The Lord of the Library

Chapter Two

Gradient tried to pay attention. He could feel everyone staring at him during art class. Obviously, no one on his half of the classroom acted bad, but everyone just glared. He never liked when people stared. Unlike Palette or PJ, he could never handle being in any form of the spotlight. 

The bell rang loudly, meaning class was over. Ink gave Gradient a gentle smile as he left.

Math. The one class he knew no bullies could get into. He skipped down the halls, holding his books to his chest.

"Hey nerd!" Someone called. He was pushed to the floor, dropping all of his stuff. A few voices laughed.

"Sprinkles, let me take care of him!" Fresh's voice said. Suddenly, a fast kick attacked his side. He let out a scream of pain. People began kicking his ribs and stomach, sometimes jumping on his legs or back. He would let out sobs and yelps each and every time someone attacked him.

"Hey! Leave him alone!" A voice yelled. 

"Fuck!" Fresh yelled.

"Scram, you jackasses!" The voice was so close. Gradient looked up a little, seeing blurry feet running away. "Are you okay?!"

It was the boy, Vux. Despite how blurry he looked, he still looked so... handsome.

Gradient reached his hand out, ruffling Vux's lavender hair. He blushed a bright pink, making Gradient giggle. Vux tried helping him up, though it didn't work.

"Are you okay, sir?" Vux asked, shifting Gradient to lay on him. Gradient couldn't speak, he just coughed violently. Vux looked around for Gradient's glasses. After a little bit of looking, he sees them, taking them and resting them on Gradient's nose. He picked him up gently. "I'm going to take you to the nurse's office."

"D-don't..." The croaky voice startled Vux as this is the first thing he's heard from this boy besides a stuttered greeting.

"What?" 

"Don't... I-I don't want a-anyone t-to know..."

"But you need help!"

"N-no. I-I don't want help... p-please..."

Vux blushed as Gradient pulled him close by the collar. His eyes were just so... magical. 'He looks so helpless.' Vux thought to himself. 'So scared. So cute. So kissable- Vux, no!'  He turned away, blushing a brighter pink. Gradient stared up at him, blushing a bright green. 

"I-I'm sorry,  V-Vux..." he mumbled, hiding his face in Vux's chest.

"For what? You've done nothing wrong." Vux replied. Sniffles were heard and Vux grew worried.

"F-f-for being so t-terrible! You s-shouldn't have s-s-saved me!" Gradient sobbed.

"Sir, you're not terrible! There's no reason for you to feel terrible! I can tell, you're an amazing person!"

Gradient looked up, blushing. Vux was taken aback, blushing more. Gradient's left eye wax such a bright yellow. It wasn't an annoying bright, it was one that complemented the red of his right eye.

"V-Vux..." Gradient mumbled. He leaned forward, half lidding his eyes.

"S-Sir..?" Vux did the same, blushing even brighter.

They could feel each other's breath on their lips.

They could almost feel and taste their lips together when-

"What are you hooligans doing?!" a teacher shouted running over to them.

"I-I found this student and I was going to take him to the nurse's office!" Vux quickly blurted out. Gradient almost looked offended.

"Alright! Get him to the nurse's office, and fast!" She growled. But took off, running to the nurse's office.

"No! Please, Vux! Don't make me go in there!" Gradient begged.

"I'm sorry, I have to make sure you're okay." Vux mumbled.

"I'm fine-"

"G-G-Gradient?" He froze before hiding in Vux. The nurse walked over to them. She was pale and blonde and wearing glasses. The name tag on her nurse outfit read 'Alphys'.

"Calm down. They won't hurt you." Vux promised.

"I told you I didn't want to come here..." Gradient mumbled to him.

"Please don't be scared." Vux whispered to him.

"O-okay, p-p-please set him d-down on a b-bed." Nurse Alphys ordered. Gradient fought, trying to stay in Vux's arms.

"Let her help you!" Vux told him, finally getting him to sit on the bed. Gradient clung to him as if for life.

"She'll ask questions. I don't want to answer." Gradient mumbled  watching Alphys prepare some things for healing

"Why are you so scared of telling anyone about bullies?" Vux asked quietly.

"Because if I tell, they'll hurt me more!" Gradient grabbed Vux's arms in a hushed panic. Vux was taken by surprised by how sudden it was.

"G-G-Gradient, what h-h-happened?!" the nurse exclaimed.

"Nothing-"

"A bunch of bullies beat him!" Vux told her.

"No they didn't!"

"They did! He's just lying!" 

"C-c-children! P-p-please stop a-arguing!" Alphys held her hands up to stop them.

"I'm fine!" Gradient looked like he was going to burst into tears.

"L-l-let me g-get s-some bandages." Alphys held up her hands before hurrying to get some bandage wraps.

"Uh, Gradient? I-"

"I said no." Gradient was curled up in the corner of the room, his glasses fogging up.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you!"

"Well don't!" Gradient yelled at him.

Vux climbed on, hugging Gradient. The smaller's heart fluttered as he felt the other's arms wrap around him. The lavender haired male was so tempted to feel his hands down Gradient's body. To unwrap his arms from his chest and run his hand on Gradient's waist and down his thigh.

He doesn't know where this urge was coming from.

"S-Sir, I-I-I need to c-check up o-on G-Gradient, p-p-please move." Alphys shook Vux's shoulder gently.

Vux let go of Gradient, the fluttering feeling staying in the black haired male's chest. He wanted him to hug him again.

"C-can you take off y-your s-shirt?" Alphys asked. Gradient didn't want to take off his shirt, it would show all of his scars and bruises. He shook his head. "But I-I can't h-help y-you if I can't get to all your injuries."

Vux and Gradient made eye contact. Vux blushed more and more.

"F-fine..." Gradient took off his shirt slowly, maintaining eye contact.

Vux stared at his body. He was so skinny, you could see his ribs. His dark skin was decorated with dark bruises from all the kicks. He obviously had older bruises and cuts. Some seemed to be nearly years old, others only days older.

"Hey..." Gradient smiled, blushing at Vux.

*1046 words*

Vux belongs to Catty_Stories