●Damaged● (BxB) Book 1

°•°•°Part 6: Acceptance•°•°•

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"What?" Jack asked, his eyebrows furrowed together.

"I know everything about him. It was pretty easy actually. All I had to do was sneak into the chairman's office."

Jack shook his head. "No... But what did you read exactly? What did it say about him?"

Colton laughed before crossing his arms. "You sure? I don't think you'll be able to look at him the same way if you know what I know."

"If you didn't plan on telling me, what was the point of calling me out here in the first place? You and I both know damn well that you were going to tell me, so hurry it up."

Colton only smiled as he pulled out a single paper.

"Read this." He instructed, taking a step back.

Jack practically snatched the paper, and read it silently.

Colton only watched, a look of pure joy crossing his face as the opposite emotion appeared on Jack's.

"This..... this is fake. It's can't possibly be real."

Colton laughed. "I told you you wouldn't be able to read it without consequences."

Jack shook his head, his hands shaking as confusion and bitter sadness swept through him.

"Can you believe it? Our little Lucis isn't as innocent as we thought he was."

Jack shook his head, still in denial. "We have to ask him first." He butted in, still hoping it was all a lie.

"Hmm.... not a bad idea. We'll confront him. But seems like he's not ready yet."

Jack looked up, his eyes softening as he realized Lucis has been standing near the doorway, sharing his expression. 

"I-Is this true?" Jack asked, shoving out the words fumbling in his mouth.

Lucis looked down at the papers in Jack's hands before looking away.

He was obviously nervous. His dark eyes shifting from place to place. His face growing sweaty despite the cool temperature in the room.

"I'm sorry....." Was all he said, cowering as the world became dizzy around Jack.

He pursed his lips before walking towards Lucis, who only flinched.

Colton could only watch in pure amusement. That is, until Jack did the unexpected.

Rather than abandoning Lucis in the room, he wrapped his arms around the small boy, his own tears visible.

"I'm sorry that happened to you.... I'm sorry I asked you such a personal question....."

Lucis was still recovering from the shock before shaking his head. He rested his head on Jack's chest. "A-arent you disgusted? You shouldn't touch me."

Jack shook his head, clinging tightly to Lucis. "I know you didn't want any of that. What happened to you wasn't fair.... But listen, you can open up to me. I'll be here for you."

Colton's eyes met Derek's, who was watching from the shadows, and glared at the smirking boy.

Colton left the room, and walked down the hall, wondering how his plan could've failed.

"Hey, Colton.... why do you hate Jack so much? If you don't like Lucis, then why are you trying to ruin their relationship? Hmm?"

Derek's eyes widened in fear as Colton turned around, the anger and annoyance more clear than ever.

"You had better shut up." He said through gritted teeth, beyond pissed.

Derek watched with fear as Colton stomped off, and turned back to look at Lucis and Jack, who were done with their little moment.

"Jack, Colton's mad." Derek reminded, taking a step towards the two. His eyes shifted and he was soon making eye contact with Lucis, who didn't look away.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, earning a small smile from Derek. Perhaps he had been to harsh on the boy. He was dragged into all this by Colton, and Derek was starting to feel sorry for the boy.

"It's not your fault." He assured, looking back at Jack, who was holding his shoulders.

Derek's eyes wandered, and he saw the paper Jack had been reading, and decided to reach for it, but Jack beat him to it.

"You shouldn't look at it...." He advised, glancing at Lucis, who seemed embarrassed.

"Why not?" Derek asked, confused.

Lucis glanced up at Jack, shyly fumbling with his hair. "I-it's.... fine." He tried his best to smile, but his nervous expression was obvious, clearly waiting for Derek's reaction. Jack had accepted him, so maybe Derek would too?

Jack gave him a look before sighing and handing over the paper.

Derek looked at it, completely shocked as he read through it. He glanced at Lucis, who was staring at the floor, avoiding his gaze.

It became too much for Derek, and a hand clasped over his mouth in disgust.

Derek dropped the paper, his body weak as he processed everything.

"I'm so sorry....." He mumbled, confused as to why he was apologizing.

Lucis looked up, and Derek lost his breath, he could hardly keep his tears from falling. He quickly turned his back and left, not wanting the two to see how weak he actually was.

"Come on." Jack coaxed, holding his hand out to the shaken boy. Lucis took it, hanging his head low as shame and embarrassment took over.

Jack led him to his dorm, completely silent. The tension was too thick.

Lucis became anxious as the two neared his room, wondering if Jack would treat him any differently. Though the two had barely known each other, Lucis had become attached to Jack. He didn't know why, but he felt happy when Jack was around, an emotion he although he lost all of.

But would it all disappear because of today?

"Jack?" Lucis asked, his voice barely audible. He looked up at Jack's face as Jack began to turn.

His eyes widened on shock as Jack avoided eye contact with him, his own tears rolling down his pale cheeks.

"Jack?" Lucis asked, confused and worried.

"I-I can't believe that happened to you, and I acted like such an idiot! I'm sorry! I don't know why I act like such a child! Please, forgive me!"

Lucis took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Jack, though hesitant.

"It's okay. You didn't do anything. Why're you crying?"

"I act like I have it so hard.... since I'm an orphan, I assumed I had it the worst.... but you're here, suffering!"

Lucis let his hands drop to the side before shaking his head. His mind was swirling with all sorts of words, but he couldn't say anything.

He let a single tear slip before shaking his head.

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