Page 24 of Carver

Fury must have noticed it, too, because he went on to explain, "Probies are what we call probates, the new guys. They basically get to take care of everything we don't want to take care of as a way to prove their loyalty. Once we know we can trust them, they become full Angels, get a cut, start earning profits, and running on missions. For now, they're pretty much stuck here taking care of things unless we send them off to run errands like get groceries or something."

Carver nodded, adding on, "We're not like some of the other clubs though. Our probies aren't treated badly. If anything, we work extra hard to make sure that they're just as welcomed as the rest of us. To be an Angel means to be a warrior. You're fighting for the good of things, not the bad."

The boy finally untangled himself the rest of the way and mimicked their positions. His hand remained on his neck, and Fury spoke aloud to inquire.

"Are you missing something?" he said. "Something you used to wear on your neck?"

The boy didn't respond, nor did he tilt his head. His thumb continued to stroke along the column of skin.

Something about the movement made Carver angry. He wasn't sure what it was. It didn't make sense.

Slash hummed, which drew Carver's eye his way. He leaned as if to whisper, but Carver shook his head.

"Say it out loud. We're not keeping secrets from him."

The boy's movements froze at the words.

Slash nodded once. "Understood, Boss. I think maybe the boy is thinking about the collars. Wasn't there one on his neck?"

The boy opened his mouth for the first time as if he was going to speak. No sound came out, but the grip he had on his throat fell away, and he tilted his head.

"Do you want a collar, sweet boy?” Carver asked. He hated to even suggest it, but if it was something that would calm him and maybe help him open up to them, Carver was willing to do just about anything.

Sure, he’d been the one to remove it in the truck when they were on the way to the compound. The damn thing had been dumped in the trash before he’d hauled it to the med bay. He had no clue it would be missed.

The boy crawled towards Carver. He picked up Carver's hand and placed it at his throat, much as he had done.

"I think that's a yes," Fury said from his side.

The boy turned to look at him. It was the first time he'd really stared at the other man aside from when he initially scanned over their forms when they walked in. Fury startled a bit at his stare.

Carver knew what that was like. The boy’s gaze was hypnotizing.

"You do want a collar, don't you?" Fury reiterated.

The boy squeezed Carver's wrist once, then pulled his hand away and backed up to the wall again.

Slash backed away, then stood to his full height once he was across the room. "I'll go see what I can find, Boss."

Carver replied, "Make sure it's soft and easy to remove. I don't care if he's thinking about whatever he was wearing before. I want this to be a comfort item for him." He didn't turn to look at the other man. He knew Slash would do whatever he told him to.

As soon as Slash was gone, Fury turned his way. "Is there anything else you want to do right now? With him awake, I imagine we should also get Doc involved.”

Carver nodded. "I agree. Why don't you go get him and bring him here? I think the med bay is off-limits for now."

When Fury was gone, the feeling in the room changed. It was as if the boy relaxed now that he was one on one with Carver again. Though it wouldn't be like that often, Carver appreciated knowing he was somewhat of a comfort to the young man.

He wanted to continue to be the relief he needed.

"I have to get some work done today. Do you want to come with me?"

The boy waited, not saying anything or moving. Carver realized he might need more of an explanation on what that work meant. "We would go down to my office. You could stay there with me while I worked. There would be others around. I would make sure that you weren't hurt. Do you think you'd be up for it?"

He did that head tilt thing again, and Carver smiled. He saw how the boy's gaze softened when he did that. He wondered if his own smile would eventually tease out the boy's. If so, then he would continue to smile as much as possible. His men would think it weird, sure, but he didn't care.

He stood slowly and held his hand out. The boy did the same and reached for Carver. Once their fingers were laced together, Carver gave him a tug.

"We're going this way. We can even get you some food on the way. I'm sure you don't want to eat with all the other men."