New year, new me? Or whatever they say. [cw]

"I meant most of mine, though I don't know if what I believe is true," he admitted. It wasn't that strange to think that Kurtis might be using Zaira, but in the end the hybrid wasn't him. And he had no idea what really went on between the two. Zaira was visibly surprised to hear that Damiano was on suicide watch, and to that the hybrid shrugged looking down. "After I hurt Jeremy ... I felt like I didn't deserve to live," he muttered, his jaw trembling a bit. "Tried killing myself that night, hence why I was admitted to the facility," he spoke of it so plainly, but he clearly wasn't over what he had tried to do. He had always harmed himself, he just never wanted to end it all. Not like he had wanted to that night.
Kurtis' words made sense, but the hybrid was seen as a minor who couldn't talk for himself fully. "It doesn't matter if I try and explain it, there's bias against hybrids everywhere," he just said, feeling bitter to admit it. Taking the cigarette that was offered he was still shaking a little, but it was mostly from the cold. He was so skinny that the heat he normally had wasn't there. His body just focused on keeping him alive. Lighting the smoke and inhaling he breathed out in a sigh. Nicotine was one of those things he had missed. The nurses didn't trust him with anything that he could hurt himself with, and the end of a cigarette bud could cause a good burn.
Damiano looked up as Jeremy approached, handing the cigarette to Zaira as he pulled off the torn shirt. That was when they could really see the damage he had done, but he was past caring about it right now. He took the shirt, it was too big around the arms, but too short for his torso, stopping just beneath his belly button. His eyes lingered on the scar on Jeremy's neck, feeling the guilt that came with it. "Well I think we've established that I am," he finally replied to Jeremy's question, "Kurtis, well, I'm not sure yet." Was he actually joking right now? He couldn't help but look down, smiling a bit. He felt normal.
Zaira pulled at Kurtis, telling him that they had to go get his arm checked out and come up with a cover story so that his father wouldn't be on his case again. He had just gotten out of being grounded, and she wasn't letting him risk his own freedom again.
As they were left alone, Damiano looked at the nephilim in front of him. "Does it still hurt?" he asked, gesturing to the scar.

Being left just the two of them was something they hadn't been in a while. Surely the nephilim might feel uncomfortable or something? At least after what had happened between them. But feeling that gentle touch of his hand meant so much to him. His hand moved carefully, taking the nephilim's hand in his own, just holding it ever so gently like he was scared of breaking him. "I don't think I'll ever be able to not feel slightly guilty," he admitted, looking at Jeremy with a sad smile on his lips. He took a deep breath, biting the inside of his cheek a little as he thought about how to say what he wanted to. "You can press assault charges on me if you want to ... With the kiss and the bite, everything," he said, because that would mean Jeremy didn't have to cover up around his parents. Sure, he would still be in the closet, but he would be safe and have a roof over his head. "I don't want to cause you more pain than I already have," he admitted, letting his thumb caress the back of his hand in gentle circles. He seemed more relaxed now.
He was starting to feel the pain set in in his leg, shifting his weight so he wouldn't be pressing down on it so much. Reaching out he cupped Jeremy's cheek, just looking at his warm eyes before slowly moving his gaze down to his full lips. "Can I kiss you?" he asked. It was sort of out of the blue, but then again, the two of them had already established that they were rather dysfunctional.

Jeremy refused, but he has seen that coming, nodding but he wasn't sure if he was relieved or not. Because it meant that he wouldn't have an excuse. That his parents might find out. And that thought scared the hybrid.
As he touched his cheek he did notice the flinch, but alas he seemed to soften up, even pressing his cheek in to his palm. The sentiment that it wasn't goodbye made him scoff softly, pulling his face in closer before he kissed him. It was a gentle kiss, one that meant more than words could describe, and feeling the nephilim reciprocate it was making his heart beat faster. "I can't live without your lips," he muttered in a sweet plea, nuzzling his nose against Jeremy's. With that he leaned in, kissing him again this time a little more eagerly. Pressing himself closer he moved his leg and it made him break the kiss, bending forward in pain as he whimpered.

Gritting his teeth he looked to Jeremy as he seemed to joke as well now. "Very funny," he muttered, wincing as the pain cut deep. It wasn't nice, but hey, he at least felt something. As he suggested going inside he just nodded before he looked at Jeremy with a pained expression.
"No matter what Donna tells you... you stay with me, alright?" He asked before they headed in to the school. He could feel stares on him as well as Jeremy as he was leaning on the nephilim.

Damiano tried ignoring the stares, but he knew that Jeremy was more bothered. He tried keeping his chin up, and then he heard the stuttering guy. Frowning a bit confused he felt his other side get supported and that did a world of good for his leg. He didn't have to use it as much when the two guys were helping him.
They reached the nurses office and he got to sit in a chair, leaning his head back against the wall. His body was in a bad shape and as the nurse came out she looked quite in shock. "What are you kids doing today?" She said shaking her head as she had to cut his jeans off his leg. The Jean fabric was even sticking to the blood tearing at the cuts making him tense his jaw in pain.
Donna showed up, looking at the boys and then Damiano she nodded. "Alright boys, scatter, I'll take him from here on," she said in a firm voice.

Abel was probably the last person that Jeremy had expected to show up, but he was quite focused on getting Damiano to the nurses office. It was far easier when he helped as well and soon they were there. The nurse being in shock at the sight of Damiano made Jeremy sigh. "There was a fight." he just replied with his arms crossed a bit.
Then Donna showed up, her firm voice a little scary to Abel but Jeremy had already made a promise. "I'm not going anywhere." he said in a just as firm tone as she had had, frowning as he looked at the tall woman. "He was just assaulted, everyone's already talking about it. I'm staying." he argued, uncrossing his arms to place a hand on Damiano's shoulder. Abel joined in. "Y-yeah, y-you cant j-just e-e-expect him to leave."

Donna clearly wasn't in the mood for this, frowning as she looked at the two guys and then Damiano. "Listen kids, he can get patched up back at the facility ... This right here is just him acting out, he does it all the time," she said, rolling her eyes as she clearly had very little patience with the hybrid. Damiano chuckled, coughing a bit as he felt that one of his ribs might've been bent. "Yeah I only get hurt for attention, that's your professional take away?" he scoffed, lifting his head to look at the tall woman. She looked scarier than she was, but of course she used that as a leeway. "Damiano this isn't one of your stupid games," she said in a hushed voice but the hybrid wasn't having it. "No, it really isn't ... But then again what are you going to tell your boss when you bring me back all broken and bruised?" he retaliated.
Donna clearly didn't like that, gritting her teeth as she leaned over the hybrid, grabbing on to his shirt as she looked him dead in the eyes. "Listen here you little shit, you better start behaving or I'll make sure it gets written in to your journal," she warned him. Damiano didn't seem faced as he looked at the tall woman who was holding him in place. He actually felt quite relaxed, which put Donna on edge. "I think I'll stay here and go home when I'm all patched up," he said calmly, the tall woman's face dropped as she stared at him before shaking her head. "You can't just refuse orders," she warned him and he reached up, placing a calm hand on the one she used to hold him in place. "I'm not ... I don't have to follow anything you say; Rules are I need two civilians and a nurse's opinion to get out of the facility," he reminded her and her face went pale as a ghost.

Even if there were people at the facility that could patch him up, then it wasnt in Jeremy's interest to just leave. Abel might have been more inclined to fall in line. But when Donna grabbed Damiano, Jeremy frowned a little, though he didnt intervene. It seemed that Damiano had it all under control on his own. The reminder however made Jeremy's face light up, though he tried to bite back his smile. Abel coughed a little into his own hand and cleared his throat as he eyed Donna's hand on Damiano. "W-w-what authority d-do you h-h-have to put h-h-hands on your patients a-a-anyway? I think y-you're o-o-o-overstepping your jurisdiction here. S-so I'd l-l-l-let go before dear M-ms. Claire h-h-has to notify h-her superior." he also pointed out, looking to Jeremy with a crooked smile.

Donna finally let go of Damiano, letting the hybrid sink back in the chair, feeling a bit drowsy but he hoped he would be alright. It seemed like this stuttering kid knew just what to say and the tall woman had to leave as nurse Claire had vouched for his wellbeing. Although she didn't know that she was actually helping him out of a mental institution, but alas it was all the same. "I'll fix him up shortly, but one of you might want to call his parents and let them know that they might need to come pick him up," miss Claire said in a sweet voice. She was always happy and eager to help. Damiano got up from his seat, a bit wobbly in his walk, but he told the guys he was fine for now as he walked in to her office.
His leg had taken quite a bit of damage, and she was also rather worried about all of the old bruises as well as the new ones that were forming. After he was patched up he got out to the two, leaning against the doorframe with a slight smile on his lips. "Do either of you rich kids have a ride for me home?" he asked.

The tall lady left and Jeremy exhaled in relief, Abel just smiling, though he had no idea what was going on. When Damiano went on into Miss Claire's office, the two students stood outside. Jeremy only then seemed to realize that his friend was back when he was supposed to be in America. "I didnt w-want to tell y-y-you guys b-before I-I-I knew what things were l-l-like now." he explained as Damiano came out. The question made Jeremy nod as he couldnt help but smile a little brighter now. "Yeah, I'll get you a cab and make sure you get home safely." he said. Abel frowned a little as he seemed to think of something. "D-d-dont tell Kurtis or Z-Zaira just yet." and with that he left them alone.

Damiano nodded at Jeremy's words. He knew that his parents would be shocked to see him come home, but he didn't know what else to do. Nodding and bidding the stuttering kid goodbye he walked over to Jeremy, although limping a little as his leg had been wrapped up pretty nicely. "Do you want to come with me?" he asked. He wanted to make up for lost time, but he could understand if the nephilim wanted to check in on Kurtis as well. He just lingered for a bit, stealing looks at the handsome guy that he only was so lucky to have in his life after all the shit they had been through.

He noticed the limp but at least it didnt seem that Damiano was in pain anymore and that was the important part. The question made him hum thoughtfully. He knew that Kurtis was in good hands with Zaira, so he wasnt really concerned with him. He let him walk on his own though it wasnt just with his good will, he of course offered to help support him if he needed.

Damiano was perhaps feeling better because he had gotten to fight someone. Not saying that what him and Kurtis had done was the proper way of dealing with their conflicts, but it has helped both of them it seemed.
Getting outside it felt like he was breathing for the first time in a while, but going down the steps he had to rely somewhat on Jeremy. As they reached the bottom of the stairs he stood for a while, trying not to seem out of breath, but he was, as he wasn't doing too good with his ribs being bend. It would pass, but he still had to be mindful. The cab that Jeremy had ordered was already there and waiting for them. Getting in proved troublesome as well, but he managed.
The cab wasn't all that big, so he had to slouch and lean towards Jeremy just to sit somewhat comfortable. "I'm going to start looking for my own place," he muttered. He had saved up quite a fair bit, but it wasn't enough to get something decent. But maybe he just needed a small and cozy apartment or maybe even a shared apartment with someone else. "Mostly because my parents don't have to deal with me all the time," he said, closing his eyes as his head rested on the nephilim's shoulder.

Getting in the cab wasnt much of a struggle but Damiano was quite large to just be sitting in it properly. Not that Jeremy minded as it meant that he leaned onto him, though it probably still wasnt the most comfortable. "Hmmm?" he hummed, as the mutter felt a little sudden. But then also not when he realized they were heading towards Damiano's parents home. "Can you do that when you're only 17?" he asked, frowning a little as he thought about it.

"My parents don't own me, and they know I've been saving up for my own place for a while," he said, shrugging lightly, but it made him wince as it hurt. Especially with how twisted he was sitting. He closed his eyes for a little bit, just listening to the car and smelling Jeremy there beside him. "I never got to sign out of school," he chuckled, "I got so distracted by Kurtis, so I guess you owe him a thanks." It was a bit funny how that fight, though violent in nature, also had solved a lot of things. He didn't agree with violence or fighting, but it had done him some good today.
They reached his parents place, the restaurant busy so they could sneak up to the apartment above without getting spotted or questioned. Once inside he headed for his room, picking out some loose-fitting shirt and some shorts. "I think I'm going to attempt to have a shower," he said, feeling a bit weird about it all. Frowning he looked at the nephilim. "Do you want to join me? If not in the shower than just be in the room?" It was clear he was terrified of being left alone right now.

Moving in to the bathroom it took him a bit of extra time to get undressed, his body scraped with old and new cuts. This would be the first time they saw each other really naked, wasn't it? He felt a bit self-conscious, but undressed either way as he stole some looks of the nephilim. He looked skinnier, strong, but leaner but he guessed it had been the fact that he had to heal from the bite. Turning on the water it would take some time for it to get warm, and he sat down on the lid of the toilet, unwrapping the gauze around his leg. He was already starting to heal, which was at least a good sign. Wincing a bit as he stretched to throw it out he got back on his feet. His stand wasn't as secure as it usually was, but he walked up to Jeremy, reaching out to touch his scar on the nape of his neck. He was just silently looking at it, still feeling sad, but happy that he was here right now.
"I feel like I've tarnished a beautiful painting," he muttered softly, his eyes looking in to the nephilim's as his breath was caught in his chest. Shifting between his eyes he leaned in rather slowly, kissing him if he let him, his hand reaching around him, holding him close.

There was something quite unworldly about this feeling he had. Well mostly it was because he could really feel something and he hadn't been able to for weeks now. His heart pumping, his veins feeling the rush of the blood moving through his body. He felt alive. The mumble made him softly chuckle, his free hand moving up to cup the nephilim's cheek as his other arm was wrapped around him. "Likewise," he muttered back, licking his lips gently. He wanted to taste him, feel his heart pressed against his own. If Jeremy did give in, he would greet his tongue with his own, being rather tender in the way he proceeded. He didn't want to think about the rumors at school or the facility he had endured. He wanted this moment to be just for them; two teenage boys who just wanted to feel what love could really mean.
Breaking the kiss, he felt a bit of saliva run down his jaw. "Water should be ready," he said, walking backwards carefully under the water, feeling the dirt and dried blood get washed away and down the drain. He pulled Jeremy close once more, kissing him as the warm water from above soothed his aching skin. "I love you," he whispered in such a vulnerable voice that he wasn't sure if Jeremy could hear him over the noise of the running water.