How do we come back from this?

Patrick Lancaster 28 Legal Assistant to the Governor of Tennessee and coincidentally his son as well.

[patlancaster]

eleanor-rigbyx‌:

Eleanor had enjoyed past conversations she had had with Patrick’s mother, so it would be a treat to see her again and speak about life. Since her own mother was so far away, she had missed having someone around to give her advice or just talk girl talk when she needed to vent, and somehow that was easily becoming Patrick’s mother. They had even texted a couple of times, and Ellie was forever sending the woman recipes that she had grown up with, “Don’t worry about it. If it had been a snake, it would have bit me.”

Handing over the jewelry, Eleanor looked towards the floor while Patrick put the necklace on her, “Ah, yes. I may or may not have been the culprit behind that eggplant dish.” When she felt the heirloom was snugly fastened, she raised her head up and looked at Patrick with pursed lips and a smug grin, “Don’t hate me, but I text your mother sometimes. Well, she texts me, too. It’s a mutual friendship.” She had hoped Patrick wouldn’t be weirded out.

Fortunately for her, he had changed the subject, “It was my nana’s and then she passed it to my mum, who gave it to me as a gift before I came over here to the States. It reminds me of home, and I think if I ever lost it, my heart would break. Please, don’t let me do that. Yes, I am putting that responsibility on you, because we both know how much of a klutz I can be.” Without saying anything else, Ellie stood on her toes and leaned in giving Pat a soft kiss on the cheek, before resuming what she was doing. 

“Oh, so it’s your fault I have to suffer my mother droning on about it.” He was trying to make a joke, to sound playful, but with his nerves at an all time high it just came out more harsh than he had intended. “I mean...it wasn’t suffering, I’m just being dramatic really. I just hope it lives up to the way she’s been raving about it.” He had finished with the clasp just in time for her to turn around and face him. “Why would I hate you for that? It’s not often that I date someone that my parents enjoy. It might be a little strange at first but it’s a good thing.” Yes, he had hesitated before the word ‘date’ but the boy just hoped that Ellie wouldn’t have picked up on that. And if she did she would overlook it.

His eyes traveled back down to the necklace and Patrick examined it closely, the boy reaching up and running his finger over the metal. It was very nice and he could see now why it meant so much to her. Giving her a small smile, Pat shook his head. “Unfair to put that pressure on me but I’ll accept the challenge.” It was the kiss that calmed his nerves though. He wasn’t sure why but whenever Ellie decided to show some physical affection towards it always made him less jittery than he had been before, made him feel like everything would be okay. His smile brightened and he let the moment between them linger for a split second longer than needed before he sighed and took her hand. “You sure you’re ready to have dinner with them? This means you’re stuck there until they allow the car to drive you home. And my mom seems to like you so that could be a very long time.”

[atomcblonde]

you cut me like shards of glass  and i want to smash all my windows

(A.M.R.)

[patlancaster]

eleanor-rigbyx‌:

Patrick was gentle with her as they made their way up the stairs. He was kind. The two had literally just been through their own small war coming out victorious by the Grace of God. But there was still things that Ellie had wanted to know. So much had come to light in just one night about who the man she had been seeing really was. She had known he was gay - possibly bisexual, but despite the fact of his sexual orientation, Eleanor wanted to know if he still wanted to be with her, now that he could freely see anyone he wanted to without facing harsh criticisms, judgement, and beatings from his father. She wanted to know how he was feeling. If he would be okay. She was genuinely concerned for his safety and well being, and she was ready to support whatever his next steps were, but she needed to know.

As she found herself sitting on his bed, she let her eyes scan his bedroom. She had been in it on a few occasions. It was a very conservative space. There were no indications of rationalizations except for what his mother and father had wanted. And while Ellie had been with Patrick for quite some time now, she still didn’t know what he liked. She only knew the show that he had been putting on for his family and the public eye. She was excited for him that he would get to flourish and find things he liked. That she would get to learn more about the caring man who was currently putting her wounds first over his more severe ones.

Looking to the gauze now in front of her, Ellie softly nodded with permission for Patrick to carry on knowing good and well that she was about to be in more pain, but their discussion would be the distraction she needed, “Patrick don’t apologize. He’s a grown man, and he is responsible for his actions. Not you. And if I had left here like you so desperately wanted, you would be leaving this house in a body bag, and I would not be able to live with myself knowing I could have somehow stopped it from happening. I’ll survive. Besides, a few scars might put me in the books of being a bad ass.” She wanted to smile but winced as she felt the alcohol seep into the cuts on her face.

As soon as she nodded at him Patrick was dabbing the gauze over the first cut and slowly cleaning her up. As she spoke he shook his head, the boy swallowing thickly as his mind went back to that night when he was fourteen. “I don’t think a body bag would have been needed. I’ve survive a night like this before. I might not have been able to move for a couple of days after but I was still alive.” He reached for another pad of gauze, soaking it in alcohol, before continuing the clean up on her face. “Trust me though, you are definitely a bad ass in my book. That punch looked like it hurt.” 

The night had started off so badly that Patrick never would have dreamed he’d be where he was now. He had regrets about the way things unfolded, more so about the fact that he waited until that night to stand up to his father, but the biggest one was letting the girl in front of him get hurt. He hated that she had to experience a taste of what he went through and the boy would definitely spend much of his life trying to make it up to. She was right, his father was responsible for all of this, but he could have stopped it all sooner.

“Thank you, by the way. You didn’t have to step in the way you did. I’m sorry it took me so long to fight back. He had that coming, I guess.” With those words, Pat looked over to his knuckles, the raw skin bruised and bleeding slightly from all the trauma they had endured through the night. “What are your parents going to say? God, how are we going to explain this to the press? I’m sure they’re going to keep following us around to get their story. Especially if they see us bruised like this.” 

[patlancaster]

eleanor-rigbyx‌:

All Eleanor could do was continue to pray, hoping that the night would end with her and Patrick safe, both walking out on their own accord and no one being carried out in a body bag. And somehow her prayers were starting to be answered. Looking up after hearing the sounds of grunting and feet shuffling, Ellie watched as Patrick had tackled Kenneth to the ground. With each blow that Patrick dished out, the twenty-seven year old watched as the older man was finally getting a taste of his own medicine, and it brought on some relief. Seeing Patrick stand up for himself had been the assurance Ellie needed to know that they would survive.

Letting out a shaky sigh of relief through tears and blood, the tiny woman’s body had relaxed some. Not even the screams from Pat’s mom could bother Ellie anymore, because the man she loved so deeply was no longer letting his childhood monster ruin his life, and with that she was able to close her eyes for a moment. It was his voice that had brought her back to reality. Re-opening her tired, burning eyes, she looked up at him; her hands still forcing pressure on her nose and mouth.

Using the wall as leverage, so as to not hurt Patrick, Eleanor climbed to her feet, “I think you need a little more tending to than I do, my love.” Somehow her sense of humor had remained through everything, as her sad eyes had managed to show some light through them. Her words were slightly muffled from her hand, and she wasn’t exactly sure what her parents would say when they found out, but Ellie wouldn’t be leaving Patrick’s side anytime soon, “If I look like the Bride of Frankenstein, after all of this, will you still love me?”

Putting one arm around him, she began moving towards the stairs slowly. Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster had no longer existed to her, and instead, all she could do was focus on the man next to her.

Patrick’s heart swelled for the woman in that moment, his face stinging as a small smile made it’s way onto his lips. He wasn’t sure how she could go through such an ordeal and still want to make jokes but he appreciated it so much. “Trust me, I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you, darling.” It was in that moment that he realized he’d never said those words to her. Why would he? His mind had always been on Brody when this wonderful girl had always been right in front of him. Patrick had been so obsessed with the forbidden fruit that he had missed out on someone he should have been loving all along. It only took his father putting his hands on her for him to realize how he felt and Patrick was going to be sure he wouldn’t miss out on anymore moments he could have with Ellie.

Oddly, Patrick felt at ease as he walked with Ellie up the stairs towards his bedroom. A peace he hadn’t known since he was fourteen washed over him as the fear of his father started to fade more and more. If he had known how freeing it would feel to stand up to the man he would have done it a long time ago. Patrick was done hiding who he was, he was done taking his father’s word on everything, and was certainly done working for the older man as well. He was a talented Legal Assistant and knew more about political science than most so he would be able to find a job in no time and possibly with someone who supported his choices rather than try to push beliefs that weren’t his own onto him. Democrats were a thing, after all. 

He still had that small smile on his face as he walked out of his bathroom with the first aid kit in hand, sitting down on the bed and wincing slightly as he moved too quickly. The pain was starting to intensify as the adrenaline started to wear off but Patrick didn’t care. He still felt better than he had in over ten years. He grabbed a piece of gauze and started to pour alcohol onto it, his eyes finally meeting Ellie’s for the first time since everything had started, and he held up the medical supply as if asking if it was okay to start cleaning her cuts. “I’m so sorry he did this to you. I didn’t think he would dare hurt you. I wish I had just had the driver take you home instead of bringing you inside.”

[patlancaster]

eleanor-rigbyx‌:

When they arrived, everything happened much faster than Eleanor had hoped. She had barely had time to get out and speak to Patrick, before she was being led into the large quiet mansion away from the flashing cameras of the reporters and paparazzi already swarming the gates. She had been used to being in the spotlight, but it wasn’t usually for negative reasons. How had everything soured so quickly? And how had she ended up in the middle of it? A brief and endearing apology had been sent her way, but before she could even begin to comfort Patrick, she heard the sound of another car pulling up outside. The Governor.

By now her heart was beating out of her chest. Not for her, but for the man she was currently standing next to. The man who she had grown to care deeply for after getting to truly know him and what he believed. He was gentle. His soul was kind, and he cared deeply for those around him. Sure, he had his own desires and wants, but he had also given up his life to support his father. Whether it had been out of fear or love, Eleanor wasn’t entirely sure, but it was clear, fear was what Kenneth Lancaster believed in in order to get what he wanted out of life.

As quickly as the door had opened and shut, Ellie watched as the older man lay his large hand square across Patrick’s face. Never had she seen someone hit their own child with so much ease and it both terrified and broke her heart all in the same instance. Without thinking, Eleanor had already stepped back to put distance between herself and what was going on. Teary eyes had darted to Mrs. Lancaster hoping she would step in and do something to protect her son, but it didn’t happen, at least not right away, until Patrick was being choked by his own flesh and blood.

“So it’s true? I thought I had beaten this shit out of you a long time ago but apparently you didn’t learn a lesson. And then you have the audacity to rub my nose in the whole thing at a fundraising event. I guess we’ll just have to try and beat some more sense into you.” The words that fell from Mr. Lancaster’s potent mouth were thick and heavy, and unlike anything he had previously said, had cut Eleanor to her core. It was a realization to her that this hadn’t been a one time occurrence. And the fear that had entangled itself around her heart had turned to anger as she watched the devil, himself, begin to beat Patrick mercilessly. It was clear that Pat’s mother had went as far as she was going to in helping her son, and only fifteen minutes prior, Ellie had made a promise that she would be there for Patrick knowing no one else would.

Choking down her own fear, Eleanor closed her eyes for just a second, “Lord, give me the strength to somehow stop this monster of a man.” The words were low and under her breath, and when she re-opened her eyes, the 5′3″ woman found herself moving towards the violence occurring right in front of her, “Mr. Lancaster, you need to STOP. THIS IS YOUR SON! He’s not just some stranger you can beat, because you don’t agree with his beliefs. THIS IS YOUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD!” Putting her hands on his shoulders, Eleanor began to forcibly try and push Kenneth Lancaster away, but before she had any real chance, the outraged man turned his anger towards her, sending a hard fist into her face, before pushing her to the floor into a crumpled, bloody heap. 

Eleanor’s face ached with the pain of the punch as tears began to fall down her cheeks. Her heart was breaking, not for what had just happened to her, but because she wasn’t able to do anything to help Patrick stave off his lunatic of a father, and in that moment, she was beginning to mourn the possibility that she might witness filicide first hand.

Sobs escaping her lips, Ellie slowly and weakly pulled herself across the floor to a nearby wall. Managing to sit up as best she could, she let her hands move to her face to try and stop the bleeding praying that this entire moment of sheer horror would just end.

He could hear Ellie screaming at his father and Pat wanted so badly to tell her to stop. There was no telling how far his dad would go tonight and the boy wanted Ellie to have nothing to do with it. But each blow to his body knocked more air out of him so words seemed impossible until he felt the sweet relief of the man letting up. No more hits were coming but there was still a commotion going on and Patrick looked up just in time to witness his father punch the sweet woman who was only trying to keep him from going too far. Blood was cascading down his face, the boy was finding it difficult still to breath, but the rage that was taking over him in that moment was so overwhelming that nothing else mattered. 

Ellie didn’t deserve any of this. The woman was the sweetest person he had ever met in his life and she had somehow got a grip on his heart without him even realizing it. Everything she had done was to help make him happy, to help him become someone he wanted to be, and for his father to even think that it was okay to raise a hand to her was too much for him to ignore or push aside. The moment Kenneth Lancaster touched her was the moment that Patrick finally found the strength to fight back against the man who had been keeping him down his whole life. 

As soon as Ellie hit the floor Patrick flung himself forward and knocked his father to the ground, the boy straddling his chest to keep him there. His hands were flying before he could even think, Pat not feeling a thing as each blow brought more blood to the scene. His mother was screaming even more as his knuckles grew raw and started to bleed themselves, his rage manifesting itself after twenty-eight years of hiding.

But there was a difference between Patrick and his father. He was someone who knew how to not take things too far, knew he had to stop before seriously hurting the man, and slowly his rage started to dissipate. He was breathing heavily after his last hit, his father staring up at him in amazement as he clearly hadn’t expected the boy to fight back, and Patrick glared down into his eyes. “You talk about me being a perversion and an embarrassment but have you looked at yourself lately? It was one thing when you were hitting me, I could handle that, but don’t you ever lay another hand on her again.” The two glared at each other for a moment, the only sound being the sobs from his mother, but Patrick couldn’t look at him anymore. He was done with all of this.

Within moments he was at Ellie’s side despite the pain that was slowing him down. His body ached, his hands were shaking, but none of it stopped him from helping her to her feet so they could get out of there. “There’s a first aid kit in my bathroom, lets get that cut cleaned up.”

[patlancaster]

eleanor-rigbyx‌:

Eleanor couldn’t wrap her mind around what was happening, except that tonight might be her last night with Patrick, and it scared her greatly. She had fallen in love with the man, despite the fact that she had been a beard to him as a way for Pat to explore his feelings and be with who he had truly loved at the time. It had taken a while for her to accept the role that she had been given in their relationship, but no one deserved to be forced into something they didn’t want to be in, and it had left her sympathizing with Patrick instead of hating him, especially after discovering the type of man his father was the night he had slammed his large hand down on the table to silence her and her compassion for equality.

Eyes darting around the room at all the gossiping people, Eleanor searched desperately for Patrick’s mother, until they locked eyes. She could see the sympathy and regret in Mrs. Lancaster’s face knowing good and well that Patrick was in danger. His father’s voice is what had drawn her attention back to the looming man that had finally reached the couple. His demand was evenly toned and composed for the most part, but she could see it in his dark eyes, that he was furious. That his son and his son’s ex had embarrassed him greatly in front of his peers and any chance at a successful election, which, unfortunately meant more to Governor Lancaster then his son’s own happiness.

With Patrick guiding Ellie through the crowd and to the car, her mind raced back to the beginning of the night when they were both getting ready and laughing about something ridiculous that had happened to the woman earlier in the day. But the idea of being happy was something that was probably going to be lost to confessed lies and bigotry throughout the course of the rest of the night, and quite possibly for some time in the days, and even months, ahead.

“I don’t want you to be there when he gets home but…could you maybe stay for a minute when we get there?” The words echoed through the silent car, except for the purr of the engine and road noise that surrounded the pair. And as much as she wanted to run and a catch a flight back home to the UK as quickly as she could, Ellie knew she couldn’t do that to Patrick. She couldn’t just leave the man to fend for himself against, for lack of a better term, a monster. Her words were quiet, but firm, “I’m not going to leave you there alone with that…man. Whether you like it or not, Patrick, I care for you. And I don’t care who you’re with. You should be happy, but as God as my witness, I am not letting you face your father alone. You don’t deserve that.” Her accent was strong and poised, and her mind was made up. 

Without so much as a second thought, she reached over and let her hand clasp his tightly, and looked up to him with tears just on the brim of her eyes and a soft, sympathetic, but loving smile on her face, unsure of what they were about to get into.

Brody had left him with no support. His mother feared for his safety, but was probably going to ere on the side of caution and stand by her husband leaving Patrick helpless. She knew he had no one in his corner, but Eleanor made sure to let him know he wasn’t alone.

Her reaching out to him, though comforting, did nothing to quell his fear in that moment. Patrick honestly felt like he was facing a death sentence as memories from the last time his father found out his desires came flooding back to him. He couldn’t move properly for weeks after that beating and he had been in bed for at least three days all while in agony. Now that the secret was out to the world he knew the punishment would be far greater. He squeezed her hand back softly before the car pulled up to the Lancaster’s home, the boy taking a moment to sit there and breath. Eyes flitting over to the driver, a man who had been with the family since Pat was young, he was cautious with his words as he finally spoke again. “Thank you....you have no idea how much I appreciate that...and you. You really should leave before he gets home though.”

The door on her side was opened by the driver and Pat took the opportunity to climb out on his side before noticing that photographers were already showing up outside the gates that surrounded their house. The people were yelling for him to look their way as Pat placed a hand on the small of his girlfriend’s back and lead her inside to escape the zoo that was forming. “I’m so sorry that we for you involved in all of this...that I got you involved. They’re not going to stop this for weeks.” A sigh escapes him while he runs a hand through his hair and Patrick just stands there awkwardly in the foyer of the house not knowing what to do next so he opted for staying quiet.

It wasn’t long before he noticed the hoard of vultures outside start to frenzy as another car pulled into the driveway, the cold feeling of dread filling the pit of his stomach as he followed the form of his parents walk towards the front door with his eyes, and the terrible grip of fear wrap around the heart in his chest when the door finally opened. Patrick turned to face his father and opened his mouth to start denying everything but before a word could be uttered his father’s hand made contact with his face. The boy staggered backward with the force while a cry from his mother filled the air and Patrick looked back just in time for Kenneth Lancaster to wrap his fingers around Pat’s throat.

Never had he imagined that his father would go this far with Ellie standing right there, if only for the fear that she would go and tell her own prominent family how the man really was behind closed doors. But there was no mistaking the fact that his air supply was being cut off in that moment, his eyes filling with tears once more while he tried to breath out a single word, and his fingers wrapping around his father’s wrist in an effort to yank the man’s hand from his throat. “How dare you make a mockery of everything I’ve stood for since becoming a politician? Do you have any idea what will happen if someone proves that your sick perversions actually happened? And with my assistant?” 

He was trying so hard to speak but all that could be heard were the sputtering attempts as he continued to claw at his dad’s hand. It wasn’t until he thought he was about to pass out when his mother screamed for his father to let go and the hysterics in her voice had the older man loosening his grip before letting go of his son entirely. Coughing as air suddenly filled his burning lungs again, Patrick staggered back and felt his back hit the wall. “I-I’m sorry.” His voice was horse as he spoke the words that he didn’t expect to form. Before he was all about denial but there was no use. Patrick was who he was and if his father wanted to kill him for that then so be it. He was done living this life of fear and panic. “So it’s true? I thought I had beaten this shit out of you a long time ago but apparently you didn’t learn a lesson. And then you have the audacity to rub my nose in the whole thing at a fundraising event. I guess we’ll just have to try and beat some more sense into you.” No words came as his dad twirled a ring around his finger, Patrick bracing himself against the wall for the blow he knew was coming. His father raised his fist and the next thing he knew pain was radiating throughout his entire face, hit after hit drawing blood across his pale skin as cuts formed from the jewelry. 

[patlancaster]

eleanor-rigbyx‌:

[Part 2 of the Ellie/Patrick/Brody Thread]

Everything that was happening at this moment in time to Patrick was breaking Ellie’s heart. The evening had been lovely. However, she had noticed some friction between Patrick and Brody earlier on from a distance, but had decided to stay out of it, knowing good and well that it wasn’t her business, and the more mouths that spoke of it out loud, the bigger chance of Governor Lancaster finding out Pat’s secret.

Her eyes now permanently poised on the man she cared deeply for, Eleanor refused to acknowledge Brody or even the Governor, knowing what was about to come. While Ellie had been on edge knowing that Patrick’s dad had lived life with a short fuse, she had hoped tonight would be an evening they could all enjoy, but that dream had now soured at the words of a cowardly man with a broken heart. She had felt for Brody, knowing that the situation between them hadn’t been ideal, but it didn’t mean he had had any right to do what he had just done, and as much as she wanted to follow him offstage and give him a piece of her mind, she just couldn’t with the way Patrick looked and the storm of hate he was about to face with his father.

“Pat, come with me…we can leave here…go home or somewhere private…We can avoid your father, until he’s had a chance to calm down and compose himself…” She tugged at his arm praying he would listen to her. And more so than anything, she was worried for his safety at this exact moment. She would definitely be having words with Brody later on. But out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the Governor, a towering man with a red face, making his way through the crowd of people towards where they were currently standing.

‘Then why did you?’ He had no answers for the question that Brody presented in that moment. So many things ran through his mind though. Because you're hot as hell? Because I wanted to let myself actually feel something for once? Because I needed it...needed you? And as these things ran through his mind Patrick realized how selfish each of them sounded and he hated himself in that moment. He was ashamed that he had dragged a good decent man into this situation and all he could do was stand silently and let the unanswered question sit between them. And when Brody wrenched himself from the situation Patrick closed his eyes as he felt the heartache fully engulf him.

A few deep breaths later and the boy allowed himself to open his eyes expecting to be met with nothing but emptiness as he watched someone he cared deeply for walk away but instead was met with a sharp stab of fear when he saw where his now ex was heading. He couldn’t move as Brody took the stage and started to speak into the microphone, his heartbeat accelerating with every word that passed those sinfully beautiful lips, and Patrick somehow knew that this night was about to end unpleasantly. He didn’t even react when a blinding light was cast upon him, his blue eyes fixed on a man he had trusted only moments ago as he brought Pat’s whole world crashing down around him. 

‘I’ve only been sleeping with him the past several months.’ The words made him flinch, his breath hitching in his throat and panic starting to fill every inch of his being while people in the crowd gasped and murmured their disbelief. Surely the son of Governor Lancaster would never make such a mockery of the Republican’s campaign. The noise started to fade away as Patrick slowly moved his gaze to his father, Ellie’s pleading lost with the ringing that was now filling his ears. The look on his father’s face said everything and Patrick knew better than to run. Things would be so much worse if he did. No, he had to stay and take all of this like a man. 

Patrick stood rooted to the spot without a word while he waited for his father to reach him. The noise of the room was coming back to him now and he could hear someone else on the mic trying to calm the loud chatter that had broken out among the guests stating that it must have been some mistake, the announcement was false and directed to destroy an otherwise thriving campaign and all of this would be sorted out soon. Camera flashes were going off, people were staring at him, but all he could focus on was his dad. “I don’t know what the hell is going on, Patrick, but this is not the place to talk about it. Take Ellie home and I’ll be there soon.” The fury was being well hidden aside from the red that was blotching the man’s face but Patrick could hear the edge in his voice. This talk that awaited him was not going to end in his favor. “Yes, sir. I’ll see you there.” 

Without another word Pat grabbed Ellie’s arm gently and started to lead her out of the room. His eyes finally landed on his mother’s face, a look of pure dread and worry etched on her features for she too knew what was to come, but he couldn’t muster up enough reassurance in himself to try and sooth her in the moment. He was silent the whole way home, the boy’s mind taking him to the worst places as he stared straight ahead. How could someone he thought he shared something so special with just destroy him like that? Brody mine as well have signed his death certificate himself. Slowly he reached for his phone and pulled up the text thread between him and his former lover, fingers shaking while he typed out a message.

You have no idea what you just did. 

He left it at that. There was nothing else to say and he was sure that Brody didn’t even care anymore. Tears that had been threatening to fall since this whole debacle had begun finally slid down his hot skin while he glanced over at the girl who was still by his side even after everything he had put her through. “I don’t want you to be there when he gets home but...could you maybe stay for a minute when we get there?” He felt bad for asking but this girl had been a rock for him for the past few months. She was everything to him in that moment, the only person he felt like he could trust, and he knew he would lose it if she left. “You don’t have to, of course, I just....you’re the only one who isn’t going to condemn my choices right now and I could use someone in my corner.”

[patlancaster]

brody-matthews‌:

Brody watched how discreet Patrick was being as he, too, waited for the bartender to leave. Maybe it was out of respect for Patrick or maybe it had just been because, at that moment in time, Brody didn’t want the entire world knowing their business. They were adults, they could keep it quiet and civil. At least that was his goal going into the night. After the alcohol had began to seep into his system, he was easily starting to be persuaded to the idea of just ripping the band aid off, “Oh, is tonight not good for you, Sunshine? Daddy and your girl keeping a watchful eye on you?” He was mean, but he couldn’t help it. He had given everything to Patrick in return only to be swept under the rug like a piece of unwanted dirt, “Save your apologies. If you really wanted to be with me, you wouldn’t have ignored me for as long as you have.”

Taking another drink, Brody went ahead and flagged down the bartender for a refill. It was the words that left Patrick’s lips though, that felt like being stabbed straight in the heart. Eyes full of pain and beginning to tear up, Brody took a deep, shaky breath inward releasing it with a smile, “Well, if that’s how you feel…If you’re willing to just drop it…drop me…then fine.” Finishing the current drink and grabbing the new one, Brody got up from his seat and walked off back into the crowd. His mind was racing. His heart was broken, and he wanted nothing more than to make his ex-lover feel the anguish and heartbreak that he had been feeling for months, since Patrick had went MIA.

Patrick had to admit that he had not been expecting the harsh words, and the even harsher tone, to come from the other man. Without meaning to he allowed his eyes to dart around in fear that someone had overheard them this time before they landed on Brody once more, wide with shock. “You don’t understand.” Patrick hissed at the other man before he continued in a slightly raised voice. “You have no idea what I have to go through all the time hiding who I am and the people I care about from...” He stopped himself as the prying eyes of other state officials and their families started to glance their way, lips pursed before he could blurt out everything in front of the crowd. “This is not how I wanted all of this to go. If we could just talk about this privately I might be able to ex-” 

Pat was cut off before he could finish by Brody’s next words and the man walking away from him. Now his anger was starting to bubble to the surface but he really didn’t want this to be the end of them despite the words he had uttered just moments before. Moving quickly through the crowd, Pat grabbed Brody’s arm to stop him from going any further and moved to stand in front of him, lowering his voice again. “I don’t want to drop what we had...but you have to understand that I don’t have a choice, Brody. This is my life, nobody can know or things will get really messy. You know what my father stands for and I cannot mess up his campaign by...by falling for a man. I never should have started this in the first place because I knew we would just end up right here in this situation.”

[patlancaster]

brody-matthews‌:

Another event, and another night of seeing Patrick flaunt off his girlfriend. Brody had longed to be near the boy and hold him, but it had been almost two months since the pair had been afforded the solitary time. Yes, working for Governor Lancaster had been everything Brody had wanted since deciding politics were his calling, but he had found something else instead…No. Someone else. Patrick Lancaster. Son to the governor, and all Brody wanted more than anything was to be with the man he was falling in love with.

He watched Patrick work the room with Eleanor all night. To say he wasn’t jealous of the woman had been an understatement. Sure, she was nice, and if he hadn’t been fiercely in love with Patrick, he would have been more accepting of seeing the two together, but he was petty and only dreamed of spending the evening with Pat. The two of them traveling the room, proud and happy of one another.

Third drink in hand for the evening, Brody, now planted at the bar sipping on a small glass of whiskey, noticed Patrick slip away from everyone, including his dad and Eleanor, to sip on his own drink. Slowly standing to his feet, he scooted down a few seats closer to the man, but remained somewhat distant; just enough to be within earshot, “What’s the matter, Pat? Tired of spending the evening with your girlfriend?” Eyes remaining on the wall of alcohol in front of him, Brody patiently waited for a response.

Somehow Patrick had missed Brody sitting at the bar and when he noticed someone edging closer he was surprised to find him a few seats away now. He took a seat so that he wasn’t looming over Brody and sighed. “Can we not do this, tonight?” He hated this more than anything. He knew Brody was getting tired of hiding their affections for each other and Patrick had done his best to stay away from him in the hopes that he wouldn’t hurt him anymore than he already had, not to mention that he was actually trying to be true to someone who was supposed to be his girlfriend. He had never been one of those guys who thought it was okay to be with more than one person. 

“I’m sorry, okay?” His voice was low, Pat waiting for the apology to be made until after the bartender had gone to the other end and he was sure no one would over hear them. “I wish more than anything that we could be together tonight instead of me being with Ellie but I can’t do that.” Patrick murmured the last part before downing the drink in his hand and calling the bartender over so he could get a water. He wasn’t much of a drinker but he had needed something to calm the nerves tonight. “Maybe we should just forget everything?”

[patlancaster]

Fundraising events were the bane of Patrick Lancaster’s existence. Not only did he have to dress up in an uncomfortable tuxedo that made him feel so out of place but he also had to deal with his father and the obnoxious people who he was trying to impress. Now add in the fact that he had to bring a woman he had never really wanted to date in the first place to show her off to said obnoxious people and you got a combination that made for a very bad night. Schmoozing was not something that Patrick was made for but he had gotten much better at it throughout the years, that forced smile of his getting a lot of practice as he made his rounds through the grand ballroom that had been rented for the night, one arm wrapped around Ellie while he introduced her to one conservative after another. 

Another thing making the night nearly unbearable was seeing Brody walking around with that beautiful smile of his and not being able to really do much but say hello to him. His heart ached with every fleeting look he dared take as the night went on and Patrick almost allowed himself to sigh longingly after they had passed him on one of their rounds of the room...almost. He caught himself just in time, a good thing as his father had walked up behind him not two seconds later to introduce Patrick to an old colleague. Fake smile set on his lips, his eyes traveled past the older gentlemen to land on his blond lover before flitting away. The last thing he needed was his father seeing one of these looks and getting angry.

It was almost two hours into the event before Patrick could slip away from everyone and make his way to the bar for a moment alone. Whiskey in hand, he ran his other one over his face in an attempt to wipe away the stress piling up from the night and leaned back against the wall. “Just three more hours, Pat. You can do this.”

[wnq-writers]

I’ve met people who have never truly met me.

cosmic-bliss  (via wordsnquotes)

[patlancaster]

eleanor-rigbyx‌:

Ever since she was a small child, all Eleanor had wanted to do was help people. She had grown up watching her mother pursue a similar goal, and seeing how happy those in need became when they were bestowed a little kindness and generosity had encouraged Ellie to become the woman she was today. However, her causes that she supported were far from what her mother and father had ever imagined, but nonetheless, they were proud of their daughter. Even if it had meant her philanthropy had taken her to the States, and into the arms of a senator’s son.

“Patrick, have you seen my necklace? You know, the one I wear practically everyday? I took it off before showering, and I can’t recall where I placed it.” Ellie had taken on a case at work that had been her main focus for quite sometime and had left her foggy-brained when it came to the little things. It had involved a young boy and his overly religious parents who had gone to drastic measures to try and pray the gay out of him, and her heart was consumed for his well being, “Never mind! Found it!”

Grabbing the golden chain with the small charm attached to the end of it, Ellie made her way into the same room with her boyfriend in hopes of his assistance on latching it for her, “Are you excited for dinner with your father tonight?” Holding up the chain, a wide grin spread across the woman’s mouth lighting up her entire face.

As much has Patrick hated nights at dinner with his family he had to admit that the idea of having Ellie there with him made him that much more nervous. It wasn’t often that he brought outsiders to a family function only because he feared that his father would end up causing a scene that didn’t need to happen in front of others. He was always wondering if this event would end up being the one where the older Lancaster man would end up throwing a hand his way and exposing their torrid family secret to outsiders. But his mother had insisted that Patrick bring Ellie tonight since the two had been “spending so much time together” and it was time to start bringing her around more so that they could see her again too.

Currently he was sitting on the couch in the living room, his knee shaking without his knowledge as the nerves coursed through him, until he heard Ellie’s voice float in from the other room. Somehow he had missed something though because all he heard was ‘Never mind! Found it!’ before she appeared with a gold chain in her hands. “I’m sorry, I would have come to help you sooner but I don’t think I heard you before.” 

Wiping his sweaty hands on his pant leg the boy stood and held out his hand for the necklace, hoping that his nerves weren’t showing too much so that she wouldn’t get curious about it. Her question sort of caught him off guard as he walked behind her and gently pushed her hair aside so that he could clasp the necklace on. “Yea, it should be nice. I think Greta is making some eggplant dish that my mother can’t stop raving about and my dad is happy to see you again. I just hope things go smoothly tonight.” His voice was a little lower with his last sentence, almost as if it were an after thought and he hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but he didn’t give the comment much time to linger in the air between them, a random question pouring from his lips in hopes to distract her. “Hey, I don’t think you ever told me why you like this necklace so much. It’s beautiful but I’m just curious now.”

[patlancaster]

brody-matthews‌:

Things had happened a lot faster than Brody had anticipated or even liked. He had been so in the moment, but before it had really began, it had ended. He was somewhat frustrated, but he had decided to hold his tongue. He knew that Pat was in a situation where he couldn’t be out and proud of who he was, and it broke Brody’s heart. However, he knew Patrick was right. Their lunch break was almost over, and if they didn’t get back to the office before Pat’s dad, both men would be in deep shit.

Putting his own clothes back on and checking himself in the mirror, Brody walked out of the room and cleared his throat, “Well, it was a little faster than I like, but it was nice.” He gave the other man a halfhearted smile, pursing his lips and leaving his friend with a nod, before walking out the door determined to get back to the office before Senator Lancaster could.

Pat sighed at the remark before gritting his teeth. He knew that Brody was just being nice here, it was his supportive nature and goofy attitudes that had attracted Pat to him in the first place after all, but it didn't help him feel any better about any of this. He wished so badly that he could be out and proud so he could do things like this without the anxiety or guilt that came along with it but there was no way he was letting his father know how that he liked men again...it would just lead to another beating. Licking his dry lips, the man walked after his lover with his head down and slipped into his seat in the car silently. It wasn't until they were on the road again that he spoke. "You know I want more than this with you, right? I do, Brody, I just....can't."

[patlancaster]

brody-matthews:

Brody pulled away from Pat’s lips and helped him remove the pants that were restricting him, giving way to a decent sized bulge in his boxers. He was longing for the senator’s son. Tossing his pants onto the floor, Brody lowered himself onto Patrick and began to grind on him; his endowment pushing the fabric of his underwear onto his partner’s skin as he shifted his weight back and forth. Letting his mouth drop to soft pink flesh again, the man began to work passionate kisses down Pat’s neck, until he reached his chest, where he began to gently tug at Patrick’s nipple with his teeth. He was enjoying every minute he had spent with the man and didn’t want it to stop.

The lunch hour between the two fulfilled everything that Pat had been longing for when he spent time with Brody. It was hard being holed up in an office with someone you wanted so badly but wouldn’t allow yourself to have. It was going to be even harder now that they’d crossed the line. He was silent as he buttoned up his dress shirt, only letting a small sigh slip from his lips as he tucked it in. “Um...look I...” He didn’t even know what to say and the next thing he knew he was closing his mouth before slowly making his way out of Brody’s room without another word. How was he supposed to say this shouldn’t have happened when it was everything he had wanted it to be. “We should get back.”

[patlancaster]

brody-matthews:

Feeling Pat’s body pressed firmly against Brody’s turned him on even more. The soldier between his legs made it pretty obvious too, and he was ready to strip down. To make Patrick feel things he’d never forget, “Yeah, you and me both.” It was airy and flustered as it came out, but he didn’t have time to talk. And without hesitating, he pushed the senator’s son down on the bed before climbing on top of him and taking his own shirt off, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?” Chest heaving, he began to run his hands over Pat working them up under the man’s shirt and rubbing his toned chest. Leaning over, he began to kiss his neck before working his way back up to the man’s lips.

Being pushed back against the bed, having Brody take control, it was almost too much for Pat’s body to handle. Being someone who was expected to always be in control in any situation it was nice for once to let that responsibility fall onto somebody else and not to mention extremely hot while happening in the bedroom. Submission wasn’t his usual style but he felt himself giving into anything and everything that the other male wanted, moving his body to work with Brody’s movements. He knew the answer to the intern’s question but Patrick didn’t bother to answer. Instead he just shook his head as if he didn’t know and allowed the male’s lips to overtake him, hands going to rest against Brody’s hips before feeling his way up his torso. A soft moan passed from his lips as fingertips glide over tensing muscles and back down again, fumbling fingers working on the button of Brody’s pants to help move things along.

[patlancaster]

brody-matthews:

The car ride over to his apartment was filled with chit-chat. Nothing major. Brody could tell that Patrick was nervous. It was the last thing he wanted to do, was make the man uncomfortable. He had put on some music to fill the void, but when they got there, he could tell that Pat’s enthusiasm was there by the sexual tension that seemed to arise out of the silence. Phone in hand, he put on a little mood music to fill the apartment and tossed it, along with his wallet and car keys, onto the counter. Time was of the essence, before Senator Lancaster was back into his office. And with his eyes set on the Senator’s son, Brody easily made his way over and firmly planted a passionate kiss on the man’s lips, before pulling back and looking him over, “Fuck, you’re hot.” Taking his hand, he led him to the bedroom.

The kiss surprised Pat at first but he soon recovered, returning the pressure against Brody’s before the other boy pulled away from him. He almost protested at the loss of contact until he heard Brody’s word, chuckling softly while he was lead towards the bedroom. “Tsk tsk, I don’t think that’s proper language for a government official.” He was clearly mocking their professions at this point, Pat’s courage rising with each moment he was with the other man, and his voice was teasing but he didn’t give Brody much time to retaliate. Once they were in the bedroom his lips were against Brody’s again, a hand going to the back of the blond’s neck to keep him close while he pressed his body against Brody’s toned torso. He was hungry for the other male, a desire burning inside of him that he’d never fully allowed to flourish before. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this.”

[patlancaster]

brody-matthews:

He could tell Pat was contemplating it. Brody knew it probably wasn’t the smartest idea for their image, especially if they had gotten caught. But the Senator was out on business, and Brody was left to occupy his son. It was slightly surprising when Patrick had agreed and was already nearly out the door before Brody. He would make sure to keep things strictly professional and business-like until they were in his apartment behind closed doors. Following the younger man out, he made sure to turn out the lights and lock the office door behind him, “Wouldn’t want any of your dad’s secrets getting out now would we?” He winked at Patrick and made sure the door was secure.

“I think he’s more worried about other people’s secrets than his own.” Pat gave a tilt of his head as he sent a pointed look to Brody but he was smiling all the same. Not even the reminder of how much of a dick his father was could wipe that smile from his lips while he made his way to Brody’s car. Finally giving into something you’ve wanted for so long would do that to a person. The whole way to the other man’s house he found that he couldn’t quite keep still, his eyes downcast as he played nervously with his own fingers. He knew full well that the two of them were not going to eat, that they were most likely going to give into desire, and the moment they made their way inside of Brody’s apartment the legal aid felt that excitement mix with the nerves in the pit of his stomach. He leaned back against the front door, eyes drinking in the other male, and bit down softly on his bottom lip without saying a word. They really didn’t have much time to waste but for some reason Pat just couldn’t bring himself to make the first move.