Top Dog," Ralp announces. "A newer gang. They already have members though surprisingly. I guess it's easy to find people in Nirvana who stand by your agenda. You should make a gang, Crescent. Think you'd be a good leader?"

Crescent raises his eyebrow, rolling his eyes at the idea. It doesn't sound half bad, but he won't just make any gang. He wants the support of powerful people or the strongest of the strongest. His vision resides in crushing opponents quickly and making puppets dance.

Leave everything decimated. If a gang here means arguing with students, he'll have to pass. Crescent naturally has the drive to go for something greater. The final boss. Sucking on his teeth, he shrugs to flex his shoulders, blaming his aches on soccer.

"Did you read the mission?" Ahni asks from the other side.

"Nope, and it is none of your business, Ahni."

"Read it!!!" Ralp burst out so obnoxiously, that Crescent's desire to turn around and scowl at him forms as his next sudden thought, but he stops himself once his mind snaps back at the idea of them ganging up on him. Two individuals, neither a part of his gang, telling him what to do.

"Tell its contents. I'll report it to Boss Kisha." The scowl did nothing even though their eyes met. Ralp flashes him some bouncing eyebrows as if to say 'We got this.'

Crescent hesitantly digs in his pocket, secretly annoyed. Retrieving his phone he takes in a sigh before pulling up the mission. After a quick scan to find out what he'd read and what he wouldn't, Crescent takes a moment to make sure Ralp doesn't get all the information.

"It says, to meet in two days by the doc located left of the first year's dorms. A celebration... for my success..."

"A... what?" Ralp pulls out his phone, tapping at his screen before looking towards Crescent. Asho isn't the type of guy to give glory to another student. He'd rather drain it all himself and steal someone else's achievements. If that whole thing doesn't sound sketchy then Ralp's just paranoid.

"Well... you're going, right? I'm telling Boss Kisha."

"Wait, no why? If it's something that small, it'll be ok. It's not like he's bothering any big gang." Crescent responds.

Ralp can't understand Crescent's reasoning so he narrows his eyes out, looking off to one side. Giving Asho the benefit of the doubt? What side is he on? The reason he has been sitting chest-deep in shit already is because of his poor lack of danger senses. It's a mission nonetheless and Ralp did his job diligently.

Sent.

"Well, you're in it. I think Boss Kisha would like to know if his bride is going to catch a beat down." Ralp instantly tightens his lips, laughing awkwardly. He can't get over the fact that Kisha has a male as a mate. They always envisioned Kisha's mate to be a female with short hair. Native of course. Strong, but soft to combat his horrible attitude. She would be patient and wise. Small, but cute and around the same age as him. Boy, were they wrong?

"Wait... Bride? Why do you keep calling my brother bride?" Ahni speaks up this time. The title makes him uncomfortable. Kisha's too cool to be anything but... into his brother... Right?

Ralp dips forward, flashing a smile to the curious Ahni. He ponders his words in a loud tone, sending the situation into more obnoxious turmoil.

"You see, Boss Kisha is the husband. Crescent the wife. They'll most likely end up dating anyway. You don't think so?"

Ahni looks towards his brother who shoots Ralp a glare. Dating...? Since when had all these things transpired? And why is it moving along so quickly?! How many months has it been... or is it... weeks... days?

"Why can't they just be boyfriend and girl-- boyfriend..." Ahni's lips suddenly rushes clamped between teeth. It sounded better inside of his head. Spoken, awkward.

Crescent turns towards Ahni in disbelief, his mouth hanging open at the sheer disrespect. He's caught between two idiots and his previous thoughts of light innocent aura suddenly fade. These embarrassing little shits can't even read the room if a jumbotron told everyone what to feel. His face turns a bright red, rolling golden hue.

"Just shut up you two... Damn. Ralp, you shouldn't be talking. We are the same. Your dainty, frail ass."

"Huh? But... I'm not gay... I like women." Ralp's once bright demeanor instantly mellows to an unforgiving seriousness, but he's unsure of himself, so he stumbles in expression, straightening up to seem less threatening. He doesn't like it when his sexuality is mistaken. Just because he's surrounded by those who enjoy the male body, doesn't mean he too partakes in those attractions.

There are many here at Nirvana Academy that are straight. Ralp's expression but a sour glimpse into what he's feeling internally, rubs Crescent wrong because soon after Crescent leaks with an offended aura that Ralp picks up on instantly. The low brows and frown lips tell Ralp he has made a grave mistake. An uptick in his nerves and Ralp's sudden urge to recover, rescue himself from emotional unstableness, he fears he'd be digging himself a grave otherwise.

Panic sets in, and Ralp waves his arms around frantically, uneasy.

"Not that there's nothing wrong with being gay!" He recovers, high-pitched. "Everyone is entitled to their sexuality..."

"Don't look down on me." Crescent isn't letting it go, aiming a hostile tone Ralp's way.

"He isn't, Cres. I'm not gay either. You assume he's making fun of you, but he's just telling you something. There's nothing wrong with that." Ahni tries to make sense of the situation. Taking both hands and placing them on Ralp's shoulder to let Crescent know he has Ralp's back on this one.

"Whatever, that makes Kisha gay too. Your cool, stoic, asshole of a boss is... gay. How awfulllll."

Ralp quickly raises his hand, pointer finger preparing to stop Crescent in his tracks. He opens his mouth slightly until he suddenly clamps down on bottom lip. 

"What now...?" Crescent sighs, hands crossing before his chest.

"Boss isn't gay. He can't be per se... Gay. By nature, it's within him to be sexually attracted to those who bear children. Breeding purposes..."

Crescent sucks his teeth, rolling his eyes at Ralp's statement. None of that makes sense.

"But... Big but... Just you... Boss doesn't have a sexual preference and it's probably because of you."

"Huh...? So Kisha naturally likes chicks, but he doesn't have a preference because he likes Crescent...? Ralp... You mean... Bisexual?" Ahni raises his eyebrows trying to make sense of the situation. He squeezes Ralp on the shoulder as Ralp shakes his head violently no, only to then match confused eyes with Crescent. Looking towards Crescent as well, Ralp shrugs as if telling him he can't say too much.

That's right. Ahni isn't aware of Kisha's true identity.

"Just drop it you two. Let's say Kisha just likes me." Crescent huffs, cutting a cold gaze forward. "Woooo I feel special."

Crescent continues in stride, trying to play it safe and act as if his insides aren't boiling right now. He did feel special. These small ego boosters they've been giving him give him so much courage to test the limits next time he sees Kisha. Knowing he has so much control makes his heart tingle. 

"You two had sex? That's the only way I'd ever see someone falling off a cliff for a stranger." Ahni blurts out suddenly as the three of them walk past a group of men who suddenly turn toward them in disbelief and shock.

Crescent tucks his head into his shoulders, turtling himself, balling up both his fists. A moment of silence turns to a moment of pure hate. What the fuck is this?! He begins to walk faster, escape the building embarrassment caused by these bimbos, but they match him in stride. His legs start to burn, their constant patter feet haunting his ears. Crescent's emotions are bouncing all over the place. Guilt because of the things that happened recently. Guilt because in some way Ahni is right, but he is being swept off his feet. 

How can he even think to tell Ahni all of this?

He didn't want to think about what happened. How submissive he turned from a hand job. It had to be that asshole's influence again. Crescent's face scrunches, head shaking to forget what transpired. If he thinks about it even more than now, his body is going to react and he is too far from the dorm.

Ahni slips closer to Ralp, who begins looking around at the trees never mind their conversation. The leaves are thickened piles of brown, oranges, reds, and yellows. He always liked to go play with his brothers and chase the leaves. Diving and wrestling in them are the best memories he has.

"They did, didn't they?" Ahni whispers after Crescent refuses to answer him. Crescent's belligerent ranting is so immature, but its a dead giveaway according to Ahni's calculations. Calling Crescent out on his stupid encounters always leaves him in a messy shamble. Though he reacts violently all the time, maybe Ahni can dodge a little abuse with Ralp here. Ahni throws his head around and tightens his frame. Ahni knew his brother all too well. The thought of Crescent doing that makes his skin crawl.

"My brother is on the bottom... I just know it." Ahni sounds disappointed. "Kisha is way too big to be dominated unless he's into those sorts of things..."

Ralp shakes his head, agreeing.

"Your brother is the bottom. Boss Saikai talks about Bosse's penis a lot... Well, he makes rude remarks. I think Boss Saikai just wants to sleep with Boss, but they grew up together so that sounds funny. We all often bathe together and we've seen everyone's penis anyway... I don't think it's anything special."

"His what?! Are you sure Saikai isn't just joking? Wait... Bathe together..." Ahni draws back, his lips curling up in disgust. He can't kill the visual. A gang of grown-ups all bathing, scrubbing each other's backs, laughing, close- touching-- kissing... Even at this age, sex still weirds Ahni out.

Is Crescent right about Ralp after all?

Sausage fest. Naked fest. Privacy is still a thing! Decency. He'd never bathe with Crescent. Is this some kind of orgy he didn't know about? His brother playing with something like that.

Feels even weirder that Ralp is so openly ready to even say such things and be comfortable.

"So where does that go---? Their two men..." Ahni's still curious though his voice cracks and the sensation of his hair standing on his arms kills his inhale.

Ralp places his finger on his chin, rubbing as he thinks of a sure way to put it. An idea pops into his mind, and he extends his finger pointing directly at Crescent's back. Slowly drifting it down, he keeps a solid aim until he meets his mark.

Ahni follows, looking between the finger and Crescent. He can't tell exactly where he's pointing.

"Huh?"

"The butt... Doggy style I'm sure." Ralp pretends to shoot Crescent in the butt, blowing the barrel of his trigger finger and tucking it into his pocket. A soft chuckle hit the air soon after. "You never seen sex between men, Ahni?"

"Eh? How do you know this?! No-No! I d-d-don't even watch hetero porn!"

"I saw it. Boss was behind Crescent and on top of him. Your brother's pants were undone. Boss was naked! Boss Saikai interrupted their loving time. Talk about cock blocking." Ralp giggles. If Kisha had been remotely sane, he would have scolded them all. Ralp would take the brunt of the punishment though.

Ahni went silent, his eyes wandering off from bafflement. That night Crescent snuck off was to have sex. But the relationship seemed shaky days before.

His brother is too easy.

At least play hard to get!!

They just met!!

Ralp had to be kidding. Ahni jogs up to his brother, looking at him only to notice his face is beet red. Crescent heard everything they said, but Ahni's question is more important than his brother's discomfort. If he isn't mistaken, steam seems to be erupting from Crescent's ears and nose.

"Hey, Crescent. Did Kisha put his penis--" He suddenly bites down hard, stopping in place. The rush of pain shoots up his foot, through his leg, and into his stomach. Ahni stiffens as a stepped on plank. He can't look down. Ahni's shoes aren't the thickest nor can they protect his sensitive toes. Crescent drives his heel down into Ahni's foot using all might of humiliation.

"Fuuuuckkkkk~" Ahni calls.

To ask such a question under those circumstances! It pisses Crescent off. These two have no consideration. It's easy for them to walk around talking about it, but to be honest, Crescent doesn't like it.

"Fuck off! Both of you punks!"

Crescent decides his heart bears too much embarrassment, turning and pushing open a nearby door. They've arrived at the dorm towers, but they are on the first floor. He plans on taking the elevator before them, not wanting to face their foolishness.

Crescent pushes past another door, his frame now placed inside an empty hall. The air conditioner is turned on, cooler in the building than it is outside. Sounds of his sneakers scuffing the waxed flooring bring him toward the elevators.

He presses the up button frantically, violently, shoving his hands into his pocket to wait, hoping they aren't behind him, but a glimpse of Ahni's jacket causes his heart to race. Looking up, the elevator's floor indicator is at the highest floor.

The second elevator was already going up. 

It's ok, because when he sees Kisha again, he's going to tell on Ralp, or maybe with enough punches Ralp will tell him where Kisha is located.

"You're going to make me chase you, asshole."

(((A/N

Meet Ralp!

If you had to guess his status in a wolf pack... what do you think it is?

Don't be afraid to tell me what you think by commenting.❤️❤️

Drop a vote if you like. 👍👍)))