BANE

CHAPTER TWO - BRAWL (Part 2)

"Want to grab a coffee instead?" Victor asked the next day when he met Holden for their usual workout. He was still in his outerwear -- a fully-zipped red parka with a faux-fur lined hood and a black fitted toque with the word 'Canada' across the front in bold letters. It was clear to the blond man that Victor expected he would say yes.

"Um... sure," Holden smiled awkwardly. "Just let me grab my coat," He returned to his apartment and contemplated changing into a warmer shirt, but decided it would be better not to wake Corbin. He threw a grey plaid scarf around his shoulders and returned to Victor in the hallway, buttoning his darker grey coat as they rode the elevator.

"No gloves?"

"I'll be fine. My hands don't get cold very easily," They grabbed coffee from a nearby shop and decided to take a walk through the neighbourhood, starting with the park. A woman jogged past them with a dog that was dressed warmer than she was. The air was crisp and Holden took a deep breath, chilling his lungs. It had been a while since he had set foot in this park. Holden shuffled his feet through the snow on the path as they strolled. "I used to sleep here, you know? When I first got to the city... I slept here, down by the river."

"How did you end up on the street anyway?"

"I ran out of cash after I left home. Couldn't afford a place and ended up coming to the city to hopefully find something here... didn't work out so well for me," Holden shrugged, it was mostly true. "Well, until I met Layla."

"She's a good kid," Victor smiled.

"Are you going to give me the 'stay away' lecture too? Because I get that almost daily from her brother already."

"No, just stating a fact. She's a nice kid, always wants to take care of everyone and everything. I'm glad she took you in."

"I'm not sure everyone else agrees with you on that..." Holden chuckled.

"They'll come around in time. Birdie's got your back, and Callie just needs to get to know you a little better. Gordan, well, he'll take some convincing; you didn't make the greatest first impression on him."

"Yeah, him and Corbin."

Victor saw his window of opportunity and seized it. "How are things with Corbin? Aside from the general dickishness, is he treating you well?"

"Yeah, I think we're starting to settle into a place that's comfortable for all three of us."

Victor cleared his throat. "How is sharing a room with him? Any issues there?"

"I know what this is all about," Holden sighed. "You saw the cuts on my arms, didn't you?" He asked matter-of-factly.

"...Yeah," The larger man had not expected Holden to be so forthcoming on the subject.

"It's nothing you need to worry about."

"Holden," Victor stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder. "If he's hurting you..."

"I'm fine. Really," The blond shrugged off the other man's grasp and continued to walk.

"Holden!" Victor rejoined him.

Holden spun around quickly on his heels to face his concerned friend. "I like it, okay? I know it's totally fucked up, and you'll probably think I'm some pervert for liking it, but I do..." He let out an exasperated sigh. "Something isn't firing right in my brain, I guess."

"You've obviously been through a lot, but don't feel like you owe Corbin anything for letting you stay there."

"You're not listening," Holden shook his head and continued walking. "I know it won't make any sense to you, but I'm being honest. It's nice sometimes to have intimacy without having any intimacy."