Sebestian paid the cabbie, tipping a little too generously, then he and Amelia supported each other on the walk up to the apartment. Liam was cooking when they arrived. The smells of a homemade breakfast made by someone who could actually cook flooded through the apartment, and both of them were tempted to go straight to the kitchen."He's asleep right now. He woke up briefly. Jen got him to eat a little and then convinced him to go back to sleep," Liam said before they could even ask. It was nice having another dad figure around who understood their concerns. "It's a slow day for both Liam and me, so why don't you two slips in and see for yourselves that he's fine. Then you two can shower and change and come eat something before you both rest for a few hours. We can discuss the next steps at breakfast.""We couldn't put you out like that," Amelia started to say."It's not putting us out. Two weeks later, they were all in court. Alec was seated carefully between his parents with every
Alec woke up some time later to the sound of Sebestian's phone beeping. "Sorry," Sebestian murmured while stretching to reach the device."Tell whoever it is that you're busy. They can't really expect you to do any work when you're on family sick leave," Amelia complained.Sebestian, who had been reading his messages, sighed. "It would seem that that's exactly why they need me."It had been Allen who contacted them about Keven being sick. Normally, she would have been over at his place taking care of her Alpha herself, especially since she herself was also immune to the flu, but she was on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy and forbidden to leave the institute. Adira couldn't check on Keven for her either. She had proclaimed himself some kind of guard dog for Allen and didn't dare to leave her side for longer than it took her to stick her head out of the door and yell for someone to go get whatever Allen needed. Jenny had been trying to take care of Keven on her own, but with
Sebestian reluctantly released his hold on Amelia and pulled himself out of the bed and back to the living room.Even when he woke confused from the night terrors, Alec had never sunk into such a state.He kept stroking at Alec's curls and back and tried to ignore the way his heart felt like it was breaking with each little whimper. There was a sudden gasp and then he felt something warm on his shirt followed by more tears."It's okay," Sebestian assured while reaching for the bin in case the accidental spit up meant that more sickness was on its way. He doubted it thought. Alec should have had nothing left in his stomach by that point, which they would have to fix as soon as they took care of the fever.Sebestian returned quickly. "The rest are fine. I got them to take their medicine, got them some drinks. I think they're all going to nap some more. I brought more of the medicine for you too. Just in case."Amelia took a vial of the stuff. She was feeling almost completely cured by w
Alec slowly pulled himself up as Amelia dramatically dropped down to sit next to the child. Somehow getting what he wanted wasn't feeling right."And what should we call you, my dumpling?" Amelia was cooing away at the toddler as Alec reluctantly went into the kitchen to start dinner. Alec returned in the middle of cooking. Sweaty and with a few bruises, he still cheerfully greeted Amelia with a kiss and squatted down to coo at the toddler."Did you find his parents?" Apparently, Amelia had gotten a longer version of the story than Alec had.Sebestian's smile faded. "Alpha father. Beta mother. Neither wanted-"Alec's stomach twisted. Amelia made a hurt noise, but it was sudden and brief. Sebestian knew without looking that Amelia had already pasted on a fake smile."Do we have a name then?""Yes, his name is Leo.""So, little sweetling Leo, it looks like you'll be staying with us."Alec startled at the announcement, missing the onion he was chopping and instead slicing into his hand.
The breakfast led to a boozy lunch and by afternoon, Alec could feel some guilt sinking in. More than that though, he found himself growing angry. All their promises suddenly felt like empty words, and he could tell he was being even more of a"bluenose" as Sammy had called. Even she was getting tired of his grumpiness, though he could tell she was worried."They probably know you're with me and just don't want to interrupt you. They don't want to be suffocating.""That'd be a first. They just haven't noticed is all.""Okay, no more." Sammy snatched his glass from his hand. "You need to go home and deal with this. Sitting here and drinking is accomplishing nothing.""You're impatient for someone who has all the time in the world.""Come on," she tugged him to his feet. "I'm going to walk you home, and you're going to deal with this."And that was exactly what she did. She walked him straight into the Will's apartment, dragging him along by the hand as if leading a lost child back home.
They continued talking and drinking. Alec, head spinning in a pleasant sensation from the plasma found himself actually laughing at some of the jokes. His eyes wandered to Min's lips. He had never liked kissing. He felt no sexual attraction. Sometimes though he still found himself wanting to press his lips against someone else's. Just the quickest impact and in as innocent of a manner as a quick peck on the cheek.Eventually, the talking did become borderline flirting. Min leaned in closer, and Alec prepared to break the news to him that nothing was going to happen."Your parents are looking for this way."Okay. That was a new one. Alec twisted around to glance in that direction. Both his mum and dad were staring at him in confusion, and as soon as they caught him glancing back, Sebestian stood and made his way over.Alec waited for her to reach them. Sebestian glanced over Minj. "Hello, Min.""Hi, Sebes-"That was as far as Min got before Sebetsian was turning his back to instead loo
And that was thing. It was working. Surprisingly well actually. Alec was adhering to the rules Sebestian had set. He was staying in the apartment. He wasn't touching his phone which sat on the living room mantel where it was to remain for the two weeks. He did his usual household responsibilities with all the same attention and care as usual, and he even helped to reorganize their book collection. He followed all the rules precisely even if his attitude was chilly at best, and then they reached the third day of the grounding.Alec was pouting. It was the only way to describe the expression on his face right then. "If I'm grounded, then shouldn't I be at home anyway?""No, because there's no one there to make sure you don't go out, and besides you probably enjoying staying in by yourself more than going out so it's not really a punishment.""You make it sound like I hate people."Sebestian raised an eyebrow."I just find them slightly intolerable. Anyway, what about the retirement cent
Ethan took a deep breath and tried to ignore the tightening of his chest. Today was his graduation ceremony, after which he would finally be a real designer. He had trained for this moment, had dreamed about it; he should have been delighted at the prospect of finally getting it. And yet...And yet, he couldn't breathe.His brother would be in the room, and so would his parents. They would all be watching him, would all congratulate him, would all expect him to be overwhelmed with joy. But he couldn't breathe, and for the first time, Ethan wondered if this was really what he was meant to do.But most of all, he had seen the way that both of them had degraded deigned who didn't live up to their impossibly high standards, and he was terrified. Because his parents loved him, but would they still care about him? Would they still soothe him when he had nightmares? Or would they tell him that he was weak, the way they had when an older had thrown up at the sight – Ethan had cried himself to