welcome to the new age -- cha

Life was... different now. It was harder in some senses but easier in others. He still couldn't believe that he and Tiago had run away about a month ago. And now here they were living in an apartment, had jobs, and just.... on their own! And he was only sixteen. It was frightening being an adult now, having to try to take care of himself and worry about things he never had to worry about before. To juggle more things than he ever had before.

He was heading up the stairs to the apartment, having just got off of work. Tiago had been scheduled for a later shift than himself so the other Brazilian had told him to just go home and get some sleep. The poor kid needed it. He was used to being groped and touched by Tiago. But other people? It was new and made him a little on edge. He had to learn though to be agreeable with it, to just smile and keep being adorable. He got more tips that way. And it wasn't that bad he supposed. At least he wasn't in the back, working in the 'playground'. He just served food and drinks in costumes.

With a heavy sigh he scrubbed at the rings beneath a brown eye with a tiny fist. He had changed out of his cosplay outfit at work, now merely wearing a torn pair of jeans and a plain tee. He'd forgotten to grab a hoodie from the closet that day so he lacked his usual jacket to devour his body. Brunette hair was messy as always, a clip in the bangs to keep them out of his face. A feminine backpack was slung over a shoulder with his "work uniform" inside.

As the teen reached for the door to the apartment he found it already opening, jumping in fright. He grew rigid, wide eyes looking up to see his albino roommate before him. Slowly he relaxed, giving a meek smile. "Hey Jere," he said softly, trying not to yawn. Shuffling back a few steps to let the other man out of the doorway he hitched the backpack strap higher on his shoulder. "Going somewhere?"

At Jered's question Chacha looked away, reaching a hand up to hold the elbow of his opposite arm. He didn't like hearing that scoff, but he knew what it was about. He and Gogo had been... a little crazy since moving in. But it was their first time experiencing freedom and the ability to explore their sexuality without being beaten an inch from their tiny litte lives. So they took that opportunity and ran with it. Not to mention they were teenagers, could you expect much more from them. Nonetheless Chacha felt a bit of guilt, standing here without Tiago to defend them and Jere just scoffing at him.

"I'm alone," he murmured softly. The one thing that the small male hated. It wasn't a complicated thing to figure out about him, from day one their new roommates could probably figure that out. He was glued to Tiago's side every second and if Tiago wasn't there he was running to one of the older two males, to at least be kept company in some sense. It almost seemed as if he was scared to be by himself. "He's working the later shift and told me to just come home," He added with a small sigh.

Leaning into the apartment he sat his bag down in the doorway before turning back to Jered. He shifted uncomfortably a moment. "Can I join you?" There it was, his need for company. He just wanted to sit there with the other. They didn't even have to talk. He just-... needed someone there. "...P-please?"

He could see that turn of the other's mouth downward, his eyes drifted downward. Maybe he shouldn't have asked. Probably just went into the apartment and went to bed. Get some rest like he needed. But the idea of laying in bed alone was so depressing. And the young boy's mood was too easily dragged down by such thoughts. He bit his lip and shifted a little nervously, fingers twisting the end of his shirt.

When no real response came from the other male he gave a small sigh, shoulders sagging. "Nevermind," he murmured softly. "I'll leave you alone." Did Jered not like him that much? That he couldn't even let the kid tag along while he smoked? It wasn't like he was going to strut around wearing nothing or something embarrassing like that. Chavez was pretty quiet and well behaved when he was on his own. Scrubbing at his dark-toned face he headed toward the door, supposing he'd just take that nap.

A depressive brat? He didn't think himself a brat... But he supposed in the eyes of other people he could be. Jered didn't seem that happy at all with the two Brazilians living at the same apartment as him. He began to pause to apologize to the other gain, really not intending to make him mad. But as he felt his collar being grabbed and yanked he gave a squeak in surprise and took a few steps backward in the motion. His face turned a bright pink in embarrassment. "S-sorry! I'm coming," he said and shut the apartment door.

Hastily he followed after the albino down the stairs and away from the building. He really wished that he had a hoodie with him at the moment for comfort. Nuzzling down into the fabrics too big for himself was always just so calming. But he knew if he wanted to tag along with Jered he couldn't turn around and go grab one. He'd have to deal. As they reached the pavement he looked around the neighborhood a moment before down at the cracked cement beneath his feet. Instinctively he scooted closer to the larger male. He didn't attach himself to Jere'd side, still hesitant after the moment up at the apartment's front door. Slowly sighing he crouched down to the ground, wrapping an arm around his knees for balance as his other hand picked at the weeds in the breaks of the sidewalk.

At the question he gave a small shrug. "Okay I guess," he murmured. It was his first real job he'd had so it was a lot to take in. The boy, before running away, had been the baby of his family. He had been coddled and taken care of. Or at least back in Brazil he had. And while life here had been harder he'd still had someone there to pet him and tell him everything would be okay. Tiago. But now not even Tiago's comforting could protect the little teen from the mere difficulty of the real world. Work included.

"Yeah, Tiago's a lot better at it than I am," he mumbled almost a little sadly. "It's just kind of hard to get adjusted to. I've never really... worked a job like that before. I'm not used to people touching me like that." Or well, anyone but Tiago. He gave a slight pout as he dragged his fingertip over the cement, idly tracing invisible shapes into it. "But the money's good so..." He stuck with it. Where else could he work and make that kind of money?

Money is good. Money is important. He had never really understood just how important it was until he was living on his own. Food, rent, clothes, transportation, everything. Thankfully between both he and Tiago they made more than enough to survive with a little bit extra. He nodded silently in agreement to the albino's words. He didn't mind the smell of smoke that drifted by him. His father had smoked cigars a lot before he ran away and then a decent number of people smoked on the street outside of his work.

"Yeah, I suppose I will," he replied. It was strange to think that in time being groped, pinched, and oggled were things he would just 'get used to'. Back in school he'd been beaten up for looking so girly and for seeming gay. Now it was welcomed by perverts. He gave a soft 'hm' when told not to worry, continuing to drag his fingers over the cement as he rested his chin against his knees. As a particularly chilly breeze ran by he shivered, feeling the cold against his cocoa skin. He reached up to try to push bangs out of his face but the wind fought him.

When spoken to large brown eyes turned up to see Jered was offering him his hoodie. His red hoodie. Didn't he wear this like, all the time? He gave a meek smile before taking the jacket. "Thank you," he said softly and put it on, zipping it up. Immediately the fabric engulfed him, like a child in his father's clothes. He nuzzled his face down into it, nostrils filled with the scent of cigarette smoke and Jered. He gave a tiny smile. The smell wasn't bad at all. It had it's own sort of charm to it.

"Huh?" He'd been lost in thought, taking a moment to register the other man's question. Take a walk? Well... he didn't have much else to do right now. And taking a walk would tire him out more. Be great for when they get back to the apartment. He'd pass right out. Hopefully until Gogo was home. "Sure," he finally said and pushed up to his feet. The hoodie immediately became like a dress on the tiny teenager, nearly down to his knees and the sleeves just as long. He gave a small smile with pink tinted cheeks as he looked up at Jered, waiting for the albino to take the lead.

Chacha found himself having to hustle to keep up with Jered, scurrying after the tall man quickly. Their height difference was just so dramatic it was crazy. With the sleeves of the hoodie flopping about he walked at the other man's side, looking around quietly at the city as they moved. When Jered cleared his throat he glanced up at the other man. Slowly he nodded at the question. "Yeah, we both have a lot in common so we're really close," he explained. They were both Brazilian, came from immigrant families with issues, were gay, were bullied, were tiny. It was like they were twins or soulmates really. And even though their personalities were almost polar opposites they got along wonderfully. He couldn't even recall the last time they fought about sometime.

At the mention of their 'activities' the small boy's face turned a bright pink. "Yeah ah... s-sorry," he mumbled bashfully. In embarrassment he nuzzled down more into the hoodie, walking silently next to Jered for some moments. He knew better than to do such things with Tiago out in the open but... it just sort of happened. And his mind was never on the bad taste of the location, but rather on the pleasure of just being with his best friend. He knew the same went for Gogo.

"You and Lee are best friends, right," he finally piped up, large eyed glancing up at the albino from among the red fabric. "How long have you known each other?"

A small smile curled the corners of Chavez's lips as he saw Jered now become the awkward one. If at least a little bit. It was clear enough that he and Harley were old friend. But just how close he couldn't say for sure. At the very least best friends. As the other murmured his words and scratched at his head Chacha had a suspicion it was, or had been at some point, more than just that. He kept quiet on this thought, understanding when a line shouldn't be crossed. If he flustered Jered too much with questions then the walk would probably be cut short or finished in silence.

"Really? That's nice. Tiago and I have been friends for a few years," he explained as he shifted closer to the albino, letting someone pass by along the sidewalk. "We met because we were both being tormented by bullies. We were both in the boy's bathroom at school when they showed up. Gogo shoved me out the window and we hid in the bushes until they went away. I guess we've been sort of best friends since that day." His smile grew a little wider, but a tinge more sad, as he thought about that day. He was glad he had met Tiago but he didn't line to remember all the abuse he put up with in school. Running away had been their best idea yet. At least they were away from those bullies now.

Tilting his head back he looked up at Jered, brown locks brushing over his face. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you two meet?"