Jake opened the door at the frantic knocking and sighed at Aden. “What do you want?”

Simon stepped out of the car, supporting Damian.

Jake stared. “What’s wrong with him?”

Aden sighed. “Are you willing to keep a secret?”

Jake raised an eyebrow. “You have a hurt kid with you. If any of you beat him up, no.”

Aden’s brows shot up. “None of us did. The guy who did it is going to go to jail. On rape charges.”

Jake looked back at Red. “Shit, bring him in.”

The doctor was fully trained and could be working anywhere he wanted but had chosen to attach himself to the school. As a result, Simon had no trouble allowing him to treat Red.

Jake had Red lay down in one of the guest rooms and then shooed everyone out.

He shut the door behind them and then turned to Red. “Sorry, this is going to be invasive and embarrassing,” he said flatly.

Red nodded, looking down. Jake sighed. “Well, I’m Jake Opus. You’re Red Blake, right?”

Red nodded and Jake sighed. “I have a kid going to Silver Dragon; he liked you for awhile.”

“Johnny?”

Jake nodded and Red smiled. “I liked him back.”

Jake grinned. “He’ll be happy to hear that. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to strip.”

Red did so, flushing and Jake continued. “Still talks about you sometimes to me and his mother. Lay down please.”

Red laid down, unsure of whether or not to lay on his stomach or back. Jake quickly went over his body, spreading his legs at one point, but he was professional and quick. “He thinks you’re a real sweetie.” His hands paused at Red’s ankle. He probed it lightly and when Red hissed, said, “This is sprained. But, you’re lucky; it’s pretty mild. I’ll bandage it up and show you some stretches and exercises before you go. For the shoulder-“ Red winced at the reminder of the bite “- I’ll get antibacterial salve for you in a moment. Turn over please.”

Red turned over and Jake did the same thing to his backside, doing the same thing Simon had done the night before. “There’s some tears,” he said bluntly. “I would suggest going to a hospital but seeing as you didn’t go to one in the first pace, I would suggest a free clinic. Get antibiotics, a tetanus shot-”

“Why?”

“It’s procedure for rape victims. Get tested for STDs too. Today, three weeks, six weeks, three months, and six months from now. You know where a clinic can be found?”

Red nodded.

“Good. Now, about counseling…”

“I know where to get some.”

Carefully, Jake asked, “Has this happened before?”

Red hesitated and then nodded silently. “All I did that time was get tested once and then find a counselor.”

Jake nodded and dropped it. “I’m going to get some antibacterial cream, okay? Take it with you and reapply it a couple times a day. The tears are pretty shallow, but do it anyways. Take it easy for a few days, let the bruises heal and rest. Eat more too. You’re too thin.”

Red sighed, but all he said was, “Okay.”

Jake handed him back his clothes. “I’m going to go and get my first aid kit and let you clean yourself up, okay? Then I’ll show you those stretches.”

He disappeared out the door, leaving Red alone. He ignored the three men staring at him and got the first aid kit before returning to the room. He dug out the cream and gave squeezed a little on his own hand. He gently began rubbing it over the bite mark on Red’s shoulder. “Now, either you can get the tears or I can.”

“I will,” Red said hurriedly.

Jake gave the salve over and quickly stuck a large band aid over the bite. He turned around and tried to look busy. Red sighed and shifted to his knees. He undid his pants and slicked the salve on the torn area.

“You can turn around now,” he said softly when his pants were safely buttoned up again.

Jake did so and kneeled down on the floor in front of Red. He quickly bandaged his ankle up and then guided him through a few movements to strengthen the ankle. “If you’re in a lot of pain, stop, but the exercises are needed for recovery, okay?”

Red nodded and stood.

Jake led him out and was confronted with three worried men staring at him. “He’ll be fine. The guy who did this is going to jail?”

Aden nodded. “Yes, and Red’s not going to be brought into it at all.”

“I’m going to assume you have a good reason for that. Now, his guardian needs to-”

“He’ll be staying with me for awhile.”

Jake blinked at that, then shrugged. “Fine. Take him to a clinic, make sure he stays off his ankle and rests, and make him eat. He needs to go to counseling too. Keep him on the first floor, Simon, and keep those monster dogs from attacking him. Now, all of you get out. I want to go back to sleep.”

Red blinked and for the first time noticed that the man was wearing soft loose pajama pants underneath his t-shirt.

He hid a grin and trailed after Simon to the car, Aden and Shane following him.

The car ride back to Red’s apartment building was once again silent. When Aden and Shane slipped out, Aden looked at Red sharply. “I need to speak to Jett. Do you have a phone number for him?”

Red tensed. “No.”

Simon sighed and leaned forward. “He’s not going to get him arrested or anything. Right?”

Aden nodded. “But I do want to talk to him.”

“Why?”

“He obviously cares for you. I think he should know what’s been happening. Can I have the number please?”

When Red didn’t move or speak, Simon sighed and turned around to look at Red. “Just give him the number.”

Red stared back at him for a long moment, before slumping down. “Fine,” he mumbled. He gave Aden the phone number and Aden and Shane left with a promise to call.

Simon sighed and looked at Red. “If I try and pick up your cats will they attempt to kill me?”

Red smiled. It was small but it was a start. “Bonaparte might. You’re going to need help anyways.”

When they once again stood in front of Red’s door, the slender red head said softly, “You know you don’t have to do this.”

“’Course I do,” he replied absently. “You won’t leave your cats alone.”

“I mean you don’t have to take me in.”

Simon looked at him, startled. “Yes, I do. Red, you’re fifteen. You should not be living on your own.”

“Yeah, but why did you volunteer?”

Simon sighed. “Because you don’t want to tell anyone else and, Red, no offense, but you have issues. You need someone to make sure you don’t get in more trouble.”

It was Red’s turn to look startled. “You want to take care of me?” He was smiling now.

Simon choked slightly. “No! That’s not what I meant!”

Red laughed softly. “Was too. That’s sweet.”

Simon flushed and fell silence. Red unlocked his door and slipped in. He went directly across the room and then paused. “How long am I going to stay with you?”

Simon raised an eyebrow. “Until your eighteen or when we find a better solution. Whatever the case, you won’t be staying here any longer. We’ll come back and get everything else you want later.”

Red sighed and nodded and opened the door. Simon followed him in, unsurprised to find that it was his bedroom. It made sense that Red was living in a tiny apartment. The room inside surprised him though. The bed was small and pushed against the wall, only a single bed. Blankets were piled high, but it was made. There was a set of drawers against one wall with a few books piled on top. There was no other furniture except for a cat box against one wall. The rest of the room was filled with canvases, painting supplies, and sketchbooks.

Simon found himself staring. “This isn’t what I was expecting.”

“I don’t bring guys back here,” Red said softly.

Simon nodded I sudden understanding. “Safe haven. I like it.”

Red smiled at him. “Can you get the food? It’s in the closet.”

Simon nodded and went to one of the doors. He had to shift aside a portrait. “This is lovely. Was it a school assignment?”

Red shook his head. “I keep all my assignments at school. Mr. Pierre lets me stay after school a lot.”

Simon nodded. “Heath’s nice. You’re his favorite student.”

Red ducked his head, smiling widely.

Simon smiled back and opened the closet door. He blinked at the clothes that met him. Dark colors for the first part, and he caught sight of a lot of leather and silk. At one corner, he spotted lace. He reached forward and pulled. He stared at it for a moment before frowning. “Why the hell do you have a French maid outfit?”

“Overeager lover.”

“Did you wear it?” His voice was disapproving.

Red just snorted. “No.”

“Then why do you still have it?”

Red shrugged. “In case I ever want to.”

Simon blushed, an image of Red all dolled up in the outfit coming to mind.

“Can you just grab the food?”

“Uh… yeah,” he muttered, grabbing the bag and hauling it out. He turned to see Red putting a box into an open duffel bag. He raised an eyebrow and hazarded a guess as a sketch book was added. “Art supplies?”

Red shrugged. “I’ll add clothes too.”

Simon snorted.