Random Book of Jaric Fluff & Stuff

Scene #20

Hi, it's me back from the dead with a heart-wrenching chapter as I try out a new perspective :) I should probably put a trigger warning in here, so just be advised when you read, otherwise have a great day! Also, I'm cooking up a little angsty/dark Jaric short story, so perhaps it'll be a Christmas present??? :D

Enjoy the chapter!

Quiet, choking sobs echo dimly from beyond a simple wooden door. The boy outside listens, but is helpless to the other's cries.

Something stirs within the observer. Pity, maybe. Or something deeper.

He takes a deep breath, shuts his eyes, and knocks.

"Go away," a broken voice croaks.

"I can't do that," the boy replies, flattening his fist against the door as a spike rips through his heart at the other's shattered tone. The one person he wishes to see another day, as fractured as he once was.

"Leave me alone," the saddened one persists, statement broken by another sob.

"I'm here for you," the observer argues, just as stubbornly, refusing to give in. "You helped me once, now let me help you."

"You can't help me," the entrapped boy returns, followed by a hiccup and the sound of rustling fabric.

"Let me," the observer replies calmly, pushing down a swell of empathy.

More rustling. "No."

"Why? Why won't you let me in?"

A sniffle. "Please, Aric."

The observer-Aric-all but crumples against the doorframe with the boy's refusal. He knows that the boy inside will lose himself without his help.

"Japeth, please, if you would just let me-"

"STOP!" the boy inside screams, the sharp sound adding to his madness. "Just stop! You can't fix me! Stop trying! Just give up and let me alone!"

"You know that I can't do that. What's wrong with accepting my help?" Aric continues, not letting the entrapped boy go.

A few seconds tick by in silence, broken by more rustling. Then a mumbled reply drifts under the door.

"Can you repeat that?" Aric asks gently, reaching for the offered tendrils of hope.

Another moment of silence, then-"I don't deserve your care!"

More spikes tear through Aric's heart. "Why not? You're the only one deserving, in my eyes."

"I fucked up this time, Aric! My brother is dead because of me!"

Aric nods to himself, knowing that the boy truly did feel a bond to his brother deep down, regardless of how much he pretended not to. With his previous thoughts off indifference to Rhian's death, now the boy must be grappling with his true thoughts and emotions.

"It wasn't your fault," Aric tries, but Japeth refuses to listen.

"Stop trying to make me feel better! I don't need your pity! Just go!"

"I'm here for you whenever you're ready, Japeth. You know where I am." He waits for a reply, but receives none.

With a sinking heart, Aric turns from the door and starts down the hallway to his room.

"Wait," a voice comes from beyond the door. A ray of light in the darkness.

Aric turns back to the door. "Yes?"

"Can you help me with something quickly?" The voice asks, suddenly clear and eerily calm.

"Okay," Aric agrees just as the door swings open.