orphic

11

TW: this chp will contain abuse, drugs, and violence. If you're sensitive to child abuse, addiction, and strong language you can skip, but you'll miss some things you might want details on later in the story.

You're, nothing without money and money is everything with or without you. People can be bought off easily these days, you want the newest iPhone? a pair of AirPods, or perhaps some fake documents? Whatever it is that you need, money can buy.

Xiaojun was having his usual late-night stroll assuring students were in their dorms and not lingering around the school's grounds. He whistled along to a tune he heard earlier from his roommate's playlist, gaze roaming around as he moved the flashlight wherever his eyes wandered, too. "No one around to kill time.." he whispered releasing a sigh as he continued with the whistling, the last hallway he'd finish of with looked longer than it usually did, echoes of numerous students were muffled by their doors, but if you listen closely you can almost make out what they were saying. Xiaojun couldn't careless, turning towards the garden that was displayed right in the middle of the University's entrance.

"Have we always had such sight?" he asked himself, running a few fingers over his hair. The boy could feel an awful lump form in between his chest, daggers being pressed onto his fair skin at the current scene he happened to capture. It came down to this for him to realize her true feelings, yet Xiaojun chose to avoid it. She can't possibly be serious? With that hooligan? He'll only drag her to ruins, I won't allow it!

Dejun's Past.

The place was a mess just like any other day. Towels falling from different areas of the room, dirt piling up in corners where they usually lingered, and dishes beginning to accumulate, leaving the clean side of the sink filled. He can't recall when was the last time they had a proper meal and it didn't bother him as long as 'he' wasn't home. The simple thought of his father arriving home had Xiaojun startled already, palms sweaty at the mere thought.

Some days he would be gone for weeks and frankly speaking those mini-vacations seemed to be the highlight of the boy's year. Nothing good ever came out whenever he was around and Xioajun wondered why out of all men, he had to get stuck with this one.
The boy had currently crouched down, both legs attached to his stomach, he wanted to eat but knew there wasn't much food left and he'd rather have his mother take it since she's the only one who works. Their family wasn't wealthy, they were the complete opposite so school wasn't an option for him, he wished he could be more help to his parents like he used to be.

Up until last year, he suddenly got jammed in this state of mind that he wasn't living the life he wanted. Constantly getting beat and being looked at as, if he was some piece of meat lying around got old, what made matters worse, was that it was the person he was supposed to feel the safest with, the hero many of his friends talked about. I hate him. The younger boy's lips shivered at the sound of his front door opening, footsteps dragging as that bastard moved closer to the only bedroom in the house. No, no, no. Before he could shut his eyes, the man was already yanking his son out of the closet going for the first punch,

"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't fucking lie around like some bum, do something!" his father's words were boisterous slurs, meaning he had too many drinks which was no surprise to anyone. There goes another hit, following with a kick as he landed on the cold concrete once again. The funny thing is even when Xiaojun obeyed his father's orders he'd still find a reason to get a good beating out of him. The boy became so immune to the abuse that at some point he couldn't feel the pain anymore. Why am I even alive? He questioned himself as the man continued with the kicks, bruising the same regions.

"Now go fetch me what I like, same spot, and don't allow them to rip you off like last time" the man could barely stand, falling onto the couch as he handed his son twenty dollars. Xioajun didn't let another second go by and sprinted outside the house, heading to where this so-called medicine as his dad called it was being sold. He never asked what it was for or what exactly was his father's illness, the boy jumped over the cracks passing by some houses and a few familiar faces. They knew better not to talk to him feeling intimidated by Mr. Xiao, but there was always this boy who didn't care and tagged along, "Same place?" his friend smiled, tilting his head so he'd be seen, Xiaojun nodded, moving him out of his view and laughed at the face his friend was making.

"You know, my mom said the house you get your dad's medicine is a bad place?.." the boy poked the other's cheek, "She also wanted me to ask you if, you were hungry, but you probably can't come over, huh?" Xiaojun wasn't very talkative, nodding either a yes or no. Part of him was too afraid to speak and say things that would jeopardize him or his family in the future. For a while, he believed everything his father would do was normal, but soon that gut feeling told him otherwise when he realized old friend's didn't have bruises like he did. 

Each day he was starting to feel some kind of comfort, he wasn't quite sure what it was or who was the cause of it, but being with his friend made every bad thing disappear. "Johnny, do you want to sneak out again?" he would suggest in which his friend gladly agreed to, pulling them closer to the house. Xiaojun walked passed the guard after saying a brief hello, the man already knowing him and permitted the two kids to go in.
The hallway was probably the difficult part since it took what felt like hours to him, Johnny, however, enjoyed it since it meant spending more time with his favorite person. It was those times he loved most, grasping Xiaojun's little facial expressions being well aware how much he detested this hallway and he couldn't help thinking his side profile was, absolutely breathtaking. Meanwhile, Xiaojun was desperate to get this over with. Cute

"Little Xiao, xiao the usual?" the dealer would ask, golden teeth flashing at the boys along with a smile. Despite these people working in this field, they were the only ones who managed to snatch him out of hell, and sure maybe he was too young to not comprehend the danger he was in, but even at the age of eighteen he still considers them family. "Yeah, Geo the same" Xiaojun smiled for the first time that day, Johnny's hand gripping his very own as they both waited for the last measurements.

The walk back to his place was short, he quickly delivered the black bag along with the spare change, waiting patiently for him to be dismissed. "What the hell you waiting for? Get out of my sight"

Finally.

Every other day they would meet up by, the room's window, Johnny waiting with a bag of food and an escalator for Xiaojun to climb down with. The two would giggle as their feet ran where they usually hideout from the world, and it was only them alone. A place where they secretly held hands and planted innocent kisses on each other's forehead, sometimes even on the cheek. Nothing or no one could say it was wrong, not this. He was his world.

Until.

"Dejun!" Mr. Xiao called out from the kitchen. The ten-year-old didn't think twice and rushed to the living room, where his father and what he assumed were family friends had been drinking and playing cards. "This is the boy, what do you think?" a man would look over, eyeing him up and down, Xioajun didn't think much of it but soon grew anxious when the stranger took a couple of steps towards him. "You were right, he's pretty strong" the man assured, giving the half conscious one a grin.

"I'll take him and the woman"

And just like that, Xiaojun and his mother were sold to some stranger. He was convinced some curse must've stuck around since his past life and that was the reason nothing good ever came to him, or so he thought so.

"I'm aware of the mistreatment and I also know all the hurt you're dealing with, Xiaojun.. You're safe now" the man looked at him through the rearview mirror, Xioajun stared back wide eyes going from the man and his mother. At the time he was far too young to understand what had occurred, but as he got older he put the pieces together and realized they were never sold. He was in no position to judge his mother knowing very well all the damage his father had caused them.

"Hendery, this is your new brother, Xiaojun" the dark hair boy smiled with such enthusiasm, running up to his new sibling and brought him in for a hug.
"I finally have a brother" Hendery's laughter echoed, slimmer arms squeezing him tightly. This feels different from Johnny's hugs.