Bruised Boy Byers - Byler

1

{If you hear the name Nick or Casey, I apologize. The original story is one I'm writing for class, so ignore it please. Also, I will post the original if anyone wants me to. Thank you!}

♡♡ 899 words ♡♡

A large and boxy gray van pulled up next to the driveway, a figure rushing out their front door which slammed behind them, down a few cracking brick steps and into the passenger seat. Tears slid loosely from his eyes, one puffy and purplish.

"Please start moving, I can explain later," They sobbed. The other nodded sympathetically, flicking a cigarette out of the window, which was rolled down. The ratio was playing so softly that it was barely audible.

"Hey, you ok Will?" The driver, Michael asked softly, glaring quickly at Will then back at the road. Will shook his head then rested his head towards the window, watching the road and the occasional streetlight pass by. Mike sighed, mouth dry and tasting of tobacco. "Hey, it's alright. You're really important to me and I'll never leave you," he continued. Will sniffled. Mike was his best friend. He knew Mike wouldn't ever leave him, but the thought still rang in his head 24/7.

' Everyone will leave me' he thought whenever it was too quiet. Will felt bad that he was so clingy, never wanting to leave Mikes side, but he needed Mike. He needed him. Mike has always been so soft and gentle with Will, even though he always came off and tried to be this big tough guy who smokes cigarettes and drinks alcohol and is reckless. He's a big teddy bear, really.

"I-I know," Will replied in a whimper so quiet it was hard to hear. His tear flow slowed drastically, but he was still looking out at all the houses passing by, which were all passing blurs. A few quiet minutes passed, with Mike glaring over anxiously at Will every few seconds and Will letting out the occasionally stifled sob.

"Will..." Mike murmured, slowly letting his hand to the blade of Will's shoulder as he parked. He traced circles on his skin with his thumb. Will let out another choked sob and sniffled, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "Come on," he said, saying it more like a request than a demand. Will nodded and opened the door from his side and clambered out into the cold. It must've dropped at least ten degrees since Will got into Mike's car, and the drive was only about seven minutes. Mike walked over from his side of the car and over to him, wrapping an arm around Will's shoulder, and pulled him closer. The air was very bitter and dry, making the warm glow from Mike's house windows seem much more appealing against the raw midnight blue of the sky. "Does it hurt?" Mike asked, which Will nodded slightly. The thing about Will is that he was so fragile, measuring in at 5'5" and skinnier than a stick. He could never stand up for himself to anyone, even to his parents, which made Mike's heartbreak, and with Mike, he was so tall he made the meanest of bullies leave Will alone when he was near him and was pretty muscular. He wished he could beat Will's parents up for treating him the way that they do, but you couldn't just hurt people like that, even though they deserved a taste of their own medicine.

"C-can we go inside?" Will stuttered, interrupting Mike from his thoughts, who looked down at him.

"Yeah, of course," Mike replied hastily, leading him inside his house, which was very rectangular and low roofed with small white-rimmed windows. It reminded Will of a cozy cabin with the wood exterior and yellow glow of the coffee table lamps. Will tried not to make it obvious that his head was throbbing like it was being slammed with a hammer and his legs feeling like lead, but he couldn't stop a pained groan from escaping his chapped lips. Mike stopped, looking down at Will with wide eyes. "C'mon, let's get you to my bed," Mike whispered, shifting Will's arm around his neck so he'd have more support. Will took a shaky breath and continued walking side by side with Mike. The adrenaline from earlier has worn off and now the pain has come back. It took a minute to get to Mike's room, shag carpet under their shoes. There was a strange feeling to how compact the hallway was, so much for that, they were pressed up against each other, though they already were in the first place. Mike guided Will into his room, which had a twin-size bed near one corner, but enough room to get in and out both sides of it. Mike plopped Will down, then made a signal for him to lay down. "Does it feel better or worse than earlier?" Mike asked softly, sitting at the foot of his bed.

"Way worse," Will croaked, leaning up onto his elbows. Mike thought for a moment, still remaining by Will's feet.

"Is it ok if I take a look?" Mike requested, resting a hand on Will's lower leg. Will nodded, shifting slightly. This wasn't the first time this happened. Or the second. Or third. Or fourth. Or fifth.

"Yeah," Will sniffled, his eyes still a bit red and his face still water-marked. Mike followed the routine that happened every week or so, taking the corners of his striped sweater and pulling it up over Will's head. The most noticeable feature was how much his ribs protruded, which purple bruises now scattered.