forum Pheasant Brook (O/O with Icarus!)

Started December 12, 2019 by @GoblinKing

tune

“..I understand.” Wilhelm checked his watch. “If you need to talk or anything, I’m here. I don’t mind listening, it’s the least I can do.”

Connor shrugged again, tucking his knees to his chest and resting his forehead on them. He rubbed at his eyes again, not wanting to start crying.

Wilhelm went quiet, crossing hiss legs and looking back it the fireplace. Bonnie was still asleep, her tiny form rising and falling as she breathed. He couldn't seem to look at one place for long.

Connor let out a slightly shaky breath, eyes squeezed shut. He kept picturing Jamie. Jamie, with that dark hair and troublemakers smile. Jamie, with that ready laugh and teasing words. Jamie, holding him when he cried on the anniversary of his mother's death.

Wilhelm wasn’t quite sure what to say. He hadn’t known Connor long enough to know how to comfort him, and even then, he never thought that to be his strong suit. The German boy pressed his lips together, knotting his eyebrows and listening to the room’s deafening silence.

And then Connor was crying quietly, burying his face in his hands. Jamie doesn't love me anymore. He swallowed hard.

Wilhelm jumped at the sudden change. The sound of Connor’s crying was like a punch in the throat. “Oh..” He turned back to face Connor, concern and worry painted thick onto his face. “Hey.. I know it’s rough, but-“ Wilhelm bit his lip, trying to think through his words for once. “-it’ll all turn out. It’ll be okay.”

Connor gave a tiny shrug, sniffling a little bit and still crying. "Ah kn-know, but…" It still hurts.

"No, no, I understand. I'm sorry." Wilhelm placed a gentle hand on Connor's shoulder for a moment. "It's a painful thing."

Connor swallowed, still crying softly. Flickers of Jamie and all those memories kept flashing through his head. Of taking care of the other male when he got sick. Of holding onto Jamie's hand in the dark of the movie theater.

Wilhelm glanced back outside. It was dark now, the sky a comforting flood of onyx. He rubbed his face with a hand, trying to stay quiet. He didn't want to say anything further, not wanting to risk saying anything upsetting.

"Ah'm sorry." Connor said quietly. "Ah-ah know that this isn't exactly…something yeh want ta deal with." he sniffled softly, wiping at his eyes with his hand.

"Don't be sorry, Connor. It's not anything you could've helped. Plus, I mean, we're friends. I'm not just going to tell my friend 'tough shit' and not help how I can." Wilhelm gave him a soft smile, eyes soft and warm.

Connor glanced up at him for a moment, mouth twitching in a faint little smile. "Alright." he said softly, rubbing at his eyes again.

Wilhelm rested his head on his hands. His fingers twitched a bit. He still wasn't sure what to do– he barely knew Connor, he didn't know James at all, so what was he supposed to say? There wasn't a lot.

Connor's tears had abated a bit now, though he knew he would probably cry again later, once they had gone to bed and the lights were out. He'd bury his head in his pillow so as not to awaken Wilhelm.

"How are you feeling?" Wilhelm's voice was quiet. He knew the gist of the answer, somewhat, but he really did want to show that Connor wasn't bothering him.

Connor shrugged his shoulders a little bit. "Ah dinnae know." he replied softly. "Pissed?"

Wilhelm laughed softly. "Pissed." He repeated to himself. "I understand, yeah. I would be too."

Connor's mouth quirked in a slightly bitter smile. "Yeah." he ran a hand through his red curls.

Other students began to fill into the common room, filling the place with their chatter. Bonnie awoke with a start, scrambling out the door. “Ah.. everyone’s begun to come in, I see..” Wilhelm wiped his face, glancing back at the door to Connor’s and his dorm room. “I’m going to go to our room, just to get away from the sound. Feel free to come, if you’d like.”

Connor nodded a little bit. "Yeah." he replied softly. He gathered up his stuff, glaring at the letter for a moment as he put it in his bag.

Wilhelm picked up his book, ducking into the dorm. It was quiet in there. Sure, the dull roar of the common room came through the walls, but other that that, the place was silent.

Connor debated for a moment whether or not to stay, but his eyes were still a little shiny with tears, and he didn't really want to have to answer questions about them.

All of the other boys seemed to be in their own little bubbles, not paying much attention to anything outside of their small groups. Wilhelm laid on his bed, picking up his book and beginning to read once more. Every so often he would glance at the door, although he knew in his mind that if Connor decided to come in, it wouldn’t be hard to tell.