innocence - AHS ✓

episode four.

Leaning against the wall outside of her father's office, Rosaline peeked around the corner and was watching Tate when her father came inside from the front porch.

"Rosaline, what are you doing?" Ben asked, walking over to his daughter. Once standing in front of her, he glanced into his office and saw Tate sitting in there, waiting for him with his head held down. "Rosie, I've told you to stay away from him. And don't go into my office."

"I didn't talk to him, and I didn't go into your office. He came over saying you asked to speak with him, and I led him to the room, then stood here to wait for you and tell you he was in there." Rose explained, not looking at her father as she pushed herself upright off of the wall, walking past him to the front door.

"Rosie... Rosaline, we have to talk about it sometime!" Ben called after his daughter, sighing when she left the house and closed the door behind her.

Turning around, Ben walked into his office where Tate sat waiting, shutting the sliding door behind him before taking a seat.

"Now, Tate, I've agreed to this meeting because we need to clarify a few things. Firstly, the psychiatrist that I recommended to you, Dr. Goldman, said you never showed up for the first appointment. And you never called to cancel." Ben started off the conversation between the two of them, watching as the blonde boy shrugged before looking at him.

"I don't wanna see anyone but you." Tate explained, picking at his fingernails subconsciously.

"We've discussed why that won't work." Ben said calmly, shaking his head. "Which brings me to my next question. We're very grateful to you, Tate, for how you helped my family. But you need to explain, here and now, what you were doing in this house at the time of the break-in." 

"The truth is I was just, like, hanging around outside, and I was... I was throwing pebbles at Rose's window." Tate said, then quickly added, "But she blew me off. And-And then, uh, I noticed that the door was unlocked, so I... Went inside. It's not cool, I know." He said, shaking his head slightly.

"I understand. But this is why I can't treat you." The psychiatrist began, speaking as Tate's face morphed into one of sadness and the young man hung his head, wringing his hands together. "It's inappropriate for everyone concerned."

Sniffling, Tate allowed tears to form in his eyes, and for his voice to be laden with emotion. "I really need your help. I don't wanna be like this. I want to be a good person. And I know that you can help me. You're the one, okay? You're the only one that I can trust." He explained, looking up at the doctor.

"I cannot see you in this house." Ben said slowly, shaking his head just slightly as he kept eye contact with the young man.

Watching as Tate hung his head yet again, tightening the grip his hands had on each other and sniffling, Ben clenched his jaw. He felt bad for the kid, and he did owe him for helping his family. Maybe if they could meet outside of the house he would feel more comfortable talking to Tate about these things. And so, Ben looked down at his appointment schedule, looking down the list for an opening as the boy sobbed quietly across from him.

"Now, look, I have an opening. I'll meet you someplace for coffee. But you have to promise..." He said, deciding to give the boy another chance.

"I promise you. Promise." Tate said quickly. "No more weird shit, okay?" And Ben reluctantly sighed before agreeing.

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Meanwhile, Rosaline had walked out onto the front porch, closing the door behind herself as her father continued speaking. Walking down the steps and onto the walkway, she looked over at the burned man who glanced at her.