Hey guys! Can I just say how much I freaking love y'all?! Y'all literally are soooo awesome and make me so very happy each day! Anyways here's another angsty chapter!
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Alex's POV (That night)
"I'm going to needs and explanation, son," said Washington softly, but Alex wasn't listening. All he could think about was the sight of the police car taking John away. It's all my fault, he told himself.
He didn't even know he was crying until Washington had pulled him into a comforting hug.
Alex tried to permanently imprint the feeling of a fatherly embrace into his memory. He couldn't remember ever having this before. He felt safe and protected. It was as if all of the bad things in his life suddenly became small problems.
"What happened?" Washington whispered.
Alex couldn't hold it in any longer. Burr hits me, he signed, and John found out. He felt Wahington tense up and gasp in shock.
"I'm assuming that something went down at the park between them two," he whispered. Alex nodded, looking down at the floor to avoid looking him in the eye.
Washington held him out at a slight distance and looked him over, searching for any visible injuries. Once he was satisfied he pulled him back against his chest.
"Good, I knew that boy was no good for you," he said firmly causing Alex to blinked in shock. Shouldn't he be against his students fighting? "You don't deserve all of the crap you've gone through in your life, son," he said.
Alex didn't respond. He kept his head down, not believing the man's words.
"Look at me, Alex," he sighed. Alex reluctantly looked into his guardian's eyes, tearing up again at the sincerity he found. "You don't deserve it," Washington insisted, "You don't deserve any of it." Alex nodded, still not entirely convinced.
If he didn't deserve it, then why does it always happen to him? (Because I'm evil)
"Wait right here," Washington said suddenly, with an excited look in his eye. He rushed down the hall and came back a few minutes later with his wife.
"Look, Alex," he said nervously, "Martha and I were going to wait to ask you until you were a bit more comfortable here, but with you being about to leave for college, we figured nows as good a time as any. We want to make sure you know that you always have a home to go back to. A permanent home."
Alex began to tear up, realizing what the man in front of him was trying to say.
"Alex, how do you feel about getting adopted?" Mrs. Washington asked.
Alex was immediately overwhelmed with dozens of feelings at once. He was afraid that they would turn out like his real parents. He was afraid that getting adopted would degrade the memory of his mother. He was afraid that he would let the Washingtons down.
And then he thought about how he felt around them. Mrs. Washington trying to teach Alex how to cook and laughing with him whenever he messed up. Mr. Washington calling him 'son' on multiple occasions, as if by instinct. The hug that he just shared with him, which made him feel safe when he couldn't remember ever feeling safe before.
That would be nice, he signed, wiping his eyes with a smile. Mr. & Mrs. Washington pulled him into their arms and Alex felt like maybe, just maybe, he could deserve this.
——————timeskip——————
justyouwait: Guys, I have bad news and good news.
BrrahBrrah: whats the bad news?
ANDpeggy: ^
justyouwait: John was just arrested.
LargeBaguette: What?! Why?!
ANDpeggy: 😱
justyouwait: I think he beat Burr up at the park.
BrrahBrrah: good. i never liked burr anyway.
ANDpeggy: Nobody does.
LargeBaguette: he's a connard*
justyouwait: ...
LargeBaguette: Don't worry, mon ami*, he should be out in a day or two
BrrahBrrah: is there any particular reason he fought burr?
justyouwait: No.
ANDpeggy: sUrE
BrrahBrrah: alex, im the mom friend. i can tell your lying
justyouwait: Okay, fine! I'll tell y'all on Monday.
LargeBaguette: Now, what's the good news?
ANDpeggy: Yah, this convo is too depressing
justyouwait: Well... I'm getting adopted.
ANDpeggy: OMG
LargeBaguette: THATS AMAZING ALEX!
BrrahBrrah: IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!
justyouwait: Yep! Anyways see y'all on Monday!
ANDpeggy: Bye Lex!
LargeBaguette: Bye Alex! Herc just fell asleep so just know he means 'bye!'
ANDpeggy: ...
justyouwait: Um... how exactly do you know that, Laff?
LargeBaguette: ...
——————timeskip———————
John's POV (Sunday)
John purposely avoided looking at the park on his way to see Alex. He didn't want anything to ruin his good mood. He rushed up their driveway and rapidly knocked on the door, practically dancing with excitement.
After what felt like an hour to John, Mr. Washington opened the door. He froze at the sight of the smiling boy with a fading bruise standing in front of him. Suddenly, he grabbed John into a hug and whispered 'Thank you' in his ear. He never saw John flinch.
"You don't have to thank me, sir," he muttered.
"But I want to," said Mr. Washington, "Alright, go see Alex."
"Thank you, sir," said John rushing off to see his friend. He never heard Washington whisper 'I ship it'.
John took a deep breath and knocked when he got to the door, waiting anxiously to see Alex. He couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face when Alex opened the door.
You're back! Alex signed, pulling him into a hug. John laughed and hugged him back, wincing slightly from the pain in his ribs.
He missed being able to spend time with his friends. John hasn't been able to leave the house since yesterday when he was released. (Btw I know nothing about law stuff) His father was furious with him, to say the least.
What did you do to Burr? signed Alex.
"He'll be fine," John sighed, "He may be walking with a limp for some time and he'll definitely have a crooked nose, but he'll be fine. He deserved worse."
You didn't get hurt, did you?
"I'm fine," he lied. He was definitely hurt, but Burr wasn't to blame for his injuries.
Are you sure? Alex signed with a doubtful look.
"Yes, Alex," he laughed causing Alex to visibly relax. It hurt John to lie to him, but he didn't want him to worry. He placed a smile on his face and hoped that Alex couldn't see past it. He still didn't look convinced.
"I have good news," they said/signed at the same time, taking a seat on the floor.
"You first."
No, you.
"Okay, okay," John said with a goofy smile," Burr confessed and was arrested. We won't have to see him for at least two years." His heart panged at the expression of pure relief on Alex's face.
He shouldn't have to be afraid in the first place, he thought. "Now, what's your good news?" he asked.
I'm getting adopted, he signed with a smile.
"That's amazing, Lex!" John said, pulling Alex into another hug. He deserves to be happy, he thought.
They stayed like that for a while, hugging on the floor of Alex's room. Then suddenly Alex's breath hitched and he pulled back with wide eyes.
John, he signed staring at the hem of John's shirt, If you're not hurt, then what are those?
Crap, thought John. While they were hugging his shirt rode up, exposing his many many bruises.
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4/5/2020
Before y'all kill me for all of the angst I've been throwing at y'all lately, just know that there is a happy ending!!!
QOTD: What happened to John? [Edit- I just realized that it's kinda super obvious... but I was lazy sooo... yah]
Thanks for reading!-SunkissedChild5