"I'm impressed," Blaine commented as he sat down beside Kurt at lunch, addressing his statement to Shane. "You didn't get up early to rush down the stairs to greet Reed this morning."

Shane stared at his food, grunting an unintelligent response. It was true. Why would he? Reed would only leave with Chase two minutes later. So what was the point?

"Oh no!" one of the twins exclaimed dramatically. "Little Bat! Don't tell us you've given up on the Dormouse!"

Another grunt and now it was the other twin yelling. "Unacceptable!"

Shane resisted the urge to groan.

"You can't just give up!" Ethan grabbed Shane's head, forcing him to look up.

"Yeah!" Evan agreed, "Show him that you love him!"

"Sweep him off his feet!"

"Make him forget all about Chase!"

"I'm not going to do that," Shane murmured but despite his low volume, everyone heard. They were all equally surprised. "He's not going to "forget about Chase." It's not that easy." He sighed, rolling his eyes and looking away. "He loves Chase. And I am obviously not him."

"No! You're not!" Evan cried. "That's the point! You're better!"

"Yeah!"

This wasn't helping at all. If he was so much better than why hadn't he seen Reed since this time yesterday? Why did Reed show absolutely no interest in being his friend, never mind boyfriend? He wanted to tell them all that, but what good would that do?

Instead he muttered a quiet, "Thanks."

"I agree," a high pitched voice spoke up, making Shane look to him. Kurt was staring at him intently, completely unwavering when he continued, "Don't you dare give up so easily. I would rather see my best friend end up with you than that jerk he's with now. So you're going to sit up," Shane immediately did so, startled by how stern Kurt sounded. "Stop moping around. And at least be friendly to him. At least if you do that, he might come around. But you're not going to just give up. Because if you do," He leaned across the table, staring Shane down and making him draw back. "I will kill you."

"O-okay."

"Glad we understand each other." Kurt sat back down, continuing to eat as though nothing had ever happened.

Everyone else nodded silently, returning to their food as well, leaving Shane sitting there frozen, wondering what in the world just happened.

Shane didn't see Reed until he was walking back to Windsor once the day was done. Carrying what was in his opinion too many books, he was starting to wonder if the transfer was worth another night of catch up work. Thinking about Blaine and yes, even still unavailable Reed made him conclude that it most definitely was, even if it meant having to watch Reed be in love with someone else. And wow, is this what it felt like to have a heart attack?

A sigh escaped his lips only a second before he spotted curly hair he knew all too well by now.

"Reed?"

Reed stopped walking, and Shane thought he looked like he was flinching, but when he turned and smiled at him the thought left his mind. Reed's smile was so cute. But there was something wrong with it today.

"What happened to your lip?" He stepped closer to examine it. His lower lip was split right near the corner of his mouth, red and sore looking.

"Nothing," Reed's cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he lightly touched his lip, as if he forgot it was even hurt. "I just bit it too hard."

Half of Shane's mouth turned up. "Eating what? Bricks?"

In spite of Reed's adorable giggle he made to this, Shane's stomach felt weird, uneasy like something was wrong. He had no idea what though, but he did know it was hard to believe that Reed had bit his lip hard enough to split it open, all the way down into his skin. Who bites their entire lip anyways? But Shane thought that if anyone could, Reed would be the person to do it. Besides Reed wouldn't lie to him, would he? He would have no reason to.

After thinking this over, trying to figure out what the feeling meant, he settled on thinking that he just didn't like seeing Reed injured. And he didn't; Reed was too precious to be hurt.

"Well, you are okay, right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Reed's smile was bright but Shane had no idea how fake it was.

He didn't register that anything was wrong at all. "So where are you off to?"

"Oh," Reed said, glancing down to the canvas he was carrying. "The art building. I go there to paint sometimes, mainly when Kurt doesn't want a bunch of drying paint near his clothes."

"Oh yeah," Shane nodded with a smile. "The twins said you were an artist, but I haven't seen any of it yet. Can I come along?" There wasn't anything wrong with that. He just wanted to finally see some of Reed's art, like any friend would. Because that's what they were. Friends. And that's how they'd stay. And the sooner Shane got that through his thick skull, the better. "After that you can go back to helping me with all this," he gestured to the books in his arms.

He didn't notice how Reed's smile broke, and his eyes quickly glanced around them, searching for something. "Um." He knew Chase wouldn't find out if they kept to Windsor, but this wasn't Windsor. What if… But no, he never came by Reed's art room, not unless he wanted something. It was a rare occurrence but it had happened enough to make Reed quake with fear at the thought of Chase catching him with Shane there. He looked up to see Shane start to look worried. He wouldn't know what excuse to use if he told him no. He was kind of rubbish at making up excuses anyways. He quickly forced a smile on. "Sure."

Hopefully Chase didn't need anything today, and if he did Reed hoped he would just text or call. He could always lock the door too, and if Chase happened to drop by he would have enough time to make Shane hide in one of the closets. But if Chase caught him, the hiding would only make it seem like they were doing something worse than just talking, like they actually had something to hide. And it didn't matter what Reed said, Chase would believe what he wanted to believe; and he would be furious. Reed started to shake, thinking about what he'd do. It would hurt so bad…

"Reed?" Shane's voice cut through the fantasies that had his eyes wide with fear and his body shivering, the cause for Shane's concern. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Reed snapped out of it and forced the smile back on. "Of course. Just follow me." The faster they got to the secluded room and locked the door, the better. It wouldn't exactly bode well for him if Chase came by and saw them talking together in broad daylight either.

He scurried away, walking so fast Shane had to run to catch up. He was grinning though, still unaware of how scared Reed was feeling just from being there.

When they finally got to the building, Reed slowed down, being careful on the stairs. He didn't need any more injuries.

Once they got to the correct door, Reed smiled for real. "So this is where I keep most of my paintings. You know the ones that aren't in use." He opened the door and let Shane step in first, shutting and locking the door after him.

Shane slammed his books on one of the counters before looking up to take in the room. He felt his jaw fall open as he looked over the countless canvases. The twins were right, Reed was truly incredible.

"You painted all these?" Some he could tell were paintings but some looked like photos, it depended on the style. There was so much color in the room, so much beauty he found it hard to believe it all came from one person.

Reed tried not to blush. "Um, yes. I really love to paint, even though I know I'm not the best –"

"Yes you are," Shane interrupted, finally looking away from the artwork to lock eyes with Reed. "You're phenomenal. The absolute best."

Now Reed was definitely blushing. "Oh. Thanks." He stared at his feet, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Why, don't you think you're good?"

Reed's eyebrows pulled together. He was having trouble thinking of an answer to that. "I guess…"

Shane was genuinely surprised. "Well you're not good, you're more than good. Like way more than good. Can't you see that?"

Reed blinked at the ground, there was an unwelcome flashback playing in his mind.

Reed was biting his lip anxiously. He had finally finished the painting he had been perfecting for days. It was hard, drawing people the way he felt their personalities would look, but it was always worth it in the end. And he had done one for all of his friends, but Chase's had been the most work.

It took the longest because he knew he had to get it perfect. He really wanted Chase to like it.

The door to the art room finally opened and Chase walked in, looking mildly confused. "Alright, what is it you wanted me to come all the way here to see? It better be good." He sat down on a stool, watching Reed expectantly.

Reed's smile was wide as he ran around to the other side of the canvas. "Okay, ready?"

Chase nodded and waved a couple times in a manner that said 'hurry up.'

Reed flipped the canvas over, displaying what he had been hard at work on for days. There was a lot of red, for some reason the color that Chase made him think of was red. It intertwined with darker shades of maroon and violet at just the right places, both swirling and straight.

Chase looked it over for a second before looking back at Reed with a deadpan expression. "What is it?"

"It's you!" Reed explained in excitement. "I've been painting people by how I thought they're personalities would flow." He bit his lip again. "Do you like it?"

"I don't get it," Chase said, standing up. "How is that me? That doesn't make any sense."

Reed's smile fell. "Oh well… I don't know how to explain it…"

Chase's expression changed to one that said he was judging him, while still looking completely unimpressed. "Because it doesn't make any sense. This whole art thing is just stupid and quite frankly, I don't know why everyone thinks you're so good at it when you're not. You're mediocre at best, but probably not even that." He sneered at him with distaste, casting one last glance at the painting. "You're nothing special."

He walked out of the room at that, but Reed couldn't move. His heart had fallen into the pit of his stomach, and he could feel the lump in his throat aching every time he had to breathe.

Art always meant so much to him, it was the one thing he has always been sure of. It helped when he was feeling upset, angry, or even happy. It was something he could turn to, but being told his art wasn't special from the person that was most important to him felt like getting punched in the stomach.

The tears started to fall then, and he gasped in a shuddering breath.

Chase didn't even have to touch him to make him cry.

"Reed?" Shane called, waving a hand in front of his face. "Earth to Reed?" He had been staring at the ground for an abnormally long amount of time.

Reed's head snapped up. He tried to shake it off, but sometimes being hurt emotionally was so much worse than any pain a physical attack could bring. The words were what he'd remember long after the bruises had healed. "Um, sorry. What were you saying?"

Shane's expression showed he was now amused. "Don't you think you're good? Also you kind of space out a lot, have you noticed?"

There was humor in his voice but Reed felt a little panicked at what he said. He cursed himself in his head. He was going to have to stop being so careless. "Uh," he nervously laughed. "Yeah I guess I do." But he was thankful for the question, at least now he didn't have to answer the first one.

"So what are you working on in here?" Shane asked taking the time to look around the room in awe again. Reed used the distraction to let out a sigh of relief. He had to pull it together and stop worrying about everything.

"Oh you know, just another project for the class." He sat the canvas down so Shane could finally see it clearly. He squinted as he analyzed it and the complicated mix of color.

"Yeah, remind me to never take art. If this is a normal assignment I'd fail in one week."

Reed tried not to laugh. "I'm sure you're not that bad."

Shane fixed his skeptical gaze on Reed. "Want a bet?"

He started grinning and Reed had to raise any eyebrow at that. "I'm not sure…"

"No!" Shane jumped up, suddenly seeming very motivated. "This will be fun! Okay." He started gathering two blank canvases and easels. "Give me an inanimate object."

Reed stared at his outstretched hand blankly. "…Why?"

Shane huffed impatiently. "We're gonna see who can paint this…" He looked around the room thoughtfully, trying to find something that would work. Too bad there were no bowls of fake fruit hanging around. But he figured a pot of colorful flowers could work. "Vase of flowers better." He ran forward to grab it, setting it on the table across the room. "There now we have, let's say fifteen minutes to paint that. Whoever's painting it better is the winner."

Reed watched him run around incredulously. He had a small smile on his face by the end of it. "And what do we win?"

A thoughtful expression took place of Shane's excited one. "Uhhh…" He kind of hated himself for how much he had to fight the urge to say 'a kiss.' "Well I guess it depends on what you want because you're going to win no matter what."

Reed giggled. "You don't know that. And besides, I don't think I really want anything."

"I bet that's a lie. You're just too nice to ever tell people what it is you want. You're content with just taking whatever is thrown at you." Shane didn't noticed how much Reed's smile fell at that. He was still thinking. "What about the loser decides what the winner gets?"

He grinned and Reed had to force himself to forget about what he said before that. His mouth turned up. "That seems like a trap."

"Don't worry, I won't let your prize be anything humiliating," Shane said, innocently holding up his hands.

Eyeing him suspiciously, Reed couldn't bring himself to believe that. "You don't know I'm going to win! You could just as easily beat me."

Shane was now digging through a box of paints, pulling tubes up to squint at them in confusion. "That's a funny joke, Reed. Now what the hell does 'byzantine' mean?"

Shane tried, but really he already knew this was going to happen. He didn't even know which colors he was using until they were on the canvas, and there certainly weren't any gray flowers on that plant.

A couple of silent minutes had passed since they revealed their paintings to each other. Reed's was perfect of course, rushed even though they both exceeded the fifteen minute time limit. Shane's just looked like the mentally deficient cousin of Reed's painting. Shane didn't want to say he told him so but really… he did. He coughed awkwardly.

"So…what was that about me having a chance at winning?"

Reed couldn't help it, he laughed. Really hard. He hadn't laughed that hard in a really long time. Everything weighing on his mind just seemed to disappear. Shane watched him laugh with not at all discreet heart eyes. As the giggles died down he managed to mumble, "It's not that bad."

Now Shane was laughing. "Give it up, Reed. You may have won but you were wrong. Own up to it."

Reed shook his head, giggling again. "I'm serious!"

"So am I." Shane sat down on a stool in front of him. "So, almighty victor, what will it be? What's your prize?"

Biting his lip, Reed couldn't keep the smile off. "I don't know? I don't need a prize. I thought the loser decided anyways."

"Well, if you're sure you want me to pick it, then okay. If you say so." Shane grinned mysteriously, turning around to walk off.

Reed couldn't help but feel worried about that.

He didn't really get a lot of painting done after their little contest what with Shane wandering around the room, snooping through things and asking endless questions. He tried to do his own homework after he got bored of that but then that only brought up more questions for Reed. So by that time Reed just gave up completely and decided to help Shane with his instead, just like he agreed to do. They ended up staying there until it got dark and Reed was very grateful to receive no texts from Chase.

He double checked his phone as Shane packed up all his books and work, just making sure Chase didn't want anything. He got this far without getting caught, now that they were about to leave he wanted to make sure it stayed that way.

Being with Shane was oddly fun and stress relieving. He knew he had every right to be terrified while in his presence, and he always was at first. But for some reason being with Shane was relaxing. He didn't need to worry about something happening when he was with him. He wasn't sure how to describe what Shane made him feel, but he knew it was something he hadn't felt in so long.

He didn't consciously recognize the feeling he couldn't identify was 'safe.'

"Okay," Shane said standing up, drawing him out of his thoughts. His books were gathered in his arms as he made his way to stand in front of Reed, who stared up at him in confusion when he held them out to him. "These are for you."

Reed frowned. "My prize is carrying your books? This doesn't seem right. This seems like a loser's job. I feel gypped." He sounded amused despite the fact he didn't agree with this whole winner/loser scenario in the first place.

Shane laughed and dropped the books in Reed's waiting arms which quivered a little from the weight. He looked like he was having trouble holding them all. "You're not being gypped, don't worry."

Reed could only look at him in confusion for a few seconds before he squeaked, suddenly feeling the ground disappear from underneath him. He nearly dropped all the books, flailing in the arms he unexpectedly found himself in. "What are you doing!" The books fell against the stomach as his hands left to clutch onto Shane's shirt.

"You won, remember? So now your real prize is not having to walk back. I couldn't very well carry you and my books at the same time, could I?"

"You shouldn't be carrying me at all!" Reed's voice was still shrill and Shane tried not to notice how he was clinging to him. "Put me down!"

"No can do, victor. This is your prize now accept it." He started making his way to the door, ignoring Reed's scream of protest.

"Don't drop me!" he cried, clinging tighter now that they were actually moving.

Shane almost scoffed. "I would never drop you." He had successfully made it out the door and was almost to the steps. "Don't worry," he said when Reed whined upon noticing this. "You're not going to get hurt as long as I'm here."

Reed suddenly froze, forgetting about the stairs as his heart beat sped up. His head was a mash up of mixed and confused feelings, ones he didn't really want to understand even if he could.

It wasn't until they were out of the building that he forgot all about what Shane had said. Now that they were out in the open, even in the dark, his heart was beating fast for a whole other reason.

If Chase saw them walking together that would be bad enough. But if he found Shane carrying Reed bridal style, well. He didn't even want to imagine it.

He started thrashing around without warning. Fear was making his stomach tighten and his palms sweat. It was unlikely Chase would even be out here but he was so scared of the consequence he didn't even want to take the risk.

"Put me down!" He cried again, sounding much more panicked than before.

And Shane easily picked up on that. "What's wrong? I told you I wouldn't drop you. We made it down the stairs, didn't we? The worst part's over."

The worst part hadn't even happened yet. "Please!"

He sounded so sincerely scared Shane had no choice but to put him down. He didn't understand why he was looking and sounding so absolutely terrified, almost on the brick of tears. "Okay, okay, calm down. I'll let you down, okay?"

Reed relaxed enough to be put down gently, Shane taking the books from him as he did. "Are you okay?"

Reed sniffed a little, nodding as he wiped at invisible tears. He glanced around quickly, still looking scared. When he realized they were still completely alone he seemed to calm down.

Shane watched all this happen with a weird feeling swimming in his gut. "Are you sure?" He had no idea what just happened.

Reed drew in a shaking breath. "Yeah," he kept his eyes locked on his feet. "I'm sorry," he muttered before setting off towards Windsor, leaving Shane behind feeling guilty on top of everything else.

He didn't look back and Shane could only stand there and watch him go, trying to sort out what just happened. Reed was scared of being carried, which made sense because he didn't want to be dropped. But then he calmed down. Until they got outside. Then he completely freaked out. And Shane was desperately trying to figure out why. He felt awful for scaring Reed so badly, even if he didn't understand it. He also couldn't help but notice how he looked around, like he was afraid someone had seen them.

Maybe that was it. But Shane, for the life of him, couldn't understand why Reed would be scared of that. Nothing fit. So what if people saw them together? Shane would admit that carrying him like that did border on flirty but it wasn't that bad. Maybe Reed didn't want anyone to think they were that close. Maybe he didn't like him much at all.

Finally, he started the trip back to the house, feeling worse than ever.

Reed had already made it to his room by the time Shane got to Windsor, and he didn't see him for the rest of the night. Or the next morning. He was still feeling too guilty to go downstairs to see Reed before class. What would he say to him? Sorry for almost making you cry because I scared you half to death. He had never felt more like a dick.

The whole day seemed to pass excoriatingly slow with all the guilt on his mind. And he didn't see Reed once.

But Reed didn't know what to say to him either. Everything got too awkward. Unbearably awkward. He knew it was all his fault. If he didn't freak out like a baby then everything would still be fine. Chase never even found out.

He felt bad for causing all of the unnecessary tension with Shane but he really didn't have a time to apologize, or the right words. It was in the back of his mind all day no matter how much he wished he could just forget about it and move on. Shane really was sweet and he had a lot of fun with him, it wasn't fair that Reed had to ruin it for such a stupid reason.

"What's wrong with you today?" Chase's voice brought him out of his thoughts yet again. "You've been spacing out all day today. Are you even here right now?"

Reed stopped walking, pausing near that small garden path by the forgotten memorial that was halfway between Stuart and Windsor, the small path that no one ever really used. "Um, yeah." He answered, looking doing at his feet and not sounding very convincing.

Chase also paused, turning around to watch him with knitted eyebrows. "It doesn't seem like it. What have you been thinking about so intensely?"

Reed wasn't sure how to answer that. He couldn't tell the truth that was for sure. But he couldn't think of a believable lie either. And answering a nonchalant "nothing" would not work in the slightest when it came to Chase. He wouldn't let it go and that would only give him further reason to be suspicious. "Oh… you know…" he started, not really sure where he was going. Fortunately he didn't have to decide. A ringing from his pocket was a welcome distraction. "Sorry," he mumbled, giving a small apologetic smile before digging for his phone.

"Hello?" he answered, not noticing how Chase rolled his eyes and crossed his arms impatiently.

Kurt's voice greeted him. It was frantic and crying about stains and new Chanel. Reed bit his lip, trying not to laugh. A smile still poked through though, and he didn't notice Chase's expression turn even darker.

"Oh Kurt," a giggle slipped past. "It's okay, calm down. I'd be happy help you. Just –" he didn't get to finish his instruction because the next moment his phone was no longer by his ear. Chase had stepped forward and snatched it out of his hand without warning. Reed didn't even get a syllable out, only having enough time to turn and look at him in confusion before he saw his phone leave Chase's hand too. It was thrown toward the brick wall with force, shattering into a least three different pieces that all flew in opposite directions upon impact.

"Hey!" Reed squeaked with a dropped jaw. His voice sounded kind of angry. "That's my phone! Why would you do that!" His eyes left the wall to look at Chase. As soon as he saw his expression he instantly wished he wouldn't have said anything. The look in his eyes made Reed's knees shake and his stomach flip with nerves.

"I was talking to you," Chase all but growled, his eyes turning stony.

Reed's legs shook harder. "I-it was just Kurt," he mumbled in a pathetic attempt to excuse himself.

Chase only looked more angered by this. He stepped the short distance forward until he was close enough to grab Reed's upper arms painfully tight. He didn't even have time to cry out before the earth was moved from under his feet. When his back crashed into the brick wall, he screamed. The strength behind the action had his already previously bruised back throbbing sharply. His spine ached from the contact with the rough bricks, like the thin skin above the bone had broken, and wetness seeping through his shirt all but confirmed this. He gasped and the expansion of his lungs made the pain intensify.

"I don't give a fuck!" Chase yelled as soon as Reed hit the wall with a crack. One of his hands moved from around Reed's arm to lock around his throat, squeezing tightly. "Your attention should be on me, not Kurt. Understand?"

Reed nodded quickly, feeling tears start to leak out as it became harder to breathe. Chase squeezed tighter to lock in his message before letting Reed fall painfully to the sidewalk below.

Reed gasped, taking in another lungful of air, ignoring how his back ached in response. He rubbed at his neck, pulling himself up weakly. His legs still quivered, even worse than before. He held a hand against the wall he had just been thrown on, catching his breath and calming down. His swimming eyes looked up at Chase expressionlessly. And then he did something he never did whenever something like this happened. He walked away.

The door to Windsor flew open and Reed strode in, keeping his head held high. He tried to ignore the stinging in his eyes and the pain in his back. This was the first time he had been truly mad at Chase. And it wasn't even about him hurting him, he knew that was his own fault. But what right did he have to destroy his phone. Now how was he supposed to get in touch with people, with his mom?

He entered the common room, still trying to keep his mind clear, just to run into another problem. Shane. He froze. Great, this day couldn't get any better.

Shane stared at him with wide eyes that didn't blink. He looked like a deer caught in headlights.

He figured Shane didn't know what to say, or even how to move. Sighing in defeat, he broke the silence. "Hi, Shane."

Shane seemed to blink out of it. "Um, hi." He started to nervously wipe his hands on his pants. "Uh, look. I'm so, so sorry for what happened yesterday. That was so stupid and invasive of me and I'm really sorry I scared you. I swear I didn't mean to."

Reed chewed on the inside of his lip, feeling worse. Shane didn't even know what happened. He was feeling bad for nothing. This was Reed's fault. "No. Don't apologize. I overreacted. It just…" He trailed off, not sure how to explain when he couldn't tell the truth. "Was so sudden and…"

"Inappropriate." Shane finished for him even though that's not what Reed was going to say. "And I'm really sorry about it. We were having such a good day and then I screwed it up."

"No, you didn't." Reed started to smile. "And it was fun. So don't worry about it."

Shane smiled a little in return, looking at his shuffling feet like he was suddenly shy. "So can we just forget that last part of the day happened?"

Reed nodded, his smile growing. He didn't feel angry anymore. What Chase did had almost left his mind entirely. "Sure."

As he started to go up the stairs, chatting with Shane who was following, he was relieved he was still wearing his blazer. That way Shane couldn't see the dots of blood that soaked through his white button down.

"Chase keeps calling for you," Kurt said as soon as Reed entered his room that night. His tutoring session with Shane had just ended and he planned on showering before bed. "I don't know why he keeps calling my phone." There was unmistakable irritation in Kurt's voice.

"I do," Reed said after discreetly rolling his eyes. Of course Chase was doing this. "My phone broke."

"Oh, how did that happen?" Kurt asked as he rifled through the numerous text messages Chase has sent him. He only replied once, a simple, "Reed's not here and no I don't know where he went." But that didn't stop Chase from asking every freaking ten minutes if he was back yet.

Reed clammed up. There was no way he could tell the truth. "I dropped it on the sidewalk earlier. So it's kind of in pieces right now."

Kurt sighed. He couldn't be upset about that. "Okay, I'm sorry about that. Do you want to call him back?"

Reed turned his back to him, gathering up some pajamas. "Not particularly."

Kurt's eyebrows raised in mild shock. "Really? What happened? Did you guys have a fight?" That would explain the hefty amount of text messages and phone calls.

Once again, Reed had to pause and think about it. He couldn't tell the truth, but then again he really couldn't say there wasn't anything wrong because Kurt would start in on how Chase was too possessive of him by calling his phone this much. At least this gave him an excuse to have done that.

"Sort of…" he shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. He finally turned back around, ready to head to the bathroom. "I really don't want to talk about it."

Kurt held up his hands, "Understood." He tried to look like he found no joy in hearing this, but on the inside he was kind of smiling. He sincerely didn't want Reed to get hurt, but he thought he could do much better than Chase. There was still something about him that made his eyes narrow, and if they were fighting then maybe it was finally time the relationship ended. But he didn't want to get his hopes up.

Reed smiled at him weakly before turning and disappearing into their bathroom.

Undressing wasn't a particularly difficult task, but when you were this clumsy it could be daunting to see so many bruises and marks littering your body. Especially when you knew that the majority of them had nothing to do with your coordination.

Reed was careful to keep his thoughts blank as he removed layer after layer of clothing. He pretended not to be annoyed at the fact his white button down would need to be washed carefully with bleach…again. He pretended not to feel the stinging on his back that gave the shirt a need to be washed in the first place. He pretended that moving even in the simplest of ways didn't make his muscles ache. Most of all he pretended that it wasn't his own body he was staring at in the mirror, standing only in boxers.

He didn't want to see any of the marks on his arms from hands that grabbed on too tightly. He didn't want to see the purple on his stomach from fists that hit with such force it knocked the breath from his lungs. He didn't want to see the scratches that traveled down his spine or the bruises on the back of his legs that disappeared into the hem of his boxers, both a result of being thrown down and into things.

And he most definitely didn't want to see the cut on his lip or the bruise on his face. Because if he could see those then that meant everyone else could too. He could try to hide it from himself, but everyone else? He didn't think they would be fooled so easily.