Seeming to sense Ziggy's discomfort and vulnerability, David leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the boy, hugging him gently. "Everything's going to be alright, Ziggy. You don't have to be tough all the time you know." He rubbed at Ziggy's back firmly, almost as if he was trying to coax into letting go of his emotions. "It's alright."

Ziggy froze as Mr. Jones embraced him. He could feel his heart pounding in his ears and he flushed almost to match his hair. "It's easier that way. The tougher you are the less likely people are gonna ask about why you wear a leather jacket even when it's summertime." He chewed on his lip some more and ever-so-gently hugged Mr. Jones back.

David allowed their embrace to linger a little longer than he probably should have before he finally released Ziggy. "Go, put on your jacket." he said, clearing his throat and motioning towards the desk that it laid on. "I know it'll make you more comfortable. I'll speak to the principal after class about all of this."

Ziggy had been happily enjoying the hug, wanting it to last far longer than it did, and yet also far longer than it should have. When he told him to put on his jacket he nodded and began moving to the desk, however he froze when Mr. Jones spoke again. "You can't!" He turned quickly. "He'll call Dick and then I'll probably get beat so bad that I..." He chewed on his lip. "I'll have to miss school. Again."

David walked towards him slowly and spoke clearly and softly, a stern and commanding tone to his voice. "No you won't. Because you're going to go home today with a six pack of your father's favorite beer as a gift for him, and when he's sitting in his recliner drinking happily and watching football, you will take your sister, put her in your car and drive to my house. You can stay there until we can figure something out. I'll make sure the principal and the police know not to call your father until we have you safe and secure."

Ziggy swallowed at the tone in Mr. Jones' voice. "Yes sir." He murmured, his head down. Ziggy swallowed and moved to grab his jacket. He slipped it on and looked up at him. "He's going to be furious when he finds out that I've gone. He's going to try and find me, and when he does..." Ziggy chewed on his lip. "I don't want you getting hurt because you were taking care of a stupid kid and his baby sister."

David chuckled and folded his arms in front of his chest, a sense of pride and confidence in his expression now. "I've seen your father. Do you honestly think I can't take a man that short and portly? Honestly, Ziggy." he said, his tone growing more serious as he spoke. "Do you really think I would offer you lodging if I didn't think I could handle the consequences?"

Ziggy chuckled at the physical description of his father. "Yeah, at least I didn't turn out looking like 'im huh?" Ziggy chuckled. He was very happy that he favored his mother, plus most of the people he had fooled around with had told him that he was beautiful, though he didn't let that go to his head. Ziggy grumbled to himself. "He may be portly but he's got a mean swing."

David smirked and nodded his head. "I've seen some scraps in my day, Ziggy. I know how to handle myself." His face straightened now, his expression almost vengeful. "Besides, if your father so much as lays a finger on you or your sister in my presence, he's the one that should be on the cautious side." David couldn't stand child abusers. He thought them to be the lowest form of beings and wanted nothing more than to beat each and everyone of them senseless.

Ziggy swallowed and rubbed his, now covered arm. "Yeah well, just be sure Lizzie's out of the room. She's still young enough to think that what Dick does to me is normal, she still acts like the sun rises and sets with him." Ziggy's leg started bouncing again. "Deal?"

David nodded. He would never hurt a child's father in front of them, no matter what age they were or what circumstances. If the time came, he knew that he would have Ziggy take his sister away before he had his way with the old man, making sure she wouldn't be able to hear. "Deal." he said.

Ziggy nodded at David and crossed his arms over his chest. He moved to sit back at his desk, and when he did his stomach let out a fairly loud growl. Ziggy sighed and moved so that his head was on his desk. His life just got a lot more complicated, and it certainly didn't help that he was able to feel Mr. Jones' firm muscles in his back during their hug. Ziggy flushed again, rivaling his hair, as he remembered it.

David heard the very audible growl come from Ziggy's stomach and sighed, letting his arms fall to his sides and he turned and walked towards his desk. He opened the top right hand draw to reveal a small plastic container. He retrieved the plastic bowl along with a fork and closed the drawer, walking over to Ziggy's desk and holding the container and plastic wrapped utensil out in front of him. "I know it's probably not an ideal meal for a teenager, but it's what I've got."

Ziggy blinked and swallowed. "Nah, keep it. I shouldn't eat before I go home anyway....I told you." He was still pink from the place his thoughts had travelled. He needed to nip that in the bud, otherwise it would probably cause problems. "Thanks though."

David sat down at the desk in front of Ziggy, leaning over the chair and placing the container of food and the fork on the boy's desk. He noted the boy's flushed cheeks, but brushed it off thinking that he must have been embarrassed or ashamed. "Ziggy, just eat the curry. It's not up for negotiation. You're hungry."