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"Alessio!"
The young man came to a halt and tilted his head to look over at the man calling behind him. It was Levi. Of course it was ─ who else would be looking for him so early in the morning? It was early enough that the sun had yet to rise, and the birds were all but silent. The bewilderment in his eyes was only a flash as he instantly broke into a calm smile, now turning to face the approaching man.
"It's early, Levi, shouldn't you still be asleep?"
Just like Alessio to worry for someone other than himself ─ as if he himself being out at this time was the most normal thing in the world. And if it were anyone else, it probably wouldn't be much of a big deal. But this was Alessio . . . of course something was wrong.
Levi sensed it, behind the unfaltering smile and careful, delicate whisper of his tongue. The clearness of Alessio's blue eyes gave way nothing but soft concern for him. For him, Levi ─ and that was enough to aggravate him as he clicked his tongue. Without warning he reached forward and grasped the taller man's hand and tugged him along behind him.
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"So? Are you going to explain what you were doing at this time in the morning, or do you want me to guess?"
As soon as they entered Levi's home it was immediate interrogation. As the short male gestured with his hand for Alessio to sit on the couch, he temporarily excused himself to make some tea for the both of them. It was a sudden question and it silenced the blonde as he took the minute alone to ponder over it. Of course Levi would sense something off and confront him about it. Even when they were kids, he always did this. Seeing through him like an open book without even trying.
Was he that easy to read? He would hope not, but then again he couldn't even be surprised. A quiet sigh left his lips as he rubbed his face tiredly, though he flinched when he felt Levi's presence returning and he straightened up and smiled again. Just as he accepted the tea gingerly in his hands, his breath hitched at Levi's words.
"You can quit faking. I know you were out there crying and feeling sorry for yourself again."
" . . . "
Alessio said nothing as he stared down at steam radiating off the still hot tea in the circle of his hands, his brows furrowed tightly in sync with his lips that were now pressed in a thin line. Unbeknownst to him, what gave his 'secret' away was the slight gloss of his eyes and the rosy color of his nose, a clear indication that he had, in fact, been crying. The time he spent out wandering about was only but a fragment of his daily routine, had he been sulking he wouldn't even realize.
There were so much . . . so much for him to cry about, mope about.
It became so frequent that he wouldn't even realize when the thoughts began and when they ended.
Had he been so careless, so incompetent ─ that he could not control his own emotions?
"I . . I just couldn't sleep, that's all. I'm fine . . Honest, I am."
The fact that his voice grew softer and more pleading was attestation that he was lying. His eyelashes flickered twice before he lifted the tea to his lips, taking an almost timorous taste of the sweet tea. Alessio always had a tremendous sweet tooth, of course Levi would remember to add enough sugar for him in contrast to his own bitter cup. A scoff could be heard thereafter as Levi took a seat beside him. It was obvious that he didn't believe a single word he said, but he said nothing of it for the time being as they drank in silence.
It was only a minute later did Levi open his mouth again, briefly glancing from the corner of his eye before he sat aside his cup.
"Then why are you shaking?"
In a blunt tone of voice he gestured to Alessio's hands in which held his cup, the slightest of his otherwise delicate, paper-like hands was apparent. He hadn't even noticed it himself, thus resulting in only gripping his cup tighter. The clear lining of his knuckles as they whitened under pressure caused him to softly hiss at the exiguous pain it produced. That was enough for Levi to wordlessly intervene, removing the cup from and setting it aside. Sensing that they were going nowhere at this point, he decided to just go ahead and be blunt.
"She hurt you again, didn't she?"
At that Alessio's eyes widened and wavered as he visibly froze, breath caught in his throat. He stared at Levi as if he were caught committing a major sin ─ but how could that be? He had never done a single wrong in his life . . . all his life, despite all his hardships and obstacles, even his present hell . . . Alessio would rather live a meaningless life and suffer a worthless death than to cause any sort of inconvenience to others. That's the kind of person he has always been. But while that may be an endearing trait to most people, it was not for Levi. In fact, that was the only thing he hated about Alessio ─ that selflessness and lack of self importance. As if he truly meant nothing and his very existence held no purpose aside from being a tool for someone else's amusement.
And what was worse . . . was the fact that Alessio sincerely believed that was all he amounted to.
It was enough to fill Levi with rage. But no, he told himself not to direct his anger on the victim. That wasn't why he brought him here, after all.
" She ? Who do you mean?"
Yet, it was that fake ignorance and innocent laugh that added fuel to his anger. He was doing it again; protecting Tesla. Even though they both knew it was futile. Why he would bother to constantly do this ─ cover for a woman who has done nothing but dehumanize, humiliate, and torture Alessio as if it brought her the greatest pleasure to do so. Yet even so . . . he protected her time and time again. Knowing she'll only break him apart all over again.
"You know exactly who I'm talking about."
Levi was practically seething as his patience ran thin and folded his palms together to avoid clenching them in his frustration. He turned to face the younger man more closely, his eyes hardnening as he silently dared him to lie again.
"Tell me: what did that tramp do to you?"
In a feeble attempt to fake it once more, the blonde man opened his mouth only to close it a millisecond later. The corners of his lips trembled ever so slightly as he lowered his head, his soft bangs shifting in motion to shield his face from the prying eyes of his childhood friend. His sickly thin hands shook as they clenched and unclenched in a useless effort to conceal his pain, but alas . . . it was no use.
What seemed to have been hours was only a few minutes before he finally gave in, releasing a loaded breath as he stood on his feet. His fingers reached up to remove his beige jacket, shifting his white shirt underneath to reveal a fresh wound. Or more precisely, a burn mark about the size of a palm, located directly on the bone behind his left shoulder. From the looks of it most likely happened just an hour ago, it wasn't even covered properly or much less treated. Levi was at a loss for words as he stared at the rather grotesque wound, already standing at his feet to get a better look at it.
He felt sick.
"But ─ but Levi . . . "
Getting uncomfortable with the tense silence, Alessio carefully sat back down and fiddled with his thumbs awkwardly. Admittedly, the burn did hurt him significantly but it wasn't anything he couldn't live with. More so . . . were the words that haunted him on the daily. Words that held more meaning and power than simple bruises on his skin. Bruises and marks that would one day disappear. But the harsh taunts weren't as lenient. And so, with a shaky breath, Alessio decided to open up.
"It isn't her fault. She's only doing what she was taught to do.. Her parents were harsh with her, feeding her twisted ideas until that was all she could believe. She─she doesn't know any better.. And besides.. It's because I'm weak. The burns, the bruises, the scars.. It's all to make me stronger. Maybe─maybe one day, when I'm able to take a simple cut to the flesh without flinching.. When I'm strong enough to take it like a man.. Maybe─maybe then I'll finally be enough.."
What kind of sick monster . . . would implant such horrid ideas into this poor man? That he was worthless if he couldn't handle abuse? That he wasn't even a man if he felt pain? That he would never be enough otherwise? It was disgusting and inhumane. The heartache written all over his face and the quaver of his voice, his chest stinging with anguish as he kept his head turned away.
And again . . . he began to weep, softly so as if ashamed. At this moment, he looked just like the little boy Levi remembered all those years ago. Though the circumstances were different, their reality harsher.
Levi said nothing for awhile, allowing Alessio to finally release his burden without restraint. The raven haired man kept his thoughtful gaze towards the ground, breathing softly through his nose before ultimately deciding to nudge his friend closer, carefully gesturing for him to cry on his shoulder.
And he did.
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"Alessio, are you hu─"
Levi entered back into the room with a plate mounted with food, but as soon as he saw Alessio fast asleep on the couch he sighed. After releasing all that pent up emotions it was no wonder that he was exhausted. Levi had taken it upon himself to treat the ugly burn, despite the blonde's protests that 'I'm fine' and 'It doesn't even hurt anymore', all of were ultimately ignored by Levi rolling his eyes and lightly smacking his head to keep him still. After everything that had transpired this morning he hadn't the heart to wake him up to eat . . . that could wait until later.
After covering the food and setting it back in the kitchen, the man returned with a chair and quietly took a seat beside the couch, facing Alessio. With a book open in one hand, Levi used his other hand to mindlessly stroke the soft silks of Alessio's blonde hair, coaxing him into peaceful slumber. Every so often he'd gaze down at him with an unreadable expression, a powerful balance between sorrow and deep yearning.
"Alessio . ."
A soft, barely audible hum indicated that the man was still awake, and Levi continued. With a gentle stroke of his pale cheek, he uttered the words that filled Alessio's shriveled heart with warmth.
"You have always been enough."