What Matters

 "You're useless." That was the only thing running through Todd's mind. It seemed like any time he was starting to feel happy or relaxed his ex would show up and ruin the mood. Todd sighed as he unbuttoned his chefs coat, hanging it on its usual hook before flopping on the couch. He curled up slightly and hugged a throw pillow, burying his face in it. Posh's words stung deep in his mind as he thought about the latest confrontation with the abusive Irken. Todd had been on his way back to his room the jerk had jumped him, keeping him pinned against the wall. As always Posh started to go on and on about how Todd wasn't really loved, not even by his own brother. But what had really hurt was when he tried to make Todd think that Rouga didn't really want him around. Todd hugged the pillow tighter, close to tears when he felt a hand on his shoulder.  
       He sniffed and looked up from the pillow, seeing his boyfriend looking down at him worriedly.

"Todd? S'matter? You feelin okay?" The guard ran a hand over Todd's forehead, feeling for signs of fever. The cook shook his head as he picked at Rouga's shirt.

"Not sick. I'm just tired." Rouga sighed and started to rub Todd's back.

"Rough day at work?"

Todd shook his head again. "Not really. Just.... Had a couple of rough patches..."

Rouga frowned as he listened to his boyfriend. "Something happened.... Didn't it?"

Todd gripped at Rouga's arm. "No.... N-nothing happened...."

The guard frowned deeper, placing a hand on Todd's shoulder to get him to sit up. "Yer hiddin something Todd. Did Posh talk to you again?" Todd went to answer him but was stopped when Rouga took hold of his head and made him look at him. "Don't go lyin'. I know something happened..... Now jus tell me what happened...."

Todd took a deep breath and glanced at his hands. "He....he found me on the way home.... Said the usual stuff.... Just......"

Rouga sighed and took hold of his boyfriend's hand. "Jus what? What else did he say?"

         The cook sighed and flopped forward, resting his head on Rouga's shoulder. "He said.... He said that I was just a burden... That no one really wanted me around.... That... That you didn't really want me aroun..." He was stopped again as Rouga pulled him into a tight hug. Todd blinked in surprise as Rouga held him close, the guard's shoulders shaking with rage.

"Don' you even think bout finishing that. I don't ever want you thinkin like that. Not ever."

Todd was quiet as he listened to Rouga, tears filling his eyes. He gripped at the other's shirt, shaking slightly as he hugged Rouga back. "I know.... I just.... He was really bad this time..."

Rouga snarled quietly as he rubbed Todd's back. "I swear if I see that jerk I'll knock the rest of his teeth out...."

Todd smiled slightly as he looked up at him. "Just...don't get into too much trouble okay? I don't want them to transfer you over this..."

Rouga sighed as he touched foreheads with Todd, wiping away his tears with a finger. "I'm not goin anywhere Todd. I promise. I'm gonna stay right here." He smiles at the other and leans down, kissing him lightly. "Love you, Todd. An don' forget it."

Todd laughed as he sniffed a bit. "I love you too Rou."