(I'm not sure what's going on with this chapter but Imma push Publish anyway lol) 

Just keep walking. One foot in front of the other. Just keep moving forward. There aren't two hot guys behind you. 

He stopped about four blocks away and finally looked back for a second time. When he only saw a speck of Fen standing there, with no Gin in sight, he felt his stomach twist into a knot. Of course, he unwound it quickly enough, because who was he to be waited on? 

Sure, they might want to help him, but after that? Well, things could go two ways, but both of them still ended in about two years time. It was best not to start another chapter when he already had the ending planned out. 

With those thoughts in mind, Pyre nodded to himself and turned, then continued to walk right into a chubby cat. His face hit the concrete for a second time that day, and it was about as pleasant as the first. 

"This isn't my year... maybe I should just burn this book," he mumbled as he slowly pushed himself up and spit out a bit of blood. 

How am I not missing teeth yet? 

When he sat back on his heels, the chubby perpetrator was sitting in front of him. It's fuzzy ears were pinned to the side of its head and those big eyes...

"You know, you can get my attention many other ways besides tripping me. Might I suggest calling my name or stripping naked? Both are perfectly acceptable means," Pyre said as he stood up, brushing off the dirt, once again, from his new clothes. 

Already a hole in the left arm of my sweater, fantastic. 

Feeling the cat paw at his pant leg, Pyre looked down, but soon found himself frustrated. He didn't want the guy interfering. Nothing good would come of it. At least not for Gin. 

"Go away. I don't want your help," he said as he quickly walked around the cat and began jogging. 

It was beginning to rain again, and that meant that his dirty clothing was now getting wet, too. 

They're bad luck. Definitely wasn't a good thing running into them. 

He made it two blocks before he chanced looking back. When he did, he realized that outrunning Gin didn't take much effort. His fat cat had stopped after one block, then flopped over to catch its breath on the sidewalk. 

I just want to squeeze you so hard right now...

Scowling, Pyre turned and continued walking, but after another half block, he glanced over his shoulder. 

You really should just give up. I'm not going to roll over for you this time. 

Of course, when you tell a cat to stop doing something, that just makes it do it more. Even if the command was just a thought in the back of your mind. And thus, he watched as Gin's cat hobbled its way another half block, then fell onto its side, clearly struggling to breathe. 

Wait a minute...

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Pyre turned around and ran back to the dumbass cat. 

"The hell are you doing when you have such bad asthma!" he growled as he hefted the large feline up into his arms, then began walking back toward the shelter, doing his best to stay under the store overhangs whenever possible. 

Unfortunately, by the time he made it back to the shelter, he was soaked and panting about as much as the fat cat falling out of his arms. He was just about to drop him and was already lowering himself to the ground when strong hands easily lifted the damp feline from his grasp. 

Ah, so you came back here. 

Fen straightened, but held Gin's cat at arm's length to keep his fancy suit from getting wet. He also didn't seem too appreciative of his wet-cat smell, either. 

"Someone is getting a bath, right now," he said as he carried the now-squirming feline toward the back where they had dressing rooms for each gender. 

Figuring that he was stuck for the time being until the storm passed, Pyre hesitantly followed them. He couldn't just pass up watching a cat get bathed. That was a once in a lifetime show, and his tickets were free!

Except... when he stepped into the small area that held the bathtub and tugged the courtesy sheet closed, then turned around to face the other two, he realized something that he had somehow previously forgotten. 

Gin was a shapeshifter and had shifted back. 

His arms were crossed over the edge of the tub with his chin resting on them. He looked so fucking carefree and inviting.

At least his breathing has calmed down... but if I keep staring, mine is going to speed up.

"I'm sorry I tripped you twice. I don't usually shift much, but he really likes you," Gin said before Fen stepped between them and pushed Gin away from the edge. 

"You smell like wet fur, scrub, or you're sleeping on the couch," he warned, drawing Pyre's attention at the same time Gin responded as he scrubbed himself with soap, sounding like a scolded puppy. 

"...but I rent my own room from you." 

They live together? 

"How many times have you two done it?" he questioned abruptly. It was the most important thing he could come up with right then. 

Evidently, it hadn't been the right thing to inquire about, because he was getting some rather strange looks from both of them right about then. 

"We just live together," Fen eventually replied as Gin, with his face slightly red, turned and got busy scrubbing himself with whatever soap was available. 

That's a total disappointment. Gin is damn good in bed, even back when—He cut off that thought immediately. 

Not going to happen again. Don't stick your nose in other people's business. 

"How is school going, Sparky?"

Here we go. 

Pursing his lips, Pyre shrugged one shoulder and turned around, tugging aside the curtain just enough so that he would be able to walk out.

"Don't know, I quit." 

The awkwardness in the room was growly steadily after that little bit of information was out, and it didn't help that another guy had come in and was now drunkenly singing Aqua's Barbie Girl in the shower stall closest to the door. 

"I'll see you guys around," he lied, hopefully, then hurried for the exit. 

He was just grabbing for the handle when thick, soaking wet arms wrapped around his waist and easily picked up his scrawny body. 

"You smell worse than me now, Sparky. At least wash up and let me wash those clothes for you while it's still raining," Gin said as he nonchalantly carried Pyre back toward the area they'd been using. 

Thankfully, or not, Pyre noticed a towel wrapped around the larger guy's waist when he finally set him down again. He wanted to stare at certain places but he forced himself to look back toward the bathtub that Fen was currently refilling with fresh water. 

He didn't want a bath... and especially not with an audience. 

"I'll wait till I get back," he said while looking away from both men. 

"Get back?" Gin asked, digging further than Pyre was willing to answer. Which really wasn't far at all. Basic questions, and all that. 

Silence is the safest answer, right? 

Except, Gin didn't seem as easy to convince. 

Stop looking at me with those big brown eyes. 

"We'll step out while you wash up?" he tried, knowing that there was clearly something going on that he didn't want known. Granted, if they really did work around the homeless often, then it wouldn't be much of a stretch for them to assume that he had bruises on his body from some sort of abuse situation and didn't want them to be seen. Of course, Fen had already been to his house and had seen all of the things he'd had to rig up as defenses from his father...

Yeah, abuse  would be a correct guess. Most of his injuries had healed and were now old scars, especially along his back, but there were a few that were newer from earlier in the week. Thankfully, nothing was infected, but he had a few things he didn't need known. It would all heal on its own, then there would be no more unless he got into a fight on the streets. 

Whatever. 

"Fine, get out," he grumbled as he turned toward the bathtub. 

Fen stood up immediately, leaving the water running since it was only half full, then turned and stepped out before tugging the curtain closed behind him. He could hear them chatting quietly as Gin got dressed, but he couldn't make out anything over the sound of the running water. 

His curiosity got the better of him and he turned it off a bit early, but of course, it was as if him turning off the spigot had shut off their dialogue, on top of the flow of hot water. 

Again, whatever. 

After quickly tossing his damp clothing, he stepped into the warm water. He didn't intend to stay long, but knowing that he would have two sets of eyes on him as soon as he got out made him a lot more interested in just staying put and enjoying the soak. 

"There are a few towels in there in the cubby behind you," came Gin's voice a few minutes later. It was quickly followed by Fen's. "We'll go grab some clothes for you to use while yours are being washed."

Can you find me some sex out there, too? You guys are stressing me out like hell. 

Refocusing his attention as the man in the other area switched to singing The Macarena, Pyre quickly washed himself and scrubbed his hair, then folded his arms on the edge of the tub and rested his head atop them. He'd only planned to close his eyes for a few moments, but by the time they blinked open again, the water was cold and there was someone staring at him from where the privacy drape had been pulled back. 

Yawning, he sat up and rubbed at his eyes, then looked back at the man. 

"Snaky," he mumbled, drawing a slight upward tilt to the left side of Fen's lips. 

The guy walked forward, but something was off. 

Ah. 

He was walking as if approaching a scared animal. 

And here I am having fallen asleep in the bathtub with scars clearly visible. 

Fen seemed to realize that he was acting strange, because he hesitated after another step, then slowly moved his left hand from behind his back to reveal some sort of drink. 

"The rain had gone down a little so I drove Gin home instead of making him walk. I wasn't expecting you to still be here, but in case you were, I got you a peanut butter and chocolate milkshake from O'donal's."

Okay, that is the one thing I can think of that's better than sex. 

Ignoring his remaining worries about his body's condition, Pyre climbed out of the tub and hurried the three steps it took to get to the large cup being held out to him. As soon as he had it Fen walked around him, disappearing from view for a moment as Pyre greedily sucked up his treat. 

He felt a towel gently being wrapped around his waist a few moments later, but ignored it in favor of popping off the lid to his milkshake and fishing out a big chunk of peanut butter cup with his spoon-straw. It was the best invention ever and worked especially well with thick milkshakes. 

A few seconds after the towel was secured around his waist, he felt another begin gently rustling his messy hair. He wasn't a fan of the attention, but hell, the milkshake still took priority over swatting the guy's hands away. 

Once his hair was dry, Pyre felt something unfamiliar. Fen was tugging at his hair, but not really hurting him. He let him be for a few moments before finally nodding his head forward and turning with a scowl. 

Wait a second. 

"Sorry, I just thought that you might want it tied up so that it doesn't get the neck of your clothing damp," Fen said as he turned slightly so that he could point to the small pile of clothing he'd evidently brought in and set on a folding chair in the corner of the curtained-off room. 

Oh. 

He'd never really cared about such a thing, but at the same time, he usually took scissors to his hair before it got long enough to be annoying in such a way. 

I guess I should get dressed. 

Setting the straw back in his drink, he sealed the lid and frowned, realizing that he had already drunk half of his milkshake. Not wanting it gone so soon, he held it out to Fen with narrowed eyes. He seemed to get the idea right away, because he took the drink with one hand and gestured toward the clothing with the other. 

Pyre hurried to tug on the soft gray sweatpants and black and white hoodie. 

Wait a second... these look and feel brand new. 

Glancing over his shoulder at Fen, the guy looked away quickly, clearly guilty. 

How the hell did he have time to get me new clothing? How long had I been asleep in the bathtub? 

He was snapped out of his thoughts when a hand settled atop his head. 

"I had my butler got get them earlier." 

Pyre wasn't sure what look he was giving the guy, but it had to have been entertaining because Fen actually burst into laughing after just one glance. It was odd, seeing such a well-dressed, clearly sophisticated, man just start laughing out of nowhere. 

God that voice. 

Pyre quickly grabbed his drink from him and ducked out of the makeshift room. He focused immediately on the guy who had finally turned off his shower. His song had changed again, but this time he wasn't sure what it was. Either way, it got his attention off of the repeating deep, hot laughter that echoed in his mind even as the source of it had long-since quieted to follow behind him. 

He headed straight for the front door and was relieved to see that the rain had turned into a drizzle. Lifting his straw to his lips, he took a long sip from his milkshake, then glanced to the side where Fen had stopped beside him. 

"Gin would love to see you more. He had to finish an assignment, which was why I dropped him off. He took your clothes to just do them at our place, too. I actually texted him earlier mentioning you, and he remembered you from when you two had been in school together," Fen said, making Pyre nearly choke on his sip of milkshake. 

Was there really anything memorable about me besides my wanting his junk up my arse? 

"I told him I had been rescued by this spitfire kid when a bunch of punks had been picking on my snake," Fen said. 

"He asked for a description and sure enough, the moment I said skinny guy with bright red hair and a fiery attitude, he asked for a picture. The guy was so excited when he saw it and confirmed that it really was you." 

Wait, did he say picture? 

"You took a picture of me?" he mumbled as he finished the last few sips of his milkshake. Sadness. 

Fen fished his phone from his back pocket and turned on the screen. Right there, as his main background image behind the clock was a picture of him from when he had been asleep on his makeshift bed of sweatshirts back in his room at his father's crumbling home. A few faint rays of light had snuck in from the window to illuminate just enough of his face for the camera to work without any actual lighting. 

"You... took a picture of me after I brought you home," Pyre said, honestly having trouble processing it. And why set it as his background image? 

Fen looked only slightly embarrassed as he hurried to put his phone back into his back pocket, except, Pyre reached for it the moment it slipped into the fabric. 

He almost had it, too, because Fen clearly hadn't thought that he'd reach right for his butt to try and grab it! 

You, sir, have lost your phone privileges! 

They danced down the sidewalk with Pyre taking several swipes at Fen's backside, not caring how odd they looked to those few people that were walking down the humid streets. He was actually surprised with the guy's stamina and ability to dodge in his fancy suit and expensive shoes. 

He wasn't sure how, but when they finally stopped, both completely out of breath and panting hard, they were in front of Fen's penthouse building. 

Damn, have to give him points for effort. 

Fen grinned and took his phone from his pocket and held it up, tilting it back and forth slightly. 

Pyre put a hand on his hip and huffed out a breath. 

"Let me guess. Come upstairs for just a night so that you're not sleeping on the streets and I'll delete the picture of you," he said, trying to mock Fen's deep, sexy voice, but just sounding dumb for his pathetic attempt. 

It made the guy's smile warm at least, but that hadn't been his intention. 

Instead of agreeing with his idea, though, Fen slipped the phone back into his pocket and mirrored Pyre's pose... though somehow, he made it look sexy as hell. 

"I'd love the first part, but I'm not deleting the photo." 

Huh? 

"Why?" 

Seriously, why? He had no reason to keep such a bad photo, or a photo of a random dude in general. 

"Because, it's the only picture I have of the guy who rescued me when I got stuck in my snake form," Fen said, taking Pyre by surprise. 

He'd been stuck? 

Fen turned and began walking into the building, but Pyre wasn't done talking! He ran after him and even swiped for the phone again, but the guy somehow saw it coming, even when not looking at him, because he yanked it from his pocket a millisecond before Pyre could snag it. 

The elevator opened as soon as Fen scanned a key card and tapped the button mid-dodge from another swipe. Pyre followed him inside, but only because it put them in much closer quarters. He upped his effort and after five more aggressive attempts, he just barely managed to grab hold of the guy's phone after partially pinning him against the back of the elevator with one of his arms bent backwards. Unfortunately, it was through his pants and, not unfortunately, he also had a decent handful of the guy's firm backside to go along with it. 

The doors opened at that exact moment, too. 

Gin looked up from where he sat at a large glass dinner table, a laptop in front of him and a can of Sprite to the side of it. 

"Oh... well, welcome home guys."