Not sure what the timeline for the group is, so I improvised, I figured people could have moved rooms and such as the group grew anyway, so- XD

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Ingall closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, taking comfort in the cleansing rain that splashed against his skin. Nature was his safe space and his healer as the freshwater pushed away the salty and crimson turned clear once more.

He was still faintly aware of the dull pain originating from his left shoulder as well as the stinging on his cheek, but his brain had disconnected itself from his physical body. The only thing that existed now was a pleasant hum in the back of his mind. If Ingall had the choice, it would always be like this. Quiet and clean, just him and the solitude of nature. Where nothing else mattered. But then, if it was up to him, a lot would be different.

His family would still be here, society wouldn’t be so condescending, and him and Amar would never have met. That, or Amar would be much different. Genuine.

Soft footsteps approached and Gall didn't have to open his eyes to know who it was. Clothes rustled and a shoulder gently brushed against his own. He didn't react and, for a few minutes more, silence hung in the air, disturbed only by the soft patter of rain.

"Angel," Amar's voice was quiet, but it took everything for Ingall not to react. "I'm so sorry."

Gall's hand, which had been resting across his lap, reached up to grasp the necklace around his neck, and he took a deep breath, still refusing to open his eyes. He didn't think he could bear to look into those deceitful green eyes right now.

"Love, please, look at me."

It was a demand, really, more than anything. Amar didn't have to say that much, Ingall could pick up on the underlying tone. He could read between the lines. It was necessary with Amar.

Slowly, he cracked his eyes open and glanced over at his lover, inwardly grimacing at the thinly veiled annoyance. Ingall wasn't good at reading others, but he'd learned Amar's mannerisms and expressions after they started dating, finding it necessary to avoid the worst of outbursts and aggression.

Amar sighed softly and reached out, gently brushing his thumb over the new wound on Gal's cheek. "I didn't mean to hurt you like this, Angel, you know I didn't."

He did. He meant all of it. He could have stopped and he didn't. There was intention in his body language and pride in his eyes. He meant it.

"I know."

Amar smiled softly and pulled his hand away again. Ingall didn't miss the way he brushed it off on his pants, the way his nose wrinkled slightly at the prospect of touching Ingall because of how utterly disgusting he was.

"Good. Then let's get back inside, yes? You'll catch a cold out here in this weather."

Ingall hesitated before nodding and following his boyfriend's lead, standing regretfully. "Okay."

—

Ingall lay awake in bed, staring at the wall across from him as Amar snored softly beside him. His cheek was patched up now and the bruising on his side and shoulder had become very evident. It hurt a little to breathe and he found himself wincing in pain when he moved his right arm too much.

It was nearing 2:00 AM when Gall froze, his blood running cold as the outline of his brother flickered faintly into existence, his soft brown eyes finding Ingall with ease. They lit with fury as they traced his brother's face, landing on the bandage before switching over to Amar. He opened his mouth and spoke two words.

"Get out."

Then he was gone.

Ingall lay frozen for a few minutes, positive that he'd been hallucinating. There was no other explanation.

Still… If Grayson were still alive, he wouldn't want him to stay with Amar after this. Neither would his mother or father. If anything, what happened today was a good excuse to leave and now was a good time.

After contemplating, Ingall hesitantly slipped out of bed and silently moved around the room, gathering his things. His phone, some clothes, his Koda (low ranking as it was), toiletries, a small selection of jewelry (his sun and moon earrings, his tree necklace, and a bracelet made of clay beads), his favorite book, a journal, and some pens and pencils, some money (taken from Amar's wallet), and a selection of pictures, all stashed in a small backpack. Then, with one more glance at Amar, he sucked in a breath and turned his back, walking out of the house for what he promised was the final time.

After about an hour of walking in the same direction, Ingall finally caught a bus and rode for several more hours before getting off in a new town. He wasn't sure where he was or where he was going, but he was certain that he had to keep moving until Amar had little to no chance of finding him. Of course, Amar was lazy, he wouldn't expend more energy than he had to to find Ingall, but the more distance the better.

Eventually, Gall stumbled into a hotel, exhausted as the first light of dawn spilled over the city. He was about to check himself in when movement caught his eye. A young woman in a brightly colored dress was glaring at a much larger man who had his arms crossed and was shaking his head. Against his better judgment, Ingall crept closer, listening as the man spoke.

"Ma'am, I already told you, you can't eat here! You aren't a paying guest, you can't have breakfast here unless you're a paying guest!"

The woman clenched her jaw and glared at the man harder, fists clenching at her sides. The man sighed.

"Look, either you leave or I'll have someone escort you out."

The woman looked like she might scream, or maybe she would cry, but she turned on her heel, starting toward the door before Ingall, without really processing what the hell he was doing, stepped forward. "Uh, wait, please!"

The woman stopped, turning her glare on Ingall while the man grumbled something under his breath, looking very annoyed.

"Sorry, um, she's with me." Both of the others looked at Ingall with expressions of confusion.

"Sir, have you even paid?" The man questioned, brows furrowing.

"Oh, no, I was about to check in," Ingall said quickly. "Please, give me a moment, I'll take care of the payment, let my friend eat."

The man stared at him for a moment before sighing again and shrugging. "Fine. She may eat after you pay."

Ingall nodded quickly. "Of course, thank you."

He quickly went to the front desk and paid for a room, accepting the key. When he turned around he found the man rolling his eyes and walking away while the woman watched him with rounded eyes. Tiredly, he approached her. "Alright, you should be fun to eat now." He stated, offering what he hoped was a kind nod. Really, social interactions were not his strong suit.

The woman continued staring for a moment before breaking into a wide grin, her eyes lighting up. Before Ingall could even fully process what was happening, a notepad was in her hand before being shoved quickly into his.

'Thank you so, so much!! You're so very kind! Please let me know how I can repay you!'

Ingall blinked as he processed the words written. "Oh, um, it's fine, don't worry about it." He mumbled, eyes flicking away anxiously. The woman took the pad and scribbled something else before handing it back.

'Well, thank you so much! My name is Maya, you can call me May. It's wonderful to meet you!'

Ingall shifted nervously. "Um, yeah, you too. I'm Ingall. Uh, do you need a room too? I paid for one night, but if you want to shower or something you can, and there's a pull-out couch if you want to nap or something? I don't mind." Hopefully, that didn't sound weird or creepy or something, Gall really did only want to help, and Maya obviously needed some help. Who knew if she had any place to stay?

'That would actually be amazing, thank you!'

Ingall nodded awkwardly again and glanced up. May was looking at him with a gentle but energetic smile and kind eyes. She seemed… nice.

Maybe they could really be friends.