You are my comfort

Reverse Manipulation 101

TW: depictions of blood and a form of self-harm.
nothing too explicit though

Then the ground beneath him started lowering itself like an elevator and the last thing he saw, before getting completely emerged in darkness, was everyone getting dragged out of the arena on stretchers.

Opening his eyes Leo 's nostrils were hit with a 'sweet' smell of the prison. However, that's a detail for later; for the shock of being betrayed out of the blue was still occupying his mind.

'How could he?! I trusted him and he just- he just threw me into a trap like a damn rat!

...No offense, dad.'

The person he thought of as his friend, maybe more than a friend, lured him right into the lion's mouth(more like 'spider's claws') for what, his own gain? Did he become the champion thanks to that megamind level of evil plan?!

Leo thought back to the night he met Yuichi, the hours they spent talking about JJ movies and their other hyperfixations. He remembered Yuichi briefly mentioning his need for more finances, because he was struggling with a low salary, but he never mentioned wanting to become a Battle Nexus Champion. Leo could not trust his own memories anymore, Yuichi could've lied to him from the start! His looks really are deceiving.

Leo regretted letting Yuichi trick him.

Obviously, he was mad. But mad in general. Leo was so angry, he barely held himself from throwing something, although it's not like he had much to throw around him. The only things he could throw in there were his fists, but then there was no one to fight with them. So he kept his fists to himself, clenching them painfully.

'How could I let this happen?! I should've seen it coming, should've been more careful!'

His sharp nails dug into his palms.

'God fucking damn it...'

Something warm started flowing down his fingers.

'He knew this would happen, he was a part of it! How dare he.'

He knew it was blood, but he did not release his grip - the pain somehow overshadowed the nauseating feeling of regret.

Leo wondered if Yuichi's confusion back there was genuine or did the guy play him even there. Was it all a lie then? The nights spent together, the thoughts shared, the feelings Leo caught...Were they all just a result of Leo's foolish naivety? The fact that he was tricked so easily weighted down heavily in his chest. Then it ascended into his throat as a lump, scratching his throat until tears shined in his eyes.

'Unfair. It's all unfair!'

Leo leaned onto the wall in front of him and hit it with the side of his fist in despair, leaving faint dark red stains.

'I fucked up so bad...so bad...'

'But it's all because I finally felt okay. For once, I felt like I was alive. God, Yuichi, why did I trust you so much?'

Something warm flowed down cheek now. That could not be blood.

-Why? – he whispered, his voice hoarse from the lump.

His legs became soft like cotton, it felt, so he slumped on the ground. The liquid flowing on his cheek reached his mouth and he could taste saltiness. Great, now he's crying, what a 'good' way to solve the problem! He sniffled and tried to get up, but the more you resist the stronger is the force put on you, so he fell back and cried. His tears were now an unstoppable waterfall and it hurt his head, along with intensifying the ringing in his ears.

A pathetic sight.

After a 'moment of weakness' that probably lasted 10 minutes Leo found energy in himself to stop his weeping session and sit up, at the very least. He decided not to plague his thoughts with that traitor rabbit and took a look around.