Oreo

Chapter 53: Blind

Orion's POV~

I couldn't do it.  I couldn't tell him what was happening.  Not when he was like that.  It was heartbreaking, really.  Of course I'll tell him soon, but the aura I felt around him was too much.  I could taste the depression in his soul.  Even though he wasn't shedding any tears or moving any muscles in his face, I could tell how broken he was.  All of his emotions had shut down and it would have been catastrophic if I were to tell him right then.

But I've made my decision.  It's set in stone, and even he knows that.  At least, I hope he understood.  I couldn't have been more clear and I would never lie to him about that.  He'll never have to suffer alone so long as I'm here with him, and I plan to erase all of his sorrows, slowly, over time.

The both of us had retured to the bedroom and settled down to watch a few Studio Ghibli films, starting with Howl's Moving Castle followed by Spirited Away.  Romeo cuddled up to my side, an arm over my stomach and his head on my chest.  The lights were off to set a more relaxing tone and there was a light blanket pulled up over us.  Mochi was curled up at my other side whilst Ninja had settled down on Ro's pillow, both of them seemingly asleep.

Around the scene at the granny's house, I could hear the change in Ro's breathing.  It was more even and deep instead of shallow.  It made me glad that he was able to fall asleep, but I hoped that he wouldn't encounter any more nightmares for the night.  He had been seeming a lot more tired that he usually did.  That didn't really sound like much compared to how little he slept for school, but it was Summer and he shouldn't have to worry too much about waking up early.

I carded my fingers through his hair, feeling the slight oilyness that meant he could probably do with a shower in the morning.  He's been torturing himself enough with all the shit he's already been through.  So long as we get this whole thing taken care of quickly, we won't need to worry about it anymore.  It'll be water under the bridge and there will be no need for him to know, right?  Or at least I could tell him about it once it's all taken care of. 

I can't tell Tessy that I didn't tell him, though.  We should be able to sort through everything this weekend, so there's nothing to worry about.  Everything will be over soon.

Minutes ticked by as I rolled over my thoughts, the movie progressing before unattentive eyes.  That was the call I'd decided to take, yet even still I began to find it harder and harder to fall asleep myself.  The more I assured myself that it would be best to tell him afterwards, the more deprived and inable to rest I felt.

No.  He can't know yet.  His mind is too destructive.  I'll wait until at least next weekend.  Then at least he won't be hit as hard...

~

Romeo's POV~

Sunlight was peaking through the blinds, spilling into the room in blinding rays that sent me rolling back into Rion's warmth.  Well, lack there of.  I was disappointed when I peeled my eyes open to see that he hadn't moved across the bed but he wasn't even in bed at all.

I pouted to myself, wishing we could've cuddled a bit in the wake of the day.  I was still too tired to move.  That, and my head kinda hurt.  So did my muscles for some reason.  And my throat. 

Wait...

I swallowed testingly, shifting my position and winced as the saliva scraped down my thoat.  That and the ghosting of a runny nose told me everything I needed to know.

Now I really want cuddles...

Taking a deeper inhale as I sighed in frustration, I realised that my boyfriend was actually in the kitchen cooking something.  It was a little difficult to smell, but I could recognise the wiff of french toast.  And potatoes.  Must be Potatoes O'Brien.  I would've almost reconsidered getting up at all but potatoes actually sounded really good at that moment.