𝚂𝚊𝚏𝚎

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ３

Fire crackled.

Murdoc was by a fire pit with his 'friends'.

They laughed while passing around a blunt.

Once it got to him, he took small drags.

It still affected him, but not as much as usual.

His shoulder still hurt from being pushed to the ground.

They were just playing, however.

Roughly.

The kid that pushed him earned a bloody nose from Murdoc though.

And a wide bruise on his cheek.

He didn't want any of it.

Murdoc seemed to be out of it.

Partly from the drugs.

He got punched in the arm.

He looked over, showing slight discomfort in his face.

"Ey, Murdoc. You haven't been coming with us in the morning to go rob the shop, what's going on?"

Murdoc shrugged.

He didn't like it here.

Ever since he'd been introduced to his and Stuart's safe haven.

And, well, Stuart.

He began to hate these late nights.

With just drugs, alcohol, and someone always getting beat up.

His hearing became vague.

"Oi, Murdoc looks like he's gonna drop."

Cold air hit his face before he felt the ground on his back.

The rocks digging into his skin.

He heard laughing.

He blacked out.

(~)

Stuart was making a dandelion crown.

He already was half way done.

Murdoc was quiet the whole time.

He breathed shallowly, playing with a few blades of grass in his fingers.

Once Stuart finished, he smiled.

He looked up at Murdoc and placed it on his head.

"Ta-da!" He held his smile.

Murdoc smiled lightly back.

Then faded.

Stuart's face shifted.

"What's wrong?"

Murdoc was silent.

He sighed.

"I just don't feel too good today."

Stuart hummed apologetically.

"What can I do to help?"

Murdoc ached.

"Nothing...just be here."

"Okay." Stuart replied softly.

He gave Murdoc a side hug.

Murdoc grunted uncomfortably.

"Oh! I'm sorry..." Stuart said, moving his arms away quickly.

"No, it's ok. I just...got a little tossed around I guess." He chuckled weakly.

Stuart frowned.

He remembered what he talked about around where he lives.

How much they horse played and fought.

He wished he didn't live around there.

"Oh."

The distaste in Stuart's voice made Murdoc cringe.

Murdoc didn't do anything.

Just kept his head down.

Stuart didn't know what to do.

He fidgeted with the scraps of dandelion.

"I'm sorry..." He whispered.

Murdoc sighed.

"No, it's...it's fine."

Stuart flailed his arms up.

"No, it's not! This isn't okay, it makes me cry seeing you like this!"

Murdoc winced at Stuart's raised voice.

Everything hurt.

Murdoc groaned in defeat before laying down.

"You need a hospital-"

"No! Please...just...be quiet." Murdoc interrupted.

The crown slid slowly off of Murdoc's head.

Stuart laid down close to him.

Murdoc lifted his arm and Stuart crawled closer.

Murdoc fell asleep shortly after.

Stuart just looked in front of him, staying on patrol in a way.