Work Text:
Shadows are surrounding him again. They are creeping up from behind, from the windows, even the ceilings. Liron hated the shadows, ironic that they were usually the only thing that kept him hidden during heists. He was the one that stalked from the shadows, swiping and pinching valuables from person to person. It wasn’t supposed to be the shadows stealing away his sanity.
Liron knows he’s safe. He should be safe. He’s in his own bedroom, with four others around the house doing whatever that day. Four others that appear whenever he calls for them, and would never cross his boundaries on purpose. Then why does he feel like he isn’t?
The prisoner wakes up late. The afternoon heat already hitting when he drags his body out from under the covers. He didn’t manage to sleep much despite feeling tired from the previous day’s activities. The supposed shadows from before haunted his mind. A dark corner and noise made him whirl his head around, but all he saw was the cupboard’s shadow and a muffled shout from Ash who was supposedly playing a game in his room.
Breathe. He tried. A heavy, sharp pain lingered in his chest and head, worming its way around like a parasite. The more he tried to ignore it, the worse it got. Entertaining it did no better. Usually he’d be fine after going to someone’s side and clinging to them for the rest of the day, their presence muddling his thoughts. However, the mere thought of someone present, could easily turn him vulnerable. And vulnerability made him weak. Weak meant the people he pissed off could come back. And that meant he could get killed.
The rest of the day was spent sneaking around and double checking every turn and shadow in his room. Every nook and cranny, even the smallest ones where nothing could fit besides a pinky finger. Shiki was watching Liron basically turn his room upside down to make a temporary safe spot. This wasn’t the first time. On several occasions, Shiki had found Liron hiding under someone’s bed or cupboard, seeking out the places where he can sneak away easily when someone dared to approach him. Once he found him wriggling his way into one of the vents in Elias’ lab, and the spirit had to drag him out before he got chemical residue on his body that could harm him. In the end, the boys just left him alone, and ensured their presence was well known when they entered a room so as to not startle their beloved prisoner.
We’re behind you.
Over here!
How dumb, can’t even see us.
The shadows were taunting him. As they always do. Liron could never really get rid of them. Always whispering from their hiding spots, those damn infuriating little shits-
“Lilo?” Caelen suddenly appeared on the other side of the door, startling Liron. “STAY AWAY FROM ME!” He jumped further into his room. Run run run. Caelen was associated with the police, and he knows where he’s staying. He could easily call him and capture him. Being thrown back into a dark, concrete box, where privacy was asked for and food was rationed.
Caelen knew Liron was more on edge when the canine was around, since being associated with the police force and all made his thoughts go haywire. Can he trust him or not? He tried to keep his distance but seeing one of his closest friends in distress hurt him, and he can’t even do anything about it. All he can do is watch from afar as Liron’s breaths shallow and eyes dart around, panic being a constant in his gaze.
Ash is usually Liron’s sanctuary that he frequents to. His large wings enclosing him into a tight hug, mimicking small spaces when Liron was out in the world, trying to stay hidden from accusing glares. Right now, that’s all he feels like doing if he can even get his limbs to listen to him. He knows this place like the back of his hand, thanks to his previous panicked dazes.
His head hurts. It’s hard to think, much less speak properly. Liron watched Caelen slowly step back, and step out of his vision. He didn’t know if that was good or bad. For one, he has privacy now. On the other hand, he can’t keep an eye on Caelen to ensure he won’t call the police on him. He just needs safety. Why does it have to be a fight for what should be normally accepted?
He needs a safe spot.
Liron sneaks out of his room, conscious of every step he makes down into Elias’ lab. That was the safest spot. There are multiple vents that are big enough for his body to squeeze through, and lead out into the vent system. He knew it wouldn’t be a good idea, his mind vaguely remembering the last time he got chemical burns, but all logical thinking was out. Each turn and step was a war with his entire being. Should he turn back? What was that? Did someone come out of their room? Is he safe now?
Soon, he reaches Elias’ lab. From there, it was a quick swing of the door, and a scurry into the vents, where he crouched there for as long as he could. Liron has had enough practice on staying impossibly still for long hours at a time. However, the panic of getting caught only simmered. Without an outlet, he quickly grew restless. Now what? Stay and let them find him? Move to somewhere else and risk getting caught?
More and more questions, each one snatching his breath away, causing him to hyperventilate. The lack of sufficient air combined with the harsh smell of chemicals did him no better, as all it did was cause him to choke. The suffocating noises were too loud yet muffled, even though he covered his mouth, further cutting off his airflow. No noise, stay quiet. The jumbled words appeared in his clouding mind.
—----------------------------
“Has anyone seen Lilo? He’s in panic mode today.” Shiki asks the other boys who were currently lounging on the couch. “He was in his room the last I saw.” Caelen’s ears pressed back into his hair, recalling the pure fear in the prisoner’s eyes. “I didn’t see him at all.” Ash and Elias answered. Elias not seeing Liron is reasonable, since Elias spent most of his time in the lab. However, Ash not seeing Liron was worrying. They immediately started to look for the prisoner. Pushing away the furniture, going to his room, and poking through too-narrow gaps.
Eventually, they reached Elias’ lab. Caelen perked up and ran towards the vent at the back, his nose picking out the scent of distress. “OVER HERE!” He was already on his knees, prying away the grate.
There he was, all the way at the back of the vent, and clearly struggling to breathe. “Shit-” Caelen didn’t hesitate to push his way into the narrow space, desperately stretching his arm out to grasp at Liron’s arm. “S-stay away-” Liron tries to gasp out, weakly prying a hand off his elbow. Tears were blurring his already dotted his vision, the last thing he wants was someone dragging him away from his home, far away from his friends in a dark box chained up and never to be freed ever again and he doesn’t want to go back no more he wants to be with them NO DON’T TAKE ME AWAY PLEASE!
“Shh- you’re not going anywhere. You’re stuck with us. You’re okay. You’re safe”
Safe? Liron is safe?
“You are safe. You will always be with us. I promise.”
Promise?
“Breathe with me. Just breathe.”
Warm, heavy, dark, and silken surround his body. A rhythmic pulse next to his ear, and timed breaths ruffle his hair.
“Breathe.”
It was Ash’s wings. His muddled vision clearing into crimson and ash. His mind shakes off the dredges of panic-filled thoughts. His heart slowing to match the one by his ear.
“Breathe.”
Liron painfully uncurls from his spot on Ash’s lap, unclenches his hands, and untenses his jaw. He was slowly fed little sips of water, before the wings unfurled to reveal three others kneeling on the lab floor.
He sees them now.
Not as threats. Not as someone who will betray him.
But as closest friends. As someone he could trust.
So he lets himself be vulnerable, and cries.
Because he is safe.