Dark Reprieve [Clover + Hanschens]

( X A V I E R . T H O M P S O N )
x BIO x

Trigger Warning

A deep sigh of relief woke the world up from it's momentary silence. Xavier took a moment to listen to the sporadic beating of his heart even though his breathing remained rhythmic. Relief had come in the form of a blade: a small silver dagger with a mermaid engraved into the wooden hilt. He watched as the blood dripped from his fingertips. Bum. Bum-bum, bum. Bum. Pain, his brain recognize the loss of blood and commanded his heart to pump more out. Faster. But Xavier wasn't worried. It had been days since he had had this kind of relief.

The long cut across looked deeper than it felt. He thought that it might be bleeding more than it should have but shrugged off the thought. Nah. He did this all the time. He was careful, a practiced art. Xavier wouldn't get careless just because it had been a few nights since he last felt like this. The dagger made a small clink as he dropped it next him on the bench. His nimble fibers reached up to pull some of his hair out of his eyes and tighten the bandana that was supposed to be holding it back. The blood from his fingers rubbed off on to pieces of his hair but he didn't pay that any mind.

It wasn't often that he risked his behavior in a public place, but after work today he just couldn't bring himself to drag his tired feet all the way home. He needed to feel it. He had needed it right then. It was already dark by the time that he had gotten off and most of the district was clear except for late shifts like himself. There was a bench a couple of yards from the oil refinery where he spent most of his time an he felt comfort in sitting there, waiting for the area to become deserted. Oil was still caked on the left side of his face where he had tried to wipe the sweat from his eyes. There was oil stuck to his clothes and arms and he remakes off it. But once the area fell silent, none of that stopped him from dragging the dagger across his skin.

The cool air felt nice on his face and he leaned his head back and closed his eyes to enjoy it all, take it all in. The smell of oil mixed with the coppery tang from his blood, the cool breeze, the pain that enveloped his whole arm. It was a good day. Xavier felt around with his hand until it clasped the dagger. He could feel the edge cut into some of his fingers and smell the fresh blood. It felt better then good. He opened his eyes and brought his head back down in order to see where he would make the next cut, not caring about the blood now staining his clothes. Xavier raised the dagger once more and brought it hard against his skin.

"Hello?" His voice caught. There had been a noise, it sounded like someone had kicked a rock or like a foot had skidded on the ground. He had only painted a line about two inches across his arm under the previous one. Someone was here. Someone might have been watching. While this was a normal thing for him, it often wasn't for anyone else in the district. He had been reported before and it didn't turn out well. Xavier tightened the small bag that had been on his shoulder the whole time, clutched the dagger in this uncut hand and tried stood up, ready for whatever was going to happen. Blood was still oozing from his wounds. He tried again, "Hello."