"Alex, we need to talk for a second," Ben started as soon as he was off the phone. Alex glanced over but continued to draw his chess piece. He didn't like it when people used that phrase.
"Al, the guys are coming over ok?" Ben paused. "Alex. K-unit? Do you remember K-unit? They rescued you?" He was talking about the other three men. Alex paused, letting the information sink in.
"They're gonna come over to watch the football game ok? And check on you I'm sure. They're worried. But they won't hurt you. You can trust them, ok?" Alex nodded slowly and Ben beamed. The blonde had clearly pleased him.
"They're gonna be over in like 2 hours," the older man continued, glancing at the clock. Ben dashed around the apartment, 'cleaning' for a bit. It mostly consisted of throwing dirty clothing back into his room. And refolding and returning the blanket that had been on the back of the couch. Alex watched from the counter where he was now sketching a pawn. Sure enough, two hours later there was a knock on the door.
Alex whipped around at the loud sound and Ben motioned him to sit back down as he hurried to open the door. It was Snake. He brought chips and what looked like homemade cheese dip which Ben took and set on the counter. Alex hugged his sketchbook to him, staring at the ground as the man slipped off his shoes.
"Hey Cub," The man addressed him. "Feeling better today? Ye didn't look so hot when I came over yesterday." Alex nodded, unwilling to make eye contact. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Snake and Ben exchange glances. "Whatcha got there?" Snake asked.
"A sketchbook," Ben clarified when Alex only hugged it tighter. "He's actually pretty good." They were interrupted by another loud knock on the door. Alex stood in alarm and Ben sighed, exchanging another glance with Snake.
Eagle and Wolf walked in together. Eagle had one of those snack plates with cheese and crackers and Wolf had four pizzas. Ben grabbed the pizzas and Wolf made directly for the couch. Ben and Eagle went to put the food on the counter. Alex started to retreat at their approach. Snake reached over and caught Eagle by the collar.
"Where do ye think yer going?" Eagle looked between Snake and Alex, clearly confused. Snake shot him a meaningful look as Ben set the pizzas down and turned to grab the tray.
"Uh, sorry," Eagle apologized sheepishly. Alex blinked owlishly at him.
"It's ok," Ben interjected, glancing at Alex. "Let's just go sit down. The game should be starting any minute."
"Started!" Wolf called from the couch.
"What!" Eagle complained loudly. "What did we miss?"
"What am I psychic?" Wolf shot back as the men hurried over. Ben looked to Alex.
"Are you coming?" he asked. Alex shook his head. "Oh come on. It's only football," he coaxed. Alex glanced at the other three men on the couch and took a step backward, shaking his head more firmly. Ben sighed.
"It's ok Al. No one's gonna make you."
"Fox, get over here!" Eagle called.
"Has he said anything yet?" Alex heard Snake ask as Ben sat down. Ben shook his head. Alex quietly grabbed the pencils he had been given and the few chess pieces he wanted to draw and retreated down the hallway, closing his door softly behind him. When his master had company, the best thing was always to remain out of sight. Otherwise he might become the entertainment. Alex stretched out on his floor and continued drawing.
From the living room, Alex heard cheering and shouting at regular intervals. He always tensed but nothing ever came of it. It was always directed at the game. After about an hour there was a knock on his door. Alex scrambled upwards, spinning to face the door. It was Snake.
"Whoa. It's just me. I thought ye might be hungry," the medic offered, holding out a small paper plate with some cheese and crackers. "It's halftime," he explained. Alex hesitated but reached for the plate. He pulled back half a second later as a blonde blur streaked past the door and bounded into the bathroom across the hall.
"I gotta pee like a racehorse!" It yelled as it went past.
"Eagle!" Snake reprimanded.
"I got him," Wolf growled. He pounded on the bathroom door. "Oi! Cunt! A little respect!" he yelled. Snake rolled his eyes and set the plate on Alex's bed.
"I swear," he mumbled, snagging Wolf by the collar this time and dragging him back to the living room. Wolf yelped in surprise but allowed himself to be led away.
"What did I do?" the big man wondered aloud. Suddenly, Ben was in his doorway. `
"They won't hurt you Al," Ben reminded gently, seeing the bewildered look on Alex's face. "They're just a little rough around the edges." Alex nodded, knowing now that it was what Ben wanted from him. The man flashed him a half smile and turned to face the bathroom, almost looking like he was standing guard. Eagle soon emerged and Ben sent him a glare as he ran off again, down the hall. A few minutes later, Wolf slinked back down the hall and took his turn and Alex realized that was exactly what Ben was trying to do for him. Stand guard.
Ben was pissed and Eagle knew it. They were sitting back on the couch, waiting for the game to resume from halftime.
"I'm sorry," the younger apologized.
"Of all the childish things!" Ben rebuked.
"I forgot!" Eagle defended.
"Well I don't get to forget," Ben hissed. He was trying to keep his voice down. He didn't want Alex to hear them fight. "He hasn't spoken a word to me since he came home and he's fucking scared of everything. He had a damn panic attack yesterday when I suggested we go to bed and it took me an hour to calm him down!"
"I said I'm sorry!" Eagle retorted. Ben sighed.
"I know. I just think we're in over our heads here," he confessed.
"This was a bad idea," Wolf agreed. "We didn't know the kid was alive, let alone how messed up he was when we made plans to watch the game together. We should have…" He was going to say canceled but he trailed off. Ben looked over, confused. Wolf wasn't looking at him.
"Fox," Wolf mumbled. Ben followed his eyeline behind them. Alex was standing in the hallway, looking unsure. Ben hardly dared to breathe. Snake elbowed him.
"Uh, Alex," he fumbled. "What's up? Are you ok?" The boy nodded. "Ok. Umm… did you want to watch the game? It's just about to come back on." Alex hesitated before nodding once and Ben smiled apprehensively. "Cool. Grab a seat."
They watched as Alex nervously picked his way over to one of the bar stools by the counter, clearly still not comfortable joining the rest of them on the couch.
"Guys, the game's back on," Eagle announced and the attention centered back on the screen.
AN: Hey everyone! Huzzah! A new chapter! Alex surprised me in this one. I was with Ben. I really thought Alex wasn't ready for the whole unit to come over. But somehow when the chapter was done, having the guys over may have actually done him some good! Thank you for all your support! Now's the part where I beg for feedback. You guys are great!