Chapter Text
John's fingers tightened in Dave's shirt as he sniffled, his quiet sobs wracking his bruised body.
"Dave?"
At the sound of John's voice, soft and broken, whispering his name, Dave drew him closer. His arms tightened around his waist gently, holding him close protectively. Can't believe I let this happen...
"Dave, when are things going to get better?"
Dave's breath caught at the words. For the first time, he was caught off guard by a question--he didn't know. He didn't know when they could go in public and hold hands without getting the looks, without being spat on. He didn't know when they could go on a normal date, a real date, without worrying what the people at the next table over were saying. Hell, Dave didn't know how long it would be before he could hold his boyfriend's hand in public without--
John sniffed again, and Dave gently wiped away the bit of blood that had begun to collect on John's forehead again. "I don't know," he whispered, pressing a kiss to John's forehead.
I'm sorry.
"I don't know."