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The truth of the matter is that Faux couldn’t trust anyone. Really, how could he? Everything about him had to be kept a secret. No one could know about his dad, nor could they learn just how he used him to make sure he could still paint. He kept everything close to the belt, and that meant no friends. In his quest to be All City, he would use everything he could to reach the top. Really, why would he need friends? The only thing he needed was people he could use so he could reach his goal. He didn’t mind a solitary life. The view wouldn’t be so lonely at the top.
When he met Felix, it’s not like things would change. He knew Felix had skill, and he intended to use every bit of that to get to where he needed to be. Faux was already skilled himself, but with Felix on his side, other writers didn’t stand a chance. Things only improved when DJ Cyber entered the picture. His futuristic take on graffiti only added to their potential. Faux knew that, with the three of them, they could reach great heights.
Even if that meant Faux could later betray them in the end to get the view all to himself.
But there was something about DJ Cyber. He always seemed to give Faux the cold shoulder. Faux briefly wondered just how well he hid his secrets, but it’s not like he was open and vocal about his father. If the DJ was going off of anything, it was instinct and instinct alone. Not like the DJ’s opinion mattered to him too much in the end. Faux always thought his skill was always conflated with his ability as a DJ. What mattered to him more was Felix.
Faux couldn’t explain it. Was it his skill? His ability? Faux was always stunned by his ability to move without a boostpack. If he added a boostpack, wouldn’t that only add to his skill? Not to mention his skill in graffiti. He could find any spot, large or small, in the most secluded areas or right on sight, and tag them with his art and name. Just who was he? He was almost superhuman.
But despite his abilities, which Faux knew were probably the best among writers, he looked to Faux like an equal. With the three of them, All City would be within their sights no worries.
Felix and Faux stood on the catwalk to the billboard, painting away their work on the heaven. This spot overlooked all of Millenium Square, and before anyone knew it, all writers would know who this area really belongs to. The best part was working at night and letting the lights from the billboard shine up at it, only highlighting their work. There was something about working with Felix that Faux couldn’t explain. The way they worked together needed little effort. Their sketches, the actual graffiti. Faux wasn’t really looking to be part of a team, but if he were, it would be with Felix. The only issue was that Felix knew just how to evade the police, how to place graffiti without any of it coming back to him. What would Felix say if he knew Faux used his father to make sure nothing came his way?
It didn’t take much for the piece to be done. It’s not like they could stand back much to view their work, but when they did, Faux could see a warm glow on Felix’s face. That was the thing about Felix, he always looked like he truly appreciated the art they created together. Felix truly had an appreciation for graffiti. It was clearly him expressing himself, throwing himself out to a world that might not understand him, and Faux could understand. It’s not like anyone would accept him if they knew the truth of his roots, and the fact that he used those roots to avoid trouble didn’t help.
Faux looked back to the artwork. “You look happy.”
Felix didn’t say anything at first. He let the moment wash over him, the graffiti sinking in. “What? I can’t admire the work?”
“Isn’t it weird for an artist to admire his own artwork so much?”
“Not really. Especially when you work with someone else.”
Was that his own way of complimenting him? He felt something over that. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he felt it. Faux didn’t respond, he only let it sink in. He always worked under the assumption he wouldn’t need anyone. In the end, he would just betray them in the end. The view from the top was his alone, and if anyone got any closer, they would only know his secrets.
But Felix really threw things out of the window.
Suddenly, a light descended on them. They both noticed the light from behind as it hit the billboard, forcing them to turn around, and Felix was quick to slip his mask back over his head before he did so. As they did, they could see police on the ground, lights flashing up at them in an attempt to get them to freeze.
“Stop!” an officer shouted from below. “Hands up in the air!”
It wasn’t like Faux had anything to worry about. All he had to do was get lost in the crowd and wait for the police to arrest someone else, all courtesy of his father. He had no idea what Felix’s plan was, nor did it really matter. They could easily meet up again later on, possibly with the DJ, and discuss their next move.
Except that was thrown out the window when Felix grabbed him by the wrist. Faux looked stunned as Felix led him off the catwalk and quickly behind the billboard on top of the building. Felix was already letting his skateboard roll under his feet, while Faux had to scramble to get his skates back on. As they reached the edge of the building, Felix shouted, “Jump!”
Wait, jump? Off the building? To where!? Faux could barely see the street under them, just how would they land? But Felix showed no fear. Either he was a genius or a reckless moron. Faux had no choice but to follow, as Felix gladly led the way for both of them to escape. Felix led for both of them to land on the guardrail to the sidewalk, and as soon as they landed, Felix propelled himself forward with ease. Faux kept up well, he had a boostpack so why wouldn’t he be able to? But that was the thing about Felix’s skill, it was like he was able to not only keep up, but do better than Faux with one.
The two sped through the district, knocking over people as they skated through the streets. They kept up well with each other, with Felix leading the way. It’s like Felix wanted them to escape together. He wasn’t about to let Faux take the heat all by himself, or at least that’s what Faux thought. Faux didn’t need this, he had his own method of escaping, but Felix didn’t need to know that. Instead he showed a level of care for Faux, almost like a friend would. Like partners in crime.
As soon as they reached a secluded street, they both stopped. Felix leaned against the brick wall of the alley, skateboard in hand. He pulled his mask back up, taking a deep breath. “They never come down here,” he started to say. “Give ‘em five minutes to scramble around and we can head back to the hideout.”
“You didn’t have to grab me like that,” Faux responded, leaning beside him on the wall. “I could have also escaped on my own.”
“Hey, you wanted to work together. Nothing wrong with also escaping together.”
Something really sunk in with Faux. Felix always said he worked best alone. That’s one of the first things he said when they met. It’s not like Faux could fault him for it either. He had his own reasons for working alone, but maybe working with Felix wouldn’t be so bad.
He wasn’t sure what the view looked like at the top, but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad beside Felix.
Faux could barely see him. He looked over to see his wing tattoo sticking out under his eye. He never saw Felix without the beanie, which made him all the more curious about him. What was his hair even like? He looked down to see Felix’s hands rest against the brick wall of the alley. It was so close to his own. Just what was it about Felix? Faux could feel his own fingers moving inch by inch closer to Felix’s own hand. When did he become so enamored by him? His pinky was a mere centimeter away from Felix’s own hand before he hesitated. Was this an idea he wanted to entertain? What was Felix to him? He couldn’t really trust anyone considering his roots. Why did he want to let Felix in?
Felix pulled himself off the wall, looking out of the alley to see the police sirens fade in the distance. They must’ve moved on. Felix checking around pulled Faux right out of his thoughts, hit back with the reality of the situation. Felix slipped his mask back on as he turned back to Faux, “We should head back to the hideout. Don’t wanna get caught now, do we?”
Faux forced down his earlier thoughts. “Yeah. We gotta move quick.”
Felix dropped his skateboard to the ground, placing a foot over it. Nothing had to be said, Felix rolled out of the alleyway, leading the way back to the hideout. Whatever was on Faux’s mind earlier, he couldn’t be thinking about that now. He let the thoughts disappear as he skated after Felix, leading them right back to the hideout. At the end of the day, he would be All City. He would take advantage of everything and anything to reach the top. No one would stand in his way.
Even if he thought the view was nice enough to be shared with Felix.