Heated Lies (Jiara)

Chosen Comfort

Luke didn't show signs of stopping. His hands clasped around his son's throat, tightening. JJ's face became red moments later, choking on an excuse of breath. That was when he kneed the man as hard as he could.

Luke was screaming at the kid, but JJ couldn't hear him through his own will to retaliate. He was kicking and punching with all his might, ignoring the ache in his ribs.

It was like he'd been training for this moment his whole life. He knew all the weak spots because he knew what hurt the most on his own body. He shoved his father down into the hardwood floor, watching the man groan as his head made contact.

Saying everything he'd ever thought about his father. Spewing the comebacks he'd never voiced. Reminding him that he made JJ this way. And then he saw the blood on his hands. He stopped, letting the quiet make his ears ring. Luke was down, likely bringing their fight to an end. The boy felt numb.

"God, we have to fix this!" The man yelled again.

JJ turned back toward him, leaning closer. "No, you have to fix you." His lips leaked venomous a tone. "Maybe your time in jail will help."

Then he was stumbling out the door. The adrenaline made his heart throb painfully. He found himself with the calloused fingers on his chest, pushing as if it would rid him of his anxiety. The night sky tried to swallow him whole. He wasn't even sure what time it was.

He'd heaved uncomfortable breaths the entire way outside to lean against the porch steps. He was wiping blood from his face when another boy came into view. He was about the same height, mouth open to a perfect 'O' at the looks of the blonde.

JJ waved his hand, trying to catch his breath and failing. Somehow, it felt like he was still fighting. "I... don't have time for you right now, Rafe."

To his surprise, the Cameron held his hands up in surrender. "Dude..." He looked up at the torn home. "What the hell happened?"

He was silent. Rafe didn't miss the tremble in his hands. He sat beside the Maybank, flinching when JJ nearly clocked him on nervous instinct.

"Rafe, go away." He sighed, letting his hands drape between his knees.

The Cameron didn't listen, letting some kind of sadness occur behind his shell. He was acting uncharacteristically, careful not to touch him. For all he knew, JJ was still stuck in fight or flight.

"You got a phone? Let me call the police. I'll tell them it was self defense."

JJ was too far gone to even groan disapproval. He didn't try to stop the brunette from finding a cell and doing as he said he would. The flash of red and blue complicated things way more than he thought they would.

It was all moving way too fast. Rafe kept by his side as they brought Luke out in handcuffs. He would continue to patronize his son, but JJ had such a blank expression, Rafe wasn't even sure he heard.

They rode in the back of a police car, Rafe doing most of the talking on how he found the Maybank. He hadn't been looking for trouble, he was looking to help. It was the least he could do, but seeing what he'd been through made him feel worse about his previous interactions with the Pogue.

Someone was checking them over, touching his shoulders and face in ways he couldn't stand. He'd open his mouth, appear to stutter, and then hang his head. None of them knew what to make of it.

***

At the station, they attempted to question JJ. He would mumble, staring at anything but the officer's face. No one got a lot out of him. He wasn't really forming complete sentences, expression just about numb.

JJ's mind was a race of run ons and fragments. The tears kept coming, but slower than before. He wouldn't blink. His body went through the motions without his consent. Someone put a blanket over his shoulders, which only then made him realize he was shivering. He pulled it up, sniveling, and then looking for the giver.

Shoupe was in the chair next to him. He hadn't said a word for the time he'd been there, but something told him JJ wouldn't have responded if he did. JJ didn't know how long he'd been watching; if he'd seen JJ break down twice in the span of fifteen minutes.

Then he was focusing on the blanket again, a distraction. He looked at the fabric, rubbing the cloth between his fingers and then back at Shoupe.

say something

But he couldn't. His eyes did about enough. Shoupe took one look, and replied accordingly.

"Don't mention it, kid."

The man had a newspaper, reading nonchalantly but keeping himself on standby. The rest of the workers were quick, making the younger boy's head spin. He couldn't pay attention to any of them.

"Do you want a snack?" Shoupe stood, sighing. He didn't really expect an answer. "Right, I'll get you a snack."

And he was gone again. JJ wanted to ask him to stay, because he really didn't want to be alone. Shoupe came back fast, though, setting a bag of chips at his foot. JJ didn't move a muscle.

His eyes darted to every inch of the station. Papers flew in every direction, pens clicking, the yells of others, and more still telling the patrons to calm down. Faintly, he could hear Luke yelling for a lawyer.

He could imagine a new way of life. Not for him, he couldn't picture that yet. But he could see his dad in a jail cell. He'd seen it once, when he caught him playing basketball near John B's old quadrant. Even then, he'd looked feral.

JJ saw the placement cell next. The bars he'd been behind just a few weeks before. It was where he'd told Shoupe his secret. It was where he'd been given a break. He glanced back at the Sheriff.

"I'm sorry."

Shoupe lowered the paper to lean forward and meet the boy's eyes.

"Pardon?"

JJ took a deep breath. "I-I'm sorry. You told me not to go back. I did it anyway..."

His voice had cracked, making him look right back down at his boots. He pulled the blanket tighter around his shoulders. It was a failed strategy in terms of shielding himself.

Shoupe had put down the paper at the sounds. "JJ, look at me."

It was reluctant, but he did meet the older man's eyes. What the Sheriff saw was a quivering lip. A wordless hug followed.

"It's alright." Shoupe told him, steadying the blonde despite his near constant trembling. He was firm, providing pressure in his affection. "You don't have to apologize."

JJ closed his eyes. Shoupe could've done anything to him if he'd wanted. JJ let his guard completely down around the man. The boy pulled back, nodding. He ran a hand over his face, grounding himself by willingly shaking his hands. "Yeah, I know. I can't believe believe this shit just happened."

Shoupe seemed to agree. "I can understand that." Then he looked at JJ again. "Is there someone I can call? Someone who can pick you up? Stay with you?"

The younger Maybank pressed his lips together, knowing exactly who came to mind. He checked the time on the wall, surrounded by a cage. He wondered for a moment why they would block a clock.

four am

"JJ?" Shoupe repeated.

His response was another nod. "Call Kiara..."

Unedited. Crying abt my own writing be like ☹️😭 am i doing okay? with the story? i need commentsssss.