Before we start the chapter I want to clarify something. When I say "evanescence" I mean the word, not the band. Evanescence means to disappear or slowly vanish. Alright, let's get into the story.

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Red sobbed. "Please."

The men just smiled as they descended upon him. "Nothing personal. Just the fifteen men you killed in that little magic stunt of yours. Thanks for the horrible nightmares, by the way."

Red gave a panicked cry and weakly tried to push one of them away. They just laughed and bent down further, ready to kill. The smiles on their faces showed nothing but hatred and blood thirst. He saw his father in those eyes. The dancing flames of hatred that he saw every time his father had hit him.

That's when they started hitting him. Red screamed, throwing up his arms to brace himself from their blows. He felt the fists landing. The kicks digging into his ribs. Fear overtook him as he felt memories of his childhood flooding back. The adrenaline would eventually fail him and he would begin to feel the pain.

But the pain never came. Red's fear began to evanescence and turn into confusion. Why wasn't he feeling the pain?

"Hey, he doesn't have any bruises!" One of the men exclaimed.

"Where's the fucking blood?!" Another man shouted, hitting him again.

But the blow didn't effect him. Instead, Red felt something building within him. Something he had never felt before. Some sort of burning energy bubbling inside. Ready to erupt. He couldn't hold it back anymore. It burst from him with the force of a nuclear bomb. He screamed as it tore free and flew outwards.

Just like before it was some sort of energy field. Like a shock wave with a flaming red color at the edges. Instead of crackling with energy it seemed to burn with a force that stung Red's eyes and nostrils. When it hit his attackers, their eyes went wide.

They screamed in agony. Collapsing completely before him. Bowing their heads and writhing. Begging for release that would not find them. Helpless to his power. Blood was fucking everywhere. It gushed from their mouths and ears. It flowed freely from wounds that appeared suddenly from nowhere. Red's eyes widened in shock at the scene before him. What had he done to them? He was scared at first. Then he was terrified. Soon he was traumatized. The next thing he knew his mind broke completely.

Red shrieked, flailing and tearing away from the men. He ran without looking back. Once again fleeing the scene. He couldn't look back. It would just be a reminder of what he had done. A little voice in the back of his head whispered to him as he ran. He was beginning to fear that it was speaking the truth.

They were right, you know. You are a fucking monster.

                –•❤️💛💚💙💜•–

"Red! Red!" He heard the desperate screams before he even saw Barney. He turned around to see him tearing open the front door. Barney looked fucking wrecked. His eyes were nearly swollen shut and his face stained with tears. The look he had on his face dripped guilt and he looked like he was going to throw up. Red threw his arms open as Barney stumbled toward him. Letting Barney fall into them. Closing his arms around him as Barney howled into his chest.

Barney cried helplessly, holding onto Red tightly. Red had never seen Barney fall apart like this. It scared him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He chanted, saying it over and over like if he didn't he'd die. "I should have been there to protect you. I should have never even gone into work. Fuck. I'm so sorry."

Red just held him. Digging his fingers into the fabric of Barney's t shirt and pulling him in closer. He cried in his lover's arms. Soaking Red's onesie with tears. Red couldn't find the words to say. Nothing would come out of his words even when he tried to say them. They got lost somewhere along the way. So Red didn't say anything. He just held Barney. Held him as he cried.

It's okay. He wanted to say. It's not your job to protect me. It's not your fault.

I love you.

But he had no words.

They stood in silence. The sound of Barney's muffled cries blending in with the rain on the window pane and lulling them into an uneasy sleep.