I need more of the man down series! Iāve been missing it!! Itās so good!!
I've had the first half done for weeks now but then my brain decided to implode on itself so unfortunately it's just been sitting there š anyway hereās a little something to serve as my apology #promise I have not abandoned them
MAN DOWN CH. 2 SPOILERS BELOW
Mottled shades of violet and blue stain Colston's ribs. Thereās red underpainting it all ā loud and angry against his skin. The colors deepen as he twists under the bathroom light, cutting off abruptly before his back. Itās a parting gift from the defensive linemen for his terrible performance at this weekās practice.
He prods at the latest bruise, dull stings radiating down his side, and can already tell itās going to hurt like a bitch by morning. The sensation is oddly addictive. Like a pleasurable type of pain shooting through his system, completely under his control. Finds himself unable to stop poking at it until heās covered the expanse of the outline.
Eyes rimmed with exhaustion stare back at him. He hasnāt gotten any meaningful rest ā canāt when his brain is bogged down with puzzled thoughts that wonāt piece together. They rattle inside his head as the ball grazes his fingertips, and heās been chewed out enough times this week alone to last for the remainder of his contract.
Darkness swallows him the moment he enters his room. The bed frame groans under his weight as he shoves his face into the mattress, inhaling the powdery linen scent. Tries to loosen his body. Force himself to relax. But sirens wail in the distance, echoing through the silent night, and it spoils any attempt at falling asleep.
He squints at the sudden brightness from his screen, aimlessly looking for something thatāll entertain him before his mind can wander on its own. His thumb briefly hovers over Messages. The impulse fades as quickly as it comes, and he swipes right instead of acting on it. There seems to be nothing worth staying up for.Ā
The sheets rustle as he pulls the comforter to his chest. Staring out the skylight, he watches the stars fade in and out of view whenever clouds pass over them. Everything is silent for a moment, so much so that he thinks heāll finally get some real sleep tonight. Itās never that simple, though ā all his thoughts jumble together at once like someone stirred his brain into chaos.
He mashes his palms into his eyes until his vision is grainy. At least tomorrow is his day off. Heāll use it to sort his shit out for the next week. Recalibrate.
Canāt be that difficult.