Hinder and Deneuve

Deneuve nodded slightly and smiled assuringly.

"Yeah." He murmured softly.

Hinder chewed his lip and looked up at Deneuve. "Do we have to?" he asked miserably, although he knew he had no choice.

"Yes." Deneuve replied softly.

"I don't want you to be hurt anymore."

Hinder chewed his lip and nodded slightly. "I really don't mind it all that much though," he replied.

Deneuve made a sound, as though he were being strangled before he sat himself up forcefully. His eyes, usually so gentle and forgiving and full of mirth were stormy as he stared at Hinder.

"Well I mind it!" He replied forcefully, emotion leaking through his tone as almost desperate and exasperated and even angry perhaps.

"You're just frightened and I understand that, but I am not going to just stand by and let you get hurt because 'you really don't mind it all that much'. It's a God damned lie and you know it."

Hinder winced, bowing his head as he remained silent. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice quiet and small. He sat up and slipped from the bed, gathering up his clothes and starting to put them on, keeping his eyes to the ground.

Deneuve's temper cooled quickly and he took on a look of shame at his outburst, inwardly curling in upon himself. It was rare to see him upset, but the thought of someone he cared about getting hurt and being told not to do anything was too much.

"Maybe I'm just selfish." He finally murmured softly.

"I became a member of the police force to help people - because helping people makes me feel good inside." His voice was soft and his shoulders were slumped as he refused to make eye contact with the other male, instead turning his body slightly away.

"I don't want people to hurt anymore and if they don't want me to help, then what else can I do? I've seen a lot of people die because they didn't want my help."

"I want your help," Hinder whispered. "I'm just afraid of the consequences it'll bring about. The consequences that include me, my brother and my mother. He's going to take it out on them and me and then he's going to turn it around and somehow pin the blame on you. For all I know, you could end up losing your job because you're helping me. He's an asshole, and a big one at that, but he's still very well known and people trust him and look to him during important tasks. I'm sorry, but I'm not thinking about myself when I say it's alright. I don't want my mom to end up unhappy. I don't want my brother to end up on the streets. I don't want you to lose your job. And if his abuse of me prevents all of that..."

Hinder wrapped his arms around himself. "How's that saying go? The good of the many outweighs the good of the one? I don't want to be selfish and cause more suffering than I already do." He sat down on the end of the bed.

"I mean, ya, my goal in life is to piss off my step-dad, but that's my goal and I'll deal with the consequences of it. I don't want to drag others into it when I know it'll mean harsher punishments for them." He sighed. "I'm sorry," he mumbled and got up again. "We should get to my place. My mom'll be outside by the pool by now and that's when she's most reasonable to talk to."

"I don't care about my job." Deneuve replied earnestly.

"I'll find somewhere better." His eyes hardened.

"I just don't want you to be hurt anymore." He whispered, taking Hinder's hand tightly before holding him close.

"I'm going to take care of the three of you to the best of my ability."

Hinder bowed his head, leaning into the embrace and nodding slightly. "Okay," he whispered. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Deneuve whispered softly, nuzzling Hinder's neck affectionately.