The Better Pill (2D X Murdoc)

7

It was Monday once again. Both Murdoc and Stuart had suffered a reasonable amount of heartbreak within the last week but decided it was time to jump back into old routines, such as school.

Stuart showed up with multiple bags under his eyes from sleepless nights and (although he would never admit it) lonely sobbing. While Murdoc appeared with multiple new bruises and and cuts everywhere on his insanely pale, nearly gray skin. Since he had no reason (or rather didn't want to) go back to his secluded alleyway, he spent more time at home which resulted in multiple beatings from his brother and father. But no one cared so why should he?

The two never saw each other at school. Murdoc didn't even know Stuart attended the same school as him. They never mentioned that kind of thing when they were at Uncle Norm's or even that one night at the bar. Stuart figured the less he saw of the beautiful raven haired bloke the better in his opinion.

He should've known he couldn't hide forever though.

. . .

School ended at an insanely slow pace that day. Murdoc figured that was just karma getting back at him for skipping so much. Serves him right, but it was still a rather mean thing to do after all he had just suffered the previous week. Maybe fate could throw him a bone once in a while? So far the only happiness he found was taken away from him. Snatched out of his reach in a matter of seconds.

He let out an irritated sigh as the unpleasant thoughts came crashing in. 

Murdoc continued to walk around the vacant halls of the school, not wanting to return home yet due to the already rough condition he was in. He didn't know how much more beating he could take before his body had enough. Before his mental state had had enough.

After wasting about fifteen minutes strolling around and getting glared at by the few teachers who had to stay late and finish work, he decided it was time to go. He pushed through the glass entrance doors to the school and began walking his usual route.

Then he heard a scream.

It wasn't particularly loud, Murdoc could tell the person was being muffled by a hand or something of the sort. He'd been there and done that himself.

He rushed towards where the voice had come from, hoping the poor person wouldn't be too bad off by the time he arrived. But his eyes widened as he saw the poor victim who now had a swollen eye, bloody nose, ripped shirt, and two large hands around his neck while three other boys surrounded him.

It was Stuart.

"What the hell is this, you gay piece o' shit? Some kind of love letter? God, this is rich. Bet'cha wrote it for ya boyfriend, didn't ya?" One of the boys taunted, waving a piece of paper around.

The bluenette looked like he wanted to say something, but couldn't due to the strong hands cutting off his breath. 

"I'd probably go gay for ya, little Stu' boy. Ya probably give great head without those two front teeth botherin' ya. Wanna give it a go?" Another laughed, balling up of fist of the bluenette's hair and shoving him down to crotch level.

Murdoc couldn't take it anymore. Without even thinking, he rushed into the group of boys and punched the one who currently held Stuart straight in the face. Once the others saw, they tried to restrain Murdoc but he overpowered them. However, the raven haired bassist knew he wouldn't be able to take them one on four, so once he got two of the smaller ones down, he grabbed Stuart's wrist, grabbed the small scrap of paper the guys had stolen from him, and took off.

Surprisingly, after making it a few blocks from the school, the bullies were nowhere in sight. However, just to make sure this was the case, Murdoc led the trembling Stuart to the bar he had met him in the previous week.

The older male took the younger to a table in the back away from everyone and everything. He didn't even know if he was qualified to look after Stuart after such events just occurred, but he figured he could try.

The male in question sat across the booth from Murdoc, his whole body trembling, head tilted down, he looked like he might even start crying. This wasn't Murdoc's strong suit- not at all.

"You okay?"

Dumb question.

Stuart didn't reply, but answered with a weak nod.

Murdoc, quickly running out of options as far as comforting someone came, heard a crinkle in his pocket and realized it was the letter the bullies had been teasing the bluenette for.

He pulled it from his pocket and slowly slid it across the table.

"I grabbed this b'fore we left."

Stuart quickly retrieved the note off the table and held it in his trembling hands.

"You didn't read i', did you?"

"'Course not. But if you don't mind me askin', who's it for?"

The bluenette kept his head down as he slowly mumbled out his answer.

"I-It was jus' a final attemp' I guess. I didn' 'ave a chance to begin wif, ya know?"

And Murdoc laughed. He actually laughed.

Stuart wanted to go home, curl into a ball, and cry his eyes out at the sound of it. The note he had spent so long tailoring together and was actually considering to give to Murdoc, was laughed at and mocked before it had even reached its host. Murdoc immediately saw Stuart's upset expression and ceased his laughter. 

"O-Oh! 'm sorry mate, didn't mean to upset you or nothin'. It's jus'... how could you possibly even think that? After only knowin' ya for a bit, I can tell that you're a really amazin' guy. Ya got loads of talent, and your looks ain't half bad either. Now, let me tell you, if this person who ya wrote the note for can't see how great you are, then ditch 'em. You obviously deserve better, mate." Murdoc explained, staring the other in the eye to prove he was serious.

"B-Bu'... Wha' if I really care about the person?" Stuart asks, no longer feeling upset after all the flattery he just received from his crush.

"Then you jus' keep fightin' for 'em, I suppose."

"Wha' if the person rejects me?"

Murdoc held his chin with his thumb and pointer finger as if in deep thought.

"Simple. Kidnap 'em." He says, tone laced with heavy sarcasm.

The bluenette can't help but pout and laugh at his answer, and gently punched him in the arm.

"Murdoc!"

"There's the Stu' I know." Murdoc says pleasantly, wrapping his arm around the taller male. "Now let's go get some beers, we've got a lot to catch up on."