::Face Down::

Darcy read the text message and this time busted out laughing harder than he had before. What a joke. There was no way in hell he was going to get addicted to tea. He sent back Alright. He smiled and stood up and got his jacket and headed over. He knocked on the door and waited for her to open the door. He smiled when she did and grinned and picked her up by the waist and tossed her over his shoulder and shut the door with his foot before carrying her inside and setting her down. "Hi." He grinned at her.

@ varkatzas.

(sorry, had to eat supper )

Holly had jumped up when she received the text from Darcy and went to grab a hoodie so that it covered her arms so that Darcy wouldn't see any of her bruises. They were all in varying degrees of healing, some faded and yellow and some fresh and black. She headed over to the door when she heard her friend knock and squealed in delight when Darcy lifted her into the air. She let out a squeak as she was thrown over his shoulder, tensing when he moved her over the couch. She was hesitant for a second just because she was afraid some of her clothes would shift and he'd see a bruise. She was thankful when he didn't.

Holly looked up to him and let out a small laugh as she shook her head, not able to help the grin on her lips. "Well, hello to you, too," she said, tilting her head to the side.

Tis okay, I've been reading x3)

Darcy grinned and said, "I AM MAN!" He laughed and sat down beside her. He noticed the bruise on her wrist and grabbed it before she could say anything. "What happened?" he asked frowning as he inspected it. He was always careful with Holly, but he was always very deductive as well as speculative. He couldn't help the way he was. He liked mysteries. He was careful with Holly as well as gentle. He could tell it really hurt, her wrist that is. Little did he know what it was caused by. He pouted and looked up at her in the eyes and said, "What happened?"

@ varkatzas.

Holly forced a smile to her lips and shook her head, tilting her head to the side as she looked up to her best friend. She leaned into him and set her head on his shoulder, just an old habit to cuddle with it. And old habits died hard, didn't they? "Sometimes things get a little rough," she murmured, crinkling up her face and moving her eyes in the direction of her and David's bedroom. The only thought that came to mind was to play it like sometimes she had rough sex with David. And sometimes she did, that much was truthful. It was just a matter of how willing she was in the moment. "What are you studying right now?" She asked, trying to change the subject nonchalantly so he wouldn't think anything was up.

Darcy shook his head and said, "This isn't from rough sex, Holly." He looked down at her with pain in his eyes. Concern filling them to the brim. "Tell me if anything's bothering you, Hun. I'm here. Always." He told her and kissed her forehead. An old habit of his. She was his best friend and he had always treated her as such. He pulled her into a cuddling embrace and kept her close to him. He hummed and said, "Literature at the moment." He laughed and said, "But I'm taking my economics class as well, because hell, I'll be able to do my fucking taxes now!" He gave a laugh that was full of just Darcy.

@ varkatzas.

Holly didn't say anything in response to his accusations, figuring it was best just to pretend like she was more involved in the conversation about Darcy's schooling. Which she was, partly. She couldn't help it because when Darcy laughed, she started to grin from ear to ear just because his smile was that infectious. It was just the way the smile reached his eyes and the way his eyes wrinkled around the edges because it just showed pure happiness. She cuddled into his chest, letting out a quiet yawn. "How exciting. You sound like you might actually become an adult in the near future," she teased, glancing up to him with a stupid grin on her face.

(sounds like the exact thing I would tell my own best friend xD)

Darcy frowned when she didn't respond but let it go. This time at least. Next time there was no letting it go. There was no forgetting. He would get the answer. He chuckled hearing her and said, "Hey now! That's not pleasant to say to your best friend, who mind you, is working his ASS off trying to keep his four point o." He responded his eyes crinkling once more as that infectious smile happened upon his face once more. He couldn't help it. "Want to go on a walk? It smells like your boyfriend in here." He pointed out, simply teasing her.

@ varkatzas.

(isn't it? )

"Just because you're working so hard doesn't mean that you're an adult now!" Holly answered with a laugh as she shook her head. She shrugged her shoulders at the question, not really sure she wanted to go for a walk because she was so tired still but she wasn't about to tell her best friend no. They got to hang out so rarely that whatever he wanted to do, she would probably do it. She nodded and moved to stand, reaching to take his hand and pull him along with her. Reaching the front door, she grabbed her keys and slipped her feet into her shoes, figuring they would only walk around a block or two. "Just around the block?" She asked as they stepped outside, glancing up to him with a raised brow.

Oh yes xD)

Darcy grinned and said, "Awh, you won't be saying that when I'm doing your taxes, now will you?" He asked a grin spreading across his face. The little crinkles appeared as he did so. He chuckled and said, "Sure." He then said, "How 'bout I give you a piggy back ride. Simply because you look tired and I miss cuddling." He grinned. He always had something witty and or assholish to say. Usually it was both. He himself was made up of metaphors of the universe. He loved every second of it. He bent down so she could get on his back.

@ varkatzas.

Holly didn't hesitate a moment to wrap her arms around Darcy's neck and wiggle her legs so that he could easily lift her up. She laughed as he began to walk, resting her head on his shoulder. It was stupid of her she knew it but she loved how he smelled - something about smelling good and just the comfort her best friend brought her. She buried her face into his neck, not really bothering to pay attention to her surroundings. She was more focused on her best friend than anything. "I miss spending so much time with you," she murmured after a moment.

Darcy chuckled and easily lifted her up onto his back and started to walk with her just like that. He loved her with all his heart and knew he would do completely and utterly anything to keep her happy. He would, and he knew it, and so did she. He smiled, and chuckled and said, "I miss spending time with you too. Seriously, Holly...What's up?" He murmured softly just loud enough for her to hear. "Just tell me because it's been bugging me and you're worrying me." He murmured softly heartbreak clearly in his voice.

@ varkatzas.

Holly swallowed the lump that had begun to form in her throat, glad that they weren't standing face to face so he wouldn't see the pain on her features. She was silent, drawing in a deep breath before she finally managed to speak. "I just think it's because you and I are both so busy. Because you study and have to work and go to school all the time and whenever oyu're not busy, I end up busy," she answered almost immediately, hoping he would just let it go. She didn't want to end fighting with him because they were best friends after all.

(gotta shower and then head to bed. I'll be home later in the evening tomorrow)

Okay!)

"Holly. The truth sweetpea...I won't hurt you." He murmured and set her down at a park and sat her down in a swing. He moved so he was in front of her, kneeling down as he looked up at her. He caught another bruise on her face and said, "Tell me." He looked hurt and utterly worried. He touched her face gently and moved her hair away from her face so he could see the bruise. He took her hoodie off as well and noticed all the bruises on her arm. "No." He mumbled and set his head down in her lap and held onto her. "Where is he?" He asked.

@ varkatzas.

Holly's smile slowly fell as Darcy moved to kneel in front of her, her stomach dropping because she was almost positive she knew what was about to happen. She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to keep that smile on, only for it to completely disappear when he started to tug at her hoodie. She let out a small whimper and tried to shy away from his hands, not knowing how to respond to her best friend. But then she was just doing what her instincts told her to and she was standing, shoving his hands away from her. "Don't talk to me if you're going to try and act like David is a bad person," she snapped, turning to walk toward the home she shared with David. Her heart was in her throat and all she wanted to do was turn around and hug Darcy and admit everything but she couldn't. She was too afraid of what David would do if she did.

Darcy heard her and felt her shove him away. He stood up and watched her go and murmured, "I'll still be here." His eyes were sad. He wanted to know what made her unable to have fun anymore. He wanted to know why she had lost so much weight. He hated it. He wanted her happy and healthy. He sat down and buried his face in his hand and murmured, "He is a bad person Holls." He sighed as he stood up again and started to walk home. He had walked to her house to begin with. He didn't want to upset her anymore, so he didn't text her when he got home. Besides, she said not to talk to her at this point. He collapsed on his couch and sighed feeling rotten inside and out.

@ varkatzas.

By the time that Holly reached her house, she couldn't help but let her tears fall as she walked inside. She hadn't even paid attention to the fact that David's car was in the driveway. She slid down the wall and pulled her knees to her chest, biting into her lip. Tears were steadily falling as she let out a sob, knowing she couldn't talk to Darcy anymore. As much as she wanted to, she knew it wasn't possible. Just because she knew things would blow up if she did and she was afraid of what could happen. Wiping away her tears, she drew in a deep breath and moved to stand before she turned to make her way into the living room. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw David on the couch. Her eyes widened a bit as she swallowed a lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. Forcing a smile to her face, she hoped he wasn't about to snap. "Hey," she murmured quietly.

Darcy felt tears go down his own face and thought he was a pussy for crying then realized he wasn't. He was just extremely sad and felt like he had lost his Holly. He curled up into the couch and hid his face and just stayed there.

David was sitting on the couch, his arms crossed waiting for his girl to get home. He was extremely upset at this moment in time. He had seen Holly and that fucking Darcy at the park. Together. He saw her eyes were puffy and raised an eyebrow. "Why were you at the park with Darcy." He spat the words as he stood up. "Why are you crying?" He asked confused and pissed off at the same time. He was literally about to snap at her, he had had it with her disobeying his wishes. It was just too much. She should fucking listen to him. This was getting utterly ridiculous.

@ varkatzas.

Holly stopped, her eyes going wide as she realised that David was in an awful mood. Her heart nearly stopped when David asked about the park and she looked down, taking a small step backward. She knew he wasn't going to take kindly to the idea of Darcy knowing about the abuse and that just made it that much worse as she tried to figure out a way to explain it so he wouldn't snap. She shuddered as she looked away, biting down on her lip. "Darcy and I aren't going to spend time together anymore, Dave. I promise," she murmured, hoping that if she told himt hat he would just let it go.

"So you went to the park to discuss that with him?" He asked her, raising an eyebrow, relaxing at this. Maybe she was listening to him now. He uncrossed his arms as he watched her, his mood relaxing slightly just as his body had. He waited for her reply. Whatever her response was, would decide whether he hurt her. He always could tell when she was lying to him. Sometimes, rarely that is, he couldn't. He watched her, and took her chin gently and made her look at him. His touch was a little bit rougher than it had to be, but he moderated how rough he was with her right now.

@ varkatzas.

Holly nodded quickly in response, almost too quickly. She smiled the slightest bit as he seemed to relax. She was nervous as she was made to look up to him, leaning up to press a kiss to his lips. "Yeah. I just didn't want to do it here," she murmured as she went to pull her hoodie closer to her body. She was starting to realise she was cold but then - she realised she didn't have her hoodie. She must have left it back at the park. Her stomach dropped as she realised this and she took a small step away from him, hoping to leave the room before he would realise her lack of clothing that would have revealed the bruises littering all over her skin. "Did you want me to make something for lunch?"