Chapter Text
The first time Richard saw Henry he had to do a double take. For a moment he thought Justin had somehow gotten out of prison and followed him to this university. Of course daddy’s lawyer was good enough to get Richard probation for a year in assisting a homicide. He’d pleaded he’d been manipulated and the video evidence made it clear he never touched that woman so Richard was more or less free.
Money bought him entry into college on the other side of the country, but everyone stayed away from him. They knew of his past and what he was capable of so no one really wanted to get near him.
Things weren’t as fun without Justin around so when he saw Henry his heart skipped a beat. The kid was as pathetic as Justin, with greasy long hair that he clearly hadn’t washed in weeks, clothes too big and too tattered, and the dark eyes of a student that was too smart for his own good.
Richard learned he was an art major and suddenly he became interested in art history. Switching classes wasn’t the issue. It was catching Henry when he wasn’t running out of the classroom, always seemingly late for something.
Eventually Richard grew tired of trying to catch him and as luck would have it, he came to him.
There weren’t many places he could openly smoke, but Richard found behind the bleachers to be a good enough place. There was shade, no one bothered him, and when it wasn’t game day or the jocks weren’t at practice, he had some peace and quiet.
That’s where he found Henry. Or rather, Henry found him.
He was halfway through a cigarette when he heard the scuffling of shoes making their way over. Richard was about to put out the cigarette when he saw the greasy hair peek out from around the corner.
Henry flinched, stumbling slightly as he caught sight of Richard. Clearly he didn’t expect anyone to be in his hiding spot. He turned to leave.
“Hey, I ain’t no snitch.” Richard called out.
Henry stopped, glancing back at him. He was clearly taller than Richard, but the way he carried himself, slightly hunched over, made it seem as if he was shorter. Scrawny and almost malnourished. Damn. When was the last time this guy had a proper meal?
“Justin Pendleton would beg to differ.” Henry said coolly, stopping to stare at him.
Richard stared back, unable to stop himself from smiling widely. He shrugged then turned away, taking another long drag of his cigarette.
Henry eventually joined beside him and took out a cigarette of his own but struggled to get his lighter to work. He must’ve been stubborn, Richard thought, because he didn’t dare ask for help from him.
“Hey, I’ve got ya.” Rich said, raising his gun shaped lighter up to Henry’s forehead.
Henry turned to him, barely acknowledging the fake weapon. He tilted his head to look at Richard better, almost as if asking ‘really?’
Richard burst out laughing, lowering the lighter enough to properly light the cigarette between Henry’s lips.
“You know who I am, how ‘bout you tell me your name?” Richard said, tucking away his lighter.
Henry took a drag of his cigarette, ignoring Richard for a long few seconds as he inhaled the smoke. He slowly exhaled, rubbing his thumb over his lip. Seemed like a nervous tick of some sort, Richard thought. Justin had those too.
“Henry.” He finally said.
“Nice to properly meet ya, Henry.”