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Ten hugged his knees tightly to his chest, choking back tears. How could he feel so lonely when so many people surrounded him? It was confusing. He buried his head in his arms. Ten didn’t want to be here anymore.
What was the point? Where was this all leading in the end, anyway? He sure didn’t know. It felt like he never would at this rate.
No one even batted an eye to the figure in the corner, they were all too focused on trying to win their argument. It’s not a big deal, Ten thought. Why are they so loud?
It wouldn’t stop. They kept going and going, and the tears forming in his eyes threatened to fall with every passing moment.
Please stop. The voice in his head rang louder and louder, overpowering the yelling echoing through the room.
His breathing hitched as his lungs closed up. It was getting to be too much. I’m sorry for causing this. I’m sorry for messing up.
Please make it stop. Please stop fighting. I didn’t mean it.
Ten was softly sobbing at this point, tuning everyone around him out. He wanted to go home. He didn’t want to hear it anymore, he just wanted to feel safe again.
I’m sorry for making it my problem. I’m sorry I couldn’t be better.
A gentle hand caressed his cheek. He peeked up, seeing a worried Johnny at his feet. How embarrassing, Ten thought to himself. He probably thinks I’m so stupid.
The older’s soft smile tipped him over the edge. Ten couldn’t hold it back anymore, he just wanted to die of pure embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” he choked out hugging his knees tighter. “I’m sorry.”
Johnny intertwined his hand with the younger’s as he softly shushed him. “You’re okay, baby. I’ve got you. I’m here.”
His words felt so genuine, Ten almost didn’t feel worthy of them. All he could muster up was a string of soft apologies that looped in his mind.
“Come here, Tennie.”
He said it so softly, it felt as if Ten’s entire world broke in front of him. He let out another sob before falling into Johnny’s loving embrace, tears still flooding down his cheeks. He didn’t seem to care about being embarrassing or burdensome anymore. He felt okay. He felt safe. Johnny was here and that was all that mattered right now.