"I'm escaping this world

one step at a time

but all I need first

is a partner in crime" - J.H.

 

Laughter and posh lectures one with another. Gentlemen in suits and ladies in dresses. The environment felt elegant and suffocating in this venue, at least for the seven year old Giotto. He looked adorable in his little suit, at least that’s what everyone said as his father showed him off. His father was the chief of security of the city, wealthy, handsome, widower, everything and anything Giotto could care less of. His most popular trait was his hatred and fear against mutants, beings with supernatural abilities that could surpass animal and machine. The city both feared them and revered them, it was a dividing side. But being a small minority they would only stand out every so often in the news. What his father would never know was that his own son was a mutant with developing powers. Another rub to the head, causing his hair to get messed up caused Giotto to groan and sneak away, away from the strong smelling perfumes and out a door that led to the outside for fresh air, the back parking lot barely lit up by a street lamp and decorated with a few garbage cans. “Stupid party, stupid stuff, stupid dad.” Giotto muttered under his breath as he got his hands in his pockets and kicked around a rock. He hated social events like this. Not only was he ignored, he was used as an item to show off. “Stupid!” He kicked the rock again.

Giotto jumped off the bed, running over to Jesse and throwing his arms around him tightly. "Thank you, Jesse." Giotto said smiling. "Thank you for worrying about me. For being my best friend. For caring for my well being. I truly am grateful. Thank you thank you thank you. I could never say the word enough to be able to show you how much I appreciate you and Johnny and Mimi and everyone." Giotto said with a smile. Sebastian sighed, smiling himself. "You make good judgement on friends, Giotto. Maybe a bit hot headed, but good friends." Sebastian said. Giotto smiled as he looked up at Jesse and hugged him even closer. "Don't worry Jesse, once I grow big and strong, I will be the one who will be taking care of everyone. I'll take care of you and Mimi and Johnny and I'm going to make this place safe for everyone! I promise!" Giotto said cheerfully. "Now then, Giotto, time for bed." Sebastian hummed. "Give Jesse a ride home, oh! Unless you want to stay over for the night?!" Giotto asked.

 

---

 

 

(He's hot~~~}

 

Jesse was still yet somewhat speeches when Giotto hugged him. Luckily he was able to ignore the idea of killing Giotto's father, however he needed to distract himself before he went into a fit of rage once more. Sleeping overnight might not be the best of ideas considering this, however he was going to accept it no matter what. Jesse would jump at any invitation to stay over. The only thing that he feared was loosing it if Giotto's father came in but y'know what? F*** it. He's not gonna let Giotto's father prevent him from sleeping over. He's not gonna let his own rage prevent it either.

"... Sure. I'll stay." Jesse responded after a few short minutes as he patted Giotto's back. The words came out somewhat quiet at first, almost as if Jesse momentarily forgot how to speak.

(I know~)

 

Giotto cheered, running to his closet and picking out some pajamas for Jesse to use. He walked back and gave them to him. "Here." Giotto said, turning and jumping into his bed, moving side and making a space just for Jesse. Sebastian gave a small nod. "I'll get going then. Call me if anything." Sebastian said as he stopped by Jesse, giving him a warm smile. "I need to thank you. For being his friend, Jesse. I don't think I would recognize Giotto had he not met you that night. You truly saved him from ignorance and bliss...I owe you a lot." Sebastian said sincerely as he gave a bow and made his way out the door. "Good night boys." Sebastian said with a small smile. "Good night." Giotto said, Sebastian closing the door behind him. Giotto smiled and jumped happily in his place. "This is great it's been a while since our last sleepover!" Giotto smiled, as if not five minutes ago he was treating wounds that bled like a river. It was easy to forget. He'd practice to forget. He had to forget. Otherwise more mistakes could be made in his flawless neat agenda.

Jesse was again, still dazed. He took the pajamas with a small quiet nod. He usually slept in his boxers but oh well. Last thing he needed was Giotto all up on him while he slept to the pajamas were good. It wasn't until Sebastian stopped to speak that Jesse snapped out of it.

"What?" He asked. After registering what Sebastian had said in his mind, Jesse couldn't help but give a small rare smile to the man. He could only imagine how it meant to him that Jesse was able to give Giotto the gift of friendship. Honestly, Jesse couldn't even begin to think of a life without Giotto. Giotto changed his entire life. Hell, it was because of Giotto that Johnny was able to keep Mimi. Jesse knew he forever changed Mimi's life too. After all, Mimi's first word was 'Giotto,' although her way of saying Giotto's name was 'Gito!'

"It's alright." Jesse said with a small blush. "You owe me nothin.' I'm not hotshot's friend just so I can get rewards for it." Once Sebastian had left and Giotto was again as cheerful as always, Jesse slowly shook his head and turned around to get changed right there. "It's not right the s*** that he does to you." Jesse muttered while he changed. "It's not okay. It's not something you can just brush off."

Giotto looked up and smiled, looking away slightly. "I know it's not. But it's not really his fault, he's always so stressed with work, little flaws annoy him. He's kind, he just has been...very sick lately." Giotto said, defending his father till the end. He chuckled. "When he get better, he's sure to want to meet you. If not, I'll just wait until I reach 18 for him to meet you, because he can't stop me once I become an adult. If I inherit the family company, I'll make sure to help out the Bronze district first. There's alot of fixing that can be done for the good. Dad was going to do it, but he has so much to do." Giotto said, a bit of doubt at the end of the sentence, but he digressed. He laid down a bit, resting on the bed. "I'm strong, Jesse. So don't worry, alright? I'll show you that I can fight my own battles."

Jesse slowly shook his head, feeling a flare in anger after hearing Giotto defend his father once more. Again, he pretended like Giotto never even did it in the first place.

"Just stop defending him..." Jesse muttered as he promptly plopped himself on Giotto's bed next to him. Honestly he didn't even know if he wanted to ever meet Giotto's father. Just thinking about the man made him want to punch somebody in the face. He believed Giotto was strong, but that didn't mean it was okay for him to be abused by his father. Jesse grumbled as he stuffed his face in his pillow.

"Just shut up and go to sleep." Came his muffled voice.

 

Giotto laid down next to him. He clapped his hands, the lights going out. Giotto smiled, closing his eyes. "Good night, Jesse." Giotto said before closing his eyes. Within a few minutes he was knocked out asleep, snuggling up to Jesse. Sebastian rested against the door with arms crossed. He sighed, walking up and stopping down the stairs to see the family portrait that stood out on the wall, of the family before it was shattered into pieces by the accident. He glared. "You were raised in the bronze district with me, sis. You were strong. So why? Why did you leave him?...please tell me you had something else planned...you aren't one to leave things unfinished..." Sebastian whispered before walking off. Tomorrow would be quite the day again. Giotto's father had to watch over his own company and the police over certain matters, to make sure that the skull activity remained out of the silver district and beyond. Meanwhile, in the darkest corners of the city, a figure waved his feet as he stood in the shadows along with other people around him. He wore a hoodie with a skull on its back. "The cops are being a b*tch to let us go into the Silver District. We'll have to remain in the Bronze for a little longer until we find a way to make the police back off. However, I don't think we have the whole layer under our boots yet...we need to really scare them...like kaboom!"

Jesse sighed softly, nodding as Giotto laid down next to him. No matter what he could never be mad at his best friend. "Good night, hot shot." With that, he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

 

Meanwhile, a woman with sandy brown hair pulled back in a Fishtail braid rolled her eyes as she rested her chin in her hand. She was honestly really bored of just sitting around doing nothing all that night. And hearing her fellow companion complain about the cops made it worse.

"They're cops idiot. They're not just gonna let us take the city." She rolled her eyes. She wore a sleeveless hoodie with a 'X' on the back. On the sides of her shoulders were black skull markings. Around her eyes were black markings as well. She was chewing a piece of gum idly, blowing a few bubbles here and there. "I'm starving. Can't we just rob a Chinese takeout place really quick? I'm tired of hearing you whine."

The young man pouted. "You're so boring! This is why you don't get many dates anymore! " He said, letting his hood drop as he glanced up at the ceiling. He had short, spiky orange hair and gray eyes. "We can go find one though. I'm hungry too." He said, jumping off his seat.

 

-next day-

 

Giotto slept soundly for the night. For once he didn't dream anything. Only to be waken up by Sebastian entering the room. "Boys, get up, it's time for breakfast." Sebastian said. Giotto sat up, yawning. "Thank you." Giotto said as he saw the breakfast on the coffee table. He turned to Jesse, pushing him playfully as he then threw himself over him. "Jesseeeeeeee~ It's your best friend~ Wake uuuuup~" Giotto said, making it sound like he was a ghost as he went ahead to tickle him awake.

The girl rolled her eyes once more. "Shut up." She hissed as she toyed with her hair. It was often when she played with her hair, because most of her time was always spent being wasted because everyone in her group was idiots. "I'm not boring. I just don't go on dates because all of you guys are f****** ninnys. I should become a lesbian with how stupid you all are."

 

Meanwhile, Jesse honestly didn't have that much of a pleasant night at all. He woke up in the middle of it, finding himself that he couldn't sleep. He had a nightmare and didn't even remember what it was. That was only for a brief hour however, for he was able to go back to sleep. Currently, as Giotto tried to wake him, Jesse shifted slightly in his sleep to promptly swat Giotto in the face like he was annoying little fly. "Go the f*** back to sleep..." He muttered in his sleep.

Giotto pouted, shaking Jesse again. "Wake up lazy head! Breakfast is ready! Besides we should check on Johnny and Mimi. They must be worried about you!" Giotto insisted before crossing his arms. He turned, jumping down and sitting by the small table. "Fine! Then I won't leave you pancakes." Giotto said as he ate up. But then again, he didn't mean it. He always made sure to leave Jesse pancakes. "Giotto. Violin." Sebastian said as he tapped his wristwatch. "Oh shoot!" Giotto said as he took a large bite and stood up. "Jesse I'll be down the hall when you wake up!!!" Giotto said as he hurried up with Sebastian to start another of the endless list of lessons that his father insisted on him having. Sebastian set him down a book to the side. "Think you can multitask?" Sebastian asked, taking a seat on the piano. "Yes." Giotto said, adjusting the violin as he turned to the book of the side. It was something about chemistry, which he hated, but he had a test soon about it. Moments later the sound of the violin echoed across the house, Giotto reading a book on the side while he did both. The older he got the more he had to do. Just a normal morning. "After this if Jesse decides to wake up I'll take his measurements for the costume for the party." Sebastian said. "Yes sir." Giotto said.

---

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFU9nE1Ozkw

 

Edited June 22, 201510 yr by Stardustblade358

Jesse woke up with a small groan and a small grumble. He was never really one to wake up in a good mood- if anything, he always woke up on the wrong side of the bed. He sat up and held his head in a mild daze. He remembered he had a nightmare but couldn't remember what is was for the life of him. It really bothered the young teen especially because whatever it was it scared the living hell out of him. The sounds of the violin did bring about some solace however. Jesse dragged himself out of bed and ignored the food momentarily as he stumbled into the bathroom to splash some water on his face. He stared at himself in the mirror, trying to convince himself everything was okay and this was all real.

"I feel like I'm in the f****** twilight zone right now..." He muttered to himself. "What the f*** just happened..."

Giotto played his tune while multitasking, Sebastian taking mental note of the score and what he would need to practice that seemed to be a bit off. "Chin upwards. Follow the violin but also keep your composure." Sebastian reminded. Giotto hummed, continuing to do his thing. Though he could only think about Jesse. Ever since last night it was as if he had been in this tiny zombie state that he was aware he was in but didn't know to exit about. Maybe returning home would help? Mimi always does cheer Jesse right up. Without noticing Giotto stopped playing, his mind and gaze somewhere else. Sebastian looked at him and looked back down. "I think it's enough for now." He said, Giotto quickly ditching the class to get dressed. "Jesse. We should go see Johnny and Mimi." Giotto said, entering the closet to change.

Jesse looked over to Giotto. He didn't even realized Giotto came inside the room until he started talking. Slowly Jesse nodded, and shook his head to try to get himself to snap out of it. He left the bathroom and sat back down on the bed before he stretched his collar. It was so damn hot in pajamas. Jesse always got hot while he slept. Usually he just slept in only his boxers, with no blankets and everything. Johnny would complain about how he didn't want to see Jesse's half naked ass as soon as he woke up. Jesse looked at the food and decided to munch on some of the pancakes to show Giotto that he was okay. That was another thing Johnny complained about; Jesse always ate pancakes and most regular food with his bare hands.

"Yeah..." Jesse said. "I could use some quality time with our little sweet cheeks."

"Alright, I'll lend you some clothes." Giotto said as he started to set down different shirts and pants on the bed along with a pair of shoes for Jesse. He returned to his closet as he began to dress up for the upcoming day. He wore a long sleeved white shirt, over it a sleeveless blue hoodie. He wore jeans and his usual pair of sneakers. He walked out of the closet and pouted at Jesse's habit of eating with his hands. "Jesseeeee there's a fork right next to you!" Giotto said, smiling as he shook his head. There were some things that not even Johnny could be able to change about Jesse. The only thing he hopes was that Mimi didn't pick up the bad habit. "We'll leave when you're ready. We can spend the whole day with her! We can take her to the park or somewhere so she can see the outside, and play with her all day long. Spend quality time and all, ya know!" Giotto said excitedly. Though today felt strange. Maybe Jesse just needed to slowly wake up to the day's challenges.

Jesse continued to munch on the food, completely ignoring Giotto's comment about the work. What really caught Jesse's attention however was the mention of Mimi and what they could do with her during the day. The idea of pushing her on the small tiny baby swing brought a lovely image to his eyes. Jesse knew Mimi would downright love the swings. Jesse shoved the remaining food in his mouth and went to go change right there. He slid off his boxers to put it on backwards, and put the rest of his clothing on. Jesse wore a red baseball t-shirt along with some ripped up jeans and black sneakers. It didn't match exactly, but whatever. Jesse looked to Giotto and made a small smile.

"Can't make her wait any longer."

Edited June 25, 201510 yr by Aqua7KH

"Lets go then!" Giotto said, taking Jesse's hand as he dragged him out of the house. "You sure you don't want me to give you a ride?" Sebastian asked. "I'm sure! Besides a BMW would look way too suspicious where we're going!" Giotto said with a smile as he walked off with Jesse, hand in hand with him as they made their journey across the layers of the city all the way to the bronze district. Though they still had the whole Skulls situation that they most likely would have to deal with sooner or later before they became a big problem, it didn't do any harm to take a break to be with Mimi for a day or two. The two reached their destination, entering through the usual window. "We're back, Johnny! Sorry that Jesse didn't came back here last night, I asked him to stay the night!" Giotto said smiling as he landed down and looked over at the familiar baby girl in the crib. "Mimi~" Giotto squealed, hurrying over to her as he picked her up in his arms. His back still hurt, but by this point he was used to just dealing with it. He kissed her head and held her small hand. "Good day, Mimi! You ready for an adventure today?"

Jesse had no problem walking around the city. It was what he usually did anyway so why not? If anyone started anything with him he could just beat the ever living hell out of them. No big deal. Once they got to Johnny's place, Jesse went straight to the crib which held the baby girl. Already Giotto was holding her.

"Hey there sweet cheeks." He said with a grin, petting her hair. "We got a surprise for you."

Mimi giggled and wrapped her arms right around Giotto's neck. If she could talk she would say that Giotto was her favorite person in the whole wide world.

"Goto! Jes!" She cheered. "I redy I redy!"

Johnny rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. He looked more than displeased at the fact that the boys didn't come home at all and didn't bother to let him know.

"I'm sick and tired of you ungrateful little ass- idiots disappearing and reappearing. You're both far from 18. You can do whatever but let me know where you guys are and if you're okay."

Jesse rolled his eyes. "Okay whatever dad." He said sarcastically. Johnny almost busted a gasket.

"Listen here you little punk!" He scolded. "Ugh- Giotto! I'm about to beat his little ass in two seconds!" Johnny was fuming. Mimi put her hands to her ears tiredly.

"Lowd....." She said.

Giotto expected Johnny to be so worried. He was like a big brother, or a father to the three. Responsible and making sure that they didn't break a bone or two. Giotto hummed at Mimi, who was complaining of how loud Johnny was being. Giotto decided to use the secret technique! The one that every kid, or at least most kids knew, to get their way or to get something if they needed it; the puppy eyed technique! He wondered if it still worked on Johnny. Well the two of them would have to teach it to Mimi sooner or later. She'd be a pro! Giotto walked over to Johnny, frowning ever so guilty, looking up at Johnny with eyes that could kill, big and filled with a cover of sadness and guilt. "I'm sorry, Johnny. It was my fault. We were coming back from investigating and I insisted on Jesse to come home with me for the night. I totally forgot to send you a text message or to remind Jesse to call you. It won't happen again. I promise." Giotto said almost pouting, holding Mimi even closer and gentler to add to the magic. He could've told Johnny the real reason...but he feared Johnny would blow an even bigger fuse than Jesse had. "Please forgive us, Johnny~" Giotto pouted with pleading eyes that seemed to gleam.

Jesse kept rolling his eyes and wasn't even bothering to respond to Johnny even if he did look like he was about to kill Jesse in two seconds. Jesse honestly loved to torment the poor man, but other times he really didn't care. Like Johnny said; Jesse was a punk. When Giotto started to do the puppy dog face however, that was when Jesse straight up lost it. Almost immediately he began to crack up. Giotto's face when he did it was always downright hilarious.

Meanwhile Mimi continued to keep her hands right on her ears. Honestly Johnny was annoying sometimes. When she saw Giotto give him the puppy dog face that was when she tried too. She looked up to Johnny innocently and frowned.

Johnny crossed his arms and tried his best to stay strong. But as soon as he saw Giotto's face and especially when he saw Mimi's face, that was when he waved the white flag. His heart almost melted at the sight along with his face softening immediately.

"Aww it's...." He said with a frown. "It's okay.... Just don't do it again okay?"

It worked flawlessly. To top it off, Mimi joined in, creating an unstoppable force that had Johnny calming down and giving in. Giotto quickly smiled, all of his sadness fading away. "Thank you Johnny! We promise to never do it again!" Giotto said cheerfully as he kissed Mimi's head. He turned over to Jesse. "Did you see her? She's a natural already!" Giotto said as he held her dearly. He turned back to Johnny. "We were planning on taking her out for a walk. Maybe to a park or somewhere nice. She can't always be indoors. She needs fresh air every now and then." Giotto said as he turned back to Mimi, cooing at the baby girl. "Ready to go on an adventure, Mimi?!" Giotto asked, rather excited. He just knew Mimi would definitely like a place like the park or the local garden. All they had to watch out for was for her to not try to eat anything or for anything to not eat her. He went ahead and made two small pigtails on Mimi's hair. "Get the stroller and let's go."

Johnny rubbed the back of his head with his lips forming a thin line. He knew he was tricked by the spell of the puppy dog face, but it worked every time and he knew it. Not once did he ever try to fight back for he knew he would loose every time. Johnny looked down to Mimi and kissed her head.

"Alright fine." He muttered. "Just bring her back here before sundown. If you guys get into trouble I'm going to kick all of your behinds."

Jesse huffed annoyingly and tapped his foot. He still hated when Johnny nagged. "Okay damn." He looked to Mimi and Giotto and grinned. Johnny better watch out because it was as Giotto said; Mimi was a natural.

"Johnny better watch out." Jesse said proudly. "He's in trouble when Mimi's older." Jesse went over to where they kept the baby stuff in the corner and set up the stroller.

Meanwhile Mimi cheered and practically squirmed around in Giotto's grasp. She was just excited to go.

"I redy! I redy!" She said with a giggle.

"Alright alright we're going~" Giotto said smiling as he turned to Johnny. "We'll be ok!" Giotto assured. The three went outside and set up the stroller, to which Giotto sat Mimi down and strapped her in, making sure she wouldn't fall or try to make a run for it if she saw something she wanted to chase. "There, now you're safe and ready to go." Giotto said as he looked up at Jesse. "Where should we go first? There's the park, the garden, oh! We could visit the siblings again! I bet the twins would love to see a cutie like Mimi, and the kid with the soup seemed to take a liking to you too!" Giotto said smiling, the two beginning to walk with Mimi, pushing the stroller. Giotto quickly made sure to stand besides the stroller, and blocking the way between Mimi and the street, just incase a car ran by throwing any dirt or water as it had happened before. "I bet Beauty would love to see Mimi too. But she must be busy, and Mimi doesn't like loud places." Giotto said with a chuckle.

Mimi was very happy to be on the stroller, although she wasn't happy about the safety belt. She started to fumble with it to try to take it off. It wasn't that she wanted to attempt to run off, for she couldn't walk, but she just wanted the stupid thing off in general. Upon seeing that she was trying to take it off, Jesse gave the stroller a firm gentle shake which caused Mimi to stop immediately. She did however crossed her arms and pout before she began to distract herself with a stuffed bunny and completely forgot about the safety belt.

"We could look for Beauty." Jesse said with a smile. "Or the siblings. Sweet cheeks would love it either way. I know it doesn't look like it, but Beauty loves little kids. She finds every single one damn adorable. Honestly the only little kid I like is Mimi. Every other kid is a little brat... With the exception of the siblings but they're not little anyway."

Edited June 29, 201510 yr by Aqua7KH

"Lets stroll by the siblings' house then. Its on the way anyways!" Giotto said as he walked with Jesse and Mimi. The two strolled Mimi all the way to the sibling house. When they did, Villiani was sitting outside right around under the stairs, tending to a little make shift garden that had some tomatoes plants growing. "Now if you don't dig out the ground, Gabby, I'll give you a tomato." Villiani said. "Hey Villiani!" Giotto said as he waved. Villiani looked up and gasped, quickly standing up and hurrying over. "It's you guys again!" He said smiling. "Back for my soup?" His then landed on Mimi, and his heart just exploded, submitting into squeals. "It's a little bambina! Oh my goodness look at her!~" Villiani squeaked loudly, turning to the stairs. "Giotto and Jesse brought a bambina!" Villiani called. "A baby?!" The twins didn't hesitate to run down to see, squealing at the sight. Giotto smiled. "This is Jesse's little sister, Mimi." Giotto introduced. He turned to Jesse. "Babies and girls go together well."