#ProudLife

Scott Gabriel

"Son, do you want any more coffee?" A tall, dark-haired man asked his son.

"No, thanks a lot dad." Scott answered, smiling warmly. "I'll be off now. Say bye to Papa from me."

"Of course. Bye, honey!"

Scott took his school satchel and headed off towards his bicycle.

His phone beeped. A message, from...Victor?? Scott's heart started beating faster, but not out of excitement, out of fear.

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"Scott, are you alright, love?" A boy with a pink fringe asked, anxiety written all over his face.

"T-tony...I...he...Vic-victor messaged me...again..." Scott said, stuttering.

He had no idea how he had managed to reach his school since all he could think about was that text message which had said only one word "Vanilla?"

"Oh God. Right." Tony said, his face suddenly grave. "Alright. Scott, honey, I need you to take a deep breath. And calm down. Everything is fine. Now tell me, do you have any idea why he would try and contact you again? Did you both talk after you left him?"

Scott thought about that night, that horrifying, terrible night, that night which had felt so good at that time...because he hadn't known...he was too drunk...

No..he couldn't tell it to Tony..it was far too much... "That night in the club, I didn't know what was happening...Scott glanced at his boyfriend through his tear-filled eyes. "I didn't know, Tony, I didn't know. The only thing I remember is a word."

"What is it?"

"Vanilla."

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"So that was the safeword between you two when you were...still together, then?" Tony asked Scott who was now holding a warm drink in his hand which Tony had made him drink.

"Yes. He said that word again in the club that day..."

"Was he...the same?"

"Yes... And, I don't wanna talk about it Tony, it's just that...whenever I think of him, those memories come flooding back, like a dangerous tsunami out to ruin your life. He was...different, Tony. That's what I liked about him...that was the only thing I liked about him. But...now all I can think of is what I had turned into when I was with him...and I get scared, Tony, because I never want to be like that again...ever. Please..."

Tony hugged Scott closer to him. "I won't let you..and I won't let him."
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This day had taken a terrible turn quite quickly. What all a message from one's abusive ex can do, thought Scott.