Snatch and Go (Open)

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When Jeff was feeling really adventerous, he went down to the beach.

Of course that made it sound like he didn’t like going there but that would be a lie, Jeff loved it. Before everything, back when life was good he and his parents went there all the time. He used to love making sand castles, swimming, and the like. But he didn’t go there for that anymore - no he went there because it was an easy target to make money or get food. 

It was really easy to approach. People often left their wallets or bags of food out while in the water. And while he wasn’t particularly proud of stealing sometimes he had no choice. So there he was, picking through the wallet of one “Andy Jackson”. He didn’t have a lot of money, a couple of twenties, but it would be enough to buy him some food to last him long enough. 

”Hey kid, what do you think you’re doing!?”

Jeff’s head shot up - oh crap. Sure enough, there was Andy coming up the beach. Thinking quickly, he took one look down at the wallet, and then tossed it at him. “Sorry! Looking for the owner, seeyah!”

At that point he turned heel and sprinted as fast as he could across the beach. He didn’t even bother to look back to see if the guy was chasing him as he tried to make his escape with the money. There was no way that guy could get after him anyway, Jeff was convinced he was too smart and fast.

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Don was trying to follow his parent’s advice. Yes he was old enough to be a parent but he had been kicked out of the family restaurant to go and ‘do something he enjoyed doing’. He had been out of the Navy for a while but the structure of outside life, it wasnt what he was used to. He had finished work, been to the gym, started working a the restaurant and now he had been thrown out into the world to find something to do. The beach, well it was a trial. The beach reminded him of the Navy and the places he had been all the while it held the happy version of sand.

Or it had done until he saw the kid that looked like he had stolen money from a guys wallet. Don hadn’t been the guy to turn around and not see something, which left him one option. Don made the run to catch up with the kid as he reached out and tried to grab his shoulder. “Hey kid!” He yelled. For one he figured there had to be a reason for everything, people just didnt steal he told himself and two well it was safer him catching up than the guy that he had stolen from.

It was Chicago, not the safest place to be doing something like that he figured. “Hey kid, what do you think you’re doing?” Don asked wondering what the answer would be but running Don could do, doing the right thing. It was drummed into him and trying to stop a kid getting hurt for making a mistake. Well he didnt know the guy coming up the beach but he wasnt about to let the kid pay for a mistake when it could easily be resolved. Maybe the beach wasnt as bad as he first thought, there seemed to be more action there than the gym or a restaurant.

Tag: @yugioh

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Ah crap was that another voice?

Jeff felt a rush of panic as he picked up his pace. Come on Jeff, he was probably right on top of him at this point and if he got caught who knew what was gonna happen. He’d already made it halfway up the beach when he’d fumbled and tripped. He landed in a faceplant into the sand, spitting some out as he turned onto his back.

Oh god, it was two grown men! Don’t panic Jeff, don’t panic. Just look for a way out of this.

Unfortunately the first guy with the wallet caught up with him first. And Jeff already knew he was caught from that. “S-Sorry man! Here’s your money!” He spouted as he tossed the cash. “We’re cool, right? I’m not looking for any trouble.”

”You’re the little shit who went into my wallet last month too! Aren’t ya?” Jeff gulped - probably guilty there as the man came closer. ”Well I gotcha this time, ya little punk. I have half a mind to call the cops! I don’t need some street rat going around acting like I’m easy money!”

Again, Jeff swallowed, he could run but this guy had his description now - dang it. “Yo, no need for the name calling. I gave the money back, no reason to get the cops involved,” he added. “I’m just going to go on my way, alright?”

He eyed the other guy who the man hadn’t acknowledged. God he hoped this guy wasn’t a cop too or he was really screwed.

@don

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When the kid face planted into the sand Don winced, not such a great thing but then it looked like the kid had bigger issues given the guy that was chasing him. The wallet guy caught up first as Don looked to see what would happen. Surprisingly enough he saw the cash tossed back at the guy though much to his surprised. The guy got a little too close to thinks.

“Hey son, sorry I’m late work called and I know I said I’d meet you earlier but just took a few minutes extra.” Don said deciding that maybe if the guy thought that Jeff was his kid he could at least distract the man from name calling or yelling at the kid anymore. After all there had to be an explanation for it and he would rather hear it than throw the kid to the cops.

“No there isn’t any reason for the cops.” Don said as he pulled out his wallet and handed the guy some cash to double up what had been taken. “Listen my son he gets bored and yeah I’m sorry but here take this and we’ll make our way home.” Don added trying to at least be reasonable. Just to make sure the message of reason was getting across as well Don practically stood up straight in an intimidation attempt.

Ex Navy Seal it was easy enough done with a dead pan stare and face to match. “Now you’ve to options sir, the easy way would be to walk away right now with double your money and your dignity while letting the kid and I go that way.” Don explained pointing in the opposite direction to where the wallet guy had come from, “Or we can do this the hard way, where I hand you your butt on a silver platter and you go home crying and yes, I would take my money back too. Up to you though?”

Tag: @yugioh

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Jeff looked so confused.

What was this guy doing? He didn’t know what to react with when he started the “son” stuff. But after a minute seemed to catch on. Was he trying to help him out of trouble? He felt a bit of a lump in his throat as he offered the man that money. Oh man - what was this guy gonna want in return? There had to be a catch, right?

The other guy took the money from Don however, eyes narrowing. ”Your “son” sure looks like the kid who comes around here every month. And sleeps at some park, so I hear,” he pointed out, sarcastically. ”Ye must be kidding to stick up for trash like that. And if it ain’t like that - you need to teach your son some damn respect. Or at least to find his kicks in something for her than stealing money from hard working people.”

Jeff was dumbfounded as the man huffed off - just leaving him with Don. He stood there a moment, nervous as he looked at the man. “I uh... Thanks?” He said in a rather nervous tone of voice. “I don’t know what to say other than that... I just, you didn’t have to. But thanks.” He added nervously, keeping his voice low as he began to walk the way the guy said they would.

He definitely tried to read where this was going.

@don

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Don hadn’t been the sort for catches, sure he expected them at every turn for himself but little stopped him from doing something good for another person. The only catch was the truth and that was a good enough thing for him. The only issue was the guy being there was sarcastic and annoying and that Don knew prevented the truth from being spoken. Then again any adult that threatened a kid, yeah the guy deserved to have his butt kicked as he almost hoped the man would take the harder option.

“Yeah he sneaks out a lot but I’m sure there’s something we can do for that.” Don said with a sigh, yeah this kid wasnt exactly making the son idea easy at all he thought though then again, he had gone in half blind with that idea from the start. “The only guy that needs taught respect is you, leave the kid alone and go act tough someplace else.” Don snapped deciding that goading the man into an argument was a bad idea. Not that he wouldnt feel better teaching the guy some manners but then he was pretty sure it might just make matters worse.

When the guy huffed off Don just nodded as he shook his head. “Don’t thank me kid, just helping out.” He explained hearing the nervous tone of voice he had. “You don’t need to say anything to me kid other than the truth about why you stole from the guy?” He asked deciding that was a good a place as any to start as he walked up the beach away from the guy that had almost lost his wallet that day.

“But you know stealing can get you into a lot of trouble right? If that guy had called the cops you wouldn’t be able to get out of that.” Don said though he was pretty sure that the kid knew all of that already. “And I’m Don by the way.” He explained as he held out his hand to the kid carefully as he didnt want to frighten him at all.

Tag: @yugioh

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Jeff swallowed a bit.

He felt like he owed the guy an explanation but how would the guy react? Most people didn’t like street kids - that was just a fact of life he’d come to deal with. He often struggled with keeping himself from getting thrown to CPS for revealing these things. Even if maybe by some chance he found a good foster home there were just too many like the one he’d been in to take that chance. So he always tried to run away to keep things like that from happening again.

Yet the guy had just saved his butt, even told the guy off to get him off his back.

So he gave the man the handshake, at the very least. “Jeff.”

He put his hands back in his pockets then and looked down. God what did he say without looking and sounding pathetic to this guy? He kept his eyes low to the ground for a long time before deciding to just say “screw it”. “Well I mean you heard the guy. I don’t have a lot of choices. I gotta eat, and sometimes when I pocket cash I can even get a crappy motel room somewhere,” he replied honestly with a shrug and a face red with embarrassment. “I mean I know it’s wrong but in a town like this you gotta survive on the streets somehow. It’s either this or join a gang to have my back and that is not my scene.”

Not that he hasn’t considered it, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do that.

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Don had seen his fair share of street kids over the years, he had practically grown up on the docks of Chicago himself when his father took him to work. Or rather worked and left him to get along, the one thing he did know was that everyone had a story and no one was a street kid by choice. Seeing the kid shake his hand he smiled, “Nice to meet you Jeff, thanks for telling me your name.” Don said not wanting to have to go around calling him kid or son for the rest of the time.

Sure his father still did that to him but yeah, he had a name and it could be used was always his line of thought about it. Don watched Jeff as he saw his eyes look down at the ground, yeah there was a story and not a good one by the looks of it. “Good to hear that a gang isn’t your scene because trust me, if you were in a gang. I’d kick your butt too.” Don said half in jest though in Chicago it was likely one of the worst choices to make. Joining a gang never led to anything good and if it was good it lasted a very short while.

“Nice to know you know it’s wrong too but like you said, you have to survive so I see it as more a procuring what you need to live.” Don said thoughtfully not wanting to embarrass Jeff any more than he could already see written on his face. “Now I’m going to tell you something and you can take the embarrassed look of your face. Nothing to be embarrassed about, we’ve all done what we have to in order to survive in this world. Believe it or not, I haven’t always been squeaky clean.” Don added deciding to at least let the kid know he wasnt on his own in that.

“Next question is, when was the last time you had a hot meal and what were your plans for the day? Other than the obvious money procurement.” Don asked, sure his family had a restaurant and well there was plenty of food so he could at least share what he had. As long as the kid liked Italian food he was alright, if not he would just make something else through the back.

Tag: @yugioh

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Jeff gave a half smile.

At least the guy seemed genuinely nice rather than after something from him. He’d met the typical creeps before who almost always asked for something not so nice in return for helping him. This guy gave vibes of someone who was really nice and actually a genuine person. Which made him question why he was even bothering with in at all. He looked like he had just dug out of the garbage and he’d just been caught stealing cash. What on Earth would a nice guy want with him past or not?

Then he mentioned food, and his stomach gurgled as if to respond.

The last time he had a hot meal? That seemed like years ago now - but probably wasn’t. But as someone whose last meal had been a half eaten Big Mac someone had tossed in the garbage inside a wrapper, well... He couldn’t say he had many. Though he did wonder where the man was going with this. A part of him knew he’d probably take the chance to call CPS if he got the chance. But the other side of him was so dang hungry, that Big Mac had been a week ago - he was hungry and lacking a lot of energy which was how he had failed to run away to begin with.

He looked at Don quietly after a minute of thinking. “Let’s just say it’s been a while... And nothing really, typically I go back to the park and try to get more sleep... Easier to sleep in the day. Most of the time at night I sleep with one eye open if you know what I mean.”

@don

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Don smiled hearing the stomach gurgle, yeah food did that to him too and he was hardly going to let the kid not have a meal. After all he had just given the guy his wallet back and the money so, he did feel responsible for taking away the kids meal. Safer option yes but still the money might have helped. Don listened to Jeff talk about his last meal and what his plans were for the day though the thought of any kid having to sleep with one eye open. Yeah that wasn’t a good thought at all.

“Yeah I’ve had a few eyes open nights myself but mostly for my country but you know, it is easier to sleep in the day. Warmer too at times.” Don said thoughtfully as he decided that the option of it being a while since his last meal wasn’t right at all. “Well let me make you an offer, if you’re up for a walk a few blocks over, I’ll get you dinner as much as you can eat. It’s Italian but if you hate that then I can figure something out.” He offered knowing that not everyone liked it, it was a love it or hate it thing at times.

“Then I’m not about to let you sleep with one eye open even I do know what you mean so we’ll get you cleaned up and a decent place to stay for the night. If you want it.” Don offered not wanting to think that the kid was out there on his own. He had been on the docks by himself for long enough while his father worked, after school or holidays and fending for himself. It was no fun but it had taught him how to fight for better or worse.

Then again the tough lessons weren’t exactly ones he had wanted to learn at a young age. So helping Jeff out where he could, it was worth it to give the kid some peace or just a hot meal whenever he wanted it.

Tag: @yugioh

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Jeff tensed a little.

This guy seemed so nice - almost too nice. And a part of him just wanted to run away. But at the same time how could he? This guy was offering to give him a good meal, a place to sleep, comfort... Even if it was just for the night. And he had done it in such a kind manner. The guy had even just saved him from the wrath of some jerk... Man who was this guy? Why was he going out of his way to be so kind to a nobody like him?

He thought about the mention of sleeping with one eye open for his country though. The comment made him think and maybe shined a light a bit. Jeff had known a few soldiers - he even had an uncle in the army who had died when he was very young. (His dads last remaining family) And he’d remembered him as one of the kindest and most generous people he knew. Maybe it was a soldier thing.

“You in the army or something?” He asked curiously.

He crossed his arms slowly, looking at Don for a long moment as he contemplated his answer. Did he go with this guy? Take the risk in case he really wanted to just feed him and give him somewhere safe to sleep? After he’d thought it over he answered. “I mean, it’s better than my other options, and I do lie Italian - but you really don’t have to,” Jeff stammered through his words. “You don’t need to feed me and let me sleep somewhere too. Not if you don’t want to.”

@don

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Don watched Jeff seeing him tense, he wondered how much the kid had been through already to have that sort of reaction to someone trying to help out. Life wasn’t fair at the best of times and if he could do something to make life easier for another person, sure he would do what he could. The military thing too helped with that as well given that he didnt like to see people stuck. The whole leave no man behind either, it sort of applied to everyone in life in his world so helping Jeff out.

It made sense to him and it was do that or find himself some of his own trouble because he had nothing to do that day. Starting an argument with his mother about working in the restaurant again, yeah he wanted to avoid that at all costs so taking Jeff there too for food. Well eating wasn’t working. The Navy to Don was his way out, his way out of being that kid that got into fights for money in Chicago which in hindsight was a really bad idea. He had never lost but then there would always have been that day so he made the jump to try and do better.

Don laughed and shook his head, “Army oh come on no way.” He teased, sure he knew the rivalry between the forces was always there but sure Navy was always better in his books. “Navy the better of the two if you ask me but I guess it depends on the view of it all.” Don added grinning as he watched Jeff cross his arms and think about his answer. He guessed if a total stranger stood up for him, invited him for a free dinner and place to stay too he would have thought twice about it so he couldn’t blame Jeff for that.

“I know I don’t but I’m doing it anyway besides, I keep you out of trouble and you can keep me out of trouble today too. Long story... well short really but food is food and it looks like you need a break from things so it’s there if you want it.” Don stated deciding that everyone had to get a good break at some point. “After what happened today, you deserve it because not many kids would have offered to give the guys wallet back either.” Don added figuring that made Jeff a pretty good kid in his eyes.

Tag: @yugioh

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Ah, the Navy.

Jeff was a little surprised, but not totally. He seemed like a tough customer, so he almost had a feeling the guy could have been a SEAL - or maybe not but that makes a lot of sense. Navy men were super tough, or at least so he heard. And given he was one of them, Jeff didn’t doubt what Don said.

He then nodded his head a little bit. “Wow, Navy, that’s pretty cool!” He explained before adding to his statement. “I had an uncle who was in the army. He died when I was four saving a couple of his buddies I think.”

When he mentioned about the wallet, Jeff kind of blushed. “I mean, I try to be good when I can. I don’t like stealing after all,” he explained. “So where is this resteraunt anyway?”

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Don chuckled and nodded to Jeff, “Yeah it was, good fun, friends and of course lots and lots of water which isn’t so great if its cold outside but all part of the fun.” Don added, yeah he had a few places that he didnt want to go back to and things like freezing outside while it rained with minimal gear on. It wasnt that he didnt enjoy it but out of a choice he preferred to be warm and dry.

“Sorry to hear that Jeff but your uncle sounds like a great guy and anyone who saves his buddies is a real hero.” Don added not wanting the kid to think that he didnt. You had to trust who was next to you and it didnt matter about anything else other than that. “You’re lucky to have had a guy like that in your family.” He added smiling as he watched how Jeff reacted at the mention of the wallet.

“No one does but you do what you need to but you’re a good kid Jeff. Not many would do what you did and fewer still would admit it.” Don wasnt trying to make him feel embarrassed but he was impressed with the kids honestly and morals. “Ah the restaurant it’s just one block over.” Don said pointing the way off the beach and toward the street. “So what is your favourite food? Pasta? Pizza? Risotto?” Don asked, he had a few favourites.

Pizza was amazing, pasta too but nothing could beat homemade risotto though his one pet hate was spaghetti bolognaise that was mass produced. It missed the flavour of home plus being Italian his mother would have killed him for even considering mass produced anything. If he could make it he could eat it was the general kitchen rule.

Tag: @yugioh

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Jeff smirked a little - though he frowned at the word hero.

Yeah, his uncle and Dad got the words hero thrown at them a lot. His dad had saved several innocent kids at the cost of his life. His uncle had saved his comrades at the cost of his life. Sure they were heroes - but sometimes he wished they could have been live Heroes. That he could at least have one of them here. But nope instead he carried their legacy now - the legacy of dead heroes was a lot to live up to too. “Yeah, he and my dad - uh he was a cop though, not military - were brave men,” he explained. “Least that’s what everyone told me after the fact...”

At the question Jeff had to think.

There was so much good Italian food out there after all. He hadn’t had anything high class in a long time - mostly pizza when and where he could. But back in the day he had quite a few tastes when his dad was buying. “Man Fetuccini Alfredo, Chicken Piccata, and Spinach-Anchovi Pizza is where it’s at,” he pointed out as he licked his lips slightly. “I don’t think I’ve ever had Risotto though.”

@don