I AM SOO SORRY for the 40-minute-late post! D': Don't hurt me! lol...
* This chapter may or may not contain grammatical errors and typos. *
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Hunter's POV
He looked so peaceful as he slept through the night. I had planned to leave him alone so can rest, but I couldn't resist watching him in this state. He looked... Beautiful. Not that I didn't already know that, but I've never seen Tyler sleeping before, and I can proudly admit that the view before me was breathtaking.
His lips were slightly parted as his chest moved in an up-and-down motion. His breathing was slow and steady and his hair was ruffled all over his head. I brushed it off to the side and took in his form. I sat on the bed and got closer to him.
I felt his warmth radiating off of his body although he was shivering as if it was freezing in the room. The blanket was already pulled up to his chin, but the shivering was still there. I shifted closer and closer to him until I could cradle him into my arms. All this time, the corners of his lips were tugged upwards as if he were smiling. He unconsciously turned to my side and his arms wrapped around my torso, his head snuggling into my side.
I continuously brushed my hand through his hair as I savored this intimate time we were sharing together, even though I'm the only who's conscious to remember it. I've always thought myself to be straight all my life, but after looking at Tyler, it's hard not to like him — not just in a friendly way, but also a romantic way.
I have no idea why I never even gave him a chance. I just 'rejected' right off the bat and after getting to know him more, I've grown to like him. Now I'm interested in making him mine. I was sure he hated me until he told me directly that he liked me last night. I imagine we're both trying to avoid the topic but one of us has to take initiative. If it comes down to it having to be me, I wouldn't mind as long as Tyler becomes mine.
I looked back down on him as I kept on brushing my hand through his hair. I started to worry when his grin dropped, he started to shake again. Was he having another nightmare? I heard him groaning incoherent words as beads of sweat started to form on his forehead again. I gently pulled him up so his head was nestled into my shoulder, my arm wrapped around his neck.
His head shifted from side to side and quiet sobs were erupting from his slightly parted mouth. I was starting to get worried because he also began to whimper. I tried to wake him up by gently patting his cheek.
"Tyler, wake up."
Nothing. His cries intensified by the second and I started to panic. My patting turned into light slaps as I desperately tried to wake him up. I don't want him to have another bad dream and wake up crying again. It was a sight that wasn't pretty to me because it hurt. It hurt to see him like that and I don't ever want to see it again.
"Tyler, please wake up," I begged. I resulted to shaking him awake.
I felt him try to shift in my arms as his cried stopped. I looked at his eyes to see any signs of further suffering, but it was all gone. His eyes started to drift open. He sniffled and looked up at me. I saw his brown orbs begin to reflect the light to my eyes. There were the most beautiful I've ever seen.
"Hunter? Is that you?" he mumbled into my side and he moved closer to me, snuggling deeper into me. My hand found its way to the small of his back and I started to rub up and down.
"Hmm," I hummed in response. "Go back to sleep, Tyler. You need to rest. You're still burning up."
I wrapped both of my arms around him and held him close to me, but it probably wasn't a good idea considering his temperature was still up, so I reluctantly let go of him and got up from the bed. I replaced the water in the pan so I can wipe him down again.
He was laying down in the middle of his bed, shivering. I stretched out his arm and began to wipe down the cool, damp towel on his burning skin. I did it for all his limbs including his neck. He would flinch from the contact of the cold towel, but he would remain asleep.
I was left wondering what might have caused this fever, but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with what he dreamt of. Maybe it was putting too much stress on him? I don't know what it is, but I intend to find out. Seeing that he might not be comfortable telling me about it directly. I try to ask his parents first. They should know more about this Dylan person.
After completely wiping him down, I went back to the bathroom to dispose of the unused water. I quickly took a peek in Tyler's room again to make sure he's okay, before heading to the stairs.
I went into the living room where I found everyone gathered. They had concerned looks on their faces after seeing Tyler pass out in front of them.
"How is he, Hunter?" Chelsie asked.
"His temperature is still high, but not high enough to have to take him to the hospital. I left some medicine near his bed so he can take some when he wakes up. He should be fine soon," I reassured. His parents nodded.
"What do you think might have caused it?" David asked.
I looked at them both. Now was the right time to ask about that mystery person that appeared in Tyler's dreams. The one who's probably to blame for all of this. Dylan.
"Did Tyler have any bad encounters with people back in London?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" my mom asked.
I saw Tyler's parents stiffen. "What are you talking about?" David asked.
"Well last night, Tyler sort of had a bad dream."
"A bad dream?" Chelsie wondered.
I nodded. "It looked and sounded like a pretty nasty one."
"What does this have to do with anything?" my dad asked.
"Well, he could've gotten stressed from the nightmare along with other things happening in his life. It could've caused his fever. He's probably really exhausted."
I thought back to what I had just said. It's also possible that I'm the cause of this. He did say that I confused him and ever since my possessive side has shown, Tyler became more conflicted.
"There's nothing that we know of," Chelsie muttered, looking at her husband who nodded back at her.
"Dylan." I stated.
Their eyes widened as my parents, Nathan, and Christine all darted their heads toward Tyler's parents.
"W-what?" Chelsie stuttered.
"When he was having the nightmare, Tyler was sobbing, whimpering as his head thrashed about. He was sweating profusely as he begged a person named 'Dylan' to stop whatever it is he was doing. I was starting to get scared from what I was watching."
I was rewarded with silence. I guess these people aren't going to talk about it. They looked like they didn't even think about telling me who Dylan was, but who am I to force them, right?
"Uh... I-I think you s-should hear about this from Tyler," David stuttered.
I knew they weren't going to answer, but I was hopeful that they would. I was getting impatient and I wanted to know what was bother Tyler. I want to know NOW.
"Oh, c'mon. Just freakin' tell me. I saw the faint scars on his body, David. And I have a strong feeling that Dylan had something to do with it. Who's Dylan?" I snapped.
I wanted to know who gave him those scars. I wanted to know who made those permanent marks on Tyler's beautiful body. I wanted to know who dared to tarnish such a work of art and I wanted justice.
"Hunter, calm down," Nathan said.
"How can I when Tyler's up there suffering through the events in his past when I can't even do anything about it? I'd at least like to know what happened. I want to help him, Nathan. I can't stand seeing him like that!" I whisper-shouted, anger clearly evident on my face.
I didn't realize that my love for Tyler was this strong. I would do anything to make him feel better. It was hard to take seeing what was happening to Tyler. I want to take all his pain away, but I know it isn't possible.
My eyes widened in realization. I love Tyler?
"Hunter, it's really not our place to tell you about his past. You should go ask your fiancé about it," Chelsie reasoned.
I gaped at them. "I came to you guys because I'm almost sure that Tyler won't want to talk about it. I assumed you guys would be a little bit more helpful."
I looked over to Christine only to see a blank expression on her face. She hasn't said anything throughout the whole conversation and it doesn't seem like she's going to say anything soon.
"Then I guess he'll tell you when he's ready." David said. I wanted to punch him in the face for answers, but I don't think Tyler would appreciate that. I guess Tyler's the only one who can enlighten me on the situation. I give up.
I stormed out of the living room without a word and went back to Tyler's room. He was still sleeping peacefully and no nightmares this time. I guess he'll be skipping school today. He's in no shape to go back.
As I opened the door, the peaceful silence reached my ears. I carefully slid in to the room and enjoyed the view from the door. I sauntered my way to the bed and slowly climbed in. I pulled Tyler close to me and we snuggled together. I swear, he started smiling again as soon as he was in my arms, and my heart couldn't help but flutter knowing that I had that effect on him.
The sun was still leaking through the curtain-covered windows. It was still only 10AM but Tyler had to rest if he wanted to get better. I decided to take a nap with him. I can take a leave off of work today. I want to take care of Tyler. He's my priority right now.
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I woke up to a faint tugging of my shirt sleeve. My eyes fluttered open as I tried to gain composure. I couldn't see well having just woken up, but the tugging on my shirt continued. I instantly remembered that I cuddled with Tyler to sleep.
Immediately, my hand found its way to Tyler's forehead. His fever was almost gone. It's kind of interesting how it all went away in just a few hours. Still though, it won't hurt to take some medicine for assurance.
"How do you feel, Tyler?" I asked.
"I feel fine, Hunter. Why were you cuddled up to me just now?" he asked, but I ignored it when I saw the glass of water was still full.
"You should take some medicine," I said, handing him the glass and the bottle of Advil.
He opened the bottle and popped a pill into his mouth before downing the glass of water. He then handed them back to me and I place them on the night stand.
"Now tell me, why were you cuddled up with me?"
I looked at his eyes and they weren't filled with anger. They looked like they were filled with... hope? Lust? His eyes were darker than usual and I can tell that Tyler wasn't about to let the topic drop.
He shifted on his spot and pushed me down on the bed before straddling me. I lifted my palm and placed it against his cheek.
"Tyler," I called out to him. He just kept staring at me with emotion-filled eyes. "Would you like to go on a date with me?" I asked all too seriously.
I tensed up when a minute has gone by without a word from Tyler.
Please say yes.
Tyler's POV
I was in a dark room. The only light was the one above me. One measly light focused directly on me. It dangled on one thin-looking string that hung from a tall ceiling. It felt spacious above me, but I was unable to move.
I was tied up on a cold, metal table. Each limb was stretched out to each corner of the table. Even with my shirt on, the coldness of the table seeped into my shirt, making me shiver against the hard surface. I tried with all my strength to free myself from the bounds, but all it did was make a lot of noise.
The sound of the metal bending and popping resonated throughout the empty room. The light above me was blinding and I saw nothing else when I tried to look around. I don't know how I got here. The last time I remember was going on a date with Dylan.
Dylan. Where is he?
We've been going out for almost a year now, but just recently, I heard some rumors about him. They weren't pleasant rumors. They were the kind that made me want to puke if they were actually true.
They said he was only using me. Using me as an excuse to break up with all of the girlfriends he gets tired of. I don't know how that went by me, but apparently, Dylan has a lot of women on the side. If he got tired of them, I would be his reason to break up with them.
No wonder a random stranger woman would slap me out of nowhere even though I didn't know who she was or what I did wrong. I refused to believe all those horrible rumors. I became too needy in the past couple of week to try to see if he would decline. I would notice if he decided he didn't want to spend too much time with his own boyfriend that he must be having an affair.
Lately, he himself has also been acting differently. He's more grumpy and complains about everything. He finds wrong in almost everything I do and I don't even know what triggered it.
At a party last week, I saw some stranger girl grinding up on him and it made my blood boil. I didn't like seeing whores throwing themselves on my boyfriend, but what pained me most was the look on Dylan's face. He was actually enjoying it.
I shoved the bítch off of him and yelled out, "All of you whores better back off of my boyfriend! Yes, he's taken and he's mine!"
Gasps resounded through the room but Dylan kept a calm composure. He even smirked at me, making me think that he liked my possessiveness. We went on good terms for about a week until today came.
We were out on our date when I suddenly blacked out. I'm currently bound to this cold metal table, thrashing about and screeching for help. Nobody came.
A door opened in the distance, but no light came in. It must have been evening already.
"Are you okay, Tyler?" the voice asked. It was Dylan. He moved closer and closer to me until the only light in the room finally revealed his face. He had an evil smile on his face as he fiddled with a switchblade on one hand.
"D-Dylan? W-what are y-you doing?" I started getting dizzy because I thought we were still on good terms. But it turns out he was behind this.
"You've finally woken from your slumber. You're been knocked out for a good two days, love."
I cringed as he said that word. Love. How can he possible call me that and treat me this way?
"I've been out for that long?" Why am I even asking that question. That's not what I should be more worried about. "What are you doing? Why am I here?"
"You see, Tyler. This is what happens when you don't just stay quiet."
"Quiet? About what?"
"You ruined everything, Tyler. All of my women. Gone."
My eyes widened. So he was cheating on me.
"You bastard! How could you?" I sobbed. "You said those rumors weren't true!"
"I didn't say anything, you idiot," he snapped, giving me a hard punch to the guts. "You assumed they weren't true."
"B-b-but..." I trailed off, completely feeling defeated. "How could you?"
"Now you know not to mess with me, Tyler."
"I didn't know anything! If I only knew I wouldn't have done anything! Please don't hurt me!" I begged, tears running down my cheeks. I didn't know what he was going to do, but I just prayed that he wouldn't kill me over such a stupid thing. If he didn't want me, then fine. I would've easily let him go even though I loved him with all my heart.
"It's too late for that, Tyler."
Then I heard the door opened again and a few footsteps followed. It wasn't just from one person, but from two... three... four people. They all crowded around me and the light revealed their faces.
Dylan's jock friends.
"You can to whatever you want with him."
And that's when the pain started. They punched and hit every part of me that they could. I didn't fully understand why he was doing all of this. It's not like I didn't do too much wrong to Dylan. Now that we're not together, he can just find new people to screw. I don't know why he's hurting me like this.
The four jocks ended up ripping my shirt open. I was completely oblivious to everything happening that I didn't even realized I didn't have a shirt anymore. Dylan came back into view with his switchblade in sight. The light reflected sharply off the tip, showing off that it's capable of chopping one of my fingers off in one flick.
"This will teach you not to do it again, you prick," he hissed.
He lowered the blade to my chest, between my right nipple and my arms and pressed down on it lightly. Searing pain shot through my body as I bit on my lips to stop myself from screaming.
"No! Please don't!" I cried. He didn't stop, he just slowly dragged the blade all the way down to my stomach. It wasn't deep, but it was deep enough to make a gash.
"NO! Please!" I yelled over the pain. "Dylan," I huffed out as I lost consciousness.
The nightmare ended when I woke up on Hunter's chest as it rose and fell. I don't remember going to bed and the fact that Hunter was snuggled up to me was shocking.
I've only ever had that dream once, but I guess I could say that I expected to have it again. I knew it was connected to me falling in love. Hunter. I think I'm in love with him. It wasn't this bad when I met Scott, but today's was even more intense.
It never got to that part before. It only went as far as Dylan showing his face. Maybe it is Hunter. Maybe my feelings for him are stronger than I thought they were. Maybe I should finally openly pursue him. Maybe that's my way out of this hell.
Having the nightmare twice is more than enough. I don't want to ever see it again, I don't want to think about it again. I don't want to remember it anymore. I just want to forget, and Hunter has been able to calm me down through it all. Maybe he can help me forget. Maybe he's my refuge.
He never once explained to me why he went to such extremes. After that day, I never saw him again. I thought I loved him, which is why I was so brokenhearted for a while. I know he hurt me, but I couldn't seem to get him out of my mind — my heart. Everything might have sounded shallow, but this event scarred me for life. I didn't trust myself to anyone else until Scott came around. But even now, I don't know how I feel bout him.
My feelings for Hunter are true though. My heart always flutters when I see him — when I hear his name.
I looked up at him and tugged on his shirt sleeve. It took me a good two minutes before he finally started to stir and wake up from his slumber. He looked sexy with sleepy eyes and I couldn't get ahold of myself before I got lost in them.
"How do you feel, Tyler?" he finally asked with his sexy, deep voice as he looked down at me.
"I feel fine, Hunter. Why were you cuddled up to me just now?" I was really curious. Maybe he feels the same way I do?
He avoided the question. "You should take some medicine," he said. I quickly grabbed the medicine from him and drank it down before pushing him back and straddling him.
I have to know how he feels and I have to know now. I might seem a little pushy, but nothing's going to happen if I wasn't.
I stared deep into his eyes and firmly asked. "Now tell me, why were you cuddled up with me?"
I wanted him to tell me that he liked me — that he loved me. I wanted him to return my budding feelings for him. I want him to love me the way I love him. I just can't deny it anymore. I love him.
I love the way he comforts me. I love the way he cares for me. I love the fact that I can lose myself when I'm with him. I love how he can easily calm me down when I'm about to erupt from irritation or anger.
I love his eyes. I love his lips. I love how tall he is. I love the bed hair he's sporting right now and that deep voice that calls out my name.
I love him.
He slowly lifted his hand and place his palm on my cheek affectionately.
"Tyler," he said. I just kept on looking deeply into his eyes."Would you like to go on a date with me?"
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A/N: Don't judge me, Dylan was a messed up idiot! Blame it all on him! heheheh... I hope this chapter wasn't too stupid or shallow. I wasn't aiming for that. Just know that Tyler was heavily afftected by that event, regardless of how farfetched it sounds. :) Thoughts? xD
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-panda_lover_1996
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Times Stamp: May 8, 2014
Word Count: 3,781