@ElderGod-Icefire
(ooh yeah! Although Alex would then be an absolute fucking wreck by the time Gabe got back lmao)
(ooh yeah! Although Alex would then be an absolute fucking wreck by the time Gabe got back lmao)
(oof. Yeah, let's do it XD)
(lmao alright! Wanna just timeskip to Gabe getting back, then?)
(Yep!)
Gabe, a little tired, opened the door to the apartment.
"I'm back," he said, going to the bedroom doorway.
Alex was huddled in the corner, a tight little ball of fear and apprehension, shuddering and quivering and crying quietly. He didn't respond to Gabe's words, hardly even looking up. He just curled tighter into his little ball, a sob catching in his throat.
Gabe immediately came over, dropping to his knees.
"What happened?" He asked, his voice low and soothing, calm. In reality, he was a little panicked at seeing Alex like this.
"I…I…" Alex shook his head quickly, burying his face in his arms. Ghosts I saw a ghost and it took me straight back there because it was full of ghosts there and they were always near me and they were just as mad as most people in that place and it drove me insane too and I can't…I can't I can't I can't do it I can't do it again…
"Alex," Gabe said softly, hand hesitantly going up to rest on the top of Alex's head, "I can't help if you don't tell me. Please, Alex."
Alex flinched a little at the touch. "N-no, you…you won't believe m-me…" he whispered, shaking and shuddering and crying softly.
Gabe hesitated again, but slowly began to stroke Alex's hair with his hand, a slow and rhythmic motion.
"Alex, you don't know that. Please, give me a chance to believe you."
I see dead people. Alex could imagine how that would go over, even as he shook and cried. Gabe might have been able to tolerate Sodomy, but this would be the last straw. This would be the final admission, and he would be thrown out on the streets again.
"Alex," Gabe said softly, almost a plea. "Please… I want to help you." He continued to stroke Alex's hair, sitting next to him.
"Trust me."
Alex shook his head again, shaking. "I…I…" he couldn't bring himself to say it. If he started talking he might not be able to stop.
"It's okay, Alex." Gabe raised his other hand, very slowly resting it on Alex's arm. "Nothing you say will upset me. I' m not gonna get mad." He knew that talking about what was going on wasn't really… accepted, at asylums. He wanted Alex to know he wasn't going to react like that.
Alex let out a soft whimper, curling up tighter. "I can't." he whispered. "I can't I can't I can't I can't…" he swallowed hard, sucking in a breath and feeling like he couldn't breathe.
Gabe's hand went down from stroking Alex's hair to rubbing his back softly.
"Will you tell me why you can't, then?" he asked softly. He was right next to Alex, barely inches from touching him with his torso.
"You w-won't b-believe m-me a-and…a-and you'll kick m-me out b-back onto the streets and I…" Alex sniffled softly, shaking and crying again.
"Oh Alex," Gabe said softly. "Nothing you say will make me kick you out. I promise; I'm never gonna force you out of my home." He gave a very small smile.
Alex shook his head a little bit. "I-I…" he let out a quiet whimper.
"Alex… I'm not going to hurt you like that." He kept both of his hands on Alex, trying his best.
Alex shook his head again, soundless and shaking. He sniffled, tears still running down his cheeks.
Gabe fell silent, reaching up to wipe Alex's tears away.
"Okay then. I'm not gonna push you, okay? I'm right here for you."
Alex blinked his eyes open a little bit, looking at Gabe for a moment. He swallowed hard.
Gabe left his hand against Alex's cheek.
"If it's so important to you to not tell me, I'm not gonna make you."
Alex closed his eyes again, leaning into Gabe's hand a little bit. "Thank you." he whispered, voice barely audible.
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