“Why don’t you go to the rec room and play some games?” Sin suggested.
Yeah, like hell he would do that. Cecil had heard enough stories to last him thousands of years. While he was starting to get used to Benji and Roth, the others terrified him in ways he had never thought possible. Cecil wasn’t sure if they were trying to make him feel welcome or chase him away.
For Sin to actually suggest that he subject himself to them meant Cecil was probably bothering him. Figures the man he felt most comfortable around would find him annoying.
With a smirk, Cecil asked, “Am I bothering you?”
“What?” Sin’s eyes widened slightly. “No, of course not. You are welcome to stay and watch.”
His fake smile slid away and he eyed Sin, searching for any hint that would show the lie that his words were. Because that is what they had to be—a lie. Sin was painfully polite, so there was no way the man would be able to tell Cecil to get the fuck out.
It was only a matter of time before things went to shit. To him, it was a waiting game. Cecil was waiting for the weird happy family act to fall apart. It couldn’t be real. Despite the horrifying things that came out of some of their mouths, they were too nice. Too friendly. It had to be a lie.
Knowing this, and holding onto it as truth, was becoming difficult. Cecil found he had to keep reminding himself to not believe them. Reminding himself of all the times people had let him down.
It was made even harder by the fact that Sin just did it for him. Why the hell that was, Cecil didn’t know.
The man was so weird, with his properness, and refusal to swear, not to mention Sin’s irritating habit of smiling at him like he was just the cutest damn thing. Sin shouldn’t return his glares with a smile! It was so demoralizing.
Not that it wasn’t a nice smile, it was, but still irritating. And damn his eyebrows! They were so…so perfect.
Ugh, Cecil needed to get a grip on himself. He couldn’t risk getting close to any of them. And if he didn’t watch himself, that is what would happen. They would bury a place for themselves in his heart, and Cecil couldn’t let that happen. Because if he did, they would have the power to hurt him. He wouldn’t give them that. Cecil refused to give anyone that much control over him.
Trusting led to emotions that could easily consume him. And when, not if, that trust was broken, those all-consuming emotions that had seemed to bring light to his life would drag him down into darkness.
But the thing with him was, Cecil already knew what the darkness would bring. He knew what would happen if he let it happen. Cecil knew what would come. He knew that the dark thoughts, the destructive thoughts, would come out of the deep recesses of his mind where they lived and grew. And then Cecil would fall. The only thing he didn’t know was how far and if he would ever get back up. Considering how bad it had been the last time, Cecil wasn’t confident he would.
If he gave his trust to Sin, or Benji or Roth…or any of the other idiots that lived there, it would end in nothing but pain for him. So Cecil wouldn’t trust them.
“Cecil,” Sin called softly.
Cecil blinked—he had zoned out. Which meant he hadbeen blankly staring and possibly frowning, as Sin currently was.
“Yah?” he asked.
“Are you all right?” Sin’s words were hesitant but concerned.
“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” He lied like an expert.
Sin was still frowning. Cecil was pretty sure the man could tell when he lied. Which sucked the big one because lying was pretty much his only talent.
“Would you like to help? I can teach you the recipe, if you wish.”
Cecil burst out laughing. “You’re joking, right?”
“I was being serious.” Sin rolled his eyes.
“You know, rolling your eyes is not a very sophisticated thing to do. Super childish.”
“Is it?” Sin asked innocently.
“Yes, it is. You’ll ruin your reputation of being some perfectly put together, hoity-toity gentleman,” Cecil teased, but winced once the words were out and wished he could take them back.
For one, Cecil shouldn’t be teasing anyone here, and for another, his words had been a bit unfair. While the gentleman part fit, Sin was not snobbish. At least, he wasn’t as far as Cecil could tell.
Instead of reacting with anger, Sin gave him one of his irritating smiles of niceness and stated, “A reputation is useless, and only matters to those who do not know or care about you.”
Cecil’s lips pursed, no doubt thinking over what Sin had said. While he was pleased that Cecil had felt comfortable enough to tease him, he had noticed the young man wincing afterward.
