FSE

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The orange light of the setting sun bathed the military district as the duo returned from their first mission. The riolu and the charmander maintained a steady pace, no longer trying to outrun the other, as other recruits began joining them. They all came in pairs, then the group grew to the double-digits and eventually Jason lost count. They were all exhausted, spending the whole day standing or walking around, keeping an eye on their assigned regions. But none of them seemed to have run into the same trouble as the two. None of them had any injuries, bruises or hints of a struggle. Then again, neither did Jason and Charlie. Perhaps they all managed to avoid injury just as the duo did.

The atmosphere was hot with sweat and breath. Several of the recruits came back panting with exhaustion and sweating like a pig. All of them were worn out from the day of patrolling. Some of them were even limping with fatigue. As they passed the steel gates of the academy, they could see the guards that they had replaced for the day clapping and congratulating the recruits on a job well done. The recruits received a warm welcome as they entered the main hall. Ignatius, Charlie's dad and head of the academy, had them wait as they called the pairs one by one for their results.

"Yo, Jason!" a familiar voice called out from the back of the crowd. The treecko made his way through the crowd of recruits and to Jason's side, Leaf, Jason's closest friend. "Heard you two got into a gunfight back there. How was it?"

"Hmph." Jason gave it a short chuckle before answering. "You should've heard what happened AFTER the gunfight."

The treecko read Jason's expression and knew that something more interesting had occurred. "Ooh, do tell."

"Don't. say. it." Charlie sternly commanded from behind the riolu. Charlie was obviously annoyed, his arms crossed and flame growing.

"Don't tell me what to do." Jason teasingly mumbled as he left and dragged Leaf along with him. "Let's continue this conversation elsewhere. Just leave Vex here to keep sir hothead occupied."

"Oh, so now I'm just a distraction?" Vex felt insulted, the female vulpix approaching the riolu.

Vex was majestic in several ways. That fluff of hair drooped over her forehead in beautiful bangs. Her six tails swayed out in the open though offered little resistance to those who walked around her. Her hazel eyes sparked mysteriously, as though a psychic energy was humming within them. She just captivated Jason, but he was well aware that she was way out of his league... and so not his type. She may be beautiful, strong and lethal, but she was like the stereotypical female. Appearance was her top priority. In fact, Jason wouldn't be surprised if she were to just stop in the middle of a war to fix her makeup.

"C'mon Vex, what else will you be doing anyway?" Leaf grinned and patted the vulpix's shoulder, which she quickly retreats from.

"I've got better things to do that hang with YOU of all people." She turned and flicked her tails at the two in disgust. But Jason could tell that the idea of hanging out with Charlie made her happy.

The two most popular people hanging out... Sometimes, Jason wonders why none of them had made a move on the other. Perhaps Charlie has his weaknesses as well, a beautiful woman. 'That's not good on the part of Charlie.' Jason thought.

"So, Jason, what was it that happened after the shooting?" Leaf asked as the two strolled across the sea of babbling recruits.

Jason hesitated and thought of it for a moment. As much as he wanted to humiliate Charlie, it wasn't in his nature. And besides, Charlie seemed serious when he told Jason not to say anything. Oh well, Jason can trust Leaf. Leaf may tease Jason occasionally but he isn't a bad guy. He was the easiest person to approach when you have a problem.

"Well, Charlie got upset that I caught him in a flash bang while I went in for the takedown." Jason said, supressing a chuckle.

"Really?" Leaf grinned giddily. "I'd love to see how you handled THAT."

Jason sighed and looked back at Charlie. The charmander was upset above all, and exhausted. He was looking directly at Jason, furious at the fact that the riolu was talking about him behind his back (technically they're in front of him at a distance too far for hearing). "Well, I used his blind rage to take out another criminal." Jason answered.

"Ha! Bet Charlie got mad at you for that too." Leaf's laughter was jovial... but it soon calmed down into a sigh. "Jason, just take care of yourself out there. Don't show off too much." The treecko placed his hand on Jason's shoulder, hoping Jason would understand and listen to his advice.

"I know, and I don't show off." Jason slowly moved the hand off of his shoulder but appreciated the treecko's concern. "And, you too Leaf. You take care of yourself. If anything, that attack last week was harder on you than it was on me."

Jason's words surprised the treecko, almost to the point of speechlessness. "Nah, don't worry about me. I can handle it, trust me."

Jason didn't believe it. When Leaf was six years old, his father died during a drug bust gone wrong and his mother committed suicide due to the depression. Leaf and his siblings were orphaned until the Andersons, his father's cousins, took in Leaf's brother and sister. They were going to adopt Leaf as well, but he chose to live on his own at the academy. He didn't want to become a burden to the Andersons. He stayed in touch with his siblings and they see each other regularly. Other family friends have offered to take him but he refused. He's just stubborn in his own little way.

Other than attending the academy, he also works part time at several jobs at the market district. He's worked as a waiter at some of the restaurants, or cashiers at fast food chains or other stores. The Andersons were a connected family, Leaf's dad had several friends willing to help out. Jason's surprised Leaf even saw the need to work part time. Perhaps it's just his morality: he wants to put some effort and only get what he deserves. Jason's offered to help several times before, but he turned him down. If anything, Jason admired Leaf the most. He was a strong soldier, not the best, but he was stronger than most, and he's somehow managed to go through the death of both parents and still keep that annoying smile on his face.

"Leaf..."

"Hm?" the treecko tilted his head as he heard the Riolu mumble after a time of silence.

"Why don't you just accept the help of the others?" he asked. "Why do you keep pushing everyone away?"

Jason's question was something he's asked several times in the past, and Leaf grew weary every time he did. He understands Jason's concern but saw no need for it. He gave Jason a smile and a nod, gestures Jason didn't expect as an answer. Leaf was a good friend to Jason and he wanted to make him feel safe even though Damion was gone. He never expected Jason to feel the need to take care of him.

"Well?" Jason pried, almost demanding for an answer but he kept his voice soft and concerned.

"It's nothing." Leaf shook his head and punched Jason's shoulder. The way friends do. "You don't have to worry about me. I actually like being alone, it gives me space to just be myself. To think, breathe, do whatever I want... it's the kind of freedom that I have right now."

"Since when are we ever free?" Jason chuckled and hit back, slightly harder than the treecko causing Leaf to stumble.

Leaf couldn't help but laugh though he didn't hit back. "Don't get all philosophical with me. You know exactly what I meant."

Jason let out a chuckle of amusement and wrapped his arm around the treecko as he led him to where they started: towards Charlie and Vex. "Well, as long as you're happy with that life you have, who am I to change that?"

"Exactly." Leaf announced with pride. "Still, it does get lonely sometimes so I do ask friends to come over."

Jason immediately knew what Leaf was going to say. "You want me to come over?"

"If you want to, yes." Leaf's tone sounded blank but Jason could feel joy within his words. "It's been a while, Jason... it's been a while since we had a talk like this. I know losing Damion was hard for you, hard on all of us. He was a good man and the greatest friend anyone could have ever asked for." Leaf turned his gaze to the ground, the sadness welling up inside him as he continued. "I just thought maybe... if you need anyone to talk to about it... just know that I'm there for you."

Jason felt warm and mooshy inside after hearing what Leaf had said. But, with Leaf being his friend and all, he couldn't help but be sarcastic (even though this is probably the worst place and time for that). "Hey, if I can't be philosophical with you, you shouldn't be all emotional with me."

Leaf felt Jason's sarcasm and pushed him away playfully. "Bitch, don't tell me what to do."

The two laughed at each other for a while, enjoying the other's humor while neither has been called yet to report. It's been a while since Jason's actually had a laugh like this. What was he thinking anyway, locking himself at home when what he needed most was someone he could lean on? "So, you want me to go to your room right? Here at the academy?"

"Yep." Leaf answered with a nod. "That's where I live."

"Sure, I'll go." Jason said gleefully with a nod. "I don't think I have anything to do later anyway."

"Oh yeah, about that, will you stay here in the academy or with your parents?" Leaf asked. "I think I heard your parents arguing with Charlie's dad."

"They were?" Jason's ears twitched at the curiosity that ran through his body. "Did you hear what it was about?"

Leaf shook his head. "No, I only caught the end of it... the part where your mom threw a fit." Leaf barely managed to say the last part without a chuckle.

Jason scoffed and pocketed his hands, casually strolling around. "I haven't really seen my mom throw a fit. My dad's told me stories about her violent side but I've never really seen it in person."

"It was incredible." Leaf exclaimed with his arms wide, as is measuring how amazing it was. "Your mom was pretty upset about something and Charlie's dad barely had a chance to say a word."

"I'd like to see that happen..." Jason's enthusiasm was quickly replaced by curiosity and concern. What were his parents doing and why was his mom arguing with the chief? So many thoughts and questions swirled around Jason's head, desperate to be resolved but as he heard his and Charlie's names get called, he knew it was time for their evaluation.

"Looks like you two get to go first." Leaf chuckled, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "Good luck, I'm sure you two did great."

Leaf's last statement was riddled with sarcasm, but all Jason could do was laugh it off. "Heh, you haven't told me YOUR side of the story." He yelled back as he and Charlie made their way towards the office where the officers will judge how they did during their patrol.

"There's nothing to tell you." Leaf answered back with a laugh, following Jason and Charlie. "My patrol was one of the most boring things that have ever happened to me." The two laughed together before the riolu and the charmander disappeared behind the double doors of the office building.