Finally another chapter finished. Thank you for the awesome reviews everyone and to my faithful followers and reviewers, thank you and I'm so glad you are still enjoying this story.
Chapter 10
(A few hours later)
Ben awoke with a gasp, sitting up franticly, startled awake by his nightmares. He wrapped his arms around his tense body as he examined the room, he relaxed a bit once he recognized his surroundings, he was in Kevin's room and he was safe. He looked over to see the older teen still sleeping soundly next to him. Kevin was lying on his side, his lips slightly ajar and moving ever so faintly with each breath. Ben moved to get up from the bed, careful not to wake his bed mate, quietly grabbing some clothes to cover his still naked body, then making his way into the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face and looked at himself in the mirror. Ben couldn't help but think how terrible he looked. He was paler than usual and he had dark circles and bags under his eyes. He lowered his head, looking down at the sink lost in thought until he felt a hand on his shoulder which made him jump, he looked up to see Kevin staring at him worriedly.
"Ben… you okay?"
"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you Kevin."
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing, just using the bathroom." Ben stated.
Kevin looked at him apprehensively.
"I'll come back to bed in just a minute." Ben replied giving him a weak smile.
Kevin nodded and walked back into the bedroom, trying to give the teen some privacy, but he was hesitant to let him out of his sight, fearful something would happen to him again. He nearly panicked when he had woken up to find Ben missing from his bed, only to find the boy in the bathroom staring at the sink in a daze. Kevin laid on the bed anxiously watching the bathroom door, growing more impatient by the minute, waiting for the boy to return. At last he heard the toilet flush and the sink turn on, then off, Ben finally emerged a moment later dressed in boxers and a tee, he padded his way over and climbed into bed, he shifted and laid down as close as he could to the older teen. Kevin wrapped his arm around his waist and pulled the boy against his body before closing his eyes, Ben cuddled against Kevin's chest.
"Kevin"
"Hmmm"
"How did you know where to find me?"
"What are you talking about Ben?"
"At the warehouse, how did you know I was there?"
"When I came back from the store the door was open and you were missing. I found a small piece of torn paper on the ground that had an emblem on it, so I used some of my connections and found the warehouse and you."
"Oh… Thank you, if you hadn't come when you did they would have…"
Ben's buried his head into Kevin's chest as the memories flooded his mind and his body began trembling at the thoughts. Kevin opened his eyes and looked down at the boy, his arm tightening around the teen's waist as his other hand began stroking Ben's head.
"Ben" He said softly.
Ben raised his head to look up at Kevin, tears falling from his pain filled eyes as he shook even harder. Kevin tried to calm and reassure the teen, holding him as tight and as close to his body as he possibly could without hurting him. Ben had eventually exhausted himself crying and fell asleep. Kevin lay awake, reflecting on the events of the last few days and contemplating how he was going to help Ben. The teen was in such a fragile mental state that it wasn't going to be easy, but he was determined that they would face it together. Kevin smiled to himself as he closed his eyes trying to rest once again.
.