|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 15:30:14 GMT -5
Cass nodded. She looked up as he pulled her closer, and the dam over her eyes broke. She nodded again, bottom lip quivering as she put her arms around him, gently, leaning into him and pressing her face lightly into his shoulder, choking back a sob. Her body trembled against him, and she did her best to be gentle, but she also needed to hold him tight against her.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 15:33:47 GMT -5
Ryder held her for awhile, sometimes falling asleep. He woke up again when he heard the door open followed by familiar voices. Panic rushed through him as he struggled to sit up a little.
Mike scowled at the pair in the bed. “Again, Ryder? Really? How many cars can you physically crash before you just die?” He mumbled, ignoring cass completely.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 15:41:16 GMT -5
Cass finally stopped crying, relaxing against him as much as she dared. She was silent, listening to his heartbeat for reassurance and just staring at his heart monitor. She sat up when Mike came in, back stiffening slightly as she did. She put a soothig hand on Ry, pushing him down and keeping him there, stopping him with a look. She turned her gaze to Mike.
”Hello Mr. Mike,” She greeted, tone cool despite the anger in her gaze. She held his for a moment. ”Do you need something?” She asked, boice almost indifferent. She wasn’t looking to fight. Not here, not now. Ry needed to rest. She patted Ry’s hand lightly, gaze on Mike, nose wrinkled slightky in disgust.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 15:46:43 GMT -5
Mike glared at her as he stepped further into the room. “Do you ever do anything by yourself? Or are you just permanently attached to my son?”
Ryder mumbled something under his breath, repeating it louder when mike urged him to. “I’m not your son. Now please, get out. “ ry said, his voice surprisingly even.
Mikes scowl deepened as he moved forward, standing at the bed side now to glare down at Ryder.
Ryder was trembling, but at least he wasn’t backing down, glaring cooling at his parent.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 15:59:48 GMT -5
Cass released Ry, standing up and getting between Mike and him, crossing her arms. ”I’m asking you to leave politely ny myself,” She said, tone sharper and eyes narrowed, body rigid.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 16:12:21 GMT -5
The moment mike put his hand on Cass to shove her, Ryder was moving, struggling to his feet and trying not to pass out. “Don’t you dare touch her. “ he snapped, so angry. He was shouting other things, pent up frustration finally leaking out. He didn’t have any time to think as mike pulled his fist back.
And then Ryder was on the ground, his nose bleeding. Mike was looming over him already, ready to choke him or punch him again. “Haven’t we taught you to respect your elders? Have you learned nothing?” Mike spat, his hand on Ryder’s throat.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 16:15:25 GMT -5
Cass stumbled over, too surprised to react. And then was on her feet, trying to get between them, pushed back by Mike. As soon as Mike’s fist connected with Ry, Cass’s breath whooshed out of her and she couldn’t speak. She was still, shocked, and then she sprang into action.
She wrenche Mike’s hand away from Ry’s theoat, throwing herself against him to push him out of the way. She turned out of his reach and then kicked him where the sun doesn’t shine with all the force her body could muster, face flushed slightly in anger.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 16:21:14 GMT -5
Ry didn’t get up again, even when mike punched cass. He stayed on the ground wheezing, blood staining his teeth.
Mike screamed when he was kicked, punching cass as soon as he recovered a little, his wife doing nothing to help.
It didn’t take long for nurses to come rushing into the room, since Ryder’s pulse was so high and his oxygen was so low. They pretty much thought he was dying.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 16:25:35 GMT -5
Mike was swinging at Cass, who had curled up into a ball on the ground now, wheezing faintly when he kicked her in the ribcage when the nurses came. Three had to pry him off her and thennhe had to be escorted out by four security officers, still trying to get at the girl. He spit on her as he left, Cass flinching. She sat up, however, dry heaving onto the ground, wanting to throw up and scream and cry. This wasn’t fair, Ryder didn’t deserve this This wasn’t fair, and she couldn’t stop it from happening, and she hated every second of it.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 16:39:05 GMT -5
Ryder was eventually helped up off the ground by some nurses, a choked sob escaping him. Everything hurt, and landing on the tube thing in his chest had been probably the worst experience of his life (this year, at least. ) his nose was still bleeding, as well as his side now. “Cass?” He asked once he could sort of breathe again, trying not to keep crying. Between pain and emotional trauma, it wasn’t going to well.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 16:45:37 GMT -5
Cass wheezed in response, moving to be in his line of sight. Blood dribbled down her chin from her lip, which she had bitten through when Mike had punched her, and eyes were bloodshot, one slightly swollen.
”I’m...here...” she heaved, spitting blood into the trashcan. She looked over at him, eyes watering and blood boiling wih anger. He didn’t deserve this, any of it.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 16:55:41 GMT -5
Ryder reached for her hand, his voice quivering. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? “ he asked between wheezing breaths. And then he was crying after he got his answer, his breathing stuttering. “I’m sorry. “ he said again, guilt in his eyes. And then he mentioned something he hadn’t talked about in awhile. “I couldn’t protect you from Matthew, and I can’t even protect you from my own father?” He said, taking gasping breaths.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 17:10:58 GMT -5
Cass nodded, flapping her hand slightly as she grabbed his with her other one, then dragging herself to her feet, leaning heavily on his bed. ”Ry, no,” She choked out, before breaking into a coughing fit, spitting more blood in the trash can, gratefully taking an ice pack from the nurse as well as some gauze to absorb the blood from her lip.
”Ry, I’m okay. I’m here. Hey, listen to me,” she said, suddenly urgent, wiping his tears gently and then gripping his hand, pulling the ice pack down. ”Listen, it’s not your fault, okay? It’s not your fault,” She said earnedtly, eyes as wide as she could manage with the swelling, lip swelling as well. She was dead serious, anger gone now.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 17:21:16 GMT -5
Ryder shook his head, his lower lip quivering. He looked horrible, blood on his face and staining the side of his gown, bruises already showing on his neck. “Maybe I do just ruin things. “ he said in a quiet voice, looking away from her. And part of him wanted to send cass home, to tell her go relax, to get away from the damaged boy who breaks everything he touches. He hated seeing her hurt, and he hated being the cause of it. “I’m so sorry. “
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 17:48:17 GMT -5
Cass’s grip tightened around the ice pack, blood boiling again. She hated seeinf Ryder completely put out like this, down and in the dumps. She wanted to just grab him and shake him and tell him it would be okay. The nurses finished cleaning them up, and she took the rag from the nurse, getting to work on wiping the blood off Ry’s neck. She was silent for a long minute, too angry to speak.
”I love you,” She said quietly, when she was finally calm enough to speak. She didn’t move her gaze to his, still working just as tenderly, but her expression had softened, lips quirking as if she were going to smile.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 17:53:54 GMT -5
Ryder slowly started to relax as she worked, still crying on and off. He was mostly angry, but cass has gotten hurt because of him and he didn’t know how to handle it. He finally pulled on her hand again to try and get her to sit down. “I love you too, Cass. So much. Are you sure you’re okay?” He murmured, voice a lot softer, not cracking quite as much.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 17:57:56 GMT -5
Cass looked at Ry with such a tenderness at his words and touch that it was almost comical given how swollen her lip and eye were. Still, it was pretty evident how much those words meant to her. She sank down lightly on the bed beside him, moving up to work on his face.
”I’m sure. Are you okay?” She asked softly, eyes flickering to hsi briefly as she worked near his lips. She paused, fingers brushing lightly across them, rhen went back to work.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 18:05:24 GMT -5
“I’ll be fine. “ Ryder said, holding her as tight as he could without hurting himself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think they’d show up here. I guess I forgot to change my contacts. “ he said with a soft voice, suddenly exhausted.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 18:08:55 GMT -5
Cass put the cloth on the table beside him since the nurses gone now that they were both stabilized. She lay next to him, as close as she felt was safe, letting him hold her, head on his shoulder. She took a deep breath.
”Don’t apologize for their bad behavior. You shouldn’r have to be afraid of that happening. That’s them, not you. We’ll change your info before we leave,” She nodded a bit as if confirming it to herself, voice low and serious. She meant every word.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 18:15:27 GMT -5
“What did I ever do to deserve you?” Ryder asked in a soft voice, leaning his head against hers. His pain meds were starting to kick in again, which was becoming obvious. “Like you’re just the nicest, sweetest person I know. And the funniest, and prettiest. “
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 18:22:27 GMT -5
Cass smiled, even though it made her lip a little tender. She giggled slightly, blushing and hiding her face, shaking her head lightly. ”Shush, no,” She said softly, rolling her eyes but smiling just the same.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 18:24:29 GMT -5
“Nooo. You’re the best. And I just want to drink hot chocolate with you, y’know? What flavor do you like? We can get some. “ Ryder murmured, his words starting to slur.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 18:27:05 GMT -5
Cass laughed now, quickly clapping a hand over her mouth and wincing slightly at the reaction it got from her lip. ”I don’t think you’re allowed to,” she said, giggling slightly and shaking her head. Oh, poor, sweet Ry. ”I also think your meds have finally kicked in,” She snorted slightly.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 18:31:05 GMT -5
“Ah we can do it anyway. There’s cookies and cream, mint, milk chocolate, white, Carmel, mocha...” Ryder trailed off, trying not to yawn. “I love hot chocolate almost as much as I love you. “
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 18:39:27 GMT -5
Cass shook her head, laughing and blushing at his last statement. ”What’s your favorite kind of hot chocolate then?” She asked, giggling some more. She enjoyed his dumb remarks quite a bit.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 18:41:53 GMT -5
“I like...” Ryder trailed off, sort of falling asleep. “I like the toasted marshmallow we found the one time. That was nice. “ he murmured, his head resting on her shoulder. “You’re soft. Like a pillow. I like it. “ he murmured, his eyes closed.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 19:41:19 GMT -5
Cass nodded. ”I’m not a marshmallow person, but that was pretty good,” She agreed, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his, giving a chuckle at his statement. ”Thanks, I try to be the best pillow I can,” She grinned slightly, smoothing his hair back from his forehead nad resting her head on his.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 19:45:36 GMT -5
Ryder fell asleep before he jerked away, his hand finding Cass’ “stay with me?” He asked, eyes wide. God that was the best idea he had. Panic flared through him briefly, terrfied of her answer. But then again... would cass really say no? He had no clue, his expression softening as he watched her.
|
|
|
Post by ɪɴᴛʀᴀɴꜱɪɢᴇɴᴛ on Jul 8, 2018 19:53:04 GMT -5
Cass relaxed a little as he drifted off, bur was instantly alert and sitting up as he jerked away. She took his hand gently, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. ”What do you mean? I’m right here, and I’m not going to leave without you,” She said, confused more by his panicked expression, her own anxiety starting to rise.
|
|
|
Post by 𝒞'𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒶 𝒱𝒾𝑒 on Jul 8, 2018 19:57:30 GMT -5
Ryder shook his head, holding onto her. “No, I mean stay with me. Live with me, share my apartment. Y’know? Hazel and Eli need their own space, and I love you. “ he said, sort of rambling. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to of course. “
|
|