Chapter Text
They do this for over a week.
George sneaks away from his professional life uptown and goes to the dirty streets of New York to visit Alexander.
And every time he comes, there is the boy, waiting on Brooklyn street. Olive coat on and Mickey at his feet.
At first it's innocent enough. They eat at the coffee shop, and talk about nothing but everything as well. And though their personal lives still have not made an appearance, they managed to learn a great deal about each other. Or so Washington likes to think.
Washington has come to the conclusion that not only is Alexander a gorgeous little boy but he is also intelligent.
Very intelligent actually.
It's the way he speaks.
When he talks about something he’s passionate about he gets this look in his eye and he speaks as though he can't stop talking. He actually can't stop talking.
He’s really big on the political issues of America, much to Washington's surprise. Not only is he big but he's well educated on it.
And Washington has never been very political, but he still knew some stuff. But the way Alex explains it, he can't help but to feel lost. Eating his soup and nodding along whenever Alex pauses.
And maybe Alex knows Washington has no idea what he’s talking about but if he does, he ignores it. It seems that he’s just happy that he has someone who will listen to him speak on the matters.
Washington learns that Alex is 23. He also knows that he’s an immigrant from the Caribbeans. He likes to write though he refuses to let Washington read any of his stuff. He likes cats. But it seems Washington already knew that.
And that's the farthest Washington got to making Alex talk about himself. It isn't enough, not for Washington but he doesn't probe anymore.
Alex asks him questions too. Mostly about his business and how he got it started. Washington tries to answer as much as he can but he doesn't quite remember some stuff since it happened long ago. When he tells Alex this, the boy laughs at him. Calls him an old man, and maybe George is supposed to be offended. But he isn't.
The days pass by and it continues to grow. So much that Washington almost feels...sad when he isn't with Alexander. It's something about the boy that helps Washington feel happy. Washington thinks maybe it's Alexander's ambition. His ideas, they're so big and wild. Washington's never seen someone that has bigger dreams than Alex.
He’s beyond wonderstruck when it comes to the boy.
But there is also something else.
The more he hangs around Alex, the more confused he gets.
It's complicated.
He just can't put his finger on it.
Yes, Alexander has these ideas and opinions, but why isn't he chasing them? He can't be in college can he? He’s never spoken about it.
Why does he only wear those jeans and sneakers? Does he not own anything else?
If Mickey really is his cat, why does he let her roam the streets of New York without a collar?
Whats Alexanders last name?
And why is the boy always looking behind himself when he first gets there?
The bruises on his face, where do they come from?
And when Washington thinks about these things, his brain hurts. He feels sick. He feels a little irritated.
It's like Alexander isn't real, some figment of George's imagination, some enigma that grows stronger and more powerful whenever George sees him.
And he’s ready to ask. He’s ready for the answers to those questions. And he’ll be waiting on that street. Hands stuffed in his pocket, eyes filled with determination to gather the answers he thinks he deserves.
But then there's Alex. Eyes big and brown. A tired smile on his lips, hair pulled back into a messy ponytail and suddenly George forgets everything.
It's on the 8th day he starts to buy things for the boy.
And no it isn't some sugar daddy type thing. But it's just innocent stuff George thinks is essential to live.
He buys Alex some boots. The thin sneakers falling apart by the thread were making him feel unease with Alex’s feet. And yea Alex fights with him about it but sure enough he wears them.
Theres the food he gave Alex. Nothing special. Just some bread and lunch meat, and some water. And Alex doesn't fight with him, not this time. And Washington doesn't know how to feel. Good because Alex is finally starting to accept the stuff without a fight? Or bad that Alex may have been starving too much to turn the food down?
But the most thing Washington has bought. The item he has to keep running back to the store to get.
Is cat food.
When he first got it Alex laughed at him.
“She’s a street cat George.” He said. “She can find food on her own.”
“Yea well she shouldn't have to, not when I am perfectly capable of getting her some.” George says seriously. And Alex rolls his eyes but smiles nonetheless.
“And what do you want in return?” He winks and oh no he’s flirting again.
“Just to see you again tomorrow night.” Washington says seriously.
And maybe Alex is blushing.
“You know the answer to that Mr. Washington.”
And Mickey is at his foot. Eating the cat food like it's air and he suffocating.
So this slowly becomes their new normal.
And yes George can't understand it, but he does it anyway.
And yes he probably should stop. Probably.
He can see the slick eyes Lafayette is giving him. And he feels all the more guilty. He doesn't want to lie to his friend but he can't tell him the truth. That every night he goes to some random street to see a boy and his cat. And though he is a grown man and can do whatever he pleases, he himself knows that this is no good for him. And he doesn't want to hear what his friend will say.
He just has this feeling. That something is off with Alexander. But he just can't stay away.
He’s hasn't felt this happy in a long time.
But he just wishes he didn't have to lie to his close friend to feel it.
And it's one day that Lafayette gets in Washington's car and finds a bag full of cat food in the back.
“Uh what is that?” He points to the bag of food.
And shit.
He wasn't supposed to see that.
“Cat food.” Washington says nonchalantly.
An awkward silence fills the car for a few moments.
“You want to tell me why you have cat food in your car?” Laf buckles his seat belt.
“It's for a friend. I was picking it up for them.” Washington says tightly.
“You have a new friend?” He’s got his eyebrow quirked and a smirk on his face.
And Washington shakes his head.
“No, not like that. It's for my neighbor…..Oh don't give me that face, grow up please.” He turns the radio up and that signals the end of their conversation on the matter.
Washington tells this to Alexander and the boy laughs.
“Good to know your friend still thinks you're a cool cat.” He wiggles his brows and puts the cat food down for Mickey.
Washington shrugs.
“I think he was just joking. Lafayette has known me for a long time. He’s well aware of the fact that I can't really..”
Alex looks up.
“I don't really want anything.” He quickly changes.
Alex stands, straightens his coat. Washington notes that it's still in perfect condition.
Almost like the boy doesn't wear it that much.
He choses to ignore it.
Maybe he’s just good at keeping his stuff clean. Washington guesses.
“Why don't you want anything?” Alex asks. They're currently on their way to the coffee shop for something to eat. Their usual time.
“Uh. No reason. I'm just not ready I suppose.” He says reluctantly.
“Why aren't you ready?” Alex asks again.
And normally Washington hates this. People who keep asking questions about him but he just can't find himself to be annoyed.
He knows Alex is like this.
And he's fine with it.
“It's uh complicated.” He speaks a little more quietly. And Alex stops in his tracks at that.
“What do you mean?” He raises his eyebrow and though it makes him look funny, Washington's throat is far too dry for him to laugh.
“My uhh..wife died about a year ago.” He says simply. And yes Washington's voice has always been hard and powerful and strong and commanding, but with this. It's barely above a whisper.
He waits for Alex to say something. Anything.
I'm sorry for your lost.
I bet she was lovely.
I'm sorry for asking.
He waits.
But Alex just stares at him. Something unreadable in his eyes. Lips set in a line. Not in anger though.
The air from Washington's breathe comes out in puffs. And he’s waiting for what the man will say.
But then Mickey is sliding in between his legs. And Alex is looking down at her.
“Come on girl. You know George likes his shiny shoes clean. Don't dirty them up now.”
He bends down and picks up the cat, much to her protest.
“Come on, I'm hungry and it's your turn to pay tonight.” Alex simply says and then he's walking.
George can do nothing but stare a little in disbelief.
Alex asks him some more about it after they're done eating.
“How long were you two married? If you don't mind me asking.” Alex asks quietly.
Washington pauses for a moment.
“About 15 years.” He answers and Alexander looks down playing with his scraps.
“How did she die?” He asks even more quietly than before.
“She had breast cancer.” Georges says.
There's a moment of silence between the two, and Alex speaks again.
“She was an amazing person wasn't she?” He smiles when he says it, the smile is light and small though.
And it makes George chuckle.
“Yes. She was. She was hardworking. More hardworking than me actually. And she was caring. A true gentle woman but she wasn't afraid to say what was on her mind.” He looks down.
Breathe.
And maybe Alex can see Washington is cracking, because he speaks again.
“My mother was just like that.” His laugh is light.
And Washington looks up at that.
“Yea?” He asks. And Alex shakes his head.
“Yea, she was hardworking too, kind of a beast. When she had me and my brother, she moved over here to America with us, my father was nowhere to be found.”
This is the most Alex has ever said about himself at once. And Washington can help but to feel a little excited.
Then.
“But after a few years here, she caught scarlet fever. She died about a month later.” He says quietly.
And it makes Georges heart drop.
“We couldn't afford the medicine.” Alex breathes.
“How old were you?” Washington asks.
“I was 11 and James was 15.” And at this point, Alex is gripping the fork.
They sit again in silence, everything said settling between the two in heavy air.
Finally Alexander speaks again.
“I guess sometimes life just fucking sucks.” He says calmly.
And George does nothing but nodd.
When they leave out, they are met with Mickey laying against the coffee shop’s window, purring loudly, tail swooshing in the air.
“Looks like someone ate good tonight!” Alex laughs picking her up.
The cat does nothing but snuggle closer.
George puts on his scarf and for a second the two are just staring at eachother.
“Thank you for telling me that George.” Alex finally says, and his voice is different than usual.
“Thank you for telling me about yourself as well.” He replies. And Alex looks away.
“I haven't told anyone that. Not in a very long time.” The boy says quietly and Washington doesn't know why he feels shaky.
“It isn't good to keep things bottled up like that my boy.”
“Yes. I know.” Alex pauses. “It's just I don't have anyone to tell it to.”
“You have me.” George says quickly, and yes something is happening. He can feel it.
“I want to..” He whispers.
“Want to what?” Washington presses.
And Alexander looks as if he is having a war with himself.
“I want to tell you everything.” He says quietly and Washington can't help but to step forward and touch him on his shoulder.
It's the first time he is touching him since their run in at the alley. And George feels a little warm with the contact.
“So tell me Alexander.” He says gently.
“I...can't.” Alex steps back. Watching the ground.
The contact and is gone Washington feels colder without it.
“I can't...I'm sorry.”
Then he is quickly walking away. Mickey trailing behind him.
“Wait.” George calls after him and Alex is turning around, walking backwards slowly, something identical to panic in his eyes.
“Let me see you again tomorrow. In the daylight. Let's get away from this street.” Washington finally calls out and Alex is shaking his head. He yells but his voice is so shaky and weak.
“No George, just stay away from me ok? Just stay away from me I'm no good. I burn everything I touch just get away from me please. Don't come back. It's so much easier this way.”
And then Alexander is gone.
He disappeared back into the darkness of the downtown streets of the “Dirty parts on New York.”
Gone.
And Washington doesn't know how long he is standing there, watching.
He just knows that Alexander isn't getting rid of him that easy.