a melancholy crush

thunder

A low grumble of thunder woke Darryl up in a sweat. His eyes shot open, his breath shaky. Did he have a nightmare? If so, why couldn't he remember anything? A sudden bolt of lightning outside his window illuminated the whole room. What time was it? It was still dark outside.

He heard yapping from his dog, the patter of his tiny footsteps running inside his room. Darryl wiped his forehead with the back of his hand as he climbed out of bed to pet the little yapping rat.

"What's wrong? Is it the thunder?" he asked while he scratched behind his ear. A roar of thunder shook the house, followed by a heavy clatter of rain pouring down. The dog barked more. "Shh, don't bark!" he yelled with a whisper, but to no avail. The dog only barked even louder. Just then was when he remembered that Zak was in the room just opposite his. Crap.

His heart was already racing from the supposed nightmare; lightning struck down, rain poured heavier and his dog yapped and yapped, louder and louder; he felt his heartbeat in his throat. Why was he so panicked? And what time was it?

Ignoring his petrified dog, Darryl quickly searched for his phone to check the time. 5:49AM. The man had barely slept at all. Gulping, he went to grab a sip of water from one of the water bottles on his desk. The thunder growled. The dog crouched down instinctively, his tail sticking up somewhat gracefully.

"It's just thunder. You're not going to die," the man told the little scaredy-cat. Just as he sat down on his bed, the door opposite his own creaked open. Shoot. Did the dog wake Zak up?

"Mmh," Zak's little voice groaned tiredly. Darryl watched as he sleepily stumbled out the door -- his eyes half-closed still -- stretching his arms in the process. "Bad?" he muttered. Their eyes met.

"Did the rat's yapping wake you up?" Darryl asked worriedly.

Zak slowly stepped into the room. "Yep." Sudden lightning lit up the room like a Christmas tree, yet somehow the boy disregarded the thunder and made his way inside. Darryl swallowed his saliva, eyes darting around the place in fear; the dog just wouldn't stop barking. "You look scared. Are you okay?" Zak asked once he sat down beside him, the corners of his lips curving up ever so slightly.

"I-I don't know." He stuttered.

Zak instantly broke out into a fit of giggles, covering his face with his sleeve-covered hands. "Are you scared of the thunder?" he managed to ask. In the midst of his laughing fit he lightly slapped Darryl's arm, causing his heart to just beat even faster.

"No, you muffin!" he let out, slightly furrowing his eyebrows.

Zak laughed under his breath. He looked at the man curiously. "What is it then?"

"I don't know what it is. I... I just woke up in a sweat."

Zak's playfulness seemed to dwindle. His hand instinctively landed on Darryl's lap as comfort. "What do you mean? Are you okay?" he asked. Darryl hesitated. His gaze locked onto Zak's hand.

"I..." He felt his heart drop at the thought of holding his hand. Nope. No way. He was not going to do that. "No. Help me, Zak." Skeppy's eyes followed his gaze. Fuck. Why did he put his hand there? Gulping, he moved his hand from his lap.

"How can I help you?" he muttered, staring into the man's artichoke-green eyes. They were so shaky, so distressed. Meanwhile Darryl wanted to hold his hand so bad. He wanted his comforting touch, but he couldn't bring up the courage to do so. He nervously looked to his feet. Thunder struck down.

"I-I don't know. I'm so confused. I woke up feeling panicked and I don't know why."

Zak abruptly placed his hand over Darryl's as extra warmth and comfort. His eyes widened ever so slightly.

"It's okay, Bad," he spoke, his voice soft and pure. The boy used his free arm to snake around Darryl's shoulders, pulling him closer. "You probably just had a nightmare, that's all."

Darryl silently hummed in agreement, shuffling closer to the boy. "Can I get a hug, Geppy?"

Zak suddenly smiled mischievously, taking his hands away, getting onto his knees and then falling into Darryl with a playful grin. There was little to no warning. He wrapped his arms around Darryl as they both fell onto the bed together, Darryl's head landing on the pillow and Zak ending up on top of him.

"Zak!" he yelped out, his voice breathy. Zak's face was covered by a massive grin and he couldn't help but roll off to the side and break out into a fit of laughter. Darryl's dazed expression was hilarious.

"I-I'm sorry," he let out between laughs, sitting up and watching as the man disappointingly rolled over to the other side, averting his gaze.

"I want a hug, you fatty," he mumbled into the pillow. Zak smirked. A low grumble of thunder interrupted the playful mood. He gulped. Rain trickled down the windows.

"Fine, fine. Come here." Zak said, tapping Darryl's shoulder to get him to roll back over. He growled cutely, refusing. "Bad, come here!" he repeated with a smile. There was nothing but rain in the background while they paused. Nothingness. Then he finally rolled over, instantly giving Zak eye contact, and his heart promptly warmed at the sight: he laid down, his head propped up by his hand, staring right at him with a loving gaze. He was examining the man's beautiful features; he was admiring every single inch of his face.

The rain grew heavier and heavier as the thunder continued to strike down, illuminating the room once again. Zak smiled reassuringly. He was drowning in Darryl's enticing eyes: the way they blended from a light artichoke green to a dark, pure ocean of fern was so fascinating.

"Stop staring at me, you muffin," the man mumbled with a pout. Zak giggled.

"Just go to sleep," he said. "You're tired."

"No! You promised a hug!"

"I never promised." Zak smiled as Darryl held his stare.

Darryl felt like he was about to cry. Why was he so scared? Why was he so emotional? And why was he so sad that Zak wasn't hugging him? He wanted a muffiny hug already. He wanted Skeppy's comforting touch.

"You look sad. Do you really want a hug that much?"

Darryl turned back onto his front, away from Zak. "No," he spoke.

"Oh my god, fine!" Zak smiled. He reached over to Darryl's side, rolling him back over and gently pulling him into a hug. Darryl closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around the boy. He smiled contently, finally easing at his touch.

"Thank you," Darryl whispered. Zak tightened his grip, making sure to reassure him that he was okay, that he was safe in his arms. Friends. Who cared if they were just friends? Zak was okay with a unrequited love for now, right? Right...? He moved his head and snuggled into the man's chest, groaning tiredly. No, he really wasn't. It hurt. It hurt so, so bad, but... it was okay for now. It was okay because Darryl needed comforting, and it was so warm in his arms that he couldn't let go.

They ignored the lightning that illuminated the room.

"Bad?" Zak spoke into his chest.

"Yes?"

The boy opened his eyes, staring down into nothingness. "Do you love me?"

Darryl laughed under his breath. "Yes, I do love you, you muffin."

Silence. Rain poured down outside.

"Goodnight, Bad."