Mega Man Fan Fiction ❯ TENACITY (Zero/X) ❯ Shattered ( Chapter 2 )

CHAPTER TWO:

 

 

He awoke the next day, his dreams had manifested his horrible experience over and over; even though he slept, he still felt exhausted from the stress his nightmares left him with. X struggled to get out of bed, not even thinking about the depression that had consumed him now. He buried his head in his pillow so Zero hopefully wouldn't see he was crying again. But when Zero got up he made a point of looking over to X, the way he was shaking was the give away he was crying. X looked up, trying to dry his face when he felt Zero's hand on his shoulders. He was worried a moment Zero was going to go and report X's experience just to get a shot in on Sigma. And if that happened…X tried to get rid of the thoughts.

“Get up already”.

Zero moved away, X sat up in his bed, getting rid of the tears and trying to compose himself as he stood up to follow. Silently he joined him for breakfast, only instead of X doing it himself, Zero handed him his cereal. It was a simple gesture that had X confused. Although considered heartless, Zero could obviously see how troubled X was over the events of the day before. Letting X crumble to that meant Sigma won. And that wasn't something he'd let happen. X didn't notice that Zero was glancing over a lot; studying the stoic expression X wasn't even aware he was showing. He seemed like he was concerned about something; even if that was something questionable, Zero caring and showing concern, that is.

 

Once finished X washed up, Zero collecting his armor from the other room. X turned around after he was done, Zero tossed the younger one's blue helmet over to him.

“Go get dressed”.

X looked up confused at the order. But he nodded and walked away from the kitchen to go fetch his armor.

“Where are we going?” X asked innocently as he walked over to Zero who was impatiently waiting for him.

“I'm your teacher, remember? I think you need to get yourself knocked into shape a bit; or else everyone and their bastard will attack you and easily take advantage of you like yesterday”.

X averted his eyes with a sad look on his face. Zero was blunt. Like always.

“…O-okay”.

 

 

***

 

 

This was the third round now, and X was getting worse at this each time; easily losing the other two times to Zero. Usually he at least put up some fight, but he was no better than a rookie, if not worse at times.

X panted, leaning against the wall of the training room. He felt so disconnected; his mind unable to focus properly, resulting in him losing pathetically in his spar match with Zero. He let his arm canon fall to his side. Realising he really just couldn't fight anymore.

“Your endurance is absolutely shot”, Zero snapped, rolling his eyes, as he put is saber away. “Your head is somewhere else today, you're usually better than this”.

“I'm sorry…” X quietly replied. Frustrated, Zero sighed.

“Let's take a break then”.

 

 

Zero took X to the cafeteria. X never went there without Zero, or else he'd cop a lot from the older reploids around him. Using the accursed word `cute' on him all the time. He collected a tray with his lunch on it and followed Zero back to a free table. When Zero looked up to him he forced a smile. Zero pressed him with an unconvinced look. Sighing X turned away. Zero always saw right through him. He couldn't pretend everything was okay, especially to him.

“Wanna talk about it?” X turned back, Zero's voice was bored and distant, but that something that didn't change at the best of times.

“I…I'll be okay, but thanks Zero”. X shied away, shifted his sight from him again.

“You sure don't seem okay”.

X looked back to him, sadness sheathing his face.

“Maybe not right now…” X sighed. “But I…I will be”.

Zero rolled his eyes, but X didn't see. It was obvious to Zero, he couldn't believe a single thing X had said.

 

 

Finishing lunch they decided to head back to their apartment for the afternoon; seeing as X still was so zoned out there wasn't any use in trying to force him back into some sort of training. X was lost in his thoughts. Why was he letting this get to him? Why couldn't he be happy or smile right now? It was rare for him to get to spend a whole day with Zero like this; usually it'd leave him in jubilations, but today he was stuck on a low. He wondered how lost he'd have been if Zero hadn't put up with him for the day. He looked ahead, Zero walking a few meters in front. The more X thought the more his walking pace slowed, and the more of a distance that grew between him and Zero.

 

“Yo, X!”

“Hey there, princess!”

Two reploids not far off called out to him. X winced, regretting he'd stopped to look.

“What's with the glum look; maybe a good time this-evening could fix that up? What do `ya say?” One advanced forward, his eyes moving up and down X's body to check him out. Both of them had now moved close to him, snickering under their breath. X didn't want to even try and comprehend what he knew their thoughts were. X hated himself, maybe people were after him for those sort of things because he was easy. Sigma had proved that; he was worried others had found out about it.

 

Now he felt sick.

 

Zero stopped, having heard the lewd conversation behind him. He turned around, seeing them harass X, who tried to move away from the situation, but the advancing two weren't letting him walk ahead. Zero grunted in frustration.

Their cantering to X stopped when Zero moved back towards them. They moved away as Zero stepped closer. X weakly turned to Zero who hadn't looked at him yet, instead his eyes had narrowed in on the two who had been annoying X. They had now recoiled, fearful of Zero's ice shaded eyes giving them a deathly glare.

“Go stick a fucking thumb up your asses”, he rasped, in a surprisingly calm—but still chilling—voice. “Go make sexual advances on someone else”.

 

Zero took X by the hand, leading him away. X felt a blush creep to his face as Zero led him down the hall, still hand in hand. That was the first time he'd smiled genuinely all day. Even if it was small, and not even for that long, but it was still a smile. Zero had seemed to have gotten over how livid he'd been a moment ago. Right now X was vulnerable, and he'd for some reason taken aboard making sure no one abused that. He took the younger one back to their apartment. X felt a little relived, it was here that was the only place anymore where he felt safe.

 

***

 

When the following day came—although not wanting to—X got up to leave. His unit having a mission on in a few hours. He paused from finishing putting his armor on, his helmet in his hands when he noticed Zero staring.

“Where are you off to?”

“The mission…” X stated, although a little confused, especially when Zero shook his head.

“You're staying home today. I talked to the head and got you out of this one. Just do the paperwork and stay here. No going out till I get back”.

Zero was stern; X tilted his head, trying to understand what Zero was saying. Was he actually that concerned about him? That was out of character. Mind you, with how gruff his tone was he almost always seemed rude or resentful when he spoke. But X brought himself to nod.

“Okay”.

“Remember, don't leave the apartment”.

 

Zero closed the door as he left. X waited there a moment longer. He sighed, taking himself over to the couch, he crashed down on it, letting his helmet fall from his hands to the ground with a thud. He flicked the TV onto something aimless to try and numb his mind a while.

 

But what happened two days before echoed in his mind again. It left his feeling sick, afraid and violated. He bit his lip, he was trying to forget but he couldn't. He sat up then, running a hand through his hair to brush his fringe away from his eyes. X's thoughts turned to questions: why did it happened? Why didn't he fight it? Why was he so darn weak?

 

And because of all that…did he then deserve it?

 

Yeah, that was right. Because of how stupidly anemic-like he was, he deserved it.

 

He found himself with a self-loathing coming over him. He was so goddamned easy, he got used and marked. He wasn't his own anymore. Putting hands up to his face he began sobbing.

 

Why….just, why…?

 

 

 

 

It took him a while to get over the crying, probably lost most his day that way. He knew Zero would get mad though if he didn't finish up that paperwork for when he got back. So he attempted them the best he could. He knew it was half-assed, but it was the best he could do in his state of mind. He had finished his paper work, as well as Zero's. But he noticed in the pile Zero left him was a blank form he hadn't seen before. He picked it up to study it. Zero must've slipped it in. It was a report form. Zero wanted him to report what happened to him with Sigma. That left him crying again. He got up with the paper in hand, throwing it in the bin.

 

If he spoke up about it, Sigma would attack him again. And he just couldn't go through with that again. He…he'd rather die than have himself raped like that again.

 

It only hit him then how morbid his thoughts had gotten. Now he was worried, because no matter how hard he tried the emotions choking him wouldn't go away.

 

 

***

 

Zero came back later that evening. X greeted him like usual. Trying to be happy and pleasant, hoping Zero didn't notice he had spent most the day crying. Almost as ignorant as always he moved to the kitchen to grab a snack. He tossed the wrapper in the bin. He looked down, seeing the form he'd left X thrown away. He looked back over to him a moment, but said nothing. Moving back to sit down on the couch with X.

“How was the mission?” X asked, in his usual quiet tone.

“Boring”.

“Oh, I see”.

Zero saw on the table the paperwork he'd left X. It was done, but usually by now he'd handed it over. X saw him looking at it and silently panicked when Zero looked to him.

“Umm, I'll…” X didn't want to say it, but ended up saying it anyway. “I'll take it now, sorry”.

But Zero beat him to it in gathering up.

“Common”, he gruffly grunted, noting for X to follow him.

 

Even with Zero with him this time, X was still panicked about the idea of seeing Sigma again. He was just so afraid. He swore his heart stopped a moment when they were outside the door of his office. He froze. Zero lightly held his arm to make X walk in with him.

The look Sigma gave Zero was dark and irritated.

“The reports”, Zero spat. Throwing them rudely on the desk. X grabbed onto Zero's arm when Sigma's eyes moved to him, narrowing them as he focused in on his; suppressing a smug grin.

“Well, well, nice to see you again, X”. He smirked. X bit his lip, he tried not to tremble. But he relaxed a little when Zero took hold of his hand again. Sigma's amused look faded.

“Let's go, X”. the younger one nodded to Zero as they turned to leave.

 

X couldn't be more relieved when the door shut and they began the walk home down the hall; still holding onto Zero tightly. It was silent for a while, but without looking down to him, Zero ended up speaking, the only line of conversation on their way back.

“He can't hurt you anymore, X”.

X looked to Zero, wordless and with a strange, strained, expression to his face. He stopped himself from crying when a smile came to his face. He rested his head against Zero's arm he was still clinging to, sighing to himself.

 

 

***

 

 

Things seemed to get a little more normal the following week. Sticking to his regular routine, the only thing that had changed was Zero would accompany X to drop off reports. Zero wasn't stupid; if Sigma got X alone he'd attack him again for sure. By his sudden `baby sitting' method he was positive Sigma knew that he had found out about it.

“I'm going”, Zero announced, heading for the door. He paused though, seeing X finish putting on his armor.

“Good luck with the meeting”, X chirped. His cheer had slowly come back these days.

“Where do you think you're off to?” Zero narrowed his eyes, an aggravation in his voice.

“I wanted to go train; I wanted to do some shooting practice…if you're okay with that”.

He paused a moment.

“Just don't get yourself into any trouble”. Zero turned to continue his exit.

“I'll be fine”. X assured.

“Don't be late home, or else”.

“I promise, I'll be back before eight”.

 

Zero didn't like the idea, but decided to let X go on his own. His confidence had shaped up—well, as good at it was before; if you could call that good—Zero figured that his technique must've worked. He could easily have dropped off the reports on his own, but he forced X to come with him. If he didn't face what he was fearing he'd just let it eat away at him. By having him by his side, X started to feel like the power that was stolen from him was his again. Zero closed the door, continuing his own way, hoping to see X back home before he was. He cussed under his breath. The last thing he needed was one of Dr. Cain's stupid meetings…what a blow of a day.

 

 

X looked in the mirror, smiling to himself as he put his helmet on. He exited not too long after Zero had gone. He pottered down the hallway, finally not plagued by any bad thoughts. Heading to the training grounds to do some target practice. Zero had been very kind to him, and if he could, he'd like to show he appreciated it by being able to prove to him Zero's training thus far was paying off.

 

 

***

 

 

X had actually lost track of time. It was already past eight by the time he'd finished his training and was heading back before Zero got home. X removed his helmet, wiping away some sweat from his face. He was exhausted now, and overheated a little too. Maybe he pushed himself a little too far, but he sighed with a smile. At least he felt he was improving somewhat.

 

“Seeing you all sweaty like that brings back memories, doesn't it? A nice turn on, my cute X”. He froze when he heard Sigma's condescending voice from behind. He pivoted around to confirm his fears, seeing Sigma standing not too far off. The two of them alone in the halls. He wanted to run, but was so fearful again—memories he thought he'd gotten over racing through his mind again—X tried to stand his ground, putting his helmet back on, trying to stop Sigma from having anything about him to comment on next. Realising he'd begun to tremble, X turned to leave, not wanting Sigma to see any traces of fear.

 

He jerked back when his wrist was snagged and forced him to turn around.

“What's the rush, princess?” Sigma began to laugh, seeing how fearful X had become. X tried to pull back, but Sigma took his lips and forced him into a kiss. X fought against it, but Sigma over powered him. X couldn't draw back even after the kiss was broken, Sigma with a firm grasp on his arm; a tight hold that hurt even through the armor.

“Don't think Zero's going to come and save you”, Sigma sneered. “I told you not to tell anyone about our last intimate get-together”—he then frowned—“especially Zero; and it's darn obvious you squealed to him, runt”.

“L-let me go!!” X cried, but Sigma snickered. He couldn't take X serious with how shaky his voice was now.

“I'd look bad I if didn't keep my word too; maybe after this round you'll be smart enough not to go back crying to your sempai”.

“N-no, stop!!” X shrieked, Sigma dragging him along. X pulled against the hold, but there was no way of breaking his arm free. And because of the hour no one was around to help out; not that anyone would take on Sigma, unless it was Zero…

 

 

Zero, if he was with him this wouldn't be happening.

 

 

Or if he was strong like Zero, he wouldn't be in this mess.

 

 

How could he face Zero after this…once was bad enough.

 

 

And the feelings he'd suppressed for so long. Like heck he could ever tell Zero!!

 

 

 

He suppressed tears as he was dragged into the room.

 

…Z-Zero…

 

 

 

X was thrown down onto the bed. Futilely trying to hide himself as he wrapped his arms around his head.

“No, stop, d-don't--!!” X begged. Sigma grabbed X and got rid of his helmet. The younger one sobbing as he failed to stop Sigma from stripping him down again.

“Now now, X. If you had've done what I told you, this wouldn't have to hurt as much as I'm going to make it”. Sigma guffawed, now running his hands up X's bare form. X tried to draw away. He managed to push the hands away enough to get up, but he was dragged down again.

“LET ME GO!” he shrieked. Sigma pinned him down, only to make sure he stayed put, he pulled out a strip of leather. X squirmed when they were fastened around his wrists, and the bounds were tied then to the headboard to stop him from moving away. He pulled against them, but hissed as they dug into him.

“Letting you go is the last thing I plan to do”, Sigma purred, running his hand up X's inner thigh, making him not just shiver, but start crying.

 

Not again…

 

X's sobbing amplified, and he couldn't stop his howling cries.

 

…I'd rather die than this.

 

Oh gods…Zero, help me!

 

 

 

 

While Sigma liked X broken and fearful when he took him, X was different this time. Instead, he was having a breakdown in front of him. He couldn't even get any other react from him, he was just hollering, sometimes slipping the odd beg to let him go or not do this. This started to tire Sigma who got up and moved to the next room, leaving X there screaming out alone. Returning shortly after, Sigma managed to get X to look at him, despite the fact he was still bawling over his situation.

“Now now, X…” Sigma cooed. He untied the bounds from the headboard to make X sit up, but he still left them on his wrists. With tears still drowning his face X looked up, with his shattered expression, only keeping the stare because Sigma's grip on his face forced him. He made him kiss him again. Drawing back he moved to present to X what he'd left him alone a moment to go fetch. X may have been still shaken up, but had enough awareness beyond his muddled mind to know what was in front of him. Sigma popped out three of them from the packet.

“Swallow them”.

X bit his lips, tears flowing faster now. He shook his head in refusal. Sigma's amused look faded.

 

The sound of the hit that followed resounded in the room. X's cheek left red and throbbing. His uncontrollable crying and shrieks began again, Sigma dragged X up again, only to strike him painfully across the face again.

“If you don't take those drugs, I'll beat you a lot worse. That's a warning, X”. His voice had shown too much pleasure towards those words. The sadistic tone got to X, and when he was pulled up again by the bounds on his wrists he halted his screams, doing as he was told. Because he'd gotten frustrated with X's lack of cooperation, the three had jumped to a number of five, and were put in X's hands.

“Take `em”.

X sobbed, staring down at the tablets in his hands. His whole body shivering violently.

“Swallow them!”

X lifted them to his mouth, but sheepishly let out a loud cry, stopping himself.

“FUCKING SWALLOW”.

 

X put them in his mouth, closing his eyes tightly. At that moment he hoped the higher dose might actually kill him. Dying would be better than this. It had to be. He swallowed, a sour look to his face. Sigma could only grin. He watched as a struggled look started to come over X, the drugs already attacking him with their effects. He pushed X down; he seemed a little confused now, dazed. X was disconnected and his senses were betraying him, suddenly he found his body not responding to him as much as it should, attempts at movements were too much of a strain. He grimaced. The effects leaving him nauseated. Deciding he finally could, he spread X's legs. Since he was such trouble, Sigma planned to go anything but go easy on him. Jabbing a dry finger inside roughly, not giving X any time to adjust before he assaulted him with it more. Throwing his head back, he screamed. He may have been under the effects of the drugs, but pain was one thing they weren't blocking. He was left to holler to the consuming pain.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“X”, Zero called out, closing the door as he entered the apartment. He paused to the silence. He walked in further, scanning around for X, only to conclude he wasn't home. He turned to the clock; it was then he was positive something had to be wrong. X was never late back, especially when he specified a time. Not like he was ever out around these hours, period. He bit his lip, hating the fact he had an idea of where he was…he turned and left to go and see if his hunch about this was right.

 

 

Everyone was either on night duty, or at home in the dorm, no one was out, they had better things to do than roam. The one place in HQ might be the bar where crowds gathered, but otherwise the halls he was in were empty. Zero knew for sure when he heard someone cry out that hunch of his was right. He turned the corner. He was outside of Sigma's dorm. A foul look crossed his face. He didn't know the code, but he did know how to hack. He managed to find an access code quickly, throwing the door open as he stepped inside, only to hear—of whom he knew now for sure was X—scream out again, before breaking out in gasping whimpers.

 

If Zero wasn't already livid enough, the sight before him was repulsing. He was irate seeing X held down on the bed by Sigma—who by size left X without a chance of breaking free—and several fingers thrusting in and out of the boy, leaving him screaming. Sigma could see Zero there, and simply smirked.

“Let him fucking go…” Zero growled, his voice rasped but was low, trying to keep it controlled.

“My, but Zero, we've barely started the fun. And what are you so angry about? The fact I took him first?”

“Just let his fucking go!!”

Rolling his eyes, Sigma pulled his fingers out of X, who was left whimpering and exhausted. Sigma was amused to see Zero move over to try and talk to X.

“Common, get up X, we're going”.

 

There was a silence, X didn't move after he'd rolled over to cry into the sheets. His lack of response left Zero frustrated, he yanked him by the arm to get him to do as he was told. By the look on X's flushed face he could see he was absolutely out of it, dazed as though he was looking right through him. Zero turned to Sigma livid, unsure of what he'd done, he looked back though, and he saw a packet of drugs, only, several were missing. Looking back to X…Zero knew. He knew what Sigma had done to him.

“You fucking drugged him? Son of a bitch!”

Sigma laughed.

“Makes it more fun”.

Zero snarled to how laid back the outranking hunter was who shrugged off what he'd done to X. He was just caught raping the younger one, and somehow saw it amusing; especially with how angry he'd made Zero.

 

 

Turning away from him, he ripped the bounds off of X's wrists, gathering up X in his arms, who moaned, still seeming quite confused, straining for consciousness. He would've uttered something to him but couldn't show any weaknesses in front of Sigma, especially stuck in the mess he was in right now. He snagged X's things up from the floor. He didn't look back to Sigma as he carried X out of the room, the door closing as he left. Zero watched as X groaned again, looking like he was in pain from whatever those drugs were doing to him.

 

 

 

No one saw them, but it was better that way. Closing the door as he entered their apartment he tossed X's things to the floor, he carried X further inside. He took him to the bathroom, he tried to get X to stand up on his own, but he was so groggy he wavered and Zero had to catch him again before he fell. He grunted. He couldn't stand on his own, but X had been aware of everything.

“…X”.

He looked up, and Zero knew at least X was aware enough to hear what he was saying.

“How many did he make you take?” he asked, X went to speak, but grimaced and clutched at his gut in pain; Zero still offering him support so he didn't fall. He moaned again.

“Z-Z…Z…ero…” he muttered under a labored breath. “…help”.

 

Zero turned X around, pushing him so he was leaning over the basin. He pried X's mouth open with his fingers, forcing them in his mouth to his throat. X gagged, but Zero was trying to get him to vomit. He'd draw them out when X coughed in a way that seemed like he'd throw up, but most the times it was unsuccessful. He made him lean over further, putting pressure on his gut as he attempted it again. X was still crying, gagging as Zero vulgarly tried to get him to chuck up the drugs in his system. Each attempt, all which failed, left X feeling worse and revolted.

“Those things could kill you, stupid”, Zero rasped, trying again. X choked, attempting to vomit, wishing he'd either spit them up now or let them kill him or something; absolutely nauseated in what was happening.

 

It took over an hour, but eventually Zero's method proved successful. X finally spat them out as he vomited. Gasping for breath, wailing now as he fell back into Zero's arms. X's mind cleared itself enough for him to relive the memories over and over in his head as the side effects slow began lifting. Screaming in agony to them he dropped to the ground, unable to pick himself up from the tiled floor. He heard Zero say something, but didn't hear as he screamed his heart out, no longer in control of his emotions. No longer in control of anything.

 

Couldn't he just die? Couldn't he just end this? Everything hurt so much.

Just too much…how the hell could he ever reveal those feelings he had to Zero after all this?

 

 

A broken mess, he didn't fight it when Zero picked him up, gathering him in his arms again. He took him to the bedroom, but X hadn't shut up with his hollering, and that seemed to be ticking Zero off now. But he didn't show that, right now in his arms, X was having a breakdown. And if he could, he probably would pull the trigger on himself. He wouldn't let Sigma defeat X like that.

 

Usually he'd dump X in his bed, but he went over to his own. Sitting with his back resting against the headboard, cradling X in his arms, who was now crying into his neck. Zero was silent, but hadn't let go of X. X kept screaming, Zero didn't care that the neighboring dorms would've been hearing this. He didn't care what they thought. And like heck they'd complain, to him of all people.

 

 

That night, the crying didn't stop till X exhausted himself and fell asleep from fatigue, wasting all his energy on screaming and wailing. But even when he was finally asleep he still wasn't at peace, with his expression awfully pained. Running a hand through the younger one's hair, Zero saw the stoic look mirror the pain X must've gone through before he found him. Leaving Zero to frown.

 

 

 

---

 

Author's Note: Oh my, nothing good ever happens for poor X. Read on, things only get worse for the poor dear. Zero, in his own way, cares for X. But if you understand what the word “tenacity” means, then you'll understand the basis of their soon-to-be relationship.