The Boy Next Door

Four Am

TW: withdrawal, ptsd

It had been a few days since the chat with Elisabeth. Anthony didn't really talk much most of the week, and stayed upstairs most of the time. As much as Alastor wanted to speak to him as if nothing happened. They both did need a bit of time. It still hurt to know Anthony had been lying, and that he was so willing to keep lying just to continue. It bothered him to know that this had been going on behind his back for so long. And most of all he was mad at himself for not seeing it sooner.

Alastor woke up at maybe four in the morning, immediately feeling something was off. He could no longer feel Anthony against him, unlike how he had fallen asleep. Opening his eyes and scanning the room. He just wasn't there. With a soft groan, he stood up and stretched his arms above his head. Walking to the door. The house was still dark, and the sun hadn't even begun to rise. Anthony never woke up so early. Quietly making his way down the stairs, checking a few rooms, confused to find no one. Walking to the front door and pulling it open, he looked around before the blonde caught his eye. Sitting on the now just grassy area where his house used to be, cigarette between his fingers and sitting quietly. Taking a moment to rub the remaining sleep out of his eyes, he walked down the steps of his porch and over to where he was sitting. "Good morning." He called quietly. Anthony glanced back at him, sighing as he crushed the cigarette and flicked it away. "Hey smiles." The brunette knelt down beside him. "Anthony, why are you up so early?" He asked, tilting his head a bit. The blonde shrugged. "Couldn't sleep, and I was just getting restless so I got up."

The pair sat there quietly for a while, Alastor just silently watching Anthony as he stared at the ground. He couldn't help but notice his behaviour, it almost seemed like discomfort. Fidgeting and continuously bringing a hand to his face. "Darling, are you feeling alright?" He asked quietly, just in case someone else was out. "Yeah...fine, I'm fine." Glancing at the house, Alastor took a breath before speaking. "How about we go inside?" He suggested, turning back to face the blonde. Anthony silently stood up, brushing himself down. "Yeah, sure let's go."

Alastor closed the door behind them, turning to face Anthony who was simply leaning against the wall. Alastor sighed, standing just in front of him. "Darling, are you sure you are feeling alright?" He asked. Anthony just nodded. "I'm just tired amore, it's fine." The brunette's expression faltered. While he would have believed him, unfortunately lying seemed part of his routine now. Brushing the memory aside, he placed a finger on Anthony's chin, gently tilting his head to look at him. "Alright, how about we just go relax, hm? It's far to early for you to be up." The blonde gave a small nod, Alastor leaning down to press a kiss to his lips. Anthony almost immediately kissed back, wrapping both arms around his neck. The brunette pressing him a little further against the wall, hands wandering down to pick him up. Anthony was a little caught off guard at first, but simply wrapped his legs around the man's waist and continued to pepper kisses on his lover's neck. Alastor sat down on the couch, Anthony remaining in his lap. They both simply indulged in the closeness for a while. It had been just over an hour, when Alastor pressed a kiss to Anthony's neck, he immediately froze when Anthony flinched. Alastor quickly pulled back. Anthony's eyes were shut, slowly raising a hand to where the man had kissed him, wincing at his own touch. "Anthony...I'm sorry...are you alright?" He asked, concern clear as he spoke. Anthony nodded quickly. "I'm okay...sorry that really..." he took a second to pause, thinking it over. "...that fuckin' hurt." Alastor was about to ask for him to elaborate, when Anthony quickly pushed off of him and walked away.

Anthony closed the bathroom door behind him and stood in front of the mirror. Pushing his hair out of the way, he looked at the spot that had reacted. Slowly raising his hand to graze it one more time. Wincing under the touch. "What the fuck...?" Staring a little more, eyes narrowed and trying to see if anything was there. He let his fingers graze the skin again. He could hardly make out the faint burn scar left behind from the "therapy" all that time ago.  Sighing at the thought, now wasn't the time to get lost in those memories. Problems that no longer existed. Leaning against the wall, he pushed his hair back. He wasn't sure what was with him today. He felt off already. And it wasn't guilt, at least he thought it wasn't. Last he checked guilt didn't cause physical pain. Staying where he was for a while, it slowly become more obvious. The discomfort of...anything that was touching him. It didn't hurt, but it was uncomfortable. Almost...hot. Pulling away from the wall, fidgeting and adjusting his shirt. The more time went on, the more it felt...familiar.
"No no no no no..." Anthony quickly hid his face in his hands, breath quickening as he tried to keep it from shaking to much. Soon the pressure on his face becoming almost to much. Where was Alastor? He needed Alastor. Stumbling to the door, quickly turning the doorknob.