Keagan had become aware of two things during the weeks he'd stayed at Milo's 'welcoming' residence. Number one: His feet were more calloused from running than they'd ever been the rest of his fifteen-year-old life. Number two: The things they were doing were a level of illegal where being seen with Milo (or anyone else for that matter) could probably get him locked up.
Milo was waiting patiently for him, a smirk on his lips and a wallet in his hand. Keagan came to a stop in the alley, and fell to his knees with a heave. Several loud breaths resulted in a pat on the back from the older boy. It might have made Keagan feel like a child, but instead it made his skin burn with sensation. From anyone else it would have been degrading. Milo might have meant it that way, too, but Keagan preferred to see it as some sort of kind gesture. At least that was all he allowed himself to think it was. He slowly got his breath back, pulling a necklace out of his pocket and handing it to the older boy. Milo took it from him, regarding the silver with caution.
"Well, Keegs, I have to say, this is quality!" A smile from under raven bangs made Milo stop. "Don't get cocky, though." It didn't stop Keagan from smiling bigger. Milo sighed, accepting defeat and rewarding Keagan with keeping the compliment. He pulled the latter up to his feet, keeping his hand in his as they walked onwards.
"Is it engraved?" The older one pulled the jewelry up again, examining it closely. When he concluded it was not, he sighed in relief. "He'd probably make you remove it." He continued, looking down at Keagan. The boy shrugged. Staying back at camp with a knife and a necklace seemed better than running through the city with cops on your back for hours. Speaking of which, they snuck under a hole in the wall of a stone building, leading them into an alley. It spread out into a square, one with tents and a fire. One could take it for being a homeless colony, which it was, sort of. However, you wouldn't be able to tell that it was a colony of thieves and robbers.
The place was cozy, to say the least. Like an everlasting camping trip with good friends. Kids as well as adults sat around the middle, talking and laughing about their workday. Some were in their tents; some were showing their catches to a man with a scraggly beard and a face to write home about. Milo walked over to the aforementioned, taking Keagan's catch with him. Keagan resigned himself to hiding in their tent. He could see Milo negotiating with the man, showing off the necklace like royal artifacts instead of something he nicked out of a woman's purse. Keagan watched him glee, as Milo raised the silver above his head in a grandiose performance. That guy could sell a dollar and get ten back. The man rubbed his beard, studying Milo. He knew most of his tricks, but not even the giant could help feeling swayed by the warm words. Keagan lowered his head to the pillow when he saw the old man grab their catch. Milo grinned, bowed, and left in a hurry. Just in case he changed his mind. Keagan moved to the side as the fair boy entered, falling onto his mattress immediately. The thief looked over to his partner, the same smirk as always. Keagan couldn't stand it. Couldn't stand the endearment lurking under it either, making his chest tighten and his heart stop. Milo didn't notice how the younger's face scrunched up into a grimace, instead pulling a cigarette pack from his pocket. This forced Keagan to shove at him.
"Not in the tent, Milo," he muttered, and Milo stared numbly at him for a couple of seconds.
"Why're you such a kid?" He shoved the pack back, and Keagan rolled his eyes.
"I'm not, I just have a warm regard for my own lungs."
"I have a warm regard for your lungs too, but you're still raining on my parade." At this point the younger boy wasn't sure if his eyes could go any further back into his own head, but he'd be damned if he didn't actually try. Milo noticed this, and couldn't help another sly grin. Keagan put his head on his pillow, quiet. His partner mimicked his movements, soon lying down beside him with a resigned little smile. Keagan closed his eyes, dozing off in the silence of the six pm calm. Keagan could hear the talking from the fire, discussions between several levels of outlaws. Milo still had his eyes open, Keagan could feel his gaze on him like sun against his skin. He didn't mind, and Milo knew.
