Anti Sides High School AU

Chapter 2

     "So..." Arya began quietly as he and Nick walked to school together. "What is Lucas like?" He asked. "I think you'll get along with him. You have a lot in common. He can shape shift, for example, but only by changing his age. He's also very shy, but very curious, kind, and honest." Nick told him, trying his best to smile. Arya, seeing a saddened look in Nicholas's eyes, held his hand and squeezed it a little to comfort him.
     "Why are things complicated?" Arya asked.
     For a moment they walked in silence, and Arya wondered if he should apologize. Before he could, Nick began to answer. "When Mephisto left... I was angry. I thought that when he cut Janus off, he was planning on cutting me off as well. So when he introduced me to his friends, I was cold and aggressive. I was also controlling, I guess I figured if I controlled his friends, if I controlled Mephisto, then I could keep him from leaving. I was wrong, I only pushed him further away." He explained.
     There was another moment of silence, and Arya let go of Nick's hand as school came into view. "If you decide to meet Luctus, you may want to do so without me. He doesn't like me very much." Nicholas advised. Arya shook his head and stayed beside Nick. Nick felt touched, but also guilty.
     Arya was new to their family, Janus had found him and brought him home around the time Mephisto left. Nick had always been very protective of him, seeing him as a little brother.
     Arya saw Nick as a gentle and protective person that got angry sometimes, but was getting better at working through it, rather than the controlling and aggressive person that others had seen in him.
     Nick debated with himself as they walked into the school, wondering if he should encourage Arya to become more independent, or if he should continue to be protective of the young semi-verbal shapeshifter. Developing a co-dependency with Arya wouldn't be healthy, he learned that from the one he had with Mephisto.
     However Arya was different from Mephisto, and might need someone he could count on while getting reintroduced to the real world. Mephisto had Luctus, Gabriel, River, and Roman. River only had Nicholas and Janus.
     "Here's your locker." Nicholas stated when they arrived at Arya's locker. Arya smiled and opened it, putting little lizard magnets on the locker door before getting his things in order. "Will you be okay on your own or do you want me to walk with you to class?" Nick asked, deciding it would be best to take this all one step at a time.
     Arya took out his white board and drew on it before showing it to Nick. It showed a picture of Nick walking with Arya, and Nick nodded. "Alright, I'll accompany you then." He agreed.
     After stopping by Nick's locker, which Arya drew a map to in his sketchbook, the two of them walked to Arya's Homeroom.
     Nick took a deep breath after seeing Logan Croft inside, and Arya took his hand again to give it a reassuring squeeze. Nick smiled and squeezed back before allowing Arya to walk into class.
     "Hello, Arya Viper I presume?" Logan greeted. Arya nodded. "I have something for you." Logan stated, giving Arya a small machine. "It's a text to speech device. All you have to do is type in what you want to say and hit play." Logan explained. Arya's eyes lit up, and he typed in a quick response. "Thank you, Mr. Croft!" The machine stated. "Not a problem." Logan assured Arya before gesturing for him to take a seat.
     Arya waved goodbye to Nick before eagerly taking his seat, and Nick waved back, feeling reassured. He headed for his own class, thinking about his High School experience. He had many regrets, but there wasn't much he could do about them now. He would just have to help Arya through the year, and hopefully do better in college.

***

     "Is that him?" The mechanical voice of Arya's machine asked as they entered the cafeteria. Nick would have to get used to that. "Yes, but don't point at people." Nick confirmed. Arya nodded, putting down the hand that was pointing at a child eating alone.
     Nick found it odd that Mephisto and Gabriel weren't with him, but before he could think too much into it, Arya was walking over. He paused when he realized Nicholas wasn't following, and looked over his shoulder with a concerned expression. "I'll stay over here. He won't talk to you if I'm there." Nick explained. Arya seemed disappointed, but nodded in understanding before walking towards the table.