Unconditional

You are Stronger than You Think You Are

Dec woke up the next day with his whole body hurting. The events of last night barge into his head and he tried to suppress them crunching his eyes shut. He calms as he registers the unmistakable scent of Ant's cologne coming from the sheets and open his eyes to harsh daylight Shit!! What's the time

He notices that it is just one hour until classes start and sigh at that, debating whether to take the day off or not. But that would mean a day alone in that room and possibly in that hostel. As he was mulling things over,he hears the bathroom door open and flinches as a freshly showered Ant stepped out of it

Ant : "You awake? Goodmorning"

Dec: "Hey.. you are here?"

Ant: "You were sleeping and I was too tired to get up. So I slept again. Good that you woke up. Now I can go to college. I will ask Mary to bring in breakfast and Lunch. You don't have to get out. Get some rest"

Dec: "Uh? No.. I.. I don't want to stay here"

Ant: "You will be safe. I will inform Mary. She takes time off the library often and comes here. She can check on you"

Dec: "No. Please, I don't want to be alone here. And I don't want to miss my classes"

Ant sigh at that "Well, then okay. But, uhh .. well nothing.. then get ready soon"

Dec scamble swiftly from Ant's bed and bolt to his wardrobe. As he takes all he needs and enters the bathroom, he turns to Ant "Anth...You won't leave will you?"

Ant hesitate a bit at that "No I won't"

As Dec switches on the shower and cold water strikes him, he winces harshly. He adjusts the temperature and realises with worry that his whole body looked a mess. No wonder Ant don't want me to leave.He washes carefully, crunching his eyes shut when his hands brushed across any of those bruises. As he puts his clothes on and steps out of the shower, Ant has already made their beds , taking out every sheet to keep them aside for laundry. Dec frown at that

Ant: "You should put new sheets on. And.. how are you feeling now?" His face and voice were as grave as ever but Dec caught a faint trace of concern in them. That made him feel good and secure

Dec: "I am okay.. surprisingly"

Ant moves to his bedside drawer and pull out a box full of scattered first aid items.

Ant: "If you are going to the college, better you hide all those wounds and those bruises must be hurting so..."

Dec just nods and take a pain balm from that box and Ant shakes his head.

Ant: "Your Wrists and Ankles... there are wounds. It will get infected"

Dec: "I can't go to college with these. Students will notice"

Ant: "They will know about it anyways. Now you should concentrate on getting yourself better!" Ant's voice was steel hard at this point and Dec keeps his mouth tight shut

Dec: "What if they come again? And what if other boys.. what if Andrew...its him Anth.. they called me.. called me a ...called me names. Only you, he and my friends knew about that... I am sure he..." Tears well up in Dec's eyes and he bites his lips in rage.

Ant sighs but Dec see traces of anger flaring like blue fire in his eyes "Stay out of their sights.Be careful when they are around. But now, let's see to those wounds"

Ant beckons him to the window sill and both of them sit on it, facing each other, the space perfect for the small frames to fit into . Ant takes a disinfectant cream from the box, squeeze some into his index finger and raise his eyebrows at Dec. Dec gulps in worry and extend his wrists. Ant sees the furious red line that circles Dec's wrist, when the wire they used to tie him with dug into his wrist. Ant carefully hold his palm and apply the cream into the wound, only for Dec to wince and pull back his hand
"THAT BLOODY HURTS!!!" he whined