To Be Hurt

Lately, everything had been so confusing for Raven. He needed to get out of his dorm room, out of the school, and just go for a walk. He hadn't been outside in so long... he needed this. Not only to straighten out his head, but to get inspiration for his art.

Bright red hair was hanging loosely and out of his face, and the mask was covering the burns and scars of his past as well. Steel gray eyes gazed at the water and he sat down on the sand, biting his lip.

He loved Aiden.

He only thought of him as a friend.

Nothing more than a room mate.

Which was the right answer? A, B, or C? Head in his hands, he sighed. Life was beginning to feel like just another test... and he hated it.

The all too familiar sound of thunder then reached his ears. Fear came to his eyes and the fifteen-year-old scrambled to his feet, turning and running. He didn't want to get caught out in the rain.... he didn't want to get burned again...

However, he had only gone a few yards before he ran into someone. In his panic, he hadn't really been able to see that someone was now holding onto him and dragging him back toward the water.

"So, you don't like the water, eh?" the guy said before pushing Raven into the violently rolling waves. All hope of using his powers to get out of this one was completely lost.

As soon as he came up for air, though, he was pushed back down by someone else. "Let's see how badly we can scar him!!" He exclaimed before kicking the defenseless boy in the ribs, the others soon joining in.

"Stop! You're...you're hurting him!"

Raven had struggled, but he had been able to come up for air. He wasn't muscular in the slightest, so this was really hurting and straining him. His eyes were burning because of the salt water, but he was able to see the basic frame of Aiden and hear his voice. "Aiden..." he said quietly before getting swept under by a wave.

It was beginning to rain now. Upon hearing thunder, Raven whimpered.

"Leave him alone!"

"What are you gonna do about it, kid?" the second attacker said. "What are you, his boyfriend?"

Raven was able to grab onto Aiden's arm and he coughed water out of his lungs, along with some blood. He was punched in the back and a loud crack was heard and his eyes widened in pain.

That was it. Raven removed one of his shoes and threw it at the guys head, then looked at Aiden. "We have to get out of here..." he said, already feeling his flesh burning. Then there was more thunder and he whimpered again. "... Now..."

"Whatever it takes! I...I would die!"

Raven blinked. "Don't say such things, Aiden..." he said quietly. He didn't want anyone dying for him; he didn't deserve it. For Aiden to die would be depressing... he was too young to be saying such things and knew what weight they carried.

Once out of the water, the fifteen-year-old was relieved. Now all he had to do was get out of the rain... he didn't want to get burned badly like before, but it seemed that that was already happening. He blinked when Aiden removed his shirt and gave him his coat. "But... now you'll get wet..." he said quietly. He didn't want the poor child to get hurt.

"Let's go."

He nodded and held tightly onto Aiden's hand, running next to him. His ribs hurt really badly, but he ignored it, just as he did with the rest of the pain all over his skin. He could take care of it when they got back to the school.

"I'll be fine...I have the umbrella."

"I won't have you getting sick," Raven said, pulling Aiden right next to him. He hadn't known what to say to the statement about Aiden dying for him, so for now, he wouldn't. He would probably bring it up later, though.

Once back in their dorm room, Raven ran to the bed and curled into a ball. He removed his mask and flung it at the wall, buried his face into his pillow, and tried his hardest not to cry. He knew what it had really been about... it hadn't been because he was afraid of water...

"Just because I'm gay..." Raven said into the pillow, shoulders shaking as he tried to hold back sobs. He got enough of it from his mother, he didn't need other people to do this to him too.

"Here."

The older male tilted his head slightly so he could barely see the younger one. "What's the point? Why bother?" he questioned, fists clenching. He was angry with himself for being who he was, and angry at the world for not accepting. "A few more scars won't hurt. A few more burns won't change anything. I'll still be who I am, the hideous monster who hides behind a mask, the confused teenager who can't even decide if he loves you or not..."

He looked back into the pillow, unable to say anything more. Raven hated this all so much...

"You're beautiful."

Raven narrowed his eyes. "Don't lie to me..." he begged quietly. "Whatever you do, never lie to me." More tears spilled from the steel orbs as the fifteen-year-old continued to cry.

"And I love you..."

Eyes widened and he stared at the neko who was laying next to him. A hand reached up and took Aiden's, stroking the younger boy's hand with his fingers. "Do you really...?" he questioned softly, unable to look Aiden in the eyes.

"...I would never, EVER lie to you, Raven."

Raven's face softened. He pulled Aiden closer, holding him at the waist. "Calm down," he said quietly. "Shh... I know you wouldn't... I just... I can't belive what you think of me, is all..." He didn't want to see Aiden crying. Not now, not ever.

"Raven, you're amazing. And...and I would die for...you..."

He smiled and pulled the child all the more closer, kissing the top of his head. "Then I suppose we're going to the Sadie Hawkins?" he asked with a grin, though it was more of a statement, really.