sepiachord

By The Glowing Light

When everything had gone all quiet, Arvo could f e e l the nerves starting to bubble up worse and worse in his chest, he just felt s o guilty and awkward in that moment. He just wanted to run off and hide in one of the rooms, let that be that it I guess, but no, he forced himself to stay put for now. Thankfully, a few moments later, Kenny had finally broken the silence, causing Arvo to jump slightly because he was so on edge, but he just, slowly nodded his head in reply to him.
The others seemed somewhat hesitant to leave, but did eventually walk outside to the truck, leaving the two alone. Arvo looked up at Ben a moment, before quickly looking to the floor with a small sigh, unsure of what to really say after all that.

Arvo was quick to look back soon after though when Ben had taken his hand, and started fumbling nervously with his fingers as he stared downwards. Arvo just kinda stood there all wide-eyed as Ben had started on his little ramble, while he continued talking he could feel the same fuzzy feeling he got the other time Ben had held his hands. What he was going on about most likely wasn't helping the slight flustered feeling either, but y'know.
After Ben had finished, Arvo had take a little bit to actually be able to stutter anything out to be honest.

" ..I-I.. I don't know, I just.. Kinda scared. " He finally admitted, a small sigh following as he shrugged his shoulders, keeping head down for now.

" I-I was with group and sister very long time, since start of everything, and I not know if I can deal with the whole end of world thing by myself without them. " Arvo said, just shaking his head as he spoke. He knew this must've sounded so stupid, but it was true, he was so used to having his group, and his sister as a kind of safety blanket and well, they were gone now.

So he just, wasn't sure about all of this, and there was a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Though that might've also been because he was hit in the head so hard. Sigh.

By The Glowing Light

Arvo's gaze just went to the floor as one by one, the others slowly made their way out of the building, some more hesitant then others due to Arvo. But then there was Ben, he was just stood there, completely frozen up with wide eyes, and once Arvo had noticed it he turned really concerned for the other. It looked like they were going into a anxiety attack, or well, thats what it seemed like him to be honest. He didn't really think that him saying he was going to stay behind who hit Ben so hard, he was staying behind because he thought they would be better off, and now he isn't so sure.

Though that could've also been his own internal feelings about not staying behind and staying with Ben intruding and making this out to be something its not.

Sigh. He just didn't know.

He had reached up towards the other to grab gently at their sleeve to get his attention, starting to ask, " Benny, are you oka-- " But he was then interrupted by the others walking back in, he pulled his hand away and he shakily wrapped them around himself. He just looked off to the side as they spoke it out, he wanted to comfort Ben at the moment, but he wasn't sure if he should at the same time.
What did cause him to look back though, was Ben declaring he wanted to stay with Arvo, and if he was staying, he was as well. Everyone seemed to just go quiet, and then after a few moments, all eyes besides Ben was on Arvo, so he was quick to try and stutter out a reply.

" ..I-I.. Ben, I am like, flattered and stuff, but uh, really is okay. You should go, you shall be fine, and so will I and.. Yeah. " He said, he wanted to say more, say something more hopeful, but god, his head still felt all fuzzy and dizzy and he couldn't really think all that well right now. It was because his body was trying to shut down, but he trying to force himself through it, so.

" I mean hey, look at bright side, if uh, go and I stay, you no more have to worry about soul mate thing, that is good thing, right? " He said, though it was obvious as Arvo spoke that he wasn't competely happy with what he was saying.
I mean, this was his whole idea behind him staying, and yet him saying out loud just felt bittersweet for some reason, and he didn't like it. He had to force a smile on his face to try and hide that fact, but uh, it wasn't that convincing.

" I am sorry, I am kind of just.. Done with all of this, I guess is good way to put it. " Arvo finally admitted after a small pause, his eyes finally darting up from the floor to Ben's face. Mike was then quick to butt in, raising an eyebrow at what Arvo just said.

" Kid, I hope you don't mind me asking and stuff, but uh, what do you exactly mean by '' Done. ''? " He couldn't help but ask, since there was a couple ways to take that, and none of them were good.

" ..Y-You know what I mean. " Arvo sighed, obviously not wanting to actually say, he had guessed that everyone after that at least got what he might've meant.
He just wanted to sleep, and stay asleep.

" So, yeah. " He ended his small ramble, his hands fumbling together in front of him as he wasn't exactly sure what to do now, how'd Ben would react, and if he even still wanted that or not since he had a bunch of conflicted feelings going on right now.

By The Glowing Light

Of course, Kenny was quick to shut him down, and Arvo had kinda just expected that, just rolling his eyes before just pushing on after Bonnie said it was alright. He went to just out right say it, but for some reason he kinda just stuttered a couple um's, looking to the floor as he furrowed his eyebrows together. He paused, seeming to think about his words but he then just shook his head and quickly looking back at the others, finally saying what he wanted to say.

" ..It is okay, leave me, I not mind at all, alright? " He said with a sigh, leaning onto the railing to his side. It was obvious by just looking at him that Arvo was just tired, probably not completely there.

" I am just.. Tired, I want stay here and sleep for awhile. Just uh, untie hands before go, please? Thank you. " He said, just lazily shrugging his shoulders as he started to shut his eyes. He didn't think that anyone would react much, maybe other then Ben, but like he mentioned to himself before, Ben was better off anyway, so. He would really miss him though, he was really sweet this whole time, and really caring and just, gosh. He hopes he makes it through all of this.

After Arvo had said what he did, the whole room seemed to just go quiet a few moments, making everything pretty awkward. But then, Kenny suddenly broke the silence with a shrug of the shoulders as he turned and started heading towards the door.

" Hey, you heard the kid. Even he wants to stay here, so y'know. If you guys are going to be comin', untie him, grab the stuff and c'mon. " He said before he stepped out of the building, slamming the door harshly behind him. Jane was then the next to speak up, stepping towards Arvo and untieing the boy from the railing as she spoke.

" Hey, if the kid wants to stay here, let him. Its not like we can force him to go or anything, so. " She said as she finished up picking out the knot in the rope, Arvo slowly getting up and brushing himself off before just shakily wrapping his arms around himself.
He looked to Ben, and then away again, unsure why he had this feeling of guilt in the gut of stomach. He'd be fine, It'll be better for him, Its okay. I t s o k a y.

" ..Theres more bags of things in the other room, grab them and bring them out to the truck, will ya? " She said, walking over and grabbing the one that Jane had dragged out before, and heading towards the backdoor.

By The Glowing Light

Arvo was obviously still a littlw dazed due to the hits to the head, it seeming to take him a second to competely process what Ben just said. Once he did though he kinda just frowned at the other and furrowed his eyebrows together with a small huff.

" I.. W-What? Is not your fault, i should not of said what said, is reason was punched. " He said, trying his best to make the other feel better, even though he wasn't exactly the best with words. The other had seemed to pause and look the other way a moment, like he was thinking or something, so Arvo hoped that was a sign Ben mightve listened a little bit.
Ben had then stood up and quietly went looking for something, and Arvo just gave him a soft, " Okay, Benny. " before relaxing into the railing again.

Arvo had obviously almost dozed off while Ben was away, since he jerked back awake as his footsteps became louder. He was quick to give them a sheepish before they had started cleaning up his face, mentioning the blood which Arvo kinda just replied to with a nod. Though he had to admit, the soft rubbing of his face felt like, really nice. A small almost purr seeming to follow as his eyes shut as he just enjoyed the feeling really.

When he had shut downs like he was, he tended just go competely numb, even to outside touch so I guess just any feeling would've be nice.

" ..Mmm, Ben? " Arvo mumbled, opening one eye to look at then other. " You are very sweet person, I thank you a lot for that. "

_____

After Ben was done helping Arvo, cleaning up his wounds and all that, that angry man had come into the house, shouting out for everyone rather happily. Arvo couldnt help but snort to himself, since hey, its the first time hes heard the guy not very upset, that was different to say the least.
He then just shut his eyes again, absentmindedly tuning everyone out since he was just so tired, so just done with everything. His head did perk up a bit when he had heard his name mentioned, by Mike at first to be specific. Whatever Mike had said about him, Kenny didn't see to like since he had right away twisted his face up in anger.

" Really!? You want to take the shitbird who tried to get us killed in the damn truck with us!? " Kenny shouted, crossing his arms tightly as he pretty much shot daggers with a glare towards Mike. Huh, thatd what must've made the guy so happened, he must've gotten that shitty truck out back to run finally. Also, while uh, Arvo was flattered and all that Mike was standing up for him and trying to convince Kenny to take him with but, uh.
He wasn't really sure if he wanted to go, he was just so tired, his entire just felt so sore and tired and just, just he wasn't sure if he could keep trooping on like this.

Not without his sister, I mean, he does have Ben, but what if the same thing happens to him? Ben would be fine witjout him, probably better acutally. So he didnt have to worry about this whole soulmate thing, yknow?

Then, Bonnie was quick step to try and defend both Mike and Arvo, a small sigh coming form her as she looked to the small tied up teenager.

" I mean, he did bring us to those supplies, and if you like, think about it the truck, so itd only be fair, right? " She tried to argue, but of course, Kenny was having none of that.

" F a i r? Yeah, I don't know if y'alls noticed, but life isn't exactly about fairness anymore. " He snapped at the pair, and that was about the point Arvo decided he'd speak up. Arvo sighed and cleared his thoart rather loudly to get everyones attention, and once he did, and after a slight hesitation he spoke up.

" ..I.. Do I no get say in the matter, at all? "

By The Glowing Light

Oh god, oh god, oh god, he knew he shouldn't of run, he knew if he ran off from the others bad stuff might've happened, and hey, guess what happened? Certainly nothing good, thats what! Like, they lost a person in the group, almost lost another two, most likely angered that scary man even more and just, he was trying not show it, but he was completely freaking out inside. He just wanted to run into the other room and hide from the others as a gross feeling in his stomach churned as everyone rushed around.
He slowly had begun to take deep breaths as he leaned onto the door frame, keeping his head down as he gripped at the front of his own hoodie, just to have something to fidget with for now.

He was just hoping that he could slip away in the background for a bit to calm himself down before he was like, yelled at or whatever, but nope. His head had snapped up as Kenny jerked and turned to Arvo, hissing out his name as he furrowed his eyebrows together, quickly rushing his way up to him. Kenny probably knew like, really really deep down somewhere that like, it wasn't exactly Arvo's fault that the ice was thin, and broke like it did.
But he really just needed something to take his anger out on. And Arvo, who was already kind of his punching bag, was his easiest target at the moment.

Arvo had vaguely stuttered out a nervous response, holding his hand up shakily to try and stop Kenny from getting up in his face or something, though thats when Kenny kept trying to egg him on. He had given a small shove, and made fun of this english speaking once again, and y'know what, all the slurs, Ruskie, F*g, and all the pokes towards his semi broken English, him beating on him whenever a n y t h i n g went wrong, He was just about done with it.
Arvo's face seemed to shift rather quickly, he looked up from the floor and up at Kenny as a scowled marked itself onto Arvo's face before he pretty much spit his next words, " Fuck you. "

Despite the fact it felt so good to say it, that relief didn't last long as the next thing Arvo knew, he was on his side, a throbbing pain in his jaw. He gently rubbed at the area and had looked up, but just as he did that was when Kenny threw another punch, completely knocking him on his back.
He tried his face to try and shove his hands away and struggle underneath the much bigger man, though it didn't really do much and he was pretty much at mercy of Kenny. Arvo had heard everyone trying to get him to stop, to get off him, but none of it seemed to really work until a small familiar voice had spoken up, the concern in her voice obvious, and thankfully it seemed to stop the angry man in his tracks for now.

Arvo's whole face felt kinda numb, but also stung and burned like a bitch, a small noise of pain leaving as he sat up, keeping his head down though. He didn't put up a fight when he was went to be tied up, he kinda just seemed dazed or confused or anything.
He didn't say much as he was pulled up by his hood and dragged away from the others, just a few small mumbles in Russian that no one really understood.
Once he was tied up again he just slowly blinked a couple times and leaned his head onto the siding of the wall. He still seemed pretty out of it by the time Ben had come over, when he had spoken up Arvo seemed to jump like he hadn't noticed him, staring at Ben wide-eyed a few moments for seeming to relax a bit again.

" I-I.. " He stuttered out, a small almost confused noise followed before he shook his head slightly and looked back up at the other.

" ..I-It hurts. " Was all he could really comment on at the moment.

By The Glowing Light

When Ben had said, yeah, they could go sit by the warm fire for a little bit, Arvo was quick to competely look up, his face just lighting up. Though he probably got a bit too excited, a super big smile spread across his face, and he just blurted out a, " Really!? " before just jumping up from where he was sat.
He was quick to take hold of Ben's hand and pull him to his feet as well before he started to tug the taller over to the others, and the fire. Once they had gotten settled near the fire, despite his excitement due to the thought being able to warm some, he was still pretty half asleep. So after a few moments, he yawned and absentmindedly set his head onto Ben's shoulder once again, his eyes fluttering shut with a soft sigh as he dozed.

Though, of course, that didn't last for too long before he was pulled from his sleep and thrown right back into fear due to a certain loud, angry man, complaining as to why he was not tied up again. Arvo tensed up and pressed himself into the fence again out of nerves, keeping his head down as Ben had tried to stick up for him, he was so sweet, oh my gosh. And then Bonnie had joined in aftef the man had started snapping at Ben as well, and he guessed since thry didn't want to start stuff this early in the morning, he seemed to back off thankfully.

After they had headed off, he looked over to Ben with another nervous smile, kinda hoping he wasn't worrying the other too much, but from what Ben immediately said, he wasnt sure. So he tried to act like he wasnt as freaked out, quickly nodding his head as he smiled nervously at the other. It again, most likely wasnt that believable unfortunately.

" I-I.. Yes, I hope not, he is, uh, odd. " In other words, he freaks me out really badly and i want him to stop, but im too frightened to really speak up at the moment. Thankfully being close to Ben did make him feel safer though, so that was nice at least, sigh.

And that was when Mike had come over, and had questioned if they were okay, Arvo looked to Ben a moment like he was wondering if the other was okay first, and once he nodded he looked back and nodded himself. He stuttered a small reply as he stood up, brushing snow off himself.

" Uh, I am okay too, I mean, is tired, but what can do I guess? " He replied, a nervous laugh and a smile following as he tried to joke and move on from what happened. He then looked to Ben a moment before turning and holding a hand out to help Ben up, his smile seeming a bit more real now.

" Are coming, Бенни? "

By The Glowing Light

It took a little longer for a certain small Russian to like, start coming around and waking up to be honest, he wasn't exactly the the biggest morning person ever or anything, so. Though once he did, he seemed to try and go right back to sleep, he had whined under his breath immediately and tried to snuggle closer to the one warm thing he was currently snuggled against, aka Ben!
So Arvo pretty much crawled on top of Ben and sat up on his lap before burying his face away into his shoulder with a small sigh, his eyes tightly shutting again for a few moments. He had honestly almost fallen back asleep like that, but then someone from the group, erm, Mike he thinks in his daze, called over to them, and had asked if they were awake.

His eyes had snapped back open and he jumped slightly in surprise, but just kinda grumbled sleepy semi Russian gibberish as he looked around, finally taking a second to process everything.
And that was about the time he noticed that he had somehow gotten sat on Ben's lap and he just kinda froze a moment before quickly shifting off again, hoping that somehow he didn't notice. I mean, he totally did but hes just going to pretend he didn't, yup.

" U-Uh.. Good-- Good morning to you? " He said, a nervous smile spreading across his face, along with a tint of red because just, oh gosh. He was quick to look over to the others, hoping that none of that noticed that either, but nope, Mike, Bonnie and Clem had looked over for that moment, and had all kinda looked they were snickering at them.
Which worsened Arvo's flusteredness as he just quickly looked down towards his lap with a small huff, trying to calm himself down a bit as he spoke.

" Do.. Do-- Do think we could go sit by fire until scary guy come back? I'm uh-- cold, and I am sure you are too, so. " He said, lightly shrugging his shoulders as he looked up a little bit, but he was still mostly keeping his head down for now. His head was up enough to notice another small smile spread across his face, this one seeming a lot less nervous then the last.

" T-Those people and you, seem many times nicer then that angry man, so I guessed would be okay, maybe? If not you can at least I am guessing. "

By The Glowing Light

" I-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.. " Despite Ben trying to reinsure Arvo that it wasn't his fault, that it was okay, he couldn't help but feel otherwise. Though he did seem to shush a few moments later, small muffled sobs replacing those sorries instead as he hid his face away.
He did try and pull himself together as he begun to calm down, and whilw he did he finally unburied his face from his knees, finally stuttering out a small reply with the nod of the head and a small sigh.

" ..I am glad you okay too. " He mumbled, and it wasn't soon after that he was pulled into Ben's arms and trust me, there were no complaints from Arvo.
He right away hid his face into Ben's shoulder as his breath calmed itself, his eyes shutting tightly snd his fingers curled tightly into the back of Ben's shirt.

" ..Ben? uh, Can.. Can sleep like this? Or well, with you wouldbe better way to put I guess. I like- I like being like this. Is nice. " Arvo couldnt believe that he was actually admitting this right out, but I think the fact he felt like shit was just stopping him from giving a fuck.
He just wanted to be held and snuggled up to himself and just, it'd help him a lot right now, yknow?

Plus after what just happened he'd like to make sure Ben's okay anyway, so.

By The Glowing Light

Arvo had shut his eyes shut, trying to push himself even further back as he heard stomping footsteps getting louder, and coming right for him. Though obviously becasue of the fence, that didn't exactly do anything, and Kenny had snatched him up the collar soon after. Arvo had let out a choked sob as he was brought to his knees, forcing himself out of his little hiding place of safety inside Ben's jacket.
He just stared up at the other with wide eyes, and first thing that he had blurted out was just, " I'm sorry! '' though as a habit and since he wasn't thinking straight in his panic, he had snapped back to Russian so he actually said, " Простите! ". But Kenny was to tighten his grip to choke him into silence, and he had quickly turn to Ben, and had started yelling at him.

Arvo, of course, couldn't say anything in that moment, but he wanted to try and make Kenny stop yelling at the other, because no it was his fault, not Ben's! So, he just started hitting at Kenny's leg to get him look back to him, and for a moment it did it seemed, but he was only given enough time to say " No!- " before he was back to being silenced.
Though thank god for Ben, who had actually managed to make Kenny let go finally, but there Kenny meant, spewing more bullshit to be competely honest, but Arvo was too busy panicking since this whole ordeal had sent him into a panic attack to really say anything about it for now.

Plus the others had already come running over at that point, so its doubtful anyone would've noticed anyway. Arvo had sat there with his face hidden into his knees until Ben had came rushing over, since then Arvo had immediately clung to Ben, hiding his face away.
If he wasn't freaking at in the moment, he probably wouldn't of and been flustered, but no fucks were given in that exact moment he just needed to hold onto someone.

He hadn't even noticed how long had past, and what the others had even said, everything sounded like it was super far away, and was all fuzzy. The only thing that was semi clear was Ben, so he tried his best to focus on him as he tried to calm his breathing some.
By the time everything was "okay" and they had been left alone, Arvo still seemed a bit dazed when Ben had grabbed his shoulders and asked if he was okay. He looked around a moment before, after a pause, stuttered out a reply with a small sniffle.

" ..I, I am sorry, i should've.. I should've told no when go to cut free, i am sorry-- " He said, his eyes darting to floor as he fingers curled into the fabric of Ben's sleeve.

By The Glowing Light

Arvo would be straight out lying if he didn't admit he felt a little more then relieved when Ben seemed to not mind his gesture, or the closeness. He could feel a warm feeling fluttering in his chest again, and a smile had pretty much forced itself onto his face, him not really being able to fight it off.
Yeah, he was still a bit flustered about all of this himself though, as his red face showed that, and what Ben had did in return didn't exactly help those matters. I mean, he didn't mind in the least bit he supposed but he wasn't exactly used to this, y'know?

When Ben had scooted closer, he couldn't help but giggle at the fact they were kinda just a big small of limbs since they were kinda just sitting each other at this point. He ended up getting a bit too ahead of himself, cuddling his face into Ben's cheek a moment.
Though he was seemingly quick to catch himself, and tried to play it off as nothing, but Arvo being the worst liar in the existence of friggin' ever, it most likely wasn't that believable.

" Oh, uh, I'm sorry, I was uh, cracking neck, had uh, knot in it. Yeah. " God damn it, Arvo, really you couldn't come up with anything better? Anyway, moving on from Arvo's horrible skills of deception apparently, after that probably awkward as all hell moment he seemed to calm down yet again.
He had rested his head onto Ben's shoulder again as his arm came to wrap around his, and all was just, really well in that moment. Arvo had actually started to doze off even since he was a bit more comfortable now, and his tiredness and had hit him like a pile of goddamn bricks honestly. He guessed Ben would understand, so.

Though that was when a loud, almost booming voice had jerked him awake again.

" WHAT THE F U C K ARE YOU TWO DOING!? " As soon as Arvo has processed what was going on, he pretty much just threw himself off Ben, and had scooted back until his back pressed on the fence. Though he was quick to mouth to Ben, '' C-Come here! ''.
He looked up and saw a fuming Kenny rushing right over to him and Ben, oh god oh god oh god, why did he have to look over here!? He was quick to hide himself in Ben's jacket further, hiding his face away into his knees in fear of being hit once again.
He had started shaking again, his panicked breaths being heard from within his little hiding spot, oh god oh god oh god.--