Julian drove to school without having breakfast. He did not put in any effort that day. Eyes red and hair a mess, he walked in with a bag slung over his shoulder, not greeting anyone.

This was unusual and it confused most people. Julian? Sad? What had the world come to? A few asked him if he was okay. He smiled tiredly, nodding. Yes. Yes. He was okay. Everything was perfect. Just tired. Sleepy. Yeah, kinda tired. Late night.

Until he saw Reagan. She seemed to already be worried and when she saw him, she exhaled in relief "Oh good. You're here. So---what the fuck? You look like shit."

Julian frowned, "That's not nice, Reagan."

"Did you break up with him?"

"What--"

"I think he got drunk and got into a fight. Did you get drunk last night too?"

"What fight?" Julian demanded, suddenly worried.

"Wynter. He--" She paused, as if suddenly remembering something. Then she shook her head "What's wrong? Did you guys get into a fight?"

Julian shrugged, uncaring "I think we broke up."

The red-haired girl stared at him for a second "What?"

"I think we broke up. I don't think we're together anymore." Julian told her, his conversation with Wynter echoing in his mind.

"Julian...you were so happy? What do you mean--" she cut off at the look on his face. He was looking at something over her shoulder, face bloodless and eyes dark with anger. And it scared her. She'd never seen angry Julian. She doubted anyone had ever seen angry Julian.

"I'll be back." he muttered, marching down the hallway, following a hooded person.

Wynter didn't even get to make a sound of surprise before he was shoved into the art room by familiar hands.

"What happened?" Julian demanded, one hand tilting Wynter's chin upward so that he could get a better look at the purplish-pink bruises staining his throat.

Wynter exhaled in relief when his eyes met green ones. He started forward, wanting to let Julian hold him. Julian stepped away, eyes turning hard and emotionless.

The dark-haired boy inhaled sharply, pain piercing his chest at Julian's behaviour. He looked at the other boy with hurt eyes "Julian. I'm sorry about the call last night---

Julian shook his head, brushing away his words " I don't care about that. Who did this?"

"Julian--"

"Who was it?"

"Julian, please..."

The green-eyed boy sighed "Last night is not as important as this. What happened Wynter?"

Wynter could do nothing, except just stand there with tears sliding down his cheeks. Julian's eyes fell shut and he took a deep breath as if to calm himself down.

When he looked at Wynter, his eyes softened. He wordlessly gathered the crying boy into his arms, pressing comforting kisses to the side of his head. Julian did not know, why he was letting himself care about someone who was going to leave anyway. Then he remembered that this was who he was.

He had so much love to give. It did not matter if he was not going to get the love back or not, he would not keep his love for himself. Because what was the point, if you had so much love and chose to not give it to people who need it?

But Julian, you need your love too. He remembered Wynter telling him one evening. They had been at a book store, Julian's back pressed against a bookshelf, Wynter's lips on his and fingers in his hair.

Julian leaned down now, pressing his lips to the bruises, making Wynter hiss in pain. His tongue darted out to lick the skin slowly. "You won't tell me?"

Wynter moaned out loud at the mix of pain and pleasure "Julian...

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry. Please don't leave me. I'm an idiot. I fuck everything up and I keep hurting you. I don't deserve you--"

Julian made an impatient noise in his throat "Are you listening? I don't care about last night right now. I want to know what happened to your throat. Why are there these bruises?  I'm worried."

"It's okay. I'm fine. I'll be fine." Wynter turned to look away.

Julian had had enough by then. His usually gentle fingers gripped at Wynter's chin harshly holding his face in place "Look at me. Look. At. Me. You're telling me what happened. Right now. You're mine. Nobody touches you without me as a consequence. I don't care if you're leaving town or state or the damn continent! You are mine until I say otherwise. NO! Don't look away! Look at me, Wynter. "

A small mumble came from Wynter.

Julian frowned, "Louder."

"It was my dad."

Julian's grip slackened on the other boy's chin, surprise and absolute anger filling his eyes. His voice was calm when he spoke "Hayden? Did he touch Hayden?"

"He uh--shit I'm sorry," Wynter sniffled, tears gushing from his eyes despite his attempts at wiping them off on his sleeves "He stole from that piggy bank. The one you bought for her?"

Julian had stepped back by then, hands on his hips and face red with anger "Tell me what to do. You need to tell me what you want."

Wynter wiped at his eyes again, mind unbelieving of the fact that someone could care this much about him. He had hurt Julian so much, and still he was here, standing in front of him, ready to do anything. Wynter loved him. He loved Julian. He loved his selflessness and loyalty. Julian's wise eyes and calm aura. Wynter loved him for everything he was. How foolishly he had talked about leaving. He would be half dead if he tried.

When Julian's green eyes met his dull grey and brown, he melted into his arms, wet face nestled in his neck and hands scrunching up the fabric of the shirt "Make him leave, Julian. Please make him leave? I can't do this anymore. It was hard enough alone. I can't take care of two people now."

"You shouldn't have to. It's his job to take care of you. Not the other way around. Okay? I'll take care of it. Don't worry about it. Let's go pick Hayden up?"

Wynter nodded against his shirt and Julian could feel the cloth turning wetter. He did not care. He tightened his arms around the dark-haired boy, kissing his head "I'll take care of it, okay?"

Wynter pulled back to look at Julian's face, sincerity shining in his eyes "I love you."

Whoo! Love confession!

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damagedbutpure