"Wow. So your 63 years old." He said raising an eyebrow in Ezekiels direction. The fact that Ezekiel was in mortal terms almost an old man did nothing to dampen the fact that Brandon found him to be far too attractive. And that when their eyes connected he always needed to catch his breath. "Damn Blue boy, you're an old man and you still act like a bossy little kid. Sad."

"First off...." Ezekiel began with a chuckle and a hiss combined in his words. "Don't call me that...It's a TERRIBLE nick name Brandon. And besides just because I don't take everything seriously or I happen to push certain issues it doesn't make me a bad person! You want me to be more controlled? Older Shifters are like that. They are all boring and jaded and ridged and they take themselves and life too seriously! No one knows how to have fun or live in the moment! I don't want to be like My Dad or the Elders....or like you for that matter Brandon." Ezekiel chuckled as Brandon gasped slightly at the insult.

Ezekiel shrugged off the glare Brandon tried to send him so Brandon threw the hand full of grass in his hand at the Shifter face. Ezekiel swiped his hand in front of his face easily deflecting the few blades of grass that almost managed to bush his face.

"I'm not jaded and I don't take myself too seriously! I can have fun!" Brandon bit off. As Ezekiel only smiled....and smiled harder. "Take it back."

"So are you telling me that "You" aren't ridged? That you can live in the moment?"

"Yes!" Brandon cried. Suddenly he wished HE could be the one growling.

"All right then!" Ezekiels replied suddenly putting down his potato carving instruments. "Prove it! Do something fun for once, instead of sitting here and frowning at me All The Time. Or picnicking fights with my oh so charming big brother and father."

Brandon reached down to his lap and set aside his own carving tools and tilted his head at Ezekiel, partially feeling like he was walking into a trap. "Uh? What do you want me to do exactly?" he asked

"I don't know....But its got to be something fun. Fun for both of us." Ezekiel grew quite, and put a hand to his chin in contemplation, before he suddenly s got up on his feet and laughed. "I've got it! I want you to Spar with me!" Ezekiel exclaimed with clear and blue shinning eyes. Mischievous eyes. Beautiful, captivating eyes.

Somehow feeling like the lamb to the slaughter as Ezekiel playful offer tried to take root Brandon shook his head. "No. Not on your life."

"No? Why not?" Ezekiels tone took on a slightly goading overture. "You can't be afraid to spar with me are you? You seem to know how to handle yourself in a fight....."

Something about the way that he said this sounded like a clear challenge. And damn him....but Brando had never been able to turn away from a challenge. "I do know how to handle myself!" He replied sharply.

Knowing that he had won part of the battle Ezekiel smiled, like a Cheshire cat. "Well then..." HE intoned putting out his hands to his sides, palms up. "Spar with me..."

"Are you serious? You really want to do this?" Brandon sighed.

"Well were out here for the rest of the afternoon." Ezekiel said back dropping his hands and motioning to the sun that wasn't even halfway past the wide clear sky. "And it will be a good way to pass the time..."

"And I guess that's important...." Brandon mumbled to himself sarcastically, even as he started to climb to his feet.

Ezekiel heard his words and nodded his head. "It is Important and fun." He said, then he stepped closer and motioned in Brandon's direction. "Besides...You need a little bit of fun in your life. Something simple, before you pack up and leave Brandon...." Ezekiel told him. "This will be a good memory for both of us, especially since I like passing time with you, even though we spend most of the time arguing with each other."

Instantly trying to distance himself from what Ezekiel words made him want to feel, Brandon retreated a step and shook his head at Ezekiel.

"So what am I to you now...your friend? Your mortal pin pal or something?" he asked trying to sneer and not having the heart to pull it off completely.

Ezekiel brushed off his tone, the way he always did. As if he knew it was all just an act.

"Hey! If I was calling us friends...." He said. "I wouldn't' make fun of that. You're probably the first mortal to befriend a Leopard Shifter, possibly even a Shifter, in a very long time. We haven't exactly had any visits from mortals in my Clan in the last few DECADES. And If we saw any mortals, it was when we ventured to the city's where they resided, which wasn't often. Anyway, you're the first one to live with my family that's for sure. And that is something special. Don't disregard it."

Pinned down for a response all Brandon could do was shake his head and ask. "So that makes us friends?"

Ezekiel tilted his head. "Why not?" he said simply.

"Why not.....because......because....I don't know." Brandon stammered in response as he drew a swift blank on what to actually say.

With that Ezekiel cast him one of his signature smiles as he turned and started walking out into the fields.

"All right then let's do this!" He hissed as he walked away, towards the tress far to the left of an open field beyond Erin's cabin. "It will be a simple match." He quickly input next. "Just three points to win the victory. Come on Brandon!"

"Fine. I'm coming." Brandon sighed still standing by the cart, but instead of following him, Brandon hung back for a moment. Still trying to find the answer to Ezekiel's earlier question.

Why not be friends?

Brandon didn't have to lie to himself or ignore that he liked Ezekiels. Possibly too much and definitely much more then he had liked anyone else. And Brandon appreciated that he owed Ezekiel his life, and even his gratitude but there were two very distinct things blocking Brandon from just sticking out his hand and agreeing with a big fake smile on his face.

The first one had to do with the fact that Brandon still tasted and felt Ezekiel's hands and lips on him. He was frightened to realize that he was hopelessly attracted to Ezekiel.

Brandon didn't think friends were supposed to have thoughts along those lines....besides there was one other reason.

I don't want any Friends...

Brandon mused to himself, he looked down at the gloves on his palms and balled them closed.

Do I?

A swift guile rose over him as he thought about that question. But he knew that the answer was NO.

I don't want friends....I don't need any more disappointment and tragedy. Besides.... I've only ever had two friends in my entire life time. Two very beloved friends.

Brandon said leaning into the wind that suddenly whipped past the tree line and rattled the canopy above him, reinforcing the thought by shaking his head and walking towards the gap in the trees Brandon navigated his way past the low hanging branches.

...I'll never see them again.

Brandon bitterly meditated on the memories he didn't want to think about. He felt something warm and wet spreading across the insides of his palms. The phantom feeling of blood. A feeling he remember all too well.

Because one of my friends I slaughtered with my bare hands and the other friend betrayed me. I'm a monster. I'm a murderer!

Brandon said in his head and laughed as he crunched along the path heading out into the field where Ezekiel was waiting on him.

No...I don't need friends Ezekiel, because I don't know if I'm going to kiss you or kill you tomorrow.