Crying Out

Part Nine: Worried

Sleep seemed to slip between his fingers. Only a few drops at first, an hour or two. Then a steady trickle. Next a slow gush.

Lastly, a tidal wave.

The precious fluid draining from his palms in quick, heavy bursts. Only a day at first. Then two. Maybe three.

Bloodshot eyes. Pale skin. Impossibly heavy lids that never found the courage to close.

Trembling movements. Lost words. Blending days.

He was losing his fucking mind.

His brain drowning in worry. Pounding constantly, begging. Always begging.

Begging for what? What did it want?

And when it didn't get what it wanted, it created it. Conjured it.

Morphing long silences into sweet words. Cool sheets into ghosting fingers when his back was turned. Chairs into people. Into a person.

Corbyn.

Always Corbyn.

He was there now. Well, almost.

He was younger. He was always younger. Skin never flecked with dark bruises. Eyes gleaming with life and love and happiness. Never, ever glazed with exhaustion. Or shadowed with fear. His smile always care-free.

Free. That's what he was. Free to go where he pleased, when he pleased. Free to speak whenever the words came.

Because his Corbyn was free. The real Corbyn was free.

Those sparkling eyes staring at him, only him. His fingers moving slowly, guiding Daniel's through a dance he had yet to see. Thighs warm against his sides. His own eyes soft with instinct. A helpless grin tugging at his lips while gazing upon his Corbyn.

" Why won't you save me?" Lakes shimmering, still with water that had frozen long ago. The whisper of his heart crisp and cold.

" I'm trying, Baby," the folds of his cheek plush beneath my thumb," I'm trying to save you, but you won't let me. You're so damn stubborn," his giggle was laced with frost. Sending an effortless chill down my spine. Nuzzling gently into me.

" Promise you will? Promise you'll save me?" His smile sharp and sweet.

The living room seemed to squeak, echoing a ping. Silencing the second Daniel had glanced to it.

Leaving the apartment quiet. And him alone. The warmth having vanished with the alert.

A shaking sigh ghosting along cracking lips. The deep, radiating sting of nearing tears. The all too familiar ache of longing.

The phone's weight seemed almost too much to bear when Daniel realized the notification that had ruined his fantasy was a text. A text from Corbyn.

I'm at the park. Please come. I miss you.

And just like that, he was gone. Almost as if Daniel vanished. Leaving only his forgotten phone and a slamming front door.

He was right there. Just like he said.

Gaze casted down, leaving a trail of frost as he traced the dips and hills in the sidewalk. Knees pulled close, tucking away his face and the ink beginning to pool beneath his skin.

His thick, deep red coat draping over his body. Shielding anything the world may deem undesirable.

Daniel went still before him. Frozen in the cold air he radiated. Lungs left gasping as be was reminded of reality.

Reminded that this was Corbyn.

Trapped. Shadowed. Bruised. Tired.

He wasn't young, or happy, or free.

And he wasn't his.

He shied away from Daniel's touch. Revealing the midnight-purple flesh of his jaw. Glistening eyes catching the light, wet with lingering tears.

" Dani, I... I-I'm..."

" I know," Daniel's thumb wandered. Slowly making its way to his lip. Swollen and shattered and soft. The flesh plush against the pad," where is he?"

" He went on a trip. He won't be back for a week," Corbyn barely kissed the finger. Welcoming it to the new location. Encouraging it to explore. It has changed a lot since the last visit.

" You're staying with me," Daniel never asked a question.

" I know."

♤
634