Song Nine: Gone So Long

Tae looked up at the four-story brick building. Some of the old, red bricks looked charred, as if someone thought it was a good idea to set fire to parts of the building, but it was soon extinguished. Which, judging from what little he was able to read online, didn't sound too out of place.

He didn't like the feel of the place. Even from the outside it made him think of a villain's lair. Like from the old timey cartoons where the hero would go to where the bad guy was and the sky would be gray with lightning striking for no reason, but everywhere else was bright and sunny. Yeah, that's how he looked at this place.

"Are you sure I have to stay here?" His big brown eyes glanced to the uniformed man behind him. His name was Chad or something, Tae couldn't really see his badge earlier. Aside from the dark police uniform he was just an average Joe with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. His face held a small frown. It was almost as if he knew that Taejoon didn't belong in a place like this. He wasn't meant to be here.

"'Fraid so." The older man gave a nod.

He nudged Tae to move forward. His arm bumping Tae enough to make him stumble a step but not to hurt him.

"I'm scared." He whispered looking at the building again. He didn't want to go in. He hadn't done anything. If anything, he had already learned his lesson to never defend himself again.

His father didn't mean it, so he never should have fought back. It was all an accident. And not that it would happen again, but if it did Tae learned it was okay to take it and cry later. It was better than being sent here.

"C-can I just talk to my dad. This is a mistake." Tae picked at his nails. He could do much with his hands bound behind him. "I'm sure he knows that I didn't mean-"

"Sorry kid." The officer stopped him. "He's the reason you're here. Don't think he's going to be picking up any phone calls anytime soon."

Tae tore his eyes away from the man. He was right. His dad had sent him here so he would finally learn something. And learning not to throat punch the man who was choking him wasn't enough.

"Why am I even alive?"

He thought it was just a question floating around his mind. He didn't think it would carry to his voice. He never thought he would say it aloud.

"Look kid." Tae flinched slightly feeling the older man's hand on his shoulder. "How old are you? Fifteen? Sixteen?"

"Fourteen, sir."

"Way too young to be thinking like that. You got a long life ahead of you. This is just a stumble. You'll be out soon. Everything will be okay."

That was the first lie Chad would ever tell Tae, in front of the build he would send a year and a half bouncing in and out of, but it wouldn't be the last.

.

Tae let out a little gasp, trying his hardest not to wake Alexander, as his eyes shot open. He was safe. He was okay. Everything was fine. He was at the Nox house. He wasn't back in that red bricked building. In fact he would never have to go back. Technically he was an adult now, if anything happened he would go to jail. Or prison. What a comforting thought upon waking up.

He shut his eyes again, gripping the blanket tightly.

Natalie, like most winter breaks, was off in France with her aunt. An aunt that Tae had never actually seen. The night after the dance she happily packed her bags, swearing up and down that she would bring home a gift for him. She also reminded him that her home was his home and even if she was away he was always welcome.

Of course he didn't mention he had already made plans to spend her break with Alexander. And it killed him a little inside not to tell her. But at the very least she knew that someone else existed in his life so she didn't have to feel like she was betraying him for feeling happy.

But tell her that only made it harder. Anytime he would talk to someone she would ask. Even if it was a girl she would ask.

"Tae." Alex whispered, making the younger man flinch. Alex rolled over to face him, deep green eyes glaring at the side of his face.

"What are you still doing up?" He forced his voice to be calm.

"Me? Oh, I have my very hot, very young boyfriend in my bed next to me. I find it a little difficult to fall asleep under such circumstances." His voice monotone as he pushed himself up on his elbow. His eyes watched him relentlessly as Tae stiffened. "You know I have insomnia, I was just having a hard time falling asleep. The real question is, what are you doing awake again."

Tae bit his lip, rolling on to his side so he could meet Alexander's gaze. "You know what helps you fall asleep?"

"Tae no. We are talking about you-"

"Sex." Taejoon interrupted.

"Tae, please-"

"Come on." He stopped the older man again. "Are you really going to turn down sex with your very hot, very young boyfriend at… what time is it? Three in the morning?"

"Tae."

"I'll suck you off? I know you like when I use my mouth properly. You've trained me well."

"Taejoon." Alexander sighed. "You can't distract me with sexual favors."

"I mean they aren't really favors." Tae bit his bottom lip again. Alex was too strong headed.

"Tell me what's wrong, brat."

His voice was commanding. And using that nickname just drew Taejoon in. He couldn't resist his daddy. Alexander made him feel safe, but his daddy would punish him if he continues to act like a brat. And not in the fun sexual way, but with shit he actually didn't enjoy.

"Look, I just had a bad dream okay? I don't really want to talk about it. I just want to feel better and go back to sleep." He huffed sitting up.

"And my dick in your mouth would make you feel better? I fail to see how?" Alexander also sat up, filing his arms over his chest.

"I like being with you okay. Being close to you, you being inside me makes me feel wanted. Needed even. So what if I'm just acting like a glorified cock-warmer. It just makes me feel better to know I have you near."

"I don't want to use you like that." Alex stated. "You aren't just a piece of meat to stick my dick in. Taejoon, you know I love you right?"

"I know." He answered, but even to him it sounded more like a question than the answer Alexander was looking for.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." Tae sighed. "I love you too, I just sometimes..."

Alex reached a warm hand over to grab Tae's shoulder. "Natalie and I aren't going anywhere. And neither are you. We both love you, even if she isn't here right now to tell you herself."

Tae gave him a small smile, before playfully quirking an eyebrow up. "Sooo."

"So?"

"One last winter fuck before Natalie gets home tomorrow and we have to start sneaking around again?"

Alex let out a laugh. He really had trapped Tae at their house for his whole winter break. But his father hadn't seemed to mind one bit, and even if he did Alex would have put that worthless piece of shit in his place."

"Yeah, one last go. Rumor has it, that might help me fall asleep."