Ethan ran away from home.
Not like the other times when he would say he was leaving and only get as far as the gate before begrudgingly letting Alexei drag him back.
It was different this time, he really left.
Of course, Alexei had done something to spur his young lover.
And it all started with the antique music box Ethan had received from Xavier as a gift.
Let it be known that Alexei himself had stated, repeatedly, that if Ethan smiled at a stray dog, he would be jealous of the dog.
It seemed that senseless jealousy also applied to the inanimate.
Ethan had done as Xavier had suggested. He turned down the lights and wound the music box.
It truly was enchanting as could be.
The tune it played was very sombre and soulful… maybe even a little heartbreaking. In the centre of the box sat a tiny bulb with a paper shade that had numerous holes poked through. When the music box was wound and the music began to play, the paper shade would start to rotate giving one the feeling of standing in the centre of the universe with numerous stars dancing around them.
Ethan loved it.
Not just because of how fascinating it was but because it was a gift given to him by his lover's father. He had never been gifted anything by his own parents, so the antique music box was something that held a great deal of sentiment to him.
He took pictures and made videos, sending them to everyone he knew, which sadly, could be counted on one hand. They were merely five people: Dr. Beck, Geen, Lein, Curtis and Edwin. He even displayed it for both Irene and Dawson to see. Every night he would wind the box repeatedly.
He was like a kid with his favourite toy.
Unfortunately, Ethan's lover did not feel the same about the infernal box. Alexei did not like how taken he was by the antique. He had given Ethan many things but, not once did he ever react this way or treat them with this level of care.
"What is so good about the stupid thing anyway?"
Ethan sulked "It's not stupid."
Alexei flicked the device with a finger "If you like music boxes so much, I'll get them for you. There's no need to be attached to this old thing."
Ethan snatched away the box with a look of displeasure.
"Whatever." His rut was coming up, he had to get everything organized in time, especially since his brother had run off and left the country.
Alexei broke the music box.
Not on purpose but it broke and it was a genuine accident.
Like every alpha about to experience a rut, Alexei was impatient and irritable. That morning when his phone rang, he irately turned it off and slammed it into the bedside table where the hideous box sat. It slid off the table and on to the carpeted floor with a soft thud. He hissed in annoyance and rolled out of bed to pick it up but was too impatient and stepped on it. The antique broke apart with a loud crunch. He became even more annoyed, crouching down to gather the pieces of what was salvageable.
Ethan had just finished preparing for work when he walked in and saw his precious antique in pieces "…you broke it..."
"I'll get someone to fix it for you. It's not a big deal."
Ethan wasn't listening. He ran over to gather up the pieces "You broke it." He repeated "Why did you break it?"
"It was an accident." He answered, unworried "I will get you another one."
Ethan was seething, he snatched the pieces from Alexei's hands to inspect it "I don't want another one!"
"Don't shout…" he grumbled as he straightened, his ears were ringing "…I said I'll get your stupid toy fixed."
Ethan threw the pieces at his feet "It is not a stupid toy! It was a gift! It was important to me! HOW COULD YOU BREAK IT?!"
Alexei frowned, sweeping aside the pieces with a foot "If it was so important then you should have kept it properly."
"I kept it on the bedside table! How did it end up under your feet?!"
"…fuck. I told you not to shout. It was an accident." He took off his night shirt and headed for the bathroom. "In fact, I'm glad it broke. Why would you be parading a gift from another alpha around my house? Fucking irritating."
The words were spoken under his breath, but Ethan heard them clearly. He flew at him, slamming his fists into his back.
Alexei turned around to face him, receiving his blows with his chest. He barely felt a thing but that didn't lessen his annoyance. He didn't understand why they were fighting over a stupid piece of shit music box. He caught both wrists with one hand, nearly picking Ethan off the floor "Stop it. I said I'll get it fixed, if not, I'll get you another one. What else do you want?"
A broken sob escaped his lips, he jerked his hands free. Without another word, Ethan picked up his bag and left.
Alexei didn't think much of it, he gathered up the pieces he could and handed them off to Irene to get it restored.
If that wasn't possible, then replace it with a similar one. It wasn't that big a deal.
Irene looked at the shattered antique, she doubted either option was possible but said nothing.
Later that day, Alexei checked himself into the facility to pass his rut. There was no word from Ethan, but it was fine. He could be angry, he would deal with it when he woke up.
Ethan's finances may be nothing compared to the fortunes of the Rockwells, but it was enough to keep him in a hotel for a long time as his salary of almost two years and counting went largely untouched.
Since he moved to be with Alexei, the only reason Ethan had to spend any money was buying gifts, not that there were many people he knew to give said gifts. His lover cherished handmade, personal items so, there was that.
He chose a hotel close to his workplace. He was certain Irene knew where he was, especially because he received her care packages when he returned from work.
Alexei would be gone for a week, the man always spent his ruts away from home, under sedation, he didn't understand why though.
This was the first time he would be staying on his own. He struggled a bit for the first few days having never taken public transportation or anything of the sort, but it was fine, he figured it out eventually.
The first thing Alexei did after waking up was check on his upset lover. He was certain he would have been over it by now. To his surprise, Ethan had not sent any messages.
Not even a call.
Usually, at this time, he would have been bombarded with messages of concern and care; questions about the possibility of a visit or if he wanted to eat anything in particular so he could cook it but this time, there was nothing.
Radio silence.
Where was the unconditional care? The love? The deep and boundless affection?
He called Irene to ask if the music box had been fixed and just as she had suspected, it truly was an impossible task. Something even more impossible was finding a replacement. Apparently, it really was one of a kind. And when the topic of his absentee lover came up, the woman fell silent.
"Is he still kicking up a fuss about his toy?"
"Actually…" Irene prepared herself for the worst "…he left."
"It was a fucking accident. How many times do I have to say it? Wait..." He backtracked, he heard something outrageous just now "...what do you mean he left? Left to where?"
"He went to work and didn't return. He left. Hold on, before you go crazy, we know where he's staying and he's fine. Everything is fine."
"Driver…" he threw aside the covers "…send him over."
"Shouldn't you rest for-"
He held the phone away from his ear as he pressed the call button impatiently until the nurses ran into the run in a panic "Get this shit off me..." He pointed to the IV and electrodes strapped to his body "... I'm leaving now."
"Sir..."
"I said now." He instructed calmly, pulling out the IV line before anyone could step forward to help.
Ethan let Alexei into his room without a fuss "Shouldn't you be in the hospital?"
Alexei was exhausted, his body was so heavy he thought his limbs were made of cement. He dragged himself into the room "How could you leave like that?"
Ethan walked past him into the living room to pour out a glass of water "Here."
"Ethan..."
"Sit and have some water."
He took the glass cup but placed it on the table.
"I've been looking at some places -"
"No."
"Alex, I want to live alone."
"No."
"Alex-"
"It's just a stupid music box, why would you move out because of that?"
"Stop saying that! It not just about the music box!"
He leaned heavily against a chair "Ethan, listen, I will get you another one just like it."
"I don't want another one just like it..." He became teary eyed, explaining with a shaky voice "...y-you don't understand be-be… because you don't take me seriously. You never take me seriously."
"Why are you saying... Why would you think that?"
This, Ethan could not explain. It was the little things, like the questions Alexei always evaded or his carefree attitude when he broke the music box. It felt like he was making big deal out of nothing. His parents and John often said he did that. "Okay, let's go back."
"No." Alexei staggered to a chair "You have to tell me what this is about. If it's not about the box then what is it?"
"I said it's fine. It's just a music box. I was blowing things out of proportion. Let's go back."
Alexei's fatigue was really weighing him down "Ethan please, I'm tired, can you... Can you just be upfront about what you're thinking for once? I can't read your mind." His let out a slowed controlled breath through his mouth, his head really hurt "Let's talk this out and if you really want to live alone…" how he dreaded the thought of it "…we'll get you a nice place, okay?"
Ethan fidgeted with the corner of his shirt, he actually didn't want to leave. The last few days alone had been terribly lonely and too quiet "Why didn't you just apologize?" He asked in a small voice "It was a gift from your father, and it meant a lot to me. You knew that, so why didn't you just apologize?" He waited for Alexei to say something, but the man remained silent "I'll go get my things, sorry for mak-"
"I'm sorry." Alexei felt even worse. He still did not understand why Ethan was so attached to that old thing, but he couldn't pretend he didn't know how much Ethan liked it. "I am so sorry."
"You don't think I'm making a big deal out of it?"
He chuckled weakly, reaching out a hand to him "Come here." He pulled Ethan closer when he took his hand "Baby, when you're upset, you can throw tantrums, break things, you can even hit me, I don't mind..." He buried his face in his belly "...just don't leave like that. You can get angry, but do it in our home, okay?"
"Okay."
"I was really scared when I woke up and heard you were gone."
"Sorry."
They remained like that for a few minutes.
"Ethan..."
"Yes?"
"Do you really want to live on your own?"
He threaded his fingers gently through Alexei's hair "…Not really."
They fell into silence again.
"Ethan."
"Yes?"
"Why don't you ever get that excited over the things I give you?"
Ethan stepped back and out of his reach, scrutinizing the man seated before him with a little disgust "You broke it because you were jealous?"
"It was an accident."
He rolled his eyes "I can't believe this…"
"It really was an accident, I swear."
"Can you have a little shame for once?"
"It was an accident. Why won't you believe me?"
"You've been making snarky remarks since I got it."
"That's because you were so obsessed with it. If you had told me you liked things like that, I could have gotten you a million of them but why were you so in love with what someone else gave you?"
"It's your father for crying out loud! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
"I'm jealous!" He admitted shamelessly "Yes I was jealous, but I didn't break it on purpose. It fell and I stepped on it while getting out of bed."
He scoffed and looked away "That's pretty convenient."
"Ok, fine, let's say I broke it on purpose..."
"You did."
"I did not but let's say I did, why do you like it so much?"
"Your father gave it to me..." He explained shyly "...that means he accepts our relationship, right?"
Alexei's brain stalled for a moment "Wait, what?"
"I was scared he wouldn't like me."
"Oh..." He nodded as he made sense of his words "Ohhh... I see. You thought Father wouldn't accept you, so when he gave you a gift you were very happy?"
"…yes."
"But Baby…" He reached for him and pulled him close "…I already told you that he liked you."
"…yes, but…" he settled his hands on Alexei's shoulders "…I wasn't sure and no one has ever gotten me a gift before." He added silently.
"I give you a lot of things."
Ethan rolled his eyes "It's not the same."
"Ethan, you are so lovely and so lovable and so endearing. There is no one that would not like you…" he let out a long exhale, he was getting really tired "…just a little note, Father has a soft spot for cuties like you."
Ethan chuckled "What are you on about?"
"He just generally likes kids and people…. Soft, adorable beauties like you, that is why I don't want you close to him."
He shoulders fell with a sigh "Come on, Alex."
"No really, you can ask Jay. He just can't help it when he thinks a person should be protected and you have to admit, you do give off that vibe. It's not a sexual thing, that's just how he is."
"Alex, I don't quite understand how this is meant to make you look better."
"How can you say that?"
"Your father is not your competition."
"Eh~ so you like me that much." He said with feigned surprise.
Ethan kicked his shin.
"That hurts. I'm hurting all over."
"Good for you."
"Look, I'm really sorry about your music box. I'll try to get you another one and it will be from Father. I will call him and get you another gift. Will that make you feel better?"
He pressed his lips into a line as he suppressed a smile.
Alexei was relieved, once the tension was gone another wave of fatigue overtook him "Do you think you can carry me to the car?"
Ethan took his little jest seriously and tried to lift him.
He laughed "Baby, Baby I'm just kidding but we'll have to spend the night here because I cannot move a muscle right now."
"Let's go to the hospital." He became worried "Let's go back now."
"It's fine." With great effort, he pushed himself to his feet "Is that the bedroom?" he asked as he dragged his weary body towards the room without waiting for a reply.
Ethan trailed behind "Should I call Irene? Do you need anything? Want me to order some food?"
The issue was resolved, Ethan was extremely attentive and eager to take care of him. He enjoyed it so much he considered leaving the hospital early his next rut. Later that night, he made a call to his father to ask about getting another music box.
"You broke it on purpose, didn't you?"
"I did not."
"If you admit you to what you did, I'll send an extra gift."
"I don't need an extra gift. We're fine with just the music box and it better be a good one."
"Yes. You would probably break that one too."
"It was an accident!" Alexei couldn't understand why no one believed him.
"I quite like the boy so I will send another one. It's not exactly the same but I'm sure he'll like it just as much."
"Thank you."
"Don't break this one. These things are actually very difficult to come by."
He gave up on proving his innocence "I won't."
After the call, he replied to the messages that had piled up, some of which were from Jason. He quickly informed his brother about his latest fight.
Jay: yea, you fucking monster. You definitely broke it on purpose.
Alexei: That's some big talk from someone that ran away from his lover.
Jay: He is NOT my lover. I DID NOT RUN AWAY.
He tossed the phone aside, he was done trying to explain himself to anyone, it didn't matter anymore the box was gone and a new one would be sent over.
Indeed, a new box was sent over a few days later. It's carvings even more exquisite, the melody just as sombre and soulful but there were no stars. Ethan was somewhat regretful.
Along with this new music box, Xavier thought it necessary to send a little safe. Everyone except Alexei thought it was a thoughtful gesture.
Lein had somehow come to terms with the fact that he and Jason would never be. He was despondent but life had to move on.
And move on, it did.
The cafe was finally open for business. They settled on calling it Marielle, after his mother. Hank said the warm and inviting ambience they had planned for the place was just like her, so it felt appropriate. For the grand opening, Lein invited Ethan and his new friends, the ones he made at group therapy. There weren't a lot.
Six people including Gavin.
He wasn't sure if Gavin would make an appearance, he had been missing from group sessions for almost two months but to his surprise Gavin did show up, and with a large basket of lilies.
"I didn't think you would show up."
Gavin flashed a grin "Of course I have to show up to support my little brother."
He gratefully accepted the basket "Thanks."
"Sure."
"Want some coffee? First cup is on the house."
He took a seat at the counter, leaving the tables for patrons that came as a group "How will you make any money that way?"
"When you have a taste, you would definitely want another cup."
The two laughed and chatted as Lein brewed him a cup. The coffee was good, he had to admit Lein actually had a knack for this.
"So, why did you ghost on group?"
Gavin's mirth dissipated. He stared at the cup "Curtis is leaving."
"Gavin..."
"After he gives birth, he's leaving."
"With the kid?"
Gavin shook his head slowly.
Lein was speechless.
"I don't know what to do. I wish someone would just tell me how to fix it." He was frustrated. And even more exhausted, these last months had been filled with nothing but heartache and a sense of growing desperation. There was nothing he could say or do to make Curtis change his mind, so he simply accepted his fate. Even if it felt like death was handed down to him, he accepted it. He rubbed his face "You probably wouldn't understand how I feel, Jay's still into you. It was obvious from last time-"
"He said he never wants to see me again." Lein interrupted.
"What? Is it... Is it because of the videos?"
"Videos?" Lein was taken aback. The videos people had sent to him? He never imagined Jason would know about those. He opened his mouth and shut it several times as he tried to process the feelings this news brought "He knows about that?" he finally managed with a trembling voice.
Gavin leaned closer "Did he not tell you?"
The milk carton slipped out of his hand "…no."
"It's fine, right? He did say he would deal with it."
"He would deal with it?" he repeated breathlessly. He bent over to pick the almost empty carton. Just how repulsive did Jason think he was now?
"Yea, back at the track. He saw them and was like, he would get rid of them."
"I see…" he searched around for a rag to clean up the pool by his feet "It's not that. I didn't even know he knew about those." He forced a smile as he straightened.
"If it's not about the videos, then why would he suddenly not want to see you anymore?"
Of all the people in his life, Gavin was probably the only one to whom he could speak freely, so he told him what had transpired at the cocktail lounge.
"That is so fucked…" his anger was almost palpable "…you should have punched the bitch the moment she started speaking."
He showed a sad smile "…yea, maybe I should have."
Gavin let out an exasperated sigh "Can't even have a little booze to numb the pain."
"I hear that."
Gavin's phone buzzed to life "I'll stop by again so we can lick our wounds. Great coffee." He slipped a bill under his coffee cup.
"Thanks, tell your friends."
"Sure thing." He winked playfully and hurried out.