all these things that I have done

"Just... just cover your ears," Niko urged, "You're too slow as you are. We need to try something else."

He fixed his gaze on the trees, pinpointing where the sound was coming from, breathing deep and subconsciously adopting the straight, shoulders back posture his mother had always urged him to take.

Danny stated in shock at Niko, before placing his hands over his ears tightly, biting his lip. The movement made him wince, but he stayed still, eyes locked on Niko.

Once Danny had covered his ears, Niko placed his own hands over them, hoping for extra insurance no sound would slip through. He refused to meet Danny's gaze, however, staring back into the trees as his pupils grew, more suited for searching for prey at sea. He sang the song of compulsion, more sounds than words, compelling the creature to turn and walk away, to keep on walking and stop for nothing until it would inevitably collapse form exhaustion.

Danny swallowed, almost wishing he could hear Niko's song. He was sure it was beautiful, but the hands over his ears prevented him from hearing much.

Niko let his hands drop as soon as the creature was out of ear shot. He stepped away from Danny and cleared his throat, once more tugging at a lock of his hair as he looked out into the woods. It was most definitely time for him to leave now, he thought, other things in the woods, other hunters. He'd had enough excitement for the day.

Danny frowned when Niko stepped away from him. He stared at the floor and then back at Niko. "Thank you, for everything. But I should go..." His eyes were wide still.

Niko nodded once, already stepping back away from Danny.

"Sure, just... you're crap at this whole woods thing, try not to get lost, yeah?"

Danny took a deep breath. "If I did get lost, would you find me?" he asked, a bit flirtatiously. He didn't know what had come over him in that moment.

Niko raised a brow, briefly startled by Danny's bold statement, before he grinned, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I guess that would depend on how loud you can scream, right?" Niko asked, laughing softly. "You're not tired of playing damsel in distress yet?"

Danny grinned at him. "Not if you're my knight in shining armor," he said, feeling a lot better, though he knew getting home would be tough. He looked down shyly, surprised by his behavior. This was no way a hunter should behave, but Niko just saved his life...

"I'll do my best," Niko smiled in the face of Danny's grin, the first he'd seen from the young man.

But... he was going home, and hadn't his brothers been the cause of Danny's pain? Niko's eyes flicked to the bruising on Danny's face and his smile faltered.

"Are you sure you want to go home?" he asked.

Danny looked up in surprise at Niko's question. "Where else could I go?" he asked softly, looking away rather quickly. There wasn't anywhere else for him, especially as his family would recognize him immediately.

Niko frowned, shrugging a shoulder.

"Isn't anywhere better than there? Look at the state you're in, family shouldn't- that's not something should do."

Danny stiffened slightly. He was almost tempted to yell at Niko, but he didn't. "N-Niko, what place is there for me? They will find me. You know th-that..." He sighed, shivering slightly. "If I had somewhere to go, then maybe I'd go there. But all I know is that mansion..."

"Good luck with all you know then, I guess," Niko said, frown still in place. "Shout next time someone beats you, I spend a lot of time at the lake. Maybe I'll hear you before things get too bad."

He shoved his hands in his pockets, unsure what to do with this strange hunter who was so timid and unsure of himself. In the end he shrugged again, and turned to leave.

Danny let him leave. There was nothing he thought he could do or say to make Niko stay longer. He returned home, unfortunately, in his opinion, unable to get lost. When he stepped through the door, his father told him how much of a disgrace he was. It stung Danny, though it was true. He stayed in training for months, until he was deemed certified as a hunter. The next time he returned to the forest, he was armed, and there was a hardened look in his eyes. The wound on his side had never healed, and his hunter's outfit made amends for that.

Niko frequented the lake, but never crossed paths with Danny again as the seasons changed. He was there now, having headed for a swim after work, and was currently sitting on one of the large, flat rocks that lined the lake. He let the setting sun dry his skin as he rolled fresh, home-grown leaf into cigarettes. The idea of returning home, the small empty loft above his shop, was less than appealing, and out here in the open he felt he could breathe.

Danny watched Niko from the trees, admiring him. "You're lucky I'm not one of my brothers, or you would be dead," he spoke, as he stepped out from his hiding spot. He looked different, but his eyes had brightened and lost their hardened look.

Niko's eyes flicked up as Danny emerged from the trees, and a soft smile graced his lips as he finished rolling what he had in his hand.

"Looks like someone's grown up," he said, leaning back on his hands and tilting his head, running his gaze over the other man. "Does that mean we switch roles now? Am I to be the damsel?"

Danny smiled. "If you so wish. Though I will miss that role myself." He came closer to Niko, and joined him on the rock, shivering lightly. "You look good," he whispered.