That last statement did it. Darren couldn't believe how fast his hands moved, how he grabbed the small lamp next to him and hurled it at Daniel at lightening speed, who didn't realize what was going on until it was too late. Undefended, it hit him in the right shoulder with a loud shattering crash, splinters of the glass cutting his flesh and splattering all over the floor. Daniel gave out a sharp cry, paralyzed for a moment as the pain throbbed through his body. He took one more look at Darren, the revulsion glinting in his baleful eyes, and lunged at him, his hands balling into fists. He punched and kicked wherever he could, wincing now and again as Darren striked him back with his powerful hands. Yelps of pain were heard as the two men grunted and groaned, trying to knock each other out.
"How dare you call me a bastard! Here's a taste of your own medicine!" Darren hissed and with that, the slammed Daniel hard in the stomach with his knee. So won't you break me, shake me, take me over, when the madness stops, then you will be alone...
Daniel howled in agony as he feebly sank to the floor on his knees, holding his stomach protectively. He was coughing uncontrollably, his lungs gasping for air. Hell, is this really happening? Please let this be a nightmare! But he knew this was real, the piercing pain in his stomach and chest was unbearable. Was Darren really that strong? He coughed hoarsely again and suddenly felt hot liquid welling up in his throat. He wiped his mouth quickly with his hand and looked at it, still coughing loudly Blood. He was coughing up blood by the mouthful and he started to choke. Oh God, help me...
Darren had been too stunned to do anything as he saw Daniel sink to floor, in a lot of obvious pain. To his horror, he commenced to cough in the most frightening way and didn't stop, even when the blood poured out of his mouth, over his hand and dripping on the clean carpet. His heart stopped as it dawned on him the first time of what he had done. Jonesy....my poor Jonesy... Ignoring the fiery pain in his legs and arms where Daniel had got him, he rushed to the kneeling man, who was still spluttering out blood.
"My God, Daniel..." he whispered as he snatched a handful of napkins off the table and proceed to wipe his face gently. Daniel was feeling extremely weak and light-headed and knew he would soon pass out. The taste of blood in his mouth and throat was nauseating him, fearing he would throw up any moment.
Darren had tears streaming down his cheeks, leaving messy tracks on his smooth face, as he continued to wipe away the blood from Daniel's mouth. He put his hand on the side of his face and lovingly stroked it. "I'm so sorry..." he murmured softly. His eyes met with Daniel's, who was looking back at him without any emotion. He really hates me now, he cried to himself silently, and I deserve it. Tenderly, he placed his arm around the other man's shoulders to support his frail frame and slowly pushed him up to stand. A new wave of giddiness hit him, sending him crashing to the floor again, moaning. He couldn't speak, his vocal cords were constricted.
Darren lifted him up once again, this time keeping a firm hold on him so he wouldn't fall for the second time. Daniel hesitantly leaned on him, unsure and confused of what was going to happen next. Was Darren going to do something worse? How he truly detested him at that moment for kicking him like that! But he was in so much discomfort he didn't want to argue anymore.
Darren felt as if someone had taken a large kitchen knife and plunged it through his heart. Well, that's what he wanted to do to himself right this very minute anyway. How could he be so cruel? So vicious as to injure poor Daniel this way? You're a bloody fool, Daz. If I were him now, I'd kick your guts out and finish you off. Cursing himself, he led his friend slowly to the bedroom. Still holding on tight to him, he used his elbow to switch on the light.
The room was just as he left it, clothes here and there all over the place. He shoved all items off the spacious four-poster, king size bed before helping Daniel to lie down. Colby had loved this bed, it was her favourite because it was so nice and warm and... Be quiet. Now's not the time. Slipping of the other man's dirty shoes, he was relieved that Daniel wasn't hurt too bad and hadn't fainted. If he did, well, he'd have to call the ambulance, wouldn't he, and that just killed him to even think about it. You idiot, stupid, stupid idiot. How could you do such a thing?!
Daniel settled back on the silk blankets, resting his damp head on the fluffy, feather-filled pillows. His dizziness was slowly ebbing away and he was thankful he had not lost consciousness. However, the probing pain in his stomach had not lessened and every slight move he made would be like a million razor pricks cutting through his body.
Sitting down next to him, Darren noticed a dark stain on his shirt, right where he threw the lamp at him. His eyes grew wide with fear. "Shit!" he whispered angrily to himself as he got up to get some towels from the bathroom. Daniel turned his head to look at the wound. It ached greatly to move his right arm now and it was numb and heavy, like a huge lead had been placed on it.
Darren came back quietly and placed himself down next to him, with towels and the First Aid kit box in his arms. It seemed stupidly funny for a second that he was going to finally use it, but he knew that now was definitely not the time for laughing. They had been unspeaking to each other all this time now and the soundless night was ringing in his ears. He felt so ashamed, hating himself of what he had done, wanting to sob right there in front of Daniel and beg for his forgiveness. But he didn't know what on earth to actually say to man, who was calmly staring up at the high ceiling, his normally emphatic eyes showing no emotion.
"Daniel?" he finally asked him tentatively. "Do you mind if I take off your shirt? I have to stop the bleeding on your shoulder."
Daniel's eyes flickered over to him. He licked his dry lips. Why not? Why the damn hell not?
Darren sensed that he meant yes, so very carefully, he started unbuttoning his rumpled shirt. He could feel Daniel's chest steadily rising up and down, his breath on his fingers and his eyes boring down at him. He felt uncomfortable in his scrutinizing gaze. What is going on in that mind of his, just lying there and staring...jeez, it's beginning to scare me! He quickly stole a glance at him and saw that he still had his eyes fixed on him, though not in an angry way. I'm sorry...how many times do I have to say it? Please say something...anything...
Daniel was watching him with a kind of wonder, the savage fury inside him dissolving. Darren's fingers on his chest gave him queer tingling sensations, which wasn't at all unpleasant in the least. It actually felt nice really, his soft fingers tapping along, down each button one by one... Daniel's eye's grew wider as he caught himself once again. My God! It's happening again - here I go thinking such ridiculous thoughts...absolutely ridiculous thoughts... And yet, they somehow didn't feel ridiculous. It was only when the logical, intellectual part of him took over that they started to look freaky. Now the dark-haired man was taking off the shirt, sliding it off his shoulders. He winced as he felt the cold air touch the wound.