Dillon fumbled with the old lock of his barely used apartment before finally pushing the door open with a loud creak. He ran his hand through his hair as he stepped aside for Rory, an awkward smile plastered to his tired face. "It's not much, but who needs much when they're rarely home, right?"
Rory's stoic eyes shifted from him to the dark interior as he remained frozen in the hallway.
Dillon furrowed his brows for a brief moment before realization dawned. "Oh shit, hold on just a second." He leaned into the room and began running his hand along the wall. Once the lights throughout the meager space lit up, he turned his awkward smile back to Rory. "I don't figure you'll be too comfortable walking first into strange, dark rooms anytime soon… huh?" He held out his hand. "Shall we?"
Rory's eyes moved to Dillon's outstretched hand and lingered there for several minutes. When Rory finally moved hesitantly forward, it wasn't to take Dillon's hand, however. Rory clasped Dillon's arm and nestled his body against Dillon's back.
Dillon gave a soft chuckle as he patted the hands that clung tightly to his arm. "Alright, let's get inside then."
Dillon's eyes moved around his one-bedroom apartment, appraising it and the contents therein for the first time since he moved in several years back. He scratched his head thoughtfully as his eyes moved over the main living area. "I guess there isn't much to show. I usually only come here when I'm working, so I'm always alone… I doubt there's even food in the fridge right now. We'll probably have to stop by the store on the way back from the hospital later." He muttered as he led Rory toward the kitchen to check the refrigerator. He frowned when he opened the door to find that all that was inside was a pickle jar with three pickles and a few beers. He pulled two out and handed Rory one. "Here, you could probably use this right now." He didn't wait for Rory as he popped the top of his and emptied half the can in one drink.
Rory stared down at his hands as they shook around the can. There was still blood trapped under his jagged, torn nails… most of which wasn't his blood… a dreadful shiver ran down his spine, and he tried to shake away the feelings that were building inside, threatening to spill over. His fingers quaked as he tried to lift the tab of the can, his frustration building with each failed attempt until finally a steady hand covered his.
"Here… I'll do it for you." Dillon forced a weak smile as he followed Rory's gaze to his hands. He furrowed his brows as he realized there was dark, crusted matter under Rory's usually perfect nails. He caught one hand as the other lifted the can to Rory's lips, and Rory drank deeply, not stopping until the contents were empty. Dillon frowned as he stroked his thumb over Rory's fingers. "You… want a shower… or bath? The tub isn't nearly as big as the one at Rin's place, but…"
Rory nodded before Dillon had even finished.
Dillon forced another awkward smile as he took the empty can from Rory and placed it on the counter. He laced his fingers through the hand he was already holding and led him toward the only bathroom in the apartment. "Sit here, and I'll gather some stuff for you…" Dillon muttered as he led him over to the toilet and turned on the bath water, before he began rummaging through the cabinets of the small bathroom. A few seconds later, he knelt beside Rory with a small grooming kit and a bottle of peroxide. He gently took Rory's hand and nodded toward his nails. "This will help with all that… more so than just soap…" He muttered as he began pouring the peroxide over the nails, causing them to bubble. Once he was happy, he held up the clippers. "You mind if I…"
Rory shook his head, his mind so far removed from the current events that he didn't even comprehend what was happening. All he knew was he was currently safe, and the feeling of exhaustion was quickly settling in.
"Last one…" Dillon muttered softly. He'd realized Rory had dozed off shortly after he'd begun, but hadn't wanted to wake him until it was absolutely necessary. He leaned over and shut off the water before turning his attention back to Rory. "Here, lift your arms."
Rory did as he was told without opening his eyes.
Dillon snorted out a chuckle as he tugged Rory's tattered, blood-splattered tee over his head. He shook his head. Couldn't the hospital give him something else to wear instead of making him wear blood-soaked clothes all night?! He pushed up from the floor as his gaze traveled over Rory. "Can you stand?" When Rory only moaned in response, Dillon shook his head with a grin. "You know, the last person who couldn't bathe themselves, I adamantly refused to help… You should consider yourself lucky. Come on." He cooed as he leaned down and helped Rory into a standing position. He cradled him in his arms as he worked his pants free, then lifted Rory out of them. He settled Rory into the warm water, drawing a pleased moan from Rory but nothing else. "Hum… This is going to be tricky…" He kept Rory's head cradled against his shoulder as he crouched by the tub. He extended as far as his reach would allow for the soap and shampoo. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to Rory and whispered. "Should have thought this through better, huh? Oh well… too late now…" His heart throbbed as he noticed dried crimson staining Rory's pale blonde hair. "What exactly happened tonight? What did you go through?" Dillon whispered, not expecting an answer, until teary eyes fluttered open to meet his.
"I… I killed him… I killed him…." Rory turned in the tub and buried his face in the thick fabric of Dillon's sweater. His hands twisted into the material as he sobbed quietly.
Dillon leaned farther over the edge of the tub. "Shh… It's alright…" He was glad Rory's face was buried in his sweater because he wasn't sure what his own expression would look like right now. "Do… do you want to talk about it?" He held Rory close as he dipped the washcloth into the water and ran the warm water over Rory's body. "You can tell me as much or as little as we wash it all away…"
Rory shook his head against Dillon's chest. "It will never be washed away… I killed someone… I'm a killer…" He tightened his grip on Dillon. "But he was… he would have…" A pained whale burst from deep within Rory. "It's all my fault."
Dillon shook his head as he ran more warm water over Rory, hoping it would help soothe him somehow. "None of this is your fault. You did what had to be done. You saved Rin."
Rory pushed away as he shook his head rapidly from side to side. "Rin was trying to save me! It wouldn't have happened if not for me! If Rin had never met me… If none of you had ever met me… Then Mike would have never…" His voice cracked as emotions took over, causing louder sobs to overtake his body.
Dillon tossed the washrag to the side and pulled him tightly against his chest. "Listen to me, there will never be a second of the day or night where Rin or I, either, would wish to have never met you… regardless of what has or may happen. It's over now. Rin did what either of us would have done, and you did what you had to." He held Rory away slightly and cupped his face. He rubbed his thumb across Rory's tear-streaked face. "It's over now. You'll never have to worry about that psychopath again. You're safe."
Rory nestled against Dillon's palm but didn't acknowledge his words.
"Let's get you washed and to bed, yeah?" Dillon whispered as he pressed his lips against the top of Rory's head.
Rory's brows furrowed as his teary eyes roamed over Dillon. "You're getting wet…"
Dillon snorted out a laugh. "You just noticed?" He ruffled his hair. "It's fine. I don't mind." He arched a brow, a playful smile curving his lips. "You know what, scoot up." Dillon didn't wait as he stepped into the tub fully dressed.
Rory's eyes shot open, sleep fully leaving them. "What are you doing? Are you crazy?"
Dillon shrugged. "Maybe… Come here." Dillon pulled him against his chest as he settled into the tub, causing some of the water to slosh over the top. "Besides being pretty comfortable, it makes it easier…"
Rory could feel his cheeks heat as he pulled his knees to his chest. "I could have washed myself, you know…"
Dillon arched a brow. "Really? Because last I checked, you were all but asleep when I put you in here." He snorted out a laugh as he watched Rory's ears grow another shade red. He reached up and began rubbing both ears as he leaned forward. "What do you say we get you clean as quickly as possible, then… and head to bed?"
**
Rory stared from the oversized king bed that filled the small room as Dillon gathered a few extra blankets. He could feel heat flood his face as he tugged the oversized tee back up onto his shoulder for the fourth time. The bath itself hadn't been all that awkward… but getting out and getting dressed… that had been. Not only was Rory forced to wear Dillon's baggy clothes that smelled just like him, but he had been forced to watch as Dillon peeled off the wet clothes in the bathroom exceptionally slowly. Dillon now walked around the room in the pajama bottoms that matched the three sizes too big tee that Rory struggled to keep on. The bottoms were also too large for Dillon, riding low on his hips, revealing the deep V in his lower abdominals that disappeared beneath the pants that threatened to fall at any second. "You're sleeping…"
"On the couch… don't worry. It's pretty comfortable. I actually sleep there more than in the bed when I'm here anyway."
Rory's eyes moved around the otherwise empty, oversized bed. "But there's plenty of room… or I could sleep in there…"
Dillon ran his hand through his hair. "You're exhausted. You've had a very long… difficult day and night… get some rest."
"But…" Rory frowned.
Dillon paused by the door, unsure if he really should or not. He knew what he wanted to hear Rory say, and what he wanted to do if those words left his lips… But this wasn't the time for any of that… He leaned against the doorframe half in and half out of the room, just like his sanity where Rory was involved… "What is it, Rory?"
Rory's frown deepened as his eyes lowered to his lap. "It's just… I… Don't…" His gaze slowly rose to Dillon. "I don't want to be alone tonight… could you leave the door open and a light on, please?" He quickly added, knowing good and well what it had sounded like the second the words had left his lips.
Dillon nodded as he pressed away from the frame. He blew out a sigh mixed of both heavy disappointment and relief as he walked through the apartment. Without a doubt, had Rory asked him to stay, he knew what he would have done… or at least tried to do… and there would have been no turning back…