welcometotheughbackup | (no subject)

(no subject)

Who: Bridget and Mel
When: Next day during lunch hour
Where: Library
What: Returning the book
Rating: PG-13

Finding himself unable to look at the book any longer, Bridget slipped out the door of the infirmary. Again, he didn't tell Muraki where he was going, or anyone for that matter. He had had no sleep and felt positively horrid as he ambled down the halls of the prison. The prisoners were making catcalls, but what did it matter now? It really didn't at all.

Sighing, he entered the library. It wasn't like there was any physical damage, save for the marks were the bands that held him down from last night left bruises. Though, now he was sore and had a perpetual headache. He wasn't able to eat that day, feeling sick at the thought of food. He walked up to the counter to just lay the book and started to turn to leave, never once looking up to see if Mel was actually there.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mel was actually further in the library, placing away a few books while it was quiet, and making little snide remarks in his head about certain people who'd caused certain pains in his wrist as he did so.

After he had finished, he began moving back to the counter, and that's when he caught a familiarly dressed form trying to leave the Library.

"Bridget?" He said it as if to make sure who it was, although he was fairly sure already.

"...hi. Um...just returning the book."

A small fake laugh left his mouth as he stopped there and didn't turn. "I can't...really finish it, so...hope you like it." Bridget couldn't even look back at Mel.

Mel's eyes glanced over to the desk where the book sat. It looked in worse shape than it had after the fall in which Bridget had gone bumping into that brown-haired inmate, and he moved over to lift it carefully, examining it a little, although his eyes occasionally shifted to Bridget as well.

He didn't know the boy so well, but so far he hadn't had any issues looking at him, so why did he not turn this time? It seemed strange. Was it because of what was said by him at the library, where he basically implied he disliked the fact that Bridget had lied about what he was, and that Mel was not the sort to accept it so easily?

"Are you still worried I'll say something about your secret?" He finally asked.

"...no, in fact, I'd like if you did..." He says quiet and looks at his feet, it was offhanded and he wasn't sure if he said that or thought it at this point. His whole being was a stirred mess after last night.

"If...um...if that needs replaced I got the money to do so..." He just nodded and started to walk out again. "Just tell me when you'd like it."

Mel blinked faintly at Bridget. Did he just say he'd like him to say something about his secret? He knew the consequences, right? He seemed to have the other day.

Mel moved forward as Bridget tried to leave, still thinking that he was acting strange, and grabbed at one of his wrists gently, hoping to stop his movement.

He jerked back and looked at Mel straight in the eyes, blinking. He hid his wrists behind his back. "..I gotta go now."

Mel frowned a bit at the jerk, and the seemingly sudden movement of hiding his wrists. What was going on?

"What's wrong? You aren't acting yourself."

"I'm fine."

He didn't look away anymore. Dark circles were collected under his eyes and he was probably showing signs of fatigue, but how could he sleep right now. His heart sank as he looked at Mel for that brief moment. He felt lower than ever on the scale of being human.

It didn't help that he had to look up to everyone. He feigned a smile finally. "Just busy at the moment."

Mel watched those blue eyes, noting the exhaustion, and tried to analyze things. It seemed strange, the attitude. Worse than the startlement and not wanting to return when he'd first met the kid.

"Is it just busy? You look exhausted, Bridget."

"Yeah...I did double shifts. It happens."

He looked towards the door again and started to turn towards it again. "I'll rest when I can." Pulling away from Mel, he headed closer to the door. "Wasting time, you know..."

He was out of it, almost in a daze as he made a few steps.

Mel frowned a bit, and moved after Bridget. He grabbed again for the small boy, but this time only to grab his shoulder gently. "You need to rest, Bridget. You don't look well at all."

His shoulder tensed and he stops and looks back at him. "It's fine, really. Um...see you around." He shied away, knowing if Mel knew, he'd never look at him again. So, why cause anymore disappointment than he already has?

He just had to get away, he had to go back and make sure he wasn't in the wrong for anything. His family was at stake for his stupidity. Faking another smile, he waves goodbye and started to go through the door frame.

Mel frowned, something was definitely off. He had tensed at the touch, and also... He reached out to grab Bridget by the wrist gently, so that he could look at it more closely, hoping the boy wouldn't dodge before he could.

He let out a soft noise and shook, jerking away. "What?"

Mel blinked again, his eyes widening slightly, before reaching for Bridget's wrist again. "Let me see your wrist."

He backed up again, his head started to pound. He pulled his wrist away again. No, he can't let anyone know, his family would be killed. "Um...why?"

Mel looked down, trying to see if he could get a look at the wrists without having to grab for the boy again. "Because something seems wrong." He replied.

"Nothing's wrong." Nope, not really, he caused this and now he can't get out of it. If something was wrong it was with himself.

"I got to go, Mel." He really didn't have a way to keep his wrists from being shown, but now he had one option and get back to the infirmary. Walking fast, he went into the hallway.

Mel frowned still, and this time he reached out with both hands to grab Bridget by the waist and pull the young man into him, before his hand shot down to grab one wrist gently, examining it.

"... What happened?"

His eyes grew wide as he was pulled back and looked up at Mel. He didn't look like he was going to burst into tears, his face turned blank.

He could just see his family dead at this point. Bridget started to hiccup, he felt like like an invalid. A lie wouldn't be convincing enough. "It hurts, I just had a little accident in the infirmary, I'm clumsy you know."

What was with that look? It was strange.

Mel kept hold of Bridget gently, running a finger along the bruises on that wrist carefully, although he could feel his own screaming in pain. "And what sort of accident?"

He looked at his wrists and couldn't think fast enough, he would have been able to with sleep. Just with his mind dulled as it was, he couldn't come up with anything. That finger on his skin even let out pangs of pain.

"...just an accident. I'm really tired, will you let me go?"

Mel shifted his hand to grab Bridget's chin gently, so he could look him in the eyes. "Is it really just an accident?"

Did it really matter? Why did Mel even try and care, if he had known, it wouldn't be the same type of care. Bridget pulled out of his grip and looked out the door. "...yes."

Mel frowned, and let his hand reach out to pet Bridget's hair in the same way he had the day before, a touch almost not even there it was so soft.

"You're lying I think, but I won't push it." He kept a stable voice. "But I can listen, it is something I do fairly well..."

"Please don't."

He did however lean into the petting, the first actual decent touch he had by another human being in a long time. He just wanted to keep everything fine and clear of anything bad. His luck had run out a long time ago.

Mel moved around to look Bridget in the eyes again, his own not shifting. "... Tell me if you need me."

He looked in Mel's eyes, he wanted so desperately to say everything, to yell it out. But, right now, he couldn't even get a word out of his mouth. He couldn't mention the deal he made with the devil.

"...just keep talking to me." He needed a friend, he needed someone to keep him sane. But, he instantly wished he hadn't said it to Mel. Mel was too good to have a lowlife that was no better than a murderer to confide in.

"What do you want to talk about?" Mel frowned a little, but let his hand touch Bridget's hair again gently.

"I...dunno..."

He whispered and frowned, looking down at his feet. "I just want to say I can't leave now. That's why I want you to say something...just an anonymous tipoff or something."

He grew quiet. Would that work? Would it really work? Or would Muraki kill his family anyway? He had to try.

Mel watched Bridget a little, frowning. "Something happened between when I was there last and today?"

"I want a lie exposed and I can't." Or rather, he isn't allowed to.

"The one you told me?" Mel blinked softly.

"Yeah. I'm sorry for every trouble, Mel."

He grew quiet again and sighed, pulling away. "I have to get back before I'm noticed as gone..."

Mel blinked softly, frowning. "I don't get it."

"Don't get what?" He looked up at the man, fatigue threatening to take over. His back hurting and his stomach needing food. Maybe now he can properly eat something.

"...I want the record straight and I can't do it."

"I see..." Though honestly, Mel was confused. It seemed Bridget wanted him to tell his secret, but why could Bridget not do it? Did it relate to those marks, or this so-called 'Accident'?

"...yeah, thank you." He whispered and moved back, trying to smile. Amidst that he tried to feel better about it all. Was this the ticket to freedom? Maybe...what would Muraki do?

So many questions and so was the need to rest his eyes started to sag a little.

Mel had no honest clue what was going on, but he'd try to figure it out. For now, he spoke softly. "Go rest. You look like you could use it."

"Uh huh." He start to stumble out and then looked back. "I don't want to be a citizen here." He let that slip and walked down the library on that note. Walking back to the infirmary, he didn't even say a word to Muraki and walked to the back room and fell asleep. He locked the door and slid under the covers.

About the time his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only