Adam got off work earlier than expected. Eager to surprise his boyfriend, he bought Alastor's favorite whiskey and groceries to prepare a special dinner. Unlocking the door to their home, he found the house unusually dark and silent. Alastor never went to bed early, and there was no jazz playing. Concerned, Adam called out, "Alastor?"
No response.
His heart raced as he moved through the house, and then he saw it: Alastor, sitting on the floor, holding a knife to himself.
"Alastor!" Adam's voice was filled with panic as he dropped everything and rushed over. He grabbed the knife and hurled it across the room, then wrapped his arms around Alastor, rocking him gently as Alastor began to cry.
Adam held him tightly, feeling Alastor tremble in his embrace. Turning him around to face him, Adam pulled Alastor close to his chest, feeling the wetness of his tears. "You see me differently now? You'll stop loving me now that you know the battles I've fought, the nights I've spent awake? You claim to love me, but you will leave me like all the others," Alastor cried, his voice breaking with fear and pain.
Adam's heart ached for his Bambi. He pulled Alastor even closer, speaking softly but firmly, "Bambi, I have my own skeletons in the closet, my very own past that whispers to me. Your sins and my sins, they don't matter. Just trust me, and I will stand by you no matter what."
Alastor's tears flowed freely as he let Adam hug him. "You will stay with me even when my demons come out to play, when I lose control?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper, filled with hope and doubt.
Adam gently brushed a tear from Alastor's cheek. "I love you, my Bambi," he said, his eyes filled with unwavering affection. "I love you for who you are, demons and all. We'll face them together."
Alastor's heart ached with a mixture of relief and overwhelming emotions. In Adam's arms, he found a sense of safety he had never known. As he buried his face in Adam's chest, he knew that this time he had found someone who would stand by him no matter what.
For the first time in a long while, Alastor felt a glimmer of hope. His demons might still be there, lurking in the shadows, but with Adam by his side, he felt he could face them. Together, they would find a way to heal.
Adam gently kissed Alastor's forehead, his grip tightening protectively. "We'll take it one day at a time, Bambi," he whispered. "I won't let you face this alone. Whenever you feel those demons creeping in, lean on me. We'll fight them together."
Alastor nodded, his breathing evening out as he clung to Adam. The warmth of Adam's embrace, his steady heartbeat against Alastor's cheek, provided a soothing rhythm that gradually eased the tension. He hadn't felt this kind of solace in what seemed like an eternity.
"Thank you, Adam," Alastor murmured. "For not running away."
Adam smiled, his heart swelling with love and determination. "Never," he vowed. "I'm here for you, always."
Adam gently lifted Alastor's face, looking into his tear-filled eyes with unwavering love. "Let's get you cleaned up, Bambi," he said softly. He led Alastor to the bathroom, turning on the warm water and helping him wash away the remnants of his pain. The gentle touch of Adam's hands and the warmth of the water began to soothe Alastor's frayed nerves.
Afterward, they settled on the couch, wrapped in a cozy blanket. Adam held Alastor close, his fingers gently tracing circles on his back. "You know," Adam began, his voice steady and reassuring, "I've had my fair share of dark days too. There were times when I felt lost, when the weight of my past seemed unbearable. But I found strength in knowing that I wasn't alone."
Alastor listened, his head resting on Adam's chest, feeling the comfort of his presence. "Tell me," he whispered, wanting to understand the depths of Adam's strength, the battles he had fought and won.
Adam took a deep breath, his hand still gently rubbing Alastor's back. "I used to think that my mistakes defined me, that I was beyond redemption. But then I met you, and you showed me that love and acceptance can be more powerful than any demon I carry. You've been my anchor, Bambi. Now, it's my turn to be yours."
Tears welled up in Alastor's eyes again, but this time they were tears of gratitude and hope. He had always been the one to put on a brave face, to hide his vulnerabilities behind a mask of confidence and charm. But with Adam, he felt safe enough to let down his guard, to show the parts of himself that he had kept hidden for so long.
"I don't deserve you," Alastor whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.
Adam cupped Alastor's face in his hands, looking deeply into his eyes. "You deserve all the love and happiness in the world," he said firmly. "You are worthy of being loved, flaws and all. And I am here to remind you of that every single day."
Alastor's heart swelled with emotion as he leaned into Adam's touch. In that moment, he realized that he didn't have to fight his battles alone. With Adam by his side, he felt a renewed sense of strength and hope. They had both faced their demons, and together, they would continue to fight and heal.
As the night grew darker, they held each other close, their hearts beating in unison. The shadows of their pasts still lingered, but in each other's arms, they found a light that would guide them through even the darkest of times. Their love was a beacon of hope, a promise of unwavering support and acceptance.
And in that embrace, they both knew that they were not alone. They had each other, and that was enough to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they would find the strength to heal and the courage to love, knowing that their bond was unbreakable and their love, unstoppable.
