Beautifully Broken

[Tassielli]

So, this is my first post, be gentle with me. Please! Please? I don't know if it's any good. Break it to me nicely if it absolutely sucks. This may be slightly confusing, but if I explained it to you all it might spoil some stuff. Okay? -Tassi!

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Part 1:

Cianci closed her eyes against the ever present chatter of the mess hall. She wished they would all just shut up for once in their lives. Couldn't they tell her head was on pounding, and their incessant chatter was only urging on the little mean picking at her skull with chisels? Of course not. Because no one ever listens to little Cianci Sanchez. She banged her head on the table, realizing too late it would only make the ache in her head worse. If only this had never happened to her. If only it could have been someone else. But she wasn't that lucky.

"Why me?" She muttered under her breath.

"Why you what?" A male voice to her right asked. She jumped. She should have known he would come find her. Jenna had obviously told him about what had happened in Art History. She knew that her friend had meant well, but at the moment, she really only wanted solitude.

"She told you, didn't she?" Not that that meant she wasn't going to chew her out for it. She could take care of herself- they could all stop treating her like a porcelain doll. Cianci hated being taken care of, even when she was still young enough that she needed to be cared for. Yet, despite this knowledge, that's all everyone who knew about it ever did.

"Don't be made at Jen, Bum. She was worried about you. You're her friend. Please, Bum? Tell me." Keenan had known her longer than anyone. Long enough to know when she was feeding people her most convincing bullshit. She knew better than to try and lie to him, but that didn't mean she wanted to discuss her meltdown. She was ashamed enough at her weakness as it was: She didn't want to have to tell anyone about her earlier slip- the break in her careful facade that alerted people to how broken she still was. But Keenan was Keenan, and he wasn't about to let her off the hook. Oh well. Cianci cracked a smile. Or a smirk. It was really to bad he'd majored in chemistry; he would have made a marvelous shrink.

"I'll tell you if you stop calling me Bum." She saw the playful pout that overtook his boyish feature and was glad. At least he let her deal with it in her own way, only insisting she talk to him when it became apparent that it was affecting her health. She didn't need a shrink to tell her to "let it out," because that wasn't what she did. She didn't harbor any anger or resentment towards anyone or anything from that night. She thought it over as they walked from the table they had previously been occupying. He didn't talk; he knew she needed to think through it herself. Cianci was an understanding girl, forgiving to a fault, and the only damage done to her relationships with others on that night, was the break in the one with herself. She wasn't quite ready to forgive herself yet. She needed to know what she had done to deserve that. She needed to know what she was being punished for. She needed to know how to stop it from happening again. She needed to know how to do it right. Her legs Her mind flashed back to when she was still with him.

"Cant you do anything right, you insolent little girl?" He roared as she felt a searing pain in her left cheek. She knew his ring had cut her again as her head was forced to the right with the impact. She felt the blood trickle down her cheek. She wondered how many more times she would feel the familiar pain until someone finally helped her. She would probably lose count.

"I'm sorry." She whimpered. She was only trying to help. Mommy had told her to be good and Daddy wouldn't hurt her. Why couldn't she be good for him? What had she done wrong? Why had she done it wrong? Why had mommy left? Did she make mommy leave? No wonder Daddy hated her. She was a bad girl. She needed to be punished. He was right to punish her.

"What did you say? You're sorry? You are Sorry? You had better be sorry. Fix this, now!" He took her left hand and held it to the black metal of the pan. She could feel that skin on her palm burning away, and smell the flesh sizzling as it too touched the hot pan. She bit her tongue to stop the scream- he didn't like it when she cried out. The he took her hand and squeezed it before storming out with a final command.

"Fix this or you'll be sorry!"

She tried. Se tried for herself, she tried for her baby brother, she tried for her Mommy. She tried to scrape the burnt food from the bottom of the pan, but the scalding metal only burnt her fingers, and caused her more pain. She tried to wash it off, but she couldn't reach the faucet. She tried to throw it away, but she still needed the pan to do it right this time. He wouldn't be happy if she got it wrong again. She tried to hide, but she knew he would find her. He always did. Last time he had hurt her worse for running. This time he beat her until she couldn't feel anything besides the numbness. But it was better than giving him the satisfaction of her tears.

Cianci came back to present day in Keenan's arms. Still disoriented, she sat there as he rocked her back and forth, whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

"Shhh. Your okay. It's okay. Everythi... hhhh... Fuck! Not Hehhhh now! Baloney Sandwich!" Tiredly, Cianci looked up into Keenan's face. His face was turned away from hers, an effort to avoid sneezing on her. His nose was crinkled as he attempted to bash it into his shoulder to rid himself of an apparently bothersome tickle. His eyelids fluttered, but he still tried to stave off the oncoming volley of sneezes, as he noticed her eyes watching him.

"Hey. Your Hehhhh. Your a....Hiihhh. Your awake." His breath continued to hitch as she responded.

"You don't need to hold them back for me. You can sneeze, Kiki." Keenan scowled at the nickname as his nose prickled. His lips curled back of their own accord as he wound up for the release, but still valiantly tried to hold out.

"How... Hehhh Hhh'tschewww! How many... Ihhhh Hihh'RRRSchewww! Hhh'RRSCHooo! How many times have I asked you not to call me hhh'NGXK!uhhh.... Not to call me Kiki?" He finally forced out, seeming relieved now that his nose was done with it's nasal convulsions. She would have laughed at him, had she not been so concerned with his health.

"About as many times as I've told you not to call me Bum." Cianci said offhandedly. "Now, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Good,so we can get going then, because people are starting to stare. You gave them quite a show, sweetie." She enjoyed the red that flushed Keenan's face as he noted how many passing students had probably seen his fit. His embarrassment was so cute, especially when it was unwarranted. She was so distracted by this that she failed to notice him getting up until he was holding her five feet above the ground.

"AHH! Keenan! Put me down!" She shreiked, flailing her limbs about wildly, trying to escape his iron grasp. Being small had quite a few advantages, but unfortunately, it couldn't help her now. Try as she may, she wasn't cable of breaking his grip. "I can walk!" She cried indignantly.

"Really?" He asked, annoyingly smug. "The last time we tried that I believe you fainted. And try to stay still. You're giving people quite a show, Honey." Having happily returned her earlier jab, he flashed his aggravatingly white teeth and continued to walk to her dorm room. Cianci laughed. She wasn't one to turn down a free ride. She snuggled in for the ride, resting her head against his chest. Content, she started up her witty banter again.

"You know, you didn't have to force me to come like this. You could have just asked." Cianci stated.

"Please! Your as stubborn as a pack mule."

"Have you ever met a pack mule?"

"Uhh... no?" He replied, more than just a little confused.

"Then how would you know that they're stubborn?"

"Because... Because that's just what people say, okay?"

"What people? I've never heard anyone say that."

"You're impossible!"

"You're blonde!"

"What does that have to do with any-" Keenan stopped suddenly, staring openmouthed in front of him.

"What? What is it. Kee-" Turning her head to follow his gaze, Cianci saw something that made her blood run cold.

They were maybe thirty feet from her dorm, when Keenan had stopped, but even from this distance, Cianci could clearly make out the familiar features of the man in front of her dorm. His long brown hair still hung in front of dark brown eyes, and his crooked nose was carved into her brain cells for all of eternity. He was tall, just like she remembered, but his stature was different. Less delinquent and more defeated. Despite his beat down appearance, the sight of him still terrified her. He didn't do it, but he hadn't stopped it. This man had been part of her downward spiral, only two years ago. This man had helped to end her.

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Sorry about the lack of sneezing- I promise there'll be more next time!- and whatever grammatical mistakes I made. As I said- please be gentle with me!

[Scion]

OHMYGOD, you crazyawesome person, this is so good! You're a REALLY freaking good writer! First, I see some familiar names going on. Second, this is just really good! DEFINITELY don't be afraid to post. Blahhh. I don't know what to say. Just. Good. And I like the title. And this is just interesting and mysterious and awesome.

By the way, that topic for requests I started is right here: http://www.sneezefetishforum.org/forums/in...showtopic=41140

Edited April 24, 2011 by Scion

[Quite Contrary]

Woah! I'm with Scion on this one, this is AMAZING! Seriously, wow! These guys are so cute too! I love how he just picks her up like that lol. Just because people are short, everyone wants to pick them up Sneezing is great, writing is epic, plot is already really interesting....More please?

[Whysprr]

Wow... I don't even know where to begin with this... It is so amazing! I am definitley intrigued and will be anxiously awaiting the next part! Thank you so much for posting!

[obsessed]

Ohhhh you are so good! I can't wait to see where this goes

[Tassielli]

I had a whole chunk of my time set apart for writing and this would have been up earlier, but my momma called me and told me to drive to New york to pick her up. That normally would have only taken about an hour, but since I'm scared of cars, and don't have a liscense it took me about two hours to find someone to drive me there. And then two hours to get there cause i made them drive really slow, and another two hours back. But you don't care. On with the story.

Oh wait! Thanks to all of you for commenting. It means a lot to me. i am terrified of posting.

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Part 2:

Keenan wished they had gone somewhere else. He wished they had stayed in the mess hall. He felt Cianci tense in his arms, and instinctively looked down. Her blue eyes were frozen wide, as she stared, horrified, towards the abomination a few yards from them. He began to speak- to tell her they good go somewhere else, and that he hadn't seem them yet, but his nose caught him by surprise. Turning his head to the side quickly to avoid spraying her, he barely managed to swing his neck to the right before the sneezes had come upon him.

"huhhh Hhh'GRSCHewww! Hihhh Hiihhhhh Hih'RSCHH! GSCHTT! HRSCHeww!"

When he returned his head to it's normal position, he saw the familiar brown eyes gazing at the small female in his arms. He'd seen them. He couldn't believe this man actually had the nerve to show up, after what he had done. He felt a rush of protectiveness surge through his being, and he clutched her even closer to his body. If it was up to him, no one would ever hurt her again, he would make sure of it. But here he was, unable to protect here from the thoughts and memories swirling around her head. It made him feel helpless to know he couldn't help her, that this enemy wasn't one he could take out with his fists- it was her own mind. He would take a bullet for her, but he couldn't stop the pain seeing a man from the past inflicted her. His arms pulled her even closer to his torso.

"Um, Keenan?" Cianci whispered. "You're crushing me."

"Oh, shit. Sorry. I just...uhhh...I think. We- We need to get outta' here." He finally got his point across, through his stuttering. God, he wished he knew how to handle these situations. He wish he knew how to fix this. How to fix her.

"No, Keenan. We can't run from this. Just put me down, and we'll calmly ask him to go to hell." She responded.

"Calmly ask him to go to hell? I don't think that'll work, Bum." He smiled slightly, despite the obvious strain of the situation. His arms slowly lowered her to the ground, making sure she was steady before replacing one hand at her waist. Keeping her close, while letting her take her own steps towards doom.

"No, but you smiled. Lighten up, Kee. I'm sure it'll all be fine." Cianci reassured him, taking his hand and beginning to lead him forward.

Keenan snorted while following obediently behind her. "That coming from you- Miss Pessimist America!"

She glared at him, before tossing her brown locks, and turning forwards. She resumed her determined march towards part of her worst nightmare. His eyes which had previously taken in her every move like an overprotective mother hen, became unfocused as they neared the man. As he fought against the growing prickle in his sinuses, he saw the man shift impatiently as he waited for them to reach him. But try as he might, Keenan could not stave off the fit for long. His eyelids slowly closed a curtain over his amber green irises, as his nose twitched with the energy of an energetic rabbit's.

"Huhh.. Huuhhhh.. Fuuhhhck....Hhh'IGRSCHTTcheww! HH'RSCHH! HH'GRSCHTT! Huhhh...HHH'GRRSTCHHEEEEeew!"

"What's the matter, pretty boy? Caught a cold, have you?" The man taunted.

"Actually, jackass, I'm allergic to cheap shit!" Keenan shot back angrily.

"You spoiled piece of shit!"

"Bastard fugitive from hell!"

"Mother fucking devil's spawn!'"

"Poor greedy-!"

"Both of you, shut the fuck up! Or I will make you!" Cianci shouted, glaring at their incredulous faces. Keenan almost laughed at the thought of her taking them on- they both stood over a foot taller than her- but wisely kept his mouth in a grim line as he seethed with anger. This man made him want to murder something with his bare hands- strangle it and break its neck.

"Good." Cianci continued. "Now, what did you come here for?" She asked, pivoting her whole body towards the mans strong figure, before leaning predominantly on one leg and resting her hands at her hips. Keenan cocked an eyebrow at him whilst glaring at him. Their eyes remained locked ina battle of glares as they both sought to make the other look away. Finally, the man snapped his eyes away with an angry release of air, and shoved his way past them to the door. He hit Cianci's shoulder violently and she stumbled backwards as he rushed by.

"Whoa, you okay?" Keenan inquired as he caught her.

"Better question: Are you okay?" She asked as she opened the door to her dorm room. The decent sized common room seemed welcoming to him as he played dumb with her. He was hoping she hadn't noticed his second round of paroxysms. But he should have known otherwise, Cianci was sure to notice the smallest thing off with those around her. She watched out for them with the attentiveness of a hawk.

"What do you mean?" He asked, hoping with all that he was worth that she would let it go. No such luck.

"You know damn well what I mean, Keenan. Are you sick?" She asked. Truth be told he was feeling a little off, but not sick. Definitely not sick. Just a little tired. And sneezy. And for the love of god, not now!

"Hehhh HH'NGXT! Hh'NGGKKT hh'NGHN! NGX! NXKKTT!"

"See! You're sick!"

"No, I'm not sick. Just a little tired."

"Then go to bed."

"I'm not leaving you alone after that."

"I'm not going to kill myself or anything."

"Are you sure?"

"I think I'd know."

"Things can change."

"I'll get in the goddamned bed with you, then!"

"Fine!" They both moved from the main room to her bedroom and towards the bed

"Fine!" He climbed under the comforter with her close behind.

"So...you want to cuddle?" It was silent for a moment. Then...

"Your crazy." He sighed as he pulled her to him in a close embrace. They stayed like that for a few minutes, until something came to his attention.

"Bum?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you wearing pants?"

"No."

"What the hell? Why aren't you wearing pants?"

"It's not like I'm not wearing underwear. Jeez!"

"That doesn't make it okay! Oh. Never mind, you won't care anyways. I'm going to sleep."

* * *

Cianci rolled over on the bed, and just watched him sleep. Keenan was so much younger looking in his sleep. The worry lines so clearly present when he was awake, smoothed out in slumber. His dirty blond locks fell in front of his tan forehead, giving him an even more boyish appearance. She hated to lie to him, even if she didn't technically tell a falsehood. She had stayed with him, but now she would leave. Sighing, she rolled out of the queen sized bed, put on some jeans, and pulled out the card the man had shoved down her shirt when he had slammed into her earlier. An efficient means for delivering the paper without the notice of others. It was a method she had once used herself. There was a phone number on it, and she knew that she had to call it. He would be back if she didn't.

The phone rang three time s before he picked up. "Are you alone?"

Cianci turned her gaze back to the man asleep on her bed, before slipping stealthily out the door and closing it silently behind her. SIghing, she answered, "Yeah. I'm alone."

"Good." He said before rattling of an address and location that she knew better than she knew the color of her eyes.

"I'll be there." She said, hanging up. Grabbing her purse and heading out to a place she knew very well could be where the police would find her body.

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I apologize for any and all grammar mistakes.

Scion: It actually started out as a guy named Tyler, but then Keenan came into my room and insisted I change it to his name. I will never give up my fear of posting. It's a dear friend of mine.

Quite Contrary: Thank you! Thank you! *Bows* Actually, I'm short. People always pick me up and I'm like, "CONGRATULATIONS! You can lift 97 whole lbs.!"

Whysprr: Thank you! I actually didn't think it was that interesting, but maybe I'm too pessimistic.

obsessed: Thank You!!!

[Scion]

Okay okay, so....

I love the part where Keenan and that guy were exchanging insults lol. Kinda hilarious in a serious situation.

And then this part: "I'll get in the goddamned bed with you, then!" Hahahhaa!

And then this part: "So...you want to cuddle?" Ha! Aw!

And this part too: "Are you wearing pants?"

"No."

"What the hell? Why aren't you wearing pants?"

"It's not like I'm not wearing underwear. Jeez!"

"That doesn't make it okay! Oh. Never mind, you won't care anyways. I'm going to sleep."

Bahahahaa, so funny. You're so good. And you've got the whole suspense thing going.

[sillystarsmoons]

Oh my yaaay! You're writing a fic too I love this, it's so awesome I'm excited and can't wait to read another chapter soon. Yay.

[Kiwifruit]

Oh my gosh, you write so well! Don't be worried at all, you're an amazing writer, as others here have said I especially love your dialogue, it's so realistic, I can totally see the conversations taking place Plus, they're so darn cute together! ;P Definitely looking forward to the next instalment

[obsessed]

ahhh I know what you mean about being scared of posting but you are so talented, don't sweat it!

[Tassielli]

Oh my god! I am sooooo SORRY! On monday I had a chemistry report due the next day, tuesday I had a physics lab report, on wednesday uhmmm.... yeah, on Thursday I broke my ankle, then on Friday I fractured my wrist trying to walk around on a broken ankle. So therefore, I spent all of Saturday sleeping off pain medication, and sunday catching up on all the course work I missed. So now that I've officially had the busiest week of my life- and possibly the worst- and I look like a car crash victim, I'm updating this story! Whoa.... Im SORRY! ~Tassi

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Keenan awoke to an empty bed, with a searing pain in his head, and little feathers running along the inside of his nose. He hurriedly clamped a hand loosely over his opened mouth. "HHH'hiGURSCHTToooo! Hi'GURRSCHHH!-GRKSHHH!- GRRTCHH! Huhh HHI'RSCHHtoo! Awww. Fu-uck, by head."

He quickly glanced around the room, searching for tissues he knew weren't there. Groaning, he pushed himself out of bed, wincing as his sore muscles stretched and contracted. He lazily made his way into the bathroom, grabbing a cheap paper tissue, and placing it over his nose. Gently, trying not to disturb Cianci, who he was sure had moved to the couch over the course of his nap, he lightly blew his nose. A low gurgling sound could be heard, but Keenan was sure he had been successful in keeping quiet. Stuffing an extra few into his pocket, he headed towards the living room.

"Alright, Bum," He called out hoarsely, "I admit. You were right. I'm... sick? Shit! Where'd she go?" He frantically ran into the small kitchenette, even though his subconscious was aware that she hadn't hidden in the cabinets to surprise, or fallen asleep on the tiled floor again. She was gone.

"Oh, mother fucker! Where are HHH'hiIRSCHTeww! hhh'ISChhht! you, Bum? Please tell me you didn't go back to..." He trailed off as he realized he was carrying on a conversation with himself. "Jesus christ! I'm turning into Cianci! Shit! I'm doing it again!"

Now I know how she goes on and on with herself. Keenan quickly refocused his blurry thoughts on the important things. Like his girl going missing.

Wait- his girl? She wasn't his girl. But you want her to be. His mind hissed at him, with a tongue like that of a slithering snake. No, yes, maybe. He didn't know. God, he was going crazy- His own mind was speaking to him! Keenan wondered if maybe it was due to fatigue, because he did not have a fever.

Where would she go? He racked his brain, sure it was rattling around his his hollow skull by then. For some unknown reason, a name flashed behind his eyes, imprinting on his brain. Trent. Maybe the lazy ass would still be living in the same shit hole apartment all these years later. He highly doubted the stoner had gotten a job and cleaned himself up. Stifling two quick sneezes into the crook of his, which shot pain to the center of his head, he grabbed his keys, glad she hadn't taken his car. Running as quickly as his queasy stomach, dizzy head, and tired body would allow, he made his way to his expensive car, in the dorm lot.

Driving down main street, his nose plagued him with tickles. It felt like there was static inside of his nose. Tiny little pinpricks made his eyes water, as he struggled to concentrate on the striped pavement below him. Gripping the wheel tightly under white knuckles, his eyes snapped shut and his face wrinkled and scrunched.

\

"hhh'HrSHHTTooOOh! Huhhh...Hiihhh...Huhh....HHH'HRRGTSCHHHHHHHOOOO!" The car swerved out of the lane and back in. Other drivers angrily slammed their fists down to honk their horns. Flushed red, Keenan roughly pulled a tissue from his back pocket. Holding it to the lower half of his face he pushed his foot down harder on the pedal. He hurriedly and expertly swung the steering wheel left to right and right to left, dodging other vehicles in an attempt to beat time. He needed to catch Cianci. Again, his foot pressed down harder, as he tried to leave the panic behind him with the dorms.

Arriving at Trent's house he ran to the dingy white door, and practically pulled it off it's rusty hinges. Peeling wallpaper and the overwhelming scent of sweat and drugs greeted him.

"Yup, dothing's chadged. *Sniff* Damnit! I need to stop talking to myself." He quickly climbed the steep uneven stairs, and banged on the faded white door of the first apartment.

"Yeah, man?" He heard the Trent slur as he opened the door, letting a fog of illegal haze enter the narrow hallway. Keenan coughed as the drugs entered his respiratory tract via inhalation. The familiar feeling of drugs began to fill his body before Trent's drunken voice pulled him back down to Hell. "Keenan! My man. Whatchu doin' heree?" He slurred out.

"Nothing Trent. Has Cianci come around here?" He asked, anxious to leave behind his old life.

"Yeah, man. She was around here earlier, with that shithead ex-boyfriend of hers. The scary one, man. You sure you don't want something, man? I could hook you up. All dat monayyy of yours."

"She was here? When? With who? Why?" He eagerly asked. His brain clawed for answers like his lungs dragged in oxygen.

"Whoa, man! Calm down. She came in here lookin' fur her old friend, yo. Damion, the killer dude." He managed, frowning as he saw Keenan wasn't interested in what he was selling.

"But who was she with, Trent?" He begged, willing Trent to miraculously remember, before the fumes got the best of him.

"I don' know, man. Look, if you ain't gonna' buy something, Imma have to let you go. The cops are always lookin' now, man." He said, gazing out

into the hallway warily before slamming the door in Keenans face. Another puff of smoke entered his lungs, and teased his sensitive nose. He let himself fall back against the wall, before succumbing to a ticklish fit.

"huhhh hiihhh he'ISHH! HH'cshhh!-CHHSS! Hee' HRSCHH! hh'chshh!"

He picked up his head, aware of a problem dripping from his nose. Realizing he was out of tissues, he ran a sleeve under the apendage. It wasn't like he cared about the shirt anyway. he banged his head against the wall. She came to her former dealers house, looking for a free lance assassin, with the man. What the hell was she planning? What was she doing?

His phone rang. Glancing down at the screen he saw it was Cianci. Keenan's hand had never brought the phone to his face faster.

"Cianci? Where'd you go, girly?" He asked.

'Keenan?" She asked meekly, and his heart ripped apart painfully. He could see her small body curled into itself again. as she huddled in the darkness. But now was different. That night was gone.

"Yeah, Bum?" he replied softly.

"Can you come get me?" She asked shyly.

"Of course, but where are you?"

"IAH." She said before he heard another voice in the background, all though he couldn't distinguish the words.

"I'm on my way." He thought he heard her make a sound like she wished he wasn't, but ignored it. "Who was that?"

"No one. Please get here. I'm too entertained to have fun."

"Bum, that makes no sense." He said as he ran towards his automobile.

'I know." She whispered, before the line went dead.

"Cianci? Cianci!" He screamed but she was gone. He climbed into the car, revved the engine, and sped off, towards Hell.

[sillystarsmoons]

Cliffhanger oh my I really hope you post more soon? I can't wait to read more. I hope your anckle feels better soon.

[Scion]

Awesome! I stand by what I said before about you being a good writer! Your characters are soooo real and really individual if you know what I mean. Just really good.