Before this starts. I'm sorry. And you'll find out why I'm sorry......

Trigger warning: Homophobia, mild self harm, mentions of abuse.

3rd person POV:

                             ***(flashback)***

Ren sat in his room, tears pouring down his face. He was a high school senior, and stood out from the rest of his classmates. Even in his family he was marked as different, him being gay, and an atheist compared to the rest of his family, who were very catholic.

His parents say they supported him, but never really showed it. And his siblings, all 4 of them, despised him. They would call him names, push and shove him. He was constantly blamed and ridiculed.

He sat in his messy room, crying. Crying from the words he tried so hard to not let affect him. Words that his brothers and sisters told him everyday.

"Ren, you ruin everything"
"Ren, you cant do anything right."
"No one likes you."
"You're a disgrace to god."
"Go to hell faggot"
"You make everything worse"

Even though he tried to be tough, he tried to be strong, he tried his best to get along with them. He loved and hated family. Half the time, they pretended he didn't exist. He was constantly staying at a friends house or eating dinner with them, because his parents didn't care. But they always made him come back. He didn't have many healthy outputs for the depression caused by a toxic home-life.

He didn't do that well in school, but he loved being at school because it wasn't at home. He would skip classes and hide in other teachers classrooms. And always took the long way home, to get a few extra minutes away. He knew that as soon as he walked through the door it would start all over again.

So he sat in his room, hiding from the words that tormented him. Hiding from the actions that give him bruises and blackeyes.

He sat against the wall, holding the cheap pocketknife he had purchased from the corner store. He lightly traced the blade around the various bruises on his arms. Not drawing blood, but still leaving a thin cut. Slicing an intricate pattern on his arms, like flowering vines.

It was times like these Ren was thankful his family was well off enough to where he was able to have his own room. He liked the privacy it provided behind a locked door. Though what laid beyond that door was many years worth of abuse from his family.

He stopped harming himself with the pocket knife, closing it and putting it back in his pocket. He decided he was going to spend the night at a friends house.

He made sure his bedroom door was locked, then climbed out the window.

Putting his hood up, he hopped over the fence and began walking away from the house.

He didn't know where he was going, just that he needed to get away from his family. Walking in the equivalent of autopilot.

Eventually finding himself at Doc's front door. He knocked on the door softly. And Doc's mother answered, confused.

"Oh, hi Ren. We weren't expecting you, everything alright dear?"  She asked.

"I needed to get away from my family..... I'm sorry for coming over unannounced." Ren answered, not making eye contact.

"Come in, come in."
"DOC YOUR BOYFRIEND IS HERE." She called up the stairs.

Ren heard quick footsteps across the ceiling. Watching as Doc tumbled down the stairs in a hurry.

"REN!" Doc exclaimed, concerned.
"What happened?" He noticed the cuts, and Ren's shaking hands. Giving him a hug, in an almost protective manor.

"I needed to get away.... I had a vase thrown at me... it didn't hit me but it was a few inches from my head."

"I promise one day, you will never have to go back. They can't get you here." He whispered softly.

"Oh, Ren, you came just in time for dinner, would you like to join us?" His mother interrupted.

"I would love to, thank you."
"If it's alright with you, is it okay if I stay the night?" Ren asked.

"You know you're welcome here anytime, I see no issue with you staying. Also take an extra serving of food, you look pale and thin."

                       ***(end of flashback)***

Ren lied awake, worrying that his parents would have noticed he snuck out again. Curled up within docs arms, he found peace. Still thinking about what had happened earlier. How he had once again used the knife on himself. And then without realizing walked to Doc's house.

Beep beep beep

Ren heard Doc's alarm go off, realizing he has been awake again all night. The beeping continued until Doc woke up a moment later.

"Ren what are you doing already up?" he asked quietly

"I never fell asleep."

"Stay in bed. I'm going for my morning run, and you need to rest. Try to at least chill your brain. And we have tea in the cupboard if it helps." He gave Ren a kiss on the forehead before exiting the bed.

About 30 minutes later Doc returned, finding Ren sipping camomile tea on the floor.

"How do you feel? Think you could make it to school today?" Doc asked calmly.

"I think I should be good."

"Ok put a fresh shirt on from my drawer, and then come down for breakfast, mama is making pancakes."

"Doc wait-"
"I can't thank you enough for all the kindness you and your family have shown me. It mean a lot to me."

"Ren, you don't need to thank me. I do this because I love you. And I believe you are deserving of good things."

About 950 words
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And this is why I apologized. Also part two will come out at some point

Sometimes angst is easier to write than fluff but I feel guilty writing angst ever sense my Iskall angst titled empty pain. So I try to lessen the amount of pain from the angst by making it hurt/comfort

But for now, Keep swimming my little fishies!

Much love,
SharkBait!