Love Conquers All (Kingsbury One-Shots)

The Pills

Per usual, Alexander would hang around his locker just a while longer than necessary, discreetly peeking over to the entrance, awaiting to see if that prancy jerk would show up, even though he rarely failed to.
Today was no exception - just as Hamilton was starting to believe he wouldn't come, the doors were thrown open and the nightmare in shiny boots staggered in, with as much of a stupidly smug smirk as always. And so the morning routine began.

Alexander groaned miserably at George's sight, then shot him a glare, when he glided down the hallway. He was ready to return to his business, go to class, that is, but something about Frederick caught his attention, and forced him to take a closer look.

The usual, self-ecstatic expression on his face was, as usual, nauseating, but it seemed like not everything was completely right. As George swam through the crowd, a small path already forming for the so called "King", there were barely noticeable changes: his arched back sank slightly, pulled back shoulders dropped, puffed out chest stuck in, and upon closer examination his sparkly eyes were dull and wide smile tense.

His hair was a tad messy. And mind you, Frederick wasn't one to let his perfect hair be messy. Alexander brushed those brief changes off, along with anyone who'd notice.

- Hi, George. - Samuel waved to him, waiting at the end of the corridor, right by the water fountain George would always complain about. King offered him a charming smile and got over to him quickly, a kiss to the hand as a greeting, which had Seabury giggle awkwardly. He was about to say something, but got shushed by Frederick, who looked around quickly and suddenly pulled him into a nearby empty classroom.
Sam shrieked quietly upon being dragged by the collar and he eyed his boyfriend with offence.

- Might you be just a bit more gentle? - he fixed his sweater, but couldn't help a playful smile to grow over his features. The smirk died instantly when Frederick turned to him, his bottom lip shaking and eyes widened nervously.

- I didn't take my pills. - he gulped, fiddling with his fingers anxiously, a childish habit that took him years to recover from.

- What pills? - Samuel didn't know. As a matter of fact, Samuel didn't know much about George's home. He wasn't keen on sharing, and Samuel wouldn't push. It worked, at least until now.

There was a moment of troubled silence, with the Brit debating mentally over whether to tell everything or drop the subject.

- My pills. - he repeated, leaning onto the wall. His flawless facade was crumbling to pieces. - My mood stabilisers. Drugs. De-insaners.
Another minute of silence. Seabury blinked at him, so miserable, so different, as George was falling apart. "De-insaners".

Samuel could only watch him in terror, as his horrible decay was just sinking in. He didn't know how to help him, not one clue.

- You have never seen me not on my pills, have you? - King asked with a grimace of dismay. His speed of speech increased, he was beginning to mutter. - I got the prescription just a few years ago, but yesterday I got the papers from the doctor, and my father didn't like it. He forbid me those pills, he said he wouldn't tolerate a heathen under his own roof, what a complete imbecile.

There was a hysteric snort of laughter.

- I would undoubtedly skip class, but I'm afraid I'm on thin ice finally. Oh, oh, such misery-! - he cried. His glance was running off, he was a complete mess.

- George! - Seabury chocked out, frightened by the state he found his lover in. The usually composed, confident lad was now gone, leaving only a crippled mess behind. Sam has never seen him in this state; sure, he has seen him angered and sad, and hurt and scared, but never so lost. - My love, I-

He was once again interrupted, this time by the bell, calling with its rusty voice. Frederick shivered.

- It's okay. - meaningless words, yes, but he couldn't gather his thoughts, pulling the much taller figure into his embrace. George clung to him desperately, pressing their bodies as close as possible, in seek of comfort. The swarm of students was slowly dying, all of them gathered in their classrooms already. - It's fine. I'm here.

He tried to nod along, but only managed a chocked down sob.
About two minutes later the door was opened with a click of the lock, deafening in the unnaturally quiet corridors.

George's head spun as he was soaring through the hall, Samuel walking quietly behind him. When the tall lad came to a sudden halt, the smaller redhead crashed into his back, bouncing back with a quizzical look.

- What's wrong? - he asked, rubbing his nose. King sniffed, eyes fixed on the classroom door, the usual babbling of their maths teacher being the only sound audible.

- I can't do this, I can't-! - he cried quietly, shaking his head.

- George, please, - Samuel was cut off by the taller lad taking a sharp turn and storming down the hall, then out the doors. He ran off.

Before Seabury called out, Frederick was already out of reach. He gulped, a wave of fear paralysing him. Little tears struck his eyes, hovering over his lashes, but he blinked them away.

After a moment of hesitation he turned towards the classroom door. He nodded towards the teacher and muttered an apology, and after being scolded hurried to his seat. The profesor didn't seem to be moved by George's absence, he merely noted it and frowned upon the amount of missed lessons.

He's been ditching school for show so many times. He knew what to do.

He'd be fine, Samuel told himself. He'd be fine.