Resisting The Heat [TinCan 18+] (ON HOLD)

-05- 🌙 What I've Been Through

"You think I'm nothing, 'cause I'm nothing like you. You think you know me. You have no idea what I've been through. So, take your shot, say what you want about me."
~Like A Storm, 'Love the Way You Hate Me'

~~~

*Tin's POV*

I'm taken off-guard when Can pounces on me, swinging his fist at my jaw. The impact splits my lip open, but he doesn't stop there. He shoves me to the ground before straddling my hips and delivering blow after blow to my face.

My head is pounding from his punches, and I can barely concentrate enough to summon the magic to throw him off of me. I hear him yelp as his back hits the lockers, and I try to pull myself off the ground.

"Can, stop!" Ae shouts as Can tries to lunge at me again. Their friend, the faerie, steps in to hold the angered wolf back. Can glares at me with rage burning in his dark eyes.

I stand up, wiping my mouth and smearing blood on the back of my hand. I didn't expect Can to actually attack me. We've had small fights, but nothing like what happened just now.

"Tin, are you okay?" Pete whispers next to me, his eyes wide and fearful. His slender frame is shaking as he clings to my arm in worry.

"I'm fine," I say loud enough for Can to hear. "I'm not going to die from the scratches of a mutt."

Can growls; the deep sound making my stomach twist and my eyes glow. I blink it away, not wanting to make it obvious how much he affects me. Nothing is worse than your worst enemy knowing exactly how much they bother you.

Ae tugs Can's arm, dragging him out of the locker room. Sighing, I wipe my hand over my face in frustration. My jaw still aches from being punched repeatedly. Not that I'll admit how much physical pain he caused me.

"Are you alright?" Pete asks in a soft voice, his eyes down at the ground.

"I said I'm fine," I sigh for the hundredth time.

"Good," he says curtly, releasing his hold on my arm and stepping away from me. Pete keeps his eyes on the ground, not looking up at me.

I furrow my brows. "Pete?"

"Tin..." he starts, his voice beginning to shake. "I don't like what you just did."

"What I just did? Pete, he attacked me."

"Not that." Pete fidgets with his fingers, still not looking at me. "T-That word. I don't like that you said it."

I blink, not understanding what he's referring to for a second. Then it hits me.

"Pete—"

"I-I don't understand you sometimes, Tin," Pete stammers. "I've always been on your side. You said we're different, and that means we have to stick together, and I believed you. B-But... that doesn't mean I'm okay with what you said to Ae."

"It's not a big deal," I grumble, and Pete finally raises his wide eyes to mine. "I only said it to make him stop looking at you."

"That doesn't make it okay!" Pete shouts, and I step back in surprise. Pete has never raised his voice at me. "You wanted to shame him for his sexuality, and I'm not okay with that! Not when my dads are the best people in my life. And what about your dads? How can you say things like that when you have your dads?"

My mouth feels like cotton as the wind is knocked out of me. I try to keep my face neutral, but on the inside I feel my stomach twisting with guilt. My dads... they would be so hurt if they heard what I said to Ae.