We're all broken

[Sage]

Sage was hidden behind a big blue dumpster a few blocks away from his apartment. He had been hiding from the creeps in the fog, it was cold and he was scared. Sage hoped he wouldn't be taking he wanted to live his life he didn't want to lose his soul. He witnessed one of them doing it, they look like you and me but they suck the life out of people. Sage hadn't really put anything together into why or what they were. He was just concerned about himself and his loved ones.  Being devoted to his patients he had still been making his rounds and making sure they hadn't gone missing. He was scared every visit scared he might find a crime scene.

Leo was on the phone, while Sage hide. He ran out of his apartment like a coward when his door was kicked in. He had been hiding because he heard screams from his neighbors. When it came to fight or flight, it was flight, all the way. He felt bad for running away, be he could barely save himself, that's why he called Leo, he needed him to protect him like he always does. He felt even worse that he hadn't told Leo about what he had witnessed but he was still processing it himself.

"Come to me, I'm afraid to leave they might see me," Sage said softly into the phone. He could see Leo in the distance.

Trash Bat

[Leo Marcin]

Leo hung up the phone. No use talking to Sage when he was right there in front of him. Sliding his cell phone into his back pocket, he ambled forward. At first, he was going to say something about how Sage was being a little ridiculous and kind of a baby--but then he saw what Sage was talking about. He wasn't alone. Something was lurking in the fog and it had a distinctly inhuman shape.

"Sage!" he hissed in as quiet a tone as he could. "Over here!"

[Sage]

Sage heard Leo, his heart jumped he was relieved he was finally there. He didn't want to be alone when he died if these things took over he wanted to die fighting alongside the one he cared the most about. Sage made a run for it, he prayed the things won't see him. He bolted to Leo. His heals, clicked with each step echoing in the dark cold night. His boots had a small heal, not ideal for running from monsters but super fashionable.

He was sure he called attention to himself but he kept his eyes and Leo as he ran to him. Rushing into a hug he wrapped his thin arms around Leo's waist and buried his face in his chest. "I thought I was going to die alone. Leo," Sage subbed. He felt safe now in his arms. He would be lost without Leo, he couldn't think of a life without him. He really meant a lot to Sage, more than he knows.

[Leo Marcin]

"Tch," he said gruffly. They were wasting time standing there, he was sure. There were things in the darkness, crawling in the fog. It was time to get Sage to safety and away from all that mess.

"We're gonna die if we stay here," he said. The most affection he showed was a gently rub of Sage's head before he looked up and froze. Sage wouldn't see it, since he was too busy burying his face in Leo's chest. But Leo for sure saw that fucker.

"C'mon," he said, lowering his voice and urging Sage away from the danger.

[Sage]

Sage could feel Leo freeze he was almost too scared to look up from Leo, but once he was told "C'mon," Sage pulled away from Leo and wiped his tears away. "Where are we going?" He asked as he turned to run. His long hair flowed behind him he was following Leo. He couldn't help but feel like he was running for his life right now. He was certain they were being chased.

He was worried that there were no safe places in town, they needed to get out of town head to Portland. These things could break down doors so where could they go that would keep them safe. He really hoped Leo had someplace in mind. Maybe his shop they had big metal doors the rolled.

Sage refused to look behind him fearing he would see that they where being chased and death would be welcoming them soon. He really wasn't ready to face death he was having a panic attack thinking about death.

[Leo Marcin]

"Away."

Leo wasn't about to say too much at the moment. Right now, they just had to get out of the area. Somewhere behind him, he could hear the soft steps of a creature, he could feel its breath, and he didn't dare look back, lest Sage do it too. Instead, he pulled tighter on Sage's hand to get him moving faster. He was half ready to just sweep him off his feet and get the fuck out of there.

"Don't look back."

It was closing in on them.

A garbage can skittered away as it pushed it away. Now Leo did actually pick Sage up, slinging him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes before sprinting down another alley and through to the street on the other side.

[Sage]

Sage had gotten that much, far away would be the best.

"I didn't plan on it!" Sage said breathlessly it would only slow him down if he turned around.

Letting out a gasp as he was flung over Leo's shoulder his arms dangling. He was now facing the direction of the monster, rather than look the thing in the eyes Sage squeezed his eyes shut tight as if the harder he squinted would make the monster disappear.

Sage felt like such a burden to Leo, calling him to save him and now he literally swept him up and rushed him off to safety. He felt bad me wanted to be more like Leo, the hero not the victim. But He was always the victim it had always been that way. He bounced up and down on Leo's shoulder and he wished he could be someone better.

"I'm sorry," He called to Leo as the guilt engulfed him. That was his moto he was always saying sorry he was a sorry excuse for a human always bothering others. At work he never felt judged they all looked up to him, it gave Sage what he needed. He was safe working with the mentally handicap they wents going to bully him.

[Leo Marcin]

"Stop apologizing," he growled. He hated it when Sage went apologizing. Apologies sounded like groveling and it was a weakness. Leo never bothered with apologies but then, people kind of thought he was a dick. Like he gave a shit; he was mostly in it for himself. He only cared about a handful of people and Sage was lucky he was one of them.

He was rethinking the way he'd decided to pick up Sage, though. He might just be dumb and look at the monsters in the mist and do something dumb. Get them both in trouble. Every man for himself, they said. They were right, usually. Leo was usually all for the whole motto but... Sage had to call him, of all people. What was he even doing out here alone? Dummy.

His long legs afforded him a good distance from the monster but Leo was also a smoker, so... It sort of evened things out. An old boarded up building caught his eye and he stopped just long enough to kick the damned boards in and enter. It looked like an old store that hadn't been used in a couple months. And there was a squatter, who looked up, startled, when his home was broken into. Turning back and looking out, he saw that whatever had been with them outside hadn't turned down the street. He let Sage down.

"We'll just hunker down here 'til it lifts."

[Sage]

He couldn't help but apologize he was a burden. He didn't ever hear it from Leo or expect to hear it. Even if what he said or did was mean or hurtful. Maybe a light pat on the head later on but the word sorry wasn't spoken often from his lips.

A large crash sounded as Leo kicked his way into a building. Once they where in the building Sage opened his eyes looked around he was still draped over a shoulder, "Oh~" He squeaked as his eyes met the occupants. Once the cost was clear Leo set Sage down. His knees buckled a little and he feet met the floor he legs felt light jelly from being held practically upside down.

"Okay," Sage said wryly as he looked over at the homeless person he felt bad that they were intruding in on them. He then looked at Leo brushing his hair behind his ears. "Thank you for coming." That was also something he didn't hear too often from Leo, thank you. The man was stubborn but he had a soft spot for Sage. The two were an odd pair but the looked out for one another, always listening to each other. Sage had worries that he only shared with Leo he could tell him all his deep thoughts secrets and he knew they where safe.

He gave Leo a little nudge, pushing his shoulder. He had a precious smile on his face and his cheeks beamed red. "My hero" He wanted to say but he just smiled for a moment longer. Leaning in closer on his tippy toe he cupped his hand and whispered: "Should he introduces ourselves?" He felt weird just busting in like that.

[Leo Marcin]

"Hng." That was his response to the thanks. It was true; Leo wasn't much of an apologetic type and he wasn't much for being gracious and thankful, either. Leo sort of just expected people to understand those things about him but what it really did was alienate them. Didn't matter either way to Leo; he wasn't out to make the most friends. In fact, he liked it best when people kept their GD distance. Of course, there were very few exceptions but lucky little Sage--he happened to be one of them.

Leo reached up and grabbed the hat Sage wore, pulling it down over his eyes and forcing his head slightly downward.

"Shut up." He could read the words in Sage's eyes and his own words were a warning--don't you fucking say it aloud. It was bad enough that Sage was blushing full force--enough to literally light up a damn room if he wanted to. Leo reached up to push Sage's wrist down, moving his cupped hand away from him. Getting awful close there, wasn't he?

"Nah. Just sit down and be quiet."

[Sage]

Sage knew that Leo knew what he was going to say and Leo shut him down very quickly pulling his hate down covers Sage's face. Even though his face was covered he still pouted. He felt honored to have Leo protect him the way he did, the way he always did. He felt bad because he could never be as brave as Leo and do the same for him.

Sage's hand was slapped away and he recoiled drawing his hand to his chest. He dropped his head down and said softly, "Okay," A sharp pain in his chest he upset Leo like he always does. He found a clear spot away from the homeless person. He pushed his back against the wall and slid down the wall his knees against his chest Sage peered over his knee hiding the bottom half of his face.

He was acting like a puppy that was being scolded for barking. He wondered if they were really even safe from those things out there.  He couldn't stay quiet too long he popped his head up, "Are you mad?" He knew the answer and he knew it would make Leo mad asking. He popped his head bad into his knees like a turtle hiding in its shell. He knew it would shield him from Leo's harsh spoken words. But it would hide his face and any tears that might form.

[Leo Marcin]

"No."

He wasn't mad; it was just how he expressed himself. Leo wasn't good at being sensitive. He wasn't good at protecting people's feelings. His words came out hard and blunt sometimes, which unfortunately meant more delicate people like Sage were hurt. Misunderstandings. Leo slid his gaze away and settled back to wait for the mist to pass by. For a long time, he let the silence lay thick between them. After a while, though, he put an arm around Sage's shoulders without saying another word.

They weathered the fog like that, quietly listening to what was going on outside. Whatever had been out there must have found something (or somebody) else to stalk because it left the two of them alone. Time ticked away and Leo felt exhaustion beginning to steal over him. Eventually, he fell into a half-sleep stupor, head tilted toward Sage.

It wasn't until some homeless woman started shouting at the wall that he came back to the real world, alert. By then, it looked like Sage had fallen asleep too so Leo took in a breath and picked him up so he could take him home. The fog had lifted, so he walked Sage to his car and headed home with him.