When Crickets Cry...

"Love??"
He didn't understand that word.....
He didn't know how to love, what love was...

"Love. I LOVE you." Brayden repeated, wondering if he hadn't heard.

Angel looked down, frowning deeply.
"I dont know what love is Brayden...."
It was the first time he had said his name.

Brayden blinked.
"Oh. Oh, well, love is.... its hard to explain but there's different kinds of love. You can love someone like family or y'know as a lover." He nodded.

Angel bit his tongue.
He wondered what love Brayden felt for him.
"But...thats not saying what love is..."

"I'm gettin there." Brayden smiled softly. "Well love is.... hmm... love is... caring for someone so much... willing to do absolutely anything for them. You'd give up your own life to help them. You'd take a bullet for them. For me, I'd take a bullet just to make you smile...." He spoke quietly.

Angel frowned.
He was touched....
"He is lying!" The voices hissed.
"He is buttering you up so he can get you to trust him. He will hurt you!!"
"He doesn't care for you..."

Brayden knew the voices were telling Angel he was lying.
"Well, the voices might say different but I promise that was the truth Angel."

"The voices hate you.....They want you gone...."
They wanted Higgy gone too..

"Well, llike I said I love you so I really don't want to leave you...."

Angel nodded.
"I dont want you to leave either...im lonely..."

"Well you don't gotta be lonely anymore. I'm promising you right now. Even if other people turn on you, you'll ALWAYS have me with you...."

"Why? You Don't know me....Don't know what all I have gone through to make me so mentally disturbed."

"And I don't care. No matter what's happened to you I'll love you...." Brayden nodded.

Angel grinned at him.
"Thank you so much Brayden......You.....make me happy."

"And you make me happy. Really happy." He smiled softly. "I'm glad I do...."

Angel yawned, rubbing his eyes. He was strangely calm when Brayden was around but he knew it wouldn't last, he would have an out burst soon...

"You tired? You can go lay in my bed if you like." He offered gently.

Angel gave a sad smile. "I am tired, I havent slept in a week....I cant sleep though, the voices wont let me...."
The offer made his heart swell.

He sighed, frowning.
"Is there anything I can do to make them be quiet enough for you to sleep?"

Angel shrugged. In truth what Higgy did was either put on a soft song or sing to him. It soothed the voices, made them listen while he fell asleep.

"Well... would you want me to sing to you?" He asked softly.

Angel gave a small nod, laying back on Higgy's chest as the man lovingly stroked his hair, still sound asleep.

"Can I do that?" He gestured to Higgy's hand, stroking Angel's hair. He didn't know if Angel would freak if he touched him...

Angel shook his head.
"Don't touch me please.....He can because he saved me.....He knows what its like....I try to trust him....He is the only one to ever take care of me.....The voices hate him because he helps me..."