[CON] let your heart win.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor coughed, sitting down and curling up with his back against the one back wall. He covered his ears helplessly, not wanting to listen to anybody. He still felt terribly sick, was positive he was running a fever from this morning. Rubbing at his face, blue eyes closed, tears falling down his cheeks. What kind of sick joke was this? And Deacon had led him right on over.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon wasn't in autopsy long before one of the administrators came down to talk to him. He was asked what was so important that he had to be in a teenager's room in the middle of the night. And it wasn't until he explained why he was there that they dismissed it. He told them about letting Connor write to his sister, that it might be helpful to him. The administrator said they would talk to a few nurses and get back to him. Around lunch a nurse came back with a box, telling Deacon he had to bring it down to Connor. He sighed, thinking he didn't get paid enough for this. He took the box from her, and started down to where they were keeping him.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor has tried to sleep, but the damn person across from him wouldn't shut up their obnoxious bantering. He rubbed at his face, cheek resting against the bars as he drew in and let out rasping breaths, hands still pressed to his ears. He had given up on screaming at people, his throat aching. And he felt no different except maybe treated like shit. So when Deacon walked into the corridor, he grew rigid, hurt flashing in his blue eyes.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon figured the box wouldn't fit through the bars, so he knelt down in front of Connor's cell and opened it. He passed him a pad of paper, then a marker, envelopes wrapped in a small string, and finally a small roll of stamps. "I talked to the administrator.. I kind of got in trouble for talking to you but uh.. That's for you to write to your sister. All your mail's going to be scanned going in and out, so you can't seal the envelopes." He looked down at the ground, then over at someone in the other cell.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor stared at him, that faint kindle of trust now gone. He took them in silence with shaking hands and held them close to himself, biting down harshly on his lip. He wanted to thank him, but he was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would start to cry.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon messed with a string in the hole of his jeans. He was more afraid to make eye contact with Connor than anyone. Something about the boy seemed dangerous in a non-violent way, like he would completely surpass bodily injury and go right for your heart if you let him. "Did they hurt you..?" He asked quietly, sure he would get yelled at for even asking. He wasn't supposed to care. And he wasn't supposed to know. He was just there to take care of their bodies.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor set the stuff next to him, rubbing at his wrists. "Just bites f-from the cuffs.." He was used to that, though. "So...not y-yet." Voice flat as ever, but there was a waver there, fear and hurt, confusion. Why was he here? What did they want from him...? His jaw trembled helplessly as he drew his knees up.

[deacon reid rudman]

"I don't know if it's going to hurt or not.. I'm just going off of what Perseus tells me." He shrugged, realizing for the first time how loud it really was in there. He checked his watch, then finally pulled his mask down off of his face, wringing it in his hands. "I'd offer to bring you to lunch but they'd just turn me away, being covered in blood and stuff.." He unbuttoned his lab coat, letting it hang open so it wouldn't be as hot.

[connor crayze sykes]

"T-take a break then, please.." He begged, desperate to get out for at least a little bit. It wasn't often he asked anything of people, terrified of what they might want in return. But he was going to lose his mind in here. "What i-is this place..?" His voice cracked, chest shuddering as his face contorted to that of somebody ready to panic. "Reh-hab, my ass."

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon's heart dropped as the boy begged him to take a break. He was never so much as given a second glance by anyone, let alone asked to help someone. "I'm.. not sure they're gonna release you into my custody. Especially when you'd be around a bunch of sharp tools and.. They can't watch you in my morgue..." He trailed off, trying to think of any excuse to not go and ask. He didn't want to be turned down, for them to tell him he couldn't help the boy. "I.. it isn't what you think it is.." He said quietly, glancing up at him. He fished in his pocket, sliding a Reese's cup over to him. "Chocolate's supposed to make you feel better. And if you eat it slow, it might not hurt.." He wanted to offer to hold his hand, hoping it would make him feel better. But he was already getting attached enough as it was.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor watched him warily. But at the offer and the gentler words, he brought a hand to his mouth to try and hide that tremble of weakness there. Instead, tears just spilled over, falling gently down his cheeks. He took the Reese's, hesitant at first, then unwrapped it with slightly fumbling fingers as he curled up against the bars a little closer than before. He wasn't sure if he should trust the guy as his only option, or not at all. Even so, he took a small bite, reaching up with his free hand to wipe at his cheeks. Eyes raised, meeting Deacon's for the first time. "I...thank y-you..."

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon watched him unwrap the candy, chewing on one of his snakebites. He honestly hoped it didn't make him sick. All he could think about was how Bandit always threw back up what she ate when she was little, how she couldn't hold down anything. He locked eyes with Connor for a moment, still toying with the mask in his lap. "You're welcome." He said quietly, but he couldn't find it in himself to smile, to show him that it was going to be okay. Quite a few people ended up dead, their bodies unable to take what was being dished out. And from what little body Connor had left, he wouldn't be surprised if he didn't make it through the night. "Did your fe-" He started, jumping as someone tapped his shoulder. He looked up into the face of the same administrator he'd talked to earlier, and slowly rose to his feet. "I gotta go.." He told Connor quietly, putting back on his mask.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor took fright at the unfamiliar face and shrank back, watching him with a broken nod. He guessed he wasn't getting out for lunch now. He didn't bother wipe at his damp cheeks again, savoring the offered candy before dusting his hand off. Tears dripped onto his paper as he pulled it close and began to write, trying to keep his hand as steady as possible.
'Dear Christy, I love you so much baby girl. I-' He paused drawing in a breath, rolling stiff feeling shoulders.
'I miss you, and I promise to see you soon.' A lie but he could care less.
'Promise to keep me in your thoughts like I do, you. Remember the story about the stars and the moon? Don't forget to tell them hello. There's no sky sometimes for me.. I need to to watch it. I love you so much..
Your big Brother, Co-'
He pulled back, bringing a hand to his nose at a warm trickle.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon listened quietly as he was reprimanded for not working, then walked back to the morgue once he was dismissed. He worked for the next few hours, glancing up at the clock occasionally. When it neared lunch time, he pulled off his gloves and mask, unbuttoning his coat to hang it on the hook. He got Bandit, debating whether or not he wanted to get Connor. But he'd had enough chewing out for the day, so he walked towards the cafeteria with his red head. He got their food, then took their table, poking absently at his food.

[connor crayze sykes]

Connor pushed his papers out of harms way, placing his head between his knees and keeping a hand over his bleeding nose. It didn't seem to want to clot, though. He was careful not to draw attention to himself, figuring if he bled enough they would have to pull him out to stop it. A good few minutes of bleeding was enough of a toll on his thin body and his hand fell away as he closed his eyes dizzily, blood running over his lips and chin.