Chapter 23: chapter 24
Ronin attempted to fall asleep, the man's stern voice seemed to pick at the small strings that held him together.
He sat up, groggy, cold sweat prickling his skin. He pushed the window open, crawling out. Almost slipping on the frosted roof, his thoughts surrounded him. Reaching his pocket, he pulled out a cigarette, lighting it quickly. Relief washed over him, but his body still shivered. Percy's comfort tried to trick him.
He looked around the dark scene, afraid. Just then, the wren's small figure caught his glance below the roof. Surprised he followed the pattern of the roof onto her baggy clothes that mimicked the messy hair that covered the sorrow in her wet eyes.
Ronin couldn't speak, her presence alone disrupted his calm, now filling what he had hoped could be an escape into what he knew would be an endless circle of regret.
Helping Wren onto the low roof, she trembled, only layered in a thin t-shirt that covered more than half her small arms that held almost a blue hue as the cold seemed to cost her body in and out.
His eyes had locked on the bruises that coated her arm.
His small room trapped heat and smell. He left the window open for both those reasons, exhaling into the dark. Wren stood in the middle of the room, gripping her long shirt.
Offering her a cigarette, she took it willingly. Ronin hated her willingness, knowing it was only himself he could blame.
She sniffled, holding her arm out for balance. Ronin looked at her, holding her glance. He hoped she understood his silent apology.
He bent over, pulling out a bottle of alcohol. "Stole it from my dad," he grinned, opening it quickly.
He chugged it, coughing and laughing. Handing it to Wren, he watched her reject it.
"Fucking wimp," he urged her. She held it, her wrist shaking. It reached her mouth, burning her unbrushed teeth. She choked, spitting it on his floor. He chuckled, clearing his throat. Setting the bottle on the window sill, he signaled her to finish the cigarette. Dropping it into the bottle, he met her eyes, raising his arm slowly. She followed, shivering as his cold hand touched her side. His hands locked on her waist, pulling her closer. He watched her eyes, trying to read her thoughts.
Her waist was small, his fingers almost meeting. He pulled her closer, struggling to breathe, the overwhelming scent of cigarettes filling his lungs.
Wren glanced down at his firm arms, fighting a reaction. She looked back at him, the sharp hair falling across his face.
She didn't understand this feeling. It wasn't Percy's friendly nature.
Her eyes widened as his rough mouth met hers, her chest aching. She heard her own heartbeat, fearing he could too. Self-conscious about her crooked teeth, her wide eyes searched his for comfort.
She closed her eyes, lost in the unknown sensation. Everything she once thought had fled, only Ronin's hands could define her.
And only they would.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone