J+C: DRABBLES

☆Nonverbal Shutdown☆

[ Tw: mental illness, self-shame, nicotine addiction, nonverbal shutdown ]

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Jake hasn't talked to his boyfriend Carrington all day. He's been avoiding him and such. Now it is the evening. Usually the couple share in Jake's bed, but Jake shut the door on him.

Carrington sighed as he was left out in the hallway. Why was Jake being so distant today? They always spent time together in the evening, cuddling up and talking about their day. But today, Jake had shut the door on him.

He knocked gently on the door, hoping to get a response. "Jake? Can I come in?"

Jake didn't reply. He was laying on his bed, looking at his ceiling. He sighed softly as his eyes slowly turned to look towards the bedroom door.

Carrington's heart sank as Jake didn't respond. He could tell something was wrong, but he didn't know what. He tried again, knocking a little louder this time.

"Jake, please talk to me. I know something's bothering you. Just let me in."

Groaning, - the punk gets out of the bed. Jake walked himself over and opened the door. He lifts his head and looked up at Carrington.

Carrington's eyes softened as he saw the tired look on Jake's face. He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. "What's going on, love?"

Jake didn't speak. His eyes looked sore, tired and drained. He just walked to the bed.

Carrington watched as Jake walked to the bed, his heart breaking at the sight of him. He followed Jake to the bed and sat down next to him.

"You've been avoiding me all day," he said quietly, reaching out to gently touch Jake's hand. "Please, talk to me. I'm worried about you."

Jake didn't speak, again. His earthy brown eyes looked at Carrington's hand that is resting on top of him. He had dark circles underneath his eyes.

Carrington gently squeezed Jake's hand, his eyes filled with concern and worry. He could see how exhausted Jake looked, and it pained him to see him like this.

"Jake, please," he pleaded softly. "I can't help you if you don't talk to me. You're worrying me. I just want to know what's wrong."

That's when Carrington realized, Jake is shut-down. He is nonverbal at the moment. His lips remained in a flat line, his eyes sorrowed.

Carrington's eyes widened as he realized that Jake was nonverbal. He quickly adjusted his approach, trying to figure out how to communicate with him.

"Jake," he said gently, his voice soft and soothing. "It's okay if you can't speak right now. Just nod or shake your head. Can you do that for me?"

Jake slowly looked at Carrington. There was a heavy silence in the bedroom. He looks away and begins to do 'butterfly-taps' with his hands on his chest.

Carrington watched as Jake continued to stim with his hands. He recognized it as a stim and smiled gently.

"I understand," he said softly. "It's okay, Jake. You don't have to speak if you don't want to. We can just sit here and be together. Is that okay?"

Jake nods his head as he continues the stim with his hands, butterfly taps - before he just began to flap them instead. His head is slumped down.

Carrington watched as Jake flapped his hands, his heart aching at the sight of him. He knew that Jake was struggling, but he didn't want to push him.