Music To My Ears | 2gether Short Stories

Taking The Shot - Chapter 04

T/W : Mentions of physical and sexual assault

***

"You're free to go, Mr Opas, Mr Chivas" said the police sergeant. It was a little past midnight.

The barista and patrons from the cafe had told the police what had transpired. It also helped that the Opas name was a respectable one.

"What will happen to the mother-" began Wynter, but stopped when Bryce squeezed his arm lightly.

"He means the other person" Bryce chimed in quietly.

The police sergeant leaned back in his chair.
"Cham. He's a nasty piece of work. He's done time before, misdemeanors mostly - possession of drugs, intimidation, petty theft, B&E, physical assault.

He's got a dozen citations for domestic violence, but his partners never filed complaints. Too scared probably. He stopped just short of crippling two of them.

This time though, he's going away for good. He's been on the run for almost a year. We found an outstanding warrant against him for raping and beating a kid to death."

The terror on Bryce's face made Wynter want to burn Cham's world to ashes.

"In prison, they don't look kindly on grown men who assault children. He'll get what's coming to him in more ways than he could count" said the sergeant grimly.

"Thank you, officer. We'll take your leave now" said Wynter. He closed his fingers comfortingly around Bryce's and led him out.

They drove in silence to the guesthouse. Wynter switched on the radio and Bryce watched the streetlights twinkling in the rain as a piano sonata played.

Bryce was grateful for Wynter's consideration. He wasn't up to answering questions just then.

The resort's site manager was waiting for them at the guesthouse, frantic with worry. Wynter filled her in on what had happened and she assured the boys that she would go speak to the police chief herself the next morning.

She fussed in a motherly manner around them, bringing them ice packs and painkillers for the bruises that were blooming on their faces and bodies.

The boys assured her they weren't severely hurt.

"Please, these are just small scratches. I've been knocked down harder by my puppies" grinned Wynter.

The site manager left for the night after showing them their rooms. Bryce accompanied her to the door and thanked her for her kindness.

He returned to the living room where Wynter was sitting cross-legged on the couch. His eyes were closed and he looked completely worn out.

"Look here, please" said Bryce, holding Wynter's chin between his thumb and forefinger, turning Wynter's face to himself.

Wynter winced as Bryce kept ice on his jaw.

"It hurts, right? Don't say it doesn't" said Bryce softly as he continued pressing the ice pack along Wynter's face, up his swollen cheek, on his split lip.

Wynter didn't dare speak, breathe or move at all. Bryce was enticingly close, closer than he'd ever been.

So close that it would take nothing more than a slight tilt of Wynter's head to close the gap between their lips.

So close that Wynter had to physically pull back to not cross the line he'd drawn for himself with Bryce.

"It hurts here the most" groaned Wynter dramatically, pressing Bryce's hand against his heart.