Summary: Everyone has their place in this group of seven with a definite strength, an asset understood and appreciated by their team mates. Everyone except for Neil. When he makes a new friend, the blond hero suddenly realizes that maybe he does need a bit more in life than just himself. But will luck be enough to save him when things get out of hand, or will he need his hero friends to come to his rescue again?
Chapter 1 – Neil's New Friend
The day was sunny, hot, but not too humid. The seven stood outside the Brownstone they lived in, more than ready for a day off. Theresa and Atlanta sat on the steps, where they'd been waiting for the remainder of the gang to meet them. Now that their friends had shown up, the girls were ready to venture out.
"So what are we doing? Anyone feel like going for a run to start the day?" The heat certainly wouldn't keep Atlanta from her favourite activity.
"I think that's a good idea, even if it is a nice day on the weekend, we should still keep up with our physical training. So who's up for a run?" Jay stood in his usual spot, directly in front of the others; hands on his hips as though ready to debate anyone who wouldn't agree with him.
"Is that really necessary? Don't you remember what happened the last time I went for a run? It was a bad scene." Odie leaned against the column at the bottom of the steps, not entirely sold on the idea. He would have rather returned inside to play a game over the network with the techno Greeks.
"Oh come on Odie! If anyone should be running, it's you! Just because you're the brains of the group, doesn't mean you get to neglect working out." Archie quickly took to teasing his friend.
"Archie, stuff it. Some people just don't like running. It's up to you Odie, if you want to come, we'll all support you." Atlanta glared at Archie for a split second before commenting to Odie, sure to stress the idea that all of them would support the least physical member of the group.
Not quite sure why he was feeling so quick to cave to peer pressure today, Odie gave up before he'd even started. "Oh all right. I guess giving it a second try couldn't hurt."
As the rest of the group plotted out a course, Neil slipped on his shades and looked up at the sky. It was too hot for him to work out today, he'd sweat too much and sweating did nothing for his look. He leaned against the column opposite from Odie, his gaze directed off in the distance. No, he certainly didn't feel like running today.
"Neil, are you coming?" The group had already taken off, leaving only Theresa behind to prod Neil out of his apparent daydream.
Once he noticed the group had already gone, he glanced at Theresa and shook his head. "No thanks, I'll just be at the park, probably work on my tan. You know, something more fitting one of my good looks." He winked at Theresa before she rolled her eyes and nodded her head, blurting out a quick goodbye before sprinting off to join the others. Neil watched her leave, frowning slightly and thinking to himself. Well, they certainly aren't going to miss me, they didn't even ask before taking off! Oh well.
Neil adjusted his sunglasses one final time before heading off in the direction of the park, his momentary displeasure at being left out again all but forgotten now. There was bound to be better company at the park than his team mates, after all. He strolled casually down the sidewalk, a smile being shot back at every pair of eyes that were pulled toward him. The attention never did get old for the blond.
Once at the park Neil took his customary spot by the fountain, checking his reflection in the water. Perfect as always, every hair right where it ought to be. Cocking his head to the right, he admired the way his hair fell away from his head at this angle, the way it seemed to ripple in the water. He wondered if it looked as beautiful without the water reflecting it, so he pulled out his mirror and flipped it open. Holding it down at an angle that reflected the image he saw in the water, he smiled. Of course he looked just as beautiful reflected in his mirror as he looked reflected on the water.
He shut his mirror and slipped it back in his pocket, returning his gaze to the water. Placing a finger into the cool liquid he swirled it around, intrigued at how even a distorted portrait of him was still gorgeous. He was curious if he looked any better with any particular flow of the water, so for the next while he swirled his finger first to the right in a clockwise manner, then to the left, eventually moving the finger up and down, finally zigzagging in a diagonal pattern. He was pleased to find that no matter which way the water moved, it didn't detract from his reflection at all. He was beautiful from all angles.
It was only after the water settled that he noticed another figure reflected beside his and he quickly looked behind him. There stood a boy, likely close to his own age, with curly brown hair and deep brown eyes. Neil stared up at him for a moment, wondering if he was simply intrigued by his beauty too, or if he actually wanted something. "Can I help you?" Neil's voice was just slightly tinged with a bit of ice—after all, this boy had distracted him from his favourite pastime.
"No, I don't wish to bother you." The boy sat at the fountain, his eyes locked on Neil. "I just, well I couldn't help but notice you…"
Neil huffed his breath out, causing his fringy bangs to lift slightly off his forehead. Another admirer. "Of course, can't say that I blame you." Neil glanced back at the pool, his irritation at the interruption slipping away. The sun was filtering through his reflection now, making his hair glow all the more golden in the water.
"My name is Amery, I just moved here. Do you—" Amery kept his gaze locked on Neil as he spoke, seeming very near distraction as he fought to figure out what he was going to say, "do you go to New Olympia?"
Neil glanced back at Amery, annoyance once more crossing his face. "Uh, buddy, we're in New Olympia."
Amery shook his head and lowered his gaze, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "No, I, I meant the high school. Do you go there?" He looked back up at Neil, his expression hopeful.
"Of course I do." Neil leaned back on his hands, wondering what this guy's deal was. If he wanted an autograph or a picture, he should just say so.
"Great, so do I! Well, not yet. I'm starting there on Monday though. So, uh, maybe we'll have classes together or something." Amery looked hopeful again.
"Yeah, if you're lucky." Neil glanced over his shoulder at the water, admiring his reflection from this interesting angle.
"So you model too, right? I've seen you. Well, all over the city. You're, um, well you're really beautiful." Amery looked down at his hands, which were absently playing with shirt.
Neil looked back at the boy, finally really looking at him. He was quite lovely, truth be told. He also dressed very well, his clothes looked very sophisticated and stylish. Perhaps he wouldn't be so bad, if only he stopped being so shy. Flashing him a charming smile, Neil responded to the compliment. "Hey, thanks! Modelling is one of my favourite things to do."
"Well you're very good at it." Amery looked back up at Neil, his own lips parting to match the smile Neil wore. It was as though Neil's full attention being paid to him had shaken the boy out of his shyness. "I'm surprised someone like you would just sit out here in the open. Aren't you worried?"
A look of confusion flashed over Neil's face momentarily. "Worried about what?" Surely this kid wasn't referring to Chronus, was he? There was no way he could know.
"Oh you know that someone might recognize you and bother you? I guess I'm probably doing that now, aren't I?" Amery once again looked down at his hands, as though ashamed that he was indeed causing Neil any sort of distress.
But with the boy's earlier compliment to his looks still in mind, Neil waved a hand in his direction. "Oh no! You're no bother at all! It's nice to have some company that appreciates everything I have to offer, for a change. Unlike certain friends of mine…" Neil huffed lightly as his thoughts drifted to a little earlier that morning. Now that he thought about it, it certainly hadn't been the first time the group had done something without bothering to wait for his opinion.
Amery seemed shocked by Neil's answer. "Your friends don't appreciate you? How can they not?" The brown-haired boy appeared aghast at the notion of Neil being mistreated by anyone.
"Oh, you know. They're, uh, not really modelling types. They much prefer exercising and wrestling and computer games, that sort of thing. Would you believe they actually think I spend too much time looking at myself in the mirror?" Even though he was complaining, Neil was actually in a very good mood right now. He finally seemed to have found a truly captive audience.
Amery sighed sadly, portraying compassion and sympathy to the blond model very well. "It must be rough, not having friends who appreciate all the hard work you put into what you do. Don't you have anyone who understands?"
Neil thought briefly about the question. He supposed he did have Aphrodite, but he couldn't really make mention of the goddess. So he shook his head. "Not really. Even my agents don't really get it, you know. Sometimes they just schedule me for really horrid photo shoots! You'd think by now they'd know what I want. But no, nobody ever thinks about me. My desires always go unnoticed and unfulfilled!" Neil huffed and shook his head, wondering if he indeed looked as sad as he was aiming for. Casting a brief glance at his reflection, he was overjoyed to see that he was indeed pulling off a very believable expression. Not that he wasn't really upset, but he wanted to make sure he looked as upset as he felt.
Amery nodded his head in understanding. "I can only imagine how hard it must be for you. Do they at least listen to you when you want to talk about the problems you have? Or do they just brush you off?"
"They just brush me off, of course. They don't understand and they don't really care." Unfortunately for Neil, he was starting to really realize that what he was saying was actually completely true. When was the last time any of his supposed friends had asked him how his day had gone? When was the last time someone asked him if he wanted to talk about anything?
"Well, I could, well I don't want to seem intrusive or anything…" Once more Amery seemed a little self-conscious, and struggled to lift his head and look at Neil. "I would listen to you. I would try my hardest to understand whatever problem is bothering you."
Neil studied the boy intently, his sudden thoughts about his uncaring team mates forcing him to really think about the subject. Finally he smiled at Amery. "I bet you would. I bet we have a lot in common, you and me. What did you say your name was, again?" Neil had reached the conclusion that this boy would be indeed be his companion, his new friend. Maybe if he had someone else around all the time, it would make the others realize how badly they were treating him.
"Amery." The teen's brown eyes sparkled at Neil's comment, overjoyed that the blond could possibly think so highly of him.
"Amery, that's a good name. I bet we'd even look good in pictures together! Not that I really like modelling with others, of course, but the industry sometimes requires a little give, you know. You have really nice hair, though." Neil once again gave his new friend a good look, impressed a second time at his appearance. Definitely better looking than any of the others, and definitely a better dresser.
"Do you really think so? Of course I wouldn't want to detract from your beauty, though. But you'd know best what would work. I'd gladly just stand by your side and watch a master at work." Amery smiled shyly, elated that Neil could possibly think so highly of him already!
"Don't worry; I'm sure you wouldn't detract from me at all! After all, we're opposites, you're dark and I'm light, so we'd play off naturally together. I'd be the centre of attention though, since I am the golden one." Neil was finding himself quite excited with this new prospect. It would be fun to have someone who appreciated him, someone who understood him. Amery also didn't seem to have much of a problem with deflecting control to others, which Neil couldn't say of his other friends. With the group it was a constant struggle for leadership, even with Jay being the head. But Jay wasn't as snazzy a dresser as he was. Amery would understand how these things worked, Neil had a feeling he'd be able to count on his new friend in that sense.
"Of course, you would be the sun and rays of light would surround you. I would just serve to remind everyone how brightly you shine." Amery felt as though his deepest desire was being answered now; he really wanted to be friends with Neil.
Neil smiled brightly, very happy with Amery's choice of words. This one certainly knew how to compliment a boy. "You know, I like you. You're a keeper." He grinned at his new friend and pulled out his mirror, checking his reflection. Amery was right; his hair was a nice shade to reflect the sun and it perfectly framed around his face. He was like a little bit of sunlight.
Amery smiled brightly at the comment, content to be kept by Neil. Anything to be in the blond's presence. "So, hey, do you maybe, want to go somewhere for lunch? If you're not busy?"
Neil closed his mirror and stuck it back in his pocket. "Would I ever! I am famished. Let's go." The two boys left their spots at the fountain, but not before Neil looked down into the water again. Yes, while Amery did compliment him, he definitely still stood out more. He put an arm around the brown haired boy's shoulders, leading him into the city streets, listing off different restaurants and the food they served. Amery seemed prepared to go along with whatever Neil wanted, which suited the young hero just fine. He finally had someone who was willing to pay full attention to him, along with complimenting his every decision. This is what Neil had desired since starting at the school. If he was going to be stuck training, the least he could have is someone to appreciate his hard work at the end of the day. Now it appeared he'd have that person, what with Amery starting at school. He was so excited at the prospect that he didn't even give any thought to his other friends and what they might think of a sudden addition.
Author Notes: For those of you who've read up on Narcissus, yes, Amery is indeed inspired by one version of the story. Also, don't worry, I promise Amery will overcome his shy fangirl routine soon, right now he's just learning to deal with actually being around Neil. But it is nice for Neil to finally have someone truly seem to appreciate him, isn't it? ;) I've got quite a bit of time on my hands lately, so hopefully this thing will be updated fairly quickly! I hope you all enjoy my Neil. :)