AUTHOR'S POV            

It takes several minutes for Larry to get out of bed as he's in total shock at what just happened and the eerie expressions on Laurent's face. Realizing his clothes are on the kitchen floor he walks at a semi fast pace to put them back on then continue with dinner so he doesn't have to feel Laurent's wrath. Once dressed and back at the stove his mind goes back to the sex. In addition to the strange faces Laurent made there was also something different about the way he moved inside of him. He started out slow and passionate but then his strokes turned into that of anger...almost as if he has some resentment towards Larry. But why? What could Larry have possibly done for Laurent to be so angry toward him or harbor resentment for him? All Larry has ever done is cared for him, placed his needs above his own, supported his dreams even if it meant putting his own on the back burner. But most importantly, Larry has loved him...deeply and unequivocally. He loves him from his soul so how can that warrant resenting him? His mind then switches to the way Laurent's voice echoed in Larry's ear. It was deeper and darker than he's ever heard before and unfortunately the sound is still ringing in his ear, and how can he forget the slaps he received earlier that morning? His face is still tender from it. It's in this moment he starts to wonder just how much Laurent's help is helping him...

Larry shakes the thoughts out of his head long enough to finish dinner...but that doesn't mean he won't go back to them. For now he takes two plates and two glasses out of the cupboard to prepare them...naturally preparing Laurent's first. He plates his food taking care to make sure his food isn't touching for it will just send Laurent into another rage. He retrieves the bottle of Sprite from the fridge and pours a generous amount in his glass. As if on cue Laurent comes around the corner fresh and clothed from his shower and takes his place at the table. Larry brings his dinner over then gently sets the plate and glass down without so much as making eye contact. Before he can turn to make his own plate...

Laurent: "Cut my steak".

With his head still down and a soft, weak voice...

Larry: "Oki baby".

He takes Laurent's utensils and begins cutting but not to Laurent's liking...

Laurent: "Too big".

Larry pauses then goes back in...

Laurent: "Too small".

Not knowing what to do in a very small and timid voice he replies...

Larry: "Baby I don't know what you want".

Laurent balls up his fist and slams it against the table causing Larry to jump...

Laurent: "It's not hard"!

Larry: "I'm sorry baby. Just tell me how you want me to do it and I'll do it".

Laurent: "Just give me the damn fork and knife"!

Laurent snatches the utensils out of his hand causing Larry to flinch. Larry sighs desperately then goes to make his plate. He timidly walks back over, takes his seat and says a quick prayer before taking his own utensils and cutting into his meat although he doesn't have much of an appetite. Larry will keep his head down as he's too afraid to speak or even look at him. Of course Laurent won't let him get away with it...

Laurent: "Why you not talking"?

Larry: "I don't feel well".

Laurent: "What's wrong with you"?

Larry: "I have a headache".

Laurent: "It can't be worse than the headache you give me".

Larry's heart sinks into his stomach at those words. With his head still down all he can utter are words that he's grown accustomed to...

Larry: "I'm sorry baby".

Laurent: "Yeah".

The remainder of dinner will be awkward and quiet. Larry can feel Laurent staring at him and every few minutes he looks up at him only with his eyes. Whether he's taking a bite of his food or taking a sip of Sprite Laurent just gazes at him...his eyes coated with evil as if he's just waiting for Larry to say or do something wrong so he can punish him. By this point Larry has lost his appetite completely...but to waste his food will only be more trouble so he chokes it down. When they're done he quickly gathers the dishes to wash them while Laurent goes to the bedroom. Larry's earlier thought of just how much of the help Laurent is getting is actually helping him comes back to him and he decides that when Laurent is calmer he will ask him about it...   

~three days later~

Larry is in the kitchen solemnly making breakfast. For the past few days he's been getting more depressed because if Laurent wasn't hitting him for something his sex drive was really high and Larry still isn't sure why he's in such a sexual mood most of the time. All he's sure of is the demand usually came shortly after Laurent came out of the bathroom. It's so strange because when ever Larry cleans the house he never sees anything suspicious. Nonetheless, the pain Larry feels in his heart is tremendous and on top of that the previous night was the first time he actually felt pain during their erotic session...but when he tried to warn Laurent he was told to be quiet and that a little pain wouldn't kill him so Larry just had to endure it. Now as he prepares breakfast his mind is all over the place...still somewhat in shock that Laurent's abusive behavior has started again. He also can't shake the feeling that something else is going on with him only he doesn't know what but is still determined to find out. For now, breakfast is ready and as if on cue Laurent can be heard taking his place at the table so Larry quickly but carefully arranges the food on his plate. When Laurent watches him walk over he notices that he has a slight limp...    

Laurent: "What's wrong with you"?

Larry: "It's nothing".

Laurent: "That doesn't look like nothing. What is it"?

Larry is too afraid to tell him so he's trying to think of something...but Laurent is on to him...

Laurent: "Don't lie to me".

Larry: "I don't want you mad at me".

Laurent: "Tell me".

Larry hears the seriousness in his voice and it intimidates him...but he isn't going to lie...  

Larry: "It, um. Last night. I...I tried to tell you...."

Laurent: "So it's my fault"?

Larry's face scrunches as he begins to cry...

Larry: "I tried to tell you it hurt baby".

Laurent slowly looks down at the table and exhales. Moments of silence pass as Larry looks at him with tears still falling from his eyes...unsure of what Laurent is thinking. What's unexpected is when Laurent looks back up at Larry his eyes are actually...remorseful. He slowly stands up to walk over to Larry which naturally causes him to back up in fear... 

Laurent: "It's oki bebe. Come here".  

Larry hesitantly looks at Laurent for a moment then slowly walks toward him. Once he realizes Laurent is wrapping him up in a hug, he feels relieved and tears are now streaming down his cheeks at full speed... 

Laurent: "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you bebe".

Larry holds him tighter after he hears his apology and continues to sob into his chest. Laurent holds him tighter as well then speaks to him again...

Laurent: "It's oki. Don't cry". *kisses forehead* "I'm sorry".

They stand in each other's embrace for a few more moments before Laurent releases and looks into his eyes... 

Laurent: "Can you sit down"?

Larry: *sniff* "I think so".

Larry walks over and manages to sit down so they can have breakfast. Since Laurent is seemingly in a decent mood Larry decides to finally ask...  

Larry: "Baby? Are you really getting help"?

Laurent is taking a sip of orange juice when he hears that question so his eyebrow raises in surprise. He releases the glass from his mouth and slowly places it down... 

Laurent: "Uh, yeah bebe. That's where I go everyday at 2. Why"?

Not wanting to share the true reason why he asked...

Larry: "I just thought you would tell me how it's going, you know? Tell me if you feel it's really helping you and if you like where you're going. If you don't like it maybe you wanna try somewhere else".  

Laurent: "Well it won't happen overnight but it's going good so don't worry". 

Larry has a sneaking suspicion that Laurent isn't being truthful but he just decides to let it go for now...he will find out himself. After breakfast they go their separate ways with Larry cleaning the kitchen and Laurent informing him he's going to rest before he leaves for his appointment. He gives Larry a kiss on the cheek then takes off...

Now it's 1:30 and Laurent is ready to go. Larry is sitting on the couch watching TV when Laurent walks over to bend down and give him a soft kiss on his forehead...   

Laurent: "I'll be back later".

Larry: "Oki baby".  

Laurent is out the door in a flash...but what he isn't aware of is that Larry will be following him. He knows that he's taking a big risk but something on the inside of him is telling him that he needs to do this so he quickly stands up and runs towards the front door, stops to put on his shoes then grabs his keys to leave. Thankfully Laurent isn't too far ahead but he's far enough to where Larry can follow him without being spotted. Larry's stomach is turning with every turn they make as he's terribly afraid of what he's going to discover. Eventually Laurent parks in front of a building and for a second Larry feels relieved as it's a professional building...but when Laurent gets out of his car he walks around it and looks both ways which in turn causes Larry to slouch down in his seat so they won't connect eyes. Laurent walks across the street and meets up with a few guys. Larry has no idea who these people are with the exception of one person...Chris. They all greet each other as guys do and now they're taking off down the sidewalk. Larry waits a few seconds then slowly pulls out and follows them. They turn the corner and soon after Larry is too. He's going at a dreadfully slow speed which causes other drivers to blow their horns and pass him but of course he doesn't care. He really can't risk Laurent seeing him. He continues following them when he notices they all go inside a building so Larry parks and once out of his car he goes around it hoping to find a window he can look into and thankfully he does. He discreetly looks inside and at first he doesn't see anything out of the ordinary. There's some music playing while many of them are playing pool. Then things take an unpleasant turn. Laurent is sitting on a couch when some ladies join the party and of course the guys are flirtatious with them. One of the ladies spots Laurent and does a sultry dance over to him. They exchange a few words before she starts giving him a lap dance. Larry's stomach turns as he watches Laurent explore her body with his eyes while she basically gyrates on him. She then stands up as he follows, grabbing her hips and moving his body with hers. His hands then start to explore her body eventually groping her ass and breasts. Larry's eyes widen and his mouth parts slightly. The next thing to happen will completely shatter his heart. She whispers in Laurent's ear and the next second she's taking him by the hand and leading him away. When Larry sees them go into a room and the door shut he covers his mouth with one hand as the tears begin to flow then he runs to his car. He's shaking so badly he drops the keys before getting in and taking off. He cries the entire way home...  

*Laurent*

Laurent: "So what's your name"?

"Veronica".

Laurent: *smile* "Beautiful name".

Veronica: *smile* "Thank you". *pause* "So what would you like me to do for you?

Laurent: "What all do you do"?

After a smirk and gentle bite to her lower lip she seductively replies...

Veronica: "Everything".

Laurent: "Everything huh"? *pause* "Then do what you want to do".

She gives him a look of seduction before unbuckling his pants. He follows her eyes as she got down on her knees. She whips out his manhood and begins to stroke him which causes him to bite his lip. The next minute she's taking all of him in her mouth causing him to throw his head back and for a minute he's enjoying the pleasure she's providing him. Then Larry pops up in his head. His beautiful smile flashes, his sweet laugh echoes in his ear and he feels...bad...  

Laurent: "Stop".

Veronica: "Why? Aren't you enjoying it"?

She then flickers her tongue over his tip and Laurent seemingly loses power...at least for the moment... 

Laurent: "Ahh fuck".

Veronica: "You like that"?

Laurent: "Yeah...but you have to stop".

She hums against his member as she's enjoying herself too much to stop. Laurent runs his hand through his twists at the pleasure he's feeling but snaps himself out of it and pushes her off of him as he yells, "I said stop"! She replies with, "what's your problem? You have a girlfriend? You feeling the guilts"? Laurent just pulls his pants up and buckles them then yells, "don't worry for that"! He's making his way towards the exit when he hears, "Laurent, where you going man"? Laurent says nothing. He just leaves and angrily walks to his car...

***** 

By the time Larry got home his crying had settled although he's still in shock from what he saw. Even though he feels he did the right thing by following him how on earth is he supposed to tell Laurent what he did without getting beat for it? At the same time, Laurent has to know that he's onto him and that he lied shamelessly. Why would he lie about something like that? Then Stephanie's words hit him...

"I mean give him a chance to prove it before you go back...have him prove that he's getting help. To go back this early when he probably hasn't even made a phone call yet doesn't speak commitment. He's just saying whatever to get you back".

Larry can just crumble right now because he realizes she was right and he's internally beating himself up about it...but before he allows more tears to fall he needs to distract himself. There isn't much to do so he just decides to do a load of laundry. He starts checking the pockets on their jeans to make sure nothing goes in the washer that isn't supposed to. He picks up a pair of Laurent's jeans and as he checks the pockets he feels two small plastic bags that appears to have a soft substance inside them. His eyes scrunch in confusion as he pulls them out then his eyes widen in disbelief as he observes them. He whispers to himself, "This can't be what I think it is". He drops the pants then slowly walks over to the kitchen table, confusion filling each step, then takes a seat. The moment he hits the chair he starts to have flashbacks of Laurent's behavior. There was his constant time in the bathroom and Larry hearing his sniffs. The way his eyes appeared to be dilated at times, the nervousness, the shaking, his sex drive that was higher than normal, his moments of high energy but also how easily tired he got...particularly at their last battle, his loss of appetite which was more often than not lately. He continues to reflect and no sooner than the final pieces to the puzzle are put together the security monitor is beeping signaling that Laurent is home... 

Larry: *clears throat* "Hey".   

Laurent: "Hey. Why are you sitting at the table like this"?    

Larry says nothing. He knows this is another huge risk but between seeing what he saw today and now making this discovery he really doesn't have a choice. He places the two bags on the table and looks up at Laurent. Laurent's eyes fixate on the bags for a moment before he looks up at Larry as his eyes fill with none other than...rage...   

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A/N: Alright my lovelies. This was a tough chapter to write so needless to say I got in my feelings a little but like I always say please keep reading and please share your thoughts. I eagerly await to read them. I'll be updating very soon! Love you guys. :)