A/N: Okay, so I originally posted this on tumblr... then later on my wattpad, but I thought why not also put it up here. (Just making it easier for fans of the film to find the story than trying to navigate my blog.)

This is edited since I originally posted it since I saw some typos and will be editing them as I post them here I will also over on the other mediums. Feel free to message me, review it, and maybe even point out any extra errors I seemed to overlooked.

cut my summary short so here is the full summary of this: AU Where Sock doesn't kill his parents but is actually abandoned by them. And then his childhood friend, Joan, betrays him by telling her mom who then calls social services. So Mephistopheles, a social worker, takes him under his wing, so to speak, and finds him a foster home where he meets Jonathan Combs. Jonathan has been in the foster care system almost all of his life and has become jaded and apathetic compared to Sock's bubbly personality. When these two teens meet they form a bond but will they find solace in each other where they couldn't find with their parents?

Forging Bonds

PART ONE

Dear Napoleon,

(He scoffed at that, hating his name from a young age.) Your father and I have taken into consideration that we just don't think raising a child fits under our plans for life. (Ow, that still hurts to know that your parents never wanted to raise you.) The good news is your great-uncle Maxwell agreed to take care of you while we go traveling around the world! Behave well for your uncle, will you.

-XOXO Mother Dearest

He almost ripped the letter from his mother but Napoleon Maxwell Sowachowski controlled his impulse. Taking a deep breath, he reread the note to see if he read it right. After the fifth time rereading it he couldn't hold his anger and crumpled it into a ball and flung it across his room.

They left him… again! And this time they had the audacity to have his great-uncle Maxwell, who he owed his middle name too, guardianship of him until they decide to come back. That is if they decide to.

What most readers don't know is that, Napoleon's, who would rather be referred to as Sock, great-uncle was dead; and has been dead for close to five years.

"They don't even take the time to find me a proper guardian." Sock grumbled as he ran his fingers through his crazy gravity-defying light brown hair. He flung himself onto his bed putting his face onto his pillow and screamed in frustration.

What was he going to do now? It's not like he had a job to maintain himself, nor is he old enough to live by himself. He was just sixteen years old; he'd be turning seventeen in a week. What a great birthday gift, he added sarcastically.

Now, most teens would be a little excited at having the house all too themselves but Sock wasn't. As of now, he would have to find a way to live without parents and keep it a secret, or else someone would call social services.

Pulling on his trademark hat, Sock got dressed in his usual outfit of torn jeans, brown boots, and his purple skirt with his signature red scarf and went to school.

At school he ran into his childhood friend Joane, a blonde girl his grade who always kept her hair in two low pigtails. Sock greeted her in his chipper mood. "Hey Jojo, how was your morning?"

"Napoleon," Sock inwardly cringed at that name. She knew he didn't like it but she just got a kick out of it, "You excited for your birthday? Are your folks having the party at your house? Can you believe you'll finally be seventeen? You'll finally be my age."

Sock just puffed his cheeks out trying to hide the fact that his parents left him and there probably wouldn't be a birthday party or a gift this year. Which was a shame, Sock liked his birthday. He loved eating candy and cake. It was always a blast even if they ignored him most of the time. It was the only time a year, besides Christmas, where they remembered him. Guess this year they wouldn't. "Uh, no. My folks aren't celebrating my birthday this year."

"Huh, why not?" Jojo sharp blue eyes narrowed to Sock's.

"It-it's 'cause I didn't want one," He answered meekly. "I-I mean I'm going to be seventeen for Pete's sake. Birthday parties are so childish."

Joane wasn't convinced. Sock loved being childish. He looked like a kid but she kept silent for the time being. She had other things she wanted to talk to him about.

Sock was able to keep the secret of his parents being gone for five days. That is until Joane ordered she go to his house for a study session. It's going to be fine, he reassured himself, I could excuse my parents' absence by saying they were at work. It's not like Jojo had a way to disprove it. It wasn't until she said she wanted to spend the night that Sock got worried.

"But shouldn't you go home? I thought your mom didn't like you staying over at a boy's house?"

She laughed, "Yeah, a boy's house. But you're you. She's fine with it. I even called her while you were in the bathroom. She said she's fine with it and that I just needed to be back by ten."

Sock was suddenly nervous. His secret was about to be expose. "So Napoleon, what kind of movies do you have to watch?"

He laughed nervously and said there was a really good slasher movie he wanted to watch. However, Jojo wrinkled her nose, "Ew, I don't understand why you like those kind of movies, Napoleon. Can't we watch a rom-com?"

Making her way into the kitchen she called out, "Hey, you don't have any popcorn. You should call your mom to get some from the store before she gets home."

A cold chill ran down Sock's spine. "Uh, Mom's going to be late. Maybe we should get something else to eat?"

Jojo's head popped by the entrance of the kitchen, "That's weird. Maybe call your dad then," And then went back into the kitchen.

"He's also going to be late," Sock answered.

There was a pause in the kitchen followed by Jojo slowly walking back into the living room with the look of suspicion on her face. "How do you know they're going to be late? If I remember correctly the phone never rang."

Sock took a deep breath, "I-uh… they told me they were going to be late?"

And just like that, Joane the Shark caught the scent. "Napoleon, where are your parents?"

"I-I…"

"Napoleon!" She exclaimed putting some of the puzzle pieces in order. "Are they even going to show up? Is that why you're not having your birthday party?"

"Uh…" Sock was clueless as to how to proceed in her inquisition. "No… that's not… I mean…"

"Napoleon Maxwell Sowachowski, where are your parents?" Jojo dictated putting her hands on her hips. Napoleon stayed quiet lowering his head. He really had no idea how he was suppose to get out of this. He didn't want to tell her the truth. So he did the only thing he could. He went to his room to get the note. She rushed behind him making sure he didn't try to lock himself in his room to avoid her questions because when she wanted answers, she got them.

Handing over the note, Jojo read it. Her brows shot up. She knew great-uncle Maxwell was dead. "Are you serious? They gave guardianship to a man who's been dead for five years? What the hell. Why didn't you say something earlier? How long have you been living like this?"

"Five days," he answered quietly. For a second he thought she didn't hear him but the red on her face told a different story.

"And you didn't think to tell me earlier?" Jojo replied sarcastically. "Jesus, Napoleon, this isn't something to keep hidden. I need to tell my mom about this."

"NO!" Sock shouted grabbing her phone from her hand before she dialed and cradled it to his chest. "No, don't tell your mom."

"Give that back." Jojo ordered extending her hand indicating to give her back her phone, "Now!"

"N-no," he rebutted hugging the phone closer. "Not if you're going to tell your mom, I'm not."

She just sighed, "Fine, I won't tell my mom."

Hesitating, he reluctantly gave her back her cell. She walked back to the living room and started to get her stuff calling her mom, "Hey Mom, change of plans. I can't stay over. I'll be home in half an hour… uh huh… no, no, it's fine… Mom, seriously…? …ugh, fine, pick me up then… I'll be waiting for you outside okay. Bye."

"See you later," Jojo said putting her backpack on and left. Sock just stood there awkwardly his arms like a dinosaur's, she's not going to tell on me, is she?

And by his birthday he found out exactly what Jojo decided to do.

###

"Hey kid, can I come in?" A slightly jersey accented guy asked. He was pretty tall, towering over Sock's small stature, his red hair with his facial hair sticking all over the place Sock felt intimidated by this guy but also welcomed. Letting the man in a maroon suit enter Sock kept a close watch over him. The man's light hazel eyes scanned the room. If Sock didn't know any better, he'd of thought this man's eyes were gold.

"How can I help you Sir…?" Sock asked politely. The red-haired man kept his eyes on Sock but it looked like he was checking out his surroundings.

"Hi, I'm Mephistopheles. You must be Napoleon Sowachowski." The guy apparently name Mephistopheles extended his hand out toward Sock. Not being someone rude Sock shook the men's hand.

"How can I help you?" Napoleon greeted him still confused why this man would show up today of all days.

Mephistopheles smiled, "I hear congratulations are in order. Happy birthday, Napoleon. You're turning seventeen, is that right?"

"Oh why yes. Thank you Sir." Napoleon smiled glad that someone actually wished him happy birthday now that even his own parents weren't here for that. Nor have they had the decency to call yet.

"Please, call me Mephistopheles." The man in the maroon suit replied.

Napoleon just grinned, "Well, if we're gonna be all buddy-buddy about this you can call me Sock."

"Alright Sowachowski, Sock it is." He smiled. His pale skin made the bags under his eyes more pronounced. This man looked like he didn't get enough sleep. Much like Sock himself these last few days. "Do you know why I'm here Sock?"

"I-uh… to wish me happy birthday?" he shrugged smiling bashfully.

That brought a smile to Mephistopheles' face, "Besides that kid. I got a call from a lady who seems to be worried about you. I hear your parents aren't here, am I right?"

Those green eyes widen in surprise. He had a sinking feeling why he felt intimidated by the man's presence when he opened the door earlier. "I-I...uh… they're away on business?"

He seemed to see right through that excuse. Almost like he had that excuse handed to him frequently over the years. And if Sock was right about this man it probably was the truth. "Mr. Sowachowski lets not underestimate my intelligence. I know that your parents left you in the guardianship of a Maxwell Sowachowski. Who, if my sources are correct is deceased. Now, minors in this position who haven't been emancipated are required by law to go into the system. Unless you can be emancipated by a judge, I think you need to come with me kid."

Sock gulped back the lump in his throat he was feeling. In the pit of his stomach he felt trepidation, fear, anger, and betrayal. Jojo told on him. "What's going to happen?"

"What's going to happen is that I'm going to make you an offer."

"What kind of an offer?" he asked a bit of nervousness lacing into his voice.

"If you come without a struggle I'll try to personally accommodate you as much as I can. What do you say?" He was smiling, trying to reassure a teen whose life got turned upside down by thoughtless parents.

"I… can I get my stuff?" Sock asked his eyes getting big.

"Sure kid…" he patted Sock's shoulder, "Just no funny business. Or the deal is off." Mephistopheles had dealt with enough kids to know that Sock was thinking about running. Sock showed as much as he smiled guiltily.

Sitting at Mephistopheles' office Sock swung his legs seeing as he was too short to reach the floor. He looked around the office noticing a tall bookshelf, a large filing cabinet on the adjacent wall, and on the wall were awards and degrees from his social worker. But he really couldn't make out what his name was. Because there was no way his real name was Mephistopheles.

"Hey kid," Mephistopheles said as he walked in the sound of construction in the background. "So, since we made a deal I'm going to ask. Do you want to still go to the same school—?"

"—No," Sock interrupted him. He seemed surprise by that. "I mean, I don't wanna go back." He sighed loudly. There was nothing there left for him to go back to. His parents left him and Joane betrayed him. They were all dead to him. So there was no reason for Sock to stay. It would be better to start somewhere else where no one knew him.

"I… I want to start over. Somewhere else. Can you do that?"

Mephistopheles paused looking at Sowachowski. He seemed to underestimate him. Sock was a kid he wanted to get to know better. Mephistopheles was going to take him under his wing. "Sure kid. Anything you say. So you wanna go a town over? That's the best I can do if I stay as your case worker. Would that work?"

Sock smiled, "Yes that would do."

Mephistopheles starts typing on his computer the sound of construction filling up the office interrupted with the occasional sigh. Finally after several minutes Mephistopheles slouched in his seat. "There's one house available to have you there tomorrow. It's the best I can do for now. Would that work?"

Sock thought about it, and looking at the house he'll be staying in if he accepted. It looked like it's in a small cul-de-sac and it's a brownish orange house. It wasn't the best but it's still better than being homeless. He smiled back at his social worker, "It's perfect. Sign me up."

Jonathan Combs sat in his room with his door slightly left ajar when the foster parents got the call. Mr. Jones seemed upset. Guess they were going to place another kid in this house. Much to the man's displeasure he reluctantly agreed after his wife cajoled him.

Living in a foster home wasn't the best for Jonathan but he had no choice. Not after his mother abandon him, leaving him to his father, to run off with another man when he was a baby. Or so his father told him. He'll never know the exact truth since a few years after she left them she got into a car accident that took her life.

Jonathan didn't have so much as a picture of his mother. His father said he had her eyes. Blue like the ocean, he would say. Right before he cursed her for leaving him with a brat to raise. Then again his father was no better, a drug-addict who was in and out of jail. The reason Jonathan was in this hellhole was because his old man got busted for drug possession again. Jonathan didn't really count for his father to get out of jail before he turned eighteen.

After that he planned to plant as much distance from his current life. He wouldn't have a mother who didn't give a rat's ass about him or a druggy father who was a better father when he was in jail than out. No, all Jonathan was looking forward to was when he turned eighteen to hit the road and leave everything from his past behind.

He glanced at his room, or what use to be his room because he had a feeling he'll be sharing it quite soon. Chewing on some gum he swiped from an obnoxious girl he put on his old purple headphones and drone out the rest of the world.

Sock stayed true to his word, he followed every one of Mephistopheles' rules and went with him to his new home. The house was two stories and looked a bit rundown but Sock just smiled holding onto his suitcase. This was better than his old home life. These people at least would care about him just a little bit.

When he met the couple the man looked to be in his early 50s and was already going bald. His beer belly stretched his t-shirt out. The woman was a birdlike creature, long limbs with a nose that looked like a beak. But Sock couldn't complain.

They introduce themselves as Rebecca and Christopher Jones. Smiling and nodding Sock introduced himself by his name but said he liked to be called Sock. You could see the strain on Mr. Jones' face. Then they both showed him where he would be staying.

"But, it looks like someone already has this room," Sock commented.

"There is. You'll be sharing this room. Your bed is the top bunk." Mr. Jones stated. Sock just nodded. When he was left alone to accommodate himself he could hear the hush conversation from the two.

"Becca, that kid is weird." Mr. Jones said to his wife.

"Oh hush Chris, he is not."

"What boy in their right mind wears a skirt?"

"He can wear whatever he wants. If he wants to express himself like that let him." Mrs. Jones shushed her husband and continued down the stairs to talk to Mephistopheles.

Sock just tilted his head at the conversation he heard before shrugging it off. It didn't matter what Mr. Jones thought. He wasn't going to change his clothes. Plus, they paid him more attention than those other adults who were suppose to raise him.

Looking around he noticed a beat-up old guitar and wondered who his roommate was going to be. He's never had to share a room before. It might be fun. Putting his stuff away as best he could Sock walked back downstairs where all the grownups were.

"Hey kid, you settled in?" Mephistopheles asked. He just nodded. "Well I guess that's everything then. I'll be checking up on you."

As he walked out Sock followed him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You already did." He grinned at his own joke."Go ahead kid, shoot."

"Is your real name Mephistopheles?"

He blinked delighted by the question. "Not really but everyone I work with calls me that. See you later Sock."

He walked down the pathway of the house stopping at the sidewalk, "Oh, and welcome to Hell."

Sock looked at him confused as he made his way into his car and drove away. Hell? Maybe kids in the foster care system call this Hell but for Sock this was like a little slice of Heaven.

A/N: What did ya think of that? ...Anyways, I forgot to mention but this story is eight parts (eight chapters) which I will upload eventually as I look over them for you know, typos and such.

Remember you can find my blog and wattpad link on my profile page. I don't wanna put the links here 'cause might get mad at me :)