'And I kneel before you; an acolyte before a god. So let me stay.'
[Name] trailed behind Declan, feeling wholly wronged but inadequate to explain himself – it wasn't like he could actually give the actual reason why he was in the casino. With Declan still shouting at him, he remained silent – feeling that there was no point in trying to explain himself, he sighs once more.
"No, no money was spent," [Name] muttered, tired and exhausted, "I don't even know why I bothered to call you. I just should have called someone else to pick me up."
Declan scoffed, tone dripping with condescension, "What one of those weird, shady people you hang out with?"
[Name] ignored the hurt he felt, he knew that Declan was talking about Leo's old friends, the group he had gotten himself mixed up with, where they did get in trouble and cause chaos to society – with many close encounters in the police and staying overnight in jail and being let out the next day because his father would always bail him out.
"I don't hang out with them anymore," [Name] grit out, "Also why are you bringing this up? I haven't even been hanging out with them recently – I've been focusing on my work and everything! I'm not embarrassing you or the family anymore!"
"Do you think this is what it's all about–"
"What fucking else?!" [Name] grit out, his volume increasing, indignant on Leo's end, "You literally blamed me for mum's death!"
"Because it was your fault! Mum should have never had you!"
Hurt explodes through [Name]'s chest, but he knew it wasn't really his – it was Leo's, his mind echoed – and [Name] stills, looking at Declan in shock. It was clear from the loud silence that shows just how brutal this argument was, and has done damage to their relationship.
Irreversible damage.
Declan seemed to have finally realised the weight of his words too as he whirls around to look at [Name], reaching out slightly, "Leo, I'm sorry–"
"Save it," [Name] hisses, "I don't want to hear anymore, I'm going to my room."
[Name] didn't even wait for a response before he bounded up the stairs. Leaving Declan slack-jawed in the hallway, the guilt that now slowly settled in his chest; the most jarring moment was the face Leo had pulled, something haunted, and definitely hurt, made the weight in Declan's chest weigh heavy. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, and slightly tugs at it – he was furious at himself, simply wanting to keep Leo out of trouble and then those words left him.
He hopes that it doesn't change much between them, then thought to himself, bitterly, not that they were ever close since childhood after that accident.
Declan sighs again, shakily looking around making sure that no one else was woken up from their little disagreement – he slowly made his way upstairs, and back into his room. Collapsing on his bed with a sigh before falling quickly into a deep sleep.
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[Name] woke up early the next day, packing his bag and leaving early for uni – he didn't want to stay in the house anymore, and opted to wander around campus for a while before finally settling into a café, where he stayed until it was time for his class, and then stayed there longer until it was closing time for the café in the late evening.
[Name] sighed and rubbed his face, feeling helpless – feeling stuck, not wanting to complete the task, nor did he want to continue with this progression of the story, feeling lost and so desperate as he wandered the streets.
It was early evening and the sun was out, friends walking down the streets together, couples, family – and in that moment [Name] felt a weird heaviness settle in his chest, and the slight ache of jealousy, knowing that even in his.
'God, this is rough,' [Name] thought to himself, 'No wonder Leo acted out, I don't blame the guy if this is what he has to deal with.'
He sighs once more and figures he should get home before he gets hounded again.
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There was something off about the way Leo was carrying himself today, looking slightly tired and worn, he didn't engage as much as he usually did in class, keeping to himself, and actively avoiding the lecturer's gaze, who seemed to understand left him alone in that lecture. Henry couldn't help but be slightly worried, and moved to sit next to Leo after the break, striking up a conversation.
"Hey, how've you been?"
Leo glanced at him and gave a slight smile and nod, "Yeah, I've been good, you?"
Their conversation was light, and while in depth about everything and nothing at the same time, bouncing from different topics, from things on the internet, politics, philosophy to stupid things and existential dread – conversation flowed quietly between them, and even eliciting a chuckle or an amused huff from Leo, which Henry took great pride in.
Then when the lecture finished, they went their separate ways, Henry noted that Leo disappeared into the campus café and he figured nothing of it and made his way back home. It was until that evening when he was out for a walk, he caught a glimpse of Leo still in the café, sitting at his laptop – where Henry assumed Leo was working, but that'd mean that he's been there for the past four hours.
He was half-tempted to approach but there was something about Leo that made him hesitate. Henry didn't know if it was the slump in his shoulders, or the way his smile didn't completely reach his [Eye Colour] eyes. But, something just wasn't the same. Henry wanted to know but he decided against asking, opting to just do his best to make Leo laugh.
Henry stayed and continued watching Leo until the other left the café when it was finally closing at 18.30 – and with worry clouding his mind Henry followed the other home, excusing it that he was just being a worried friend. Keeping his distance, but still close enough to follow the other. Henry felt conflicted, he knew that this wasn't the most normal way of showing care, to follow someone home without them knowing – as if he was a stalker or something. But, on the other hand, he was simply worried about Leo. Which is why he's doing what he was doing. Only relaxing when he saw the other enter their home as he walked down their street.