Ezekiel Jones never had the best childhood. When he said his mother was ok, not great, he meant it. He never had anybody to come to with a bad dream or when he scraped his knee. Nobody to give him hugs or kisses. Nothing. Ezekiel learned he had to raise himself. He taught himself how to clean, how to shave, how to do anything a parent should've taught him.

When he became a librarian he tried his best to act mature. Being the youngest librarian he seemed to always have to prove his worth. Prove that he isn't some immature young adult (well kid in their eyes). Ezekiel didn't know how to be a kid because he was never allowed to be one. But recently he has been craving affection. Craving hugs and things he never received growing up. Ever since witnessing Baird, Stone, and Cassandra die over and over again, he has been waking up in a pool of sweat. Reliving that same horror night after night. It was pure torture.

It was 4 am on a Wednesday night when Ezekiel was still at the library. Everyone was working late trying to solve a case, so they all decided to stay at the library for the night and get back to work once they all wake up. Everyone was asleep except for the young librarian who was on the couch in a pool of his own sweat. He could hear his heart pounding through his chest as he got up to roam around the massive library. He decided to go to the kitchen to make himself some tea which he realized at a young age makes him feel somewhat better. As he walked to the kitchen he noticed the lights were on. Stone was in there making coffee.

"What are you doing up," The older man asked while pouring himself some coffee "can't sleep?"

"Yeah, something like that," Ezekiel said while muttering the last part.

Stone turned around and starred at Ezekiel. "You sure you're okay?" He asked. "You don't look too good." Stone then walked closer to the younger boy and began to place his hand on Ezekiel's forehead, but immediately got pushed away.

"I'm fine mate," Ezekiel said. "Covers just got hot, that's all."

Stone raised an eyebrow. "Then why did I see you passed out on the couch without any blankets as I left to get some coffee?" Ezekiel gave no answer as he began to get put the tea pouches in his cup. "Tell me why you look like you've seen a ghost and up this late?"

Ezekiel was too sleep-deprived to think of any other excuses. "Fine," Ezekiel huffed "I had an n-nightmare."

Stone went silent for a moment. "Do- do you wanna talk about it?" Stone said as he put a hand on the boy's shoulder.

Ezekiel was a little taken back and embarrassed. He knew he should've said nothing but Stone knew how to crack him. "Well uh," Ezekiel croaked out. "Do you remember when we got sent to that facility that turned out to be a video game?"

Stone nodded his head as he pulled out two chairs for them.

"I kept seeing you guys die over and over again and I couldn't save none of you. I had to keep proving my worth but it- it was never enough," Ezekiel was choking on his tears. "Every night I'm back in the lab and I keep seeing you guys die right in front of me. I- I just can't do it no more!"

The young boy silently cried as

Stone got closer. "Why didn't you tell us that you were struggling for this long? I- we could've helped you."

Ezekiel looked up, his eyes bloodshot and overflowing. "I didn't want to seem weak." He whispered out. The last part made Stone's heart hurt. Why didn't he tell anybody he wondered. The young librarian was now balling and shaking in his chair.

"Hey hey." Stone cooed as he brought Ezekiel into a hug. Ezekiel's head was under Stone's chin until Ezekiel calmed down. He stayed that way for a couple of minutes until he realized Ezekiel had fallen asleep in the man's embrace. Stone knew he couldn't leave him here in the kitchen. The only option was to carry him to his room that each Librarian had. Stone picked up Ezekiel and realized he was lighter than he looked. As he carried the sleeping boy he saw Baird walking out of someplace in the library and made eye contact. Stone gave her a look which meant 'I'll explain later'. Stone made it to Ezekiel's bedroom and placed him on the bed, covering him up and turning off the lights. It was at this moment that he realized that Ezekiel was very much broken. Too afraid to be vulnerable that he rather suffer than to get help. He was a kid in his eyes but a kid who never was a kid if that made sense. A kid who grew up way too fast which led him to shy away from any human contact or anybody who could ever care about him. He hated to admit this, but Ezekiel was the strongest librarian that he knew (stronger than him at least). He gave one last look at Ezekiel and made a vow to protect that kid like his own. He never wanted him to see him suffer alone. No one should and he shouldn't either.

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