All Of Who You Are
With his Beyblade safely tucked away in a chest under his bed, Tala moved to look out the tiny barred window of his cell. He could see the pale moon in the stark sky and heaved a sigh, though it was not like anyone heard it. It merely echoed off of empty walls. Aquamarine eyes wandered the dark room aimlessly. He felt so alone. And he was. Separated from his team mates and from his best and closest friend, everything was so lonely. He closed his eyes in a vain attempt to ward away oncoming tears. Not tears of Pain, or sorrow. Tala had learned to block those from his mind many years ago. These new tears were tears of something far worse than pain, and stronger than sorrow.
Fear.
He rose with a start from the bed as a key slowly turned in the lock of his cell door with a hollow scrape, causing the hair on the back of his neck to rise. He had to shield his eyes from the glare of the light as the door swung aside revealing the menacing figure of Boris. Tala knew punishment had arrived and fought back the tears that threatened to fall. He could not and would not cry now since the last thing he needed right now was for Boris to see him crying. That would make Punishment worse.
"Tala," Boris stated coldly. "You have failed Tala. You know what happens to those who fail do you not?"
Tala Nodded solemnly and hoped he had kept the fear well out of his voice when he spoke his reply. "Yes Sir, they are punished."
Boris motioned for Tala to follow him out of the cell and Tala complied without protest. He kept his gaze straight forward, his eyes never moving. Tala was going to make sure no one saw the fear he had hidden so deep within. He knew what would follow this long walk. First there would be embarrassment as he was demeaned and verbally abused, deemed unworthy and insulted. Then came the humiliation, as he would be stripped of all clothes, and severely beaten, and of course there was always an audience. To make matters worse, usually Boris carried out the punishments and when the pain became unbearable, he would continue until he broke and bled him. To add insult to injury, Boris usually kept Tala as his "toy" and usually after punishment he was taken to his personal quarters to attend to his more 'personal desires'.
Tala shivered unconsciously. He could handle the Abuse and the pain, but it was the way Boris looked at him when the beatings began. That dark, sinister admiration and the perverse pleasure in his eyes were as unmistakable as the rape that followed after. Tala knew he was in perfect shape, but the way that man made him feel, was enough for him to hate his very own physique. He learned to hate his clear blue eyes, his fiery hair and his perfectly muscled torso and arms. He learned to loathe his lithe hips, long legs and god-given grace. He wished more than anything for the pain to stop, but he knew, as always, wishing would not help matters. He was a slave, and a prisoner. No where had he ever wanted to feel this pain. But he did, and he was left with no choice other than to do whatever was requested of him, or else risk more pain and punishment.
Tala remembered the time he had tried to run away from the Abbey. Bryan had helped him by distracting the guards, and by managing to keep Boris in conversation long enough to allow time for escape. Unfortunately, Tala had not remembered the gate and tripped the alarm. He was caught and when asked if Bryan had helped him escape, he had said no. He refused to have Bryan punished for his stupidity. So Tala took the brunt of the punishment, and made sure Bryan would not be touched.
It was a cruel and morose punishment. He was stripped, beaten and ravaged until he could stand no more and was then dragged down the long hallway and thrown outside into the locked courtyard with nothing between his body and the frigid snow. The biting winds and harsh temperature tore through him worse than any knife wound. For the first time in his life he cried out in pain. He screamed in agony and called for help. He cried and cried, helpless and half frozen. He could see nothing beyond his team mates and Bryan who stood in the window, forced to watch. He could see Bryan's face clearly. Lilac eyes clouded by tears and full of guilt. From that moment on, he knew he and Bryan were bound. And from the very moment he felt the cold snow on bare skin he had hated his life in the Abbey, he hated Biovolt and he hated Boris more than anything. There was but two things keeping him sane.
Tala's bit-beast Wolborg, Whom he had aptly named Fenrir, and Bryan, his closest friend. What seemed only a weapon to Boris and all the others in Biovolt, was the world to Tala. When the beatings had begun to include rape, Tala felt used.worthless. It was then that Fenrir had appeared one night out of the blade without summoning. He had placed his head in Tala's lap, in worry and support. Tala was surprised then, but he soon learned that however things went, and no matter the severity, he would always be there for Tala when he was alone. He was an unwavering guardian, even if he could not stop the pain.
Tala sought refuge in Fenrir, many times at night sobbing into the winged wolf's soft fur until with small sniffles he would cry himself to sleep. Fenrir would watch over him throughout the night until just before waking time when with a soft nuzzle to Tala, he would fade away until it was safe again.
And the times Fenrir wasn't there, Bryan was, even though he could not bury his face in Bryan's chest or cry in his arms for they were always watched when together. Bryan though, would give Tala that look, a mixture of emotions that meant more to Tala than any words or touch. He understood, they could almost speak to each other with only their eyes. And that was the one thing that Boris did not see, and it was the little loophole that allowed them to hold onto their almost secret, silent friendship.
Tala was brought out of his thinking by the harshness of a strangled cry. He shook his head quickly, clearing his thoughts and looking to the sound of the voice. The sight he received was horrifying. He wasn't sure whether to be nauseous or enraged, upset or disgusted. Never had he seen someone in such a pitiful condition. He swallowed the illness that tried to force its way up, and blinked back his tears.
"That was his punishment for failing Tala. He failed much more miserably than you my warrior. He needed to be 'disciplined'. " Boris drawled as he surveyed his handiwork with a malicious grin.
Tala felt dizzy and sick, his heart aching and almost shattering at the sight. Bryan lay limp, dangling from chains bolted to the wall. His eyes were closed his bare body covered in minor cuts and bruises. Not too severe but there were so many. Obviously he could tell that the 6 men around him had all taken turns using him as a release for sexual tension. He looked so defenceless and utterly helpless, reduced to a sexual slave. Tala could not help but growl deep in his throat. They had hurt Bryan, they had stripped him of any dignity he may have had left and Tala knew Boris had probably taken his turn too. He snarled a curse at Boris in Russian but fortunately, Boris had not heard it and he proceeded to talk to one of his henchmen.
Bryan cracked one eye open, his cheeks flushed with shame, his body sticky with sweat and proof of his abuse. He blinked slowly looking at his leader through swollen teary eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was a soft whine. He tried to raise a hand towards Tala but could not move his arms. His soft, iced violet eyes slid closed again, and Tala could tell the pain was too much for him, both emotionally and physically.
Tala had always been able to tolerate the worst kind of pain and he was so used to this being used, but to see Bryan reduced to nothing but a doll made him more angry than ever.
"Undress." Boris commanded sternly as he watched Tala keenly, that evil glare in his eyes again.
Tala did as he was told slipping out of the white and orange jumper and peeling off the Blue shirt he wore. Removing his boxers as well he now stood completely devoid of any dignity. Yet he did not lower his head. He kept his eyes trained on Bryan, whom he felt so strongly for. Bryan was a fierce warrior in the Arena, but he was quiet and somewhat shy privately.
Tala squirmed as he was dragged over to the center of the room, maybe eight feet from Bryan. His hands were quickly bound to a large column, as were his feet. Now he stood facing the giant stone monstrosity, unable to escape. He still watched Bryan, worried and wondering just how bad his abuse had been. He had been concentrating so much on his team mate that he hardly noticed the insults or the pain from the blows, until he felt the sting of a whip across his lower back. He yelped and the pain flared up. He let tears slide, but they were not of pain from the whip, they were for Bryan. He endured the pain sagging against the column with every lash thereafter until His hands and feet were released and he fell facedown onto the cold floor. He had hoped it would stop there, but he could never be sure.
He was picked up roughly, still unclothed and in pain, and slung over a shoulder. He could see through half closed eyes that they had picked up Bryan as well and they were carrying them back towards the cells. Tala felt his hair pulled, jerking his head up to meet Boris' eyes.
"Well Tala, I can make the pain go away. If you come with me, I can make you feel brand new."
Tala openly snarled, "No!"
"Hm, your loss I guess. I had hoped you would say yes. Tala, I have decided you are the only success in my experiments." A long bony hand touched Tala's cheek as he continued. "You are my perfect Tala."
Tala actually bit Boris hard enough to draw blood as he spat. "I am nothing of yours Boris."
Boris looked like he had been smacked with a brick. He blinked in disbelief. "Tala! You dare to speak back to me? You dare defy me?"
Tala did not hear him for he was too much in pain to notice what his master had been saying. Right now all he wanted was to lie down and to be sure Bryan was alright. He had time to do neither before he felt himself black out.
He came to in the dark cell, the same cell with no lights save for candle on the small porcelain sink. He looked around, careful not to disturb his wounds, which had just begun to seal. He glanced down and remembered that he had no clothes as they had been taken from him. He was rather embarrassed but soon remembered that if this was the correct cell, there would be some clothes in the small chest under the bed. He rummaged around as best he could with his wounds and soon found the small trunk. He half expected to find it empty, and was quite relieved when there were clothes inside, along with his Beyblade. He pulled on a pair of blue drawstring pants, but chose nothing to cover his back which was excruciatingly painful, and dropping his blade into his pocket he closed the lid and put the chest away again.
"ohh."
Tala's head shot up at the sound of another voice in his cell. He looked about quickly, at first not seeing anything, but as he looked again in the corner, he found the source of the voice. Pale violet could be seen in the low light.
"Bryan?" Tala whispered, as if speaking his name would bring the guards about. "Bryan are you alright?" he continued as he made his way to the corner to check on the only other boy in the Abbey he felt he could trust. Bryan had always been his best friend, and though they were not permitted to be friends during training, he found that they were very close when in the privacy of student quarters. Never permitted to touch each other, not even to hug or give a high five, they talked about everything and nothing, happy just to be in each other's company as it made surviving easier. Now Bryan struggled to deal with the pain that their defeat in the Russian championships had brought about. Tala almost felt personally responsible because he had failed to beat Tyson. But when Tala came back to the bench, Bryan looked at him with warm eyes still happy Tala was there. Pain had come and gone, but Bryan and he remained the same.
Best Friends.
Tala turned on the sink and soaked a cloth with warm water and filled a shallow bowl before sitting down, speaking in a hushed whisper. "I'm here Bryan. I am right here."
"Boris.he.he." Bryan struggled with tears.
Tala moved back to the bed and grabbed another pair of pants and a soft silken shirt, rushing back over to his friend. He handed Bryan the cloth and watched carefully as bryan cleaned himself up. Tala took I upon himself to wash Bryan's back and when he was satisfied that the lavender haired boy was clean he handed Bryan the clothing with a soft smile, helping him to finally regain his dignity, "what is it Bryan?"
Bryan struggled with tears and pain as he tried to explain. "He. violated me again.Oh Tala."he drew a shaky breath, "He kept telling me over and over that I was a failure, that I was an imperfect child. He told me you were the only perfect child and that you would show me my true place in this world as.as."
Tala gave a start and stopped Bryan with a finger before he could say more.. This was not the first time Bryan had been taken advantage of? Tala felt his anger grow at the thought of Boris touching any part of Bryan, and to say those things he did. Bryan was just as perfect as he was, perhaps more. It was ridiculous and sadistic how Boris took such pleasure in their agony. For some reason he felt stronger about this violation than even his own, and now he had finally decided that he had had enough of the Abbey. Somehow they would escape together. He touched Bryan's shoulder gently and spoke softly,
"Bryan, he will never get to touch you again. I promise."
Bryan looked up shocked at the fact that for the first time in his life he had felt the comfort of another's touch. He blinked back the tears he tried so hard to hide. He never wanted Tala to think him weak. He never wanted his only friend to turn him away because of tears. He tried to be strong and spoke with difficulty.
"Tala you do not have to help me. Fate has chosen me as the loser, I am imperfect and."
"Hush! I will hear no more of it Bryan!" Tala insisted irritably. Boris had trained Bryan overly hard and had broken him into a life of thinking he deserved pain, that he was nothing to anyone. Tala had managed to escape that fate and now he had to make Bryan see that no one deserved to suffer like that. Bryan was so much to him, and he wanted more than anything to tell him just that, but they were always supervised. He just could never find the privacy.
Brian shrank back, as if frightened. He let out a whimper as he trembled. "Please Tala.Please don't hurt me."
Tala felt his jaw hang open. Was it that bad that he feared him so much to whimper? Boris had clearly traumatized the boy. He knew they were not being watched in here. And he was grateful. Tala reached down and gently pulled the beaten boy in to his arms, rocking him slowly as he found himself enjoying the feel of holding and comforting another boy, especially Bryan.
"Bryan.I would never, never hurt you. You know that. What has Boris done to you?"
Bryan struggled weakly against Tala as he began to sob. "Tala, do not worry of me.I will never be anything to anyone. I am a failed warrior.I am useless."
Tala again shushed him and held tight until Bryan stopped struggling. He buried his face in the smaller boy's soft hair and closed his eyes, hot tears springing to his eyes. "Bryan, if you failed, why does your bit-beast still love you? Why does it still fight alongside you?"
"I.." Bryan trembled with wide eyes as the sensation of being held and comforted washed over him along with the realization that Tala was right. Something about Tala's touch made him feel.good. Not dirty or worthless as Boris' touch made him feel. No, this was a good touch. He Liked this touch. Still he sobbed. "I am crying, I am weak, I am imperfect."
Tala gripped his shoulders and looked him in the face, tears streaming from crystal eyes and tracking down his face in tiny rivers. He made sure Bryan saw the tears.the tears he was not afraid to show, the tears he cried this night just for Bryan. He held those silver-mauve eyes with his own orbs of blue and slid his arms down to rest firmly around Bryan. He spoke with insistence.
"Bryan, Look at me. I am crying! I am right now opening everything up to you! I am just like you. It is okay to cry. I want you to cry. You are not weak, you are strong. Stronger than anyone I know."
"But,"
"Bryan!" Tala's voice was urgent. "Bryan you are perfect! You are so very perfect.Perfect in every way."
"But Boris."
"I don't care what he has said. You are perfect. You are beautiful. Bryan you are the most." Tala drew in a sharp breath. It was finally coming out. He prayed now that this would help more than hurt the one in his arms. But again he knew not what his reaction would be so indeed it was a prayer. He closed his eyes for a moment to gather composure and then as he opened them he let it all come out.
"Bryan, you Are the most beautiful person in the world to me. To me you are strong. To me you are perfect. To me you are Beautiful.Bryan don't you see? To me you ARE everything! Everything!"
Bryan looked up, taken completely off guard by Tala's words. shocked into a kind of numbness by the confession Tala was giving him. Was it coming? No.Tala couldn't possibly be trying to say.
"Bryan.I love you." Tala burst into sobs. "I love you."
Bryan felt faint. Like thousands of tiny fireflies were amuck in his head. He had felt a strange attraction to Tala for a long while, and to hear Tala say that, made his feelings grow even stronger. He swallowed hard and reached up hands shaking. He ignored all injuries for just one moment and against all of their teachings he wiped away the tears in Tala's eyes. Bryan knew those eyes saw right into his soul, right into his heart. In those pools of Aqua there was no pain no malice, and no lust. Nothing but pure, raw emotion, and a bared heart. He had been thinking too much about what to say and finally just let go and followed for the first time, his heart.
"I love you too Tala."
Tala smiled. A rare, true smile and closed his eyes.
"I love all of who you are Bryan."
With his Beyblade safely tucked away in a chest under his bed, Tala moved to look out the tiny barred window of his cell. He could see the pale moon in the stark sky and heaved a sigh, though it was not like anyone heard it. It merely echoed off of empty walls. Aquamarine eyes wandered the dark room aimlessly. He felt so alone. And he was. Separated from his team mates and from his best and closest friend, everything was so lonely. He closed his eyes in a vain attempt to ward away oncoming tears. Not tears of Pain, or sorrow. Tala had learned to block those from his mind many years ago. These new tears were tears of something far worse than pain, and stronger than sorrow.
Fear.
He rose with a start from the bed as a key slowly turned in the lock of his cell door with a hollow scrape, causing the hair on the back of his neck to rise. He had to shield his eyes from the glare of the light as the door swung aside revealing the menacing figure of Boris. Tala knew punishment had arrived and fought back the tears that threatened to fall. He could not and would not cry now since the last thing he needed right now was for Boris to see him crying. That would make Punishment worse.
"Tala," Boris stated coldly. "You have failed Tala. You know what happens to those who fail do you not?"
Tala Nodded solemnly and hoped he had kept the fear well out of his voice when he spoke his reply. "Yes Sir, they are punished."
Boris motioned for Tala to follow him out of the cell and Tala complied without protest. He kept his gaze straight forward, his eyes never moving. Tala was going to make sure no one saw the fear he had hidden so deep within. He knew what would follow this long walk. First there would be embarrassment as he was demeaned and verbally abused, deemed unworthy and insulted. Then came the humiliation, as he would be stripped of all clothes, and severely beaten, and of course there was always an audience. To make matters worse, usually Boris carried out the punishments and when the pain became unbearable, he would continue until he broke and bled him. To add insult to injury, Boris usually kept Tala as his "toy" and usually after punishment he was taken to his personal quarters to attend to his more 'personal desires'.
Tala shivered unconsciously. He could handle the Abuse and the pain, but it was the way Boris looked at him when the beatings began. That dark, sinister admiration and the perverse pleasure in his eyes were as unmistakable as the rape that followed after. Tala knew he was in perfect shape, but the way that man made him feel, was enough for him to hate his very own physique. He learned to hate his clear blue eyes, his fiery hair and his perfectly muscled torso and arms. He learned to loathe his lithe hips, long legs and god-given grace. He wished more than anything for the pain to stop, but he knew, as always, wishing would not help matters. He was a slave, and a prisoner. No where had he ever wanted to feel this pain. But he did, and he was left with no choice other than to do whatever was requested of him, or else risk more pain and punishment.
Tala remembered the time he had tried to run away from the Abbey. Bryan had helped him by distracting the guards, and by managing to keep Boris in conversation long enough to allow time for escape. Unfortunately, Tala had not remembered the gate and tripped the alarm. He was caught and when asked if Bryan had helped him escape, he had said no. He refused to have Bryan punished for his stupidity. So Tala took the brunt of the punishment, and made sure Bryan would not be touched.
It was a cruel and morose punishment. He was stripped, beaten and ravaged until he could stand no more and was then dragged down the long hallway and thrown outside into the locked courtyard with nothing between his body and the frigid snow. The biting winds and harsh temperature tore through him worse than any knife wound. For the first time in his life he cried out in pain. He screamed in agony and called for help. He cried and cried, helpless and half frozen. He could see nothing beyond his team mates and Bryan who stood in the window, forced to watch. He could see Bryan's face clearly. Lilac eyes clouded by tears and full of guilt. From that moment on, he knew he and Bryan were bound. And from the very moment he felt the cold snow on bare skin he had hated his life in the Abbey, he hated Biovolt and he hated Boris more than anything. There was but two things keeping him sane.
Tala's bit-beast Wolborg, Whom he had aptly named Fenrir, and Bryan, his closest friend. What seemed only a weapon to Boris and all the others in Biovolt, was the world to Tala. When the beatings had begun to include rape, Tala felt used.worthless. It was then that Fenrir had appeared one night out of the blade without summoning. He had placed his head in Tala's lap, in worry and support. Tala was surprised then, but he soon learned that however things went, and no matter the severity, he would always be there for Tala when he was alone. He was an unwavering guardian, even if he could not stop the pain.
Tala sought refuge in Fenrir, many times at night sobbing into the winged wolf's soft fur until with small sniffles he would cry himself to sleep. Fenrir would watch over him throughout the night until just before waking time when with a soft nuzzle to Tala, he would fade away until it was safe again.
And the times Fenrir wasn't there, Bryan was, even though he could not bury his face in Bryan's chest or cry in his arms for they were always watched when together. Bryan though, would give Tala that look, a mixture of emotions that meant more to Tala than any words or touch. He understood, they could almost speak to each other with only their eyes. And that was the one thing that Boris did not see, and it was the little loophole that allowed them to hold onto their almost secret, silent friendship.
Tala was brought out of his thinking by the harshness of a strangled cry. He shook his head quickly, clearing his thoughts and looking to the sound of the voice. The sight he received was horrifying. He wasn't sure whether to be nauseous or enraged, upset or disgusted. Never had he seen someone in such a pitiful condition. He swallowed the illness that tried to force its way up, and blinked back his tears.
"That was his punishment for failing Tala. He failed much more miserably than you my warrior. He needed to be 'disciplined'. " Boris drawled as he surveyed his handiwork with a malicious grin.
Tala felt dizzy and sick, his heart aching and almost shattering at the sight. Bryan lay limp, dangling from chains bolted to the wall. His eyes were closed his bare body covered in minor cuts and bruises. Not too severe but there were so many. Obviously he could tell that the 6 men around him had all taken turns using him as a release for sexual tension. He looked so defenceless and utterly helpless, reduced to a sexual slave. Tala could not help but growl deep in his throat. They had hurt Bryan, they had stripped him of any dignity he may have had left and Tala knew Boris had probably taken his turn too. He snarled a curse at Boris in Russian but fortunately, Boris had not heard it and he proceeded to talk to one of his henchmen.
Bryan cracked one eye open, his cheeks flushed with shame, his body sticky with sweat and proof of his abuse. He blinked slowly looking at his leader through swollen teary eyes. He opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was a soft whine. He tried to raise a hand towards Tala but could not move his arms. His soft, iced violet eyes slid closed again, and Tala could tell the pain was too much for him, both emotionally and physically.
Tala had always been able to tolerate the worst kind of pain and he was so used to this being used, but to see Bryan reduced to nothing but a doll made him more angry than ever.
"Undress." Boris commanded sternly as he watched Tala keenly, that evil glare in his eyes again.
Tala did as he was told slipping out of the white and orange jumper and peeling off the Blue shirt he wore. Removing his boxers as well he now stood completely devoid of any dignity. Yet he did not lower his head. He kept his eyes trained on Bryan, whom he felt so strongly for. Bryan was a fierce warrior in the Arena, but he was quiet and somewhat shy privately.
Tala squirmed as he was dragged over to the center of the room, maybe eight feet from Bryan. His hands were quickly bound to a large column, as were his feet. Now he stood facing the giant stone monstrosity, unable to escape. He still watched Bryan, worried and wondering just how bad his abuse had been. He had been concentrating so much on his team mate that he hardly noticed the insults or the pain from the blows, until he felt the sting of a whip across his lower back. He yelped and the pain flared up. He let tears slide, but they were not of pain from the whip, they were for Bryan. He endured the pain sagging against the column with every lash thereafter until His hands and feet were released and he fell facedown onto the cold floor. He had hoped it would stop there, but he could never be sure.
He was picked up roughly, still unclothed and in pain, and slung over a shoulder. He could see through half closed eyes that they had picked up Bryan as well and they were carrying them back towards the cells. Tala felt his hair pulled, jerking his head up to meet Boris' eyes.
"Well Tala, I can make the pain go away. If you come with me, I can make you feel brand new."
Tala openly snarled, "No!"
"Hm, your loss I guess. I had hoped you would say yes. Tala, I have decided you are the only success in my experiments." A long bony hand touched Tala's cheek as he continued. "You are my perfect Tala."
Tala actually bit Boris hard enough to draw blood as he spat. "I am nothing of yours Boris."
Boris looked like he had been smacked with a brick. He blinked in disbelief. "Tala! You dare to speak back to me? You dare defy me?"
Tala did not hear him for he was too much in pain to notice what his master had been saying. Right now all he wanted was to lie down and to be sure Bryan was alright. He had time to do neither before he felt himself black out.
He came to in the dark cell, the same cell with no lights save for candle on the small porcelain sink. He looked around, careful not to disturb his wounds, which had just begun to seal. He glanced down and remembered that he had no clothes as they had been taken from him. He was rather embarrassed but soon remembered that if this was the correct cell, there would be some clothes in the small chest under the bed. He rummaged around as best he could with his wounds and soon found the small trunk. He half expected to find it empty, and was quite relieved when there were clothes inside, along with his Beyblade. He pulled on a pair of blue drawstring pants, but chose nothing to cover his back which was excruciatingly painful, and dropping his blade into his pocket he closed the lid and put the chest away again.
"ohh."
Tala's head shot up at the sound of another voice in his cell. He looked about quickly, at first not seeing anything, but as he looked again in the corner, he found the source of the voice. Pale violet could be seen in the low light.
"Bryan?" Tala whispered, as if speaking his name would bring the guards about. "Bryan are you alright?" he continued as he made his way to the corner to check on the only other boy in the Abbey he felt he could trust. Bryan had always been his best friend, and though they were not permitted to be friends during training, he found that they were very close when in the privacy of student quarters. Never permitted to touch each other, not even to hug or give a high five, they talked about everything and nothing, happy just to be in each other's company as it made surviving easier. Now Bryan struggled to deal with the pain that their defeat in the Russian championships had brought about. Tala almost felt personally responsible because he had failed to beat Tyson. But when Tala came back to the bench, Bryan looked at him with warm eyes still happy Tala was there. Pain had come and gone, but Bryan and he remained the same.
Best Friends.
Tala turned on the sink and soaked a cloth with warm water and filled a shallow bowl before sitting down, speaking in a hushed whisper. "I'm here Bryan. I am right here."
"Boris.he.he." Bryan struggled with tears.
Tala moved back to the bed and grabbed another pair of pants and a soft silken shirt, rushing back over to his friend. He handed Bryan the cloth and watched carefully as bryan cleaned himself up. Tala took I upon himself to wash Bryan's back and when he was satisfied that the lavender haired boy was clean he handed Bryan the clothing with a soft smile, helping him to finally regain his dignity, "what is it Bryan?"
Bryan struggled with tears and pain as he tried to explain. "He. violated me again.Oh Tala."he drew a shaky breath, "He kept telling me over and over that I was a failure, that I was an imperfect child. He told me you were the only perfect child and that you would show me my true place in this world as.as."
Tala gave a start and stopped Bryan with a finger before he could say more.. This was not the first time Bryan had been taken advantage of? Tala felt his anger grow at the thought of Boris touching any part of Bryan, and to say those things he did. Bryan was just as perfect as he was, perhaps more. It was ridiculous and sadistic how Boris took such pleasure in their agony. For some reason he felt stronger about this violation than even his own, and now he had finally decided that he had had enough of the Abbey. Somehow they would escape together. He touched Bryan's shoulder gently and spoke softly,
"Bryan, he will never get to touch you again. I promise."
Bryan looked up shocked at the fact that for the first time in his life he had felt the comfort of another's touch. He blinked back the tears he tried so hard to hide. He never wanted Tala to think him weak. He never wanted his only friend to turn him away because of tears. He tried to be strong and spoke with difficulty.
"Tala you do not have to help me. Fate has chosen me as the loser, I am imperfect and."
"Hush! I will hear no more of it Bryan!" Tala insisted irritably. Boris had trained Bryan overly hard and had broken him into a life of thinking he deserved pain, that he was nothing to anyone. Tala had managed to escape that fate and now he had to make Bryan see that no one deserved to suffer like that. Bryan was so much to him, and he wanted more than anything to tell him just that, but they were always supervised. He just could never find the privacy.
Brian shrank back, as if frightened. He let out a whimper as he trembled. "Please Tala.Please don't hurt me."
Tala felt his jaw hang open. Was it that bad that he feared him so much to whimper? Boris had clearly traumatized the boy. He knew they were not being watched in here. And he was grateful. Tala reached down and gently pulled the beaten boy in to his arms, rocking him slowly as he found himself enjoying the feel of holding and comforting another boy, especially Bryan.
"Bryan.I would never, never hurt you. You know that. What has Boris done to you?"
Bryan struggled weakly against Tala as he began to sob. "Tala, do not worry of me.I will never be anything to anyone. I am a failed warrior.I am useless."
Tala again shushed him and held tight until Bryan stopped struggling. He buried his face in the smaller boy's soft hair and closed his eyes, hot tears springing to his eyes. "Bryan, if you failed, why does your bit-beast still love you? Why does it still fight alongside you?"
"I.." Bryan trembled with wide eyes as the sensation of being held and comforted washed over him along with the realization that Tala was right. Something about Tala's touch made him feel.good. Not dirty or worthless as Boris' touch made him feel. No, this was a good touch. He Liked this touch. Still he sobbed. "I am crying, I am weak, I am imperfect."
Tala gripped his shoulders and looked him in the face, tears streaming from crystal eyes and tracking down his face in tiny rivers. He made sure Bryan saw the tears.the tears he was not afraid to show, the tears he cried this night just for Bryan. He held those silver-mauve eyes with his own orbs of blue and slid his arms down to rest firmly around Bryan. He spoke with insistence.
"Bryan, Look at me. I am crying! I am right now opening everything up to you! I am just like you. It is okay to cry. I want you to cry. You are not weak, you are strong. Stronger than anyone I know."
"But,"
"Bryan!" Tala's voice was urgent. "Bryan you are perfect! You are so very perfect.Perfect in every way."
"But Boris."
"I don't care what he has said. You are perfect. You are beautiful. Bryan you are the most." Tala drew in a sharp breath. It was finally coming out. He prayed now that this would help more than hurt the one in his arms. But again he knew not what his reaction would be so indeed it was a prayer. He closed his eyes for a moment to gather composure and then as he opened them he let it all come out.
"Bryan, you Are the most beautiful person in the world to me. To me you are strong. To me you are perfect. To me you are Beautiful.Bryan don't you see? To me you ARE everything! Everything!"
Bryan looked up, taken completely off guard by Tala's words. shocked into a kind of numbness by the confession Tala was giving him. Was it coming? No.Tala couldn't possibly be trying to say.
"Bryan.I love you." Tala burst into sobs. "I love you."
Bryan felt faint. Like thousands of tiny fireflies were amuck in his head. He had felt a strange attraction to Tala for a long while, and to hear Tala say that, made his feelings grow even stronger. He swallowed hard and reached up hands shaking. He ignored all injuries for just one moment and against all of their teachings he wiped away the tears in Tala's eyes. Bryan knew those eyes saw right into his soul, right into his heart. In those pools of Aqua there was no pain no malice, and no lust. Nothing but pure, raw emotion, and a bared heart. He had been thinking too much about what to say and finally just let go and followed for the first time, his heart.
"I love you too Tala."
Tala smiled. A rare, true smile and closed his eyes.
"I love all of who you are Bryan."