The Misfits Crew - Kage/Skylar short story

Kage; Age 14

Skylar; Age 14

James; Age 15

—

Kage blew out a ring of smoke, tapping his fingers lightly on the table outside a mostly empty bar. His power was truly the best thing he could ask for when it came to sneaking out, not that his foster parents would notice he was gone anyway. If anything, Violet would get worried, but she could manage. It's not like Kage planned to stay there anyway.

Distracted with his thoughts, Kage didn't notice when a young man approached and took the seat across from him. Until he spoke, that is. "Hey cutie, mind if I join?" Kage shifted, examining his new companion with thoughtful green eyes. The guy was pretty, slicked back black hair and bright blue eyes. He meet Kage's gaze with ease and offered a slightly mischievous smirk.

Kage shrugged. "Ya got a name?"

"James. James Kingsley." His voice was smooth, calculated. Kage grinned brightly.

"Kage Virgo at yer service! Ya want a cigarette?"

James's eyes sparkled at the request and he extended a hand. "Do I ever! Thanks man, I really appreciate it!"

"No problemo!" He snickered, placing a cigarette and lighter in James's hand and watching as he lit up before returning the lighter.

"Whatcha doin' around here, thought I was the only one who came here sometimes, and you ain't a local, never seen ya' around before."

"It's true, I don't live around here." The other replied, blowing out some smoke and taking another drag. "I live one the other side of town, just come here to get away for a bit. Money situation's tight right now and my parents are going through a divorce right now, makes things a little complicated, ya know? It's nicer out here. Quiet." He smiled and Kage nodded sympathetically. "Enough about me though, what about you, pretty boy? What are you doing here?"

The stranger rested his hand lightly on his palm, placing the cigarette between his teeth and watching Kage with an expression of genuine interest that he couldn't help but shiver at the intensity.

Still, he did his best to maintain his casual, loveable smile and ignore the way he wanted to lean in closer and stare deeply into the other's eyes. "Oh, me? Not much, just enjoy familiarity."

He smiled smoothly, surprised when James raised a disbelieving eyebrow. People didn't usually question him, whether he was lying or telling the truth, no one could ever tell the difference.

Until now, evidently.

"Oh, come now!" James sighed dramatically. "I told you my truthful story, surely I deserve one in return!" His tone was light, joking, not accusatory.

'I know you're lying, I want you to acknowledge that I know, but I don't blame you either.'

Somehow, that alone was enough to make Kage relax a bit and he shifted, leaning forward slightly as he fully faced James. "Fine, ya caught me! I live in a foster home, right now. Not great people, mostly. 'Cept the oldest daughter, an' I don't like hanging around there much. I'm also looking for an old friend, though I honestly doubt he's still around here at this point, it's been years."

James smiled kindly. "Sounds rough. Hey, it never hurts to have a little hope about that friend, though, you never know! And, if you'd like a new friend, I've got an opening!"

Kage snickered and tilted his head as he examined James more. "You're curious, I like ya. Sure, let's be friends."

James smirked. "I could say the same for you you! So, new friend, have you been to the bridge? It's about two blocks from here, great veiw of sunsets, especially if you've got some alcohol, we could watch tonight if you'd like, and it could be our meet up spot from now on. What do you say?"

Kage smiled and nodded. "Sounds like a fucking plan!"

~4 weeks later~

Kage and James walked hand and hand, heading to their spot on the bridge after shoplifting a bottle of wine (Kage's power was indeed very helpful in circumstances like this), they spoke quietly, laughing over private and somewhat immature jokes until they reached their intended destination. They pulled themselves up until the side of the bridge, allowing their feet to dangle as they opened the wine.

James leaned over to place a light kiss one Kage's cheek, and, as he shifted, the smaller caught sight of another figure. He stood staring over the edge of the bridge, tall and slim but slouched to an almost painful degree. Even from a distance he looked like shit, hair plastered to his face and head, no shoes, and, even from farther away, obviously shaking.

"Babe? What's wrong?" Kage blinked, biting his tongue as he nodded toward the figure, watching his boyfriends face contort into worry. "Oh, he looks like shit."

"I think he's gonna…"

"Yeah…" The both stared for a moment longer before Kage shook himself and shifted, jumping back onto the bridge.

"C'mon, we gotta help him." James nodded, eyes turning confident as they made their way toward the stranger. Kage took the lead, plastering on a gentle smile as he approached.

"Excuse me!"

The stranger flinched, looking up with wide, gray eyes that Kage could only describe as soulless. His light brown skin was smooth but sunken with dark bags handing heavily under his eyes. His hair was brown and evidently wet, clinging to him and making him look even more pathetic somehow. Kage took a breath.

"Hi, sorry to bother you, my name's Kage, this is my boyfriend James, we were actually looking for a friend, you wanna share a drink with us, maybe? We got wine!"

The stranger stared, body shaking violently every once in a while, from stress or cold, Kage had no idea. Either way, he didn't seem to even be clocking what Kage was saying.

"Look-"

"You look like absolute shit."

"James!" Kage gasped, twisting to glare at his partner while the stranger flinched again, taking a slight step back.

"What? We all look like shit every now and then! It's not a bad thing in the slightest, I just meant we aren't going to expect bullshit from you, we just want to help, you should have seen us a month ago, living in the streets, basically, but I'm working now, saving up for an apartment, Kage's moving in too, we got room for one more if you want. The more the merrier."

He shrugged nonchalantly and Kage let out a quiet sigh, turning back to the stranger. "Yes, you're welcome to join us. You aren't alone anymore, okay, we'll be your family!"

The stranger stared some more and the his eyes glossed over and silent tear started rolling down his cheeks.

"Wait, wait, sorry, was that too much? I didn't mean-"

"No." The strangers voice was surprising, soft and shaky but somehow… comforting? Which made absolutely zero sense considering the situation, but it was something Kage couldn't deny. "I… I mean, thank you. No one ever cared before."

Kage relaxed and smiled. "Been there."

James nodded slightly. "Same. Not fun, but we care now."

"A lot." Kage added, smiling as he extended a hand. Slowly, the stranger took it and smiled back weakly. "Could we get your name?"

"Skylar. Skylar Baldwin."

"Skylar." James smiled lightly and Kage beamed.

"Welcome to the misfits crew!"