Chapter 11: Looking At Him Differently
Craig woke up to something crawling on his stomach. As he opened his eyes he felt pressure on his chest. Looking down he was face to face with an orange tabby cat. Craig was slightly caught off guard not expecting to see a cat laying on his chest. He lifted his hand softly scratching behind it's ear. A small squeaky meow came from the cat as it pressed on his hand forcing more rubs. Craig let out a small chuckle as he slowly sat up cradling the cat in his arms. Suddenly he felt a light tug on his finger. Looking down he could see the red string becoming more taut. "Shit, he's in the shower. Well this is awkward." As soon as he realized the word slipping through his lips the string gave a tight pull. "Son of bitch!" Craig yelled out as the cat decided to spastically wiggle out of his grasp. Luckily it was declawed. Craig sighed in relief as he was worried the cat had claws. The string tightened on his finger pulling rather harshly.
"Shit... Uhh can you come closer... I almost fell!" Levi hollered in the bathroom.
"Uhh yeah sure.." Craig said. As he made his way to the bathroom door he inadvertently pictured Levi on the floor as if he had fallen....out of the shower... At that moment the string pulled hard enough to lift his arm away from his body, forcing him to open the door so he could relax. When he opened the door he could see the Levi's hand hanging out of the shower curtain. Craig could see the redness building in his pinky from the tugging. Craig let out a deep sigh as he walked in realizing what the string was forcing.
"Well I was almost done anyway. Do you mind throwing the towel over the curtain rod, please?" Levi groaned out as he turned off the water. When the shower was turned off Craig found a towel hanging on the wall. He grabbed it while tossing it over the curtain rod.
"Thanks." Levi said taking the towel while drying off with one hand.
"Yeah don't mention it.. I mean.. Ever.." Craig said feeling his cheeks begin to burn. His finger tighten once again, he groaned as he had enough of the constant tugging on his raw finger. He practically smashed his hand on Levi's against the wall. Levi yelped in surprise as he wasn't expecting sudden pressure on his hand.
"I'm fucking tired of all this god damn tugging." Craig breathed out in relief as the tugging came to a stop.
"Yeah... Your not kidding I almost fell twice. It honestly scared me."
Craig's heart froze as he heard the shower curtains slide open. He averted his eyes just in case. Hearing a snicker he glanced over seeing Levi with a towel wrapped around his waist.
"Did I scare you?" He teased.
"I don't know you well enough to know for sure you wouldn't show me something I didn't want to see. You know like a dick." Craig said while looking away.
"Trust me, I'm not an asshole like the ones I dealt with when I was younger." Levi said while walking out of the shower.
The words stabbed Craig's heart as he quickly processed who he was talking about. Craig's breath grew short as his heart accelerated in high speed. Levi noticed his breath was short and a bit loud. "Craig, are you okay?" Levi asked while placing his hand on his shoulder.
Craig slightly jumped back looking away not daring to look into Levi's eye at that moment. "I'm fine. I... I'm sorry just... The words triggered something in me I don't want to talk about it..." Craig choked out as he wasn't completely lying but there was still the secret he was keeping he couldn't bare tell Levi, especially now.
"Craig... Were you bullied too?" Levi said while trying make eye contact with Craig. Levi tensed when he saw tears building in Craig's eyes. The moment Craig glanced at Levi the tears began to fall. This crushed Levi's heart. 'He was bullied too... I wasn't the only one... We have so much we can relate to... But that's the one thing I could never forget. I know that face when I see it... That's the same face I always made looking in the mirror when I came home crying myself to sleep.' "Craig... Your not alone... Not anymore..." Levi tightened his grip on Craig's hand causing him to look back at Levi. "You have me now.. Fate obviously brought us together. I don't know what this relationship will be... Brotherhood, close friends or even... More...but all I know is. We were brought together for a reason. So... You must know.. Whoever I care about dearly is my top priority. You are.... The only one...so... You can talk to me. I know you don't want to open up. I don't either but.. We have to stay honest with one another. Okay?" Levi said while each word came from his heart.
Craig felt even more guilt stack on top of him as he looked down at the floor knowing he had to tell Levi the secret eventually...just thinking about telling him now scared the life out of him. Craig choked up into more tears while hiding his face. Without warning Craig's whole body tensed up as he felt arms wrap around him in a tight embrace. His hand still held tight in Levi's. Levi brought Craig's arm around his back to force the hug, even though they couldn't unlock hands. "Your not alone Craig.." A soft voice was heard as the tightness around his torso grew. Craig's breath hitched as the tightness in his pinky went completely away. Craig looked down at Levi seeing him placing his head on his chest. Levi didn't let go of his tight embrace, with Craig's hand still behind his back. Craig let out a deep exhale feeling his guilt still there but loving the feeling of Levi's compassion. A smile crept on Craig's face as he closed his eyes while squeezing Levi's hand fairly tight.
Levi opened his eyes looking in the mirror. His heart sparked in heat seeing the reflection showing Craig smiling. At that moment Levi felt as if time ceased to stop. His heart rate was increasingly substantially while his breath began to quicken. 'What am I feeling? What is this warm feeling in my stomach. My heart aches in pain.. My breath is getting taken from me...' Levi's mouth gaped slightly as he observed more in the mirror. He was looking at their hands holding so tight as if the moment they parted, the two boys would never see each other again. At that moment Levi didn't know why he did it was he rubbed his finger on Craig's gently. Feeling his soft but also rough finger made Levi's stomach begin to hurt. 'There's that feeling again... What is this really? Am I sick?' At that moment he saw Craig glance over at the mirror. When their eyes met in the reflection, Levi grew light headed as he could feel his face burning in so much heat. 'What the fuck is this...the look in his eyes... His face... His body... What am I thinking?? Do I.... Find this.... Hot?!?!?!?!?'
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone