81. Degraded
"Look at that freak! Ugh, gross!"
"Mamaaaaa! That thing's scary!"
"How can something like that exist? An actual demon!"
"Ah!" Len lands on his hands and knees, feeling the skin scrape away on the rough cement below him.
"Keep quiet, monster." The ringmaster says, slamming the door to the cage. He doesn't address Len by name. Hell, he probably doesn't know Len even has a name. He sees Len as an object, an attraction that ropes him more audience members in his dark circus. Len can't help but grit his teeth, hating the Ringmaster and hating himself for being like this.
It's not like he asked to have wings grafted to his back. Horrible, leathery bat wings he has no real control over. He can barely use them, and they always hurt, stretching his skin and pulling at him and weighing almost more than himself. He's entirely human, save for the nightmarish, grotesque things protruding from his spine.
"Len! Len, are you okay?"
And yet, there's a ray of sunshine within his dark world.
"I'm fine, Rin." He says, even as he examines his bleeding hands.
The girl hurries to his side, her torn, too-big brown dress flapping around her legs. Her hair is the color of gold, tied back by a ragged white ribbon. Her eyes, which stare into his with concern and emotion, are the loveliest blue he'll ever see, always shining. She's flawless to him; perfectly normal, nothing wrong, yet still trapped in his hell.
"Let me see," She insists, taking his hands in hers gently. Unafraid. Loving. Rin has never been scared of his disheveled appearance or his demonic wings. Always kind, always sweet. A captured angel.
The two are stuck in this evil circus together, used and treated like dirt. Len hates them all, every living thing that points and laughs, or cries out in fear. Everyone but Rin. Rin, the beautiful girl his darkened heart has fallen in love with. She's the only one who treats him like a regular person.
"Len? Are you sure you're alright?" She asks, noticing him staring at her.
He nods and leans in, kissing the thin girl lightly on the forehead. Seeing her instant blush, he smiles, feeling just a little bit better. With her, he can ignore the pain, the depression, the darkness threatening to swallow them both.
"As long as I'm with you, I'm perfectly fine."
A/N: Did- Did I just update twice, within 24 hours? Well then! ._. Reason; I'm super, suppperr busy right now so I can't keep a steady update. Sorry! Love you all! Thank you for continuing to read my drabbles; when I know I've made someone smile or feel emotion, it makes me feel so incredibly happy!
I really appreciate feedback! (Reviews keep me feeling optimistic, let me just say, haha.)
Thanks, and read on~!
~Disclaimer~ I own feely plots and fluff cushier than sheep's wool only.