The Tainted and the Broken- Part 6
Author: dream-edge
Title: The Tainted and the Broken
Summary: In an effort to protect Ziggy, Dillon is thrown into the future. A future where everything he knows is drastically different. During his struggle to get home, he finds himself drawn into the twisted, broken mess his best friend has become.
Rating: T
Pairings: Dillon/Ziggy, Doctor K/Tenaya
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers or anything related to the franchise.
Notes: Yes, The person who taught Ziggy to fight was Bridge Carson.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
The Tainted and the Broken
Chapter 6
Dillon decided he really hated the sun. He groaned, rolling over away from the bright light streaming through the too large window in the room he'd been given. It hurt to just be facing it even with his eyes closed. He was really tired and he just wanted to sleep. He shifted restlessly, trying to will his mind to shut down and go back to sleep. Ignore the sun, just go back to sleep...
He didn't notice that someone had sneaked into his room until the hard body slammed into his, light laughter washing over his ears. "What the hell, Tenaya?!!" he shouted, twisting out from beneath his sister's body to glare at her. She shifted up onto her knees, still giggling madly. "Got you!" she accused, pointing at him happily.
His glare didn't seem to affect her as she brought her hand back to tap thoughtfully at her chin. "You know, I never could do that with Ziggy. Last time I did it successfully he pointed a gun at my head. Now he hears me whenever I try. And then he slaps me." She told him, as if she thought he'd care.
"And I'm going to slap you right now if you don't leave him alone." Ziggy's voice told them, making them look up. Ziggy was resting against the door frame, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared at them with a raised eyebrow. There was a smirk dancing at his lips. "Now that you two are so cheerfully awake, get up." he ordered, shaking his head minutely.
Dillon glared at them both, grinding his teeth. "Can't I just go back to sleep?" he asked in annoyance.
The two shared a look then both shook their heads. "Nope."
He groaned, dropping back down on the bed as Tenaya hopped up, walking over to Ziggy. Turning his head, he watched as Tenaya ran a hand through Ziggy's messy hair affectionately, even as the young man swatted her away. It was a familial gesture from them both, making him smile softly at the comfortableness they had; both with each other and with him because when he'd first arrived they never would have acted like that around him.
Once Tenaya had left Ziggy turned back and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Do you plan to lay there all day?" he asked. Dillon gave the impression of thinking about it. "It's an idea." He told him just so he could watch the younger man sigh in exasperation.
"You're impossible." Ziggy told him but Dillon thought he'd heard just the slightest bit of warm affection in his tone. He smiled slightly as Ziggy turned away, listening to his footsteps disappear down the steps.
After a long moment of just lying in bed he stood up and changed into normal clothes. Walking down into the kitchen he spotted Gemma standing near the sink, calmly washing out a cup. He muttered a greeting, not noticing how she tensed, and pulled down his own glass, walking over to where the still warm coffee was resting. "Do you guys live off this stuff or something?" he asked, the bite of his words softened by the amusement in his voice.
"Only Ziggy." she told him. This time he noticed how tight the words sounded and he turned to look at her in confusion. She met his gaze and something in her eyes was off, wary and defensive. "Something wrong?" he asked her calmly.
Silence stretched between them as Gemma refused to reply. He didn't notice the cup slip from his hands until it crashed against the ground. They both jerked back reflexively, Gemma's stare turning into a glare. "What is wrong with you?" she demanded, her voice angry. "You just love causing messes don't you?"
He felt shock numb his insides but before either of them could say anything a sharp whistle dragged their attention away from each other. Ziggy was standing on the other side of the counter, staring at them with stern eyes. "That's enough Gemma." he said. An annoyed glare cut off what ever she was about to say. "Dillon, clean this up." He ordered. "And you. Come with me." he told Gemma, his tone tight, his gaze warning.
Gemma sighed but followed him out obediently. Dillon watched them go in confusion. He knew Gemma had no problem following Ziggy's orders, he'd seen her do it before. So it had to be him.
---
Tenaya watched Gemma walk away, leaving Ziggy to stand in the garage alone. He sighed, running a tired hand over his face. "You can't blame her." She told him, walking forward. She stopped next to him, looking at him with sad eyes.
He nodded slightly, running a hand through his long hair in irritation. "No I can't. But Dillon... doesn't need to know everything."
She watched him sadly, her eyes dark. Gemma had taken it hard when Flynn was killed. She had been married to the Blue Ranger for nearly a year and had, unfortunately, miscarried two weeks after the funeral. She had never forgiven Dillon and she probably never would. "Ziggy, I know you're trying not to think about it but..." she trailed off, unsure what to say.
"I'm not doing it for me." He said. "When Dillon goes home, he's going to have to live with everything he learns here for the rest of his life. So, the less of he knows, the easier it will be for him to live with himself."
Her eyes widened in understanding and she breathed out. "All this time... I thought you were just trying to avoid the past. But you were trying to protect Dillon." She shook her head in amazement. "You're good, Zig. I never even thought like that."
"That, Tenaya, is why Scott left me in charge." he told her, the hints of a smirk on his face.
---
Dillon walked calmly down the hall, turning his head when he heard voices. He could see Tenaya and Kat in the lab from the door way. Kat was sitting at her computer, leaning back in her chair as Tenaya ran her hands through her long black hair. There was a soft smile on the doctor's face. "What are you working on?" Tenaya asked in a whisper, just barely loud enough for him to hear.
"Ziggy asked me to work on it." Kat told her, her head dropping further back into Tenaya's hands. The Violet Ranger smiled and leaned down, pressing a soft, loving kiss to her lips. Dillon smiled as he watched them interact, happy for them. He turned and let them have their moment. Walking through the garage to the stairs he noticed a lean, limber figure resting on the hood of Ziggy's Aston Martin. He focused on the figure, recognizing Ziggy's long, messy brown hair and pale ivory skin.
He smiled slightly and walked forward. He stopped near the passenger door, leaning against it and watching the moonlight that shone through the wide window near the ceiling play across his flawless skin. He knew Ziggy knew he was there but neither of them said anything.
Finally, Dillon told him, "If this was my car, you would be in so much trouble."
Ziggy turned his head to smile at him slightly. "Then I guess it’s a good thing this isn't your car, huh?"
Dillon snorted in amusement and motioned him over. Ziggy obediently slid over, allowing Dillon to slide in next to him. "What were you doing?" Dillon asked. Ziggy turned his head back to the fake sky visible through the window. "Thinking." he whispered.
The Black Ranger propped his head up in his hand, turning on to his side to stare at his friend. Ziggy's eyes flickered towards his briefly before returning to the window. Dillon couldn't help but run his eyes down the younger man's body, taking in the soft curves and almost delicate bone structure. "Will you stop that?" Ziggy demanded, glancing at him again.
"Stop what?" he asked. Ziggy gave him a knowing look, rolling his eyes slightly. Dillon smirked, dropping his gaze. It landed on the mark decorating his arm. "So if it isn't a tattoo, what is it?"
Ziggy turned to mirror his position. "It’s a seal." he told him. At Dillon's confused look he sat up fully and clapped his hands together before spinning them in opposing directions. When he pulled them apart, dark green lightning flew between his palms. The tattoo on his arm disappeared and a long, very sharp-looking sword appeared in his hands. Dillon arched an eyebrow as he watched Ziggy easily spun the sword. "You have a sword... sealed into your arm?" he asked in disbelief.
The Green Ranger smirked and gently rested the tip of the blade against his palm. Green lightning ran between his palms again and he watched as it disappeared, the tattoo coming back. "Ziggy Grover you are certainly full of surprises." he whispered, earning himself a small smile as Ziggy laid back down.
They were silent for another moment, Dillon nearly hovering over Ziggy due to their positions. This time it was Ziggy who spoke first. "Can I ask you something Dillon?"
He nodded, watching as Ziggy's eyes flickered anxiously in every direction. "Ever since you got here," he started haltingly. "You've had this image of me in your head. This sweet, innocent, happy image of me." He paused, his gaze finally moving to look at him. "Was I... really like that once? That happy?"
Dillon dropped his gaze, unable to meet the dark eyes. "Yeah. Yeah you were." he told him. "You were really... nice. So very full of life."
Ziggy turned his head away and closed his eyes. "Ah." He whispered. "It’s been so long since I was like that I've... forgotten how to act like that." Dillon watched sadly as Ziggy turned his head to try to give him a wide smile. He leaned forward, pressing his index finger against the boy's lips. "Don't." he told him. "Don't smile like that unless you want to."
He felt the smile drop off his face beneath his fingers and watched as the fake happiness Ziggy had been trying to project in his eyes faded back to the blank look he normally had. Dillon gulped slightly, sadness jerking at his heart. "I'm sorry." He whispered. He pressed down harder on his lips when he felt Ziggy about to say something. "And don't give me that 'it’s a weakness' bull. I am sorry, Ziggy. For what I've done to you. And to this team."
The Green Ranger closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, a weak smile on his face. "Figures. You haven't changed." he whispered. Dillon drew back when the words ghosted across his skin and shivered. Instead of placing his hand back to his side he placed it on the other side of Ziggy's head. He didn't think when he slowly leaned down to press his lips against Ziggy's. The boy didn't move to meet him but he didn't pull away either, even though he had to know what he was planning to do.
Their lips met. Ziggy's lips were soft and malleable. Dillon pressed closer; the younger man's lips were warm and inviting. Ziggy shifted beneath him, his arms starting to wrap around his neck as he gave in to the contact. For a split second he kissed back, his eyes sliding closed. Then his arms moved from around his neck to press against his shoulders, urging him back. Dillon complied, pulling back to stare at the younger man.
Ziggy's lips were plumb and his cheeks were flushed. Dillon gulped as he stared down at him, his breathing feeling shaky. Ziggy's eyes were dull and... wet? "I'm sorry." Ziggy whispered. He twisted out from under him, getting to his feet and hurrying up the stairs. Dillon sat up, watching him go sadly. He waited for a moment then followed him up.
His door was open so he pushed the door the rest of the way open and slid in, staring at his friend. Ziggy was sitting on his bed near the headboard, his knees drawn up to his chest. His old watch was lying on the bed near his feet, open and playing. Dillon closed the door behind him, staring at him closely. "Ziggy?" he asked.
Ziggy raised his head to stare at him, his eyes open and lost. It was as if every shield he had put in place had, with that one kiss, fallen apart, leaving him open and defenseless. "You don't..." he trailed off, shaking his head.”You don't even care about him like that, do you?" He asked, his eyes moving to a photo on his bed stand. Dillon slowly followed his gaze, his breath catching when he saw it.
The photo was of the two of them. He had wrapped Ziggy in his arms, his chin resting on the smaller man's shoulder. Ziggy was smiling widely, his old self so apparent in his eyes that Dillon's breath caught in his throat. But he... he was staring at Ziggy with kind, loving eyes. And he... really didn't know what to say.
"Two months." Ziggy told him, his voice shaky and depressed. "We'd been together for nearly two months. But then... then you lost to the virus." Dillon turned towards him, his eyes wide and startled. Ziggy looked away from him, shaking his head.
Dillon slowly dropped his gaze in thought. "I don't..."
"Know what to say." Ziggy finished for him. He curled himself tighter, turning his head away. "Please leave me alone." he pleaded. Dillon watched him for a long moment before he listened, leaving the boy alone silently. He walked towards his room, crashing onto his bed.
He... and Ziggy? Despite the attraction he had been feeling to him, he'd never actually considered a serious relationship, let alone something that would last for months. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to calm his thoughts. But something stuck with him. In the photo, Ziggy had been leaning against him freely, trusting him completely. And he had betrayed that trust.
No wonder Ziggy had been so cautious of him. He'd broken his heart.
He didn't know how long he laid there but when he sat up, his clock read 2 a.m. He stood and, not sure he should be doing it, walked down the hall to Ziggy's door. He needed to talk to him; he needed to understand and know Ziggy was going to be okay. Before he could knock, the door opened and Ziggy stood before him, his eyes shadowed with dark rings. He looked exhausted.
"Are you okay?" he asked without thinking.
Ziggy tried for another weak smile. "I can't sleep." he whispered. He seemed to think about something then gave up, leaning heavily against the door. "I don't..." He looked away, shaking his head. "I can't be alone tonight." he whispered.
Dillon heard in that one sentence a silent plea for help before he lost himself. He reached forward, wrapping his arms around the younger man. Suddenly the fact that they had been a relationship didn't matter because Ziggy needed his help. Ziggy pulled him inside, shutting the door behind them. They both fell down onto the bed, Ziggy curling into his embrace. "What can I do to help?" he asked.
Ziggy looked up at him, his eyes wide and startlingly venerable. "Just don't leave me alone." He said, confirming his theory. All of Ziggy's walls had fallen down in the face of the kiss. Dillon smiled slightly, pulling Ziggy closer. It took only seconds for him to fall asleep.
For a long moment it was quiet. Then Ziggy shifted, his face contorting in pain. Dillon frowned, watching as Ziggy twisted in displeasure, looking troubled. He reached out, trying to shake the boy awake. Ziggy's eyes suddenly snapped open, flipping him over onto his back. Something cool was placed against his head, making him shiver and freeze. Ziggy's eyes were haunted as he stared at him.
Dillon glanced to the side, trying not to flinch when he saw the .357 Sig Sauer pressed against his temple. Ziggy's hand was sure where he gripped it. "Ziggy, its okay." he whispered. Ziggy blinked down at him. "It's me. You were dreaming."
Ziggy blinked down at him, trying to focus. "Dil... lon?" he asked shakily. He pulled back, the gun sliding from his forehead, allowing him to breathe easier. So, that was what Tenaya meant this morning. He gulped slightly and asked. "You sleep with a gun?"
The Green Ranger gave a choked laugh, squeezing his eyes shut. "Yeah I do." he agreed. Dillon reached up, wrapping his hand around the gun and tugging it out of his hold. He let it drop to the ground and pulled Ziggy as close as possible. He didn't protest, just held on tighter. After a very long half an hour, Ziggy managed to finally drift back to sleep.
The Green Ranger looked peaceful in his sleep, all of his hard edges melting away. He looked innocent and almost child-like. Dillon trailed his hand down Ziggy's bare arm, enjoying the smooth texture of his skin. He turned his head just enough to see the photo of him and Ziggy. Somehow, right now, he could understand getting into a relationship with Ziggy. There was something calming and relaxing in laying next to him, watching him sleep.
Neither of them noticed Dillon's hand start to fade as it swept over Ziggy's arm until, if one looked, they could see through the skin and bone to Ziggy's arms beneath his hand.
Chapter 7
Title: The Tainted and the Broken
Summary: In an effort to protect Ziggy, Dillon is thrown into the future. A future where everything he knows is drastically different. During his struggle to get home, he finds himself drawn into the twisted, broken mess his best friend has become.
Rating: T
Pairings: Dillon/Ziggy, Doctor K/Tenaya
Disclaimer: I do not own the Power Rangers or anything related to the franchise.
Notes: Yes, The person who taught Ziggy to fight was Bridge Carson.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
The Tainted and the Broken
Chapter 6
Dillon decided he really hated the sun. He groaned, rolling over away from the bright light streaming through the too large window in the room he'd been given. It hurt to just be facing it even with his eyes closed. He was really tired and he just wanted to sleep. He shifted restlessly, trying to will his mind to shut down and go back to sleep. Ignore the sun, just go back to sleep...
He didn't notice that someone had sneaked into his room until the hard body slammed into his, light laughter washing over his ears. "What the hell, Tenaya?!!" he shouted, twisting out from beneath his sister's body to glare at her. She shifted up onto her knees, still giggling madly. "Got you!" she accused, pointing at him happily.
His glare didn't seem to affect her as she brought her hand back to tap thoughtfully at her chin. "You know, I never could do that with Ziggy. Last time I did it successfully he pointed a gun at my head. Now he hears me whenever I try. And then he slaps me." She told him, as if she thought he'd care.
"And I'm going to slap you right now if you don't leave him alone." Ziggy's voice told them, making them look up. Ziggy was resting against the door frame, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared at them with a raised eyebrow. There was a smirk dancing at his lips. "Now that you two are so cheerfully awake, get up." he ordered, shaking his head minutely.
Dillon glared at them both, grinding his teeth. "Can't I just go back to sleep?" he asked in annoyance.
The two shared a look then both shook their heads. "Nope."
He groaned, dropping back down on the bed as Tenaya hopped up, walking over to Ziggy. Turning his head, he watched as Tenaya ran a hand through Ziggy's messy hair affectionately, even as the young man swatted her away. It was a familial gesture from them both, making him smile softly at the comfortableness they had; both with each other and with him because when he'd first arrived they never would have acted like that around him.
Once Tenaya had left Ziggy turned back and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Do you plan to lay there all day?" he asked. Dillon gave the impression of thinking about it. "It's an idea." He told him just so he could watch the younger man sigh in exasperation.
"You're impossible." Ziggy told him but Dillon thought he'd heard just the slightest bit of warm affection in his tone. He smiled slightly as Ziggy turned away, listening to his footsteps disappear down the steps.
After a long moment of just lying in bed he stood up and changed into normal clothes. Walking down into the kitchen he spotted Gemma standing near the sink, calmly washing out a cup. He muttered a greeting, not noticing how she tensed, and pulled down his own glass, walking over to where the still warm coffee was resting. "Do you guys live off this stuff or something?" he asked, the bite of his words softened by the amusement in his voice.
"Only Ziggy." she told him. This time he noticed how tight the words sounded and he turned to look at her in confusion. She met his gaze and something in her eyes was off, wary and defensive. "Something wrong?" he asked her calmly.
Silence stretched between them as Gemma refused to reply. He didn't notice the cup slip from his hands until it crashed against the ground. They both jerked back reflexively, Gemma's stare turning into a glare. "What is wrong with you?" she demanded, her voice angry. "You just love causing messes don't you?"
He felt shock numb his insides but before either of them could say anything a sharp whistle dragged their attention away from each other. Ziggy was standing on the other side of the counter, staring at them with stern eyes. "That's enough Gemma." he said. An annoyed glare cut off what ever she was about to say. "Dillon, clean this up." He ordered. "And you. Come with me." he told Gemma, his tone tight, his gaze warning.
Gemma sighed but followed him out obediently. Dillon watched them go in confusion. He knew Gemma had no problem following Ziggy's orders, he'd seen her do it before. So it had to be him.
---
Tenaya watched Gemma walk away, leaving Ziggy to stand in the garage alone. He sighed, running a tired hand over his face. "You can't blame her." She told him, walking forward. She stopped next to him, looking at him with sad eyes.
He nodded slightly, running a hand through his long hair in irritation. "No I can't. But Dillon... doesn't need to know everything."
She watched him sadly, her eyes dark. Gemma had taken it hard when Flynn was killed. She had been married to the Blue Ranger for nearly a year and had, unfortunately, miscarried two weeks after the funeral. She had never forgiven Dillon and she probably never would. "Ziggy, I know you're trying not to think about it but..." she trailed off, unsure what to say.
"I'm not doing it for me." He said. "When Dillon goes home, he's going to have to live with everything he learns here for the rest of his life. So, the less of he knows, the easier it will be for him to live with himself."
Her eyes widened in understanding and she breathed out. "All this time... I thought you were just trying to avoid the past. But you were trying to protect Dillon." She shook her head in amazement. "You're good, Zig. I never even thought like that."
"That, Tenaya, is why Scott left me in charge." he told her, the hints of a smirk on his face.
---
Dillon walked calmly down the hall, turning his head when he heard voices. He could see Tenaya and Kat in the lab from the door way. Kat was sitting at her computer, leaning back in her chair as Tenaya ran her hands through her long black hair. There was a soft smile on the doctor's face. "What are you working on?" Tenaya asked in a whisper, just barely loud enough for him to hear.
"Ziggy asked me to work on it." Kat told her, her head dropping further back into Tenaya's hands. The Violet Ranger smiled and leaned down, pressing a soft, loving kiss to her lips. Dillon smiled as he watched them interact, happy for them. He turned and let them have their moment. Walking through the garage to the stairs he noticed a lean, limber figure resting on the hood of Ziggy's Aston Martin. He focused on the figure, recognizing Ziggy's long, messy brown hair and pale ivory skin.
He smiled slightly and walked forward. He stopped near the passenger door, leaning against it and watching the moonlight that shone through the wide window near the ceiling play across his flawless skin. He knew Ziggy knew he was there but neither of them said anything.
Finally, Dillon told him, "If this was my car, you would be in so much trouble."
Ziggy turned his head to smile at him slightly. "Then I guess it’s a good thing this isn't your car, huh?"
Dillon snorted in amusement and motioned him over. Ziggy obediently slid over, allowing Dillon to slide in next to him. "What were you doing?" Dillon asked. Ziggy turned his head back to the fake sky visible through the window. "Thinking." he whispered.
The Black Ranger propped his head up in his hand, turning on to his side to stare at his friend. Ziggy's eyes flickered towards his briefly before returning to the window. Dillon couldn't help but run his eyes down the younger man's body, taking in the soft curves and almost delicate bone structure. "Will you stop that?" Ziggy demanded, glancing at him again.
"Stop what?" he asked. Ziggy gave him a knowing look, rolling his eyes slightly. Dillon smirked, dropping his gaze. It landed on the mark decorating his arm. "So if it isn't a tattoo, what is it?"
Ziggy turned to mirror his position. "It’s a seal." he told him. At Dillon's confused look he sat up fully and clapped his hands together before spinning them in opposing directions. When he pulled them apart, dark green lightning flew between his palms. The tattoo on his arm disappeared and a long, very sharp-looking sword appeared in his hands. Dillon arched an eyebrow as he watched Ziggy easily spun the sword. "You have a sword... sealed into your arm?" he asked in disbelief.
The Green Ranger smirked and gently rested the tip of the blade against his palm. Green lightning ran between his palms again and he watched as it disappeared, the tattoo coming back. "Ziggy Grover you are certainly full of surprises." he whispered, earning himself a small smile as Ziggy laid back down.
They were silent for another moment, Dillon nearly hovering over Ziggy due to their positions. This time it was Ziggy who spoke first. "Can I ask you something Dillon?"
He nodded, watching as Ziggy's eyes flickered anxiously in every direction. "Ever since you got here," he started haltingly. "You've had this image of me in your head. This sweet, innocent, happy image of me." He paused, his gaze finally moving to look at him. "Was I... really like that once? That happy?"
Dillon dropped his gaze, unable to meet the dark eyes. "Yeah. Yeah you were." he told him. "You were really... nice. So very full of life."
Ziggy turned his head away and closed his eyes. "Ah." He whispered. "It’s been so long since I was like that I've... forgotten how to act like that." Dillon watched sadly as Ziggy turned his head to try to give him a wide smile. He leaned forward, pressing his index finger against the boy's lips. "Don't." he told him. "Don't smile like that unless you want to."
He felt the smile drop off his face beneath his fingers and watched as the fake happiness Ziggy had been trying to project in his eyes faded back to the blank look he normally had. Dillon gulped slightly, sadness jerking at his heart. "I'm sorry." He whispered. He pressed down harder on his lips when he felt Ziggy about to say something. "And don't give me that 'it’s a weakness' bull. I am sorry, Ziggy. For what I've done to you. And to this team."
The Green Ranger closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, a weak smile on his face. "Figures. You haven't changed." he whispered. Dillon drew back when the words ghosted across his skin and shivered. Instead of placing his hand back to his side he placed it on the other side of Ziggy's head. He didn't think when he slowly leaned down to press his lips against Ziggy's. The boy didn't move to meet him but he didn't pull away either, even though he had to know what he was planning to do.
Their lips met. Ziggy's lips were soft and malleable. Dillon pressed closer; the younger man's lips were warm and inviting. Ziggy shifted beneath him, his arms starting to wrap around his neck as he gave in to the contact. For a split second he kissed back, his eyes sliding closed. Then his arms moved from around his neck to press against his shoulders, urging him back. Dillon complied, pulling back to stare at the younger man.
Ziggy's lips were plumb and his cheeks were flushed. Dillon gulped as he stared down at him, his breathing feeling shaky. Ziggy's eyes were dull and... wet? "I'm sorry." Ziggy whispered. He twisted out from under him, getting to his feet and hurrying up the stairs. Dillon sat up, watching him go sadly. He waited for a moment then followed him up.
His door was open so he pushed the door the rest of the way open and slid in, staring at his friend. Ziggy was sitting on his bed near the headboard, his knees drawn up to his chest. His old watch was lying on the bed near his feet, open and playing. Dillon closed the door behind him, staring at him closely. "Ziggy?" he asked.
Ziggy raised his head to stare at him, his eyes open and lost. It was as if every shield he had put in place had, with that one kiss, fallen apart, leaving him open and defenseless. "You don't..." he trailed off, shaking his head.”You don't even care about him like that, do you?" He asked, his eyes moving to a photo on his bed stand. Dillon slowly followed his gaze, his breath catching when he saw it.
The photo was of the two of them. He had wrapped Ziggy in his arms, his chin resting on the smaller man's shoulder. Ziggy was smiling widely, his old self so apparent in his eyes that Dillon's breath caught in his throat. But he... he was staring at Ziggy with kind, loving eyes. And he... really didn't know what to say.
"Two months." Ziggy told him, his voice shaky and depressed. "We'd been together for nearly two months. But then... then you lost to the virus." Dillon turned towards him, his eyes wide and startled. Ziggy looked away from him, shaking his head.
Dillon slowly dropped his gaze in thought. "I don't..."
"Know what to say." Ziggy finished for him. He curled himself tighter, turning his head away. "Please leave me alone." he pleaded. Dillon watched him for a long moment before he listened, leaving the boy alone silently. He walked towards his room, crashing onto his bed.
He... and Ziggy? Despite the attraction he had been feeling to him, he'd never actually considered a serious relationship, let alone something that would last for months. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to calm his thoughts. But something stuck with him. In the photo, Ziggy had been leaning against him freely, trusting him completely. And he had betrayed that trust.
No wonder Ziggy had been so cautious of him. He'd broken his heart.
He didn't know how long he laid there but when he sat up, his clock read 2 a.m. He stood and, not sure he should be doing it, walked down the hall to Ziggy's door. He needed to talk to him; he needed to understand and know Ziggy was going to be okay. Before he could knock, the door opened and Ziggy stood before him, his eyes shadowed with dark rings. He looked exhausted.
"Are you okay?" he asked without thinking.
Ziggy tried for another weak smile. "I can't sleep." he whispered. He seemed to think about something then gave up, leaning heavily against the door. "I don't..." He looked away, shaking his head. "I can't be alone tonight." he whispered.
Dillon heard in that one sentence a silent plea for help before he lost himself. He reached forward, wrapping his arms around the younger man. Suddenly the fact that they had been a relationship didn't matter because Ziggy needed his help. Ziggy pulled him inside, shutting the door behind them. They both fell down onto the bed, Ziggy curling into his embrace. "What can I do to help?" he asked.
Ziggy looked up at him, his eyes wide and startlingly venerable. "Just don't leave me alone." He said, confirming his theory. All of Ziggy's walls had fallen down in the face of the kiss. Dillon smiled slightly, pulling Ziggy closer. It took only seconds for him to fall asleep.
For a long moment it was quiet. Then Ziggy shifted, his face contorting in pain. Dillon frowned, watching as Ziggy twisted in displeasure, looking troubled. He reached out, trying to shake the boy awake. Ziggy's eyes suddenly snapped open, flipping him over onto his back. Something cool was placed against his head, making him shiver and freeze. Ziggy's eyes were haunted as he stared at him.
Dillon glanced to the side, trying not to flinch when he saw the .357 Sig Sauer pressed against his temple. Ziggy's hand was sure where he gripped it. "Ziggy, its okay." he whispered. Ziggy blinked down at him. "It's me. You were dreaming."
Ziggy blinked down at him, trying to focus. "Dil... lon?" he asked shakily. He pulled back, the gun sliding from his forehead, allowing him to breathe easier. So, that was what Tenaya meant this morning. He gulped slightly and asked. "You sleep with a gun?"
The Green Ranger gave a choked laugh, squeezing his eyes shut. "Yeah I do." he agreed. Dillon reached up, wrapping his hand around the gun and tugging it out of his hold. He let it drop to the ground and pulled Ziggy as close as possible. He didn't protest, just held on tighter. After a very long half an hour, Ziggy managed to finally drift back to sleep.
The Green Ranger looked peaceful in his sleep, all of his hard edges melting away. He looked innocent and almost child-like. Dillon trailed his hand down Ziggy's bare arm, enjoying the smooth texture of his skin. He turned his head just enough to see the photo of him and Ziggy. Somehow, right now, he could understand getting into a relationship with Ziggy. There was something calming and relaxing in laying next to him, watching him sleep.
Neither of them noticed Dillon's hand start to fade as it swept over Ziggy's arm until, if one looked, they could see through the skin and bone to Ziggy's arms beneath his hand.
Chapter 7