Step right. Step left. Sneaksneaksneak forward.
Pause. Look around. Peek around corner. Run to other side of hallway. Pause in door jamb. Look around. Sneak to other doorway. Poke head out. Run down hallway.

It went on like this for a few minutes, before the boy finally started to feel less cautious. Sadly, the entire time, he'd been working his way up the SOLDIER compound, instead of down. That, in and of itself, posed a problem. Considering the kid was only thirteen, not in training, and, technically, not even supposed to be there, this was getting worse and worse.

After a while, he looked up and noted a single person in a hallway with around five doors total in it, and he was sure one was for the stairs.

"Hey!" He asked, obnoxiously bright red hair bouncing in its random spikes as he walked forward. His shirt was grubby and pants clearly smeared with something a boy his age shouldn't be so intimate with. His shoes were barely hanging on his feet, the soles flopping around as he walked.

Having been leaning against one of the sturdy windows, cold originally and now spightly fogged around where he had been laying on it (no one should probably touch the spot for a bit unless they wanted burned actually) the male ignored the boy. He did NOT like children, especially grubby ones that would lay their dirty hands on his leather or disturb a good book such as the one he currently held.

No this boy would not get to have his way in the least with the simplistic way he thought he was safe here and just took over the area-... Wait a minute... No boy that young should even be anywhere in the compound and noting some distinctively dirty spots, the male gave an internal sigh.

Leave it to the mean on this base that if they couldn't get one of the available clean whores there, such as himself, they would go for the small ones that could have any variety of diseases. Definitely not letting that kid touch him then... But that darned hero complex rose, begging him to help out someone in need...

For now the male would wait to see if the child truly needed him or was just going to offer his body in return for something. Time to see just how much of a street urchin the boy was, especially with that tacky hair. Just keep your eyes on your wonderful book over the play LOVELESS. Yes, keep these beautiful blues on there only.He'd see how well that worked.

"Dammit!" The kid cursed under his breath, lower jaw setting out for a moment so he could attempt to think. His teeth clacked together softly as he did so, before huffing a bit. He walked closer to the guy and waved a hand.

"Hello~ It's rude ta ignore people in need, yanno." He placed both curled fists on his hips and leaned forward some; that annoyingly bright red hair moved over his shoulder, tied in a somewhat long ponytail. Beneath his shockingly blue eyes lay two red slashes, and the bridge of his nose was lightly freckled. He was kind of cute, for a kid.

"But, if yer gonna be an ass, then I guess I can go find someone else to help me outta here. I was kinda plannin' on not dyin' today, but I guess you shouldn't go with every SOLDIER operative that promises you a decent meal if you can 'deliver'." He spoke as he turned and headed up the hallway, towards the stairs; maybe he could sneak down this way.

Darn you hero complex.

Sighing, the book snapped shut in the leather clad hand, tucking it away as he let his eyes remain closed, deceptively open to any sort of attack. Then he unfurled himself, legs uncrossing, somewhat tall body standing straight as he opened them once more, looking at the mere childs' back.

"I'm not 'Hey' so I won't respond to that, especially when you are up in the First Class Soldier floor." He paused, not willing to snag the kid and noting all the disgusting things that truly clong to those tatters for clothes that he wore. "Come on, first you wash and then I'll help you out before the guard shift." He gestured to the room closest to him, turning with that large cloak flaring some and opening it wide.

No he was NOT going to use some street prostitute to get himself any type of sexual pleasure, he just couldn't with how tacky the kid looked and the general fact that it was a mere kid. No. It just wasn't his way to go about things but... He did have a nicer side so putting some of his millions he had stashed away into good use might be on his checklist. Things had been boring around the compound recently anyway, why not spice things up a bit.

"It ain't like yer wearin' a name tag, yanno. Hard to know what to call a stranger. Unless you like the nickname 'Red'. That could work." But that was, quite often, his own name. Granted, the way the redhead had turned and looked at him with hope in his eyes was one thing still noting his childishness. He would fight being called a kid until the cows came home, but that didn't mean a thing, truly. He was still just as kidish as the next young boy.

However, the thought of a wash did sound nice. "Okay, then, I don't mind a shower. Asshat who I went home with didn't give me the chance. And that meal he promised me? It was a small handful of Cheeto's, a baby-cup of water and a single pocket pie. Ain't enough when I haven't eaten in about three days."

Maybe he truly did need help. It seemed he couldn't do much other than rely on other people, right now. He didn't really have a definite place to stay, and he certainly didn't have anywhere that he could eat. He was saving up from a few nights of 'work' to get a decent meal, but his money had been taken earlier that day by some other kid on the street. Life was hard out there.

Resisting the urge to give a decent laugh, a grin just broke across his face at the nickname he gave to the male who had brought him here. But the nickname for him would not fly. He was not Red.

"I'm Genesis Rhapsodos. And you are?" He kept walking as he spoke, figuring from one man whore to another, he could definitely lend some of a hand at least in this situation. So he cracked open the fridge, pulling out a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, some cold meats and the almost empty milk jug. That should be plenty for a growing boy once he tossed on a couple slices of bread, right? Right.

Offering over the plate, Genesis sat himself in the other chair at his table, always keeping two for when someone visited his room. "You are more than welcome to what's on that plate, then you can shower through that door there," he gestured at one the was open to and impeccable bathroom that had a removable shower head with the massage setting for when he was stiff from a long day, "and then we leave."

"Might as well call me Red. Doubt you'd remember Reno Sinclair for the rest of yer life." If there was one thing he'd learned outside of his hometown, it was that you often didn't see the same person twice if they helped you out. They figured one good deed was enough for a lifetime and the next time you did catch them, they faked not knowing you. It wasn't quite a nice thing, but the world was cruel, and he understood that, by now.

Watching the other put together the sandwich, blue eyes went wide and practically stared at the selection on the plate. And that was all for him? This guy must have been some kind of angel. He took the plate easily and sat at the table, picking up a fruit in his hand and giving it an odd look. He'd never had fresh fruit before, it was odd to him. Deciding to take a bite, regardless, he made a face. It didn't taste anything like he'd thought it was; and it was all hairy and weird. Setting that down after spitting out what he'd had in his mouth in a napkin, considering he did have at least a little manners, he moved onto the sandwich. Happily shoving a good, decent chunk into his mouth, he took a big bite out of it and purred at how good it tasted.

"Thanks..." He paused, swallowed, and then looked the other over. He didn't look like his normal clients, but not everyone looked the same. "Are you lookin' for anythin' outta this?" He wouldn't immediately say sex, even if he assumed it.

Now that was just insulting to the mind of the male sitting there, he had an excellent memory, never failing when it came to remembering anyone's names, especially if he helped them. "I'll remember it, don't worry." Then that poor kiwi being eaten the way it had bothered him a bit, did the kid know nothing.

"Reno, you take the skin off that first before you eat it, otherwise it doesn't taste that pleasant." He leaned in, plucked what was left of it off the plate and tore the skin off in one clean motion before setting it back, after all, he didn't need it withering in his hands due to the heat there.

And then Reno asked that, of all questions, that... but he had reasoning, Genesis knew this just by how he spoke and the fact he was sitting in a room he should never know of at the moment. "No. A hero's duty is to help those that are in need and expect good things will come from the Goddess for him later." Straightening to a comfortable position in the chair, he pulled out the pink book once more, quoting a few lines from it on a page he could turn to easily due to how worn in it was on the book.

It hadn't been meant as an insult, truthfully. The thought of someone remembering his name brought a crooked grin that he was infamous for to his lips. "Alright, finally, someone who actually gives a shit. You know, Genesis? You ain't a bad guy." Particularly since there was more to him than just staring at him funny.

"Ah..." Now, the green fruit itself looked like it would taste quite a bit better. Picking it up again, he took a bite before nodding a little. "Still tastes weird, but better this way." He munched through it easily, making quick work of most of the plate. "I've never had fresh fruit before... My dad was always too cheap to get it and I can hardly afford it, now."

Oh, yes. Hearing the last part? Genesis was definitely a name he was going to be remembering. If he ever saw the male again, he'd be happy to be around him. After all, that meant that he could possibly have somewhere to stay without having to "pay" for it. That was nice. "...really, then. Thanks. Not a lotta people are willin' ta help me out..."

The only thing that could possibly come out of the bigger of the two right now was a sigh, it was something that he just seemed to do when things seemed off in any way in his head. And this, this was definitely off, out of the norm and a pleasant change all at the same time. What was it with this childish red head that knew too much that made him actually want to smile?

"It's nothing, kid. Just some stashed away that needs to quit collecting dust for now." He would have to go shopping again soon anyway so he might as well make the kid suffer through all the joys of shopping at an actual store. "So why don't you live with your parents?" Might as well know now instead of later when some drunk bastard caming charging in looking for his son and causing a rucus.

Genesis leaned back some in the chair, snagging a couple Banora apples, a personal favorite, and tossing one to the kid before taking a nice chunk out of it's purple flesh, the juice flooding his mouth, a refreshing, cooling sensation with how warm he felt... In fact, if he wasn't careful he might have to change his shirt again soon so the holes didn't begin appearing in it.

And there was something about this strange man, a redhead in his own respect, but not quite as glorious as Reno's own head of hair, something that made him want to know him more. Perhaps it was just that he was being shown kindness for once, and he enjoyed it. That had to be it, just had to be. After all, every kid longed for a place to live, even for ten minutes.

"Ahh..." He nodded some, looking down at the empty plate with a look that nearly said 'why'd you take my food, plate?' Honestly, though, he knew he was the culprit of the food's disappearance, he just wished it hadn't left so quickly. "My mom died when I was six, and my dad started pimping me out when I was seven. I ran away a couple years back, because I didn't like how he treated me, and he hasn't put any effort in to come and find me. So... I figure, I'm my own parent, now. And any kid who tells you it's awesome is lying. Unless you have the money to eat without having to fuck every guy and his grandfather, it sucks like a two-cent hooker."

And there was certainly a mouth on this one. He even began to lift the plate to lick it before pausing. "Can I have a little more?" After all, Reno's belly was a bottomless pit on a good day when he had eaten three days straight. This was him on a day when those three days had been spent almost foodless. Granted, the snack from earlier helped a little with his insatiable hunger, it didn't do much for it, to be honest.

Well, if he hadn't wanted to learn that answer then he should never have asked and.. as much as the story disgusted him some Genesis couldn't deny he felt some for the gusto shown, guts enough to leave a dad when so young.

The clean plate was an easy fix, taking it away from him for a few minutes as he tossed together a salad, adding in everything he could think of with protein that would still make it delectable. A salad wasn't good for anyone without a little bit more substance than just leafy greens, that's why chicken, turkey, ham and some other meats blended into it so nicely. "There, but then you need to clean up, I'm not keeping an extra in here while I do my job tonight." Granted spilling his side job to the kid wouldn't ever do any harm seeing how they shared an occupation but it was classified as far as it mattered at the moment.

Sitting, once more, like a statue in a way other than his book laying before him on the table, Genesis watched as the boy devoured the food, that tacky hair still bothering him beyond belief at the moment. "You have quite a mouth on you for a kid and what is with the tacky red hair? Why would you have wasted money on such a tacky hair coloring job?" The language that had come out was just not something someone that age should say and the hero coplex kept rising to break over the overt nastiness that said something like this was below him even though something in him screamed they were just both imperfect was all... No, he was perfection and that was how it would stay, or so he would think for years to come.

Honestly, Reno was going to let you know if he didn't like something. Really, with a mouth like his, would you expect any different? The kid wasn't afraid to let his true feelings shine, and when he was brought back a salad with meat in it... He didn't say a thing. Without dressing, even, he dug into it and didn't really speak much for a few moments, shoving as much of the food into his mouth as possible before being forced to chew some.

"Mm...lemme guess. Either you're a librarian.." He said this between bites, "Or else you're a butch bitch." In short, Reno was good at picking out those in the same profession as he was. And... He really didn't mean the 'bitch' comment as such; it was more a reference to the whole 'whore' thing.

"Hey! It's not tacky! That's my natural color! I barely have pubes, but they grow in the same 'tacky' red. And so what? My mouth's fuckin' fine. It ain't hurtin' anybody, it's just a word." Granted, he knew words could hurt, but he wasn't directing this at anyone, and it didn't really bother him in that sense. "Besides, how else are ya gonna know how I feel if I don't express myself?"

Man, that food was disappearing almost into thin air it seemed but the fun part truly, something that actually made the man smile broadly was just the way all that gusto showed in him... Possibly a little hope that there would be more in there than just another child being ruined by the touches of the world.

Then that mouth opened for something other than eating, bringing home exactly why he didn't like smaller people like this, they spoke their minds. Well, his profession wasn't something most picked up since he was a First Class Soldier and lowered himself from any type of pedestal just for sex. "Yeah, but I am not a bitch, I clearly lack the dog ears and vaginal area." An attempt at actually being playful with him about it, something Reno wouldn't know was rare for a long time to come.

"There is no way that that color of hair could be completely natural." As he spoke he took the empty plate to the sink, briefly washing it off before coming to stand by the chair with the book. "Look, it doesn't matter anyway. Just go shower while I see if i can't scrounge up some small enough clothes." Part of him just hoped that there would be no more thank yous at the moment, feeling a bit more selfish than selfless with his actions but he would never admit this as he disappeared into his huge closet, finding the tiniest clothes he could in there.

Yeah, if there was one thing that Reno's mouth did for him other than earn him a decent ten to fifteen bucks, it was ruin people's views on him. Too often, a young woman at the park would treat him like some poor, innocent boy and find him to be the opposite, and obviously not worth the same amount of time.

"Mm...I'm the bitch, and I lack both, too. And seriously, it's natural." He didn't mind stripping off for his shower right there; he was used to being undressed for older guys, anyway, and his current clothes weren't salvageable, anyway. And, lo and behold, he wasn't lying; and a kid like him, impulsive as he may seem, seemed much more interested in keeping his stomach full than dying his pubes to match his hair color. "And, besides, I'm not one of those half-rate whores who dye their hair and pubes blue in order to get extra quarters for turning tricks. I'm much smarter than that, even if people doubt someone who flunked kindergarten. It wasn't my fault I got taken out early..." He mumbled on his way to the shower.

Once inside, he looked up with an odd expression. He did his best to work the dials how he wanted it before getting in the spray. Oh, how it felt to have an actual shower! He couldn't believe just how rare these common oddities had been to him. He hadn't bathed in what felt like forever, at least somewhere clean enough to really call it a bath. Genesis really was being nice to him, and he figured another thank you once he was free of the SOLDIER compound would be well worth it.

I can't believe his hair is actually that color... That is a bit disturbing, I wonder how genetics can even bring something like that about...Shaking his head to clear it Genesis snagged some clothes from his own childhood, items that were still with him from his parents. They were decent, definitely expensive for anyone of youth but what the other didn't know couldn't hurt him. Picking up the outfit he had found, even some old shoes that were in one of the boxes, they were placed neatly on the toilet lid in the bathroom, ignoring the tiny body showering there.

"Is there enough shampoo and conditioner for you to use in there?" Opening up the bottom cabinet in the sink, out came a bar of soap, scented to smell of the countryside after a rainy day, a delicious scent to him but he was also more mature than the other at this point in time. Shoving his hand brieflyinto the shower, the bar was offered, something good for scrubbing away the grit and making the body feel refreshed, spotlessly clean. "Here's some soap to clean with, when you're done meet me by the front door."

With that he left the other there to shower, unsure of how long Reno might be in there, and uncaring for the moment, book in hand, back on door, relaxed and becoming lost once more in the elegance of the script had even with the actions written in small, blocky parts.

If there was one thing that people were always confused about, it was the red of his hair. How was that natural? Hell, even he didn't know, but he certainly didn't care. He felt it made him awesome and definitely unique. He rather liked it, to be honest. He wouldn't give it up for the world.

"Yeah, I think." He hadn't gotten to the conditioner, yet, but there was a decent amount of shampoo. Granted, there probably wasn't enough left for Genesis, because Reno had quite a bit more hair than he did, even at such a young age. After not cutting his hair for two years, well, it was quite long, and not quite as luxurious as he'd like to claim. The soap, while it smelled okay and felt good, wasn't quite what he'd want, but he didn't seem to care, at the moment. It was better than being covered in grime and cum, after all.

It took him another twenty minutes, but finally he came out, his hair fluffed up from the towel-drying he'd done, the ponytail back where it belong and tied up with the blue tie he'd had. He smiled a little up at the other. "I actually feel clean, for once. It's kinda weird, but I like it." He just hoped he'd have somewhere to go that night, because that would otherwise be a waste of good soap.

Seeing the rat nest of hair was still a mess even clean was going to drive him up the wall, tempting him to cut it now and make sure that the tail on the end went with it but perserverance held out, ignoring the tacky mess as he opened the door, noting the empty hallway and walking to the elevator doors. Pushing the button for their floor, he waited patiently, knowing that the other would be small enough to hid behind himself on the ride down if needed but he doubted he would need to worry about that at this time in the day.

"The clothes fit you well?" They were his old clothes, he would not deny laughter if they didn't quite fit but shock would be highly predominate if they did... It had always been hard to find clothes that were a decent flame retardent level, fashionable, cool and fitting to his build.

Then the doors opened to the empty elevator, stepping inside and positioning where Reno could easily slide into the corner behind him to disappear from sight, become a shadow even with the beacon he had for hair. Tonight, if the boy wasn't going somewhere safe after all this trouble it would be time for... shopping... and a stop to open up his old apartment he kept by the comound, just didn't use anymore after the years had passed.

Not really caring much for how Genesis viewed his hair, the younger redhead made his way out into the hallway after the taller, wondering vaguely if he could ever grow just that tall. Probably not, because both of his parents had been shorter than this man, particularly his rat bastard of a dad. He sighed some at the thought as he followed, but was soon fairly distracted with conversation.

"Clothes fit good enough... I like them." They didn't look that bad on him, either, if only they were just made a little bit smaller. Reno really wasn't a bad size for a young boy, but his body was still smaller than Genesis' had been at his age. Was there really such a crime for that? Personally, he thought he looked pretty decent.

Hiding behind Genesis like he'd done before with others to get out, the smaller redhead blended in fairly well with that coat of his. he closed his eyes and sighed some, chewing at his lip as they headed down. He kind of hoped he could go with Virgil tonight, if his wife was out of town. He was always treated fairly well by him, better than most of the others.

After a few floors of silence he finally asked, not even turning to look at Reno, book in hand to look as if he were reading if anyone else got on at this time. "Where are you staying tonight? Should I take you back to parents or a guardian of some sort?" No child should be left to just rot in the streets, especially at that age and doing what the kid apparently did around the town and complex here.

Then the light dinged onto the bottom floor, blue eyes glancing at the opening doors, noting a clear pathway to the guard room. Genesis walked with his confident strides, shortening them to fit for the smaller legs that were chasing him and pausing him at the guard door. Peaking in the room, the guards were too busy bantering to notice him shut the door on their small jamboree.

Gritting his teeth as he noted people mulling around the lobby, the red head finally looked at the smaller companion there and placing a judgement. "If you're a good climber then press yourself flat underneath my coat, there will be plenty of room for you to breath but keep everything hidden." And contact to a minimal please. Yeah, this was not a man that enjoyed children in the least but was going to swallow his dislike to help someone who... seemed a little too old mentally to be just a kid.

"Um...depends on who's paying for the hotel room, I guess. Or, if they're married... Sometimes people take me home with them." Reno offered with a shrug, standing behind Genesis easily, watching the way his coat seemed to perpetually move and shift around him. It was kind of pretty, to be honest. He kind of liked it.

As soon as it was time to follow him out, he found he needed to nearly run in order to keep up at first. Then, the pace was shortened and he found himself happily following along, and very nearly smacking into Genesis' legs and butt when he stopped. He looked up, watching the other move, before finally getting towards the lobby.

Looking up at him, he nodded some and crawled up the back of it, keeping himself hidden and doing his best to bow his legs closer to the other's body as his feet rest on the taller redhead's hips. This was at least a fun game, to say the least, the way this man was helping him out. Usually it just involved a lot of running and possibly sliding down drain pipes. He'd never gotten to the First Class SOLDIER level, though.

That was not an answer he wished to hear but that was to be expected seeing just how poorly done up the child was when wandering around the complex. Sighing as he adjusted the straps to flow the coat freely around the redhead but with enough concealment to pass it off, Genesis began walking through the front of the area.

Almost to the doors one of the guards stopped him, a regular costumer of his that knew just how tight Genesis normally preferred his coat.

"Sir, what are you doing?" The words were somewhat quiet meant to stay between the two, he thought.

"I'm leaving out the front door for the night and coming back tomorrow for a free servicing for you." Meaning the guard got a freebee if he helped out and the following nod meant it worked out just fine. So out the front door Genesis strode with Reno safely tucked under his coat.

Once they were out of the compound area Genesis stopped, patting his back to get the kid off of him, readying himself for a long night ahead of him. "So, you have no where to go... We'll fix that now, won't we?"

It was truly the best he could do, and that was the honest truth. Being too young to truly do any "good" jobs, Reno had been forced into the life of a pre-pubescent slut; not that he minded half the time, though. He kind of enjoyed it when they knew how to treat people. Granted, there weren't too many people like that, but he had no time to sit there and think about it.

When they were almost caught, he huddled a bit closer, a little worried he'd be discovered. Until he truly learned that Genesis did, in fact, do exactly what he did. Well, then he didn't expect to be told how bad it was. If he did, he'd just scream 'hypocrite' and see how far that got him.

When it was time for his ride to end, he hopped down and stepped out of the front of Genesis' coat. Looking up at the man with a raised brow eyebrow, he tilted his head some. "So you're gonna buy me a place for the night?" That didn't sound bad. Maybe he could talk the other into another meal, while he was at it.

"We'll see. Now, come along." He led the way to a nearby apartment complex, dialing up an old friend on the way in, still owner of the key to a certain room here, after all, this used to be his home and was still a bit of a get away... Without anything in it.

After a few moments of talking he turned those blues on the redhead there, hoping this wouldn't come around and bite him in the ass at all. Snapping the phone shut, he took a brief breath before opening the door up and letting the smaller one in to explore for a bit.

He would wait before passing on the news that this place was going to be Reno's now, as long as the rules were followed and respect was shown, otherwise charboiled kids were on the menu in the near future. Most things were still cleaned out from the last time he came through only leaving minimal living supplies behind and selling it all back... So he could easily buy everything for this soundproofed area once again.

Being a good enough boy and following, Reno took in the scenery that he hardly ever got to see. Truthfully, nobody who brought him near the compound never let him see around it. It was kind of pretty, really, with the trees and stuff strewn about like some careless toddler had dumped them out of the toy box and onto the path.

He hardly paid any attention while Genesis was on the phone, doing his best to not say a word and make himself seem worse than he truly was. He knew most of the time that men who were in his presence shouldn't have been, so he'd learned to keep quiet when they were on the phone with someone. After all, who wanted a random kid in the background when there shouldn't have been one?

Once the door was opened up, he began to walk around, checking out the rather nice and expensive apartment. It truly looked good, even without any furnishings. He was happy to be in such a place, but there was always that looming monster above his head; how much would it cost him? He explored every sectioned room in the apartment, even checking the water in the sinks and shower to make sure they functioned, before coming back to Genesis.

"It's a nice place..." He said, unsure of how to word the next part without sounding annoying (because he'd been told when he worried about things like price it was obnoxious). "How much is it gonna cost for tonight? I don't wanna intrude..."