Nathaniel curled in tighter on himself as his body was wracked with sobs. He couldn't think, and he could hardly breathe. Whenever he heard footsteps passing by, he couldn't help but glance up in hopes that it was Zedd coming for him, but it never was. Nobody bothered to come into the alleyway with the useless crying child. He curled his crumpled wings around his frail form to keep himself warm, shivering against the cold. "D-Dad…" He whispered shakily through his sobs. He's not coming… I'm living here again… The thought made him cry even harder to a point where he had long been incoherent.
Zedd called and called again but there was nothing. No reply. He knew others were looking, but the city was quite large when you were looking for a singular person. The man's heart raced, eventually giving up walking, and took to the sky. His throat felt dry and mind clouded with thought. He almost bumped into someone else flying the opposite direction. He could only wonder why Nathaniel would run away.
The phone call.
Having Nathaniel around had helped reduce the swearing significantly, but now he muttered every profane word he knew. Stupid.
Eventually he found himself above the area where he had first found the ragged child being pushed around as he picked up his coins. He frowned, throat becoming tight as he felt the urge to cry. No. He'd find him. He had to.
What else was he supposed to do? Not become attached to someone who looked up to you like a father?
Nathaniel cried until he couldn't anymore, and then just whimpered and sniffled and cried out in distress. He'd worked himself up so much that he felt like he was going to throw up, and he was shaking so violently that the metal trash can he was leaning up against was rattling. For someone who supposedly didn't want to be found, he was being remarkably noisy, but he was also far too upset to notice or care.
(WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TT-TT)
Zedd landed around the corner of the street. He gave a quick glance around and saw no signs of the small boy. What did he mention before? An alleyway? Been there for months…
Zedd began walking down a random street, looking down each of the gaps between the buildings. It wasn't long until he heard something loud rattling in the distance. The man began to run towards the noise when he started hearing tiny gasps for air. That had to be him. Please.
The alley was a smaller one, a few boxes littering the ground nearby a couple of trashcans. A few of them were stacked as if they were an attempt to make shelter. And curled up on the cold concrete floor, was the tiny angel, having cried so much he was still struggling to breathe.
Zedd could only stare at him for a moment before falling to his knees.
Nathaniel looked up weakly when he heard footsteps, his cheeks pink and splotchy from crying so much. He… he came looking for me… He curled up a bit tighter on the concrete, still shivering violently. It feels so cold… "I… I-I'm— s— s-sorry… sir…" He managed to choke out, his voice tight and raspy from crying. His breathing was quick and shallow, and he seemed more than a little out of it. "I-I just… I thought-…" He interrupted himself with a coughing fit, choking on his dry sobs.
Zedd moved quickly, taking the boy into his arms. "Hey, what did we talk about…? I'm… I'm not angry, so you don't have to apologise… Okay?" he whispered softly as he pulled Nathaniel closer. The man had never felt this attached towards anyone before. Not so quickly at least. Feeling the angel's small form pressed against him, so cold and weak… it was hard to hold back the tears starting to form in his eyes. His body shook as he cried silently. Damn it, why can't I stop?
Nathaniel buried his face in Zedd's chest, shaking violently in the man's arms. "B-But I… I ran away…" He whispered weakly, curling his wings tightly around himself. He could hear Zedd crying now, and he felt even worse, knowing that he was the cause. A couple of fresh tears rolled down his cheeks and he tightly gripped himself, digging his nails deep into his arms until his fingers were slick with his own blood. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Look what you've done now? This is all your fault. If he wasn't going to kick you out before, he definitely will now, and it's all your fault.
It took Zedd a moment before he responded. This idiot… “Just… don’t do that anymore then?” he suggested. His eyes had been shut a moment, but after opening them, he could still tell Nathaniel was bleeding through his tear blurred vision. He moved quickly in taking the boy’s hands away from his arms. “Shh, no, none of that,” he begged, trying to steady his voice again.
Nathaniel choked and coughed, hiccuping weakly when Zedd took his hands. "B-But I thought— y-you wanted— me to…" He sobbed into Zedd's chest, still shaking violently. He tried to wrap his crumpled wings around himself, struggling to calm himself down. "I-I thought— you'd be h— h-happier if I l-left… and I want you— t-to be happy…"
(NUUUUUUUUUUUU MY PRECIOUS BABIES!!!!!!)
(cracks knuckles Who do I need to beat for this)
(Plus, I'm not exactly better than them aha)
(But my babies!!! starts rounding up a rescue crew)
(you're already punishing me in pms aaa)
(though seriously I'm not any better either..)
(excuse me do i need to remove your stalking privilege or can i write my angst now-)
