Trauma - Skephalo

Chapter 21: Treat You Better

Darryl's Pov:

It has been about two weeks since Oliver harassed me in the bathroom. Right now, Zak and I were playing a new game that we just bought, and we were getting quite competitive in it. As we were playing, we both realized that it was pretty hard to beat, and Zak wasn't taking it lightly. Once Zak failed to dodge and attack that one shot him, he got super annoyed. He groaned and threw the controller on the couch, making me jump from the sudden action. Since I got distracted, the moment I wasn't looking at the screen, I ended up dying as well. Zak then leaned back onto the couch with his arms at each side of him in defeat. He then says, "I'm so done with this game."

"So, does that mean you don't want to continue?"

"Yes! Please! I'm convinced at this point that it's rigged."

As I put the controllers on the coffee table in front of us and turned of the TV, I asked, "Why do you think so?"

Zak scoffs and says, "I mean, come on! How was it possible that that shot was able to hit and one shot me!? There's something wrong with this f*cking game."

I flinch and say, "H-hey! Language! It's just a game, Zak! No need to get so worked up."

"I know, I know, sorry."

Zak then sits up straight and stares at me for a few moments. It's as if he's deep in thought. I raise an eyebrow in confusion. Out of nowhere, he asks, "It just occurred to me. Why do you always language people?"

I freeze at the unexpected question. I stutter, "I-I- Well- I..."

I can barely get a word out. After a moment of gazing at me, Zak says, "Is it because of him?"

I widen my eyes and look at him. How did he-? I sigh and say, "Yes... He... would always curse at me whenever he-..."

My breath hitches. Zak says, "Hey, it's okay... I understand."

He places his hand on my shoulder, making me flinch and tense up. Zak immediately retracts his hand and says, "Sorry- I..."

He cuts himself off. He stares at me for a few moments before saying, "You always seem more... sensitive when someone touches your shoulder. Any particular reason why?"

I freeze. Wow, he's really trying to read me, is he? He's getting it spot on. I say, "Well... it's just- he always touched me roughly in certain spots... and I guess if someone touches those spots, it bothers me more."

"So... he grabbed you roughly by the shoulders often?"

I just nod. A moment of silence before he says, "Is there any other specific spot that bothers you a lot when someone touches it?"

"Oh! Um... just- he would grab me by the neck and would sometimes- nibble my ear..."

I shuddered from the thought alone. Zak gazed at me for a moment before gently turning my head towards him with his hand and keeping it placed on my cheek. He says, "If that's the case, then I won't touch you in any of those areas or treat you in any way that he did."

He looks at me so lovingly, longingly. It makes my heart flutter. He places a gentle kiss on my forehead. Only an inch away from my forehead, and he says, "I promise that I'll treat you better than he ever will, Darryl. I'll protect you and keep you safe."

I already feel safe with you. I don't know why, but the thought immediately ran through my mind unknowingly. It is at this moment that I really take the time to think about how I've been feeling lately with Zak. He has proven again and again how he doesn't want to hurt me and instead wants me to be happy. I really appreciate that. I honestly haven't felt so safe or- loved by someone for a long time. Out of all the people in the world, he's probably the person who has made me feel the most safe, the person who has made me the most happy and comfortable.

Honestly, the way he's been treating me has made my feelings for him grow even more. For some time now, I've been in denial of what this feeling is. But now that I'm fully acknowledging it, with this man in front of me, I, without a doubt, know what it finally is. And now, I can finally feel as if I have enough courage to say it. I lean into Zak's touch as his hand is still cradling my cheek. I put a hand over his that is resting on my cheek, and I put my other hand gently around his wrist. His touch is so comforting. It feels as though I can trust my body into his arms, hands, his touch. And that is saying something considering my past.

I look up at Zak with a look that I've never let be shown in a long time. This is the same gaze I gave to Oliver once we started dating. Zak looks a bit confused but intrigued at the look that I'm giving him. Completely not expecting anything from it. I then catch him by surprise by saying, "Zak, I lo- no. I'm in love with you."

Zak's eyes seem as though they can light up the world. A sudden rush of joy and excitement runs through his body as he exclaims, "W-wait- really!?"

I smile lovingly at him and nod. I place a hand over his cheek and say, "Yes. I'm in love with you, Zak Ahmed."

He grins brightly at me. He says, "I'm in love with you too, Darryl. My love, my life."

He quickly leans in and kisses me passionately. I kiss him back with pure passion and want. For once, I feel it appropriate enough, and I'm confident enough to finally wrap my arms longingly around Zak's neck. He deepens the kiss as he slightly tilts his head to the side and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me in closer so our bodies are touching. For once, I don't feel the need to cower away from him and instead let myself enjoy the moment. Because I'm deeply in love with this man. I finally know it now. I know that this feeling is pure and real and that it isn't something my mind made up. That this isn't a hopeless dream that never had the chance of existing. This is real.

We continue kissing for what feels like forever, but it was probably just a few seconds, at most minutes. Once we break the kissing, we desperately gasp for air. As we pant for air, we stare deeply into each other's eyes. Zak the leans in closer to me, his lips just barely grazing mine before he whispers, "You don't know how much I've wanted, or how long I've waited for you to say that."

He then kisses me again desperately. Our lips collide into each other like magnets, not wanting to separate. Not wanting for the moment to end. I bring Zak closer to me as I wrap my arms more tightly around his neck. Once the kiss is finally over, our lips make a small popping sound from the release of the suction from our lips. We stare at each other for another moment before we break into smiles at one another. Zak pulls me into a warm hug, and I graciously accept. He whispers into my ear, "Thank you, Darryl..."

I giggle and say, "I should be the one thanking you for everything you've done for me."

Zak then pulls away from the hug, unwraps one of my arms that are around him, and interlocks our fingers tightly, yet gently together, as if never wanting to let go. I can see hearts in his eyes as he stares into mine. He brings my hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on it. As his lips are still grazing against my hand, he says, "I promise you. I won't take advantage or take for granted your love for me."

I smile lovingly at him and say, "I know you won't."

We end up going to sleep cuddling into each other's warmth, feeling loved.