Break All the Rules (LGBT) ✅

Break all the Rules 12

Part 12

Alex was scared.

He'd been worried earlier, about himself and how he'd fare when Freddie told Sean the truth, but what he was feeling now was genuine fear. It was thick and oily, crawling across his skin and making itself at home in his heart. It left him feeling sick and cold and his hands wouldn't stop shaking, even when he clenched them so hard half crescents dug into his palms.

And it was stupid because he knew Freddie was okay, that it was just minor injuries, but there'd been a few minutes of raw panic when Jessica had burst into his room. He could still feel it now. Because it was one thing to hear Freddie was okay and another to verify the truth for himself, and he wouldn't be fine until he had Freddie in front of him. God, what he'd give to be in that room with Freddie and Sean and the doctors right now.

But he wasn't there.

He was sat outside the hospital instead, underneath the bus shelter, as he watched the rain droplets running down the plastic. It was calming to follow their path down to the puddles pooling on the floor and soaking into the already wet fabric of his shoes. When Jessica had told him, he hadn't even thought before slipping on the still drying converse he'd worn earlier. He could barely remember the journey here but he vaguely recalled catching a taxi and making inane conversation with Jessica, Megan and Sean while someone drove.

They'd asked for Freddie at the reception and, from there, they'd been sent to the third floor. A member of staff had informed them visiting hours were over but there was a sympathy in her eyes they could take advantage of. After a little pushing, and the incorrect assumption that boyfriends was synonymous with soulmates, she'd let Sean in to see him. The rest of them had sat outside and the minutes had dragged for far too long. It'd been too stifling and too clinical and Alex needed to get out and breathe.

Which was how he ended up at the bus stop alone, flipping his phone over in his hands.

It startled him by ringing, maybe ten minutes later or twenty, he wasn't sure, and he swiped to answer by instinct.

"Hi."

"Alex," it was unmistakably Robert's voice, though he sounded wearier than he'd ever heard him, "how are you?"

He had to tamp down on the urge to laugh hysterically, "Could be worse, you know, considering."

"He's fine," Robert said, guessing who he was referring to, "it'll take more than an aquaplaning car to hurt my son."

"How'd you know that?" he asked, though he stole comfort from his words.

"Sean's finished talking with the doctors and I asked him to keep me updated. It's a minor head injury, something you can easily take care of at home." He paused. "He said you weren't with the others when he came out. I thought I'd check on you. I know you worry."

"He's my best friend."

"Sure." He said, though he didn't sound as if he believed him. "Sean told me Freddie will be discharged. You should get back to them."

It was late and he knew Robert was tired after a long day of work and then this drama but he was reluctant to let him go. It was selfish but it helped to speak to him and Alex needed that right now.

"We fought," he said quietly, letting his eyes drift across the car park where the traffic was slow and the rain was heavier, "before he was hit by the car. We were going to take the bus back together but he was angry and he wanted to walk it off and I let him go. I shouldn't have, not in that weather, but it's an hour walk. I thought it'd be fine."

"Alex," Robert said, "it's not your fault."

"I know that." Rationally, he did, but he also knew they could've got on the bus and made it back safe. "But I feel responsible."