Trigger warning: homophobic slurs, abuse, feels
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Aspen's POV

Alex hung out with Peggy and I, let's be honest, our father really hates John. Yes he knows I'm gay but John is the one he really hates because he looks most like mom. Except his green eyes. Our father despises people who are gay and he hates John most of all. He always wanted John to be like him but in our father's opinion he is the biggest disappointment out there. I don't think that and our friends don't think that. If not for John I wouldn't be hear, I was suicidal but he stopped me and got me help. He's the best most caring person out there, I just hope he doesn't get hurt because of it.

John's POV

"H-hi, dad," I said nevously.

"John, how are you," he asked.

"Was fine before you got here," I muttered.

"What was that?"

"N-nothing!" I said, he hits me in the face, great what did I do now?

"What did you say?" He asks sternly.

"I'm good, sir!" I say.

"That's what I thought," he walks around the room. "I trust you have straitened yourself out?"

"Y-yes," I say, I have to lie to him.

"And who is this?" He asks holding up a picture of Alex and I grinning like the idiots we are.

"Just a friend," I say and he looks down at another picture I forgot to hide.

"Really, so explain this!" He holds up the picture. It's of me leaning my head on Alex's shoulder both of us smiling."

"I-I um..." is all I can get out before he starts walking toward me.

"I warned you," he says. The rest is a blur of pain.

Later

He had given me a good beating. Everything hurt.

"Now I will go and visit your sister," oh no. I cant let Aspen get hurt, and Alex is with Aspen and Peggy.

"Wait, don't hurt her," I say. "Hurt me instead, Aspen has done nothing wrong, please!"

I begged him not to go and he did listen. I got another good beating.

"You aren't my son, your just a worthless faggot." He said as he kicked me in the side. I let out a cry of pain.

"Tell Aspen you two will receive papers to show you aren't my children soon enough." He said, he kicked me again and left.

I lay on the floor of the dorm, everything hurt. It wasn't long before darkness consumed me.

Time skip

I awoke to a white ceiling above me. I look around and see Alex sitting in the chair next to me, sleeping. I realize I'm in a hospital room.

Alex stirs, "Hey, Freckles." He says and my cheeks turn red.

"Freckles?" I ask and his face flushes red.

"I-I'm so sorry, I'm just tired and it just slipped out-"

"It's ok, I like it, Lexi," he laughs a little bit I do to but groan from the pain.

"How do you feel?" He asks grabbing my hand.

"In pain but otherwise ok." I answer.

"John! Your ok!" Aspen exclaims running into the room and wrapping me in a tight hug.

"Ow, ow, ow, Aspen, I'm glad to see you too, but ow!" I say and Alex pulls he off.

"Sorry, dad never came so we got worried," she puts her hand on Alex's back. "Alex looked so broken when he saw you like that."

"How long was I out?" I ask.

"T-two days," Alex says, he looks so tired.

"Two days? How bad was it," I ask.

"Heavy blood loss, four broken ribs, and a number of other things." Says Eliza walking into the room with every one else, even Laf who I thought was still in the hospital. He was in a wheelchair.

"How do you feel, mon ami?" Asks the French fry.

"I'm ok, Laf." I smile at him.

Eliza puts her arm around Aspen, "and how are you, Aspen? Alex?" She asks.

"Mmm," Alex groans and rests his head on the bed beside me. I stroke his hair.

Aspen laughs at him, "I'm ok, Lizard." That's a cute nickname and it work for Eliza.

"Maybe shoot us a text next time your abusive father is visiting," says Burr.

"You are a helpless cinnamon roll who didn't deserve this." Says Theodosia. She looks like a serious badass but she is really a sweet heart.

We talk for a long time, Alex barely moves the entire time, his face is burried in the blanket next to me.

"Excuse me but visiting hours are up, unless you are staying the night you need to leave." Says a nurse popping her head in the room.

"Ok," Aspen taps Alex on the shoulder, "Alex, time to go."

He doesn't move.

"Alex?" Asks Angelica.

He snores a little bit.

"I think he's asleep," I say. "It's ok, he can stay with me."

With that everyone leaves and Alex and I are left in the room by ourselves, me stroking Alex's hair. I carefully pull his small dangerously light body up onto the bed. Did he eat during the past two days?

I lay with him in my arms and hold him tightly in my arms. I fall asleep with him beside me.
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Hey! It wasn't all angsty! That'll change and we all know it. Il y'all. I hope you enjoyed!
-your favorite weirdo 💚🌺