Gentle Love (Sal x Travis Angst/Fluff Fanfiction)

Book club

Travis sat on the couch fidgeting with the sleeve if his purple sweatshirt. He was feeling rather nervous being in this place. It seemed almost like a breech of Sal's privacy. He cracked his nuckles and his neck as Sal came back. "So wan't to watch a movie or want to just hang out and talk, you know, try and get to know each other?" Sal asked siting on the other side of the couch. "Uh... either is fine by me." Travis was much more quiet and reserved now. This confused Sal. Why would he be so aggressive and stand off-ish at school but so calm and reserved the moment he left the building. He almost seemed tense yet relaxed all at once here. And the truth was that Travis knew he father couldn't find out he was here. He knew no one in the appartments was patt if the cult. Infact he knew once the child of abomination was out of the way the appartments would have been infected first. Travis didnt mind that. Travis was tense because he was trying to lower his guard around someone he was trying to convince himself he hates. He knew how counter productive this was but he didn't mind. Travis was 15 and didnt have to worry about the cult until his 18th birthday, he only used the cult agenst members when it was convenient. The front door of the appartment flew open. Larry walked in not noticing Travis. "Mom's at her book club thing and my key is locked in my room so I'm hanging out with you." Larry went to sit down next to Sal and finally noticed Travis. "Oh. You're still here." "Larry be nice! He'll be here for a little while just try and get along with him." Sal said wrapping his arm around larrys neck. He pressed the lips of his prothsetic to Larrys cheek. Sal ment it in a sympathetic little brotherly peck but Travis scoffed and mumbled out some homophobic comment. Larry looked at Sal for a moment before dragging himself and the blue haired boy into a bedroom. Travis looked at the door confused.

*~~~*

"We were supposed to find out about my dad Sal. We weren't supposed to hang out with him! Sal you cant lie and say you aren't upset with they way he treated you. Hell how he treated all of us! You would pass up ghost hunting with your bestfriend to hang out with your bully. How kind." Larry scoffed. "Larebear I'm sorry. You know I wouldn't pick Travis over you. He just seemed kind of awkward and kind when he asked. I wanted to see if he would tell me why he hates us." Sal said. "I don't care! I wanted answers. I wanted to know where my dad went Sal. You know how much this means to me." "I know Larry! I just wanted to see if he had changed." "It's fine." Sal paused. "Why don't we ghost hunt after he leaves." Larry groaned. "We wont have time! Mom will be home by 6 and I'm sure you'll still have church boy over by then." Suddently Travis opened the door. "Sorry- I heard you guys talking and im leaving at 5. I dont have to be home by 6, but you guys seemed to have plans and I dont want to get in the way, plus it will be safer if I get home early." Travis said avoiding eye contact completely. "Safer?" Larry asked. "Well my father doesn't like it when i stay out long so then I wont have to worry about getting in trouble." Travis didn't hesitate. He was used to covering up about the beatings. His excuse was a fight or being clumsy, and he never slipped up and said anything. He just avoided eye contact. He knew the pain he felt leaving an area with no adults would show in his eyes and eye contact made him feel unsafe. He rubbed his left eye not wanting to touch his shiner. "Get the fuck out!" Larry yelled and shoved Travis who as a reflex threw his arms infront of his face and fell on his ass. Larry slammed the door and walked to the corner. Sal who had stood staring silently. He opened the door and noticed Travis tense up and keep his arms in front of his face. Sal bent down and slowly and calmly pulled Travis to sit up. Travis still had his arms wrapped tightly around his head when he realized he was with Sal. He shoved Sal and stood up. Travis didn't say anything. He
Sal looked at Travis. Travis saw the hurt look in his eyes but left anyways. The moment Travis got out of the building he began to cry. He sobbed all the way home. Once he got to the phelps ministry he wiped his eyes. He had a few hours so he sat on the grass and tried to calm down. Once the puffyness in his eyes went down he walked inside.

*~~~*

Sal opened his bedroom door. "Larry I'm sorry." Larry didn't say anything. He blew past Sal and went to his tree house. Sal stared at the front door of his appartment on the verge of tears. His best friend and step brother was pissed at him. Sal was so confused. Why wouldn't travis let him help him. It makes no sense. How bad could things be. How horrible is Travis' home life for him to not even let Sal help him. He sat on his bed. He rolled up his sleeves and looked at his arms. He took of his prothsetic and closed his eyes.

*~~~*

"Sal! What the hell!" Sal heard. His vision was still dim but he could see Larry's concerned face. "I thought we were passed this." Sal was sprawled out onto his bed. His sweatshirt had been taken off and his chest and arms were marked with shit tons of cuts and slices. Larry picked Sal up and rushed him out of the house. He put Sal in the back of his car and started it. Larry drove as far as he could. He got to the hospital and rushed Sal into the building.

(Word count 1,061. This chapter has some sensitive shit but Sal self harming is cannon so i figured it would be important to include. Next chapter will be more light hearted at the end.) -Adi