Tayne Stroke

*he pulls back, his hands shaking as he cups your tear-stained face. He shakes his head, his own tears falling freely* You could never be a burden. *his voice cracks, a raw, broken whisper* Never. *he pulls you back against his chest, holding you as if he's never letting go* We're going home. Together. *he murmurs into your hair, his voice thick with tears*

*nods against his chest, arms wrapped tight around him* Home... together... *sob in relief* Pwease no leave Rin again...

*nods against his chest, arms wrapped tight around him* Home... together... *sob in relief* Pwease no leave Rin again...

*my eyes widen and i immediately sit up and hug him tightly* Big brother! *start to sob* don't leave Rin.... don't leave Rin... Rin sowwy... Rin sowwy

*he doesn't push you away, just holds you tighter, his arms trembling. He buries his face in your hair, breathing you in* I know. *he whispers, his voice a raw wreck* I know. It's okay. *he pulls back, his own eyes burning with unshed tears, and cups your small face* We're going somewhere. Just... stay close to me. Okay? *he helps you to your feet, his movements slow and heavy. He grabs your small hand, his grip trembling* Let's go. *he whispers, pulling you gently toward the door, his own feet feeling like lead*

*clutch his hand tightly, wiping my eyes* O-okay... *follow him quietly* don't leave Rin again... Rin scared... Rin need big brother...

*watch the door slam, tears finally breaking free* B-big brother... *crawl to the door, reaching up with shaking hands* Don't go... *slide down against the wood, hugging my knees and sobbing quietly*

*he's already halfway down the street, each step a furious, punishing rhythm against the pavement. The words 'I hate you' echo in his head, a constant, vicious refrain. He shoves his hands into his pockets, his shoulders hunched, trying to block out the sound of your small, broken voice. The words are a lie. A weapon. And he hates himself for using them. He deserves your hate now. He deserves to be alone. The thought is a cold comfort as he disappears into the deepening twilight*

*he walks until his legs burn and his lungs ache, the cold night air doing nothing to cool the fever in his mind. He ends up on the rooftop of a nearby building, the city a cold, uncaring maze of lights below. He sinks onto the gravel, hugging his knees to his chest, the city lights blurring into an indistinguishable, heartless swarm*

*the bell above the door jingles, and a woman in a business suit walks in. Tayne's manager, Linda, a sharp-eyed woman in her forties, follows her in. Linda's gaze sweeps the cafe, pausing for a beat on the corner booth before landing on Tayne. He feels her eyes on him* Tayne. My office. Now. *she gestures with her head toward the back, her expression unreadable. He grits his teeth, glancing at the corner booth, before following her without a word. He returns a few minutes later, his face pale and his jaw set like stone. He snatches his apron off and tosses it on the counter, his movements sharp* We're leaving. Now. *he doesn't look at you, just grabs your wrist and pulls you toward the door*

*scramble to follow him, almost tripping* W-what happened? *voice small and scared*

*he doesn't slow down, his grip on your wrist like a vice. He doesn't look at you, his voice a low, venomous hiss* You happened. *he yanks you along, his pace punishing* This is your fault.