Front desk/Common area

[Z ||Frypans, Am I Right?!||]

AWW!))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Zor and Kota (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]))

[Z ||Frypans, Am I Right?!||]

Aww!))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Zor and Leo (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]))

[[deleted user]]

((Oh my gosh, Sher, those are great!))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Hehe))

Zorion managed to stay awake long enough to glance over to Leo sleepily and give him a small smile before snuggling back into Dakota and burying his face in Dakota's hair again. He closed his eyes and almost immediately fell asleep, his breathing deep and serene.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Gtg night))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Fiona or GZ, your post))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Easier said than done. my parents know now))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((imma wait for gz))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((yeah. i spent an hour crying so far today in the bathroom and have missed 2 whole classes and missed half of two classes))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Yeah, I've cried in school a lot before so...nothing new))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((meeee))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Wdym?))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Awww :( that's not very nice))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Haha true. I was a jerk in 4th grade XD))

[Lou-Lou]

((Hey))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Lol 4th grade was 5 years ago for meee))

[[deleted user]]

Dakota huffed in his sleep, brows furrowing. He bit his lips, squeezing his eyes shut. His breathing seemed to get more and more labored. His chest rose and fell quickly, and sweat started to bead on his forehead. Pain shot up his arm with the cast on it, when he moved a bit. He gasped in his sleep, but didn't wake. His sleeping had always been difficult. There were times when he had a peaceful nap, but those never lasted long.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion quickly jolted awake as soon as Dakota's sleep started becoming fitful. He rubbed his eyes to wake himself up, then looked at Dakota. His heart broke as he saw what was going on, although it was nothing new. It happened every time, but it was almost worse this time after he realized he had feelings for him. He gently brushed Dakota's hair with his fingers. "It's okay, Kota," he whispered. "I got you. Everythin's alright. You're safe now, remember? You're safe now. Everythin's alright."

[[deleted user]]

Dakota's body seemed to relax slightly, his body curling just a little so he fit right against Zor's body. He wasn't completely calm though, his panting still excessive, and his body feeling like it was burning. His fists were shaking, and he clung to Zor.

((DISCLAIMER: Highly gruesome, if you can't handle that, don't read. Don't worry, you won't miss anything!))

(view spoiler)[ Wings. He had wings. He hated heights, yet he was flying. It was almost peaceful. But just almost. As he flew threw clouds, he tried to dodge flying chairs, tables, bottles. Even shards of glass. But every now and then, they would hit him. They would scrape against his white wings, feathers floating away. Warm blood slid down his wings to his bare back.

He felt a tearing sensation. Everything was black. There was a pulling. A tight grip around those once beautiful wings. Noises of shattering windows and breaking chairs surrounded him, trapping him in a constant circle of noise. Nails dug into his skin, and the base of the wings.

He screamed, and this time he could hear it. It echoed around the room, as if he wasn't just in a dark abyss, but a pitch black gymnasium. There was a cruel ripping sound, that made him want to tear out his ears, and suddenly he could feel the muscle and bone on his back being torn out. Those wonderful wings that allowed him to soar, were being brutally torn from his back.

He felt tears drip down his dirt-stained cheeks, and hit his knees, as he was curled up on a wooden chair, splinters embedding themselves in the backs of his knees. He sobbed, cried and wailed. He even begged. Instead of stopping though, muscles and bone continued to be ripped from his skin, letting blood freely pour down his back. There was a faint sound of gunshots. (hide spoiler)]

The calm that seemed vaguely there was gone, Tears streamed down his face, and he gasped, desperate to breath. His whole body was trembling. It was as if he could really feel the pain. He was still dead asleep, but his mouth was open to scream, yet he didn't.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion sighed contentedly, thinking maybe the worst of it was over. He was wrong. Dakota broke down again, still deeply asleep, and Zorion didn't know what to do. I have to wake him up, he thought. But he didn't want to. He knew Dakota desperately needed rest, yet he was struggling so much. It was a weirdly impossible decision for Zorion, and he chewed on his lip as he quickly tried to think.

Eventually, Zorion decided he just had to snap Dakota out of it, as he knew it was torturing him. He placed his hand gently on Dakota's shoulder, the boy still fitted against him perfectly, and shook him slightly to try and wake him. "Kota. Kota, it's just a dream. It's alright. I've got you. I'm not gonna let anythin' hurt you, you hear? You're okay. It's just a dream, Kota," he said, voice soft and soothing. He then moved his hand to wipe Dakota's tears, hating the way that the saltwater was staining the cheeks of one of the boys he loved.

[[deleted user]]

Dakota gasped, sucking in a breath, but didn't jolt. He just...stopped. The tears stopped flowing, and his shaking froze. He stared at Zor's chest, for that's where his face was, and breathed deeply. He focused on the breath he was drawing in, and the air he blew out. His blue eyes were wide with fear, and he looked tortured. "My wings..." he whispered, his voice breaking. He could almost feel the excruciating pain in his back.

He slowly looked up at Zorion. "The took them from me.." His voice was so small. So tired and worn out. He was done with it. He was so exhausted from the dreadful nights of painful nightmares. So scared of what they meant, so afraid that they would come true. Sure, he didn't have wings. But he knew what his dream was a recreation of. At one point, his father had carved deep cuts into his back, spelling out his name in Kota's blood.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion felt like his heart broke at these words. His expression turned incredibly sad and he shook his head. "Kota... I'm so sorry. Nobody's ever gonna take your wings again, okay? I promise nobody will ever take your wings again," he promised, voice barely over a whisper. "I'll help you get your wings back, and you'll fly again, and nobody will ever take them away again." He supposed this was a pretty good metaphor, too. He gently brushed Dakota's hair with his hand, continuing to whisper soothing comments to him to try and calm him down. He held Dakota tightly, saying once more, "They will never take your wings again."

[[deleted user]]

Dakota merely nodded, trying to let himself be okay. Let himself to calm down. He listened to Zor's beautiful voice, breathing deeply. He could barely contain the sobs that threatened to control him. He sniffled, letting silent tears run down his cheeks. Shaking seemed to take so much effort, so he allowed his small body to go limp. Then he saw them.

Crooked cuts smeared blood on Zorion's legs. They peaked out at Kota from his ripped jeans, like a big red sign. The boy felt tears prick his eyes again, making his eyes glassy, and glint against the bright lights of the room. He moved his good hand slowly to Zor's leg, carefully placing it on a part of his leg that wasn't decorated with bloody cuts. "Oh Zor..." he whispered.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

"It's okay. It's okay," Zorion whispered until Dakota seemed to calm down more. Then he gently wiped the boy's tears and was about to speak again when Dakota pointed out the cuts on his legs. Right. Those. Zorion had somehow completely forgotten about them in his attempts to calm Dakota down. This was exactly what he hadn't wanted. Sh*t. Sh*t sh*t sh*t sh*t sh*t!

Zorion looked away, ashamed, guilt seeming to try and suffocate him. "I-I..." he stammered, but couldn't get any more words out. He blinked away tears. He was fine. He had to be fine. He sucked in a breath. "I-I'm fine, Kota. J-just rest," he choked out, then stayed silent, afraid if he tried to say any more he'd break down. He hadn't wanted this. He hadn't wanted anyone to know. It was his way of being "fine" but he couldn't be "fine" if everyone knew. If everyone knew he was faking. If everyone knew he was coping this way. And now people knew. And his plan was totally, completely ruined.

[[deleted user]]

Dakota looked at Zor, and, seeing the panic in his eyes, he sighed. He snuggled close to the other, breathing in his scent. The smell seemed to surround and comfort him. He closed his eyes before he spoke, his voice more steady than he had originally expected. "Zorion..." he murmured. "I'm not upset with you, if that's what you're worried about. It's not like I hadn't figured out by now that you cut.." He smiled sadly, but love for Zor overwhelmed him.

"I know you're not fine, and I don't need to rest." He winced at the idea of resting. "Actually I'd rather not." He shook his head. This wasn't about him. He didn't want it to be about him. He was tired of being in the spotlight. He wanted to help someone for once. "I just...you should clean them...Please, Zor. For me?" he asked, his voice hopeful.

[Z ||Frypans, Am I Right?!||]

AWW!))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion held Dakota to his trembling body tightly, trying to keep the tears from falling. Inside, he was screaming at himself. Hating himself for being so reckless, hating himself for what he perceived as hurting the ones he loved. It didn't hurt him, but he was sure they'd hate him for it. After all, his dad would've–

Zorion's train of thought stopped and he looked at Dakota, silent, crystal-clear tears dripping down his cheeks. "Y-you're not?" he asked in disbelief. "I-I thought... B-but I... Really?" He seemed a bit shocked by this. He frowned and glanced down at his lap, unable to ask his next question and look Dakota in the eyes at the same time. "H-how'd you know?" he whispered quietly. He didn't exactly want to find out how, but at the same time, maybe he could hide it better once he knew how Dakota had found out. "A-and for how long?" He ignored Dakota's pleas to clean his cuts. He'd think about that later. This was more important. At least, to him, it was.

[[deleted user]]

Dakota stared at his boyfriend, a look of sadness flashing across his features. He knew he wouldn't be getting Zor to clean his cuts until after he answered the questions - and even then, maybe not. He sighed, focusing on Zor's cuts. Zor didn't want to look him in the eyes, and he didn't either. "After- ..After a while of you leaving to a different room when you were upset, I just figured. And I...I saw it once. Around a year ago. I just never told you.."

Plus, Dakota's brother had taken the same actions. Mem had left the room plenty of times when they were younger. He was the oldest, and that put a lot of stress on him to protect his younger siblings. The abuse from their father - who was supposed to love them - hadn't helped either. Memphis never wanted anyone to know, and Kota knew that if Mem knew that he'd been caught, he'd never forgive himself. So he kept it a secret. He'd done the same for Zorion.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion's breathing was shaky and uneven and all he was able to say was a feeble, wobbly, "O-oh." He pondered this for a bit, his hand going to his pocket to finger his pocketknife as he thought. "I-it was that o-obvious, then?" he whispered, as much to himself as to Dakota. He was trembling hard now, gripping Dakota as though if he let go, it would be the end of him. "I-I thought I was..." He thought he was what? Stealthy about it? Sneaky? He didn't know. He just wished Dakota didn't have to know, is all.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Gtg night!))

[[deleted user]]

Dakota shook his head, his gaze loving and sympathetic. He held Zor gently, but firmly. "No, it wasn't obvious...I just have experience with it..." he whispered, his lips placing a small kiss on the other's head. "You don't have to keep those things away from me, you know...I'm not a baby." The statement was gentle, with no hint of malice in it. "I love you...and you can tell me anything.."

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion shrugged and nodded, understanding. He knew enough about Dakota's past to understand what he meant. "Yeah, I-I know... I just... Y-you were already dealing with so much and I didn't want to add anything else to your plate. I didn't want to worry you or make you said because you already had yourself and Eli to deal with," he confessed, still not looking at Dakota.

[[deleted user]]

Dakota nodded, understanding. He stroked Zor's beautiful lavender hair gently. He hated the idea that someone he loved so much was hurting himself, and he was close to begging him to clean the cuts. If they didn't get cleaned soon, they might get infected. He knew Zor knew about things with his family and what happened with Mem.

He missed his brother. And his sister. He loved them so much, and he wanted them back. It felt like a part of him was torn out of his heart. But they were probably off living their own life. They should be happy, right? He shook his head, trying to shake off the thoughts of his family.

"Zor.." he murmured, his voice having an underlying tone of pleading. "Please wash those cuts...I know you don't want to, but I really don't want you to be hurt more.." His voice was quiet, but his expression was a mix of worry and desperation. "Those might get infected.."

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion held Dakota close to him, thankful for his warm comfort. He said nothing for a long while, just sat in his own thoughts while Dakota stroked his hair. It actually felt very nice. He looked at his legs again, where it was very clear through the wide rips what he had done. Even the fabric was splotched in places with his dark red blood. He heaved a sad sigh and leaned into Dakota a little more, letting the tears continue sliding down his cheeks.

With a slight frown, Zorion looked at Dakota again. "B-but," he stammered weakly. "Th-that's the whole point 'c-'cause then it'll h-hurt more..." But he saw the look on Dakota's face and knew he had to. It wasn't a choice anymore. "O-okay. Fine." He paused for a second, sniffling and wiping the tears from his eyes and cheeks. "N-now?" he asked, his face twisted into an expression of pain. He knew this was for the best, that's all Dakota wanted for him, but still. He didn't want to clean them. Not one bit.

[[deleted user]]

Dakota looked like he was about to break out in tears, and though he knew why Zor didn't want to clean them, it felt like a slap to actually hear it. He never wanted to force his boyfriend to do anything he didn't want to, but he nodded, silently. He looked broken and lost, ahting that Zor went through that. He'd almost cut himself, once. But at the sight of the blade touching his skin, he'd gotten a panic attack, and then, because of how loud he was being, was hit a few times by Eli.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion swallowed and quietly replied, "Okay." He reluctantly let go of Dakota and got up, then walked down the hallway to the bathroom. He didn't want to ask a nurse to clean them because he was afraid he could end up getting hospitalized for excessive self-harm. He entered the bathroom and used hand soap and water to clean them as best as he could. Great, he thought as the water dripped everywhere. Now my jeans are covered in blood and water.

Zorion sighed, then thought of something. He silently returned to Dakota and Leo and went over to the hand sanitizer. It killed germs, right? And it also hurt like hell when it got into cuts! He squirted some onto his hands, then rubbed it into the cuts. Sure enough, it stung a lot, although not so badly he made any noise. Perfect. Now he and Dakota could be happy. He returned to the bed and flopped down, still looking incredibly sad but finding he was no longer able to cry. He was empty, run dry of tears from crying so damn much.

[[deleted user]]

Dakota looked more hurt than he did before, seeing Zor put hand sanitizer into his cuts. "Zorion.." he whispered sadly. He grabbed onto him, hands shaking slightly. He didn't want Zor to hurt himself. It was his fault, wasn't it? It seemed it always was. He buried his head in Zor's chest, inhaling his scent, and that seemed to cause his shoulders to slump in relaxation.

[Z ||Frypans, Am I Right?!||]

Aww!))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

"It cleaned them out, right?" Zorion said hoarsely, his tone broken and defeated. "That's what you wanted... That way we could both get what we wanted..." When Dakota grabbed onto him and buried his face against him, he clutched Dakota like a lifeline. Honestly, Dakota was his lifeline. He didn't have anything else to live for. He hadn't expected to make a friend, much less fall in love. He'd come to terms with the idea that he was going to end it all soon. But now he couldn't. Because Dakota was here, and now Leo was too. He couldn't leave them. He couldn't let go of them, even if he tried. They were his lifelines, and he was glued to them by love. "I love you, both of you," he burst out suddenly in a dry half-sob.

[[deleted user]]

Dakota winced, because, technically, he was right. But he didn't want Zor to hurt himself. At all. He wanted to be there for him, and maybe he was selfish, but he wanted to be enough so that he wouldn't hurt himself like that. He felt the tight grip on his body, and almost burst into tears right there.

At Zor's words and the sob sound that he made, he felt his heart shatter. "I- I love you too, Zor.." he murmured. And he realized it was true. He really did love Zorion, and it made him want to protect him at all costs. And, he thought, I would even die for him..

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion trembled noticeably, his whole body tense with pain and sadness and love for the two boys that he had with him. He wanted to cry all his emotions out, but he couldn't anymore. He was stuck with them for now, all inside him in a stew of misery. His lower lip trembled as he tried to contain himself but he let go and gave another sob and an anguished cry that conveyed all his feelings in one short, wordless outburst.

This wasn't just tonight that he was letting go; he'd been doing worse lately, at one of his all-time lows, but had hidden it from everyone because, well, he had to be fine. That's what he told himself, anyway. He was determined to be fine and he didn't want to burden anyone else with his sh*t. He always put others first, and that included suppressing his own emotions. But he couldn't handle it anymore. He had to let it all out. So he did. In dry sobs and anguished wails and his tight grip on Dakota.

[[deleted user]]

((Hey, I have to go. Have a wonderful night, stay safe, and I love you!!))

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Ilyyy!))

[[deleted user]]

Dakota closed his eyes, his heart being torn from his chest at the sounds of this beautiful boy breaking before him. He didn't say anything, didn't make a sound. Just let himself hold onto Zor, placing his ear against the others' chest to hear his heart beat. It was a perfect, steady pound. He had tears in his eyes that obscured his vision, but he didn't care.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

It was quite a while before Zorion was any calmer. His expression remained twisted into one of pain and he continued to let out the occasional sob, his breathing shaky and uneven. He'd let most of it out, though; all the anger and sadness and fear and pain he'd been feeling in the last month and a half or so was no longer bottled up inside him, ready to burst like a frozen Coca-Cola can.

Zorion craned his neck down and buried his face in Dakota's soft, black hair with a quiet whimper. Having Dakota here, someone he really cared about, was proving to really help out. Leo, too, even if he wasn't in the bed with them. Breathing in Dakota's scent, his breathing got steadier and less erratic and he got less tense.

However, the tears Zorion had been longing for finally came again and he remained like that for a bit, silently crying all the tears that would come with his face in Dakota's hair. He was weary after all this and when the tears stopped again, his eyelids drooped, his breathing getting deeper than before. He forced himself to stay awake, not wanting his only time lately with Dakota and Leo to be either him or Dakota crying. He lifted his head just enough for his voice not to be too muffled and gratefully murmured, "Mm... Thank you."

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

((Pls read my status update :) ))

[[deleted user]]

Dakota was surprised, to say the least. He'd never been thanked. He blinked, not knowing how to feel. Was this a trick? Something to make him happy, and then take away at the last moment? He desperately hoped not. Plus, he knew Zor wouldn't do that. Or Leo. But still, the thoughts were in the back of his head. He tried not to think about it much. He gripped onto Zor, a murmured, "You- You're welcome, I guess.." He said it shyly, and he shifted a bit, not knowing what to do.

[ѕнєяℓσ¢к ♡, it’s-a-me]

Zorion could tell that Dakota was hesitant to accept his gratitude so he said, "No, really. I mean it, Kota. Thank you." He sat up straight again and started running his hand through Dakota's soft hair soothingly, as if trying to convince him that he really did mean what he said.