Breaking Point {Vy/Ky/Matt/Jeran}

Absolute pain penetrates his face when he starts to get a moment without the knuckles barreling into his skin and bones. The copper taste in his mouth just won't quit coming as he spits out yet another mouthful of the nasty substance. He neither groans nor makes a noise from discomfort as he only takes a few deep breaths, though his face is contorted enough to say otherwise. THe voices beside him, the ones of Vy and Matt, echo into his ear.

"...beating up Jeran."

"Stop! It's not Jins."

His eyes close to a slit for a moment as he rolls to his back, looking to the sky above, letting his swollen vision focus on one single bright circle in the night sky. Nothing but a quiet and still moment is given to him. A hand though, moves upward and touches his mouth, and generally checks the multiple areas of pain radiating with heat and fire.

"Jeran?" Her voice suddenly comes above the sound of his heart beating in his ears. He turns his head slightly, looking to her. He nods softly as she begs to be let go and just as she does push Matthew off her, his hand moves upward as if to protect himself, yet reach for her in the same moment. The tears in her eyes say so much and it's evident as Jeran tries, but fails miserably at giving her a smile. His lips, swollen and bloody, don't even move.

"Jeran, I'm so sorry. ARe you okay?"

He lets loose a small noise and shakes his head from side to side. "Been better. Thanks." Her hand goes to touch his face, but with it comes a flinch and a distressed look as he gently rolls opposite from her. "Hurts. Don't touch." He mutters, getting on his hands and knees with a painful light moan. A moment later, he hears Matthew coming near to him, and with his vision somewhat distorted by the swelling around his left eye, he takes the hand that's offered to him.

"C'mon, let's get you back to the house."

"Don't... say a word, Dunham." He chirps, knowing that he'll never let him live it down. At least for the moment, he didn't want any banter, but glad to see that Matthew had his back. Upon his standing, he fights the urge to sway and puts up a strong front and takes two steps forward before stumbling. "Dunham... a hand?"

It isn't beyond him to ask for help when it was needed, but he just couldn't seem to ask Vy for it when he knew how much she'd be upset. The tears in her eyes, he recalls, was enough to say that she was sorry for it. He knew it just wasn't like her to do that, yet his pride won't let him ask her for help. Matthew? Different story.

For a moment I just stand there frozen in disbelieve of what I just saw. Vy had been so delusional and out of it that she beat on her lover or whatever they were. He looked pretty bad and it was beyond me why he didn't defend himself or hit her back. He must have been just as stunned as me but now he's bleeding and his eye is swelling shut fast.

The girl has just as little idea what happened as I do.
But she thanks me nevertheless. "If you didn't cut in....Just, thank you."
"Yeah." I blink against the wind still wondering what happened.
"Didn't you see him?" I shake my head at her.

vy tries to help him and apologize but right now he won't have any of that. Instead he accepts my offer of help.
I grab his hand and pull him to his feet when he stands a little wobbly on shaky legs I put my arm around his back and ask. "That bad?"
"Don't... say a word, Dunham."
For a moment I think this would be a good time for a joke to lighten the mood but when I see him sway and the look on Vy#s face in the light of my torch I bite my lip.
"Dunham... a hand?"
"Yeah." I pull his arm over my shoulder, which hurts because of the bruise on my collar bone but I bet it's not as bad as he is right now. Poor bastard. Or the blonde for that matter. I can only imagine what's going through her head now.

Together we slowly walk back through the cold mud towards his home with Vy following us. Once I cast a glance back at her wondering whether she's going to snap back into destruction mode or not. I would hate to be choked from behind.

"You okay?"
She's not, I know.

When we arrive at the house I bang at the locked door for Kyanite to let us in. She's going to be very upset to see her brother like this so I step aside when she opens up and let Vy enter first, who is instantly greeted by her daughter on Kyanites safe arm. "Mama!"
Her arms find her mothers neck, almost instantly.
"We found her." Let's keep the focus on the good stuff.

I hand Jeran over to his sister but don't explain what happened because I'm not sure what he wants to tell her.
"Hey, can you get him and ice pack?"

A glance past them shows how beshevelled Vanity is so I offer.
"Do you want me to take Brooklyn?"

It's all over. Because of an uncontrollable mistake nothing will ever be the same again, not that they ever have been for very long before. But this round she caused the pain, there's no telling what repercussions that'll bring. Already Jeran has no interest in even being near her, and this is only the beginning. With a silent nod she keeps her distances, shining a flashlight to give them a clear path ahead. In a way she's furious that they came looking for her, though her guilt won't let that get very far.

As much as the boys stumble about, she stays away. For all she knows Jeran is now fearful of her, maybe Matthew is to. Can't really blame them if they are. Oddly enough a question is directed her way though, wondering if she's okay. Obviously not, but then again, has she ever been? So badly she wants to mutter that it doesn't matter, not with the condition Jeran's in, but her lips don't part from each other. Instead she only casts a quick glance at them, as if her exhausted eyes will get her point across. They just need to get home.

It feels as if it takes them all night before they finally reach the light of the house. There's a horrible sensation that comes along with the sight. The entire walk, all the Blonde wanted was to get out of the forest, and now she only wants to hide within it's mist again. How Kyanite's going to react, discovering what the others are thinking, she'd just prefer not to know. Either way she follows them to the door though, remaining as quiet as ever.

"Hi babygirl." Vy greets with a forced weak smile when her little one practically jumps in her arms. Guess this is who caused all the ruckus to come search for her. There's no possible way she can be mad at the rugrat though, only forming more guilt over the entire event. Her focus darts over to Kyanite, and the expression she must be giving in return to all of this. Of course worry overpowers her voice, yet she takes it like a champ with way too much experience in events like these.

"Mama, you cold." Brooklyn's innocent voice distracts her and informs her of things far from her concern.

"I know baby girl, lets go in." The older Blonde's tone remains hushed while she follows the rest inside. Everyone gathers in the living room to repair Jeran, and Vy stays in the doorway with Brooklyn and her confusion. There's such a desire to help and fix what she did, but she fears of the flinch she'll receive from him.

"Why Jewan broken?" The last question she wants to hear comes from her two year old.

Luckily an offer pulls her mind away to Matthew, whom questions if he should take the tiny Tyke. "Yeah, that'd be awesome." Her soft words agree to Kyanite's suggestion and request for more help. Doesn't matter if Jeran's refusing, it's something that needs to be done. "He's right, will only take one person to clean him up. How about you help Matthew, Ky? Good practice for you two. I can handle it." Her eyes glance over to Matt and Brooklyn, reassuring him that another slip up will not be occurring tonight.

It's terrifying. The moment when I found out that the door was open and Vy was gone. It felt like it was him all over again. Only, this time, there is no blood on the walls or damages to see for it to be him again. It's only the fact that she's gone that's scaring both me and Brooklyn. I have to be strong in front of the little one, whose face is broken and tears that collect to her eyes as the door shuts and the boys are gone.

"Momma. I want momma, Kyky. Find momma!" Her voice wails out, but I only hold her close to my chest, and wrap my arm around her back, placing my chin on top of her head as I walk back to the living room with the child.

"She'll be fine, little one. Uncle Jeran and Matthew will find her. She just went for a walk." I tell the child and wish I could be more confident in that answer. I just have this really bad feeling that something is totally wrong.

"Kyky, I want a story. Pwease?" The curly top asks as I get to the couch and sit down, easing my way down, holding the child and getting myself situated where she isn't sitting or pressing too much weight on my stomach. Finally, snuggled away on the couch, I pull the blanket down and cover me and her with it as she suddenly leans over and kisses my belly.

"Brookie. What was that for?" I ask, completely unsure of why she just did that, though a smile is forming huge on my face.

"Kyky baby in there. Brookie kisses goodnight." A small chuckle escapes my lips as I let my hand caress the girls head until she lays her head down on me and I extend my feet on the couch. Slowly, I start to tell a story about a giant and boy with some magic beans. Though, she doesn't see it, I keep my eyes peeled on the door until soon after, her calm breaths tell me she's finally fallen asleep, I hope.

Without warning, some time later, hard knocks on the door jolt me from my peaceful calm. Enough that I jerk and Brooklyn wakes back up with a start. "It's okay, Brookie. They're back." I tell her and get up, holding her still to my body as I manuever my pregnant self up and curse the awkwardness in doing so. I race to the door and open it. Every bit of calm I have is gone the moment I see Jeran's face. The blood over his face and onto his shirt. How his eye is closed due to swelling and his lip split. My God! What the hell happened?

"Jeran? JERAN!" I practically want to scream out, though my voice won't go that high. I'm pulling him into the house so quickly and looking to Vy and Matthew for answers though, Jeran's the first to react telling him he's tough and that he don't want me to ask what happened. It's not enough though as my mind is rearing with ideas and scenarios and fear running through my system.

I take my leave the moment I get him on the couch and collect some needed supplies for him, hoping to ward off some of the blood and keep him from getting worse. Hoping that the swelling on his eye isn't going to effect him once the damages start to heal. Beside me, Matthew takes Brooklyn from Vy and it makes me curious as to why. Though, I don't ask but only suggest he try to get her back to sleep like she was right before they started pounding on the door. Jeran refuses the help I suggested about Vy helping me. I turn to Vy and give such a questioning look before Matthew starts to take Brooklyn upstairs with the mention of candy and Vy telling me go help him put her back to sleep. Even though Jeran gives me that look, I don't take heed since there's no reason for me to expect anything to be wrong. I pass over the equipment and go with Matthew.

"C'mon, Ky. Those two need to talk." I give him a look that he doesn't see thanks to Brooklyn taking his attention and I follow him upstairs to my room and get back into bed with the little tyke and Matthew. I lay on my side, watching them mess around with a granola bar and mentions of candy. After a moment, when Brooklyn looks like she's fixing to throw a tantrum, I pat the bed beside me.

"Come here Brookie. Lets lay down, please. Mommy is going to take care of Jeran. We'll have a sleepover here with Uncle Matt. We'll have candy in the morning okay? For breakfast!" I taunt the child and with a grin she does as I ask and plops down beside me then pats the bed beside her for Matthew.

"Sleep Uncie Matt. Sleep Kyky." She pretends to close her eyes before a big grin appears on her face. "Story, Kyky!"

"Okay." I look at Matthew hoping he might help me tell a story to the curly blond to get her to sleep while I worry furiously about what happened out there. "Once upon a time, there lived a little girl with hair as yellow as gold and so long that someone could climb on it..." I brush my hand over her cheek and she sits up and pats my belly once again.

"Night. Night, baby." She plops down on the pillow and closes her eyes again.

----
Matthew and Vy are the culprits tonight. Both of them doing the exact opposite of what he wants in this scenario. Matthew is leaving him with Vy and Vy is trying to stay and even pushes Kyanite away to help Matthew with her daughter. He's furious on the inside although not showing it externally. He only watches through his one good eye as Ky agrees to Vy's suggestion to help Matthew and with a heavy sigh, he has no one but himself and the woman in front of him that's to blame for the way he is at the present moment.

He looks away from Vy and instantly reaches for the washcloth that Kya had in her hand and dips it in the water, and wringing it out.

"You don't have to stay. You need rest, Vy." He pushes out with his voice, a little low and definately a different tone than any other before. It's harsh and down traughted. Almost as if the world was coming to an end and he was blaming everything on her. Gently, he presses the cold cloth to his lip again, feeling the sting from the split and wincing as he dabs harder at it to get the copper taste out of his mouth. "Just go to bed, Vy. I can take care of myself."

To show her that he means business, he attempts to get up, but it only lasts about midway to standing before his head swims and he sits back down with ease. He drops his head down, and stays in the position, taking a heavy breath. "You don't need to see me like this."

He takes the cloth and puts it back in the basin, letting his hands come together on his knees.

"What happened to you out there?"

Pain and fear and helplessness is something so foreign to Jeran. For as long as he can remember, he's always been the big brother and problem solver for the ones around him. He's been the one people go to when they need help and the ear for him to listen and never tell. Tonight, he feels all of those three things. Pain from all of the times that her knuckles barreled into his face, breaking things and causing blood to appear. Fear from the utter confusion that she, of all people could have done something like this and the helplessness... he can't even stand to make it to the chair beside the couch to tend to himself.

Embarrassed is another word that crosses his mind as the three other people in the house goes upstairs leaving him with the one who caused those three things he's feeling at the moment. Things he should never feel.

Ever.

Yet, here he sits with blood on his chin and lips. His eye swollen shut and he sniffles, tasting blood in the back of his throat enough to make him want to be sick, but keeps from it. He's tough, as he told Kya, and tough is what he'll be. He half watches Vy as she wraps a towel with a dry cloth and hands it to him, telling him it's for his eye and biting back the feeling to keep strong, he finally relinquishes all barriers and gives in to the help. Might as well?

His facial expressions and tough exterior holds up when she places the cloth against his chin. How bad was his face? He's yet to look in a mirror and was afraid to as much as it seemed every inch was painful to the touch. Only once does he hiss out when she touches the cloth to a spot near his eyebrow, flesh torn and burning to even the air around them. "I'm good." He states as she continues on the path, to try to ment what she had done.

The question that he poses takes a moment for it to sink in. Either she don't want to answer, or she doesn't remember. Either of which would be okay with him. To get an answer or not to get an answer would be disturbing. To hear why she did it would be heartbreaking and not to hear it was going to piss him off and make him continuously wonder when she'll snap again.

"I thought you were Jins."

"Thanks. I look like a madman." He kind of jokes but it comes out as more of a whisper.

"A million apologies or excuses isn't going to change what I did though."

"No, it won't. But It would help if I understood more?" He asks. What he gets in return is just a half assed smile that looks fake and her excusing herself from his presence. She's gone, just like that. Giving himself a few minutes to be in the company of himself and the walls. Slowly, he brings his hand up to his face, feeling around for the damages. He can feel the sting from each wound as his bare fingers sets off the wounds like fire. Especially his eyebrow, which he reaches for he cloth and dabs at it again, holding it against it for a good minute. It seems that it would be the worst open wound compared to the pain throbbing in and around his eye.

He takes a moment to lean back against the couch and hold both the wet cloth and dry towel-wrapped ice pack on his face. He listens to the sounds around him, until he hears her footsteps coming back and he immediately puts the cloth back down away from his eyebrow but keeps the ice pack on his eye. With one good side, he looks at her and notices the redness around her eyes and the water pooling at the bottom as if she'd been crying.

"You still up?"

"Hard to sleep like this." He states as she enters the room and he's sitting there with his gaze upon her body. Somehow, he looks her up and down and then takes his vision elsewhere. "I want to understand, Vy. How could you think I was Jins? That damn Maniac? What did I do... how do I look like him for you to even compare me to him? I've done nothing but be the best gentleman I could be around you. Why couldn't you snap out of it? Could you even hear my voice? I was trying to tell you that it was me, yet you kept going. I couldn't fight back, Vy. I just couldn't hit you..."

He reaches out for the other icepack and without wanting to wrap it in something, he exchanges it with the ice pack that has the dry cloth covering it. Even though he's flinching, the cold seems to help take the bitter taste of hatred away from his tone. "Is it going to happen again?"

The ice cold temperature of the ice pack against direct skin sends a chill through his body, but he's about ready to do anything to make sure this pain is stopped in its tracks. He'd rather feel the frigid temperature then to have to deal with the problems anyways but it might help him keep a clearer head and keep him awake despite the want to sleep. The answer he gave her only moments ago was just to make her feel safe that he didn't need to sleep when his head was wanting to fall under that spell.

The questions he asks are personal and not within her privacy to keep them hidden. He's got a demanding tone that is nice about it. He needs to know and without the ability to just let it go, he waits for the answers that he thinks he'll dread. Something he hears though has him even more confused.

"So, you heard me, but it was.... what? Distorted? Backwards? What was you hearing?" He looks at her through the one good eye at the tears welling up so much in the bottom of her eyes. So much regret is pooling there. So much fear and hatred that he can see it wasn't suppose to have happened like that. She never cries. She never shows her feelings and she's usually the one to try to make light of teh situation but here she is telling him these things and it's not good. Her reactions aren't normal and that means that something is seriously off.

"I don't know what happened Jeran. I wish I did."

With a shake of his head, he knows that isn't right. She does know... tucked away somewhere in the recesses of her mind, but she had the answers. Dreams are the windows into the soul, but Jins just happened to bust one out.

"I don't think so." He listens to her say that it won't happen again. There's something inside of him saying that it will, but whose he to judge her right now? Can he judge her? It was an accident. "I don't know. It all felt so real, like he returned and I had to..."

"Kill him? Vy. He's dead. You have to accept that he's dead or it's going to happen again. Do you not think so? Is this related to what happened that night? Why are you so pumped to fight a dead guy?" He asks, wondering if it'll trigger any sort of latent memory or thought. The only responce he gets from her is one that he can't just ignore.

"Vy, don't even think about it. If it happens again, you can wager with every ounce of my strength, I will fight to get you back. Next time, if it happens... If it makes you feel better, I'll hit you back or something? There's no way in hell I'm going to let you just sink into a nightmare like that again. If you don't want me to come after you, then you better start thinking real hard about not letting that son of a bitch effect you like this again. He's dead. Revenge isn't needed. He's already been judged."

Jeran's voice draws to a close as his jaw stiffens with a small amount of pain surging through his jawline. Taking the icepack off his eye, he moves it to the side of his cheek to give it a few minutes of cold to ease off the pain. "Please, don't feed me any lies, Vy, but do you think Brooklyn will be safe around you at night right now? I didn't even think to check her before we left, but I had no clue what we were up against. Do you think you might have hurt her?" He's curious how it all started. Was Brooklyn in any danger of her own mother's nightmareish dreams?

"I'm just looking out for her."