‡† The Unseen †‡

13 † Fractures †

So Raven stepped back into the shadows near the vending machine, heart thudding in his chest, fists clenched at his sides.

He watched.

And for the first time in a long time…

I feel useless.

Why his world just didn't want to stay together, he had no idea. Why did it just want to crack?

Who was he to talk though? Maybe, Devon didn't say anything because he knew Raven wasn't capable of helping.

He'd probably be right. I can't even hold MYSELF together. Add my sick parents to that..

At the moment, he couldn't help but feel like he wanted to end it all. The three people that he cared for, all down and helpless, and all he could do was just stand and watch and worry over them like some incompetent caretaker.

His fingers bit into his palm, nearly drawing blood as he stayed there, rooted to the spot. If his life were an actual person, there'd be just one request he'd like to say to its face..

Give me a fucking break.

———————

Despite all the downplaying talk he netted on himself, Raven continued to pace the sterile hallway, unable to just walk away, the scent of antiseptic thick in the air. He was tired of just standing there. He'd waited long enough. And he wasn't strong enough to just.. walk away—like Devon would've wanted.

Approaching the nurse's station, he leaned in, voice steady but urgent.

"I'm here to see my brother, Devon. He was brought in earlier."

The nurse glanced nervously at the chart, then at Raven. "Only immediate family allowed."

I just said he was my BROTHER, didn't I?

Raven nodded. He didn't even need to feign concern and worry to make the woman believe him—he was already concerned and worried. "I'm his  brother. Please."

After a moment's hesitation, she gestured down the corridor. "Room 214."

Raven thanked her and moved swiftly, entering quietly. Devon lay on the bed, bandaged and bruised, eyes fixed on the ceiling. He didn't turn as Raven closed the door behind him and approached.

Raven pulled a chair close, sitting with a sigh, feeling utterly defeated. He knew that there was no way he could just butt in to Devon's life without permission, unless he was a stalker who had a crush obsession. And that he was not. But he was damn tired of worrying without a base, of having nerves skitter about without being aware of the cause. He couldn't just.. not worry. He was already in too deep.

And somehow, no matter how he looked at it, Devon still deserved to give him some kind of explanation. No matter how vague it would be. "Come on, just... spit it out." Even though I don't deserve an explanation. But.. you should be the judge of that, right?

Devon's eyes flicked to him, then away. Closed off. Decisive. "I'm sorry," was all his said, and it made Raven clench his teeth. Perhaps he should just.. leave it at that. Maybe trying to dig would just make it all worse—rip off bandages off wounds that haven't even healed—wounds that were just tended to. But still..

Whatever happened to letting brothers be brothers?

Raven leaned forward, having decided to remind him of that immaterial pact. "What happened to being brothers?" he ground out as calmly as he could. "I spilled most of my life problems to you that night, Devon. I think.. returning the favor would be nice."