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Darkseeker
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~Time skip to before dinner at Alex's house~ It's been about a week since Bev's party, and things have been going well with Alex and Sky. Sky was relieved when Alex didn't bring up his self-harm. Despite not feeling the best, Sky agreed to have dinner at Alex's house and meet his parents. Skylar began his day with vodka, forgetting he had to go to dinner, and now it was 30 minutes before, and he was drunk to say the least. Since he woke up late, he hasn't been drunk the whole day, but it's been since he woke up. He did manage to get ready and look semi-presentable when he remembered. Now it was just time to prepare himself and drive there. Stumbling to his bathroom, he splashed cold water on his face to try and sober himself up. He knew it wasn't going to help, but maybe it'd help him look more sober. Looking up at the mirror, he stared at himself for a good couple of minutes before leaving his bathroom. "Omw." Sky typed out on his phone before sending it to Alex. He was wearing a plain black long-sleeved shirt with black sweatpants, nothing special. Sky shouldn't be driving, but he got into his truck anyway. It wasn't that far of a drive, but it was way quicker than walking. He managed to get to Alex's safely, but he definitely wasn't driving the best. Getting out of the truck, he made his way to Alex's front door. Bringing his fist up, he hesitantly knocked.
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Lightbringer
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It had been a week since the party at Bevs. A week since Alex had gotten drunk for the first time, and a week since he had learned of Skylar's self-harm. It had been a sore topic, and one that he had been overly conscious of so as not to bring up. It felt wrong to pretend like he didn't know, to act as though he hadn't seen those scars on Sky's arms or legs, but he wasn't sure what to say or do. He didn't want to cause a fight or make Skylar uncomfortable by bringing it up, so he hadn't. Instead, he'd enjoyed every moment he'd spent with him, and things seemed to be going quite well. Now, he was standing before the mirror in his room, a bundle of nerves sitting in his belly. Any minute now. He told himself. Any minute now, and Skylar should be pulling up to the dinner he'd been invited to. His parents knew only that he was a friend, and while he wanted to keep the truth from them, he also desperately wanted Skyler to meet his family. Drawing in a breath and slowly letting it out, he let his gaze traverse the length of his body and the outfit he'd selected. He wanted to look good for Skylar, but he also knew that any drastic changes in his appearance would raise suspicion, so he'd changed into something more casual. A white t-shirt with a flannel jacket and light blue jeans. Nothing fancy. Drawing in a breath and then slowly letting it out, Alex gave an approving nod before he moved to leave his room and head down the stairs. He could hear his mother moving about in the kitchen, could smell the savory aroma of dinner filling the air. "Hey, Mom, anything I can help with?" He asked as he moved into the kitchen. She glanced over at him and smiled fondly before nodding. "If you could set the table, I'd appreciate it." She answered. Alex gave a nod in response and moved to gather the plates and silverware that he would need for the dinner. Once it was all in hand, he made his way over to the table to begin setting it as he'd been asked to. He had just finished when he heard a knock at the door. His heart seemed to leap into his throat, and he stepped back from the table. "I'll get it." He said and then turned to head to the front door without waiting for his mother's response. He hesitated for just a second before he moved to pull the door open, his blue eyes quickly falling on Skylar.
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Darkseeker
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A smile rose on Sky's face as soon as his gaze was greeted with Alex's face. Sky wanted to go in for a hug, and with his ass being drunk, he went in for one. "Hey Alex." Skylar spoke quietly, keeping the hug brief. Sky stepped inside Alex's house and took off his shoes, trying his best to hide the fact that he was drunk. He kept a smile on his face, looking back at Alex once his shoes were off. Now that Sky was thinking about it, he was hungry, really hungry. He barely ate, which was terrible since he drank. Skylar was up for a rude awakening tomorrow morning, or maybe even later in the night. Sky kept his gaze on Alex for now since they were alone. Soon, he wouldn't be able to look at him much. He needed to not act like he was in love with him, which was going to be hard considering his state.
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Lightbringer
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Alex returned the smile that Skylar gave him the moment their eyes met. It was bright and affectionate, clearly making it known that he was happy to see him. The moment Skylar hugged him, though, it fell, his eyes widening in surprise and horror. Instantly, he found himself praying that his father didn't see, that his mother didn't happen to glance toward the doorway. His breath seemed to freeze in his chest, lodging there and refusing to move even after Skylar had let him go. "Hey." He managed, barely able to force the greeting from his lips. He was nervous, now more than he had been before. That had been a risk, a huge risk. Fortunately, a quick glance behind him told him that neither of his parents had seen, nor his little sister, who was likely still upstairs in her room. Remembering himself, Alex swallowed thickly and moved to step aside so that Skylar could follow him. He watched his every move, though perhaps not with the affection and love he might have at any other point in time. Skylar knew what his parents were like, knew what his situation was. He'd told him, and yet he'd made the decision to embrace him there, in the open doorway of his house. Was something wrong? Had he done it without fully thinking it through? Alex decided then he'd choose to believe the latter of those two questions. "So, dinner's almost ready." He started, closing the door behind Skylar and offering him a faint smile. "We can hang out in my room until it is, if you want." He said after a moment of thought.
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Darkseeker
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Skylar nodded at Alex's suggestion. "Yeah." Was all Skylar could manage. He could feel himself getting drunker by the minute, it wasn't good. Cursing at himself internally, he took his eyes off Alex. Maybe if he stayed behind Alex whenever he walked, and tried his best to talk at dinner, he'd be fine. Taking a deep breath in, he prepared himself to start walking. He just had to get to Alex's room, then he could sit down. It couldn't be that far, Sky told himself. Continuing to breathe deep, he brought his eyes back up to Alex before following him to his room. One step after the other. He wasn't aware, but he was walking a bit slower, which was good but could also be suspicious. He was afraid to walk too fast in case he lost his balance, the balance he already didn't have much of. Making it to Alex's room, he immediately walked to his bed and sat down. Then, after a moment, he finally looked around Alex's room and took it all in. "Hm, I like your room." Sky said quietly, afraid his voice and mind would betray himself.
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Lightbringer
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Alex said nothing to anyone as he guided Skylar up the stairs and to his room. As he did so, he remained acutely aware of each of Sky's movements, how he seemed to be walking slowly, each step sluggish. He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't upset. This was important to him, this dinner. It had taken him a great deal of courage to invite Skylar to let him meet his parents, and allow his parents to meet him. Considering how strict and conservative they were, they often had their hands in every corner of his social life. Always scrutinizing his friends and ensuring they were 'appropriate' influences for him. If they suspected Skylar of taking something or of drinking... He hated to think what they might say or do. When they reached his room, Alex let Skylar move in first before he followed after. He closed the door, leaving it open just a crack, before turning to watch as Skylar sat down on his bed. ` His room was a calm blue retreat where his thoughts had room to breathe. Evening light slipped through the wide window, brushing over the walls painted in that steady shade of blue that made the whole room feel like early morning, even now as dusk settled over the world. His desk sat directly opposite the large window of his room. It was perfectly clear except for a sketchbook cracked open to a half-finished drawing, a horse mid-jump, pencil lines sharp and alive. A small speaker played soft music that drifted through the room like a heartbeat. Above the desk, his corkboard was pinned with snapshots and scraps of his art as well as moments caught in photographs, reminders of friends, competitions, and drawings he had been proud of. Across from his bed and situated beneath the window of his room sat his bed. It was made tight and smooth, the navy blanket pulled neat, the pillows lined up in silent order. On the wall adjacent to it, his show jumping medals hung in precise rows, catching the last gold light from the window. Beneath them, his old guitar rested against the wall beside a stack of notebooks, pages full of lyrics and chords only he knew by heart. ` Moving, he turned off the speaker and turned to face Skylar, watching as he took in his room and then listened to his comment. As upset as he was about the fact that Skylar clearly wasn't sober, Alex didn't dare confront him on it, not here, not when his parents could so easily overhear their conversation. So instead he forced himself to try and relax, a task far easier said than done, and let his gaze glance around the room. He'd been so worried about what Skylar would think of it, about making a good impression, that he'd spent nearly an hour cleaning it, though there hadn't been much to clean. "Really?" He asked after a moment as he turned his gaze back to Skylar.
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Darkseeker
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Slowly, Skylar brought his eyes back to Alex. "Yeah, it's so blue." Sky spoke slowly, but with a smile on his face. He thought the shades of blue he had in his room were nice. "Way cleaner than my room." Sky said, slightly fucking up his speech. Brushing it off, he looked around Alex's room some more before leaning back on his hands. Letting a small sigh, he looked back at Alex. "So what are they-" Sky said, pausing for a moment, "making." Sky continued. It was a lot harder trying to act sober with how drunk Sky already was. Fuck I really shouldn't be here. Swallowing thickly, he sat back up, keeping his eyes somewhat on Alex.
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Lightbringer
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Alex remained standing near the doorway as he watched Skylar look around the room, taking it all in. And when he heard his response, he tensed a little, not so much at what he was saying but at how his words seemed to slur slightly, and then how he had to pause before completing his sentence. Clenching his jaw, he felt the nails of his fingers digging into the palm of his hand and realized then that he'd curled his hand into a tight fist. Forcing out a breath and loosening his fingers, he moved over to the bed. "My mom's making lasagna." He said after a moment of silence, trying his best to keep his irritation and disappointment from his voice. Honestly, he was beginning to think this had been a bad idea, and was half tempted to cancel the entire thing. Sure, his parents might be disappointed, but if he made the excuse that something had come up, then surely they wouldn't be able to say much... right?
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Darkseeker
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Skylar smiled a little. "Mhm, I can't remember if I asked or not. Either way, it's gonna be good." Skylar said, his voice betraying him further. Clenching his jaw, he knew by this point Alex probably suspected something. Skylar didn't care much now, feeling all the effects of the alcohol. Taking a deep breath, he looked away before lying down on the bed, practically falling. Looking up at the ceiling, he closed his eyes for a moment. "How long until it's ready?" Skylar then asked after a long moment of silence. Struggling, he sat back up and stared at Alex. He doubted Alex would let him kiss him, but he really wanted to. They were in his room, all the way upstairs... So, if they did, they most likely wouldn't get caught. Skylar still knew Alex probably didn't want to risk it. Skylar, being drunk, stood up and made his way to Alex. "One small kiss couldn't hurt." Sky said quietly, his face mere inches away from Alex's.
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Lightbringer
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Alex was pulled from his thoughts, from his attempts to figure out how to stop this dinner from happening before it turned into a nightmare, when Skylar spoke. He sighed in response, not the slightest bit pleased at how that had come out. Drunk... he was definitely drunk, and this was absolutely a mistake. He shouldn't have asked Skylar over for dinner, shouldn't have been as excited as he was to finally have him meet his parents, even if their relationship had to be kept a secret. "About twenty minutes." He answered coolly, as he continued to watch each of Skylar's actions. Each one made it clear how far gone he was and only added to the anger he felt burning beneath the surface. Maybe it wasn't fair to be so upset, after all, Skylar's house, his mom was vastly different than Alex's. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Skylar lie back on the bed, only to sit up a moment later. At how little distance there was between them, Alex tensed, his lips drawing into a thin line at Sky's words. He felt a rush of panic at the idea, fear at the possibility of his parents or little sister coming in and spotting them. "It definitely could." He said firmly as he moved to pull back and away from him. "Especially since you've been drinking." He added quietly, his tone somewhat accusatory.
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