Chapter Text

Alex swallowed hard as the car pulled up outside his house, putting his head back against the headrest and closing his eyes, trying not to panic. He knew it’d be a bad idea, but if it was what Chris wanted then it was worth a try, or so he thought. Now he was starting to doubt himself, if he really didn’t want to then why was he making him? Ugh, him and his morals. Chris put a hand on his knee and smiled gently, tilting his head a little.

‘You have to try, babe’

Damn, why did he have to go looking so cute, just when Alex wanted to say no? Before he knew it he found him undoing the car door and getting out, shutting it behind him. What he wouldn’t do for him. Walking up to the house he once called home, Alex knocked hard, holding his breath as he counted the seconds it took for it to open. He heard heavy footsteps- His dad, then. The door opened and his father did a double take as he saw it was him.

‘Aha, come crawling back already have you, pansy? Didn’t think it’d take you this long, truth be told.’ His dad spat, chuckling to himself.

‘Actually, dad, I’ve come to tell you that I’m moving out. Officially. I’ve met someone, and I’m moving in with him, and that’s that. I felt like I should come and let you know, wouldn’t want you worrying.’ Alex replied curtly, unable to look him in the eye. He glanced up to see his dad’s face, his mouth hanging open and his eyebrows furrowed as he took in what Alex had said. Suddenly he narrowed his eyes and screwed up his mouth, before his fist came flying towards Alex’s face. Alex screwed up his face in preparation for a punch that never came as a scream rang out behind his father. He opened his eyes and blinked hard, just in time to see his Mother behind him, yelling at him to stop. He turned around in amazement, looking first at his wife, then to his son, and back again.

‘Oh I see.’ He said, a hint of menace touching his voice. ‘You two are in this together are you? Thought you could get the better of me did you? A drunk and a pansy, what a pair.’ He sneered at her, pushing her hard. She fell backwards and caught herself just before she fell, standing up straight.

‘Actually.’ She said, her voice wobbling a little. ‘A mother, and her son. If it’s convenient for you, I’d like you to pack your bags and leave as soon as is possible. If not convenient, tough luck.’ She said, a hint of contempt in her tone. Alex could hear her voice get stronger with every word she said.

‘Kick me out of my own house? Good one!’ He laughed, not a nice sound.

‘Actually, Adam, it’s mine. My name on the paperwork, my signature on the dotted line’ She said quietly. Alex’s father looked at her incredulously at her for a second before delivering a slap that left her floored. Alex ran to his mother’s side as she sat up and rubbed her face gently. He turned and stood over them, hands on hips and feet apart.

‘Now Alex, I trust you’ll be staying here, where I can keep an eye on you?’ His father snarled, his face contorting into a sneer.

‘No, he won’t, and neither will you!’ Came a voice from behind his father, his face a picture as he turned around to see Chris with two policemen. He looked from Alex to the policeman and back again as his hands were wrestled behind his back and he was cuffed.

‘You’re under arrest on suspicion of assault and domestic violence; you do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention something that you will later rely on in court.’ Chris said, smiling over at Alex. He stayed as the other two men walked him over to the police car and pushed him in the back seats, the man for once choosing to remain silent.

Alex put his arms around his mother.

‘It’s okay Mum, he can’t hurt you anymore.’ Alex said, smiling gently at her. She nodded shakily, looking at Chris and then at her son.

‘This is who you’re moving in with, I take it Alex?’ She said quietly, looking up at him. Alex sighed heavily before he replied.

‘Yes Mum, this is Chris, PC Trott.’

‘And you love him, do you?’ She asked, not looking at Chris. Alex looked over at his boyfriend for a moment, unable to stop himself from smiling.

‘Yeah, I do’ Alex replied. Silence hung in the air for a few moments as the woman took a deep breath and sighed.

‘Then go be happy Alex, go be happy.’ She said, smiling at the pair a little sadly.

‘Will you be okay mum? On your own?’ Alex asked worriedly.

‘Yeah I’ll be fine, I guess really I’ve been on my own ever since I got married.’ She looked down before smiling. ‘But I’m not alone anymore, not really, because I’ve got my son back.’ She smiled and hugged Alex, and then Chris.

‘Now don’t you break his heart young man!’ She said jokingly, before smiling goodbye and returning to the house. Alex threw his arms around Chris and hugged him hard, a million questions in his mind.

‘How did you know? Where did the other police come from? What happened?’ Alex garbled, holding both Chris hands. Chris smirked and looked down before replying.

‘Well, as soon as I saw your Dad go for you I called backup, and it’s amazing how quickly you can get police when you have favours to call in.’ He smiled at Alex before taking his hand.

‘Let’s go Alex.’

‘Yeah, let’s go home.’