home — a solo.
tw: implied abuse.
they'd never viewed rain as a bad thing. each droplet falling from the sky, tapping against the roof that sheltered them, caring for the plants outside and creating the most beautiful art upon the glass surface.. not one he could see at the time with the curtains drawn shut. but it felt bad. the morbid feeling it brought with it this time.. the same feeling it brought whenever they found themself in colorado, alone. they felt so alone.
“youre not trying hard enough, are you?”
taking a shaky breath, the blonde lowered themself to the ground, tucking himself into the corner as he squeezed his eyes shut, clutching their sleeves tightly as they struggled to fight back the tears threatening to spill, bangs falling in front of his eyes. nothing had happened yet. they'd arrived back only a few minutes earlier and the only thing he'd heard from his father was a cold ‘go to your room’. maybe he'd gone out..? they couldn't hear any movement downstairs.
they didn't want to answer. they wanted to block everything out. to disappear. tears streaked down their cheeks as they squeezed their eyes shut, trying to rid their mind of the belt dangling idly from the others fingers.
sniffling, he wiped his eyes, drawing their knees closer to their chest. they missed blaine. they missed the comforting feeling of knowing he was only a small walk away, knowing they could hide away from the world with the boy.. but now they were states apart. it'd be a few days until they'd be able to slip into their boyfriends dorm..– their dorm, and into bed with him, mumbling about how he was never going to let go.
“answer me.” the voice was cold. controlled. one the blonde knew all too well. one that called for the uttermost submission. power. he knew he had it. “i-i-”
after a moment or two, they pushed themself to their feet, exhaling shakily as they pushed the hair from in front of his eyes, pushing a curtain back for a moment. the reflection in the glass showed a mess.. but they paid little attention to it, peering outside. he missed his mom too.. the sooner she was there, the safer they knew they'd be.
hesitation. stammering. the older sterling seemingly snapped at that, raising the belt and bringing it down with a–
a sob slipped the boys lips as their legs finally gave way beneath them. they could feel the stinging heat across their back, and the warm wetness that followed shortly after.. only it wasn't there. their lanky form shook gently, jolting softly with each little cry, ones of which quietened at the creak of the stairs, the blonde themself freezing up, heart thumping wildly in their chest.
