Variegated (boyxboy)

[10] Stockings.

     "It was Bogeyman."

     William didn't reply, but watched silently as Matthews paced around that area of the library.

     "I should have known! I should've fucking known!" he yelled, swinging an arm to send half a dozen books off the shelf and onto the floor with loud thuds, each one of them causing Will to cringe.

     Quickly, the bookworm crouched down to check each one of them, biting his lip upon seeing the damage done to the pages. He gently placed the ripped papers to their places and closed the documents, stocking them and straightening up to put them back on the shelf.

     "Bruises! Not just- just bruises, but hand marks and stripes and just- how could we have been so bloody oblivious! He was always wearing them, William, always!"

     In turn, the younger man leaned against the bookshelf, hands behind his back and head tilted down guiltily. He preferred watching the carpeted floor to seeing his closest of friends struggle to keep from breaking down.

     "Why didn't he tell us, William? Why?" he sobbed, tightening the grip on his strands of hair.

     The brunet brought his finger between his lips and nibbled on it nervously, thinking things through. He has always been the one with the answers, such grave situation most certainly required his ability to remain calm and rational no matter the case.

     "Specifically, there would be two reasons I can think of." he murmured, pulling at the skin next to his nail and keeping it between his front teeth. Looking at his damaged thumb, he switched to his pointer and continued.

     "There would be the fact he'd be ashamed by it. It is, sadly, probable that he had been raised to think that what the man was doing to him was normal, and that only later on found out just how sick it actually was, which must have caused him a state of shock and embarrassment."

     Matt didn't turn around from his position, leaning against the bookshelf and gazing into distance, his tears leaking down the smooth, blank expression.

     "And another reason he never mentioned it could be that he'd enjoyed it, and didn't wish for anyone to find out."

     "Mattie-"

     "How dare you enjoy this."

     But Matthews wasn't having any of that memory. Any of that possibility.

     With a scowl creaking his face behind the wall of tears flooding his eyes, Matt paced towards William cautiously, almost menacingly. Will, in turn, backed up against the bookshelf and spit the peeled skin out of his mouth to replace it with another.

     "Please don't jump to assumptions and listen me out." the brunet spoke around the tip of his finger, gazing away from Matt, who was towering above him closer than comfortable. He could literally hear Matt's fist clenching by the pops of his knuckles, which led a cold shiver up Will's spine.

     " 'Autosuggestion', Matthews. It's a psychological technique by which, amongst other possibilities, a person can induce their body into a state of comfort despite the conditions." he rambled, trying to get him to listen by gripping the hem of his striped shirt.

     "When you have a toothache, you can convince yourself into not feeling it. When cold, you can convince yourself into feeling warmth. When... when..." he trailed off, clearing his throat. "...when perversely touched, you can... turn the pain into pleasure. Involuntarily, of course. It's just the way the human body works, it seeks comfort in any situation..."