#vanohm

The couple that sat on the other table seemed to be wrapped in their own version of reality. The lunchroom that surrounded them was left unbothered, holding hands and secretly trying to impress each other taking up their focus. One was draped in greyscale clothing, a white shirt and black necktie depicting the uniform underneath. His eyes that hid behind shy glasses emitted a warm brown, the hair only sporting a lighter colour. The blindfold he would sometimes wear was loosely held in his hand as his hesitant smile grew prouder. “God damnit, Ohm.” Cartoonz hadn't noticed the words that fell from his mouth, sounding distant and in thought. Something pressed against Delirious’s lungs when he raised his gaze and attention to the one at Ohm’s side.

The other covered his similar uniform with a red and yellow jacket, a B decorating the left side of his chest. His hair was swiped to rest against the side, showcasing a pair of eyes observing the bunny’s hand gestures. The pupils were engulfed in a jet-black colour, matching the owner’s locks, and were decorated with a glimpse of mischief. When a smile all too familiar came to view, Delirious felt the remainder of his oxygen become non-existent. The pressure eased further onto his lungs, pushing and pushing until he could no longer breathe. Vanoss’s arm leaned onto the table, a puff of laughter stretching his smile wider.

Cartoonz echoed a hum that grazed the line of growling and caused Delirious’s gaze to waver. He lightly massaged his throat and felt the air reluctantly seep back into his system. His friend sent him a concerned glance while he instinctively gasped for air, but he shook his head.

Delirious gritted his teeth. The pain stimulated like a stone was materialising in his chest.

He leaned onto the table, silently groaning. It hurts. Cartoonz abrupted his staring. “Hey, you okay?” Delirious looked up with an answer that refused to leave his tongue, his breath slipping way once again. A giggle emitted from the table up front and regained his focus. Vanoss’s eyes were closed with uncontained laughter, the noise low but loud. Oh, that laughter. Even though it was rarely aimed towards him, it was comforting to hear. Let it relax his body and sometimes even spread to his own voice, but not then. That time it only hurt.

Once the owl’s eyes reopened, they were shining with adore for the one beside him. Ohm appeared slightly redder at the attention, and Delirious winced. Seeing the pair intertwine their fingers only hurt. Their interactions, laughter, hugs and kisses; seeing them only hurt. “Delirious, what’s wrong- “

He shoved himself off the table and ran.

Cartoonz called after him, but he didn’t stop. He ran through the halls, bumping into and knocking people over in the process. Delirious only stopped once he was locked inside the restroom.

His body was shaking. The adrenaline wreaked havoc in his body and forced the pain to escalate, replicating the feeling of being repeatedly stabbed in the chest. The little amount of oxygen his lungs were receiving scraped against the inside of his throat like sandpaper. It was getting harder to breathe. and his actions became draped in desperation. His hands scrambled to the back of his head, tugging and pulling at the seams of his hockey mask. He began to huff and grunt and stumbled in whatever direction he yanked at. His mind was pulsating with aggravation and agony.

He managed to tear off the mask and with a strained shout, he threw it against the tile. His legs crumbled as the echo of his voice faltered. Feeling the dirty floor press against his pants should’ve made him cringe, but the pain made him dull. His lungs heaved for air, his shoulders moving in the same uneven rhythm. He pressured a hand over his chest, feeling his heart thrashing sturdy beats against his ribcage. Delirious wished he could tear it out, and his fingers trembled when the scene prior replayed behind his eyes. He buried his face against his legs, hushing a pained growl. It fucking hurts.

He didn’t move until his heart had stopped throbbing. Although it still ached, he straightened his legs, and huffed at how numb they felt. He half-stumbled onto the sink and rested his forehead against the mirror. Its cool pressure eased the heat resonating from his being. It travelled across the blemished skin of his cheeks and stopped right below the jawline. The lids of his eyes fluttered before falling closed and accepting the oncoming wave of exhaustion. He tried to focus on absorbing the cold, but his concentration waltzed when a faint laughter ricocheted with another tune.

Somehow, Delirious could still hear him, and for a short moment, the pain settled.

A mere image of Vanoss laughing with him was soothing. The way he lowered his voice would often calm Delirious’s agitated nerves. He could easily lose himself in the charming sound, and Cartoonz have caught him staring because of it. And the way he would smile… The thought itself prompted Delirious to copy the act, despite not sharing the emotions accompanying the expression. He leaned back to examine his face, but a silent gasp left his mouth.

He was crying.