Work Text:
Alex walked solemnly toward the church as if he were a soldier going into battle.
Miles kept a hand at his back, to comfort him and hold him steady if he faltered. Reverend McClure stood in the doorway waiting for them. Alex climbed the stairs lightly, but staggered and took a deep breath at the entrance.
Reverend McClure smiled and approached Alex, clasping his hand. "Hello, Mr Turner. It is good to see you again. I hope that I will be able to help you."
He couldn't have been much older than 40, but the black pulpit gown he wore over a cassock and his white powdered wig made him look a lot older than he was. Alex thought that he wouldn't have been out of place if he worked at the Supreme Court.
"Hello, Reverend. I hope so, too."
Miles let go of his back. Alex whirled around with a stricken expression, as if he had just realised they were going to be apart for a little while.
Reverend McClure held his arm and guided him into the sanctuary slowly, down the aisle and to the front pew in front of the altar, where they sat down. Alex bowed his head and half-heartedly crossed himself. He wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do, but the Reverend didn't say anything.
Miles watched as the preacher touched Alex's shoulder. He dropped suddenly to his knees, wringing his hands together. He pressed his forehead to his wrists, his shoulders shaking.
In his childhood, Miles had gone to Confession every week, undergone an intense review of his childish antics that constituted sin and recited long prayers of contrition. He had believed in all of that, then - a burning Hell awaiting him for stealing a few pieces of candy.
He observed, his fingernails digging into his palms, as Reverene McClure placed his hand on top of Alex's head and murmured a soft prayer. He paused once in a while when Alex muttered brokenly, his brow furrowing as he listened. The Reverend never scolded him, nor asked any questions, but stood stoically like a scarecrow in his black vestments, against the altar and the painted backdrop of Jesus standing on the banks of the Jordan River.
Whatever dark and deviant deeds Alex confessed, it never caused a look of horror or judgement to come over the reverend's face.
Miles felt a mix of love and despair rise up in him until he felt tears slide down his cheeks. Alex's voice gradually lowered to a whisper, and then he was silent.
Reverend McClure knelt down in front of Alex and took his face in his hands, speaking loudly and firmly.
"Hear the good news. Through Jesus Christ we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. God hears. God cares. God forgives. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Amen."
Miles murmured 'amen' with him. Alex stood and sauntered toward him as if he were sleepwalking. He took Miles's hand. "Let's get summat t' eat. I'm starving."