The City (Merome AU)

12

~*Jerome*~

Sighing softly, I finish closing shop for the night. Doors are locked, sign says closed, and the blinds are down; just need to turn off the lights and head inside. I turn and walk to turn off the lights, but not before pausing in front of the mirror.

My left cheek had a bright red line trailing across it horizontally. The beginning of a future scar. People think I'm dangerous because of the scar... Like I'm a wastelander...

I shake my head and sigh. Remember Jerome. You got this helping Benja. Taking a deep breath, I look at my reflection once more before turning off the light and heading into the house.

"Jerome, are you alright? You haven't been yourself lately," Grandfather asks as I walk past.

"I'm fine," I mumble, walking to the stairs.

"Jerome, if this is about that Benjamin boy get over it. You know the laws." They're pretty unfair. "It's forbidden to love someone of the same gender within city limits."

"Yeah. I know." I sigh before climbing up the stairs and heading straight into my room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I walk through the large marketplace crowd, looking for sales on the produce. Sure my family owns a store, but even we need all the money we can get. Money has always been scarce. I wonder what it was like before the Great War... Back when there were these things called "lakes", and "rivers," and "sports." Whatever those are.My thoughts continue as I walk, my eyes catching onto a small fruit stand. A small smile grows on my face as I walk over, but it disappears as I remember the scar on my face. The people will be scared... Taking a deep breath, I put on a smile and walk over to the stand.

"Hello sir!" A young girl says with a big grin, some of her teeth were missing.

"Hi." I smile at her before looking over at what was on sale. Their prices are reasonable. They don't overprice things. Good on them.

"How did you get the scratch on your cheek?" The girl asks, pointing to her own cheek. I knew she'd ask questions...

"Oh!Um," I scratch the back of my neck. "It's a long-"

"He saved a guy from getting robbed!" A familiar voice says as a hand slaps my shoulder, making me jump in surprise. Benja. "The robber cut his cheek, but he managed to scare him off without any weapons!" I look over at him in surprise.

"Wow!" The little girl smiles at Benja and I. "You're a hero! I want to grow up to be big and strong like you!" Her face was beaming with joy and admiration.

"Well," Benja crouches down and looks at the girl. "Work hard and never give up on your dream. Join the police, and stop all the bad guys." She nods enthusiastically.

"Thank you! Uh... What's your name?" She looks at Benja in confusion.

"Can you keep a secret?" She nods at his question. He waves his hand for her to come closer and whispers into her ear. Did he tell her his real name? No... He didn't... Wait... Did he?

"I won't tell a soul!" She says, holding her pinky finger out to him. Benja smiles and curls his pinky finger around hers.

"Run along now, your mom and dad are probably getting worried."

"Right. Bye, Mister Benja!" She yells herself before running off. Once she was out of sight, Benja stands up and turns to look at me.

"Did you tell her your real name?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"That's none of your business." Benja mumbles quietly, reaching up and touching the scar. I feel my face heat up at his actions. What is he doing?!

"Uh, Benja?"

"Woofless is going to pay for hurting you," He mumbles softly before moving his hand away. Did he worry about me?

"You don't need to be worried Benja. I can handle myself."

"Right. That scar really proves your point too," He states sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Jerome, you really need to understand how dangerous people like me are."

"You? Dangerous? You just encouraged a little girl to join the police force. Something that despises people like you."

"You don't want to know what I've done Jerome." He looks me in the eyes. "I've done terrible things to people."

"Maybe I do what to know. I want to know who you really are Benja. What you like, what your favourite colour is, even what your favourite kind of cactus is! Heck, I want to know your name! You know so much about me, but I know almost nothing about you." Something flashes in Benja's eyes, and, before I could react, he pushes me into an alley way.

"Do you really want to know Jerome?" He asks, looking at me with narrowed eyes. "If I tell you what you want to hear, you can't leave my side. You'll have to stay with me at all times so I can know you won't share it with the enemy."

"Do I look like the kind of person who knows a bunch of wastelanders?" Benja chuckles and shakes his head at me. Without realizing it, I take a step closer to him and touch his cheek. He flinches before his face turns bright red.

"J-Jerome?!" He reaches up and touches my hand, most likely confused about my actions.

"I said I want to know who you are, and I don't care if I am forced to stay by your side for the rest of my life. Honestly, I wouldn't mind it."

"Jerome, I," His gaze doesn't leave my own, and I instantly feel drawn to them. "Why would you want to be around me? I bring nothing but death to whoever travels with me."

"Can you trust me Benja?"

"I-I." His gaze goes to the ground. "I trust you Jerome."