Rises the moon. [Akk/Ayan & Akk/Ray]

Chapter eighteen.

To say Akk is worried is a gross understatement. He had never seen Ayan like this before, looked pale, tired and sickly.

Watching Ayan cry while he had a panic attack was so horrible and heartbreaking. Akk has never wanted to hug and kiss someone so much to give them comfort, but he keeps his distance.

Driving to Ayan's house feels so overwhelming and the drive seems like forever. Is there anyone even in his house? If Ray had gone to class, he still had all morning out of the house, his mother is probably working and Akk doesn't want to leave him alone.

Has Ayan spent days sick alone before? Akk knows Ray is there, but at the same time he's not. He doesn't know exactly what the relationship between them is like, but it's not that good, but Akk still knows that the brothers love each other and will be there for each other when they need. At least he can be sure of that.

Akk parks the car in the garage and takes a moment to calm his nerves before getting out.

Ayan is asleep when Akk opens the door and unfortunately he is not strong enough to pick him up and carry him inside without waking him up.

"We're here, shortsport." Akk whispers and gently moves Ayan.

Ayan doesn't wake up right away, it takes him several tries and when he does, Akk regrets it. Ayan's eyes are so tired and swollen that is painful to look at him.

"Get up carefully."

Akk helps him up and grabs Ayan by the waist again to take him inside. Akk struggles a little when he searches for the keys to Ayan's house, but nothing too difficult.

The problem comes when he sees the stairs.

Akk thinks they spent a good ten minutes trying to get up the stairs, but at least they make it.

Carefully, Akk helps him sit up on the bed and feels a less weight on his shoulders.

"Home alone again?" Akk asks, even if he already knows the answer.

"Hmm... My Mother is away working," Ayan nods the head slightly. "My parents divorced when we were young. I don't remember anything about my father. I've lived with my mother, Ray and my uncle since I was little."

Akk is happy to know that Ayan remembers absolutely nothing about his father; Ayan doesn't remember the hatred that man had for his children and can only feel nauseous, because Ray does, Ray remembers every horrible word that came out of that man's mouth and what it was like to live with him.

Ray protected Ayan so that his little brother wouldn't have a bad childhood. How bad did Ray really have it with that man? How many things does Ray keep to himself?

"Can you give me a sponge bath?" Ayan suddenly changes the subject and Akk doesn't know if he's relieved or not. At least he can stop thinking for a bit about the hell Ray went through.

"No. It's your body, you can do it yourself. Besides, you already look a little better," Akk immediately refuses. If he hustles, he might be able to make to his second class of the day. God, Teacher Chadok was going to scold him so much for skipping school. Akk had never been absent before. "I have no reason to do that for you. I was kind enough to bring you home."

Akk is being very harsh, he knows it and he doesn't like it, but what else can he do? Worrying too much about Ayan might make him agree with the other boy about his feelings.

Ayan doesn't respond, he gets out of bed, probably to wash his body himself, but he staggers and Akk doesn't hesitate for a second before catching him.

"Are you okay?" Akk murmurs, his voice full of worry. Ayan nods and Akk helps him sit up on the bed again, even keeping his hand on Ayan's back. What if he gets dizzy again and Akk can't catch him? Ayan looks at him with his pretty eyes pleadingly and Akk is just an idiot. "Fine, I'll do it, but then I'll leave."