when ten opened the door, he was met with a warm embrace and a sinking feeling in his chest.

johnny was breathing heavily, his heart pounding against his chest. he cradled tens head in his right arm, the left grasping the youngers waist.

he needed to protect the younger, to keep his head held higher than how it was at the moment. ten deserved happiness forever.

"why?" ten asked, his voice cracking in the sadness that choked him. "why do i always end up getting worse?"

"you don't deserve it," johnny whispered, raking his slender fingers through the youngest dark locks.

"what do i deserve then?" the younger asked, looking up at johnny with his sad eyes. they dull yet shiny, passion and pain flashing through, taking turns in revealing themselves.

"this." with that, johnny cuffed the youngest cheeks, pulling him closer than close could ever be.