My own punching bag [open]

[Craven Grimley]

Thanks to the certain twist of events so far Craven was filled with anger and frustrations and he hadn't seen, heard or spoke of Romeo in nearly two weeks now. It was easier pretending that Romeo didn't exist. It was easier pretending that it had in fact just been a nice dream. That it didn't really matter much to him. Craven's breathing was level as he lunged and punched the way Tanner had taught him when he was about ten in the gym back home at the mansion. From all the bouncing his body was already wet with sweat but no amount of lunging and punching could make him ignore the fact that he felt empty.

The way Romeo smiled...

Craven growled gritting his teeth as he punched into the red bag and jumped back.

The whispered words between them after the sex...

Craven gave a little scream and lay into the punch bag, the elegant bouncing that he'd been drilled into doing by Tanner, completely lost now. He was angry and frustrated. If only he had a girlfriend who'd put out!

Craven fell to his knees at the thought staring at the ground as he steadied the punching back. How could he even think that about Gia?! What was wrong with him? Craven breathlessly fell on his side, panting, hot and sticky. His eyes found the pair of feet in the doorway before he realized and he stared at them, not even daring to move. Whoever it was, he had no interest in speaking so they might as well turn around and walk away. He wanted to be left alone. He wasn't Craven anymore. He was just empty.

[Romeo Buckland]

“Woah, woah. Hold on there buster!” yelled Romeo from across the room (from the door really, since he already finished his own workout and was on his way out), laughing as he approached the punching bag and the figure, “Careful. They say replacing those punching bags cost quite the fortune. Unless of course, you’re one of those rich brats like that jerk LaRousse and his friend Castille, or like my friend Cra-Craven?!”

For a second or two, Romeo just stood there, both hands on the punching bag as he tried to steady it, eyes looking straight down at his distraught friend. Considering what time it was already, most of the lights of the gym has been closed and the night sky didn’t really help much in aiding the boy identify who was the mysterious figure from afar. While he would agree that it seemed rather familiar (he’s heard the boy groan a thousand times too), it hadn’t really crossed his mind that it was Craven doing all those. Since when did he learn how to land a solid punch anyway?

Taking in one big gulp, the Irish boy knelt down beside the boy and offered his recently filled bottle of water. “Here. You look like you’re going to die soon. Drink up,” said Romeo with a wide grin, trying not to let the confusion of the past two weeks surface, “And here, towel. Wipe yourself clean. You look utterly revolting.” He added a wink to the last part, teasing just a bit, just like he used to.

Heaven knows them sleeping together (and him suddenly leaving) would mean the ‘good old days’ would never come to be, but he can try.

“So, care to tell your best friend the problem? I hear it works better than making your knuckles so damn bloody,” continued the boy, confidence masking his anxiety, as he crossed his legs and gave Craven’s sweaty hair a good ruffle. Nope, he’s not leaving this time. Even if Craven sends his legion of black beaks after him.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven winced when he heard and recognized the voice in the darkness and slowly he sat himself and stared at the face he knew so well. The face he loved. The face, even now, he wanted to lay kisses all over but pure anger overrode that feeling and a sneer took the place of what used to be a gentle smile. All the weariness was gone from his face while he was offered a drink and a towel. Craven moved quickly
slamming his hand into the bottle and shoving it hard into Romeo's before balling his first and aiming it directly at Romeo's thigh.

"You're my f*cking problem Romeo! Stay away from me, you using bastard!"
Oh my God, he sounded like a girl. Craven aimed a hard shove at Romeo's chest and shoulder before growling like a lion about to attack. Craven scrambled and stumbled to his feet.
"Don't ever touch me again. You're NOT my friend and I want NOTHING to do with you or are you too thick in the head to catch a hint, idiot."
Craven backed away as he flung insults.

He'd done the same to Gia. He'd done the same to anyone who was around him at a time when he was about to turn into a raging animal.

[Romeo Buckland]

Romeo did nothing but stare and smile weakly as his water bottle got thrown away, his thigh punched, he himself got shoved and pushed down on the floor and got a string of insults flung at him. He may be a douche on the outside, but he still had his conscience with him. Guilt about what he did to Craven – how he toyed with the boy, used and played with him, then left him hanging (so to say) when he felt some unexpected emotion well from inside him upon knowing about his friend and Gia – had been eating him over the past week that he’s actually happy that such a confrontation has happened. Hopefully all will be resolved now.

He could hope.

Still, he did not expect such a punch to come from such a shy and sweet boy that he found himself smiling slightly as he got up and looked at the boy straight in the eye. “So maybe I am too thick in the head to catch a hint. Metallic armour remember?” he said with a smirk, tapping the side of his head, “Guess you have no choice but lay it all down to me, right?”

Nope. It doesn’t even make sense in his mind. But heaven be damned if he let Craven push him away again. He did it once, not going to happen again. Sexual urges aside, Craven was a fun friend and he wishes to at least salvage that.

The boy moved closer to Craven, sitting right beside the boy and leaning back on his arms as he looked up the ceiling. “I should never have kissed you that night. If I only knew this would complicate things, I never would’ve done it,” muttered the boy, his tone surprisingly devoid of his usual sarcasm and was actually sincere, “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret with you being my first ever, but if only I knew you were already with Gia, I wouldn’t have done it.”

“Why didn’t you stop me anyway? Why’d you let me continue if you already told Gia you’ll be giving her a chance?”

[Craven Grimley]

Craven stopped near the door when Romeo got to his feet and came to sit right beside him. The fact that Romeo didn't even bother to fight back made him flinch at every attack her gave Romeo. It was hard to do this to Romeo. Romeo who would never intentionally hurt him. Nothing he did made Romeo fight back and he even agreed with being stupid. Craven sighed and flopped down beside him as Romeo began to talk flinching at each and every word. His anger had made him too tired to keep going with his attack on Romeo. He was just... tired now.

Why didn't Craven stop him?, he asked. Why did Craven let it go on? Craven groaned and covered his face for a long moment before pulling his hands away from his face to cup Romeo's face instead so he could look into the boy's eyes and get the boy to understand what he was about to say next.

"You still don't get it! Romeo, how could I have been your very first and you have no feelings for me what so ever. It isn't possible. You're supposed to be IN LOVE with me too. "
Craven frowned at Romeo stroking at his lover's cheeks gently as he looked for some form of understanding in Romeo's eyes.
"I'm IN love with you Romeo. "
Craven whispered, his stomach flipped as he slowly pulled his hands from Romeo's face and back to his own lap.

Craven dropped his head to stare at his raw knuckles.
"I've had a crush on you for years and then you kissed me... You were just a fantasy at first. But...You kissed me and became my first."
Craven dared a glance at Romeo and swallowed down the lump in his throat.
"Then you worried about your reputation and I realized I meant nothing to you. I know I sound like a girl... It's embarressing."

Craven sighed and slowly got to his feet looking down at Romeo.
"Rome? It hurts to be near you and not be able to kiss you. It hurt that I can't stroke your face in public or nuzzle into you when you make me laugh. So... I'd appreciate it if you left me alone to live my life with Gia and tried to pretend that I don't exist like I'm trying to do with you okay?"
Craven's voice was soft, pleading. The dimwit had to comprehend now right?

[Romeo Buckland]

Romeo was – once again – rendered mute.

It’s as if his voice just left him when Craven held his face in between his hands and spoke. Romeo just sat there, listening in silence. His face showed no sign of boredom or discontent; it was pretty clear that he was holding on to every word that Craven said. And though the truth in the boy’s words were like ice cold daggers that not even his metallic skin can fend off, he tried his best not to flinch and look at Craven straight in the eye. He figures he owed the boy at least that much.

I’m in love with you.

Craven’s confession somehow made everything clearer. Explained why the boy stuck with him despite his asshole-ic personality. Why he doesn’t get angry all that often with him even if Romeo (frequently) goes out of line. Why he told him he’s always ‘teasing but not following’ that fateful night. Why he didn’t resist when he already promised his heart to someone else. Why he didn’t tell him about Gia even though they’ve been sleeping together for a week. Why he seemed so hurt when Romeo told him they can’t be seen romantically-linked by people, but still agreed to do it with him when he comes by every night.

Why couldn’t Craven just be a girl anyway? Because apparently, in the Irish boy’s mind, things will be a whole lot easier that way.

Romeo did grab Craven’s handwrist when he finally stood up, muttering an almost inaudible “Sorry”. He knows it couldn’t possibly make up for the wrongs he’s done, but he just doesn’t know what to do. It’s not like he’s ever been in a situation like this before, nor has he encountered anyone that might’ve given him insight on how he should approach it. How he wishes for some manual of sorts right now.

“That’s harsh,” he tried to say with a smile, but end up biting his lips in embarrassment and hurt instead. Losing Craven altogether seemed too much, but now that Craven’s told him why, he sees why they couldn’t even be friends at least. Truly he’s already ruined his chance and there seems to be no turning back now. “But fine. I’ll try.”

Hand still wrapped around Craven’s wrist, he quickly stood up and grabbed the other boy into a hug, planting a light kiss on his lips before pulling away. “You be good to her, ok Cravee?” he said in an almost brotherly way, ruffling Craven’s hair trying his best to give Craven a sincere smile.

Because if this’ll be the last conversation he’d have with Craven, better it end on a lighter note, right?

ooc:
Angel! Sorry this took so long. And if it is too sappy, melodramatic or just plain crappy. D;.
- Jam

[Craven Grimley]

The hand grabbing his own and then changing to his wrist instead made Craven want to pull back so fast he nearly gave a sharp twitch. It was like Romeo was on fire right now and Craven was frightened of getting burned. He'd nearly ruined everything with Gia because of Romeo and what? For nothing. Egotistical jackass. Craven had merely been his little slut boy and he couldn't allow himself to be lowered to that standaard. He would inherit millions. He would get to become anything he wanted to be. He could own anything he wanted.

Why would he lower himself to Romeo so Romeo could wipe his shoes on Craven? This thought filled Craven with so much hatred for what used to be his close friend and LOVER. His first love. Good. He needed to hate the guy. More then he hated Odion right now even. Craven hissed into the kiss that he was being given, the arms that were embracing him and he glared at the other boy as if he meant to kill with this look. His haire was ruffled and he yerked his head out of Romeo's way before aiming a punch at Romeo's gut.

"Also, stop treating me like I'm your five year old kid brother. Go ruffle someone else's hair. Play much someone elses shoulder and grow up. "
Craven said in an emotionless voice before he turned and stomped his way out the gym. Had he even managed to get through Romeo's thick skin...? Impossible. Totally and absolutely impossible.

[Romeo Buckland]

Romeo’s heart sank (even more) when he saw Craven flinch from his touch. Never once had Craven shied from him – not once during the times when he picked on him too much, not during that one time when he accidentally punched the boy in the gut while ‘play-fighting’, never when he thrust in too hard without prior warning and tears appeared on the boy’s eyes.

Had he really been a monster and hurt the (once) shy and reserved boy that much?

He bit his lip slightly as he thought about all the things he’s learned today. That Craven’s been pining for him ever since they met. That he didn’t stop him when Romeo made his advances because he thought the douchebag Irish boy felt the same. Kept hoping, throughout that short week that they’ve been extremely intimate with each other, that Romeo would turn around and feel the same way.

But he didn’t.

Romeo would like to argue that what Craven is asking (or rather, had asked) is a bit too much. That while he knows now that he sees Craven as more than just a close friend, he’s not exactly sure if he’s comfortable with that. Or that he’s comfortable with people seeing him like that. He’s still unsure if he’ll go and joust for Craven at his state (imagery courtesy of his supposedly chivalry-inspired literary background) and it’s more than unfair for the boy. He just can’t.

The punch was certainly unexpected, and while it hurt like hell, his recent ‘epiphany’ somehow told him that he deserved more. Lots more.

Clutching his stomach, he fell on his knees and watched Craven walk out in silence. Once the pain subsided, he slowly stood up and shifted into his armoured form, sending a punch towards the nearest punching bag as he let out a guttural growl. Intentional or not, the impact of the punch punctured the bag, sending sad everywhere.

“I need to make things right. Somehow.”

ooc:
Eeep. Too melodramatic. >.>. Anywho, is this a wrap already? Haha. Thanks Angel! <3
- Jam