Chapter Text
“Pick up, c’mon…” Jacaerys Velaryon whispers, while squeezing his eyes shut.
Pressing his phone against his ear, he is standing alone in the middle of a random street, in the rain. Soaked and shivering in the cold, he is leaning his back against the nearest, damp wall, and he listens to the maddeningly long and repetitive beep, beep, beep through the phone, pending an answer.
Sadly for him, it never comes.
“Answer your fucking phone…” he mutters, throwing his head back. His wet, long black curls fall on his forehead.
And suddenly, he hears Aegon’s weary and hoarse voice through the phone, but Jace cannot go into raptures.
Hi. Leave a message, or don’t! Don’t care! Bip.
It is the voicemail, once again.
Jace wants to yell until his throat burns.
“Fuck!” he swears, while he hangs up.
Why can’t Aegon answer his phone? Is it too much to ask?
Jace’s heart hammers in his chest. He wants to be pissed off. He wants to find Aegon, grab him by the shoulders and shake him until his head spins, to knock some senses into him.
And yet, despite himself, he is worried sick. What if something bad happened to him? What if he is drunk and vulnerable somewhere, at the mercy of bad people who will harm him, taking advantage of his weakness?
This thought makes him sick. He fights the urge to give in to panic. He fights the urge to call his mother, Rhaenyra, which he won’t, because Aegon would kill him if he did that.
He doesn’t even think of reaching Alicent Hightower, Aegon’s mother, because that’d be even worse. For a brief moment, Jace imagines Alicent’s face if he tells her that her precious and reckless son is nowhere to be found, once again.
Jace takes a shuddering breath, and he tries to calm down. He breathes in through the nose and breathes out through the mouth. Think! Aegon must be somewhere…
Jace has already texted Helaena, the only Hightower sibling - other than Aegon - that he genuinely likes, but she told him that she hasn’t seen her brother since yesterday night. He has even tried to contact Aemond, swallowing his pride in the process, but that fucker cannot be reached.
In fact, Jace wouldn’t be surprised if the second Aemond saw Jace’s name displayed on his screen, he scowled and locked his phone without even bothering to read the message.
Had he read Jace’s alarming message about Aegon’s disappearance, he would have replied. After all, Aemond may be an asshole, but he cares about his big brother.
Jace cares, too, which is why he is an idiot.
After all, it is not the first time he runs around the city to search for Aegon, his troublesome boyfriend, and it won't be the last, that’s for sure.
Aegon is very good at disappearing and not answering his phone, no matter the most enraged or worried messages that Jace leaves him. And yet, today, this sudden ghosting bothers the brunet more than usual. The appointment…
Jace stifles a sigh. Paradoxically, it may be relatively easy to find Aegon. The black-haired man thinks, stroking his chin. He must look for all the places Aegon loves going, the places that he goes the most-
The painfully obvious answer comes naturally in his mind. It feels like a light bulb switching on inside his mind.
The pub. Aegon is probably at the pub, drinking himself stupid, alone or in the company of his dumb friends that Jace can’t stand.
It is midday, but his boyfriend can drink any time of the day. He can even wake up in the middle of the night to have a drink. Because Aegon is an alcoholic, at 21 years old.
Jace shoves his phone into his pocket, and he runs through the street, ignoring the surprised and faintly annoyed looks that are thrown at him on his way. Once he reaches the small pub, he bursts inside.
He stands at the entrance, and he sweeps the insides of the pub with his eyes.
It is already crowded. He can see a few teens sitting down around a table, eating a snack, three serious looking women working on their laptop, and even two little girls skipping happily near their fed up parents, their laughters echoing inside.
And yet, there is one, specific table that draws his attention.
At the back of the pub, Jace can see Aegon’s so-called friends surrounding a wooden, coffee table, busy drinking a strong drink down in one go tauntingly. Each of them is challenging the other to drink more, to drink faster.
Until one of them collapses.
And then, Jace spots familiar pale and silver locks of hair.
Aegon.
Jace relaxes and he heaves a sigh of relief, because at first, it is relief that hits him full force. He breathes easier and he feels like a weight has been lifted off of him.
Aegon is fine. He isn’t injured. He hasn’t been kidnapped.
And then, pretty quickly, anger takes over, making his blood boil in his veins. He walks towards the group, with clenched fists and flared nostrils.
His presence makes itself known, when one of these friends spots him. An ugly grin twists his entire flushed face.
“Oh, look who’s here!” he taunts, while Jace walks across the pub to join them.
And Aegon turns around.
Their eyes meet. He almost looks as usual, and Jace hates himself for thinking it right now, but he looks as beautiful as usual. His silver hair falls silkily over his shoulders, shimmering in the light.
He is wearing his golden and refined jewels, such as his single earring, and his long, thin chain around his neck. That was Jace’s gift for his 20th birthday.
And yet, he’s completely drunk. His face is flushed, although it should look even redder, considering how much he must have drunk already. He is slouching on his chair, as if his bones have become water. His big eyes are glassy. Yet, he stares at him, intently. Actually, his eyes seem to widen even more, as if Aegon is seeing the most beautiful mythical creature of all lands.
It is probably the case in his muddled mind.
“Seven Hells, Jace…” Aegon breathes out, voice hoarse. He is gaping openly now that Jace stands in front of the table. It makes the brunet roll his eyes because he knows that Aegon is about to be sweet-talking right now.
“You are so gorgeous today-”
“Don’t, Aegon,” Jace growls, his face twisting into a scowl. “I’m in no mood.”
Aegon closes his mouth, but he doesn’t seem nervous. He blinks, and yet, his features are still forming a fond - and aloof - expression. He must get Jace’s annoyance, but his muddled mind won’t consider it important enough.
A few of Aegon’s friends start to whistle mockingly at his harsh reply. Jace gnashes his teeth and he does his best to ignore them. He hates them all. They are stupid, and loud, and they drag Aegon down-
“Wow, there's trouble brewing!” one of them sniggers.
“Trouble in paradise!” another one taunts, followed by a few rich laughs.
Aegon slightly scowls, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, he drinks his full glass of wine down in one go, making Jace’s stomach clench.
The brunet has had enough. He snarls and he glares at them all. He clasps his hands behind his back and raises his chin.
“Leave us,” he orders, his tone unyielding. “I want to speak to Aegon alone.”
None of them stand up. Some of the flushed faces harden. Jace feels a few insistent and hostile looks digging a hole into the side of his head.
Yet, he keeps his chin high. He’d face these dumbasses for Aegon. He’d do anything for Aegon, and that’s perhaps the problem.
Then, one of them snaps at him. “Oh, he thinks he can give us orders, we’re not your whores!”
“Take a walk!” another hisses through clenched teeth. “We were having fun, and you ruin the moment, as usual, you bastard-”
Aegon suddenly slams his fist on the table, making all his so-called friends jump at the loud, crashing sound. A few customers freeze and throw them a curious - and scared - look.
Aegon doesn’t seem to mind. He is glaring at the group, openly.
“Careful, you all…” he snarls, the savage look in his eyes hinted at hidden anger. “Watch your tone when you talk to him.”
Jace gulps down. He cannot help but be a bit touched by the support. Aegon may be drunk, but he is still aware of his surroundings, that’s good to know. Then, when a heavy silence settles between them all, Aegon sighs and he dismisses them all.
Except Jace.
All of Aegon’s friends grouch, but they still stand up, stumble and walk away. A few of them need help to keep their balance, but soon, Aegon and Jace are the only ones left around the table.
Jace looks at his boyfriend, while folding his arms against his chest, stern and unyielding. A heavy silence fills the air, during which both of them stare at each other.
Then, Aegon sighs, and motions towards the empty chairs.
“Want a drink, curl?” he has the nerve to ask.
Jace clicks his tongue. He shakes his head sternly, but he still sits down, to get to his level.
“Aegon…” he says, in a gentle tone.
He is still very annoyed, but he has to make an effort. He doesn’t fear Aegon’s drunken state: his boyfriend has never turned nasty when he drinks, luckily. Yet, if he feels attacked, he withdraws, displaying huge, thick walls around him, and then, it is impossible to get through him.
“My uncle just called me…” Jace continues seriously.
Aegon listens to him, but he doesn’t seem to get the message. He arches a brow and asks. “Okay? Is there something I’m forgetting-” his flushed face suddenly falls, as realization strikes him.
“Oh, shit, the appointment. It was today, wasn’t it?”
Jace gulps down and a sudden disappointment weighs heavily on him. He has forgotten. How could he have forgotten?
“Yes, it was…” Jace sighs warily. “It was this morning, Aeg, and you never showed up…” While he says it, he looks down at the empty drinks placed in a straight line on the wooden, round table, right in front of Aegon.
He bites the inside of his cheek. There are so many of them that it almost makes his head spin. He doesn’t even know how Aegon can stay conscious, let alone responding, after drinking this much.
Well, the effect of alcohol no longer works due to acquired tolerance… he thinks bitterly.
“Oh shit…” Aegon whines, while rubbing his forehead. “Your uncle must be pissed off, you told me he had a poker up his arse-”
“I managed to move your 10:30 meeting, my uncle had a slot in the afternoon,” Jace interrupts him. He doesn’t want to waste time, and he wants to get out of that bloody, noisy pub. “You have four hours. Let’s go. I’ll drive you home. Take a shower. Have a bite to eat. Then, I’ll drive you to my uncle’s office.”
Aegon purses his lips, with a sheepish look on his face.
“Listen, curl, I’d love to follow you, but…” he stops talking, and Jace gets it.
“You can’t walk, can you?”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure I can…” Aegon almost sounds smug, and he has the audacity to smirk up. “It’s just that… My head hurts like a bitch and if I stand up, I think I’m gonna puke. Don’t want to ruin your pretty outfit.”
Jace huffs, and he points an angry finger at his face. “It wouldn’t hurt if you just stopped-” he stops his reprimand and he breathes in. Not now. They must leave.
Instead of lashing out, he holds out his hand to him.
“I’ll help you, Aeg…” he whispers kindly. “Okay? Let’s go, my car is not parked far.”
Aegon sighs, but he doesn’t hesitate.
He takes his hand and Jace helps him to get back on his feet. Now that he is standing, Jace keeps his arms up near him, in case he falls. He doesn’t. Yet, Jace doesn’t miss the way Aegon freezes and squeezes his eyes shut at the sudden move.
Yet, even if Aegon pales, he doesn’t puke. He takes a few deep breaths, while Jace takes Aegon’s golden coat, and gives one bartender a few wads of bills to pay for the drinks.
Now that they can leave the pub, Jace wraps one arm around Aegon’s waist, just in case, and they both walk outside.
They join Jace’s car in total silence. To get into the car, Jace must help Aegon to sit in the passenger seat, his shaking legs too weak to support his weight. It is only when Jace gets in the driving seat and closes the car door that Aegon opens his mouth.
“Are you pissed off?” he whispers. His voice sounds so vulnerable that Jace almost misses it.
Jace turns his face towards him to look at him, and he sees that Aegon avoids his eyes at all cost. He keeps his head down, and he is slightly pulling at his hair, like he always does, when he is stressed out.
“Yes, I am…” Jace admits, sadly. It makes Aegon wince and he sinks deeper in the passenger seat.
“Of course I am…” Jace insists, and his hands clench around the wheel. Then, he throws his hands up in frustration. “We’ve talked about it for weeks, and you promised… you promised you'd stay sober today! It was your first appointment, and you know how important it was for you!”
Aegon stays silent, letting Jace turn the key in the ignition.
“You’re right, I did promise,” he ends up saying, sounding guilty and apologetic.
Jace pushes the accelerator and the car leaves the parking space. Then, he purses his lips and he focuses on the road before him. He knows that his boyfriend is being genuine, he knows that he feels guilty, because it always happens this way.
Aegon messes up, breaks a promise, and then he feels guilty about it.
As frustrated as Jace feels, he also knows that it is not entirely Aegon’s fault. He is… sick.
“Then, why?” he still whispers. “Why did you act so recklessly, even though you promised?”
“I had a shitty morning,” Aegon croaks.
Jace rolls his eyes and he lets out a humourless laugh. “Oh, that’s convenient, Aeg…”
Then, his slightly amused demeanor disappears, and when he continues, his voice echoes with anger and frustration inside the car.
“You know what?” he snaps. “I actually had a wonderful morning until my uncle called me and told me that you weren’t there for your first appointment. He can help you, Aegon, and I told you that he was… difficult. Standing him up was the worst first impression you could’ve given him!”
Jace isn’t even being dramatic.
His uncle, Larys Strong, is a difficult man. But worse than that, he is very proud. If he feels that his ego is wounded, he will do his best to ruin the life of the poor man who he thinks might have disrespected him.
In fact, Jace barely talks to him, he barely knows him. Deep down, he wished he could do without Larys' help. But sadly, Dr. Larys Strong is a damn good psychiatrist, a skilled and praised therapist specialized in drug and alcohol use. He could be perfect for Aegon's struggles.
That’s why, a few weeks ago, after a very bad day, Jace visited him, directly in his workplace.
He remembers that when he entered his office, Larys Strong looked at him as if he had grown a second head. Jace can’t blame him, this time. They are not close, and Jace has never come to his workplace.
And then, when he got his attention, Jace cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and asked him if he'd accept Aegon as a patient.
It sounded like a pathetic plea, but Larys did listen to his arguments, face cold and smooth. After all, Aegon’s struggles belong in his field of expertise.
And when Jace had nothing else to say, the psychiatrist shrugged his shoulders and told him that if he had Aegon as a patient, he wouldn’t treat him differently.
Jace didn’t care and he never asked him that. He doesn’t want Aegon to get special treatment. He just wants him to be treated. He wants him to heal.
And yet, all his efforts to get an appointment fell flat, because Aegon didn’t even go, he was too busy drinking himself stupid at the pub.
“Do you think it wasn’t shitty to chase after you around the city?” Jace attacks once again, flaring his nostrils.
Aegon gulps down, but he doesn’t answer him. In fact, he almost has his face glued to the car window, pretending to watch the scenery.
“You know…” Jace carries on, a bit more softly. He puts the left blinker and looks into the rearview. “If you didn’t want to meet my uncle, you could’ve just-”
“I did want to go, Jace,” Aegon replies dryly, making the brunet frown. “I forgot, that is all,” this time, Jace feels like he won’t accept any more reprimand.
“Sorry…” Aegon suddenly apologizes, rubbing the back of his neck. “You are right, I messed up… I’ll go this afternoon…”
Jace glances at him, and he can’t help but smile a little bit, fondly.
“You better, Aeg,” he says. Then he raises his chin, looking smug. “Actually, you don’t have any other choice, silly. I’ll drive you there, and I’ll grab you by the scruff of the neck if you try to flee.”
Aegon gets the teasing. He suddenly turns towards him, and he smirks. His eyes twinkle with mischief.
“Oh, that’d be so sexy of you, curl…” he teases him, making Jace blush, which is probably what he wanted to accomplish. “Actually, I may run away just to watch you do that…”
Jace stifles a laugh and he shakes his head. If he had something soft within reach, he would have thrown it in Aegon’s face.
oOo
Aegon Targaryen is sitting down on the small, but comfortable, chair in the middle of Dr. Strong’s office. He has been facing the psychiatrist - that he stood up this morning - for five minutes.
And he already wants to leave.
It is not that the man in front of him is insufferable or rude. Aegon has actually met many therapists and psychiatrists over the years, and he had hated them all. They were all too pushy and too patronizing.
Aegon hates meeting an arrogant doctor who believes that they know everything about their patient and flaws just because they studied hard to get a mere medical degree.
No, the thing is that… right now, it is the opposite. This psychiatrist - who also happens to be Jace’s uncle, it is a small world! - is quiet as the grave. He doesn’t say anything. In fact, Aegon is sure that the doctor hasn’t opened his mouth since he politely greeted him and suggested that he take a seat.
As soon as they both sat down, submerged in the intimate atmosphere of the quiet office, Dr. Larys Strong just stared at him, his long, slim fingers joined below his chin.
His cunning blue eyes linger on his face, making Aegon want to squirm. He feels like these piercing eyes are dissecting his soul, to devour him whole.
Aegon clears his throat, and he forces a fake smile across his face as he looks the stubborn doctor up and down, trying to fight back.
If Dr. Strong stares, so will he.
Sadly, there is nothing special to see.
Larys Strong’s physical appearance is pretty plain: he is tall and slender. He is wearing black clothes. He looks a bit like Jace. Aegon can see the same strong jaw, the same slightly hollow cheeks, the same long, black curly hair…
The only "noteworthy" characteristic of his physical appearance is his disability, which Jace warned him about. Do not stare! My uncle hates it. Do not ask questions about it. My uncle hates it.
Aegon has indeed noted that Dr. Strong drags a twisted foot with a limp, and he needs a long cane to move around. Nothing horrible or extraordinary, Aegon has no idea why Jace made such a fuss about it.
Then, Aegon racks his brain, but he is pretty sure that he has never met him, which is a bit surprising, considering he’s been dating Jace for more than 4 years, back in high school.
It seems like this mysterious Larys Strong has never attended family meetings, and none of his family members have deigned to mention his existence.
Aegon can’t help but feel a little sorry for him.
He doesn’t know him. Maybe he is the one to blame, but being rejected by one’s family can only be hard to get through.
“Huh…” Aegon talks because this awkward, dragged silence will make him lose his mind. “Sorry for this morning, it completely slipped my mind...”
No response. Alright…
Well, it seems that trying to make conversation is like pissing into the wind. Aegon sighs, retrieves his cigarette packet, because he wants to smoke, but also because he wants to get on the silent doctor’s nerves.
“You don’t mind if I smoke, right?” Aegon asks, before nodding at the close window. “I can open the window if you want!”
“Have you read the sign?” Larys Strong suddenly asks.
Aegon almost flinches at the sound of his voice. Oh, he speaks! Wonderful. Well, now, he must focus on what he’s just asked him.
“Huh?” Aegon thinks hard. Then, his eyes widen as soon as he gets what the doctor is talking about. “Oh, you mean the sign at the front door? Yes! I read it, it was, hum… No-smoking or some shit like that.”
Meanwhile, he puts one cigarette between his cracked lips, and lights it up effortlessly with his worn, golden lighter. He draws on it and closes his eyes for a second, enjoying the nicotine that his whole body constantly craves for.
He expects the doctor to blow a fuse, but instead Dr Strong keeps looking at him with the same collected demeanor.
This legendary calmness starts to bother Aegon, truth be told. Does anything shake that man? Is he a secret wax statue or something?
“Tell me…” Larys suddenly says, his gaze unwavering. “Was it written no-smoking unless the window is open?”
Aegon freezes, and he blinks like an idiot. It is weird, because it sounds like a reprimand, but the psychiatrist’s tone stays soft and light.
“No?” he tries.
Larys nods, pleased with the answer, before grabbing the ashtray and handing it to the young man. “Then, you have your answer.”
Aegon looks down. He rolls his eyes, but he has the decency to put his cigarette away and stub it in the handed ashtray. He can’t help but think, at the back of his mind, that it is a waste of cigarettes.
Then, he clears his throat and he talks again, because it becomes clear that this psychiatrist won’t.
“Listen, dude…”
Larys Strong’s face darkens at the over-familiar appellation, so Aegon immediately corrects himself. “Dr. Strong, sorry… “ he must remind himself that, as familiar as he is with the Strong family, he doesn’t know this Strong.
“Hum… I’ve seen all your certificates that you’ve nailed in the waiting room,” he says. “Pretty impressive collection. Well, I didn’t get half of it, to be honest, but I’m sure you’re a damn good psychiatrist… I am sure that you’ve helped many people, throughout your career, and you can only be admired for that, but…”
He pauses and lets out a chuckle, as if it is the best joke in the whole world.
“Don’t beat yourself up if you fail with me…” he says, and he smiles at the doctor, kindly. “You see, I’m a lost cause. So, pick up the check, and don’t worry too much about it, okay?”
Larys doesn’t say anything, and yet, it is clear that he isn’t moved. He stares at him almost boringly, the same way he’d look at a wall.
“Okay…” Aegon fidgets in his chair.
He starts to see this stubborn silence as a sort of challenge. Or is it a twisted punishment? Maybe being stood up angered that psychiatrist more than he lets on, and he’s being petty.
“You do have some conversation, huh, doc?” Aegon jokes, without disdain. He even laughs lightly, at his own joke. It makes Larys raise his thick eyebrows, but he still keeps his lips zipped.
“We can, I don’t know, talk about you, instead? How are you? Are you fighting fit? Do you have kids, doc?”
“No, I don’t,” Larys Strong answers, in a low voice. “I do have nephews. I believe you know one of them quite well.”
Aegon doesn’t fight against the soft smile that spreads across his face at this mention.
“Jace…” he whispers fondly, before looking up. He leans forward and asks Larys Strong out of curiosity. “Do you get along with him?”
“No.”
“Awesome, that’s-” Aegon stops once the cold answer gets to his head, and he gapes. “Wait, what?” he tilts his head to the side. “How is it possible not to get along with Jace? He is like… the kindest man I’ve ever met.”
“Oh, I have no doubt that he is,” Larys answers calmly, with a dragged and soft voice. “I never said that he was insufferable. I said that I don’t get along with him.”
Aegon blinks and he bows his head. “Yep, that’s true.”
The doctor turns out to be far chattier than expected. “It has been reported to me that your relationship with my nephew is more intense than a mere friendship…”
Aegon frowns.
“Does that bother you?” he asks, in a crisp tone. Is he a homophobic piece of shit? If he is, then Aegon takes it back: he deserves to be rejected by his family.
Larys Strong stays unshaken. He shrugs his shoulders, and Aegon knows that he will answer with the same quiet tone that starts to get on his nerves. He almost wants the doctor to yell, just to hear a different tone.
“Well, I believe that it should bother my brother. I wouldn’t want my son to date a drunkard,” the doctor says.
Aegon flinches as if he was spat in the face. Is it how a therapist specialized in drug and alcohol use speaks to his patients? Now, Aegon is certain that this Dr. Strong is still mad at him for what happened this morning.
He wants to make him pay for this lack of respect. Oh, Jace wasn’t kidding when he said that his uncle was resentful.
“You know what?” Aegon whispers, while he winces. “I actually preferred when you stayed silent.”
Dr. Strong smiles. It is a thin and discreet smile, but it seems genuine, indulgent and fairly amused. A dimple on his cheek peeks out.
Then, Aegon looks down. As petty as the insult sounded, he can’t help but think that there is some truth in it.
“But… Hey, you’re right, in a way, doc…” he says sadly. It hurts to say those words, but that doesn’t make them any less true. “He deserves better than me.”
“Why don’t you leave him, then, if this is what you believe?” Larys Strong asks, as if it is simple.
“Because I am a coward, doc…” Aegon answers painfully honestly. His voice stays flat, though, he is too tired to sound saddened or heartbroken this afternoon. “I don’t want to give up on the only thing that prevents me from drowning completely.”
This time, it seems like Larys actually listens to him.
“But… Sometimes, I… I wished he would just… dump me.”
Aegon speaks in a low voice, because he is saying out loud a secret that he’s kept buried in his rotten soul for months and months. He fears that if he speaks too loudly, the walls will shake.
“I wished he could… get very mad at me and leave me, I’d deserve it. I don’t want it to happen, but…” he gulps down and croaks. “At least, he’d be free.”
Silence fills the air while Aegon sits down, with a sheepish look on his face. He dares to glance up, having a lump in his throat, and he sees that for once, Larys has stopped staring at him. He is looking down.
“That will be all, Aegon…” he suddenly dismisses him, almost gently. “Thank you.”
Aegon blinks and he feels his stomach clench. He doesn’t move, too startled and taken aback. What does he mean by that will be all, Aegon?
“What?” Then, the young man glances at the huge, round clock hung on the wall. “B-but it’s only halfway-”
“I do not like wasting my time,” Dr. Strong interrupts him, and he doesn’t even look at him when he delivers this cold, heartless reply. He is busy retrieving a blank piece of paper.
Aegon gulps down. This time, it truly hurts. It feels like a punch in the stomach. He stays frozen for a few seconds on the chair, feeling the effects, but he ends up nodding. It is pointless to stay, the doctor is clear. He stands up and walks towards the exit.
It hurts, but he guesses he deserves it. Larys Strong is probably the first man to treat him like he should be treated.
Once he reaches the closed front door, he glances at the doctor one last time, and he says with as much dignity as he can. “Thank you, doc, for having accepted to receive me-”
“Aegon…” Larys suddenly calls him, making him stop in his tracks.
Aegon turns around. Then, Larys vaguely motions towards the little pile of cards that is put on the right side of his desk, without even looking up at him.
“Take my calling card,” he says.
Aegon blinks. “What?”
Larys keeps writing down on the little piece of paper, and he carries on as if Aegon hasn’t spoken. “I can be reached 24 hours a day, day and night. If I am not available, which is extremely rare, my assistant will answer you-”
“I…” Aegon stutters, without even reaching out. He must look like a lost child, he’d almost deserved to be laughed at. “I don’t understand.”
This time, the doctor stops writing. He doesn’t seem annoyed with Aegon’s slowness, though. He raises his head while leaning his back against the backrest. He gives Aegon his full attention, while he plunges his intelligent, blue eyes into his own.
“You see, Aegon…” he declares, slowly. “For those struggling with addictions, there are obstacles that they cannot face alone. They always need help, and they must require professional help.”
Aegon arches a brow, and he wants to reply that it is precisely what he is doing, technically, but he keeps his mouth shut.
“And yet…” Larys Strong continues. “There are also a few struggles that they can - and must - overcome by themselves. And no therapist can do it in their place. This particularly unpleasant, internal fight that I am talking about must be done before an appointment with a therapist is made.”
Then, he motions towards Aegon. “And you haven’t faced these struggles yet. You are not ready to start a therapy with me… But when you are, call me… And I’ll accept you as my patient.”
Aegon is left speechless for a second, before a pure relief hits him full force. So, it isn’t a definitive no?
Then, suddenly, there is a trace of amusement in Larys’ face, but it might be a trick of the light. “Of course, when we start, I assume you'll deign to be on time, young man…”
A slow smile brightens Aegon’s face. Then, he forces his frozen legs to move as he walks towards the desk, before clumsily taking one business card.
“Yeah, sure, doc…”
Larys Strong stares at him one last time, before motioning towards the front door. “Now, go. My nephew is already waiting for you, in the waiting room.”
Aegon nods one last time, before turning around and walking away.
It turns out that Larys Strong is right: Jace is already in the empty waiting room, despite being… half an hour early. Aegon doesn’t make his presence known for a little while. He watches his boyfriend from afar, hidden in a corner.
Jace looks so worried, biting his nails and pacing up and down. Sometimes, he retrieves his phone and unlocks it to check the time.
Aegon loves him so much that his heart might burst in his chest, and yet, he can’t help but feel incredibly sad. Jace is here, half an hour early, to pick him up, despite what Aegon has done to him, this morning.
He doesn’t deserve this support.
Sometimes, I… I wished he would just… dump me.
Aegon gulps down, shakes his head to sweep his painful confession away, before stepping inside the waiting room. As soon as Jace notices him, his eyes become huge, and he rushes to his side.
“Aegon, you’re already here…”he sounds as surprised as he sounds anxious. He cups his face with his hands, before asking softly. “How did it go?”
Aegon opens his mouth, but he doesn’t know where to start. There are many things to say, some of them are bad, others are promising.
He looks around to check if they are alone, and he ends up deadpanning. “Your uncle is a weirdo, no offense,” and yet, as he says it, Aegon feels a little smile tug at the side of his mouth.
Jace sighs and runs a hand through his black - and beautiful - curls.
“Yeah, I know…” he whispers, before wincing. “Sorry, maybe it was a bad idea to reach him…” when he looks up, there is fear in his eyes. “Do you want to stop seeing my uncle? Do you want to try something else, Aeg?”
Aegon looks down. He reads Dr. Strong's calling card again, on which a few coordinates have been written down. Then, he glances at the trash cane right next to him.
And he shoves the calling card in his pocket.
No, I don’t.