A Grain of Hate

Ruby

Infinite had been sitting in the broom closet alone for about 10 minutes, his flaws flexing code the ruby on his chest as it would ache, it was the worst feeling he could've felt with the ruby, he didn't anticipate that the alcohol and working himself up would make it throb so intently.

The broom closet door opened once again, did he... ACTUALLY come back? He'd groan, his head leaning back against the wall,

" ... Came back for more ? Or to simply torment me... "

The jackals drunk gaze fell upon the hedgehog, he was holding a glass of water, kneeling down before the jackal and holding it out to him, the jackal looked to the glass before looking up at him with a snarl, his hair was a mess, and his coat was unbuttoned,, his belt loosened. He looked dishevelled.

" What's this? "

He'd glare at him, his claws continuing to flex over the ruby.

" Water, jackass. "

The hedgehog replied, the jackal took the glass of water, he was still slightly panting, his breath hadn't yet caught up to him. He was still so hot and bothered from before, as he grumbled, before drinking it.

The hedgehog watched him quietly, until he finished drinking the glass, taking it back from him.

" ... and you're... helping me... why? "

He'd huff, his palms pressing against the ground as he gave a stare at the hedgehog.

" I need you to atleast have a little bit of strength so I can get you out of here. You / really / didn't think I'd just leave a drunk deranged psycho inside a broom closet, did you? "

The jackal let out a hysteric chuckle, his eyes falling back to the ceiling.

" ... You're torturing me, here... "

His voice croaked, before the hedgehog moved his hands under his arms, lifting him up and lofting one of the jackals arms over his shoulder.

" Come on... let's get you home. "

The jackal shot a drunk gaze at the hedgehog, home? As if the other knew where he lived... he was way too intoxicated to properly process the situation, sure, he can communicate, but by god, could he not move how he wanted. He groaned as he was forced to his feet, the ruby in his chest only continued to ache.

The hedgehog dragged him out of the closet, walking him through a small crowd and out the door of the bar. He glanced about the street, before he picked the jackal up in his arms, despite the jackals protest, he couldn't do anything against it. Oh, by the heavens, would he kill this hedgehog later...

Shadow carried him down the road to his apartment. Wait— he was taking him to / his / place? Ohoho, Shadow... you've let your guard down...

Shadow opened the door and walking inside, carrying the jackal up the stairs and into his bedroom, lying him down. The jackal groaned as he refrained from clutching onto the ruby in his chest, he knew touching it would only make the ache worse.

" You can stay the night, and ONLY the night. This is the only time I will be letting a criminal under my roof, so consider yourself a lucky bastard. "

The jackal grumbled, rolling away from the hedgehog, one hand clutching against the sheets.

" Oh come on, I didn't bother you that bad, did I? "

The jackal didn't give him an answer, he felt humiliated, yet... he was so worked up and drunk out of his mind, he couldn't help but crave the touch of the hedgehog again.

" Sit up for a minute, let me get that coat off you. "

The jackal groaned, as he was assisted into a sitting position, the coat coming off his shoulders as the hedgehog dropped it to the ground. It did feel better. The jackal was wobbly, falling back into the hedgehog, a snarl as he did.