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Z clutched his head as he pressed against the wall of the dining room. All he could think about was the repeated laughing, almost screaming that he could hear. It came from every side of him, from within him, he couldn't escape it. He clawed at his ears trying to clamp them shut, though it didn't do anything. His breath had become ragged, and tears were welling up in his eyes. Colors dotted his vision as he tried to look around, things seemed to melt together in an unsettling puddle. He could swear he heard the door click open, but was that even real? He thought he heard knocking earlier but nothing was there that time. He opened his mouth and attempted to say words of comfort, though he had no idea if it worked or not. His head felt like it was going to split open from the pain. It felt like air was being forced out of his chest, all he could do was hyper ventilate. Then, under all of the screaming noise and laughing, he heard a familiar voice. He had to get up. It felt like his legs were broken, barely working below him. He shuffled forward and grabbed onto the dining room table, trying to pull himself up. He managed to get his torso above the table before he fell onto it. His arms shook as he pushed himself back up blindly moving towards the sound. Z couldn't actually make out the words he was hearing, just that deep almost glitched out tone. He stumbled out of the dining room, his chest still heaving. He stabilized himself on the wall, and brought his other hand up to feel his face, it was completely wet with tears. Reject finally came around from the other side of the stairs, and grabbed Z's attention. Despite the blurred and ruined state of his vision, Z could still pretty easily see Reject’s form. Fueled with what was most likely desperation he managed to dash in Reject direction, wrapping his arms around him. It was grounding, feeling Rejects skin on his own, smelling the rain that always stuck to him, it brought him back a little. The voices slowly started to fade away as he sobbed in the man's hands. He could tell Reject was shouting about something, but he wasn't pushed away and that was all that mattered. He was hit with a wave of exhaustion, and his legs gave out under him. Though to his surprise Reject came down with him, letting Z cling to his body. As the residual ringing faded away from his ears he could finally hear himself and the man in front of him. Reject was awkwardly saying words of encouragement, clearly confused about what was going on. Z wrapped his arms tighter around Reject's torso and collapsed into him as if he was going to disappear. Everything finally became silent, aside from the hiccups and quiet sobs that came from Z. He was finally safe, probably.
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“Oh my God I'm finally fucking home, I'm so done with this shit bro”
Reject walked through the front door, too wrapped in his own rant to notice the strange sounds coming from the dining room. He paused, something seemed…off. He walked around the large stairway that blocked their door and called out for his roommate. He heard something knock on the dining table, and he took a step forward. Then he appeared, Z, with his head hung low shakily appeared from the doorway to the dining room. The eyes on his hat seemed to be staring directly at him, more ominous than usual.
“Uh- dude are you like ok-?”
He didn't receive a response, besides a slight shift of Z’s head, one of his eyes finally landing on Reject. Before he could react Z dashed towards him, but instead of attacking him like he assumed, Z wrapped his arms around his torso.
“AGH WHAT THE FUCK-? DUDE WHY ARE YOU HUGGING ME GET OFF OF ME WHAT IS WRON-”
Reject's aggressive reaction was cut short when he felt Z sob into his chest. He was beyond confused, but above that he was concerned. He could feel Z shaking, and hear his muffled sobs. Reject slowly raised his hands to hug Z back, attempting to bring some comfort. He felt Z’s legs give out under him, but instead of letting the man drop he slowly lowered him down.
“Hey it's uh- it's gonna be ok? Idk man I've never seen you cry… don't…don't be sad?”
He realized Z probably couldn't hear him, as he didn't react whatsoever to his words. Reject's visible eye was curled downwards, etched in worry. He didn't usually feel such emotions, at least he hadn't in a while. So he just kept his mouth shut and let Z stay in his arms as long as needed, he would do his best to keep him safe.