~Darryl, Bad Video AU~
~Brooklyn, New York 1986~
I tugged my jacket closer to me as a gust of cool wind brushed past me.
I walked down the every brightening streets of Brooklyn to the bus stop around the corner. My bag was cast over my shoulders and I held my books close to my chest.
I knew I was already a half hour late to work but I was helping my neighbor clean up her house. Winter break had arrived and she was preparing for her sons arrival from a private school she sent him to for the semester. She told me he would be stopping at the public school in the area to get his class lists for second semester. I was going to work as a tutor for my fellow classmates at school so I promised I would keep an eye out for him.
I vaguely remember her saying her sons name was Darryl.
I approached the bus stop for the 8am pickup and shifted my weight impatiently. Soon enough the bus pulled up beside me and the doors open.
"Late for work Y/N/N?" Mrs. Jacobson, the bus driver, asked me. A playful smile was on her face as the skin around her eyes wrinkled. I looked to her plush red jacket that she held tightly around her small frame as the cool air entered the bus. I nodded and sighed. I watched my warm breath form in the winter air as I ascended the steps onto the bus.
"Yes, and I'm in dire need of the public transport only you can supply," I cried out jokingly. I reached my arm out to her and she slapped my hand away, laughing.
"Stop playin' child," She laughed and I smiled at her. I pulled my bag from over my shoulder unzipped it quickly. I pulled out my mothers old wallet and began to take the amount out for the bus fair. I outstretched my hand offered it to her but she placed her hand over mine and shook her head.
"Don't worry about it," She spoke kindly with a soft smile. I furrowed my eyebrows and opened my mouth to protest but she interrupted me quickly.
"You need to use that for more important things, and I won't hear anything else, got it?" She questioned me authoritatively. I gave her a shy smile as pressure built behind my eyes at her kindness.
My parents had passed away a few years prior when I was only fifteen. I had to find extra jobs to support myself and I eventually had to move from my old apartment into a new one to save money because every last dime I had went to school. All my parents ever wanted was me to finish school and make it out of our poor home in Brooklyn. No distractions. So no dating. They always made me promise that I would finish school and get out of there. And I intended to.
Luckily for me I truly loved school. Learning new things each day about the world and the way things worked really interested me. So when I was looking for a side job to keep up with my bills, tutoring fit perfectly. I took mostly times after school but today was the first day of break and the school was open to the public for people to work. So I accepted a few last minute pleas from failing students and scheduled my day to be fully booked.
"Thank you," I spoke softly, biting my lip to hold back my tears. She gave me a wide smile and reached for the handle beside her to shut the bus doors.
"No problem sweetheart," She spoke sweetly. "Now go take a seat." I nodded towards her and picked up my bag, slinging it around my shoulder.
I walked down the aisle and saw people leaning against windows, sleeping soundly. The bus was packed and I struggled to find a seat so I stood at the back of the bus holding on tightly to the railing above me with one hand.
The bus surged forward and I gripped the railing tightly, planting my feet steadily on the floor. I turned my head and looked out the windows as we passed through the streets of Brooklyn. Although the area I lived in was quite broken down, it still looked beautiful in glistening streets with snow covering the sidewalks.
I rode the bus for about ten minutes, listening as people began to awaken and conversations began to stir. People came and went on the bus until finally my stop arrived. I let go of the railing and make my way towards the front of the bus. I tightened the straps of my backpack as I reached the front.
"Have a good day Mrs. Jacobson," I spoke sweetly as I began descending the steps. She gave me a grin and waved.
"You as well sweetheart," She spoke. I waved to her with a smile and reached into my pocket to pull out my small piece of paper that held my schedule.
I unfeld it and examined my list as I began to take a few steps towards the direction of my school. Sadly missing the faint cry from Mrs. Jacobson.
"Don't forget, I'll be back here at 8:00pm sharp!" She called out behind me. I waved to her passively as continued walking and searching through my sheet for my first appointment. I faintly heard the bus begin to drive away.
"Richards, Colson, ah Addams...8:45am," I spoke and looked up. I saw an older man walking by me and I gently tapped his shoulder. He turned towards me and I saw him adjust his glasses in confusion.
"I'm sorry to bother you sir," I spoke politely. "But do you know what time it is?"
He made an 'o' with his mouth before pulling back the cuff of his blazer and checking his watch.
"8:40 ma'am," He spoke bluntly. I looked to him as my eyes widened and my face fell.
I immediately began to sprint towards the school which was still about three blocks away. I dodged through groups of people and tried not to trip on any broken parts of the sidewalk. Which proved to be difficult.
"Watch it kid!" One man yelled as I bumped into him, my backpack slinging back into my side. I caught myself before I fell over the small hole in the sidewalk.
"Sorry!" I called out with an apologetic wave and continued running down the street.
I quickly rounded the corner of the street and the school was in sight. I ran up the steps to the large doorway, proceeding to push it open in a huff. I looked down to my books as I jogged down the hallway, searching for my math book for the appointment.
But then I fell.
My books went flying out of my hands and my glasses flew off my face. I heard them slide across the floor as I fell to my knees in an unladylike manor.
I hissed as pain shot up my legs. I reached down to my knees and soon enough realized my glasses were missing and I began to frantically search for them. My hands began to slide across the floor, feeling for the large pair of glasses I had come to love.
Book?
No.
Notebook?
No.
Pencil?
No.
Leg?
N...wait what?
I recoiled as my hand came in contact with a person's leg. I attempted to examine the person in front of me, but without my glasses I was completely blind.
I heard a groan and could see a fuzzy hand reach up to the head of the person in front of me. They shook their head and soon I saw them look up and towards me.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, are you ok?" A soft voice spoke in panic. I felt my heart begin to beat faster as two large hands began to wrap around my arms, helping me up from the floor.
I looked over the silhouette of the man in front of me and I saw a large woolen jacket that covered his body. I squinted and could only make out the darkness of his hair. I blushed nervously as his hands remained tightly on my arms.
"I...I'm alright," I stuttered out awkwardly. He rubbed his hands up and down my arms soothingly, and I felt a tingle in my spine at the contact. What? I don't mess around with men a lot. So they don't mess around with me. I'm shy.
"Thank god," He dramatically breathed out in relief and I laughed lightly at his response.
"Here, let me help you with your things." He spoke and began to release my arms as he took a step towards my bag.
"Wait!" I cried out and grabbed his arm to stop him. He spun around with his eyes widened nervously. I looked to him and my face burned in embarrassment as I released him.
"What's wrong?" His concerned voice spoke. I scratched the back of my neck stood still in my place.
"I..um dropped my glasses," I spoke shyly as I motioned my hands towards my eyes. I heard him let out a relieved chuckle as I saw him put his hand on his forehead.
"Hold on," He spoke quietly as I saw him shift. He looked around the floor and soon enough bent down to retrieve something. I felt my heart begin to race as he began to walk towards me. He stopped a few inches away from me, close enough that I could feel heat radiating off of him.
"Here...," he drawled out as his soft hands began to push hair behind my ear. I shivered at his touch as I felt my face flush. I closed my eyes anxiously as I felt his gloved hands move to place my glasses onto my face. He paused for a moment before removing his hands from me. I cautiously opened my eyes and a lump formed in my throat.
He stood close to me, enough that our bodies were almost flush. He held a soft look to him that contrasted his chiseled features. His dark curly hair was styled neatly with a wide smile set upon him. I looked over his attire and saw a dark grey woolen jacket paired with a grey hoodie underneath.
But what really caught my eye were his eyes. His dark brown eyes had me transfixed as I saw a joy in them paired with a seemingly haunting past. I found myself itching to ask him what pain he held inside him but I refrained.
He looked down to me and we held each other's gaze for a moment. I felt myself falling deeper and deeper into the pools of his eyes. And the funny thing is. He seemed to as well.
But soon a thought invaded my mind. Tutoring. He opened his mouth to speak but I gasped and ran towards my things. I frantically began picking things up and throwing them into my bag.
Shit, shit, shit.
I felt a hand rest on my shoulder but I ignored the gesture and continued to collect my things. As I packed my bag I glanced towards him and saw his eyebrows were furrowed in confusion at my antics, shock prevalent on his face.
"Do you know what time it is?" I spoke quickly as I continued to pack. He broke out of his shocked state and pulled back his jacket slightly to check his wrist watch.
"U..um...9:15," He stuttered out. I immediately felt all the adrenaline rush out of me as I stopped what I was doing and sat back on my heels. I groaned in annoyance and rubbed my temple. I'm already a half an hour late.
I pushing my glasses up and rubbed my eyes before I saw the man still standing there in the corner of my eyes. I looked towards him and saw him awkwardly shifting his weight, unsure if he should help me or await my response.
"Sorry," I apologized as I got up, embarrassed, from the floor. "I'm just really late for work." I sighed out.
He looked to me apologetically but soon curiosity struck his features.
"You work here?" He asked me politely as his eyes looked over my body. I knew he was referring to my youthful appearance but I felt my body heat up as he scanned me. I shrugged.
"Sort of," I spoke. "I'm a student but I also work as a tutor."
A look of realization dawned on his features as he nodded understandingly.
"But you don't look like you're from around here," I questioned as I motioned towards his attire. Not many kids around here dressed so formally for school, especially in our area.
He looked to me with slightly widened eyes before a small blush formed on his features.
"I am, I just got back from...private school," He spoke shyly. I felt a tug at my thoughts and soon I realized he must be my neighbor's son who she talked so highly of.
"Darryl?" I asked him. He raised an eyebrow at me cautiously and nodded.
"How do you know my name?" He spoke defensively with a rougher tone than earlier. He scrunched his eyebrows together and slitted his eyes, examining me. I swallowed nervously. I could practically feel the barrier he had just put up between us, but I couldn't understand why. Like he was hiding something.
What was he hiding?
"Your mom is my neighbor, she told me about you coming back," I informed him quietly. He widened his eyes, relaxing his face as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Sorry," He spoke softly with an apologetic smile. I breathed out the breath I didn't know I was holding and gave him a small smile.
"Hopefully that's all she said about me," He laughed out, jokingly. A giggle escaped my lips and he gave me a toothy grin. I decided to play with him a bit.
"Nah," I waved him off. "She just told me about the toenail jar you keep under your bed." I bit my lip to refrain from the laughter building inside me.
"She told you about that?" He exclaimed with a shocked face. My smiling face fell flat and I scrunched my eyebrows together. He actually has a toenail jar? I coughed awkwardly and soon he began to laugh an infectious kind of laughter.
"I'm just messin' with you girl," He said through his laughter. I blushed furiously.
"So, your mom said you were checking out classes, do you need help finding anything?" I asked him politely, trying to change the topic of conversation.
"Seeing that I have time now," I sighed out in frustration. You really are an idiot Y/N, being late for the bus. Idiot.
"I would appreciate it," He spoke politely. I looked up to his kind face and couldn't help but feel my frustration dissipate. I nodded to him and walked over to pick up my bag but I felt a hand grab it before me.
"I'll carry it for you," he spoke softly into my ear. I shivered at our close proximity and nodded anxiously.
"C...can I see your schedule?" I mentally cursed myself for stuttering as I turned towards him. He gave me a small smile and handed me the paper in his hand. He then reached down and picked up his leather briefcase.
I looked it over and read his first class.
AP Physics C, B13
How smart is he? Taking this death trap of a class.
"Follow me," I waved him down the hallway as we began to walk together.
I showed him to each of his classes and we talked throughout the time. He seemed to be very articulate and intelligent and I felt myself become more and more attracted to him by the minute. His laugh, his small shy smiles. He seemed like such a kind and giving person to the people around him that I started to forget about my suspicions of him.
"Alright, last class," I spoke as I showed him the last classroom he would be in second semester. His wide and curious eyes scanned the door before looking back to me. I felt my heart begin to beat faster as our eyes connected. He opened his mouth to speak but I interrupted him unknowingly.
"Can you tell me the time again?" I asked him. He nodded and looked down towards his watch.
"10:45," He answered and I groaned in response. I reached into my pocket and retrieved my work schedule and checked my next appointment.
"Forty five minutes till my next appointment," I grumbled to myself. What was I gonna do for the next forty five minutes?
"Well, If you have time, can I take you out to get coffee?" He asked and my eyes darted up to him. He seemed to understand my questioning look and his eyes widened.
"Just to say thank you, f...for helping me, you know?" He spoke quickly, waving his hands in front of him. A blush formed on his face and he looked down towards his feet. I found my confused stare turning to a soft smile.
"Sure, why not?" I answered sweetly as I grabbed my bag back from his arm and threw it over my shoulder. I saw a look of protest cross his features but I raised a hand to stop him.
"Let's just get going pretty boy," I joked with a laugh.
I saw a smile form on his features as we began to leave the school and walk to the nearby coffee shop.
---------------------------------------------------
"Here you go," Darryl spoke as he set two steaming coffee cups onto the table. I gave him a quiet thank you and immediately reached for the cup.
"Careful, it's hot," he warned with a small smile as his hand brushed my arm. I felt goosebumps on my arm as I nodded to him as he sat down.
I sipped carefully at the hot coffee and moaned out contently as the liquid crawled down my throat. I looked up to see Darryl looking at me with an amused smile and I felt my face heat up.
"I can leave if you need some time alone," He joked. I slapped his shoulder and rolled my eyes playfully. He laughed and I couldn't help but join in. But our laughter died off as an older couple glared at us for being so loud.
We turned back to each other with amused smiles on our faces as we attempted to refrain from laughing again.
"So, when did you meet my mother?" Darryl finally managed to get out. I breathed a sigh and looked to him.
"When I moved to the apartment next to yours here a few years ago," I answered him politely.
"Why'd you move to Brooklyn of all places?" He joked. I smiled at him as I thought about the graffiti filled streets but it soon became a sad smile.
"Always been in Brooklyn, but, my um...parents died and I had to find a less expensive place to live," I told him. His face fell and he gave me a pitiful smile.
"I'm sorry I didn't me...," He spoke but I cut him off with a wave of my hand.
"It's ok, I'm fine now," I smiled up at him and he gave me a small smile. He cleared his throat and drank a bit of his coffee.
"How long have you lived here?" I asked him curiously. He looked up to me attentively.
"My whole life," He breathed out as he shook his head playfully.
"You must really like it here," I laughed out. A smirk grew on his face as I sipped my coffee.
"Yep, especially when I get to meet beautiful girls like you," He smoothly spoke. My eyes widened and I choked on my coffee. I began to cough wildly and I soon felt him come up behind me and begin to pat my back lightly.
"Wow, didn't know I'd leave you breathless," He joked with a laugh. I gave him a playful glare as I laughed at his cheekiness.
Once I stopped coughing I realized his large hand still rested on back, running up and down my spine. Although my first instinct was to stiffen nervously, I found my body relaxing into his touch.
He soon enough went back to his seat once I was alright and we resumed our earlier conversation. We talked for awhile about our lives and things we loved. We connected on music and movies and I found myself falling deeper and deeper into the depths of his eyes. His voice. Everything about him made me want more.
I found myself itching to ask a certain question but I didn't know how I would be able to ask it without sounding weird. But soon I couldn't hold it back anymore.
"So, is it only you and your mother? Or is there anyone else, like a brother," I paused. "A girlfriend?" I quietly muttered, partly wishing he hadn't heard. But soon a grin grew on his face and he raised an eyebrow. Damn it.
"Nope, just my mother and I, no girlfriend." He answered. "How 'bout you? Boyfriend?" He asked me. His grin still on his face but I saw his eyes held curiosity as he awaited my answer. I repeated his smirk and sipped my coffee making him wait.
"Nope," I finally spoke, as I saw him release a short relieved breath. "But maybe you could introduce me to a friend of yours." I playfully joked. I giggled as his face deadpanned.
"No, never," He bluntly stated. I laughed at his response as I thought he was joking but soon my laughter died off as I saw the seriousness he held in his face. His eyebrows were furrowed and he had his lips set in a straight line. His eyes averted from mine as he almost glared down at his coffee cup.
"I'm sure they're not that bad," I breathily laughed as I tried to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, not that bad," He passively spoke while in deep thought. I wanted to ask him more but I felt as though a wall was being put up between us. And all I wanted to do was break down that wall and help him as I saw the stress in his features. But I refrained. I didn't actually know him.
I tore my gaze away from him for a moment and looked towards the clock on the wall of the coffee shop.
11:25am.
"Oh no," I spoke as I frantically began to gather my things. Darryl broke out of his trance and looked to me with confusion written on his face.
"What's wrong?" He asked me.
"I have my next appointment in five minutes," I spoke as fear built up in me. I looked up towards the clock again. "Make that four."
I stood up and threw my bag over my shoulder and grabbed my books in my hands. I looked towards Darryl and gave him an anxious smile as I picked up the coffee cup on the table.
"It was great meeting you, I'm sure I'll see you soon," I politely smiled as I began to speed towards the door. But I turned around before I exited.
"Oh! And thanks for the coffee," I called out, getting a few glares from people, and raised my coffee cup to him. I saw the amused look on his face as he laughed.
"No problem!" He called out behind me.
And that was the last thing I heard as I sprinted to the school.
---------------------------------------------------
I opened the doors and exited the school into the cool night.
If I had to answer one more math problem...
I cracked my neck and looked up to see the moon had ascended over me. I sighed and began to walk to the bus stop. I watched as my feet sunk into the snow with each step I took. My breath had noticeably become more prominent into the deep cool night air.
I turned down the corner to go down the last block to the bus stop when a large gust of wind blew. My free hand, that wasn't grasping my books, reached for my jacket to tighten it towards me but I suddenly realized I had forgotten my jacket at the school, leaving me in only a sweater.
I groaned and turned towards the direction of the school. Should I go back? I internally struggled in debate but snapped out of it when I heard the release of pressure from a car.
My head whipped around to the bus stop, that was still down the street from me, and saw the bus begin to close it's doors and pull away.
My eyes widened and I began to run towards the bus, my backpack slamming against my back as I ran.
"Hey!" I called out, waving my free hand. "Wait!"
I kept running but the bus began to pull down the street. I waved wildly as I got closer to it but the darkness engulfed me and I was out of the bus' sight.
"Mrs. Jacobson!" I called out again, out of breath.
The bus went further and further from my view and my legs slowed down as I stopped. I heaved loudly and rested my hand on my forehead. Wow, am I out of shape.
"Damn it," I muttered, my eyes shut in frustration. I kicked the ground angrily and looked around the dark neighborhood. I groaned and rubbed my temple as I tried to remember the pathway home.
"Just like old times," I grumbled as I began to walk down the familiar streets towards my apartment.
I walked down too many blocks for me to count when I came across the entrance to the subway. I looked down the street and back to the subway in thought.
Subway's a shortcut.
But following the roads will be longer, but safer.
I thought about the gang activity in the subway and almost began to walk away when another gust of cool wind hit me and my rationalization went out the window.
"It'll be fine for tonight," I whispered to myself, calmingly, as I jogged towards the subway.
I ran down the steps, protected from the wind. The subway station had white walls and paneling that were still intact. It was relatively clean and didn't seem that bent out of shape compared to other things in the area. I cautiously looked around the large subway station and didn't see anyone. I sighed in relief and walked further into the subway, finding a support beam to lean on.
I closed my eyes contently and took a break from walking. Only a few moments.
Suddenly I heard shouting.
My eyes shot open and I felt my heart begin to beat at a rapid pace. I heard grunting and tons of footsteps from around the beam I was hiding behind and I felt a lump form in my throat.
I nervously peered around the beam and saw a full gang brawl occurring in front of my eyes. Men were fighting with each other, many wearing caps on their heads with leather or denim jackets. I cringed as I saw men with scratches on their faces and bruises already beginning to form.
"Who's bad!" I heard a voice shout. I cocked an eyebrow at the familiar voice and my eyes began to unconsciously search for the voice in the large crowd.
"You're telling me, you're doing wrong!" I heard the voice angrily shout. I frantically searched through each man fighting but still couldn't spot the man I was looking for. Until...
My breath caught.
"Gonna lock you up, before too long!" Darryl called out. "You're doing wrong!" He forcibly called as he struggled to stop the man who was lunging towards him.
I felt myself take an instinctive step forward to help him but stopped myself as I saw a gun shining from the unknown mans holster. I felt it becoming harder to breathe as anxiousness crawled up my throat.
What if he gets hurt, what if he...
My mind ravaged on and I felt so useless as I watched them fight. The whole scene becoming more and more dangerous as my concern grew.
All of the people in the subway station fought, their moves seeming almost, choreographed.
But I couldn't tear my eyes away from Darryl. I knew I couldn't stop a full grown man from hurting him. Even if I could, I would just be roughed up by the other men behind him.
I knew I needed to get out of there. I couldn't watch it anymore.
I looked around and spotted a staircase leading towards an exit that would take me home. With all the men seemingly distracted, I took a deep breath and squeezed my books tightly to me.
You can do this, it's right there. I told myself as I took my first step out from behind the pillar that had been shielding me.
I began to sneak past the men, praying that I hadn't been seen.
"Y/N?" I thought I heard a voice say, but I missed it as I could barely hear anything as blood rushed in my ears.
I got closer and closer to the stairs but then a hand reached out and grabbed my ponytail, yanking me backwards.
I cried out as all my books tumbled to the floor and I fell sharply onto my, already pained, knees. My hair tie slipped out of my hair as two large hands pulled me up from the floor and wrapped around my neck and waist.
I felt fear build in me and I sucked in sharp breaths as the hand tightened around my neck.
"This your girl Darryl?" The man called out jokingly.
"Let her go," A voice spoke sourly. I peered over to see Darryl standing in front of a large group of men.
My eyes widened slightly as I got a full view of him. His whole look had changed. I was in shock as the sweet looking, well dressed man who had gotten me coffee, who I connected with so deeply, had so rapidly changed. He wore a black t-shirt and cloth jacket and jeans with buckles and boots. His hair was much more disheveled, with stray curls hanging around his face, but still seemingly neat at the same time.
Would have excited me if we weren't in our current predicament. Damn.
A menacing look was held on his face as he looked to the man beside me.
"Maybe you should be my girl baby," The man spoke into my ear sensually. As I felt the mans breath pass by my ear I shut my eyes tightly and felt tears begin to well up in my eyes. His hand tightened on my waist and a tear fell down my cheek.
"I think I'll take this one home with me" He boastfully spoke towards Darryl, who gave a deathly glare.
"Do it and you're dead," Darryl spoke murderously, his fists clenched tightly. The man beside me laughed and pulled me closer to him. I whimpered slightly and more tears fell down my face.
"Who's bad Max?" Darryl asked him. The whole group behind him repeated. I furrowed my eyebrows towards them as they tried to reason with the man.
"Ya know it," Darryl spoke again. "Ya know, you're doing wrong." He pointed his finger at, who I now identified as, Max. I felt his hands tighten around me as I tried to peer up towards his face.
Max held an amused smile as he watched them speak.
"Being with a fine woman like this," Max spoke as he looked down to me. I shivered. "Ain't nothin' wrong man." He breathed out as a hand moved up my waist, playing with my sweater. I felt my face contort in fear as I looked towards Darryl pleadingly.
He looked towards me with fear in his eyes, which was unsettling, but soon anger flared in him as he looked back towards Max.
"Watch your mouth boy," Darryl menacingly spoke as he looked back to the men behind him, all of them nodding. Darryl turned around and looked back to us with fire in his eyes.
"Yo brother," He called out to Max, the men behind him backing him up.
"That's your mother, that's your sister," He spoke pointing at me. I saw Max's jaw set angrily, his face scrunched in irritation.
"That's me," Darryl drawled out, patronizing him. Max held a conflicted emotion on his face.
"You're doing wrong," Darryl finished as held a hopeful look on his face.
I felt Max's squeeze one last time before he pushed me forward and I fell into a pair of open arms. I felt myself being pulled into a warm embrace and I tightened my arms around the person, digging my face into their chest as I shook from fear.
I looked up slightly to see Darryl above me as he looked forward, holding a defensive stance even as he held me.
I heard footsteps approach.
"So that's the way it goes down then?" Max's voice asked.
I tightened my arms around Darryl and he did as well. He released one arm and held me tightly to his side. Darryl stayed silent and I peered up to see Max put his hand out and Darryl waited a moment before grasping it and shaking it.
Max released his hand and didn't even look towards me as he walked away with his friends out of the subway. I sighed in relief as I nuzzled my face into Darryl's side, finding that my heart beat couldn't slow.
I heard voices from above me and footsteps retreating. Soon I felt Darryl wrap his arms around me tightly and his face being pressed into my hair.
"I'm so sorry," He breathed out sorrowfully. I felt him press a kiss to my hair and I physically relaxed into his arms. We stood there for a few moments and I felt my heart begin to slow as he soothingly rubbed my back.
I soon pulled back slightly from his embrace and looked up into his eyes. Concern had filled them as he looked down upon me.
"What if he had taken me, what if he...," I choked on my words as tears began to fall from my eyes. I saw a guilty look take hold of his face and my heart clenched at the sight as my vision blurred.
"I never would have let that happen to you," He confidently spoke. "Ever." He stated as his arms tightened.
I felt safe in his arms. I had taken so much time protecting myself and being so self-sufficient when my parents died that I never allowed myself to feel care and love from anyone else. I closed myself off from the world.
But from him.
It seemed so easy.
"What happened Darryl?" I croaked out. I saw his eyes widen and he bit his lip nervously.
"Let's get you home first," He spoke softly as he unwrapped his arms from me. He walked over and picked up my bags and books and walked back to me. He wrapped one arm around me and led me towards the exit.
We walked up the stairs to the street in silence. Once we exited into the cool night I shivered. I rubbed my arms, preparing myself for the walk home when Darryl's arm released me. Just as I looked over to him in confusion, I felt a warm jacket being rested onto my shoulders.
I looked to Darryl who held an irrefutable look on his face as he re-wrapped his arm around me and pulled the jacket tighter around me.
I blushed as we began to walk down the street towards our homes.
"Darryl," I spoke quietly. I heard him hum as he unconsciously began rubbing his hand up and down my arm.
"What happened?" I asked again. His hand stopped moving and I feared that he would put up another wall like the one he put up earlier. I heard him sigh out.
"I'm not who you think I am Y/N," He breathed out. I cocked my head in confusion at him.
"I've...done some bad things in my past," He held a look of regret on his face. I reached up from the jacket and placed my hand over his.
"Everyone's done bad things Darryl," I tried to reason. He gave me a soft smile but shook his head at me.
"I was in a gang with those men," He asserted. "With Max." He finished with disgust. His face contorted angrily. I squeezed his hand but couldn't help but feel fear cross over me. Would he be like him? He couldn't be. Right?
"I left for school and things changed for me," He spoke as he looked up to the sky. "I wanted something better for myself, for my family someday." He truthfully spoke. I felt a small smile cross my face.
"I thought everything would have changed, but when I came back I realized that while things changed for me, they hadn't changed for them," He sadly spoke.
"They wanted me to be the same person I was, but I'm not anymore," He stated. "I couldn't do it." He breathed out, biting his lip as he held back a tear threatening to fall.
It was like my heart was being hollowed out as I watched the sadness cross his face. He was just a man who wanted what was best for his friends but they didn't have the same drive. He was a man who wanted to be a better person and had hopes and dreams for his future. And I knew how he felt.
"Darryl," I began and stopped us from walking. He turned towards me sadly.
"W...when my parents died I felt like my whole world was crashing down," I stuttered out nervously, averting my eyes from his.
"And when I went to school I thought everyone would feel the same way as me, devastated," I sighed out sadly. "But they weren't, I was the only one who changed. My goals changed, my feelings, everything."
I slowly looked up to him with a few stray tears falling down my face and I saw he was the same. A few tears fell down his face, his eyebrows furrowed together as he looked to me.
I raised my hand and placed it onto his cheek and wiped away the tears that fell. He leaned into my touch and closed his eyes with a sigh before he opened them again.
"But things get better," I ran small circles on his cheek, soothingly. "But before you can help anyone else, you have to help yourself." I spoke knowingly.
He nodded slightly and smiled to me before he pulled my into a tight, one armed hug. He nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck and took a calming breath.
"Thank you," He whispered. I blushed and wrapped my arms around his frame tightly. But when I hugged him I felt how cold his body was and I gasped. I pulled away quickly, leaving him confused.
"You're so cold, we need to get you home!" I exclaimed and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards out apartments. More like I tried to pull him, but I could barely get him to take a step.
How strong is this guy?
He was laughing as he pulled me back to him, wrapping an arm around me again. I looked up to him with doe eyes as I held a concerned pout on my face.
"Gosh, you're so cute," He laughed out as he pushed my glasses up my nose. I blushed wildly and he began to lead us down the last block before we got home.
We walked together down the street. I held his jacket closer to me and I was still surprised at how unaffected he was by the cold. I wrapped my arms around his torso to try and keep him warm.
When we arrived at my front door I slowly released myself from him. I looked up to his face to see a large toothy smile on it. I couldn't help but giggle at him. He proceeded to hand me my things and I set them near my door before turning to him.
"It was a pleasure having you accompany me tonight Darryl," I spoke poshly. He laughed and stood up straighter.
"Pleasures all mine Y/N," His soft voice poshly spoke. I laughed and we stood there, bodies close, both of us looking into each others eyes.
Because neither of us wanted to leave.
"O..Oh here's your jacket," I stuttered as I began to take off his jacket to hand to him. But before I could take it off I felt him tug it around me. When I looked up he was flush to me, our faces a few millimeters apart. I felt my breathing increase and I tried to steady it.
"Keep it," He smoothly said. "It looks better on you."
I felt my face heat up and I looked down shyly. I head his soft chuckle as his finger went under my chin to tilt it up so I was looking at him. When our eyes met he held an appeased look on his face, a lazy smile to match.
"You're not like anyone I've ever known," He breathed out quietly. "W...will you, go out with me?" He stuttered out shyly. I felt my breath catch.
"I want to get to know you, because...I like you, girl," He nervously spoke. I felt a smile grow on my face.
I reached a hand up and pulled his face down to me in a soft kiss. I felt him stiffen in surprise but he soon melted into me. His hands pulled my hips closer to him and I moved my hands around his neck, pulling him closer. Our lips moulded together as the moon illuminated us. It felt like a movie, and he seemed to be the only who could make me feel that way.
I'd never met anyone like him before.
We pulled away from the kiss, resting our foreheads against each other, big grins on our faces.
"I'll let you get inside," He finally whispered. I felt reluctant but knew it was too late to refute. We both pulled away slowly. He kissed my forehead and began to walk towards his front door which was next to mine a bit further down the block.
I walked up my steps and stopped, looking over to him. He was looking at me and I laughed at how close our proximity actually was.
"Goodnight Darryl," I spoke with a small wave.
"Goodnight baby girl," He winked towards me. I blushed and shook my head playfully.
And then we walked inside.
~Requested by
I hope you like it! If you have any criticism feel free to message me so I can make you're next imagine even better!
I was nervous about writing an AU but I absolutely am in love with this chapter! Thank you for requesting!~
~much love, KT