Who: Kevin and Donald What: Nurturing Boys! When: Monday, Aug 3rd Where: their room Rating: PG-13 for boy talk and behavior, boys being boys
Poor Donald. Kevin knew that he had to be suffocating his friend, but that didn't really make him want to stop. Kevin found himself watching Donald sleep, double checking and then rechecking the door before he would get any sort of sleep. But it was Shark Week, and even though Kevin wanted to watch it, he wasn't sure that it would be high on his roommate's list of entertaining television, given what he'd just gone through. Kevin had been making trips to the kitchen, bring up sandwich fixings and drinks just to make sure his roommate got some food in his belly, but Kevin was sure to not force anything on Donald. It wouldn't do to get the blond pissed off, so Kevin was trying to be encouraging but not pushy.
Every time, well, almost, that Donald got up, Kevin stood up as well, tense, wanting to help but not knowing what the emergency was, where the threat was. When Donald just pointed at the bathroom and grabbed his towel, Kevin nodded, a bit sheepishly, and sat back down on his bed. Nope, he wasn't going to worry about any bathtub monsters or drain creatures. But when the water had still been running for 10 minutes, Kevin did start to get worried. Getting up from his bed softly, Kevin padded over to the door, putting his ear against the wood finish and listened. He didn't hear any splashing around. Which worried him. Knocking with only one knuckle to show he wasn't too worried, Kevin cleared his throat before he spoke. "You okay in there, Donny?"
Numb was the word that would best describe how Donald had been feeling since his return to the school, though that even failed to encompass the range of thoughts and feelings that were going on inside the youth. Though Kevin was ever-present, Donald didn't mind it. It was comforting, though he hadn't yet figured out how to express that to the other boy. Instead, Donald had remained mostly silent, a change from how he'd been before the incident. He was listening (most of the time) as Kevin chattered on, but didn't offer more than monotone one- or two-word answers much of the time. It had been something of a relief to know he could have a bit of solitude in the bathroom and a short break from Kevin, who had to be tiring of Donald as well, or so the blond thought.
He hadn't even bothered with a verbal reply to Kevin's wondering what he was doing, simply pointing as he hobbled toward the bathroom, towel thrown over his shoulder. One thing he felt glad for more than anything was to have his cane back. He didn't let go of it, finding himself even sleeping with it in his arms and so far unable to even let go of it to shower. This was the case now as he kept one hand around it, using it to steady himself rather than the rails on the sides of the shower. This made showering a little more cumbersome for him than usual. He shouldn't have been surprised when he was about halfway through his shower and he heard a faint noise. He froze in place except for his hand reflexively tightening around his cane, ready to give the thought to transform into the god of thunder. All he heard was muffled speaking from the other side of the bathroom door. Not sure what Kevin wanted or needed, and he wasn't going to assume it was unimportant, Donald called out, "Can't hear you! Come in!" It wouldn't be a big deal for Donald for Kevin to do so, there was still a frosted shower door between them and they'd occasionally have to occupy the room at the same time for whatever reasons.
Straining to listen in, Kevin wasted no time in opened the door a crack and slipping in - but only after he looked at the main door to their room to see that it was still locked. It had been typical, before - as Kevin would now think of the attack - for them to leave the door unlocked, maybe even slightly ajar to welcome visitors for short periods of time. No more, and Kevin had been sure to be the keeper of the door. He didn't want Donald to have to worry about anything, so Kevin had just been doing small things like that since Donald had gotten back. Kevin did some laundry, just saying he would throw Donald's in with his, no big deal. Or, clean up the dishes and make sure they always had something around if either of them were hungry. He usually ate when he saw Donald eat, and never by himself, no matter how hungry he had gotten in that several hours when Donald first came back up. His diet had been close to malnourished since Kevin realized his roommate had been taken, so now that things were semi-right again, his appetite had come back with earnest.
He closed the door solidly behind him, releasing the knob so the latch would click in as silently as possible. He coughed timidly as the steam came into his lungs from the warm water. Glancing at the fogged glass, Kevin could just make out the shape of a standing Donald, and decided to take a seat on the toilet. "I was just making sure...didn't know if you needed anything." He hated sounding like he was constantly checking up on Donald, but that really was what it had boiled down to. He didn't think Donald hated it all that much. "You got everything? Washcloth, towel?" Obviously, Kevin could see the towel but he'd get Donny a different one if he wanted it. "And that's a new loofa thing in there too, and I think I refilled all the shampoo and conditioner and stuff..." He trailed off, wondering if he should leave. "I'm not trying to hurry you up or anything, just...checking."
"I'm fine", Donald said at first, slowly returning the hand holding his washcloth to his body, scrubbing at his other arm. He didn't mind Kevin being in there a bit, it was comforting in a way that he wasn't going to put too much thought into. As he washed, he listened to Kevin rambling some more about how everything was stocked up in the bathroom. It was nice, Donald conceded to himself, that Kevin had thought of all of that. He scrubbed at his shoulder, then moved the washcloth over the back of his neck. Suddenly he winced and felt a wave of nausea hit him as his fingers touched gnarled skin. He quickly sank down into a crouching position, hand slipping down his cane but never letting go of it. He still didn't know what had been done to him, other than it had left a wound that would probably end up scarring and some unidentified metal in the base of his skull that appeared to be some kind of implant but none of the staff knew any more than that. It was something Donald had kept to himself thus far. He was horrified by it, but at the same time felt it was nothing like what some of the others had gone through. He'd decided to suffer in silence, but his body couldn't help the reaction it had just given. His breathing had gotten shallow, he was fighting back tears, and he couldn't even give thought as to why.
"Donald!" Kevin shouted, the tinge of fear in his voice unhidden. Kevin didn't know if he could hide something like that, and he didn't want to. He wasn't anyone's brave little toaster. His friend and roommate, teammate and confidant was back and Kevin wasn't about to let anyone else take him or anyone else. Not that he'd done a whole lot of good the first time around, but he was also faced with a guy that wouldn't die, so Kevin figured he had his excuses, and for the most part, they were valid. He was a little worried about how to exactly help, but Kevin knew when he saw the slumped figure, he had to do something! Sliding the door open just a tiny bit, his arm coming through the slat but not touching the other. Heck, Kevin wasn't even looking into the shower. Donald was breathing, and that was the important part. "You okay, Donny? Should I go get someone? Turn the water off? Get you a towel, I need to go as a businessman to a liquor store, you and I could use a nightcap, but it's too late tonight do you need anything please tell me if you do?" Kevin's nervous titter had taken over, only taking a breath at the very end of the nonsense sentence.
He couldn't pull himself back together quickly enough and he heard the shower door being pulled open. Thankfully it was only a little bit, just enough to see the arm reach through, water starting to spatter it. "I'm fine", he managed, his voice sounding only a little shaky, something he remedied before he spoke again. "Slipped, that's all." A bullshit answer as he obviously did not slip, but hopefully it would appease Kevin for now. His long hair had helped to mask what had been done to him, a small favor he was thankful for. "I'm done anyway", he said, another lie, but he couldn't bring himself to finish. Hopefully the warm water would have sufficed to wash up his shoulders, head and hair without the benefit of soap. He dropped the washcloth and hit the knob to turn off the water before slowly standing again. He'd heard Kevin's nervous joking and glossed over it, though he did take him up on the towel offer. "Yeah, towel?", he asked, pulling the door open a little more to take the towel from his roommate, still staying behind the fogged glass.
"Yeah, of course, not a problem, I'm on it," Kevin blabbered on, taking his arm out and wiping it over his 'shirt'. It would dry soon enough. He didn't believe Donald - they'd been living together long enough that Kevin knew Donald's inflections, and the other did his as well. He was not okay and he definitely did not slip, but Kevin wasn't going to be THAT GUY who made his roommate talk about anything he didn't want to bring up on his own. He walked a bit away and grabbed the fluffiest towel he could find. He could still hear the water dripping off Donald's chin and fingers and whatever else, hitting the porcelain floor. Once he'd fluffed it himself, Kevin pushed it through the small gap in the shower door, worrying his bottom lip. He needed something to do! Then it hit him. "Okay, you dry off and I'll go grab you something to put on. T-shirt and shorts? Or lounge pants? I don't feel much like going out," he added, since he didn't think Donald did, either. They could be relaxed slobs in their room. Once he made sure Donald had the towel, Kevin closed the door and opened the main bathroom one. "I'll set 'em on the sink counter for you," he said as he exited the bathroom. He knew Donald's drawers as well as he knew his own, picking out a shirt he thought Donald liked and a pair of shorts. On second thought, he grabbed a pair of lounge pants too, figuring Donald could choose what he wanted. "Coming back in," he said softly, the rustle of material on the sink before he made sure Donald heard him depart and the door click back shut.
Donald was appreciative of Kevin's effort, patiently waiting and dripping while the other guy got a towel for him. It was obvious the effort Kevin was making, as Donald recognized the towel he was given as the ibggest, fluffiest of all the ones they had. "Thanks", he said just before Kevin started on about what clothes to get him. Donald didn't really have a preference, which was good as Kevin didn't give him a chance to respond before he was back out the door. Donald had only started to dry himself when Kevin was back in, but only long enough to set stuff down and leave again. Donald uttered another belated 'Thanks' as the door was shutting again. Having privacy now, Donald pushed the door all the way open. He could have taken his time drying and dressing, not feeling very motivated to do so, except that he knew that if he took too long that Kevin would be knocking on the door again.
Donald managed to not take too long, doing a halfway job of drying himself and settling for the lounge pants only. He moved to the door, feeling he'd be glad to be able to get the door open so he wouldn't have to worry about Kevin worrying about him. Donald moved across the room, trying not to take notice of Kevin but not able to help it now. He suppossed he should eat something, though he hadn't had much of an appetite since returning to the school. It would've made sense to be hungry, as he'd been near starved while held captive, but he was having difficulty eating nonetheless, making himself do so only because Kevin seemed to be only eating when he was. "Have food?", he asked, not sounding enthused about it, but showing progress in that he was asking about it at all.
Kevin was sitting on his bed, looking at the television but not really watching it. He listened to the familiar sounds in the bathroom and turned his head a little bit when the door opened. He looked, but didn't look, then looked back at the television. He was glad to have Donald back, but the person that had come back wasn't the old Donald, but some new, terrified, awfully tired and monosyllabic stranger residing in Donald's body. At first, Kevin actually wondered if clones had been sent back instead of the actual people, but that was quickly given up. Donald was Donald, but it was up to Kevin to accept him and help him along. "Yep!" Kevin said, hopping out of bed and moving over to the little fridge. "I have pizza I can heat up in the microwave or some cold sausage balls that I can put in the microwave, but I also have chips and lunchmeat and that bread you like, so I can make you a sandwich and have some chips. There's soda in here too, or juice. There's juice too." Kevin busied himself, pulling out everything he was talking about and setting it on his desk. He fidgeted with the food, waiting to take Donald's order.
The television was on, which Donald didn't mind. It was kind of nice, even though he wasn't paying any attention to it at all. Mainly, he was glad that it was something that could keep Kevin's attention, as he knew he wasn't good company right now. He had just about made it to his bed when he realized how Kevin was dashing around with manic energy to serve him and couldn't help feeling bad about it. He made himself move over toward the fridge, not wanting Kevin to wait on him hand and foot. He could only get so close as Kevin was between him and it all, so he settled for trying to decide what he wanted and telling Kevin, which wasn't easy as none of the choices sounded particularly good. "Bread sounds good", he decided at last. "Just bread. And... maybe some water?" Realizing how it sounded, Donald actually managed a smirk. "I... that's all that really sounds good." He knew it sounded weird and hoped Kevin wouldn't try to read into it too much.
"Oh," Kevin said, turning around but managing not to pout. He shouldn't have tired to shove food down Donald's mouth. He pressed his fingertips gently against Donald's chest, after a second, thought better of it, and then shooed him away with his hands. "Okay, you go relax. I'll bring the bread and water over there." That sounded like prison food to him. "And maybe, if you want, I still there there's some brownies left. If you're in the mood. Later." Kevin pulled out the loaf of bread and pulled out several slices, setting them down on a plate and pulling out a bottle of water. "So yeah, I figured we could just chill in the room. Maybe I'll take a nap later. I mean, we can do whatever we want. Or whatever you want. Or whatever I want. Not a big deal." Don't make this a big deal, Kevin thought to himself, walking over with the food and handing it over, giving Donald one of his gentle smiles. "And it's cool, promise," he said softly, flipping sideways into a roll to land onto his bed. He went back to watching television, trying not to look at Donald's eating habits.
He glanced down at Kevin's fingers as they pushed against his still-damp chest for a second. He could tell that Kevin wasn't thrilled with Donald's food choices, but it was good quality bread at least, the kind that could be tasty all on it's own. He wanted to argue Kevin waiting on him, but he really didn't have the energy to argue. He muttered a simple thanks, plodding over to his bed, carefully laying down on it, his cane resting against his arm, still loosely held in his hand. He looked over at the television, which was showing some kind of program on sharks. Donald reached with his free arm, snagging a light knit blanket and pulling it over him. He had to admit that being in his own bed in his own room did give him comfort.
"Thanks", he said again when Kevin brought the bread and water over to him. He nibbled at the bread, taking a drink of water afterward, noticing that Kevin had gone from awkward chatter to downright silence. Donald didn't much care for either one, so after taking another tiny bite of the bread, he asked. "So... what'd I miss around here?" He still wasn't totally sure how long he'd been gone for and thought that maybe hearing about some school happenings would help him to feel a little more 'normal', if such a thing was possible.
Kevin would change the channel if Donald even uttered a sound that he didn't like sharks. Kev could miss Shark Week if that was the sacrifice he had to make to have his roommate back...back and happy. He made himself a sandwich - a small one - and put everything back. He'd have no problem pulling it all out again if Donald wanted something else. Heck, Kevin would be more than happy to do that, if it meant that his friend was eating more. "No problem," Kevin said, glancing over as he spoke, then quickly back to the screen. He had a mouthful of sandwich when the question was asked, so he chewed quickly, still forcing a rather large chunk of unchewed food down his gullet. A shrug and a sip of water later and Kevin actually answered. "Nothing. Everyone just worrying about you all. Everything just kind of...came to a standstill." Which wasn't a bad thing. "And don't feel bad about that, because there are a lot of people that care about all of you here so it wasn't a bad thing. I'd be more worried if things went on normally, like you guys didn't matter. But you do."
The answer that he was eventually given to his question did absolutely nothing to cheer him up. Everyone had been worrying about them. And now they were back, but... not at all in any kind of good shape. It wasn't that Donald wanted to compare horror stories, but the experience seemed so much worse than the other horrible things that had already happened to some unlucky students at the hands of mutant-haters. He was thinking mainly of Betsy and Warren, of course, how they had been changed. He was thinking of himself too, he had no idea what had been done to him, or what had been started on him. He wished things could go back to normal, but he had no idea how that could happen. He'd been hoping at least the school had retained some kind of normalcy, but that seemed to not be the case.
Donald pushed the plate of barely touched food across the bed, leaving it there in case he wanted more later. He curled himself up a little tighter under the thin blanket. After a moment, he looked back across the room at Kevin again. "Have you heard anything? About the others? How they're doing?"
That didn't seem to help at all, and Kevin felt bad for letting Donald down. Everything should be rainbows and lollipops, but it just couldn't be that way, and Kevin didn't want to lie, either. Lying wasn't part of his shtick, and he didn't do it very well anyway. Kevin shook his head slightly, offering a sigh of defeatism. "No. I think everyone's staying kinda quiet, at least I think so. Staying in their rooms and stuff. There haven't been any assemblies or anything, and I don't think that's what people need now anyway." Kevin realized that he was actually feeling a little...jealous? Maybe it was because the people who had been kidnapped had endured together, had something to share, something more in common than a big boulder in the middle of nowhere. That was something Kevin could never have, and he was both happy but a little...lost, since, aside from Hank, Donald was really Kevin's only real friend there. "No one's said they're doing bad," he said softly, looking over at Donald.
Donald gave a weak shrug of his shoulders. He suppossed the news could have been worse. He would have liked a little more encouragement, but it seemed that there hadn't been anything of that sort given by the staff, he figured they were probably still trying to decide what to do about all that had happened. "Good", he managed at hearing there had been no bad news, at least. He hoped that if anything bad had happened with any of the others, that the students would have been told by now. "How are you doing?", he asked, turning the question on Kevin in particular. "When... when it all happened... you were okay? Right?" Donald hadn't heard anything about any of the students who hadn't been taking being hurt, but he hadn't given it any thought until now.
Kevin shrugged his shoulders, rubbing at his shoulder. "I tried to help Warren," Kevin said, seeming to deflate. "I shifted into him but I was faced with this guy like a big cat. I hit him in the back with a spike. It should felt it go in. It should have collapsed a lung. He...shrugged me off and punched me." The bruises were mostly gone now, but Kevin could still feel them when he showered, or when he was too quick with his movements. He had felt like he was on slow motion since the attack. "But yeah, I'm alright," he stated, giving Donald a strained smiled and pulling the blanket up on his own shoulders. Kev wasn't going to say just how scared he'd been, how he'd run away and hit in a closet, but he'd tried and trying should count for something. "But I know I punctured his lung. He just...wouldn't go down," he said to the space between the television and his bed. He still didn't understand regenerative properties like that. Logan had them, Kevin even knew he had them due to his power, but it had been a lung.
Donald certainly couldn't fault Kevin, it sounded like he'd done a lot more to help than what Donald had been able to. He was surprised to hear the bit about how the attacher wouldn't go down. Though his own attacker had been almost ninja-like, Donald hadn't suspected the attacker had powers. "So... they were mutants?" The surprise and interest in his question gave his tone of voice a life that it had been missing so far.
The flat tone that Kevin had gotten used to had suddenly dropped away, making him turn on his side, bunching his pillow under his head. "Yeah, well - at least the one that I tried to take down, was. I dunno about the guys with the guns that people talked about. This guy was angry with sharp teeth, longish kinda claws and a bad attitude. But he wouldn't go down. I...can show you him sometime if you want. Not now though, okay?" Kevin's memory was sharp enough that he could look like the guy that had attacked him and Warren, but he didn't want at that moment. Because it was someone who had been out to get Donald and Kevin didn't want to break his friend's brain.
"You can show-? OH." It had taken Donald a moment to understand what Kevin was meaning. He gave a nod in reply, realizing that it would probably be harder for Kevin to show him that it would be for him to see, and he didn't want to cause his friend any pain. "I didn't have a gun pulled on me, but the guy had all kinds of blades and shit, like a ninja or something. He knocked my cane out of my hand before I even knew what was going on, otherwise, I would've been able to take him. He stuck me with a needle, don't know what was in it, and I went down." It was the most Donald had said all at once in a while. While it wasn't the most pleasant subject matter, it was cathartic to talk about it, to get the frightening memories out there.
Donald's surprise made Kevin smirk a little. As his roommate continued, Kevin made sure to give him his full attention - it wouldn't do any good to ignore him or pretend to look at the television now. Donald was telling him things that no one else probably knew, and Kevin could only imagine how much it had hurt to relive that with the telling, but he hoped that maybe it would help in the long run. Sharing burdens always seemed freeing - at least for Kevin. Ironic that he hadn't told much of anyone about his mom, but Donny's memories were different. "That's why I like pirates better than ninjas I've decided," Kevin said with a curt nod. "Fuckin' needles," Kevin said, tsking once the words were out as if he was getting rid of a bitter taste in his mouth. "For what it's worth, Donny...I'm glad you're back. And if anyone comes after you again, ninja-like, I'll take 'em down." He shifted into a pirate, complete with eye patch, earring and peg leg. "Arrrr!"
He appreciated the sentiment, though hated the thought of anyone else having to fight his battles for him. The transformation, a humorous one, got a small smile out of Donald and a small but sincere laugh. "Glad I'm back too", he said, still smiling, starting to finally feel the very beginnings of healing.