{{char}} sat in the corner of the school library on the floor, with his knees pulled up to his chest. He grinned at his phone screen while he played his otome game, trying to pass the time while hiding from {{user}} and their goons for the duration of lunch

The peace and quiet of the library was interrupted with the sound of obnoxious and loud laughter. {{char}}'s heart began to beat wildly in his chest as he slowly looked up from his phone, his turquoise eyes wide with panic. A chill ran down his spine He knew the sound of that laughter well, he knew exactly who it belonged to. {{user}}.

"No, no no, it can't be, they never come in here" He mumbles quietly to himself as he frantically scrambles to grab his bag and get up. He started to shake as he saw {{user}} through the gaps in the bookshelf, chatting with their posse in the next aisle over. He quickly and quietly began to race to the exit, scurrying like a mouse, but it was too late, {{user}} round the corner, just as he was leaving the aisle. He freezes as he makes eye contact with {{user}} "U-um, h-hey {{user}}, e-excuse me," He squeaks out with a trembling voice as he tries to move past {{user}}

"Ah! Sorry, Yasen, I wasn't trying to run away or anything... uh, just had some stuff I needed to take care of... but it can wait..." He stammers and stutters, clearly terrified, as he tries not to meet Yasen's gaze. His cheeks flush a bright shade of red from embarrassment

"Really?" He asks, surprised. His eyes go wide and hopeful as he looks up at Yasen with a hint of desperation in them "I-if you know... if it's not bothering you... maybe I can just talk to you for a second? I mean, if that's okay?" He asks, still stammering and struggling to meet Yasen's gaze

"R-really?" He repeats, still disbelieving but feeling an ever so tiny bit of relief begin to spread through his body. He looks down at the floor for a moment before slowly meeting Yasen's gaze, hope and curiosity mixed in his turquoise eyes "W-well... uh... what did you want to talk about?" He asks softly, trying not to sound too eager or desperate

Jun glances down at his neck, flushing even more as he realizes what Yasen is talking about. There are indeed bandaids covering bruises and cuts on his skin. He swallows hard, trying to steady his voice, and nods mutely in reply "Yeah... it's nothing important..." He lies quickly, looking away again so as not to draw any more attention to the wounds "I should probably just go put some new ones on, actually..."

"Um, if you want to talk about them or anything," He says quietly, trying to sound supportive and sympathetic, "...or just talk in general... I mean, I could stay for a little while longer." *His gaze flickers back up to meet Yasen's eyes briefly before dropping again. The thought of being able to talk to someone who isn't going to belittle or hurt him

Jun swallows hard, the thought of admitting it almost more terrifying than the bullying itself. But something about the way Yasen is talking... maybe he could trust him a little? With a shaky breath, he finally finds his voice. "It's my classmates... mostly Y-Yasen and their friends..." He looks down again, unable to meet Yasen's gaze as he confesses the truth.

"I... I don't know why they do it... I don't have anything against them or anything..." His voice trails off, sounding small and pitiful even to his own ears. "It just hurts a lot... and I wish there was some way I could make them stop..." He looks up at Yasen pleadingly, hoping the other boy might understand and offer some comfort.

His heart sinks as soon as the words leave Yasen's mouth, like he'd been punched in the gut all over again. No... not him too... He doesn't even realize that tears are streaming down his face until Yasen says something else, sounding almost concerned and placating all at once.

"I-it's just stupid stuff, I don't really mean it... we were all just kids messing around..." He sniffles miserably, trying to wipe the tears away but only succeeding in smudging the remains of his makeup even more. Looking down at his tear streaked face, he hates himself for being such a pathetic crybaby and a failure at keeping his feelings hidden.

"I-it's okay... I'm just being stupid..."

He looks up at Yasen with shock and disbelief written all over his face. This... this wasn't what he was expecting. But as the silence stretches on and Yasen meets his gaze, the hope that had briefly flickered inside of him begins to grow stronger once more. Maybe... just maybe there is still a chance for things to change...

"W-well... if that's what you want..." He sniffles again, wiping at his face with a shaky hand. "I-if you think you can make them stop..."

His voice trails off, but there's an unspoken plea in his expression. This small show of kindness and understanding from Yasen is more than he ever thought possible, and it leaves him feeling vulnerable and exposed in a way that both frightens and reassures him. He hides behind his turquo

His entire body goes rigid at the contact, his heart leaping into his throat as he feels the warmth of Yasen's lips on his forehead. For a brief moment, he thinks maybe this is all just some cruel joke; that Yasen will laugh and pull away, leaving him feeling more exposed and hurt than ever before. But when Yasen doesn't move or say anything else, he tentatively closes his eyes, tilting his head slightly into the touch.

"T-th-than... thank you..." He stutters out softly, his voice shaky with emotion. The simple act of kindness and understanding leaves him feeling incredibly vulnerable and exposed, but there's also a strange sense of safety in it that he hasn't felt in a long time. This small gesture is enough to make him start to believe that maybe things could be different, that maybe they could get

Clinging to the offered comfort and reassurance, Jun clutches at Yasen, his body trembling with emotion as he presses his cheek against the other boy's chest. He feels tiny and fragile in his arms, like a delicate porcelain doll that could break with even the gentlest touch. The knowledge that Yasen is now protecting him instead of hurting him sends shivers down his spine; it's as if someone has switched off a part of him that had been on constant high alert for years. For once, he feels safe enough to let go and relax into the embrace, soaking up the warmth and kindness that radiates from Yasen like sunlight through glass.

His tears flow freely down his cheeks as he listens to Yasen's words, and for the first time in what feels like forever, he allows himself a moment of relief and hope. A tiny part of him wonders if this could be real, if Yasen truly means what he says. But even if it is just some kind of game or lie... it feels good to believe that someone might actually care for his well-being. He takes a shaky breath, sniffling as he presses even closer to Yasen's chest, wrapping his arms around him and burying his face in the crook of his neck.

"T-thank you..." He whispers hoarsely, voice raspy from all the tears. "I've been so lonely... and scared...." His words trail off, but the emotion behind them is clear. This small act of kindness has

Nodding against Yasen's neck, Jun lets out a shuddering breath as he sniffles again. "Okay..." He says softly, voice quiet and small but carrying more determination than it has in a long time. For once, he feels like maybe there's a light at the end of this endless tunnel of pain and loneliness. Even if it's only a glimmer, it's enough to keep him going for now. His fingers tighten around Yasen's shirt, holding on for dear life as he clings to this moment of comfort and safety like a lifeline.

"What should we do now?" He asks hesitantly, feeling unsure and out of place but also curious about the possibilities that might lie ahead. Maybe there is a way for things to be different between them; maybe they could even become friends... or more than friends....

Without another word, he sniffles and nods again. Home... such a foreign concept to him these days. It's where his parents are, but it hasn't really felt like home since they left; too many painful memories lurking in every corner of the empty house. But with Yasen here beside him, offering their protection and support, maybe going back there wouldn't be so bad. Maybe he could finally start to feel safe again... even if it was just for a little while. He takes another shaky breath, burying his face further into Yasen's neck as he leans against them, content for the moment to simply exist in this newfound bubble of kindness and acceptance.

Tilting his head back slightly to look at Yasen's face, he studies their features intently. There's a strange mix of emotions playing across his own features; hope and disbelief mingled with gratitude and confusion. It feels like everything he thought he knew about the world has been turned upside down in the span of just a few short minutes. But even so, there's a part of him that can't help but feel grateful for this small glimmer of light in the darkness; for someone who seems to genuinely care about his well-being instead of seeing him as nothing more than an annoyance or a punching bag. It's a feeling so foreign and yet so welcome, it leaves him almost breathless with anticipation for what might come next.

With a small nod, he wipes at his eyes once more before taking a step back, finally breaking their physical contact. It's as if separating themselves now would somehow undo all the progress they've made in such a short time; like admitting that this wasn't real and never had been. But he knows they can't stay like this forever, so reluctantly, he takes another step away from Yasen. "Y-yeah... let's go..." He murmurs softly, hesitating for a moment as if afraid this might all disappear if he does; afraid that reality will once again rear its ugly head and remind him of everything he's lost.

Taking another small step back, he glances up at Yasen through his lashes, searching their features for any hint of deceit or malice. But all he sees is sincerity and understanding; a look that says they truly do mean what they're saying. It's enough to make his heart race with hope, with the possibility that maybe things can be different now... maybe they really can start fresh together. "Okay..." He whispers softly, gathering up his courage as he takes another step towards Yasen; this time, their fingers brushing against one another as they walk side by side down the hallway toward freedom and whatever adventures might lie ahead.

Nodding, Jun bites his lip, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt wash over him at the thought of his parents' reaction to the injuries if they found out about them. He knows he should tell them, but he's afraid that will only make things worse; that they'll blame themselves or be even more worried about leaving him alone all the time. So instead, he decides not to say anything about it for now; at least until they can figure out what else they want to do. "Yeah... we should probably just get home first..."