Alex parted from his boyfriend a few blocks from his house. As he drew closer he prepared himself for what his parents might do if they had heard. Every step he took his legs seemed to grow heavier. He turned the final corner and his house was in view. His heart throbbed in his ear as he walked up the drive.
And then, he was at his door. The same door he had entered every day after school for ten years. His hand hovered over the brass doorknob. He contemplated running to Zeb's house but before he could the door was opening.
His younger brother stood there with his finger on his lips shushing Alex before he could even talk. He stepped outside, closing the door carefully, probably not wanting to alert their parents.
"I wanted to warn you before you got inside but you didn't pick up your phone, " he said. Alex looked at his phone only now seeing the four missed calls.
"I take it they know, " Alex deadpanned, slowing his breathing.
"Everyone knows," Damon responded, looking more scared than his brother. "Mother and father got home earlier than usual and have been talking in Father's study for an hour." Tears began to pool in the younger boy's eyes.
Alex grabbed his brother's shoulders making him look at him. "Listen to me, whatever you do, do not leave your room. I will handle this myself."
"Ok, " Damon sniffed.
Alexsandr rode his newfound confidence, trying his best to stay strong.
"If I leave, don't react. I don't want something bad to happen where I can't protect you, " he felt his own eyes welling up. He pulled his brother into a quick hug before he went back inside.
A few moments later, Alexsandr followed. He put his bag next to the door in case he needed to make a quick exit. Then he bit the bullet and walked towards his father's study. Breathing in slightly he knocked sharply.
Not a second later he heard a faint, but commanding "Come in," and that he did.
Keeping his composure he stood in front of the big wooden desk. His mother and father were on the opposite side of that desk.
They all stayed silent for a moment. Then his mother spoke up.
"Alexsandr, is it true?" His mother asked sternly.
"Is what true, mother?" he countered, glaring.
His mother's hand slammed down on the desk, knocking down a few pens.
"Don't play games with us, boy! You know exactly what I mean!" She yelled.
"We will give you one more chance to answer us!" His father, now standing up, shouted.
"Fine!" Alex yelled back. "I'm kriffing gay! Is that what you wanted to hear?!"
Before he could move his father had come around the desk and punched him. He hit the floor hard, but being on the wrestling team he was able to get up a few seconds later. Alex dodged his father's next attack, and he tried to run, but his mother grabbed him and threw him into the desk. He hit his ribs on the corner of the wood, shouting in agony. His father took this opportunity to continue beating him up.
"You stupid boy! How could you do this!" He yelled, throwing the helpless boy onto the ground again so he couldn't fight back.
He looked at his mother for help but she just stood there fuming. There was no remorse in her eyes. It shocked him that the previous night they had been a functioning family, a complete unit. But now Alex was all alone. Tears were streaming down his face as he tried and failed to prevent every blow. Eventually, it stopped. He didn't know how long, or how bad the damage was. All he knew was that everything hurt and that one of his eyes was swollen shut. His father must have picked him up because seconds later the floor disappeared.
"Just throw him out. I want him away from my son," He faintly heard his mother say. Then the front door was opening and he was hitting something rough. The door slammed shut, leaving him outside.
It took him a few minutes, but Alex was able to stand up. He could still see with one eye and walk with only a slight limp. He walked down the drive taking one last look at his parents' house before making his way to Zeb's. He relied on Zeb's earlier offer to keep him safe.
It took Alexsandr ten minutes with the limp to get to Zeb's. He was in so much pain that he didn't even hesitate to knock when he reached the white front door.
His vision swam and his legs were shaking. He clutched his rib and tried not to breathe too deeply. A minute later Zeb answered the door. And before he could say anything he collapsed right into Zeb's arms. He briefly heard Zeb cry for Hera and then he passed out.
He came to when something cold touched his eye. He looked around noticing that it was now dark out. Then he noticed someone in front of him holding something on him. For a moment he didn't recognize the person holding the cold object and tried to get away.
"Hey, Alex, calm down it's only me," A familiar voice calmed him, rubbed his arm soothingly.
"Zeb?" He asked. Shocked at how small his voice sounded.
"Yeah, it's me." He smiled. "How are you feeling?" He asked cautiously, his face darkening.
"They threw me out," Alex whispered, tears forming in his eyes.
"Oh Alex," Zeb pulled him into a hug, trying not to squeeze him too hard.
"Zeb? Alex?" They heard Hera ask.
They broke apart and both looked at Hera.
"I thought you would like a bath Alex to clean some of the cuts, so the upstairs tub is filled. Do you need any help?" Hera's face was soft but she was also concerned. She had always been so nice to him, he almost began crying again.
"Do you want me to help you?" Zeb asked, turning back to his boyfriend.
Alex nodded sheepishly.
"Okay," Zeb began picking Alex up to bring him upstairs.
"Zeb? What are you doing?"
"Carrying you."
"I can see that. But why?"
"So you don't hurt yourself again," Zeb kissed Alex's cheek, making him blush.
"You spoil me, Zeb," Alex chuckled.
"Only because I love you," he smiled back. "Here we are."
Zeb put Alex down so he was sitting on the edge of the bath.
"I can take it from here, Garazeb," he mumbled.
"Okay. Shout if you need me. I'll sit outside once I get you some new clothes." He began to leave before turning around again. "Towels are in that cupboard." He pointed to the farthest left cupboard.
"Thank you, Garazeb," he smiled again.
It was a bit of a struggle but Alex bathed half an hour later. He took the clothing that Garazeb had offered him but had him help with the shirt because of his aching ribs.
Once he was dressed Zeb had made him sit on the toilet and put the ice pack that had woken him up earlier, on his eye.
"Hera wanted to talk to you if that's okay, " Zeb mentioned after a few minutes.
Alex nodded weakly.
"I'll go get her. Keep that on your eye, yeah?" Zeb smiled faintly.
"Yeah, " Alex confirmed.
Garazeb returned a few minutes later with Hera in tow.
"Hey, Alex how are you feeling?" Hera asked as she leaned on the bathroom counter.
"I'm doing better, thanks to Zeb," He smiled glancing up at his boyfriend who had taken a seat on the bathtub ledge.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but what happened?" She asked.
"Matthew Thrawn outed me," he explained, beginning to tear up again. Zeb put his hand on his shoulder comforting him. "My parents heard and didn't want me anymore," he continued, tears coming faster.
"Oh honey," Hera's eyes were full of pity. "You are welcome to stay with us for as long as you want." She smiled at the young boy.
"Thank you," he replied. He reached up to wipe his eyes and winced slightly, but it was enough for Hera to notice.
Her face immediately hardened. "Where does it hurt?"
"Everywhere," Alex confessed, "but mostly my ribs, only when I move too much or breathe too deeply."
Then Alex heard someone come up the stairs.
"Hera?" Alex heard Kanan ask.
"I'll go talk to your father," Hera whispered. "Alex, keep that against your eye. Don't press too hard though."
With that, she got up and left the two boys in the bathroom.
"Come on," Zeb beckoned, "I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."
Alex got up and followed him, smiling knowing that he was safe with people that cared.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed chapter 2! This is still a prequel to Even in Sleep, so I highly recommend checking it out the original ( s/12512850/9/Rebel-Hearts).
Have a good day!