Begin Again

Chapter 13

Previously

      Sveinn looked at him before looking down, tearing up. No one, except his brother, has ever said that to him. And for the first time in a long time, he broke down..

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      Ryoma knelt down and hugged Sveinn, who broke down crying. Sveinn gripped his shirt as he gently ran his fingers through his hair. Crystal and Jon had come in to help Ryo when they noticed.
     "Ryo? What happened..?" Jon asked softly as he placed the box he was carrying down.
     "I don't know Jon.." He said softly. "Sveinn..?" Sveinn calmed down a little bit and Ryoma picked him up. "I'll take you home. I'm sure you'll feel more comfortable talking there." He nodded as he leaned against him.

      At Sveinn's house, Sveinn, Matt, Jon, Ryoma, and Crys were all in the living room. Ace, Juan, Tim, and Marti were called over as well.
     "Are you alright Sveinn?" Ryoma asked softly and Sveinn nodded a bit. Matt looked at them.
     "Should we tell them, brother? I think it's time."
     "Yeah.."
     "What is it?" Tim asked.
     "Sveinn and I come from Stetson City. He's the eldest of us two. Our parents were barely at home, so we lived by ourselves, but everyone there hated us or didn't like us for some reason. Even at our school. We were bullied a lot and abused in relationships. Sveinn especially."
     "My god..." Juan said softly as he was surprised.
     "Once he was in a relationship with this guy named Derek. He abused Sveinn very badly in his junior year.." Ace shook his head.
     "I wonder about people sometimes.."
     "Me too." Jon nodded. "What happened?"
     "Sveinn broke up with him and he was arrested. Since then, he hasn't even considered opening up or trying again. He's been closed off for a while now.." Matt explained as Sveinn looked down. Ryoma gently rubbed his back.
     "I'm sorry.. Now I understand why he was so distant with people. It's hard for him to trust." Matt nodded. "Sveinn.. We've all been through hard times. Some worse than others. I understand now."
     "R-really..?"
     "Really. But we're all here for you and Matt. We consider you our friends." He smiled softly and Sveinn looked at him as he teared up more before hiding his face.
     "I-it was awful... I loved him and he..-"
     "Hey.. Calm down.." Juan said softly. "Ryo is right though. We're all here for you guys." Tim nodded as well as the others as Sveinn calmed down and smiled a little, but it was genuine. For once he finally felt that he and his brother belonged somewhere.