[ youngest son ; maple & shades & losers ]

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

It had been a week, and James had made it very much possible to avoid everyone and anyone. He ate lunch in the studio and music room, or even the special education center, sometimes even the office. He barely went to class and preferred to have the teacher help him read, take tests, and all that good stuff. The school thought it was his fault he made someone mad, and though Casey Thompson got detention or whatever, the boy didn’t get much else.

However, it wasn’t lunch; it was that free fifteen minute break between classes; James wasn’t too worried that he only had a second before the bell and was mindlessly walking with his headphones in and the music filled his ears sweetly. He barely noticed the students at the end of the hallway, glaring at him.

When he did, his blue eyes looked up widely; noticing them like they were a dinosaur about to bite off his head. Looking around sadly, he turned around to walk away; noticing another boy had come up behind. Eyes widening, James Skyes backed into the wall.

One guy came forward and grabbed his arm, them laughing and calling him freak. Two guys had his arms now, dragging James to the nearest closet, another opening the door and them both shoving him inside.

Yelling mutely, James moved towards the door as it was slammed in his face; enclosing him in darkness. It wrapped around him like a blanket, coating him and making James breath quicken. He pounded on the door, hearing the laughter outside as they held it close. This went on for a few minutes before James backed up to the shelf; falling into it and crashing, legs curling to his chest as James wrapped his arms around them securely.

Rocking back and forth, hearing them jeer at him from outside; the monsters gripping James like they did from under his bed when he was a kid. Hot, salty, tears fell from his eyes as James silently rocked, staring ahead and feeling darkness continue to grasp and slice him, hurting James mentally.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Belle hadn't seen James much that next week - pretty busy herself with getting caught up on her practicing hours and school work. She was just coming back from practice now, her pointed toes padding lightly in her dance shoes while she went towards the locker room to change. In the back of her mind, like always, was James, and thinking about where he was and what he was doing most all the time. 

 Matty Dupree:

    Matty was walking between classes just like everyone else, a few of his main buds loping beside him as he gripped the strap of his small backpack. With non interested eyes, he passed a group of kids snickering around a closet; that was until he heard them shout the word 'freak' at it. Matthew stopped his friends, turning his chiseled, tan chin towards the group, now a bit past them, and nodding his head towards their direction. "Hey, guys. Who are you talking to?" he asked, for a split second thought they'd even meant him, that he was the freak, but they weren't looking at him, going back to walking away and trying not to make a scene.

    Some kids stared as they passed but no one stopped to help. Matty, like his sister, was too curious for his own good. So he moved towards the kids, telling his friends to move on without him. He caught one of them before he could dash off, some dick face he'd never met before, and held him in place by the collar of his shirt. "Who'd you put in there?" he growled, looking for an answer. None of the ones the guy gave him meant anything and finally Matty decided he'd have to investigate himself. 

    Stepping towards the door as the last kid ran off, Matty let out a sigh. "Yo, who's in here? They're gone, you can come out," he offered, his voice gruff like it always was. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

He’d always been afraid of the dark and the monsters in the closet and under the bed. At one point his father had a spray bottle of ‘Monster Away’ that got rid of it. Foolishly, James got rid of it thinking he was a big boy and could handle it. Within the week, nightlights trailed the house, from his room to the bathroom, most places James would roam in the dark.

To say James wasn’t terrified would be an understatement.

Shuddering, sobbing silently, James rocked back and forth trying to escape the gripping darkness and not realizing the light was within reach. In his mind, there was no turning back, it had swallowed him whole. The music was a loud screech from hell and James Skyes covered his ears, tears trailing in lines of his cheeks.

In his head, besides the darkness, there was blood from the monsters that had swallow him whole. In reality, his finger nails had dug crescents into his upper arms; bleeding, and leaving his fingertips bloody. The wet feeling making James mind snap and think in the darkness he was alone, bloody, battered, and the red eyes and glare was all around him.

Biting down on his tongue to hold back terrified and pained howls, only letting muffled sounds escape his lips. His body was still rocking and curled in on himself, toes curling in his converse.

Terrified.

Alone.

Those were what were in his head. And though the door opened, and light filtered into the closet, his mind was still in darkness; watery blue eyes staring ahead, hands clamped over his ears to not hear the anguish and angry yell, and whispers in the dark.

[Maple ♥]

Matty Dupree:

    Through the door, Matty heard muffled cries and thought maybe whoever was inside was hurt. Slowly, he pushed open the door, letting light into the room, and blinked to let his eyes adjust. When he looked down and saw the kid Belle had been hanging out with lately, he kind of debating if he should leave him or not. But with the sad look on his face and how miserable he was, Matty's heart strings got the better of him. He was soon crouching down, biting his lip because men didn't usually handle this kind of stuff with other men and God he hoped no one saw him in here with the nerd. "Hey, man, it's okay. They went away," he urged, eyes flashing here and there in uncertainty at the whole shebang. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

Tears just streaked down James’ face as he whimpered at the sounds of the monsters around him. Flinching away to their glares, in his own world of evil and darkness. Not even noticing Matty and the open door to freedom. No, his blue-gray eyes stared dully and widely ahead, afraid, and terrified; the bloat staining his fingers and James still rocked back and forth.

[Maple ♥]

Matty Dupree:

    Matty bit his lip again, looking around the closet. He didn't know how to help the kid or what to do, and it was making him panic a bit watching him have a mental break down. Before the kid could make himself bleed more, Matt slipped his phone from his pocket and called his sister. Maybe she'd know what to do. 

Belle Dupree:

    Belle was just about to walk into the locker room to change when her phone buzzed in her hand. She rolled her eyes at the name on the screen, but answered anyways. "What, Matty? I'm busy."

    Matty's voice sounded panicky to her, and instantly she stopped walking. "Belle, that kid you hang out with is having, like, a break down or something."

    Belle raked her mind for people she'd hung out with lately and when he mentioned kid, meaning boy in Matty langauge, Belle's backpack dropped to the ground and spilled on to the floor. But she didn't care, because she was running down the hallway as fast as she could. "Where are you?" she snapped, moving towards the main hallway out of habit. 

    "The maintenance closet, near the gym."

    Belle was tearing cheek, running fast; her lungs panted with lack of breath, her hair trailed behind her, her arms pumped by her sides. Belle had never been a runner, but if you saw her now, led by adrenaline, you'd think differently. 

    Seeing Matty stepping out from an open supply closet, Belle tried not to let her panic well up either. She gripped the side of the closet to stop herself, turning roughly to see into the janitors area. When she saw James, her eyes widened at the blood and her heart seemed to stop. Instantly she was on her knees, moving towards him so that she was pressed to his knees comfortingly and held his face in her hands. "James-" she tried to choke down the tears he was making her want to shed. "James baby, I'm here. It's me, Belle. You're alright, you're safe," she didn't know what she was saying, just that she hoped it was comforting enough to him. Matty stood back uncomfortably, keeping watch for anyone who passed by.

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

Blinking at the voice, his mind was torn away from the darkness and leaving him with Belle’s pretty face. A tentative finger reached out and stroked her cheek, the salt of his tears stinging his lips as they fell but he paid no mind to and held back a flinch; licking his lips instinctively. Blue eyes sorrowful, and apologetic that she had to see him like this.

With a final rock, James popped onto his knees so he could press close to Belle. The darkness being disintegrated into shallow shadows, the monsters destroyed by the wonderful light from Belle’s face. His thumb rubbed circles over her cheek, James’ breath slowing and calming down.

It only took her presence to make him feel safe because nothing could touch him if his Belle was around. Not even the darkness.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Belle put her hand softly over his as he rubbed her cheek, tilting her head to the side and bringing him close to her in a hug. "You're safe," she mumbled, arms wrapped around his neck and holding him almost. 

    The fact that she was the only person who could calm him down really made Belle feel good. That she was helping. That slowly she could begin to convince James of his beauty and significance - that he was more than just the autistic kid. Her fingers trailed over the muscles in his back softly, arms not wanting to let him go.

    Matty Dupree. 

    Matty cleared his throat, the awkwardness of it all too much for him to process, really. He had no intention of staying much longer if he had too, but he was glad the kid was okay because of Belle. "I have to go to class, Belle. Are you...okay here?" he motioned with his large hand, the other tucked over his chest as he pushed himself away from the door. 

    Belle just nodded, still holding onto James and making sure his breathing settled down and tears stopped flowing before she pulled away. Matty scratched his neck, glancing down the halls a bit, before clearing his throat again and picking up his bag. "I'll see you later, I guess..." then he was slowly walking away from them back to class. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

As James calmed down, he looked over at the retreating Matty with wide, innocent, blue eyes. “Thank you.” He spoke, quivering lips as his arms moved around Belle’s torso carefully. Fingers digging lightly into her skin and his body moving into her touch calmly. The tears drying on his cheeks and making them sticky, clammy, and hurt. His own claw marks were drying fast, but the blood dried dribbling down his arms. He looked like a mess, but James Skyes never cared about himself. Only the rhythm, the beat, the music, Drew, David, mom, dad, and most importantly, Belle.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Finally, Belle let go of James slowly, but her fingers found his so that she could look over his arms. She winced slightly and held the skin around the claw marks delicately. "We should get you cleaned up," she spoke, glancing up at a first aid kit hanging on the wall of the closet. Letting go of him for a few seconds, she moved to pick it from it's perch and set it back down on the floor in front of him. "Don't worry - nothing bad. Just some wipes and bandaids," she held them up for James to see before grabbing for his arm again to wipe off the dried blood with a alcohol wipe. After doing it quickly, she blew on his skin to stop the sting, like her parents used to do for her when she was kid. After that, she unpeeled a bandaid and stuck it over two of the biggest scratches, then did the same for his other arm. Because Maple is the sappiest roleplayer ever, Belle kissed over the top of the bandaids softly, eyes fluttering at the feel of his skin under hers. Gosh they were so cute. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

Flinching at the stings, but his blue-gray eyes were trained on Belle as she did her work to help him. Smiling lightly, James buried his nose into Belle; enjoying her smell and her person and because Shades has no idea what to do next.

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

{ Mature }

The nurse told Lauren that there was a new counselor on staff who specialized in taking care of mental unhealthy patients and comforted James’ mother in knowing that he’d be safe. James didn’t want to see a doctor, they were always frightening. They made him think of pain and the sterileness of a hospital, and he’s been there many times and each time scarier than the last. But this hospital wasn’t like the ones James had seen; it was a bit homey-er and not as white. James hated the color white. There were a few plants dotting the living room as his mother talked with the nurse at the front desk in hushed tones about him—he knew it was about him but didn’t react, just played with his thumbs in his lap and blinked a lot.

When Lauren was done talking to the nurse, she turned back to James and gave him a loving smile. “After this meeting, honey, we’re going to go meet up with Belle. Just try your hardest to get through it nicely, okay?” she patted his knee and kissed his forehead, grabbing his hand softly to escort him towards the door leading to the back. His legs fled like lead; he didn’t want to go beyond the door and leave his mother behind. He didn’t know these people, what if they hurt him or his head or his cheeks like the bullies did at school?

The nurse, which badge name read Mrs. Stine, grabbed his hand just as softly as his mom had and took over for her. As they walked just past the tinted windows of the room separating itself from the back one, James glanced over his shoulder at his mom fearfully, but all she did was give him a thumbs up.

Behind the wall was a jumbled mess of other patients and doctors in lab coats; not normally dressed doctors like James had seen before with their awful masks and hairnets. It calmed him a bit that music played in the background, his fingers drumming against his thigh as Mrs. Stine led him down a hallway, past many doors, and finally to where a young man, who didn’t seem to be old enough to be a doctor, stood talking with a female patient. Her eyes were swollen from crying and it made James worry even more; he didn’t want to cry or be here or be with people he didn’t know.

Mrs. Stine patted his hand. “James, this is Dr. Randy. He’ll be helping you today during your session.” The man waved off his friend who shouted a name back—Andrew—and so it was the doctors’ first name apparently. James hand was engulfed in Andrew’s large one suddenly, being shaken and making his whole body tense up slightly.

“Hello James, I’m Dr. Randy. I’ll be taking care of you today,” he said kindly, but James didn’t want to look at him. He was nervous; he’d never been to one of these doctor appointments before and had only gone out of his house to do so because Belle asked him too. And he’d always do what she asked of him.

Mrs. Stine led James in behind Andrew as he turned to go back into his office—the area was laid out with a large desk, two uncomfortable chairs, and a few filing cabinets with a small flower in a vase perched near the window sill. James concentrated on that as the female nurse sat him down in one of those chairs and offered a, “Have fun you two.” Before leaving and closing the door behind them.

James didn’t look up at Dr. Randy for a long time, instead, staring at his hands in his lap and tapping his foot on the ground. The room only buzzed with the noises from beyond the walls of the office and Dr. Randy shuffled some papers, making James jump a little though he didn’t realize he had.

The doctors’ voice had changed, sounding scary to James, “Are you scared of me, James?” he asked and James shook his head no, gripping onto his pants tightly but still not sure where the doctor was. A few more seconds of silence commenced before a deep rumbling laugh echoed around the room. “Well, you should be.”

James’ fingers tightened more around his jeans, not understanding what the doctor meant and not knowing how to process their conversation as well as he wished. He was so focused on trying to figure out the doctor’s words that he didn’t notice the man had gotten up, walked around the room, and pressed the lock on the door inwards, shutting James in with him.

His fingers gripping so harshly they burned, his heart beating crazy fast, his brain only able to process so much; James was just too behind to be prepared for what was going to happen next.

Andrew’s hands were suddenly on James, running down the front of his body though he sat in his seat. James didn’t know why the man was touching him, and he’d never been touched much before except for when Belle rubbed his cheek or held his hand. But this felt nothing like Belle’s touches. It was frightening, but James didn’t respond, his tongue perched on the top of his mouth as his tapping foot went faster, eyes squeezing tightly shut.

Before he knew it, Andrew had walked in front of him, pulling him upwards by his shirt. His lips connected with James’ roughly, his muscular, strong build no match for James’ weak one. James’s eyes widened, not liking the kiss. It didn’t feel like Belle’s lips. It felt painful and his teeth cut into his gums because of it. There was a low groan that came from the doctors lips, who was slowly shouldering off his lab coat so it fell to the ground.

James wanted to yelp, though nothing came out, as he was spun around towards the desk and shoved down on it, making his muscles ache from the impact. The man’s body was touching him in places he didn’t understand and had never felt touched before—but all James did was bit his teeth hard enough to feel blood dripping from them. His big blue eyes gazed up at Dr. Randy, wanting to trust him to take care of him but didn’t know how he was supposed to get better. He wanted to get better. For Belle. He was told the doctor could help him please Belle. That’s all James wanted.

But it was all too soon that Dr. Randy had flipped James onto his stomach on top of the desk, his body rhythmically pressing into James. Was this a test? James wasn’t good at tests, and this one was hurting him. But he had to get better, so he’d comply. For Belle.

When Andrew’s hand slipped around James’ throat and mouth, holding back any sound from coming out, he hissed in the autistic boy’s ear harshly, “If you scream, I will hurt you.”

James didn’t want to be hurt, so he still stayed quiet. He couldn’t see all that was happening, but could feel his eyes tearing up at Andrew’s harsh grip on over his teeth. James didn’t struggle, didn’t move. He had to get better. For Belle.

The jingling of a belt confused James even more and he didn’t understand any of it - but he didn’t protest. He had to get better. For Belle.

When the man lowered James’ own pants, exposing him to the cool, alarming air of the office, it startled James because he didn’t get why this man was doing this to him. Was this how he was supposed to get better? He had to get better. For Belle.

Then all too soon the man was playing with James’ nether regions, making heart flare all over the poor boys’ body. But he didn’t stop him. He cried, though. The tears pooled over the lips of his eyes, dripping down onto Andrew’s rough fingers. If James wanted to scream, he couldn’t. But it was making him panic that he couldn’t make a rhythm out of anything because he was so constricted. But he didn’t yelp, just whimpered as the man, about two times his size, struck into him with a heavy thrust and shattered all of the boys’ innocence.

But he had to get better. For Belle.

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

Being a family dinner, of course there would be bickering. Currently father Bastian Skyes and David Mabley were fighting about which Olympic sport was better, and Lauren, Drew, and Belle were in some form of conversation. James Skyes was quiet though, it wasn’t unusual, it wasn’t unnatural, but recently he has been utterly silent and merely picking at his food.

Though he knew this was not ‘getting better’, James couldn’t understand why his body was protesting his every whim and the bruises formed on his body were now permanent reminders of the doctor he saw. Why he no longer cried but moaned and groaned at each appointment, how each touch sent a wave of shudders and shivers down his body, and the way his legs spread in quiet submission, and then he wondered why he was hiding this and how no one was noticing it. Was he really that good?

James knew body scars, and he knew how to hide them. He didn’t want to, but it was natural to hide the daily fights and beatings for stupid. And though those had stopped for the time being (he had a suspicion it had to do with Matty Dupree), these bruises were like any other scar. They hurt, and weren’t supposed to be there.

His fork played with the cheesy broccoli his father made, only taking small bites ad nibbles as his gray-blue eyes were trained on Belle while she wasn’t looking.

Fingers moved in an itching motion as he rubbed a sore spot where the bruises trailed up his ribcage from the rough fingers from a rough doctor.

There was no need for a beat because of Belle, but lately anxiety had been stepping in and his foot tapped lightly.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Belle had come to the Skyes family dinner nervously, though now those nerves were completely gone as she talked with the girls of the group. Drew, she liked Drew. She was funny and witty and would tease David, her husband, here and there. They'd just flown in from Chicago where Drew had gone to college, dragging David after her, and settled down. They were just laughing and having a fun time, the adults drinking wine and the adolescence (Belle and James) had glasses of soda. Belle sipped hers thoughtfully while watching Lauren speak. 

    James sat beside Belle, because she found it was most comforting for him. Her hand would sometimes brush his under the ledge of the table, running soft circles there with her thumb and giving him her famous, sweet smile before going back into the conversation. She was just about to answer Lauren's question of, "Where were you thinking of going to school Belle?" when she dropped her fork, clumsily, and bent down to get it with an apologetic look. As she came up, her elbow brushed James' side lightly, pulling the shirt with it. Of course her eyes flashed to the exposed skin; she was a teenager, and always hormonal no matter how sweet she was. And she considered James her sort of...boyfriend now. Maybe he didn't. They'd never really talked about it too much, but she was always at the Skyes, hanging out with him and sharing meaningful kisses. But it wasn't anything serious, yet. She didn't know if it would ever be serious. 

    Her eyes took in the view beneath his shirt, expecting pale but bare skin, but that wasn't the case. It was quick, so she didn't know, but she thought she saw...bruises. Had he hurt himself? Had a bully gotten to him that Matty couldn't handle or fend off? Belle's gaze met his as she sat straight up, the conversation moving from her in focus to the others at the table. She pressed her lips together and set her fork down, moving to grab one of James' hands. "James?" she asked quietly, leaning forward a bit. "Did you hurt your side?" she asked, worried expression she usually wore around him back at full force. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

Looking away, the tapping increased and became noticeable by the whole table. His skin flushed a red, ruby red as James shook his head. No, he did not hurt his side; someone else did. But no, it wasn’t the school bullies either; it was the doctor that now haunted his dreams and made sleeping in utter and complete darkness.

James kept his blue eyes trained on the floor, hearing the eating stop and other peoples’ eyes trained on him. No, he didn’t want them to know about the bruises trailing over his sides and nether regions.