Work Text:
August 14, 19XX
Entry XXXX
We moved into our new house! I have to admit: it is quite smaller than where I’ve lived before, but it’s just lovely for the three of us. Ches and I have been making steady money from our gigs, and with Victoria’s work in the garage, we’re living steadily. Today is a special day for many reasons and I think I can try and accept what happened…
At least I hope so! Now, I am planning on spending today with my wonderful and beloved partners.
- Glam
As the journal snapped shut, Glam’s gaze fell on the calendar resting atop his nightstand. An unreadable expression fell over his face though a sudden shout caught his attention.
“Glam, breakfast!” Ches’ voice carried through the house.
Ah, right. Glam couldn’t forget about one of the most important meals of the day. He preferred a more balanced meal but sometimes Ches decided to cook pancakes and they were absolutely delicious. Something only made better with a cup of tea and a spoonful of honey.
“Coming~!” He called down.
There was no use in worrying over an incident which happened so long ago. It had been so long and he’d already started living with the best partners he could ever ask for. He was far from the scared child still living in that mansion, unable to break from the consequences instilled by his late father.
Vicky was already in the kitchen as she helped set the table. Her green eyes seemed to shine when Glam appeared and the corners of her mouth twitched upward.
“Almost thought you’d finally decided to sleep in tonight, princess,” she teased.
“Of course not, Vicky~! How do you expect me to be productive if I don’t wake up in time?” Glam replied, chuckling. “It could have worsening effects on my sleep schedule too!”
His wife rolled her eyes in response.
“I don’t think it’d fucking kill you to not be up at 6:00 am each day,” Victoria retorted. “Some of us like getting our beauty sleep!”
“Oh! Well, I’ll try to be quieter!” Glam replied cheerfully.
“Fine,” Victoria grumbled as their shared boyfriend appeared with a heaping stack of pancakes and a bottle of syrup balanced on top. “Damn, these look good.”
“Oh Ches, they look delicious,” Glam chimed in, softly chuckling in response. “Next time, maybe I can join you in the kitchen!”
“I’d like that, pretty boy,” Ches grinned. “At least I know you won’t burn breakfast down.”
Breakfast went by smoothly as they fell into a comfortable silence with only the slightest of comments from Vicky about a client appointment she had on Monday. Glam had only smiled and nodded, feeling as though he’d stuffed cotton into his ears. His fingers idly drummed against the table while he continued staring between the kitchen counter and the wall.
“-am? Glam,” Vicky’s voice snapped him back into attention. “Did you hear what Ches said?” She asked, head cocked to one side. Her brows furrowed together as she watched her partner.
“Oh, my apologies. What were you saying, Ches?”
“There’s this festival at the park this evening. Do you want to come?” His boyfriend asked carefully. “You seem a little out of it. You’ve got something on your mind?”
“It’s nothing. I’m alright,” he replied with ease. He wasn’t in any pain - let alone danger - which meant Ches and Vicky had nothing to worry about. “The festival sounds wonderful! I’d love to come.” Glam smiled brightly in an attempt to offer reassurance on his little… episode from earlier. Or whatever it could be called.
Ches and Vicky shared a look but eventually they both relented, his wife giving him her best attempt at a small grin. “Okay. Even if you’re going through shit, you don’t have to bottle it up. You can talk to me. Or Ches.”
“I know, Vicky. Thank you.” Glam’s voice softened.
The festival itself wasn’t a large party. Not on the same level as a rock concert, but still decently packed with people crowding around on folding chairs and music filtering from the speakers nestled on the grass. Glam had taken to watching the changing colors of the sky, hues of pink and orange blending together.
It reminded him of when he and Ches were still teenagers. Of Ches showing him the true wonders within the city.
Memories of when he and Vicky had their first date on a cool summer evening.
His smile seemed to grow wider.
Littered decorations crunched under his feet as he followed Vicky and Ches to find a spot on the comforting grass. Glam’s mind still drifted elsewhere, barely aware of how much time had trickled by but there wasn’t any true discomfort. Surely, there wouldn’t be anything to worry about.
He’d stopped paying attention to the music.
Ches had brought along blankets and snacks, including three of their own plastic chairs. Of course, because Glam’s boyfriend could be a little eccentric, there was a small pack of beers and Ches’ preferred brand of cigarettes. He lit one and took a puff from the stick, releasing a content sigh.
“This is nice,” he chuckled lazily.
Blankets were spread underneath them. Vicky and Ches lower themselves into them, but Glam’s just watching the passing people as the wind ruffled into his hair. The seconds seemed to trickle by and he didn’t seem to mind. Especially when he got to spend time with his partners at such a special event where nobody could judge them.
Maybe they could finally abandon their turbulent pasts and move onto a brighter future.
Right until he caught sight of familiar blond hair amidst the crowd. Cold, stern eyes staring directly at him, caused his heart to hammer loudly. Sweat glistened Glam’s brow, faintly aware of the way his tremors shook his body.
What was happening to him?
Everything was loud and black seemed to shroud his vision.
“Shit- Glam? Glam,” someone was speaking to him, but he couldn’t pinpoint who.
Glam swallowed thickly, trying to comprehend what he’d seen. Father wasn’t here. He couldn’t be. Ches and him had long since ditched their old town, but now he didn’t seem so sure of anything. Had Father somehow found out where he was? If his new family had been discovered… the very thought made him sick.
His wrist, concealed by the black, metal band, burned at the reminder.
Droplets of rain fell from the sky, rolling onto his hair and staining his clothes. Glam choked on a quiet sob, feeling his knees begin to buckle. He still couldn’t hear anything, save for someone speaking into his ear and reminding him to breathe.
In for four seconds, hold for another seven, and exhale.
“Glam? Fucking shit, Ches, do something! Why isn’t he responding?”
“He’s having a panic attack. Just- chill for a minute, Vic. I got it.”
Glam startled as someone touched him, shoving his hands forward as a deep throated noise tore its way free from his lips.
“Glam! It’s me, look at me- it’s Ches,” a voice spoke.
It sounded familiar. Safe.
Recognition slowly began to form in his eyes. Even with the gray still present, he could tell it really was Ches.
“I didn’t- Oh, are you hurt? I never meant to push you-” Glam began, wanting nothing more than to apologize for laying hands on his boyfriend. Dread curled in his stomach for a moment, but he knew better than to think Ches, let alone Vicky, would do anything to him.
“Man, it’s fine. Are you? What happened?” Ches asked.
“Yeah, what the fuck was that?” Vicky chimed in.
Glam had hoped they wouldn’t push. His lips twitched upward into a wide smile, and then finally managed to speak, “It’s nothing, I promise. I thought I’d seen someone, but it won’t happen again!”
“You know that’s not what we want-” Ches began, joined by Vicky’s own words of protest. “I get it if you’re not wanting to talk, but we’re here for you, Glam.”
“I… well, thank you,” Glam settled on. He really didn’t like burdening his partners, and he’d never expected to mistake someone for his own father, but sometimes life liked to throw its lemons. “I’ll be alright.”
“Do you still want to be here?” Vicky asked. “Look, if this shit’s too much, we can head home and order a pizza or something.”
“No- I’d like to stay,” Glam shook his head, still smiling widely. “All I want is to be with both of you.”
Ches and Vicky still had twin looks of uncertainty, but in the end they caved to Glam’s request. Vicky chose to sit beside Glam, fingers brushing against her husband’s hand. Ches had no issue snaking an arm around his boyfriend’s waist and holding him close.
Time was said to heal all wounds, and Glam wholeheartedly believed in it, now that he had his partners by his side.
“Thank you-“ Glam muttered.
“Anytime,” Ches chuckled. “Come on, handsome, we’ve got life by its throat.”
“And I’ll kick its ass if it fucks with us!” Vicky’s loud proclamation rang through.
A bubbling laugh emitted from the back of Glam’s throat as he listened to Vicky and Ches come into his defense, causing his heart to swell at the thought. They had each other… and he knew they’d be able to face anything that stood in their way.