School Daze

[Tinker Bell]

Quinlan closed his eyes when Tegan placed a kiss on his forehead. It made him feel sort of tingly inside. He didn't understand it, but he really liked it. Then he heard the bell ring and knew people were going to be in the hallway in about two seconds. Tegan moved and Quin's arms dropped from his neck as the hallway became crowded. He couldn't help but feel grateful that he wasn't getting hit by everyone, he got pushed around most of the time and it was hard to get to class.


Tegan then started to walk and Quin did too. When they got to their lockers, Quin looked up at him. Tegan's face was really close to his own and his cheeks grew red. "Oh, um, okay." He didn't know what could be so urgent that he had to take care of it during class, but Quin didn't ask. Most people thought that Tegan skipping was normal anyway.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

He smiled weakly at the shorter male, waiting for him to exchange his math supplies for the science textbooks. He assumed the position he had before, his fingers falling along Quin's collarbones. He moved them through the crowd slowly, his eyes scanning their faces. He now knew everyone who resided in this hellhole, their names engraved deep into his mind. He took a deep breath, mind shaking slightly at the thought of what was to come. No one here suspected a thing, that was obvious. He could almost imagine their stupid faces frozen in shock, fear crawling under their skin. They should have seen this coming, should have watched for the signs. Tegan came to school every day with new marks on his body, more hate in his eyes, and pain in his heart. How they could stand by, and watch him deteriorate before them, was beyond him. They deserved it. They all did.


Everyone, except Quin.


"You're the only person who can make me smile." He said after moments of them weaving through the crowd in silence.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Quin closed his locker when he had his things. He felt his heart skip a beat when Tegan placed his hands on Quin's shoulders again. He leaned against him a bit as they walked, he liked the way it felt. There was still the worry about whether or not Tegan was going to be okay, but he didn't think pushing the issue was going to make it better. Then Tegan spoke.


Quin looked up at him, trusting Tegan to guide him through the halls. "I'm glad I can make you smile" He said, a soft smile on his face. Hearing that made him feel better, like he was doing something right.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Tegan leaned down and planted a kiss along Quin's forehead, smiling as he did so. "I'm glad I can see you smile." He said moving them to the right and quickly avoiding a student who bore glasses. Voices echoed off the walls, muttering his name along side Quinlan's. This caused a frown to fall along his brow, eyes darting towards the source. He'd had enough.


"Listen the fucking up, all of you!" He growled, stopping their rhythmic flow of footfalls. "I don't give a shit if you don't like what's happening between me and Quinlan!" He roared, intense green hues slamming daggers at the questionable students. "If you have a problem with it, take it up with me personally. Don't be a little bitch and quit whisper behind my back, when I can obviously hear you." His voice had risen above a hills, carrying through the hallways and making everyone stare at them with wide eyes. After no one spoke he cleared his throat and continued. "Now that we're on the same page, stuff it. I like Quin, a lot, so I'm going to be around him often. If I hear any of you tickets talking about him, you'll have to answer to me."


With that he moved forward, leaving the dumbstruck student bodies in the dust as he carried on his task of safely getting Quin to his next class.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Quinlan felt his face get warm when Tegan kissed him. He had closed his eyes at the close contact. When he opened them, he saw Tegan smiling. He liked seeing his smile, somehow it made him feel better about everything. He made them swerve and he went back to looking at the crowded hallway. He could hear the people whispering about them. He stared down at the ground.


Then Tegan started to speak again. Sometimes the anger inside Tegan scared him, although he knew that it meant Tegan could stand up for himself. And Quin too, seeing as the boy seemed to lack the ability himself. Then Tegan started to steer Quin towards his next class and Quin started to walk once more.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Reaching the biology room, Tegan's stomach rose in his throat. He glanced sideways at the clock, his tongue dry. This was the last time he'd get a chance to gather information, the last step in their planning process. It all felt like a sick dream, every second of it. He wished that he could wake up, and end up in his mother's bed, her soft snoring echoing in his ears and the sound of his father making eggs and bacon in the kitchen of their apartment soothing him into a snooze.


He missed the simple days. When no one tore his skin off his body and doused him in salt. When disgust wasn't churning so deep inside him, it took everything he had not to throw up.


He tore himself from his thoughts to gaze down at the soft green eyes that beckoned him to be content. Quin was the only good in his life. A flower, compared to fire.


The ocean, compared to the storm. The light, verses the dark.


Tegan felt wicked, a red notebook in his pocket, filled to the rim with poison intentions. A pang of guilt filled his eyes, but he swept them away by planting a lingering kiss along the boy's forehead, lips quivering.


"I'll see you after class, okay?" He said with a weak smile that never touched his sharp pupils.

 

[Tinker Bell]

When they reached the room, Quin looked up at Tegan. He thought that something seemed to be bothering him again, but Quin didn't know what. He wanted to ask what was wrong. He wanted to be able to make Tegan feel better. Not that he thought it was possible. Tegan might not even tell him and he had no way of trying to make him feel better.


His eyes fluttered closed when Tegan kissed his forehead. He looked up at the only one who had ever really seen him for who he was. Then he nodded just a bit. "Okay."


It made him feel okay that Tegan would be there after class. He still didn't know what was so important that he couldn't wait, but Quin was too scared to ask.


He didn't want to leave Tegan and go into the room. However, the bell rang and Quin knew he had to go. "Bye." He said quietly, turning to go into the room and to his seat in the back of the room. It was away from everyone else and r was okay with that.


I ain't at a computer right now~

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

The ringing of the bell was the trigger that flicked on Tegan's inner predeter. He stalked down the hallways, eyes shifting to every inch of their foundation. His brain was now like a soft pink sponge, soaking in everything and locking it tightly. His fingers were trailing along his left thigh, feeling the edges of the red notebook cradled in his pocket. Biting back a devilish smile he took a sharp right, boots falling heavy in front of the art room. He glanced inside, watching students worse away at large mounds of scarlet clay.


Narrowing his eyes, he peered into the back of the class, staring at the Kilns. His brain fired up, connecting the dots.


His hand slipped into his pocket, and he pushed past the chunky notebook, fingers falling over something hard and metal.


It all seemed so real to him at that moment. Making him feel, powerful.


In control.


"Everything will change." He murmured, images of broken misshapen corpses flying behind his pupils. But they were quickly pushed aside when Quin's features wrapped themselves around his lids. He shook his head violently and slipped down the hallway, leaving the class untouched. There were five cameras down each hall, all of which were never checked unless an incident was reported. He took a quick sharp right and was faced with a towering pane of glass, the blinds to the office drawn down. Fluorescent lights flickered above him, as well as behind the long horizontal slashes of white fabric. He scoffed lightly to himself before continuing towards the math wing.


He continued to scour the corridors, taking mental notes and stopping occasionally to jot down last minute details. He worked at this for almost a half hour before coming with the conclusion that this plan was almost foolproof.


He leaned his back against the cool metal of a random locker. His muscle shirt was thin, making it easy for him to feel the cold sting. He pressed his purple-blue-green bruised arms against the wall, his eyes fluttering closed with satisfaction. The sudden rush of relieve was followed by a wave of sickening displeasure. He remembered what he had to come home to tonight. What they had to do. What he had to see.


Tegan's mind was restless. Spewing and resoaking the same images over and over again. Jase on top of him. Jase's hands at his throat, at his arms, his legs. Jase's fist collidimg with his cheek, chest, and stomach.


His mother, standing in the background with her spine facing them. White hair and sad blue eyes pinned on the ground. Her curls bouncing with the sharp shake of her head. Shoulders bobbing as shuddering sobs vibrated through her body, matching the low whimpers that escaped his pursed lips now.


Alone.


That's what he was right now.


Abandoned.


Before the bell could ring, Karma had made his way back to the Biology room where he waited. After standing in broken silence for what seemed like an eternity, the chime set him free. He could feel the stain of tears lingered on his cheeks, eyes puffy and red.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Quin did his best to focus in class. To write down everything he would need to know. Kids whispered about Tegan and him once more, but they never actually used his name or Tegan's. probably so thy cod say it was someone else they were talking about and avoid Tegan's wrath. Then finally the bell rang.


Slowly Quin packed up his things and stood from the desk. He walked out, eyes on the ground, when he saw the familiar pair of boots. Quin looked up at Tegan. It took a moment before he saw the tear stains on the other's cheek. "W-What's wrong?" He asked softly, concerned about him. He looked like he'd been crying for a good amount of time. Had something happened? Quin wanted Tegan to be okay.


I ain't at a computer right now~

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Tegan's face had gone soft, and sullen. The sound of Quin's voice reaching his ears and loosening the tight noose he'd fitted around himself. His eyes might have been puffy and stained with sadness, but when he glanced into the dark green hues of the boy in front of him, a warmth tinged at the sides of the gaping hole inside his ribs. He let a small grin slip, turning the corners of his mouth up slightly. "I'm fine, now." He murmured. Tegan pulled the smaller man to his chest, holding him in his muscular arms. A ribbon of blue and purple floated around his skin, lightly coated in a gnarly yellow, indicating the bruises were healing. He buried his face in Quin's shiny brown locks. His smell reminded him of the forest, of pine and soft woodland air. "I'm always fine with you." he said, forcing his voice to stay smooth and still. In his mind, however, he was now repeating the day to come. He wondered how to keep his light safe. The only good in his world alive. I need him.


"Forget him, he doesn't want us. He doesn't care. None of them do."


Suddenly Jacob's voice had sneaked into his head.


Tegan's happiness faded slightly, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from asking the dreaded question. To keep from asking Quin... What would you do if you watched me kill hundreds of people?


"What class do you have next?" He asked instead, keeping the boy's schedule in mind.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Quin was just a bit shocked at the sudden hug, but he did hug him back. He was glad that Tegan had said he was okay now. Although that didn't mean he still wasn't worried about him. Tegan seemed really different right now. "I have music." He told him, almost sounding like it should be obvious. He was still worried about Tegan. He was sure that it wasn't nothing. He was almost sure Tegan was keeping something big from him, but he wasn't going to make him say it.


"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, thinking there might be something bothering him. Quin just wanted to help him somehow. Not that Tegan ever told him anything that was wrong.


((Sorry it's so short...))

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Tegan nodded, his face blank. Light-green eyes stared at Quin, silence between them for a few moments. He really wasn't okay, there was nothing to be 'okay' about. He thought about his mother, his father, and all the friends that had abandoned him over the years. His personality, and how the loneliness had suffocated him. How the rage had change him, like a parasite, burrowing into his heart and eating at the flesh. Hatred made him blind and angry, lashing out at everything. His poisonous touch ruining all things that he held dear. But when I look at you I can see.


"Yeah, I'm just tired." He said softly.


Tegan leaned down and kissed him on the nose, his arm wrapping around his shoulder. "I don't want to make you late." He said with a half-hearted grin, and slid his hand down the boy'd arm. Weaving their fingers together, he pulled Quin in front of his body. There he placed his arms loosely around his shoulders, and rested his chin on his head as they walked forward, their feet in perfect sync with each other. Tegan blew up against his forehead, moving his snow-white bangs away from his eyes.

 

[Tinker Bell]

"Okay." Quin closed his eyes when Tegan kissed his nose. Then Tegan pulled him closer and in front of him. He liked being near him. Despite everything else, it made him feel safe. Like nothing and no one would ever hurt him. He rested against Tegan a little bit as they walked through the halls. He felt like he could close his eyes and still be okay. He held Tegan's hand as they walked, holding his other stuff against his chest. He still wasn't sure if Tegan was telling the truth, but for now, he didn't think he should ask. Maybe after school, or when they weren't around people.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

After sifting through the crowd of hurried students they reached the small music room. It took Tegan a few moments to let Quin go, loving the warmth of him against his chest. It felt like they could melt, or even disappear in the spot. He closed his eyes, swaying silently for a minute or so, his body calm as he pressed his face against the other's scalp. He breathed in his scent one last time before finally letting his arms drop to his sides. "You sure have a lot of music classes." He murmured, glancing at the door covered in bright stickers of music notes. By this time all the people in the hallway had faded away into their classes, leaving them alone outside Quin's class. "You're my song-bird." He breathed with a smile, hoping that someday he'd be able to hear some of Quin's music. His face fell to the ground with his heart, as he realized there might not even be a someday. How would he be able to listen to his light's symphonies while caged in a prison... or worse. He cleared his throat, trying hard to push the thought into the back of his mind and lock it tightly in a worn box. "You'll be late. I'll be right here after class." He said, kissing the boy's small fingertips.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Quin realized they were at his classroom. He hadn't realized that he had closed his eyes. He guessed that proved his theory right. Then he seemed to relax a little bit when Tegan pressed his face against his head. "I like music." He said quietly. He knew it was a bit weird that he took so many music classes, but he liked it. He smiled a bit at the next thing he said. Until he mentioned that he was going to be late. "Okay." He didn't want to go though. He wanted to stay here with Tegan. "I'll see you then." It wasn't that long after all, he also didn't think he could skip class again.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

After Quin had gone inside, Tegan decided he'd finally go to his next class instead of skipping it all together. Chemistry, was not his favorite subject. He slumped into an empty seat in the back of the class, coming in late. The teacher didn't seem to care, considering the leave of absence from Karma was normal. Tegan pretended to take notes, doodling on the side of his notebook until class had finished. He grunted a thank you to the teacher as the students all filed out of class. His eyes glided over the window to the right of the classroom, a clear view of the parking lot proving his fears to be true. A red truck was parked at the front of the lot, a redheaded boy bobbing his head to harsh music that could be heard from inside the building. Teeth clenched, Tegan shuffled out of class, making it to the music room before their doors had even opened. Patiently, he waited for Quin.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Quin got his instrument from the cubby and sat in his seat. The period went by without anything incidents. Which was nice. The bell rang and he began to pack up. He put it in the cubby again before gathering his things. He walked out after everyone else. It only took a moment for him to see Tegan. It wasn't like it was hard. He stopped when he was in front of him and looked up at him. "Hi." He smiled a bit. He definitely liked it when he saw Tegan instead of being away from him.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Tegan smiled at him, his feelings melting once again. "Hey." He planted a small kiss on the other's cheek. He hoped after school he could get a chance to be alone with him. Maybe then he'd be able to convince Quin to skip school tomorrow. How, though? He wasn't sick, and her certainly wasn't the kind of kid to just skip without a warning. He had to think of something without giving himself away. What will you do once you find out? Will you still love me? Do you even love me now?


So many thoughts popped in and out of his skull, a whirlwind of things piling up in the corners. His mind was almost splitting at the seems. "I miss you when you're in a different class." He murmured, placing the boy's hand against his chest gently. The plain white tank that he was wearing had small streaks of dirt on it from when he'd gone outside to collaborate with Jacob earlier. And his thick white hair was sticking up in certain places. He looked sleep-deprived, and strung out. But no matter how worried Quin would get, Tegan didn't have the heart to tell him the truth.


You don't have a heart at all.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Quin knew something was wrong and it hurt him knowing that he couldn't do anything to make Tegan feel better. Not unless Tegan told him what was wrong. He didn't think that was going to happen anytime soon. "I miss you too." He said. He knew it was weird. Last week, Tegan had never spoken to him before. Now he found himself lonely when be wasn't there. "But we now have history together." He added hoping to make Tegan feel better that way. It had to work, right? He smiled a little more. He just wanted Tegan to feel happy.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

The smile that curved Quin's small lips made his own curl up gently. He mimicked his grin, for the first time today it met his eyes. Somehow those words made him feel slightly uplifted. I missed you too. I missed you too. I missed you too. He repeated Quin's words in his head a few times, making the small smile grow. "You brighten my life, you know that?"


The white-haired boy leaned down and pecked the smaller boy on the lips. "Can I carry your books?" he asked, but didn't wait for a reply. Plucking the books from his hands, Tegan slid to his side, taking Quin's hand in his. He figured at this point, no one would dare mess with whoever was on his arm. They try, they die.


And that's the truth. Jacob's voice rang in his head again.


Karma walked them down the hallway, the cluster of teenagers splitting like a sea of fish trying to escape from a predator. His mind reeled forward. He blinked, and blood covered everyone who passed him. Their eyes all pinned on him, pupils small and eyes wide.


Blink.


The students weren't stained scarlet. Their eyes were pinned on the back of the head in front of them, some girl's ass, burning holes in their cellphones, gliding along the lockers, searching for classes. None of them were stained scarlet.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Tegan had smiled and Quin did notice that his eyes looked happier too. He had opened his mouth to say something when Tegan just took the books. Not that it really mattered to Quin. He slowly curled his hand around Tegan's, holding it back. He stayed close the entire time, he liked being close to Tegan. He avoided looking at everyone else, afraid to find them staring at him. He did look up as they made it to the classroom. He sort of didn't want to go inside, but he had to. He couldn't skip. He was just glad he had it with Tegan.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Teagen brought them inside the classroom, Holding Quin's hand all the way to the back of the room, where he stole two seats next to each-other. Quin was in the end corner, with Tegan sitting to his right. Placing his books on his desk, Tegan sad with one leg crossed over the other. He was slouching in his chair, staring at Quin in silence. His favorite thing was to watch the boy while he wasn't paying attention. It seemed when he didn't thin Tegan was looking, was when Karma felt deeper feelings for him the most. The teacher swooped into class, his bright red curls all clustered to the sides of his head. It seemed the only place the man knew how to grow hair properly was along his upper-lip. "Turn your pages to 394! I know you've all learned about the Civil war in the eighth grade. But! You will be touching base on the subject in one Unit, our final Unit... now..."


Tegan had stopped listening after this, hie eyes wandering over Quin's features, taking in his big dark-green eyes, his small soft lips. He watched the way he moved, watched how his chest rose and fell as he breathed. It dawned on him that this was a living being, a human, someone who brought about so much warmth it felt almost gut-wrenching.

 

[Tinker Bell]

When the teacher walked in, Quin opened his notebook. He had started to take the notes as the teacher spoke, trying to get everything. Part of him could feel Tegan looking at him. He didn't know why though. He still couldn't see himself as being something to stare at. He still didn't see himself as special in any way. Despite that, he was glad that there had been something that made Tegan seem to want to get to know him. If he hadn't, Quin would have likely still walked the halls alone.

 

[-.-.Lucifer.-.-]

Tegan continued his long gaze at Quin, the sunlight hitting the other's face in such a way that his skin almost glowed. He held him at such a high pedestal, it would be impossible to take him down. There was nothing the other could do to keep him from always loving him. In Tegan's eyes, he was the epitome of all things good in the world. He shifted in his seat and leaned over, grabbing Quin's notebook silently. He then ripped a blank page out of it, and set the piece of paper on his own desk. Tegan then slipped the book back onto the smaller boy's table; expressionlessly, digging in his pocket for the red pen, pulling it out, and setting it down in front of him. He glanced over at Quin, taking in his features for a very brief moment, and then dropped one of his arms onto the desk, hiding the page from the other, and began to draw. This was unlike Tegan, normally he'd be disruptive and rude. He'd be whistling loudly, and aggravating the teacher. He'd be insulting people, snapping and laughing. But in this moment, while everyone in class was working silently, no one heard a single sound form Karma.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Quin definitely hadn't been expecting Tegan to take his notebook. He looked up at him, slightly confused, as he watched the other take a piece of the paper. He really didn't know what to say. Well, he wouldn't have said anything if he did, class was still going on. Thankfully it wasn't too long until the notebook was back on his desk. Although he was still curious.


He went back to writing down the notes. However now his eyes kept glancing over at Tegan. He could tell he was drawing something, but he couldn't see what. He definitely wanted to know what was so important that Tegan had to draw it in the middle of class.