Fourth chapter of ‘Shaken’. It’s really just a filler chapter, although that doesn’t mean nothing happens. A lot happens. Read to see.

Chapter Four

Bastion woke long before Jaden, his perfect dream destroyed by harsh sunbeams. Yawning, he gently removed the still sleeping brunettes arms from his waist so that he could stand and stretch.

Looking back, he observed the sleeping teen; the way the sunlight brought out the caramel highlights in his mocha hair and made his slightly tan skin glow, how his chest rose and fell as he breathed softly, and how his gentle hands tightly wound in the sheets in response to a dream.

Watching him, Bastion couldn’t help but think that Jaden was the most beautiful and innocent person he knew. He sat down on the bed, still watching the sleeping brunette.

He gently unwound one of Jaden’s hands from the sheets, holding it between his own. The skin was warm, and smooth, with small calluses forming on the tips of his fingers. Raising Jaden’s hand to his lips, Bastion kissed it softly, making a silent, solemn vow to protect Jaden with his life for as long as he could.

Jaden stirred, opening his eyes slowly. Once his hazy mind registered what he was seeing, he smiled sleepily. “What are you doing?” He asked, amused. “Just vowing my life to you.” Bastion replied seriously. Jaden looked at him like he was crazy and laughed. “But I don’t want your life,” The brunette murmured, using the hand Bastion was still holding to bring his boyfriend closer.

“I only want your love.” Jaden finished, kissing Bastion. “Then, my love you shall have, along with everything else, for as long as we both shall live.” Bastion swore, stealing another kiss. “Really? So, you’re heart will never belong to anyone but me?” Jaden asked. “Only you... Till the day I die... And eternity after...” Bastion promised, squeezing Jaden’s hand. “Then, I also pledge myself to only you.” The brunette said, blushing softly. Bastion laughed, getting an angry glare from Jaden.

“I’m not making fun of you love. I’ve just never heard you so serious about anything but dueling.” Bastion reassured him. Jaden pouted, giving Bastion pathetic puppy dog eyes. “Ah, love, don’t give me that look. I’m sorry.” The raven-haired teen apologized, not able to resist that look. Jaden turned his back to his boyfriend. Bastion commenced to tickling the brunette’s exposed sides.

Jaden screamed in laughter, trying to escape Bastion’s hands. Bastion stopped suddenly and wrapped his arms around Jaden’s waist, pulling the brunette’s back flush against his chest. Jaden was still breathing hard, still laughing softly, face flushed.

They laid together in silence for a while; Jaden softly stroked the skin of Bastion’s hand with his thumb, musing about the difference in their skin tones, while Bastion simply enjoyed holding Jaden, nuzzling the brunette’s neck and inhaling his sweet scent. “Bastion?” Jaden tentatively asked. “Hmm, what is it?” Bastion replied, propping himself up on his elbows. “How many more days like this are we going to have? With that rapist still-”

“Jaden, don’t talk about that.” “But Bastion, he’s still out-””Jaden! Not another word about that guy!” Jaden stared up at his boyfriend, eyes wide with shock and fear; Bastion was suddenly above him, anger quite evident in his eyes and voice. “Jaden...” Bastion’s features softened, and he moved away from the brunette, sitting on the edge of the bed with his back to Jaden. Jaden sat up, concerned. “I hope for this guys sake we never met... I have no idea what he looks like... But I hate him with every fiber of my being...” Bastion sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“This guy... He hurt you so badly that even when we’re together, all you can think about is him.” Bastion said bitterly. “No! Bastion, that’s not true! I love you.” Jaden said, reaching out to place his hand on the raven’s shoulder. Bastion stood, moving further away from the brunette. “I’m not questioning your love...” He explained, sighing again. “Then why are you doing this?! Just three minutes ago we were happy!” Jaden yelled, throwing a pillow at Bastion’s head.

He knew it was childish, but he was mad at the older teen. Bastion turned back to face Jaden, his face serious and a slight look of confusion in his eyes. “Jaden, maybe we ought to spend some time apart. I think we’re starting to get on each others nerves.”

Jaden didn’t say anything, not trusting his voice. “Alright, well, I’m going to go out. I’ll be back before dark; keep the door locked.” Bastion said, not looking at the brunette. He left without another word.

Jaden flopped back onto the bed, clutching the remaining pillow tightly, tears forming in the corner of his eyes. Jaden regretted his words now, but how could Bastion get mad at him for just being worried. His grip on the pillow tightened and he buried his face in it, burning red with humiliation and streaked with tears.

...

“Jay! Jaden! Open the door if you’re in there!” Jaden’s eyes flew open and he sat up. How long had he been sleeping? He couldn’t even remember when he fell asleep. And where was Bastion?

“Sarge! Open up!” Jaden registered his friends voices and left the bed, opening the door before the knocked it down. “What’s wrong guys?” He asked, seeing the looks on their faces. “Well, something happened to Bastion...” Hassleberry started, but he trailed off.

Terror flooded through Jaden’s body. “What happened to him?” He asked quietly. “I-It’s really horrible Jay... No one knows who did it...” Syrus said, tears flowing down his cheeks faster than he could wipe them away. “What? What is it? Tell me?!” The brunette demanded. “Sarge, I think this is just something you need to see for yourself...” Hassleberry replied, not quite meeting Jaden’s eyes. Jaden felt sick to his stomach.

...

“What happened to him?” On the way to the infirmary, his friends had warned him about Bastion’s condition, but it hadn’t quite prepared him.

There were bandages all over his body, and one around his head. Just under all of those bandages were gashes, still bleeding. An oxygen mask was over his mouth. “Jaden, he’ll be okay. Mrs. Fontaine told us that all of his wounds are shallow.” Syrus said, trying to reassure his best friend.

Jaden didn’t reply, he just dropped into the chair beside the bed. Syrus moved forward, wanting to comfort him, but Hassleberry stopped him, shaking his head. Syrus looked at Jaden, and then followed Hassleberry out, knowing that what Jaden needed was to be alone with his boyfriend. Jaden tentatively reached for the raven-haired teen’s hand, threading their fingers together.

“Bastion, I’m sorry... If I wasn’t so stupid... If I hadn’t started that stupid fight... You wouldn’t have gone out... You would have stayed with me, and you wouldn’t have gotten hurt...” Tears slipped down the brunette’s cheeks, and he made no attempt to wipe them away. “I’m so sorry Bastion... But I’ll make it up to you; I’ll find the guy who did this to you, and I’ll make him pay, somehow... I promise I will... I’m so sorry... Please, come back to me... I need you...” Jaden sobbed, his tears fell in thicker streams and his sobs wracked his shoulders.

TBC...

That was the fourth chapter. I’m sorry about what I did to Bastion! Please forgive me!

Anyway, I’m going to take a poll, because... I forgot... Who I orginally planned the rapist to be...

I know! It’s my story, I’m supposed to remember... Whatever!

So, with your review, if you would please, send in who you want it to be (it can be anyone, someone from the any season of the show, or if you’d just like me to make up someone), and it’ll influence the next few chapters.

As more people vote for one character, the more evidence and stuff will point to them, and I’ll post the results at the end of each chapter.

Once I reach the last chapter, the poll will be over and the character that got voted for the most will be the guilty one, and they’ll get arrested, and you’ll find out the reason why.

I know I should have wrote down my original plan, but I think it’s better this way, because this way the readers get to influence the story.