1 with Tod and Alex
“stay alive, please.” - Alex and Tod.
(au in which Alex makes it to Tod in time).
Alex made it there in time. His back was dripping with sweat as he barged past Jerry and up the stairs. The shower was running, matching the thunderous beat of the rain outside and the frantic beat of Alex’s heart. It was happening again - that helpless feeling of dread taking control of his body and crippling it with anxiety. He didn’t know if this was real or a preview of what was to come. He could hear the radio playing. John Denver.
“Tod!” he yelled, banging on the bathroom door and blocking out the voices of his friend’s parents as they demanded to know what was going on.
The music stopped and the door opened. Tod had that same puzzled look on his face as when Alex had told him that it was possible to be in love with another guy.
That had been back on Tod’s thirteenth birthday, the day he’d thought it would be funny to fake his own death. Alex had watched him make this dumb ultimate cocktail, combining any liquid substance he could get his hands on all into one pint glass. Not to be out-done by Alex’s suggestion of including tomato ketchup, he told the other boy to close his eyes and added the final ingredients without him looking. That little game resulted in Alex’s first full-blown panic attack, pleading with him “Stay alive, please!”.
Tod had vowed to never lie to him ever again. He’d kept the dark sense of humour but was always wary of Alex and took care of him however he could. He’d done exactly that after the plane crash and he was being punished for it by his parents, though Alex knew what that was really all about.
Wrapped in a towel, Tod waved his parents away and held Alex close to him. “It’s ok, it’s ok Al” he whispered, immediately knowing how to calm him down. “Deep breaths, tell me what’s going on.”
“I had a….I think I had a vision of your death.”
“You’re here to protect me right? I always wanted a knight in shining armour.” He gave Alex a knowing smirk and then kissed him on the cheek. “Come on, let’s go talk this out.”
Alex cleared his throat and stepped away, nodding. They’d face this, whatever it was - together. “Your room, before your dad says anything.”
