Loud sirens ran past the road, a speed chase is what Anthony had guessed it was. He could tell Ian felt it as well, his usual grasp felt tighter, more alert and uneven.

Anthony stared at the flashing lights racing down the streets in alarm for the rest of the traveling community. For once, they seemed to slow down, as well as everything else around him. Time seemed to stand still, the silence freezing the surroundings around himself.

Ian lay clinging to Anthony, his hands trembling with the ringing in his ears pulsing at an everlasting rotation. Ian's lip was even trembling at the slightest rate, he had most certainly barely experienced such intense events towards the outside world from the hospital.

His fingertips slid gently across the hairs of Ian's head, letting the slightest of movement calm him down. As it did, it seemed the technique had worked, it had been with him through his younger years, it helped him ignore the darkness but still go to sleep expecting it.

Anthony couldn't help but stare at Ian, his pale skin that had been sprinkled with kisses from the angels. What did he do to deserve this? It was such terror and trauma yet he was still so gentle, but such a pain to get to such a gentle stage.

More sirens rung in his ears, it seemed to be getting louder and louder, not yet getting any softer. What had this chase been about? Why was it happening? A fellow citizen was racing down the sidewalk, holding what seemed like a black gym bag.

Anthony watched with caution, soon seeing two police men chasing after him. "What-- is this?" Anthony mumbled under his breath, a concerned tone boiling over the top of his shaking hands.

"Sir? You should get shelter immediately." A nervous man said as he ran towards Anthony, holding out a shaking hand. "They are taking over, and we need to get to safety. Please understand this."

Anthony widened his eyes and saw fear in the mans eyes, he hesitantly got up. He could feel his grip loosening on the tiny boy next to him, and soon he had left him there on the bench, running from the group rampaging the city.

The group seemed to be wearing red, a dark velvet red that is pleasing to the eye, yet their body language seemed so rushed and strong.

He glanced at the boy, slightly twisting and turning within the bench, hugging his arms around himself lightly. Anthony was being pulled away, the boy slowly moving towards reality as he started to get smaller and smaller.

Right before he got into the darkness, he saw a man pick up the boy roughly and run away. Yet all Anthony could do was step back, and back and further away, until he was nothing but a memory.

-

Anthony's eyes shot open, glancing around the mildly lit city. Barely anyone was walking about, yet it seemed so crowded. His face held pools of sweat that dripped down his temples, making him wipe it away in shock.

"Just a dream..." He groaned in what seemed like relief as he ran fingers through his warm hair. He glanced over to see Ian facing towards the opposite way, a contemplating look on his face.

"Ian...?" He murmured, wiping his cheek from what seemed like confusion. "Hey...hey come here." Anthony whispered, cradling Ian's head in his arms. Ian shut his eyes, no matter the difference, and kissed Anthony's arm gently.

A dark figure lay beneath his fingers, an armlike thing, warm and muscular. He pressed his thumbs against it gently before letting his lips press towards it lightly.

Smooth and comforting, he could only slightly make out the gentle texture on the arm, an older typed skin. Older than his own, but not by much. He could only feel the careful touches given and taken from this arm, and preferably...only this arm.

Anthony looked at Ian, he seemed to be on the verge of crying due to gentle glossiness around his eyes beginning to form. He used his free hand to wipe away the wetness and stroke down his cheek lightly. "So beautiful..."

-

The moment quickly ended when he felt his stomach grumbling. What is he gonna do? He barely has any money left, let alone change. He glanced back and forth to see someone on the other bench a couple yards from their own. He seemed to be a band member waiting for the bus. The black case he held seemed to be drums, two bongos sitting on his lap.

Anthony suddenly got an idea that may or may not be a fail, although he's never tried, he could at least start now.

He got up and kissed Ian's hand before walking towards the mans bench. He looked up in confusion, sitting the case of bongos beside him. "Sir? Are you in need of help?" He asked in concern, glancing at Ian who was gently leaning against the bench.

"Uhh- yes actually. I was hoping I'd be able to borrow your drums? We're kinda homeless." Anthony said, gesturing to the boy on the bench.

"Homeless? Well actually I happen to have some spares with me. Down in the city it's quite hard to not get fresh drums dirty. You can have the spares if you'd like." He smiled, taking out smaller bongos from his large bag.

Anthony's eyes suddenly lit up in excitement as he was handed the two wooden drums, clean and gently covered with cloth. "I also can give you some money if you'd like." He smiled and handed Anthony over a couple twenty dollar bills. Who was this guy? He was loaded!

Anthony grinned a bright smile as he waved goodbye, seeing a bus come and drive off with the man. He looked towards Ian who was looking around blindly, rubbing his arms slightly.

He walked over to him slowly and sat down, laying the drums beneath his hands.

And soon, he began to play.