Deo

Alastair was light - not too light, but definitely not heavy enough for a healthy 17 year old. Deo pushed Alastair up his back more, resecuring his grip as the unconcious boy began to slip from his grasp. 

After Alastair had fainted, Deo had managed to get him onto his back, and now (after no small deliberation), he was running - running home, because if anyone could help his new friend, it would be his mother. His mother, who he had fought with no longer than twenty-four hours ago; his mother, who he had spat such hurtful words at. 

His heart ached in his chest.

She wasn't the best mother, but she always did her best to be someone for him.

Deo regretted what he had said yesterday, but at the same time, it made him glad he had said that, glad it had prompted him to run away, because despite that (slightly nauseating) experience that started his night, meeting Alastair was like winning the lotto - a new and intoxicating experience that had him hooked, eager for more. 

But there was something wrong with Alastair.

Deo had always been one to notice the small things - the details others didn't usually pick up on. It made him good at reading the room - good at getting what he wanted. Sometimes noticing the small things wasn't the best; there were some things Deo would have gladly stayed ignorant too. But if he had, he may not have been able to catch Alastair before he hit the ground.

If he had, he may not have noticed the way Alastair's hands constantly shook even when he tried to still them, how his skin would drip with sweat even though it was cold enough to warrant sharing warmth with a stranger. If he didn't pick up on the small things, he maybe wouldn't have noticed that all these hints Alastair had dropped here and there were pointing to something way worse.

There were bandages wrapped all up his arms, Deo knew, from when Alastair's sleeve had slipped a little too far up his arm. 

He had no doubt that what Alastair was experiencing now was the effect of sudden withdrawal from-

Deo scrunched his eyes shut for a moment as the shrill ringtone of his phone shrieked from his pocket.

Who the fuck changed it this time?

His family had an annoying habit of changing his ringtone whenever they pleased.

Deo slid his tongue between his teeth, biting down slightly. The pain made the annoyance of a ringtone bearable, and as he thundered to a halt in front of the gates to his house, he came to a decision.

I'm going to kill the person who changed that fucking ringtone.

His phone fell silent as he stared at the gate, waiting expectantly for seemingly nothing. He panted as he tried to regain his breath before the gate slid open, rattling as it went. Cursing whoever made his house so far away from the main gate, Deo jogged up to his home, pushing Alastair back up his back as he went.

***

Alastair

When he opened his eyes, it was to an unfamiliar ceiling. His heart thudded painfully in his chest, thundering as if it were in his head, even though he knew that wasn't possible.

"You're awake," A woman murmmured, a cold hand pressing gently to his forehead.

Alastair froze as his conciousness returned to him more. 

The sheets around him were soft, his surroundings impeccably clean. Terror shot through him.

It couldn't be-

He struggled into a sitting position, blue eyes darting around the room as he surveyed it for the people who he was almost certain would be there. There was no one other than the owner of that voice. 

The woman was older than him - but still beautiful, with light brown hair strung back into a messy bun and amber eyes that struck a bell of familiarity within him.

Deo?

"Lie back down," Her face was stern as she pushed him back down under the covers, "You're not well." She must have been reading his mind when she added, "I was surprised when my son brought you home, but after hearing how you helped him, I couldn't very well turn you away from my door." A scolding look took place on her features, and Alastair knew then where Deo had inherited his own displeased face from, "A child like you should not be suffering like this."

Alastair blinked at her, surprised. But he didn't feel comfortable, staying in a strangers home.

It was ironic, considering he had been plenty comfortable out on the streets. 

Deo's mother lay a wet cloth on his head as he opened his mouth to voice his protests.

She gave him a look, one that he had recieved many times from Acelin in the past.

Just accept this kindness, huh?

"Get some rest before the doctor comes."

His eyes shut before he could even think of protesting.