Chapter Text
Alex was leaving.
For good.
In fact, he was already thousands of miles away from home. He'd stolen a couple hundred from his mother's purse and left.
He couldn't say he regretted it. Not really. But if he could go back to that night, he'd make an actual plan instead of acting on impulse. Waiting for everyone to fall asleep and rummaging through his mama's belongings, praying no one would wake, wasn't only risky. But also dumb.
Specially when every night consisted of standing at a tree lined road, sticking his thumb out, hoping to hitch a ride to nowhere.
Often times, no one pulled over. Many even sped up at the sight of him. Leaving Alex no choice but to walk to a nearby town in hopes of meeting nicer people.
Eventually, the money ran out and everything about him screamed runaway. It was hard to miss: a fourteen year old donning sweatpants and a dirty long sleeved shirt. It also made it increasingly difficult to lay low. Strangers offered to take him to shelters and eyed him with suspicion when he declined. And when anything felt off, he'd make sure to take advantage of whatever they offered and be gone by the hour, thumbing at the stolen wad of cash in his pocket.
Who knew? Maybe his dad was wrong. Maybe he wasn't an absolute idiot. And all those times he threatened to put Alex out were empty threats. Alex was convinced that family - crammed in a small trailer-home - needed him more than he needed them.
If he tried hard enough. . he'd even convince himself that being out in the street was better than spending another second with them.
It wasn't so bad, he'd tell himself, locking himself in public park bathrooms and waking every odd hour when he thought he'd heard something.
It wasn't so bad.
He was lucky sometimes. Had two days of luck in a row when a family of three bought him dinner. They owned a house. The big ones he'd see on TV with three bedrooms, a porch, and a backyard. They let him stand under the spray of their shower for as long as he wanted. And said, we'd give you a change of clothes. . but I don't think you'd like what's in our girl's closet. Instead, they threw his clothes in the wash and let him crash in a spare bedroom under soft sheets and the smell of fabric softener.
In the morning, they made pancakes and eggs, strawberries and bananas, and all the maple syrup Alex desired. He tried not to eat too fast. But what else could he do? He didn't know when he'd eat next. And he didn't remember the last time he had a breakfast like that. Or if his mama ever made any other breakfast that wasn't oatmeal. Not even at school, which gave him his biggest meals of the day.
And if that wasn't enough, the dad dug into his pocket and fished out a fifty dollar bill.
However, Alex was on edge. He'd relax, then clam up, waiting for the next shoe to drop. What he'd have to do in return. They didn't pry and it made him nervous. Not when he wolfed down his breakfast, when he slurped down his orange juice, or wiped his hands on their decorative towels. There were glances from their twin girls - Kate and Marina - and some giggling and whispering but that was shut down with a sharp look from the dad.
Alex would oftentimes catch the mom stealing glances at him. She was the saddest he decided it was time to go. He didn't want to. He just had to.
They'd get bored of him. They'd turn him in. Alex would have to start from zero. And that's if his dad didn't get his hands on him first.
"Honey, I don't think you should go back out there." She'd said, touching his hand gingerly.
Alex recoiled.
Her eyes watered.
"It's not safe." She'd murmured, soft as spring breeze.
She was pretty. Big, dewy, greenish brown eyes and perfectly manicured nails. Alex wondered if his mama ever looked that pretty. Maybe when she was younger. Fresh and free-spirited, her mind free from booze and unburdened from years of carrying snotty nosed toddlers at her hip.
Yet Alex still managed to look away and mutter: "I can take care of myself."
And maybe he was a brat. Maybe he cursed himself when he turned his nose up at her generosity because his gut twisted when they parted ways. He thanked them and held the mom's hand until he pulled away. He felt her eyes bore into his back even as he walked into the night with a bag of goodies on his shoulder. He couldn't even look at her in the eye when he apologized. Alex didn't know why he did.
It wasn't her fault she reminded him of someone else. Her eyes looked just like His.
Cursed.
Maybe.
The following night, he'd caught a bus to a nearby town. Got off on the wrong stop. And if that wasn't enough, he'd forgotten the bag on the bus. Only missing the weight as he watched the bus drive off.
So, he found himself at yet another road, sticking his thumb out and waiting.
And waiting.
And waiting.
Night had fallen. Alex had long forgotten about his fear of the dark. There was no need for it when he had to worry about so many other things. He knew he'd have to get a job eventually. But running as far away from the memories that woke him in a cold sweat each night seemed far more important.
The breeze rustled the trees, sending a chill through Alex's bones, and overhead, a big black bird flew over Alex's head.
Wings splayed out wide, putting on a show before it was gone.
He hadn't caught himself staring, enamoured by the way the stars looked against the pitch black darkness of never-ending space. . until a loud honk brought him back to reality.
He jumped, shook his hair out of his eyes and looked at the car parked in front of him.
It was dark. A sleek, black car that faintly reminded him of the bird he'd just seen before he felt silly, made a face, and walked towards the driver's side.
The windows were tinted. It was an expensive looking car and his heart fluttered with excitement at the observation. He needed the money. And if he had to take it, so be it. He doubted they would've missed a few bucks, anyway.
He wiped his sweaty hands on his pants as the window slowly rolled down to reveal a handsome face.
A man, in his late 20's to early 30's, stared back at him. Everything about him was dark, his hair, his clothes, his fucking ride. But his eyes were the color of whiskey. They glinted under the moonlight. Or maybe it was a part of Alex's imagination.
The man's lips curled into a grin, sharp teeth peeking through.
"D'you need a ride?"
Alex's brain short circuited, like a breath was punched out of his lungs. The man's voice was deep and raspy. It reminded him of the boy with the green eyes. . the one he willed himself not to think about. He stared. . just for a second. .before he nodded slowly. Then, frantically.
"Ye-Yeah. . Yes."
The man nodded towards the passenger side seat.
Alex wasted no time rounding the car and getting in.
Slow music played on a radio station and the air conditioner was on high. The combination between the music and the cool seats made Alex melt into the leather seats, his muscles relaxing after a long day of pacing. The man started the car back up again and Alex's eyes fluttered shut as his cologne hung in the air, soft and pleasant.
The "How old are you?" question came. He figured it was only a matter of time. Alex was used to the odd question here and there, the ones that made his stomach twist and sink. But he was used to the questions of "where to" before the awkward small talk and questions began.
"Sixteen." Alex lied, fingers twiddling with one another on his lap.
The man hummed and didn't push it any further. They drove in silence for a couple of minutes. . and Alex's eyes began to wander.
He looked over and watched the curve of the man's jaw. The dark stubble there. His eyes traveled down the man's neck and he noticed a dark silhouette of ink that peeked through the man's collar. For some reason, he felt the sudden urge to reach out and pet it. To feel the stubble beneath his fingertips, then trace the lines of ink, pull on the collar and find out what was beneath.
Whiskey eyes met his for a sharp second.
Caught, Alex whipped his burning face away.
"What's your name?"
"Alex." He cleared his throat, voice coming out like a squeak despite his efforts. "What's yours?"
"That's not important." The man teased.
"I told you mine!"
The man looked over. Stared and studied Alex until he squirmed under his gaze. He was hyperaware of his increasing heart rate, hoping the stranger hadn't caught on to his lewd fantasy. He was also worried of the dark road ahead. The very same road the stranger wasn't focused on.
"Daniel." He said and, thankfully, focused his attention back to the road.
Alex repeated the name under his breath. Daniel. It was fitting. Alex kept his gaze down, thumbing at the leather seats and eyeing the shining dashboard.
"What do you do?"
"Things."
"Oh."
Not much of a talker. Alex guessed he could deal with it, he just didn't want to.
Daniel seemed so interesting, so carefree. And Alex never had older friends. Never had friends, at all, really. And thinking about how he was driving with an older person - one so calm and cool and collected - made him feel. . in control.
Daniel didn't know him. Alex could be anyone. He could be sixteen and interested in sports. He could be a traveler. He could be a rebel. He could say shit and fuck without worrying about his mama swatting at him. He could be anything. Starting anew was the point, anyway.
But most importantly, Alex was more excited on the fact that Daniel seemed to be entertaining him. Despite his silence, Daniel would sneak glances at him and grin when he caught Alex staring. Alex watched his perfect lips split into a toothy, crooked grin, a flash of a sharp incisor. . and he'd look away. Heat spreading cross his features as he thought about how they'd feel if they sank into his neck.
What did Daniel see in him? Had he believed him? Maybe Daniel was just the person Alex was looking for.
A good Samaritan who also needed companionship.
Perhaps he thought he was special. Why else would he pick him? Alex didn't want to pry. He didn't want to seem like too much. He didn't want to seem childish and overbearing and all the things his older brother would tease him about. So, he made a mental note to save all his questions for later and tried to ignore his racing heart: trying to focus on listening to the radio play.
A feminine voice cut through the calm melody and replaced the music with a news broadcast.
"Four women have been reported missing in the past week. With remains being found -"
Daniel's long fingers toyed with the radio, changing the station.
Another soft, clear voice broke through the silence:
"With concern amounting, frightened residents search for answers. Police officials have yet to confirm if these incidents are potentially tied to the serial murders at Lake - "
Daniel sucked his teeth, changing the channel again. Music, heavy metal this time, replaced the chatter. Daniel relaxed back into his seat, his fingers absentmindedly drumming a rhythm into the steering wheel. Alex took the opportunity to look for a ring. He was disappointed when he didn't find one. He was looking forward to meeting another nice wife who'd look at him with gentle eyes and offer him more dessert.
Daniel snuck a glance at Alex from the corner of his eye.
"Where are you from?"
"Home." Alex spat before he could think of his response. He cringed and hoped Daniel hadn't caught him drifting into a daydream.
"And where's home?" Daniel asked, before he added, "Far away?"
"Yeah." Alex shrugged. He felt. . ill. . all of a sudden. Home. Was it ever? . . It surely wasn't anymore. He had the sudden urge to hug his knees to his chest. However, he worried bringing his dirty, worn sneakers up on Daniel's seats wouldn't be appropriate.
He had to grow up. Mature. He had to show Daniel he wasn't scared. He wanted to prove that his cologne did not remind him of his brother touching him when his girlfriend wouldn't let him have his fun. Goosebumps appeared on Alex's flesh at the memory. He rubbed his arms, trying to soothe the cold shiver that ran down his spine. He was okay now. Far away from those green eyes and what those did hands to him. Gone where the days in which he'd have to play boyfriend and girlfriend.
"Don't wanna go back ever, huh?"
Alex nodded.
"I get it. I wish I had left at your age, too. It takes balls to up and leave on your own terms. I'm proud of you."
Daniel got him. There was a connection there, something unspoken. Electric and magnetic. No one ever told Alex that they were proud of him. That they understood him. Most of the time conversations revolved around how he was too sensitive. . how nothing was ever really wrong and he was just lying for attention.
And most importantly, no one had ever confessed to being in his situation before. A stranger he'd just met seemed to know him better than his family ever did. Something blossomed in his chest, he felt warm, grown up. Like he was ready to take over the world.
He was right where he needed to be. And suddenly, the world felt a little lighter. A little more bearable.
If Daniel did it, why couldn't he?
Alex smiled.
He looked out the window, stared at the big trees.
He noticed that the towering giants had increased in number. They'd gone off-road and with no other lights save for the headlights of Daniel's car: Alex could see the stars perfectly.
He went to press a button to roll the window down, just enough to feel the breeze and breathe in the fresh air of a new life.
Daniel must've thought he was leaving.
He locked the doors.
The click resonated throughout the car.
"Oh. Sorry." Alex said, pulling his hand away from the door.
The car gradually slowed until it came to a complete stop.
Did he something wrong? Had he made Daniel angry? An apology brewed at the tip of Alex's tongue. He couldn't fuck his chance up. Daniel was the coolest person he had met on the road. He just couldn't.
He prepared himself to spew out apologies, but was cut short when Daniel began to speak.
"You know," He said. "It's dangerous out here."
"I know."
Alex remembered the woman from before. She'd said the same thing. And ironically, he began to feel the same dread he felt the night he walked away from her. His heart quickened as Daniel reached for his keys and turned off the car. The engine died, the sounds of the leaves rustling replaced the steady rumble.
Daniel stared at Alex.
Alex stared down at his lap.
". . How old are you really?"
Alex looked into Daniel's eyes and hesitated before he saw no use in lying. Daniel gave him a ride. Understood him. Was nice to him. He didn't deserve to be lied to. And if Alex wanted. . whatever they had. . to continue . . he'd have to come clean sooner or later.
He looked away.
"I'm fourteen."
He heard Daniel let out a surprised guffaw.
Did he not want him anymore?
Alex bit his lip to muffle a whimper.
It escaped him, anyway, when a hand grabbed his chin. Hard. His cheeks squished together and his lips formed into a pout by the sheer force of the hold.
"What are you running away from? Pretty thing like you."
"Everything." Alex managed to murmur.
He let out a stuttering breath as the older man's thumb brushed his bottom lip. He gently dragged it down and when it snapped back into place, Daniel brutally smashed their lips together.
Daniel had seemed so gentle, so soft. Had spoken to him so calmly, like a gentleman, but the kiss was all teeth. The stubble irritated Alex as he tried his best to match the pace. He'd never really kissed anyone before. His brother's green eyes never even wanted to look at him. He only shoved him face first into a mattress as soon as his parents were gone.
Alex squeaked at the first harsh bite, the pain accompanied by the unmistakable metallic taste of blood.
Alex frantically tried to pull away, only to find Daniel's fingers tangled in his hair, deepening the kiss.
Daniel's tongue licked the inside of his mouth.
He groaned at the sharp pain of his split lip.
Alex's hands came up to push at Daniel's hard chest to no avail.
The kiss was broken once Daniel pulled back.
A string of spittle stretched between their bottom lips.
Alex didn't time to jerk away from him to nurse his swollen lip before he felt something cold and metallic press itself right between his brows.
"Move another inch and I'll blow your fucking head off."
The world screeched to a halt.
Alex's breath caught in his throat at the sight of Daniel's long finger poised against the trigger. It took a second for Alex's brain to catch on. His lip quivered, eyes watered, and he choked on a sob when the older man reached frantically for his belt.
The jingling was all too familiar.
"No. ." Alex whined. . in disbelief? Disappointment? Was he supposed to beg or demand him to stop?
He didn't know what it was. . what to do other than try - and fail - to suppress his sobbing. "Daniel, please."
Daniel guided the barrel of the gun down, smearing the tears that began to dribble down Alex's face.
"Are you scared, sweetheart?"
Alex nodded slowly, limiting sudden movements as the gun slid down. Down until it pressed against his mouth. Alex parted his lips and opened wide when Daniel demanded him to do so.
The barrel of the gun knocked against his front teeth. The ridges of the gun painfully tugged on the corner of his mouth the further Daniel shoved. His tongue wriggled, struggling to find a comfortable place to rest among the square edges.
Daniel grinned as he watched Alex drool around the gun. "See? There's nothing to be scared of. You're a natural."
Alex watched Daniel stroke his cock through blurry visions. The clicking sounds were frantic, obscene, as he bucked up into his closed fist and smeared precum over the shaft.
Daniel cooed, let go of his cock, and smeared the precum against Alex's face.
And finally, he took the gun from Alex's mouth.
"C'mere."
"Please, I won't tell!" Alex tried to beg. . and it was all too familiar. "I'll do anything. Just - don't do this, please!"
It reminded him too much of Green Eyes, of begging, getting beat because of it.
But Daniel was different. He didn't beat him when he begged. Just groaned and cooed and let out hushed, condescending whispers as he pulled Alex closer.
He was shaking. Sobbing and holding onto Daniel's hands as he took fistfuls of his hair. Daniel pulled on Alex's curly hair, exposed his throat and mouthed at his bobbing Adam's apple.
"All those worthless junkies, they're not like you, Lex." He said against his throat. "Don't fight me, okay?"
Alex ignored him. He fought tooth and nail, wailed when Daniel pulled again. He was stronger, bringing him down and leveling his face right above his cock. His cock was swollen and fat, curving towards his stomach as precum beaded at the blunt head of it.
"If you bite I'll make you regret it."
And with a thrust of his hips upwards, Daniel hissed as he forced his cock into Alex's throat.
Alex gagged at the sudden intrusion, finding no respite as Daniel began thrusting into the inviting heat. Alex's eyes squeezed shut, hot tears ran down his face as he tried not to choke, taking practiced, panicked breaths through his nose.
Just like his big brother taught him. And he was back in that tiny trailer, parents out and the blinds drawn. Fingers tightened into his hair and unruly pubic hair tickling his nose.
Breathe through your nose, I'm almost there.
How stupid. To think he'd ever truly run away from him.
Alex couldn't feel the gun pressed against him anymore but the promise of pain remained.
The console dug into his ribs and Alex felt something in his mind decay as he felt two hands guide his head up and down. The panic returned, eyes clenched tight as his throat was forced to take more. Daniel pushed him down greedily, panting and cursing as his hips impatiently shifted. Mutters of, "Take it. I know you can" along with his own gagging filled Alex's ears.
The corners of his mouth burned, as if they were splitting around the thick cock. His jaw ached, threatening to lock.
Daniel paused and took a moment to savor the feeling of Alex's throat closing around him. Alex heard a moan above him before Daniel removed one hand - forced Alex's head back down with the other when he tried to move away - and frantically lifted his black shirt out of the way as not to get it dirty.
Spit splattered on Alex's chin as Daniel's hips pistoned at brutal pace. Alex sputtered, the hand in his hair turned brutal and forced him to stay in place as he fucked into his throat with little to no grace.
Daniel must've like the sound of gagging and spluttering, or maybe the feeling of tightness around his dick because he kept him there. Alex's nose mashed against this pubic bone.
Daniel's balls pressed against Alex's lower lip and he swore he felt Daniel's cock throb inside his throat before cum gushed out of his cock in a torrent and rushed down Alex's throat. Alex swallowed in a panic and coughed around Daniel's cock.
Alex's lungs spasmed.
He scratched at Daniel's thighs.
Daniel's hips rolled once. Twice. Before he ripped himself from Alex's mouth with strings of saliva, cum, and snot trailing after his cock.
"Fuck," Daniel breathed over him, voice muffled as his hips thrusting into nothing.
Alex's lips were numb and tingling. His scalp burned from the merciless pulling on his hair. Shame washed over him, shot up every nerve as his face turned crimson.
Daniel took himself in his hand.
He was still hard.
He shook Alex by the hair when he closed his mouth, earning a pained cry. The blunt cockhead pressed against Alex's swollen lips. They only opened when another tuck made him let out a pained wail.
Daniel's cockhead pressed against the inside of his cheek, distending it before it was released. Hot cock smacked against Alex's tear stained cheeks as it sprung out of the hot confines of his mouth.
He wanted to be sick. The white noise in his ears made him dizzy. The ghost of Daniel's promise lingered in the back of his mind.
He thought he could trust him.
He wanted to leave. To go anywhere but stay in the car and, desperately, he vaguely thought of going back home.
Because Green Eyes had fists and brutal kicks but he didn't have a gun.
The older man thrusted shallowly against his cheek, smearing his slick cock against Alex's face.
Daniel took Alex's jaw in his hand, made him look up at him. The hem of his shirt was bitten in between sharp teeth. He let it go once their eyes met and the shirt fell down, barely covering his navel, where muscles shifted and clenched underneath flesh with each absentminded roll of his hips.
Those whiskey eyes once bore nothing but kindness and mystery. Alex wondered how they could be so deceiving.
They had looked so innocent under the moonlight.
A thumb brushed against his lower lip and smeared the spit there. When he pulled back, he took the spittle stretching between them and took himself in his hand.
A thumb brushing over the shining head.
Daniel pet Alex's hair like he was a dog and cooed at him.
"You were so good for me, sweetheart."
Alex shivered when the fingers detangled from his hair and rubbed soothing patterns into his scalp.
He found himself melting into the touch.
An apology.
Warmth bloomed in his chest.
Alex's only warning was Daniel's stomach clenching before he came with a low groan.
He flinched as strings of hot come hit his face. It coated his lips and nose. A moan rumbled out of Daniel's lips as he fucked into his fist. His chest rose and fell up with every shallow pant.
Alex was let go.
He slowly sat up.
His back was killing him.
Alex wiped the fluids off his face using his long sleeve as best he could.
He grimaced at what he saw on his grey sleeve, now dark with snot and come soaking through.
It was silent.
The trees rustled no longer.
His head was filled with white noise.
"Are you going to kill me now?" Alex whispered, voice hoarse and throat sore.
"No."
"Why?"
"Good boys get rewarded."
The car rumbled back to life and slowly found its way back into the road.