Oreo

Chapter 12: So Close

Orion's POV~

When we reached the house, I brought Romeo to the bathroom and sat him on the toilet.  "Let's get you cleaned up..." I grabbed a washcloth and got it wet with warmed water before cleaning the dirt and vomit from his face.  He'd gotten a little on my jacket but I didn't care at the moment.  His face was a bit swollen on his cheek bone where he'd been punched.  His forest green eyes looked glazed and he smelled like alcohol.  Not to mention that alleyway was right next to a bar.  But there was no way he could get in, being a minor and all. 

Where the hell was he..?

I sighed as I inspected his face for any other marks.  His lower lip was a little bloody, but not too much.  I dabbed it with some peroxide.  "I'll get you some water, and then you should take a shower." He just nodded and I went to the kitchen to fill a glass with ice water.  Then I returned to him, finding him looking down.  I gave him the glass and he slowly sipped on it.

"Mm sorry.." He mumbled so quietly, I almost couldn't hear him.

"Why do you keep saying sorry?" I questioned a bit more angrily than I'd intended.  I immediately shook away the harshness in my voice.  I didn't want to scare him; he already seemed pretty shaken up.  "No, nevermind that.. what were you doing out so late?  I know we don't have a curfew but you had me worried sick.  And why are you drunk?"

He didn't answer, his shoulders shaking.  His head was bowed so his hair covered his face.

"Romeo..." I pleaded for a reply.

".... M'm sorry.." He said again, weakly.  He sounded like he was either crying or trying not to.

I sighed again.  He seemed so broken and I was too scared to break him more.  It was frustrating.  My heart ached seeing him that way.  "... Nevermind.. you can tell me tomorrow.  Just take a shower and I'll get your clothes ready."

He nodded, not looking at me.  I got up, started the water for him since I didn't trust his coordination, then left the bathroom.

That experience was probably much worse than what he experienced before... and it must have triggered his PTSD...  I ran my fingers through my hair, gripping it tightly.  I'm so glad I made it in time... but I wish I had gotten to him before that shit happened.  Ugh, this feels like one of those stereotypical shoujo manga.  Only this is real life.  I'll do a better job at protecting him next time...

By the time Romeo finished his shower, I had already removed my jacket and put some sweats and a t-shirt warmed by the dryer in the bathroom for him.  I was straightening the blankets and bed sheets when I heard him walk in.  He grabbed the back of my shirt.

"Ah, are you feeling better?" I said as I turned around.  Then, I felt something soft and warm pressed against my lips and fell back on the bed.  Romeo was on top, kissing me with his eyes closed and slipping his tongue into my mouth.  I grabbed his wrists and rolled so that I was on top and pinned his hands beside his head.  The kiss broke.  He looked up at me, panting lightly.  His eyes still had a drunken glaze to them.  There wasn't any denying how cute and submissive he looked.

I frowned, my irritation growing.  "No, Romeo.  I'm not gonna take advantage of you like this.  You're drunk and you aren't thinking straight." I pushed myself up off of him and stood, looking down at him with a serious expression.  "You can sleep alone tonight; I'm sleeping on the couch."

"R-Rion..?" He stuttered as I began walking out the room.  "No..  Rion.." He hugged me from behind but I pried him off of me and gently shoved him back to the bed.  It was just enough to get him to fall backwards and I closed the door.