forum Depression and Choccy Milk (OXO with Caustic)

Started May 08, 2020 by @Painted-Iris group

tune

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…"

Zedd sighed. Less stressed? Maybe. Happier…? He couldn't answer the same way he would have a few days ago.
"Nathaniel. I'm happy when you're happy. And you can't lie to me and say this cold alleyway makes you happy," he argued, pressing his forehead to the crown of Nathaniel's head.

"It d-doesn't, but… I thought– t-that it would make you happier…" Nathaniel hiccuped a couple of times, shaking violently in Zedd's arms. "If you don't— w-want a kid— t-then I shouldn't stick around and… a-and… force you to t-take care of me…" He whispered weakly. "I want you to be happy, sir… y-you're the only person who's ever really been nice to me, a-and… and you deserve to be happy…"

So it was the phone call.
"You're right… I… I didn't want a kid. But then…" he trailed off a moment. "But then there's you. I… fuck, I'm so bad with words, but what I mean is that you're kind of an exception," Zedd finished, clinging tight to the shivering boy in his arms. He began rubbing circles on the other's back, the way he knew he liked it. After each time he had seen the angel cry, it had never been this bad.

Nathaniel curled up a bit tighter, coughing weakly as he rubbed at his teary eyes. "B-But I s— s-shouldn't have just showed up in your life… especially if you d-didn't want a kid…" He hiccuped again, his breathing harsh and far too thin to be giving him enough oxygen. His chest and throat felt cold from the sharp breaths, and he was shaking so violently that he couldn't move. "I'm s— s-sorry… so sorry…"

"Did you not hear what I said? I practically said I want you to stay…" he said, a sad laugh escaping his lips. He really was bad with words. He was supposed to be comforting Nathaniel, not getting frustrated. He eventually moved his chin to rest on top of Nathaniel's head and pulled the boy as close as possible without it being suffocating. The man was no longer crying, but he was beginning to feel cold and tired as well. But he didn't care. He'd stay here as long as he had to. He couldn't let go of Nathaniel.

"Please come home…"

Nathaniel was growing weaker in Zedd's arms, obviously getting more and more out of it from the lack of oxygen. He still couldn't breathe properly, and he was clearly distressed. "I-I… nngh…" He curled up tighter and coughed weakly. I don't feel good… "O-Okay…" He whispered in reply. "I'm— I-I'm really dizzy, dad…" He was slowly growing limper, still shaking just as violently.

Zedd loosened his hold and noticed how tired and completely worn out Nathaniel was. His expression filled with worry as he instructed him to take deep breaths. "We're going home. You need to warm up, you're freezing," he said, getting to his feet. He could have been home quickly if he had flown, but knew that would cause Nathaniel to panic. Instead, he began to run, trying to keep Nathaniel as still as possible. "You're gonna be fine, Nathaniel. It's okay."

Nathaniel huddled closer to Zedd, still shivering. He whimpered and coughed, obviously struggling to take deep breaths when instructed. "D-Dad, it h— h-hurts…" He curled up a bit tighter, breathing on his hands to try and get them to warm up. His eyes were closed by now, and he was fighting to stay conscious. It was hard to tell how much longer he'd hold out, though.
(Zedd's never gonna let Nathaniel out of his sight again lmao)

Zedd nearly swore. If only he had been turned around…
He shook his head, continuing home. “If you’re tired, rest. We can get you choccy milk when you wake up, okay…? Don’t be scared. I need you feeling better,” he rambled, trying to make the boy feel any tiny bit better emotionally. As soon as he mentioned sleep, he realized it wouldn’t be long. He had to clean the fresh wounds the angel had given himself and the stinging might wake him up. Well, at least with a little bit of rest might help level out his breathing.
I don’t want to see you cry anymore.

"O-Okay…" Nathaniel whispered, seeming a little bit reassured as Zedd spoke to him. It was comforting to hear the man's voice, even though he was worried, because it meant that he was worried about him. He cared about him; enough to run out into the cold streets to find him as soon as he noticed he was missing. It wasn't long until he passed out, falling limp in Zedd's arms, but finally, thankfully relaxing.

Zedd made it home easily enough, quickly taking Nathaniel upstairs and into the bedroom. He felt relieved to see his home was as he left it. Nothing stolen luckily. He set the sleeping angel on the bed and covered him aside from his arms. He then began gathering supplies to clean up the blood and injuries.
After finding a bottle of healing potion, a rag, and bandages, he dampened the rag with the elixir. Carefully holding one of the boy’s arms, he put the rag over the puncture marks Nathaniel had made.

Nathaniel winced and whimpered a bit in his sleep, curling up more to shy away from the pain. His wings fluttered and curled more tightly around himself, and he obviously didn't like the sensation. "Mmmm…" He began breathing a bit heavier again, some of his consciousness coming back to him although he was still mostly out of it.

Zedd held the boy’s arm still as he continued to clean the wound. Once satisfied, he wrapped a bandage around it quickly. He had to finish as soon as possible so Nathaniel wouldn’t get blood on the sheets nor wake up.
After the first was done, he moved to the second, repeating the process. The man pursed his lips as he watched Nathaniel twist away from him. He would feel better when he woke up. He’d be okay.

Once Zedd was done with his arms, Nathaniel drew them in close to his chest and curled up more tightly on the bed, a couple fresh tears rolling down his cheeks and soaking into the sheets. He was quivering a bit as he slept, and he seemed a bit unsettled, but he thankfully hadn't woken up during the process.