This Rose Bleeds

Chapter ~Ten~

.~*~. RYDER .~*~.

I was going to kill him. I was going to strangle the breath out of this man that caused pain to my Nate. If Nathan hadn't been shaking in fear, shaking from those memories, I would have tracked down this man and made him regret every little thing he has done. But I didn't. Why?

The heavens chose that time to make it rain.

I began freaking out because he was getting soaked and he was already sick to begin with. I cursed for not bringing a jacket and made a spur of the moment decision. I stripped off my shirt and held it above his head. He laughed at my attempt, because he obviously had no care for his health. But the laugh was forced.

If the rain hadn't begun pouring, I would be steaming with anger. I was just about to grab him, hold him close. I can't believe he told me...anything. Everything. I can't believe what he'd been through. I can't believe I hadn't been there earlier to protect him. I can't believe I had been about to cry.

So, using it as an excuse, I held him close as we ran back to the house, so the rain wouldn't affect him as much, and so I could reassure myself he was safely in my arms and not in someone else's. When we got through the door he shook his head and looked down at himself.

"Are you trying to get me sick?" He asked and shivered from the cold.

"Come on, you can borrow my clothes."

I looked at him through my peripherals and caught him look away from my body, blushing. I smirked, feeling giddy knowing I was the cause of the blush. I know I'm hot and got muscle. I'm glad he noticed too.

I grabbed a T-shirt that was obviously going to be too big and some stretchy soccer shorts.

He looked at the shirt and gripped his wrist. Come to think of it, I've only ever seen him in long sleeves, even when it was hot. The reason he wore long sleeves must be to hide his wrist.

"I know now." I reassured and handed the shirt over. "You don't have to hide it."

He nodded slowly and accepted it before going into the bathroom.

I changed out of my jeans for some sweats. I had just pulled on a clean shirt when there was a crash from inside the bathroom.

My heart jumped and I began pounding on the door. "Nathan, what was that? Are you okay?"

"Uh..." He voice came through as a muffle. "It's nothing, I...fell..."

He fell? Was he dizzy? "I'm coming in." I pushed the door open all the way and looked for him. He was sprawled on the ground with his head resting on the cabinet. He had the pants on but seemed to have fallen before he could put on a shirt. He held his head and groaned.

"My head." He stated. I hurriedly picked him up and brought him to the bed, pulling the covers over his slim frame.

"What–" But stopped short when I saw his back and front. The scars stood out from his pale skin. Some had begun to fade while recent bruises marked his stomach.

Anger flared up like a torch. It took all my effort to keep calm and focus on the matter at hand.

"I'll be right back with some medicine, don't go anywhere."

With his eyes closed he laughed as I left and even if it was hollow, it sounded sweet.

.~*~. NATHAN .~*~.