Just A Little
The beams of faint light that passed through Casey's red curtains glowed on their skins. Theo awoke to a red effect that filled the room. He couldn't stop thinking about his dream. His dream that recurred his parents, his brother, his friends, both old and new. What did it mean? He was confused, but thought not long. He could only remember smaller details until it became nothing but a short memory in his head. He felt stinging eyes, but he showed them not. Instead, he looked over to the sleeping figure next to him. He gazed at his face, a sight he was glad to see, rather than that impossible shadow he saw in the distance. He sighed and rested his eyes as he flipped sides so his back way towards Casey. He napped on it, until he felt someone's arm wrap around him. He was shocked, yet not uncomfortable. He felt warmth, and he felt close contact, something he missed. He felt Casey's small exhales on the hairs on his neck, and Casey's soft hand gently glide across to his chest, over his heart. He felt like crying, because it has been a while since, he let someone so close touch his heart. Literally. He felt some movement until he felt a head touch the back of his spikes, and felt a small peck glide down his head. This was it. He placed his own hand over Casey's, the one over his heart. He brought down a few tears, which was felt bu Casey's senses.
"Hey, are you crying?" Casey whispered sheepishly by his ears. He could hear faint sobs but the dimmed down.
"N-No, I'm fine. J-Just woke from a nightmare is all."
"Yeah right," He pulled his arms and flipped Theo over to look at him.
"You got trails of tears along your face." Casey wiped off his wet mark off his reddened face with his thumb, and held it there to prevent any more.
"It was a real bad nightmare for me. I-It's just..I'm fine Casey."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Casey brought his hand off his face. Theo thought about it for a moment. Could he tell him? He knows enough but not too much. It was going to be a matter of time, right? Nah, not yet. Theo shook his head indicating his response.
"Okay," He got up from under his red blanket, walked over to Theo's side and helped him up from his position. He waited for Theo to have been well rested, and then placed his arms around Theo, and engulfed him in a hug. An affectionate one. One that showed he cared and was here for him. It was chest to chest, he held on so tight, it was as if their hearts are being tied together, rhythmic and in sync. Casey felt a warm, wet sensation on his bare shoulder. He pulled away to see more tears cascade down Theo's helpless eyes.
"T-Theo, I-I.." He bore into Theo's glistening eyes, they met straight on, and he was struck for words. He could see it. His soul. It was unpleasant deep down. He could see he's living in a shadow, he is filled with fear, and it's as if his skies were gray. Casey hasn't seen this side of Theo before. He was surprised such pain and hurt could be seen by him. Finally, Theo blinked and the single tear fell, which Casey wiped before it followed down the trail.
"I-I'm sorry, Casey. I'm sorry I'm so weak." Theo looked down, he knew his attitude he was portraying and this one was not following his guideline. It was one where he was able to bear true emotions, especially to someone that has never seen him at his weakest. He placed trust in Casey, and became the blubbery sob, filled with horrific experiences, from inexperience to past experience. He didn't want to remember. But his dream brought it back.
"Theo, you are not weak. You're the strongest thing out there that I know. I know what you must be going through, but I want you to know that you don't have to feel so bottled up around me. I just wanted your trust, so don't feel different from who you really are." Casey lifted up Theo's head to line up with his own sight
"I want you to know I'm here. Theo, I..I.." He couldn't say what he thought. Maybe it was because he didn't know what he was thinking. He just left Theo there helpless and walked into the bathroom and got prepared. He couldn't bring himself to act that way around him now. It was something. He just didn't know what it was.
–
The two boys walked slowly into the living room and Casey held onto Theo and supported him as he felt depressed. It hurt to see him this way. One day he was the happy carefree Theo he wanted to be. Now, he was a mess. He was able to carry the load, until it was too much to bare and erupted, dropping who he wanted to be, and became someone who had to face his past. He wanted to help. He was here. He tried to stress that point.
"Boys, you hungry," Casey's mom had asked as she came down and heard the two.
"Not yet, just make it for us." Casey said on behalf of them both. There they were. They just sat there, where Theo was still brooding. He couldn't think nothing but that.
A while passed where breakfast had stirred around the house. The smell of toast, eggs, and orange juice activated many senses.
"C'mon Theo. Even the strong guy needs to eat some time." Theo kept his head up this time. He didn't want to bring everyone down with droopy emotions and some kind of sympathy. He tried and tried but he placed himself down as the cheery attitude tried to keep him lifted.
"What's wrong Theo? Aren't you hungry?" Casey's mom had scooted close and ran a few fingers through his messed hair. He flinched at the slightest touch.
"He's just traumatized from a nightmare. He'll get over it. He's not hungry." Casey cleared up. She took her plate and washed up before leaving the two by the table.
"Casey." Theo finally spoke.
"My nightmare. It was something that scared me." Casey was now paying his full attention to him now, if he's opening up now.
"It started with me, my brother and my parents. My family. We were together, in my old home. We were happy. It was the last time when I was happy. I was about 4 in that scene. I was cared. My mom, My dad, My brother. I had a family to share. I was glad to see them again. But then,.." He choked on the bad part. He was shaking as he was telling his tale.
"The door blew open. My parents were gone. My brother and I were all that was left. I asked for them back. I needed them. I, I just want my family again." Theo bellowed to Casey. He was now sobbing and held onto Casey.
"It's- It's not that I may want them back. O-Of course, I do. But, it's more of the memories. I just don't have many pleasant ones. Ones that I will remember forever. Just terrors. And I cry when I think about it. I miss their voices. They were played through. I missed the happy tone they had. Instead, it was replaced by worry. Those voices, make them stop Casey." He cried, bellowing his emotions into the one shoulder for support.
"Theo, I- I'm so sorry. I can't imagine. But please Theo. Stay strong. If not for you, then for me Theo. Be strong so that you'd see me smile when I look at you." They looked at each other again, until Theo stopped.
"Thanks Casey. I do want to stay strong. I'll do it for us." He smiled this time. A true one, and Casey reflected that back at him. This made him smile more and Casey showed the same. It grew until it burst out laughing. It was a real moment.
But behind the wall, "Oh, dear."
