It's Like Running Away

"We're very different. I am pretty sure I run toward most of my problems. Huh." Finally fed up with all talk and no action, Dodge faced Ai head on. "So, are we just doing laps or are you practicing your sprint?"

"Facing things that I'm not okay with scares me beyond reason." He paused. "I think laps would be more productive. Gotta be able to run to be able to sprint."

"I think it's scarier to just let things run wild. If you're facing it, you can see it, you know? Not that I'm really scared of anything." Having fixed the laces on one of his shoes, Dodge headed off onto the proper track, eager to run and expecting Aiden to fall in behind him.

"I'm scared of a lot of things," Aiden replied, following him to the track. "It's just how I am, I guess. I'm getting better about it, though. At least, I am in my opinion."

"I never really knew anyone scared of a bunch of shit, really. My mom and my sister are both kinda," Dodge waved his hand back and forth, "out there. My friends are all pretty fearless too. I mean, like, Stevie doesn't like heights but that's normal."

"I'm pretty sure that's the only thing normal about Stevie..." he muttered, making a slight face. "This will be a nice change for you then. Knowing someone who gets scared of many things."

"Hey, that's not fair. She's....uh...playing sports is normal. And that's her natural hair color...I think." Dodge squinted and tried to remember if it had ever been another shade, but his memory was iffy. "Besides, weird is good." He laughed, shaking his head. "Well, at least I can try out that whole knight in shining armor thing. Protect you and whatnot."

"I never said weird wasn't good. If weird was bad, you and I would have problems," Ai said only a little defensively. "I've just only ever talked to Stevie once and it wasn't the best conversation or first impression. On either of our sides."

"If weird was bad, you and I never would've crossed paths at all," Dodge pointed out. "I mean, we're at a school for people with magic, it's not exactly normal. Stevie's just a big personality, like me. Except she's not as good at toning it down. Actually, I think she could but, like, she doesn't want to, ever. She just is how she is and everyone else can deal with it, pretty much."

Aiden shrugged. "I think she and I would get along better now that I'm not all stiff and hiding away from everything that I'm not sure of. Don't you think?"

"I dunno. She probably still thinks you're a psycho. You may not be all frozen up anymore, but she's hard on everyone. Even I wasn't safe when I met her. We might just wanna consider Moira a win and leave Stevie alone."

"I just think it'd be slightly less... traumatic now. It doesn't have to be a complete one-eighty or anything. Just... I've changed. Even in just a few short weeks, I'm different. The win with Moira shows that much, doesn't it?"

"Might suck less for you two, but I don't see it getting any better for me. Unless you two suddenly buddy up, I'm kinda in a tight spot, y'know?"

He shrugged. "I guess so? I dunno. It'd be a step in the right direction, maybe."

"Whatever. I just don't want one of those boyfriend versus best friend things happening. That's why not having boyfriends was so awesome. Not that it's not awesome that you're my boyfriend. Just, I don't wanna have everything else be less important because of it."

"In which case, wouldn't it be good if I got along with your friends? So there wouldn't be any versus things? You'd like me, they'd like me. Everyone wins." he asked frowning.

"Yeah, I guess. I don't know. I never had to worry about it before." Dodge shrugged. He wasn't used to thinking this much about stuff that didn't have to do with someone related to him by blood.

"I think about things a lot. Like all sorts of things. So maybe it's good that you've got me around, since I'll think of the things you don't even worry about," he offered.

"Isn't that kinda uneven though? Like, what's my job here? Don't say love guru."

Aiden grinned. "I wasn't going to, but now that you mention it..." he teased slightly then shrugged. "I dunno. I'll be the brain, and you can be the confidence booster. Does that work?"

"Now that I'm a pro at. You'll be as cocky as me before long if you don't watch yourself."

He smiled slightly. "That could almost be a good thing, you know. Although, I don't think I'd ever quite reach your level. But more confidence would be very nice."