they hadn't spoken since the fight. maybe not for lack of trying, but raleigh had committed to the block he came to regret, and refused to undo it. no matter how much his heart and head screamed at him, an endless rip of emotion to shred through his wind pipes should it ever claw free. the words ricocheted internally - those awful, wrath-inducing, terrifying words.

' i am going to marry him. '

he'd broken two knuckles by the end of that awful night. came home dehydrated, exhausted, numb. it was the goddamn facebook update that finally did him in, though. that stupid little brag, the little announcement with staged, fake-happy photos. they looked like mannequins, as raleigh squinted dispassionately at the illuminated screen. what was it, 2am?

the shoes at the foot of his bed were quickly pulled on, along with a haphazard, hardly thrown together sort of attire. gray pajama pants, a light hoodie, an old band t-shirt, mismatched socks, a beanie with a hole. it didn't matter. he ripped through the city in his beater, skipping red lights when he couldn't see anyone around. it was hell to his bones as he rapped loudly, desperately, hungrily at declan's door.