Once Upon A Time: An LBaker Fanfic

Silence filled the halls of Spectrum as our bastard son of a serial killer walked into the auditorium. Bradley and LB looked over at him, their eyes asking the question on everyone's mind. Hitch didn't speak for a moment. He looked around at everyone and noted their different emotions.

Grayson stood nearest to Bradley and his face was slightly tensed. He noticed Hitch's gaze and smiled slightly. That put Hitch a little more at ease, Grayson just seemed to know exactly how to comfort Hitch. Ever since Hitch had joined Spectrum, four years prior, Grayson had been like a mentor for him. Always there whenever he needed a helping hand. Grayson saw Hitch in a very different light to others. He didn't see the boy from the wrong side of the tracks and a broken home. He saw a very intelligent, outstanding, young agent who's twisted childhood only made him even more quick witted. They had a special bond and Hitch was glad to have him around.

His eyes darted to Sam Colt who was looking very uncomfortable. Only Hitch knew why the mention of Aiden Zachary put their dear father figure on edge. Decades ago, Samuel Colt and Hitch's dad, Aiden, were the best of friends and they still remained close to each other. In fact, Colt, although it was not known to anyone at Spectrum, happened to be Hitch's godfather. The mention of his longtime friend working for his organisation's greatest enemy was sending his mind into spirals. When it came to Hitch, Sam was very protective. For the last fourteen years, Aiden had been imprisoned and, although Hitch had an amazing step father, Johnno, Sam was the closest thing to a father figure that Hitch had. They didn't spend much time with each other but when they did, it was very comfortable. In fact, Hitch did extra dive training just to hang out with his godfather. Sam smiled weakly and Hitch returned it, happy to see him there at least.

As his gaze moved on again, Hitch's eyes rested on Agent Delaware, whose face was solemn and slightly judgemental. Their eyes locked for a few seconds and Delaware's expression changed. He sensed the discomfort in Hitch's eyes and immediately felt guilty for how he had been seeing things. For a moment he realised how hard it must have been for the poor boy. This was his father after all and, no matter how rocky their relationship was, Hitch was never the type to give up on anyone or anything. He spent all his nights awake with a million thoughts dancing through his head and he never let go of his dreams, aspirations or beliefs. The kid had felt more in nineteen years than most people would in a lifetime. It was hard not to pity the boy, but Hitch didn't want to be pitied. Delaware's face softened and he smiled softly as Hitch looked away.

As his gaze, once again, moved on, Hitch locked eyes LB. She looked so tragically beautiful in that moment that he almost felt the need to run over and hug her tightly. Her eyes were glossed over with a look of hurt but her stance and posture were as normal and poised as ever. She felt such compassion and sympathy for Hitch although she would never be able to understand. Her father had been a great man. Yes, he made many mistakes but he was good at heart. Hitch's father, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. A convicted man, running for eternity. Trying and failing to escape his past, forget his actions and even leave his own son. LB couldn't help but admire her friend for the great strength he had shown throughout his life. A life filled with pain and heartbreak. He was so inspiring to her, in this moment in particular. The way he stood there, tall and proud. Unafraid of what others must have thought of him. She smiled a small and delicate smile and truly wondered how she had come across such a wonderful being. Hitch seemed so invincible. So indestructible. So strong. But, in truth, no one knew the real feeling of torture that boiled in his blood at the sight of these sad faces. All of them judging him, no one caring to wonder how much it was tearing him up inside. Hitch sighed quietly and stared at his feet. LB's heart broke for him then. She couldn't help herself and so she swiftly walked over to him and pulled him into a warm hug. He felt safe again and, to everyone's surprise, Hitch began to cry, softly and emotionally.

No one in the room had ever seen him cry, not even Bradley. LB could hardly believe it. In fact, Hitch wasn't really the type to show any emotion really. Sure, he would joke around and in times of urgency he would show true anger or heroicness. But you could never really tell if he was truly happy or if that perfect smile was just part of the mask he had devised for himself. His tears were steady and unless you were up close, you could barely tell that he was crying. Soon Bradley ran over and held onto Hitch's shoulders in comfort. The entire room went into complete silence due to the shock of what was happening. Hitch, usually so composed, so cool, so calm, was on his knees, crying into Bradley Baker's shoulder. The most shocked of all was Sam Colt, who didn't see Hitch on the floor with his best friends, he saw Aiden, alone, just as he had seen multiple times. It was so ghastly and yet so moving at the same time. To see a boy who never truly showed any real emotion, crying to his friends.

Soon, Hitch regained his composure and looked up at Delaware.
"So?" asked the agent.
"He's promised me that he won't hurt Spectrum," whispered Hitch, barely audible.
"And you believe him?" he asked, slightly concerned still.
"Yes, I do," smiled Hitch. "And if you guys can't trust him, can you trust me?"
Delaware smiled slightly and nodded.
"With our lives, kiddo," responded Colt, grinning.
Hitch smiled up at him and stood back up.
"You good, man?" asked Bradley before he let go of his friend.
"Yeah," nodded Hitch.
As Bradley let go, Hitch grasped his hand.
"Thanks Brad," he smiled.
Bradley grinned and hugged his friend quickly. You couldn't help but smile at that. Two emotionally detached young men, forgetting their manly ways for a moment and returning to being seven years old and not caring what the world thought of them. The other agents grinned slightly, Sam and Grayson in particular. They had been in Ashbourne, Australia, twelve years prior and had seen a blooming friendship between the two boys, even then. Hitch had been very quiet and shy and Bradley had been quite confident and outgoing. The two of them hadn't really changed much since then, unless you counted the significant height differences. Bradley remembered those days very well indeed. Watching a younger, scrawnier version of his friend sit by the lakeside, playing his little guitar, thinking that nobody could hear him. Even LB remembered seeing the two of them running around in the wood like wild pack animals. Chasing each other and tackling one another, rolling around on the forest floor. But one thing Bradley remembered the most was seeing the little seven year old sneak out of his tent at night to watch the fireflies. Hitch had always been a dreamer and Bradley hoped that he would never change.

Ok, I know this chapter isn't that good but I wanted to get something out coz I haven't posted in decades so yeah. Sorry about how bad it is but please feel free to leave me some feedback in the comments. Thanks guys. Be safe xxx