Parasites: The Journey

Ep. 04- You're You.

I give pretty much all credit on this one for my wonderful girlfriend, SillyBut, who helped be write this one because I was having horrible trouble. I knew what I wanted to write just had lots of trouble.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mid-October 2013

"AJ, can I talk to you?"

Blake was nervous, but he wanted to tell AJ more about spina bifida. He was afraid AJ would leave him when he knew just how much Blake was affected by his condition. AJ smiled at his boyfriend, turning to look at him as Blake sat next to him on their bed. 

"What is it, handsome?" Blake smiled weakly, and AJ could see Blake was scared.

"I-I wanna tell you more about my condition." AJ grabbed Blake's hand, squeezing it gently.

He could see fear in Blake's eyes. But, he truly didn't care about his condition. He knew Blake had been teased for having a limp, and using a wheelchair sometimes, but he never noticed his limp and didn't care if he needed a wheelchair. 

"I don't care about your condition, Blake. You're you, you're my boyfriend. It doesn't matter to me. I love you, no matter what."  Blake shook his head, and started telling AJ.

Little did he know, AJ knew more than Blake thought he did. By the end of the conversation, Blake was waiting for AJ to leave. But, AJ just smiled and kissed his nose. 

"OK. I don't care about the first one. I knew about the second one. And why do you look like you're waiting for me to run?" Blake just stared at AJ.

"Y-You knew?" AJ nodded.

“I’ve worked in a hospital before.”

AJ smiled, watching his boyfriend. He knew more than Blake thought, and for the stuff he didn't know, he researched. He truly didn't care, it didn't affect the way he felt about Blake at all. 

"Of course, I knew. I knew a bit and researched the rest. I don't care, it doesn't affect the way I feel about you, and it never will." 

As AJ spoke, Blake broke down. He was convinced AJ would leave, when he told him. AJ pulled his boyfriend onto his lap, kissing the side of his head, something he knew Blake loved. 

"Hey, it’s alright. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. You're kitty is right here."

Blake sobbed into AJ's chest. AJ hated seeing him this way, but all he could do was hold him and wait for Blake to tell him what was wrong.

"I..... I thought you'd leave once I t.... told you." 

AJ tilted Blake's face up to look at him, wiping his tears away and kissing him softly.

"Now, you listen to me mister, I don’t give a shit about your condition or how it affects you. You're my little lion and it’s gonna stay that way. Understand?"

Blake sniffled, looking at AJ. He just didn't understand how it didn't bother him. 

"But, how can you not-"

"Blake. It’s not your fault you have this, it just happened. I don't care because I know the real you. The kind, caring, if slightly erratic man that is my boyfriend. I love you, Blake, don't ever forget that."

Blake blushed, his moods were kind of erratic at times, but AJ just talked him through it. He loved AJ, but if he hated being the way he was, how could AJ just accept it? 

"But-" AJ cut Blake off by putting a finger to Blake’s lips.

"Blake, stop. I don't care. You're my boyfriend, and I love you. I'm not saying anything else about this, now can we please just cuddle?"

Blake didn’t argue, he just laid down with his head over AJ's heart. AJ sang to him the song he had chosen as Blake’s lullaby. It was the only thing that would calm him down. 

"Don't you dare look out your window, darling everything's on fire.

The war outside our door keeps raging on.

Hold on to this lullaby, even when the music's gone.

Gone. Just close your eyes, the sun is going down.

You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now.

Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound.

Ooooooh, oooooh, ooooooh ooo. Just close your eyes.

You'll be alright. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound......."

"I love you, Blake."

"I love you to, AJ."