Remedy [MxM]

Chapter 07: Life Lesson: Hide in the Pantry, Not Under the Bed

"I don't give a shit what you want. If you weren't being such goddamn whore this wouldn't happen."

I squeezed my eyes shut as I had to listen to Chris and Eliot struggling back and forth above me, intensely disliking my hiding spot. What a shitty place to have to hide, seriously. At least if I was out in the pantry I wouldn't have to hear what was going on.

"Eliot! Stop it, knock it off! I said no!"

I felt very conflicted, and I didn't know what to do. I should've come out from under the bed and tried to help. But I felt paralyzed with indecision. Chris told me to stay where I was and stay silent, but how could he expect me to just sit back and let everything happen? Maybe if he hadn't told me to stay put, I would've done something. I tried to block out the sounds happening right over me, hearing springs squeaking and Eliot's quiet grunting, and beneath all that were small, pained sounds from Chris. When did they go from fighting to fucking? I must've blocked something out, I realized, and wondered why I couldn't just continue doing that for the duration of, whatever was going on.

It didn't last long, thank God, but it certainly felt like a lifetime. Eventually it went quiet, before Eliot's voice was heard again and I couldn't help it as I cringed a little.

"I better not hear about that guy again," he said. There was movement from the bed, some of the weight lifting off it. It was silent for a second after that, Chris not responding before Eliot spoke again. "I love you, you know? And I just. Whatever you think you have with that guy, you don't. He doesn't love you like I do, Chris. I just, I want you to understand that other people can't love you as much as I do."

There still wasn't a response from Chris, and Eliot seemed to realize that he wasn't getting one as he sighed and then moved away, heading for the door. I waited until I very clearly heard the front door open and slam shut before releasing a breath I didn't know I'd been holding, slowly wriggling out of my spot beneath the bed. I didn't stand up immediately and settled for lying on the floor for a minute, just breathing and not having to worry about making too much noise.

Very slowly, after several long minutes, I sat up just enough to peel over the edge of the bed, glancing around before I noticed a body pressed up against the headboard, sitting in the fetal position. "Chris?"

I didn't get an immediate response, and one didn't even come after waiting a few more minutes, so I moved up from the floor to sit down on the edge of the bed, saying Chris's name again. He mumbled something, but his head was buried in his arms and his voice was muffled, so I didn't catch it. "Say that again?"

"Get out!" he yelled that time, never raising his head to look at me. I hesitated, glancing around a little awkwardly, but he didn't say anything else. He just sat still against the headboard, keeping his head down and buried. And what could I say to that?

"Alright." I murmured. He buried his head further as I stood up again, slowly making my way to the door. I didn't want to leave him, but I didn't want to make him any more upset than he probably already was.

I mean. I was pretty sure I just listened the guy get raped.

I stopped at that thought, standing in front of the bedroom door. I looked over my shoulder to see Chris still sitting in the same position, not having moved a single inch. Fuck. Walking back over as silently as possible, I sat back down on the bed, moving up the mattress until I was next to him.

"Go away, Arden," he sighed. I shook my head, lacing my fingers together on my lap.

"Nope. Not until I know you're alright."

"I'm fine."

I raised an eyebrow, because I didn't believe that one bit, and heard him sigh as he slowly raised his head. He avoided eye contact, but it was a start, and I'd sure as hell take that.

"He's never forced me before," he whispered after a moment. I watched as his eyes watered slightly, and he blinked a few times before glancing in my direction.

I chose not to respond, instead only looking back. He looked down after a minute, and then, surprisingly, moved closer to me, leaning against my side tentatively.

"So I guess this means I can't harass you at the bar anymore." I said, trying for a light tone of voice. Chris just shook his head slightly against my shoulder, and I slowly wound my arms around his waist, being careful of his side as I kissed the top of his head.

"Arden," he said warningly.

"Sorry." I mumbled back. He sighed again and put his arms over mine as I leaned back against the headboard, and I stayed quiet for a little while. I really wasn't sure what to say, and Chris probably wouldn't appreciate talking about what had just happened. I certainly didn't wanna talk about it. I just wanted to make sure he was alright. When I looked back down though, I was surprised to see that Chris was asleep. Seems like talking wouldn't be an issue after all.