forum The Grand Library

Started June 13, 2018 by @Bri_Soto

tune

Drew felt her demeanor change and saw a few tears fall from her cheeks. He forced the pain out of his head as he sat up and wrapped his arms around the girl before him. "Thank you, love. I'm sorry." He rubbed circles over her back and squeezed her tighter despite the pain.

Jay was sitting back, his eyes wide with fear and shock. His heart was pounding and he felt as though he might pass out at any moment. "D… D-Drew? You're… you're okay?"

(Yo)
Bridgett laughed without humor for some reason. She turned towards Jay and reached her arm out to him to pull him into the hug, leaning her head on Drew's shoulder.

Jay leaned against Bridgett, trembling. He didn't look over at Drew, the blood bringing back bad memories. He closed his eyes, drawing in a wavering breath and trying not to cry.

Bridgett hugged them both tightly. She pressed a kiss to the top of Jay's head then one to Drew's jaw. Okay… They're both okay. Everyone's okay, everyone's here. The relief at the thought and warmth from the two rushed through her.

(omgomgomgomg shipppppppppppp)
Drew's heat lept in his chest as he felt Bridgett's lips on his jaw, causing the warmth in his chest to overshadow the pain on his back. He squeezed her tighter and gently pressed a kiss to the top of her head. He hugged her and looked at Jay and smiled at him.
He was back.
He was safe.
He was home.

(WHERE’S THAT HUG YOU PROMISED DREW)
Jay hiccuped, looking up at Drew tearfully. There were fresh tears on his cheeks, and he hadn’t tried to wipe them away yet.

Drew smiled at Jay, reached over and whipped the tears off his face. "I'm sorry, kiddo. I didn't mean to leave like I did… I'm so sorry." His brow creased with sad, pain, and empathy. "I'm sorry I put you in that position…" His eyes welled up with a few silent tears as memories came flooding back of what happened, of his feelings, of everything that hurt him before. He unwrapped his arm from around Bridgitt and, shoving the blinding pain that was coming from his back, reached over and brought the young boy into a tight hug. One of his hands cupped the back of the boy's head. "I'm sorry, Jay… I'm sorry." He whispered into Jay's hair.

He hugged Drew back, trembling slightly. “I thought… I-I thought you’d died… I thought that maybe there was… there was something in the cocoa or something, and it… it hurt you.” Jay held tighter to Drew, drawing in a wavering breath. “What happened?” He whispered after a few moments silence.

(My poor innocent boi)
Bridgett turned to Drew, as well, her eyes wide with concern. What did happen, Drew? She asked silently.

The question caught Drew off guard. How can he explain this to a child? It then hit Drew that the kid would understand. This kid had gone through something similar. Drew took a shaky breath.
"Um.. You know how…" He started, trying to get his bearings on his words. "You know how your parents are… are harmful to you?"
When the young boy nodded, he continued.
"And you remember my gift, right?"
The boy nodded again.
"Well… My uncle is very similar. The only difference is, my uncle hurts me because of my gift. He wants me to make him things; give him things. And, if I don't…" He took an uneven breath as he went on. "If I don't give him what he wants, he'll hurt me on my back, in a place where I can't reach."
He mad sad eye contact with Bridgett.
"It's always been this way. Ever since my father died, my mother has been really sick. My uncle and aunt came to support her. My uncle said that he'd support my mother, but her refused to actually work on his own. He worked me. He forced me to make money that I could put in his bank. It was illegal and it was cruel. He wouldn't let me go outside of the house, for fear that I would tell other people about my gift. He didn't want others trying to take me. Eventually, I managed to escape. When I did, I was on the run on the street. My uncle didn't call the police and file a missing person report because he didn't want people knowing I existed. He just went on a violent search for me."
He teared up and he took a unsteady breath.
"When my uncle came and took me back, I found out that my mom had died. On top of that, I wasn't sure that… "
His voice cracked as he tried to press on.
"I wasn't sure that I'd ever see you guys again. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to make it out again…"

Jay hugged Drew tightly, understanding the situation completely. His parents often did a similar thing; injuring him in a place he couldn't reach. Although, since they were almost always drunk, they didn't exactly care, so long as he was hurt. Jay knew words wouldn't help right now. Sorry meant nothing. Drew just needed someone to be there for him, and Jay was going to be that person.

Bridgett's breathing was terribly unsteady and tears stung her eyes. She hugged the two again around both of their necks. She was so angry and sad for them. They had both been so tortured in their lives. She just hugged them both and sent all her love to the two. She was determined to protect them, but she hadn't been doing too well at it so far.

Drew let a few silent tears fall. He hates crying. It made him feel weak. He didn't try to necessarily try to stop it, he just didn't cry all out. He never made a sound. Tears just flowed from his eyes, down his cheeks. He felt a sharp pain spurring from his back, but he ignored it and continued to hug his family. His family. His true family.

(this is what I imagine them to look like rn:
file:///C:/Users/katelyn.stiegler/Downloads/Grand%20Library%20group.jpg )

Kam woke up where am i she thought, looking around in confusion