Take a deep breath, and close your eyes...

A shuddering sigh escapes Ren's lips, his fingers curling against the back of your uniform's blazer as he clung to you tightly, like he was afraid you'll disappear if he doesn't hold you enough.

The two of you have decided to walk home together, which escalated to you coming to Leblanc just to spend time with him. He appreciated the thought, really—but that kindness was enough to break whatever composure he had the moment you two stepped foot into the attic.

Everything has been so stressful lately, and though he presents himself as a coolheaded and cunning leader, the pressure had been building up inside of him...and now it burst open, bleeding out into existence. Leaving him bare and emotionally vulnerable to the person he cared the most.

"Stay..." He whispered, a sound so quiet that you thought you were imagining it. "Just stay with me for a while."

And right now, Joker was nowhere to be found—he was simply Ren. Just a boy who's a victim of cruelty and was dragged into an unfortunate circumstance.