bulletproof [riot×tank]

chapter 4 - don't worry about me

Tank:

It turned out that Scorpion and Faceless weren't unbearable after all. We were a gruop of four for almost three weeks now and it was fun actually.
The police, as always, was not particularly friendly or peaceful. But there were no more escalations like the day we met Scorpion and Faceless.
The protests became smaller and shorter but did not stop, so we often went to several demonstrations in one day. If that was possible.

"I am freaking dying. Oh my god", Scorpion complained, pushing up the sleeves of his jacket. He had taken off his hood so that his rather short curls could be seen.
"It's so hot. How can it be so hot? I bet I could bake cookies on the asphalt"
Faceless who ran next to him gapsed.
"Let's try it next time." Scorpion remained silent for a moment.
"This is the best idea I've ever heard"

I rolled my eyes and muttered something I didn't even understand myself. (To be completely honest I hoped they would do this next time. It's always a yes from me for cookies)
Riot and I had taken off half our armor. I only ran around with a black shirt and my normal pants, because the jacket and vest would have been clearly too hot for me.
Riot was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and gloves for some reason. I sweat more if I just looked at him.
"Aren't you hot?" I asked him then. (Yes he's very hot)
He looked a little surprised at me, as if I had torn him from the deepest thoughts.
"Huh?"
"Whether you're not hot" I repeated my question. "Oh um... no not really. Well it's okay"
He didn't laugh and his voice didn't sound like he was smiling. He's been pretty quiet all day today, and he barely talked. I missed his laugh.
"You should have chosen another shirt"
He just shrugged his shoulders.
"Possible"
"Is... is everything okay?" I asked him worried.
"Yes, of course. What should be wrong?" Riot replied quickly.
"Well, you're so quiet and--"
Faceless interrupted me.
"Hey guys, can we take a break please? I really need to drink and eat something or I'll collapse right here and you'll have to carry me home. Not very useful for everyone involved."
Scorpion nodded to agree with him.
"Yes, of course we can", Riot said, seeming pretty happy about the distraction.

Scorpion and Faceless sat on a wall that lay in the shade and drank so weird from straws that they didn't have to take off their masks.
"Hey sunshine" I looked up at the nickname and immediately regretted it.
"Don't worry about me, okay? It's all right."
I just nodded. But Riot could tell me what he wanted, he didn't behave normally today.
He patted my shoulder and was about to turn away when I saw it.

"What's that?" I asked, straightened up and frowned.
Riot flinched and took a step back. He had noticed that he had lifted his arm unfavorably and had let it sink again quickly.
"What do you mean?"
"This" I approached him and he quickly retreated until he was pressed against the wall with his back.
"Stop that... please"
"Show me your wrist"
"No. Why should I?" I rolled my eyes (he's such a drama queen) and reached for his wrist. He flinched again even though I hadn't really touched him. He tried to fight back, but I held his wrist and didn't let go.
I pulled down his sleeve. (His skin looked incredibly soft)
It was covered with dark blue and purple patches.
Bruises. They looked like a handprint.
I swallowed and my eyes widened.

"Who did that?" I asked quietly.
"Nobody. I fell down"
"Don't fuck with me, Riot" I warned him.
"Who. Did. That?" He pulled his wrist away.
"Nobody. Shall I spell it out for you?" He sounded angry.
"You fell on your wrist?" I asked. I didn't believe him. Obviously.
"So many times that you've got bruises of it?"
"Yes! Is that a crime?" Riot's voice had become so loud that Scorpion looked at us in surprise.
"I... Want-" I began.
"Forget it. I'll be fine. You're not my watchdog." With these words, he pushed me away and left. I stared at the ground and clenched my hand to a fist.

I turned around and looked at him. He held his wrist. What was that all about?
No. That wasn't enough for me.
"Hey, Riot. Wait." I ran after him and turned him around on his shoulder.
"Let it be good"
"No, please. I want to help you."
"You don't have to help me, okay?"
"That's why I said I want to not I have to. Just tell me what happened and who-"
"Please... just leave it. It's really none of your business. You're making a fool of yourself."
I took my hand off his shoulder.
"I'm making a what of myself?" I asked slowly.
He looked away.
"A fool. I appreciate your concern for me, but they're unnecessary. Honestly."
I bet he had bruises all over his body and therefore wore long sleeves.
"It's just... private" he mumbled quietly. He sounded embarrassed.
Something in his voice made me pause. Something private that could possibly leave bruises behind. Depending on how much passion is put into it.
"Oh... I'm...I'm sorry" I said. Now it was my turn to take a step back.
My voice sounded terribly disappointed.
Well, I was terribly disappointed.
I don't know why, but for some reason I had always assumed that Riot was single.
"It's okay. It's okay. Let's... don't talk about it anymore"
I just nodded quickly and turned around.
Well that was embarrassing.

_______________________________________
I... Uhhh I'm just gonna leave this here.

Have an amazing day <3

~anon