"Thirteen." James said.
Noah rolled his eyes. Then he stood up and sat at the other side of James to put himself in between James and the man. He glared at Francis. "Leave my little brother alone, will ye?"

Francis leaned fully against the wall with his hands behind his head showing he was truly relaxed and not worried. "I am merely speaking to him. No need to be so afraid." He cracked a smile and looked to James again.

"That's a great age, just between being a kid and being an adult. You gonna start lookin for work soon? Lots of places don't mind hiring a hard workin kid."

"I'm already workin'." said James.

Noah suddenly got up and turned to Francis, trying to make himself bigger. "You shut up and leave him be, okay!?"

"Great job, working your way up the food chain."

Francis then looked to Noah and moved his hands down to fold them. Something to put his arms between him and the man in front in case he tried something. "Or what? Unless you prove you live here, I don't see why I can't stand here."

"Noah, he ain't doin' owt!" James said.

"Shut up!" Noah shouted back. "I told ye not to talk to strangers." He looked back at Francis. "You better go, of I'll stab ye!"

Francis nodded to James then looked at Noah. He tilted his head and looked curious. "You would? In front of him? Don't you think that'd be more dangerous to his mind than anything I've done? Besides, if I survived and you were caught he'd be alone, wouldn't he?"

"Ye wouldn't survive." Noah threatened.

"But you don't have a knife, Noah. How are you going to stab him?" his brother asked.

"Shut up!"

Francis' smile fell. "You shouldn't tell your brother to shut up. It's not very nice. What sort of example are you makin?"

[Content warning: strong language.]

"Mind yer own business, ye cunt!" Noah said. "I'll talk to 'im as I like."

"Ye cunt!" James repeated.

Francis snorted and began to laugh. "As I see.. I still find it grossly inappropriate."