Shout it into the night: I'm never gonna die...

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom collapsed under a tree, sobbing bitterly. He held Marlee tight, the breath in his lungs rattling slightly. He leant his head back, closing his eyes.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Marlee whimpered as she saw the state of Tom's face. She reached out a hand to pat his cheek gently and he hissed in pain. "No baby." He croaked. "Don't do that." he moved her hand back to his chest. Marlee pursed her lips in a kiss shape.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom unzipped his suitcase and rummaged around in it. He pulled out a mirror, angling it so he could see the bruise on his cheek. It was a bluey-green colour, and it looked disgusting. He angled the mirror downwards to check on his throat. The dark blue fingermarks stood out against his milky white skin. He sighed, but it couldn't be helped.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Marlee sniffled. "You hungry girl?" He cooed. She wrapped her hand around his thumb as he searched through the suitcase. "Dammit... It must have fallen out. I... we better go back and find it." Pete won't hurt me if I've got a baby in my arms, would he?

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom traipsed back to the trees and made up a bottle for Marlee silently. He sat down underneath one, placing the bottle in her mouth. She took great gulps of it. "Hey..." He whispered. "Slow down."

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

He gently pryed the bottle away from her when it was finished, lifting her up to burp her. She mewed sleepily and stared at him with wide blue eyes reminiscent of Michael. He closed his eyes briefly to prevent tears from falling. "Carry me, carry me softly, let her down easy so she doesn't know..." He sang quietly, his voice scratching against his throat. Marlee yawned and slipped his thumb into her mouth, closing her eyes.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Lulled to sleep by the warm wind and Marlee's snuffling breathing, Tom closed his eyes and slept.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

Michael was pretty sure this was the direction Tom had gone in and was relieved when he stumbled upon the man and Marlee. He looked closer and noticed that the blonde man was asleep so he stepped a little more carefully so as not to wake him.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

"Nick..." Tom murmured to himself, holding Marlee tighter. He shifted slightly in his sleep, mewing.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

Michael leaned in a little closer to look at Marlee when he saw Tom shift.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom's eyes fluttered open. He stared unseeingly at Michael's jeans, still mumbling to himself.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"Tom?" Michael asked quietly.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom's eyes focused. He blinked and shook his head, coming to. His head darted upwards as he took in his surroundings. They narrowed as they came to rest on Michael. Was that real?

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"Tom," Michael took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. It's my fault he hurt you."

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

"Like you care." Tom repeated his words from earlier, but this time they had conviction behind them. "He could have killed me! William cares more than you do, and he's in love with fucking GABE!"

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Silence reigned through the clearing. His face softened as he realised Michael didn't know what to say. "Look, I'm sorry." he said quietly. "I wanted to think you were perfect. I... I never should have taken you away from Pete. I'm sorry. Really sorry."

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"I'm sorry. I didn't think Pete would actually..." Michael stared at Tom's injuries in shock like it was the first time he'd ever seen them.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom shrugged and shifted Marlee in his arms as she mumbled sleepily.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"Tom if you don't want me around you anymore I understand," Michael watched the other man's eyes carefully.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom stared bleakly at Michael's feet, unsure of what to say. I do want you... but you just watched... "Why?" He whispered, his voice hoarse.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"I should have saved you," Michael said quietly, putting his head in his hands. "I'm supposed to protect you but I just..." What have I done?

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

"Why didn't you?" Tom asked, looking at Michael closely.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"If it was someone else, someone I don't know, I wouldn't have hesitated but Pete... I know he's a good person on the inside somewhere, and it's probably my fault he's like this now. I didn't want to hurt him. Then I waited too late and if I had tried to pull him off you then you would have ended up worse off." Michael's voice was muffled slightly and a little shaky.

Number of posts : 1888 Age : 40 Registration date : 2007-06-25

Tom gently moved Michael's hands away from his face and leant in to kiss his lips softly.

Number of posts : 1515 Age : 42 Registration date : 2007-06-27

"Tom," Michael's voice choked up, tears forming in his eyes.

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