The Impossible Death

CHAPTER 9 - A HUG

He didn't always used to be this way. To be a problem.

To exist.

His eyes were shut tight and he had managed to totally forget his surroundings as his panic continued to grow.

Opening his eyes for a split second, all he saw has a shadowy figure approaching him and his heart seemed to clench in fear.

Not thinking about it, he felt himself sink out and he landed in his room. Stumbling over to the wall, his vision beginning to fade to black, he managed to smash his head firmly into the wall.

He became aware of his erratic breathing.

He smashed his head against the wall again, harder this time.

He could feel his head throbbing.

He smashed his head again.

His breathing started to even out as he concentrated on the throbbing pain that spread in his head.

And again.

His vision became to clear up.

Again.

Then someone's hands were on his shoulders and he was being pulled away from the wall.

The panic began to rise up in him again and he pulled up his sleeves and began scratching and ripping up at the scabs forming on his arms.

He needed more. He needed to ground himself.

Once he started, however, his arms were immediately pulled down and held at his sides.

"Nonononononononono..." he started to mumble over and over again as he began to unconsciously press his nails into his palms.

Something. He needed something.

"Dee, please stop!" he heard someone say next to his ear and he looked over to see the person holding him with tears streaming down his face.

Deceit started at him. He knew that he knew this person. Who was it?

As he tried to solve the mystery of how he knew him, he didn't even notice he had stopped trying to get out of the person's grip.

The man slowly let go of Deceit's arms and reached a hand up to wipe some of the tears off of his face.

The man... Who was he? He knew him. He knew he knew him. How?

"Dee," the man said again, gaze soft but sad as he looked into Deceit's wide and confused eyes. "You're okay. Virgil, nor anyone, is going to hurt you. I promise."

Deceit squinted as he puzzled over the new information.

Virgil. He knew a Virgil.

An image of a young boy with a timid grin suddenly came to mind and Deceit seemed to finally snap out of his trance.

He opened his mouth to say the name of the person in front of him, but his voice wouldn't work. It felt like there was something forcing his voice to stay put in his throat.

The man just gave him a small smile.

"Can't speak, kiddo?" Patton asked, slowly holding his arms out to receive a hug if Deceit wanted one.

Boy, did he need one.

Giving a small nod of his head, he slowly made his way into Patton's arms and rested his head on his chest.

Patton wrapped his arms around him and pulled him closer, covering Deceit in a blanket of warmth.

"That's okay. Just take your time. You don't need to say anything." he whispered, resting his chin on top of Deceit's head.

Deceit gave another small nod and pressed himself closer to Patton.

Patton smiled at this and began running his hands through Deceit's hair, ignoring the blood that was bleeding onto his shirt from where Deceit was curled up on him.

Looking around the room, he felt his smile drop into a small frown and his eyebrows draw together as he examined the messy room.

Things were strewn everywhere and his bed covers had been pushed onto the floor into a pile at the foot of the bed.

Patton took note of the reddish brown stains that were littered all over them and even the floor.

Looking back down at Deceit, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd be okay in the end.