Alex glanced up as Gabe came over, then examined his hands. –so much blood and he couldn't breathe and he couldn't see and everything hurt and he was screaming begging pleading but they wouldn't let him out they wouldn't help him and he couldn't– He shuddered, taking a deep breath.
Gabe looked over when Alex took a deep breath, worried for him. He reached his hand out, gently placing it on Alex's shoulder.
"What are you seeing?" He asked quietly.
Alex shook his head a little bit. "Nothing. I-I'm okay." he replied softly, biting his lip almost hard enough to draw blood.
Gabe's eyes widened when he saw Alex how hard Alex was biting himself.
"Alex, please. I need to know if something's wrong so I can help."
Alex shook his head again. "I'm okay." he replied stubbornly.
"I… fine." Gabe fell silent, not pushing. Still, it was obvious he didn't believe Alex, not for a moment.
Alex stopped biting his lip, taking a deep breath. He didn't really want to talk about everything that had happened. He really didn't.
Gabe stayed still, then took his hand off of Alex's shoulder.
Alex glanced up at him. "I'm sorry." he said quietly, tucking his knees to his chest.
Gabe looked down at Alex, eyes soft.
"Don't be," he said gently. "I'm glad you didn't let me push you into doing something you didn't want to."
Alex shrugged a little bit, his hair falling into his face a little bit.
Gabe watched Alex, eventually resting his arm on the bed. This was as close to Alex as he came, though.
Alex reached over and picked up his journal, weighing it in his hands for a moment.
Gabe watched, then looked away out of respect. He opened his own book, reading quietly.
Alex opened it up, eyes flashing over the paper.
Gabe glanced over at Alex, then looked away. It wasn't his business, he had to give Alex space.
Alex closed it again after a moment, biting his lip again.
"I…" Gabe started to speak, but fell silent.
Alex glanced up at him, raising his eyebrows curiously.
"I'm sorry," he said, not looking up at Alex.
Alex frowned a little bit. "For…what?"
"For… I don't know, really. I just felt that you needed to hear someone say that." Gabe shrugged.
Alex nodded slightly. "Oh. Okay. Well…thanks. I guess." he replied quietly.
Gabe nodded in return, looking away as awkward silence fell on the room.
Alex took a deep breath, looking out the window quietly.
The area of the city Gabe lived in was poorer, the buildings dingy and cramped. Gabe looked down at his book again, fidgeting.
Alex looked back inside the room again. "I'm sorry for messing up your life." he said softly.
Gabe looked up when Alex spoke, eyebrows creasing.
"You didn't mess up my life," he said assuringly. "I'm glad you agreed to stay here."
Alex shrugged. "But I took your bed, and…and woke you up, and…"
"Alex, you've been an amazing guest compared to many I've had before." He smiled softly, hand going back to the edge of the bed.