Helpless {Lams}[Completed][Mute Alex]

7. I'm Fine

Hey guys! I honestly had no idea how to do this chapter, so thanks to nightsky_31_  for helping me out. Enjoy!

!Warning!: Homophobic slur (I know, I hate it too)
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Alex's POV

John? Alex signed staring at the array of bruises peeking out from where his friend's shirt was lifted. If you're not hurt, then what are those?

John looked down with wide eyes and pulled his shirt down over them.

"They're nothing," he said quickly. Alex knew that those bruises were definitely not 'nothing'. He remembered when he was little and would have to see them on himself every day.

Who gave them to you? Alex signed, giving his friend a pleading look. John sighed and fiddled with the strings of the carpet.

"My dad," he whispered. Alex began to tear up, thinking about what his friend must have gone through.

"It's not abuse," John stressed, seeing the look on Alex's face. "It's discipline. I got in big trouble, so I got a big punishment. There's nothing more to it."

Beating a child is not discipline, John.

"I'm fine, Alex," he insisted, "This is a very, very rare thing. I promise."

Alex nodded, knowing that his friend wasn't going to elaborate any more on the subject. He would eventually bring the subject up again, once John wasn't having to deal with all of Alex's drama.

Then suddenly the door opened and Mrs. Washington peeked her head inside. "It's getting kind of dark out, boys. Would you like to like to see if you could stay the night, dear?" she asked John.

"It's okay Mrs. Washington. I should be heading back to my house right about now anyway," he murmured, standing to his feet. Alex took notice of the way he said 'back to my house' instead of 'back home'.

I'll walk you there, Alex signed, causing John to smile softly at him as they left the room.

As soon as they stepped outside, Alex started walking down the sidewalk in the direction that he assumed John's house was in, nervously talking about whatever was on his mind. Have you noticed how authors usually never kill off the main character? I mean think about it-

Then John had suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand. "My house is that way, actually," he stammered, pointing in the opposite direction.

Oh, Alex blushed turning around. His blush only intensified as they walked, seeing as neither of them let go of each others hand. When they arrived at John's house, they were both bright red.

"B-Bye, Lex," John breathed.

Bye, John, Alex signed. He watched him walk up to his door and go inside with a small wave. Once John was inside he sighed and started heading back in the direction of his house.

How is it that one person could make him feel so happy and nervous at the same time?

He was interrupted from his thoughts by the sound of a slamming door. He turned around to see a flustered John standing on his porch, staring at the front door in shock. Alex rushed over to him, tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention.

What happened? he signed, looking at him concerned.

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Johns POV

"H-He kicked me out," John sputtered, staring forward as if his father would open the door and let him back inside. "I can't believe it." Alex placed a hand on his shoulder, guiding him away from his house.

You can stay with the Washingtons and me, he signed with a pained expression. John gave a faint nod, still trying to make sense of the situation. Alex guided him all the way back to his house in silence then knocked softly on the door.

Mrs. Washington opened it, freezing when she saw the weary looks on the boy's faces. "Is your offer for me to stay the night still standing?" John joked tiredly with tears gathering in his eyes. He didn't want to cry in front of them.

"Of course, dear," she said softly, herding them inside and into the living room where Mr. Washington sat watching tv. "You can sleep in the guest bedroom, John." She pointed towards the room and he nodded looking around inside.

It was a comfortable looking room with light blue walls. There was a nice queen sized bed against the back wall, yet still something about the room seemed empty.

"Can you grab him some clothes please, Alex?" she asked from the living room. Alex nodded and hurried into his room, coming back a minute later with some pajamas for John.

"Thanks," John breathed, moving to take the clothes from Alex's hands. They both blushed madly as their skin brushed against each others, remembering how they held hands earlier.

Their eyes met and John felt a rush of excitement. There was something deep and caring in Alex's eyes that he couldn't quite explain. Something about them was just so calming.

Your welcome, Alex signed with a smile before leaving the room so that John could go to bed.

——————timeskip———————

"Who do you think you are going off and getting yourself arrested?!" bellowed Henry Laurens, kicking his son harshly in the stomach.

"Why were you standing up for that boy, huh?" A kick to John's side. "Do you like him?" A punch to his chest. "You faggot!" He raised his foot and slammed it down on his son, knocking him unconscious.

John shot up in bed, heart racing. He was twisted in his sheets, covered in a thin layer of sweat. He could feel the faint throbbing of his stomach and side where he was beaten as if it had only just happened.

He wiped his brow and looked around at his surroundings confusedly. He was in an unfamiliar room and he couldn't remember how he'd gotten there. Then he remembered how he was kicked out of his own home that night. No- not home. House. It was never his home.

He stood up, shaking off his blanket and made his way out of the guest bedroom and into Alex's room. Alex woke up at the sound of his door creaking open.

Neither of them spoke. They didn't need to.

Alex simply scooted over and patted the space next to him, signaling for John to lay down. He shuffled his way over to the bed and got under the covers next to him.

That night, John had no nightmares.

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4/7/2020

Don't kill me! Kill nightsky_31_! She gave me the idea! (Love yah sis!) Lams is developing!!!!

QOTD: How will Washington react when he goes to wake Alex up?

Thanks for reading!-SunkissedChild5