Heated Lies (Jiara)

Downfall

JJ experienced every blow delivered down to the bone. Shocks would ripple through his body despite the knowledge that this would've come. He knew it. He wasn't even mad, he just felt stupid.

Kiara was still in the dark, driving toward his house. She told herself she wouldn't do that shit. It was on repeat on her mind that it would've been reckless and unbelievably overbearing, but there was no way she was keeping her word if he couldn't keep his.

Meanwhile, Luke was shoving him into the broken glass on the ground. JJ's reply was a crumbled groan. The veins on his arms and hands popped out as he grabbed a fistful of leaves.

Seconds later, Luke was stumbling backward as a result of dirt and glass. JJ didn't even bother to check his own hands, or scream for help, or wonder why his wounds were starting to feel numb.

He knew the drill, the blood, the ache, the feeling of betrayal everytime his father did the opposite of what he'd hoped. But he'd asked for it this time. This time it really was his fault... wasn't it?

"Fucking pathetic! You will never come into my house and say such bullshit!! Fucking up my car?! Running off for days?! Getting chased by the goddamn cops?!"

The younger boy was trembling, and he knew damn well he was crying, but his expression remained stone cold. A particularly harsh cough followed a kick to his already bruised stomach.

After that, it looked like Luke had started to back down. JJ didn't move yet, trying to steady himself. He didn't know why he was feeling nauseous, but he knew he couldn't worry about it yet.

Luke was panting in front of him, wiping JJ's blood on his plaid shirt. The boy felt another buzz in his pocket. With the leaves everywhere, Luke was hearing it too. JJ didn't move a muscle.

"Who the hell keeps textin' you?"

His tone was softer, but somehow just as angry. JJ didn't answer. He knew better.

"Boy, I'm talking to you!!"

Maybe he didn't. Luke always changed the rules. To JJ, it was infuriating, and he was about ready to explode.

"And I'm not talking back!" JJ screamed back. "Even if I did you'd just tell me to shut the fuck up again!"

He should've kept his mouth shut, but the intrusive thoughts were winning. Physically, he was losing tremendously. Something was fucking broken.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?!" Luke kicked him again, and this time JJ gagged.

"I'm your son, you bald bastard!"

Mentally, he realized Luke was losing. Though JJ felt an obligation to play the wrong team, he knew Luke was battling his own demons. What he said next only confirmed it.

"You're just like your goddamn mother!" And JJ didn't miss the crack in his own father's voice. "Fucking worthless! Always runnin' away!"

The sharp intakes of air stifled his words. They were both exhausted, but Luke didn't seem finished. He swallowed, leaning over his sons wrangled body.

"You ever disrespect me like this again, I'll make sure you won't get up."

Suppressing the shaking didn't do him any justice. He could barely breathe when Luke began walking away. As the door shut, and the porch light shut out, he focused on his wheezing. By that time, he was losing consciousness all over again.

***

It was only thirty minutes that JJ sat alone, but it was the worst thirty minutes of his life. Being unable to make his legs work, being unable to throw an equally awful punch back at his father, or even some kind of insult.

He'd tried, but Luke ultimately got the best of him. Like he always did. He hated the feeling of leaves on his back side. A soft crunch would bounce in his brain every time he'd flinch.

He hated that it had happened again. He'd deliberately provoked the man! Why?! It was a deeper hatred than before, because he wasn't sure what Luke would've done if he'd kept quiet. He didn't want to find out.

He was used to this. So why was he still crying? He was so angry he couldn't even describe it.

He probably could've gotten up if he really wanted to... but he didn't want to. In that moment, it felt like the end. All his life he'd dreamed of his father doing anything but hitting him, but when that moment came, he couldn't take it.

Luke couldn't switch up on him, he just couldn't. Though now that he'd made his mistake, Luke's words were starting to come true. Pathetic. Worthless. Runner.

Except it wasn't painful, it was peaceful, and beautiful. It was like the fight was over. He wasn't working to prove him wrong anymore, because he believed him. He couldn't deny the damage already done.

And then someone's burning hot hands caressed his cheeks. He could make out panicked yelling. It was all fuzzy, but he knew it was Kiara. He mumbled, but it was too quiet for her to hear or process as she helped him up.

***

When he came to, he saw Kiara's wallpaper. It was light outside, and he smelled something sweet. He felt cozy, still oblivious to the bandages on his wrist and torso.

He only noticed those when he went to sit up. It didn't go according to plan. Kiara was rushing by his side as a hiss sounded.

"Fuck, that hurts." He whispered.

Her grimace loosened his eyebrows.

"Shit, Kie." He carefully eased back down into the mattress. "I'm so fucking sorry."

She shook her head. There had been tears in her eyes from most of the night, and that was too obvious for JJ.

"Jesus Christ." She panted, going to hug him.

His reciprocation was an excuse of effort, but he did try his best. Still, he was confused. Why didn't he remember anything? It had never gotten this bad.

"I was okay. He said next time I won't be able to get up." JJ said it like he believed it, still defending the man no matter how angered he was.

As if he couldn't feel the effects of his dad right smack in his face. As if his dad's words couldn't possibly be wrong.

"JJ..." Kiara shook her head, taking his hand and sighing.

And then JJ's breathing increased. "Wait you didn't tell anyone, did you?"

"No." But she didn't sound proud of it. "But JJ..."

"Actually, how did you get me here?"

Then his heart rate increased. He'd lost too many points already. Kiara knew, Luke had beat him again, so if this wasn't rock bottom he wasn't sure what was.

"I called John B and Pope."

JJ felt his heart sink. She looked down. This was past game over.

"I needed help, J."

"What did you tell them? What if they ask questions?" He sat up, and it hurt like hell, but he didn't go back down. "Where are they now?"

"Calm down." She curls up beside him the bed, and he sighs again. "You need to rest. We can worry about all of that later."