The morning light crept through the cracked window, stretching over the desks in slow molten amber,the dust hung in the air, moving in lazy swirls with every whisper.without noice, a sharp note split the hum of chatter,causing the window to tremble as spiderweb cracks spread across the glass, but no oneone seemed to notice it.
Everyone except Stone who sat in the last row at the far corner with his chin resting on his hand and elbows braced against the desk.His black curls fell across his forehead, soft against alabaster skin,and green eyes gazing at the cracked window.
"Whoever raised that bird… probably dropped it more than once," he muttered to no-one before turning his focus back to the classroom.
The classroom buzzed with both tension am excitement,the Bolyon Qualifiers rounds were finally at their door and many were speculating about injuries, strategies, who might choke under pressure in the upcoming.
"...these fools,they really think they stand a chance of winning this year's final,talk about delusional at its peak,speaking of fool,where's Ben,were supposed to discuss the plan for the Qualifier rounds."
Just as he thought thus,his gaze landed in a trio of girls,his expresion remained stoic as he stubbornly refused to look away.
"It's him… the one with the hospitalized mom," one spat.
"What kind of disease would do that?" another sneered.
Stone didn't flinch,such comments were too insignificant to give attention,he ignored them and pulled out gus phone,it as already eight fifteen and the teacher hadn't arrived yet,which was a good think since Ben hadn't arrived himself.
He slid his phone back into his pocket just a second before the door slammed open causing the air to surge forward and rustle the papers,rhe room hung silent as all eyes glared at the figure at the entrance.
Ben Karana.
He paused just for a heart beat before storming Stone's desk,he seemed exhausted, with beads of seat clinging to his forehead,and chest heaving as he took in shallow breaths.
"Stone… it's—today. The Qualifiers Round," he gasped.
Stone raised an eyebrow, calm as ever.
"Forgot, didn't you?"
Ben groaned. "Yeah…"
Stone's ran a hand through his hair,green eyes staring at his friend as a smirk found its way o to his lips.
"Don't worry. I handled it two days ago,right after I asked you to take care of it...I just had a feeling I should just do it incase you forget."
A flicker of awe passed over Ben,and Stone's smirk deepened. "That championship is so ours… And the rest will just have to watch us as we sweep the win from right under them."
Ben shook his head, grinning. "Ofcourse they will."
Ben noticed the cracked window,raising a brow."Hey,what happened to the window.
Following his gaze, a smirk pasted his lip,
"Oh that,it's just bad parenting."
***********
Outside.
The moon hung I a bright crescent,silver light deepening the shadows and darkening the night,the streets carried an cold silence and the faint scent of iron mixed with decay.
Stone and Ben were standing in a dark alleyway,Stone dressed in his favourite white t-shirt, black sweaterpants amd black sneakers,and Ben in a black shirt under his leather black jacket and a pair of fitting black jeans with a pair of black sneakers.
The two were peering through the darkness as they tried to find something.
The silence stretched for awhile longer before maddening glowing red eyes flared,and something lunged from the dark,Stone leaped back and dodged the foul creatures claws.
Acouole of others foul abominations appeared,peeling themselves from the shadows,as the sound of their wet grows filled the alley.
Ben cracked his knuckles. "Ready to get messy?"
Stone's smirk answered for him. "Do you even have to ask."
Ben moved fast enough to appear as a blur, befre the creatures knew it,he was right behind them,he grabbed the first and delivered a heavy fist that baked uts haw on impact. Stone followed, green light igniting in his eyes,he moved just as Ben,turning into a blur before reappearing next to the demons,he grabbed the nearest one and slammed it into the wall,its skull sending spiderweb cracks through the concrete wall.
"Nice one" Ben laughed, ducking a claw.
Stone dodged, grin teasing as he dodged the demons claws. "Not bad. But we're just getting started."
They moved together, laughter threading between blows, weaving through danger like a practiced song,they moved in sync,each one watching the other's back and making up fo rather weaknesses.
A demon lunged at Ben.only to be met by Stone's fist to the jaw,it was sent rolling acouole of metres back sprawling. "Got your back," he said.
"And I've got yours," Ben replied, voice soft for just a moment.
The last demon fell, writhing in shadows and light, The breathed hard, exchanging a glance of triumph and fatigue.
"Race you back," Ben said, already moving.
Stone chuckled. "You're on."
**********
Back at Stone's apartment,Cinnamon and vanilla clung to the air. Soft light spilled over bookshelves and worn furniture. His mother moved in the kitchen, placing a small birthday cake down with careful hands. Her green eyes, both fierce and tender, followed the boys.
"Happy birthday, ma'am," Ben said, grinning. "Vongrats on surviving another year of this idiot."
Stone rolled his eyes. "Very funny."