The next days were fairly normal. Except on Wednesday, the other Kings met up with Jonas and Hugh and visited Martha.

When he walked through the door he was nearly tackled by the smaller woman. He felt her shaking and sobbing, so he held her gently.

"Thank you... thank you so much." She cried into his chest. She backed up and cupped his face. "You are such a good young man. Brett would have been so happy."

She turned to Hugh and gave him a strong hug too. "Hugh, thank you."

She noticed the other figures behind them and she backed up with some embarrassment until she recognized them. "All the Kings of Hawkings... my word." She said with a teary smile. "You boys did something that you should be proud of. I lost my boy because of those games, and there was a good chance another child would have lost their life. You saved them."

Rodgers shuffled a little. "Jo told us a little about Brett. I am so sorry we weren't there last year."

Martha shook her head. "As much as I appreciate you be there this year, it is still not your responsibility. I lost my boy because of violent children, bad parenting, and a school that has no control. You boys did a good thing."

She pointed to a window in her shop and they saw the Hawkings' sigil handing in it. "Shops all over town now have these in their windows. We are supporters and will always help out a Hawkings boy in need. You are not fighting this battle alone."

Jonas hugged her tightly. "Thank you Martha."

When they broke from the hug she got a bouquet of flowers. "I believe I am ready to visit him today."

Jonas smiled warmly and had her walk arm in arm with him. Hugh was on the other side, holding his hand. She noticed and grinned. "Well, it's about time for you two to realize that you belonged together."

Hugh grinned. "Well, he never made a move so I had to. But he has already spoiled me and taken me on a few dates."

Rodgers groaned. "A brawl does not constitute as a date!"

Hugh laughed. "I think it's romantic."

The Kings stood back while Jonas escorted Martha to Brett's grave. She broke down crying in Jonas' arms. They were all patient with her, allowing her time to grieve.

She finally calmed and let Jonas wrap a comforting arm around her. "I lost my son almost a year ago, and I thought that I would always be alone. I feel like he befriended you to bring you into my life. You're like a second son to me Jonas. I cannot thank you enough for being in my life."

"Perhaps he knew that we needed each other. Being treated like your son has given my sanity in a very dark time." He looked back to the group waiting for them. "And now I know that I am not alone."

The Kings took some time to greet Brett before they escorted her back to the shop. The Kings watched with amusement as Jonas and Hugh fussed over Martha and tried to help with the shop. She kicked them all out to go to school, but with snacks in hand. Jonas gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

---

Hawkings School for Boys was always a fighting school, but with the help of the Kings, it was orderly. Most importantly, it was safe. And for those who suffered from the hands of others, it was a haven where they were able to be themselves. And now that two of the Kings came out as being a couple, there was even more acceptance of same sex couples.

There were a few people, as all schools have bad apples, that were resistant, such as Tank the former King. But he was easily silenced.

But what Jonas enjoyed was the community with the students. All of them has experienced some sort of difficult life that forced them into Hawkings. They were bad or angry students before, but really, they just needed someone to understand them. Hawkings was the place for that. In a world that rejected them, they found one place that embraced them. And this caused each boy to be fiercely loyal to their school.

No one on the outside really understood their innerworkings and assumed the worst. The Hunt had help repair some of their negative image and gained plenty of followers nationwide, but St. Vincent's still owned the city because of their money. They found ways to silence the cries of support for Hawkings, and started to broadcast the history of some of the more notorious students.

They influenced the information that was released, and videos of their distasteful Hunt was soon replaced by the violent fights that involved the Hawkings boys.

The Hunt was forgotten and the hanging animals in Hawking's courtyard was hushed up. And once St. Vincent's felt that they had control over the local news and law enforcement, they started their attacks. Hawkings started to feel their underhanded schemes weeks after the Hunt.

Their dorms and school were vandalized and Hawkings just stopped trying to paint over the graffiti. Cars were mysteriously towed and impounded, even though they were legally parked. If they were wearing their jackets, they were frequently stopped by the cops. They got so used to seeing a cop car and just raising their hands to prepare for the abuse of power.

But St. Vincent's would never start a physical altercation, because they knew that any Hawkings student would end it. But they more more afraid of inciting the wrath of the Kings, namely Mad Dog and the Wolf.

The parents tried to interfere and bring St. Vincent's actions to light, but they seemed to be getting shut down. Chuck had tried to get involved, and he and Alex were working closely to expose St. Vincent's, but it was a slow process that had many roadblocks.

By December, the Hawkings boys were extremely frustrated and high strung. The fight requests poured in, and not just student brawls, but requests to challenge the Kings. The students knew that they would never win and didn't do it maliciously. They needed a way to relieve their stress and sparring was something they can use to their advantage.

Unsurprisingly, Jonas and Hugh had the most requested, and they always complied. They understood that this was something that the students needed.

However, for these fights, they always geared up with gloves and headgear. Jonas once made the mistake of not holding back, and one of his challengers had a mild concussion.

But on top of studying, working, and the gym, the Kings were exhausted every day. Jonas and Hugh would shower together, but that was mainly to help each other stand up. And then they would collapse in bed and fall asleep. Their intimacy was limited to kisses that they could steal throughout the day. But the nights were truly reserved for sleep.

On the last day of their classes for the semester, the school would hold a celebration in the courtyard, but somehow, the courtyards had a thick layer of ice over it because someone left water running. Because of the cold, the ice was not going to melt for several days even if the sun was out.

Their teachers tried what they could, but couldn't find a space for them. But by this time, the boys were tired and just went back to the dorms. Their morale was low and the walk back was silent. Hugh and Jonas leaned up against each other, both having several spars today. They felt like their knuckles were going to split despite the extra tape they used on their wrappings. Their bodies were so worn out, that even Chuck refused to give them any arduous drills. He would only show them new holds and moves that would benefit them in their fights.

They all piled into the dorms in silence and resigned frustration. They felt the strain of constantly being reactive with St. Vincent's attacks.

Jonas and Hugh collapsed on the couch, and Travis quickly moved to check out their wounds. He sucking in air seeing their bruised and swollen knuckles. "Do you guys have to accept every fight."

Jonas groaned. "It's better this way."

Travis pursed his lips. "Really? Everyone is angry, but is it really better to let them take their anger out on you?"

Hugh waved his hand lazily in the air. "We're angry too. Should we take it out on some Elites instead?"

Travis groaned and bandaged their knuckles and tended to their other superficial wounds. Jaiden warmed up leftovers and they all gathered at the table and ate their lackluster meal.

They were supposed to have a large barbeque today at the school, but once again, St. Vincent's took something else away. All that remained was their stewing anger.