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“Hey, I'm home! I got a bunch of-” Robby announced as he rounded the corner, looking into the bathroom to see Dennis in the bath, clutching a cigarette between pale fingers. The smaller man flinched at the loud noise of the door opening, dropping the cigarette into the clear water. The cigarette went out with a small hiss of hot ash meeting water, smothering the heat almost instantly.
“Shit-” he hissed, refusing to look at Robby and instead focusing on the bathroom tile. Keeping his face hidden by curls and the dim lighting of the shitty bathroom.
“You're smoking? You quit, I thought you were quitting.” Robby asked, even though it was more of a statement; he knew Dennis was trying to quit, they both did. The unspoken reminder of it, in the form of nicotine patches under the sink, enough to last until the next shopping trip, which was a week and a half from now. Dennis seemed fine, using more fidgets than normal, but it was manageable, having been using a chewable rubber necklace whenever it felt really bad.
“I did, just-” Dennis sighed, now wet hands coming up to cover his face. “I had a bad day, needed one, I guess.” He continued, voice muffled by wet hands. The uncharacteristic action caused Robby to tilt his head in confusion,
“Denny, Denny, what happened? I thought you went to visit your dad?” He frowned, walking closer towards the bathtub to take a closer look. Dennis let out a small groan, hands falling from his face and resting on his upper arms. A feeling of unease filled Robby's gut as he observed and the other man's unusual behavior.
“I did.” He mumbled, facing away from him. Robby frowned, looking at his lover in worry. Dennis sighed, the movement caused the shadows to shift around him, except for a mark that seemed to not move with the others. Robby studied the other man, brows knitted together as he grew closer to the bath kneeling against the bathtub to get closer to his lover.
“Baby, Baby” Robby called, hand going to the other's wrist, thumbing over soft skin with a gentleness he would never have allowed anyone else. “Sweet Boy, look at me.” He pleased, other hand going to clasp the younger's free hand, giving a reassuring squeeze.
“Please?” He asked, worry coating his tone as he studied the other man’s posture. Dennis sat in the water, stiff and uncomfortable in the warm water, still fully clothed as if he couldn't gather the effort to strip which was so contrasting to the happy energetic Dennis that Robby fell in love with, not that Robby hated his lovers sad moments, he didn't. He loved Dennis no matter how the other felt, it was just this feeling of his heart being torn out whenever the younger regressed into himself.
Robby cupped the younger's cheek, guiding Dennis's eyes towards him, trying to hold back his gasp of shock as he saw Dennis's very heavy black eye.
“It isn't as bad as it looks, I'm fine.” The younger mumbled as Robby tilted his face from side to side trying to look at it from all angles. The skin around his eyes almost completely swollen shut, the skin around the swelling a blackish purple contrasting the stark paleness of Dennis's normal complexion.
“Did you ice it?” Robby asked, voice going to that tone when he was starting to enter doctor mode, Dennis only shifted slightly and shook his head.
“No, as soon as I got here I ran the bath.” He mumbled, leaning further into the warmth of Robby's hand.
“Im gonna go get ic-” Robby started only to be cut of by both of the younger's hands coming to clasp firmly around his wrists.
“No! No, just-” Dennis paused, his face scrunching as shame filled his expression. “Stay?” he asked, the unsure time of voice making Robby feel like his heart was breaking for the younger man.
“Yeah, okay.” he whispered, nudging Dennis forward in the tub a bit so he could slide in too. Ignoring the uncomfortable feeling of wet clothes against his skin in favor of feeling Dennis against him. Dennis only slumped backward once Robby settled, all the energy leaving his body as they sat in silence for a few minutes, the sound of water occasionally echoing in the pristine bathroom.
“Papa and I don't get along much; we fought a lot when I lived with him. Though once he lived alone, he kinda-” Dennis started eventually, making a so-so motion with his hand. Robby paused, holding his breath as he listened to the kids soft voice, scared he would miss even a single detail. “mellowed out.” He finished weakly.
“It was going well until he saw my phone. The photo of us at the carnival is my lock screen, he saw it and just-” Dennis' voice cracked, as he burrowed further into Robby's arms.
“Called me a faggot.” Dennis sobbed, his face going into the crease of Robby's neck. “Said I disappointed him, disappointed my ancestors.” he continued “Said my momma would be rolling in her grave if she knew she had a freak for a son.” he finished, Robby's breath hitching as the arms that were wrapped around Dennis waist squeezed just a bit tighter.
“You're not a freak, you're not.” Robby mumbled into Dennis's hair. “Your mom loved you. You showed me your baby photos. I've seen them Sweetheart, she loved you.” He said, trying to convey the sheer amount of support and love he felt towards the smaller man.
“But would she love me now? Would she love me if she knew I loved you?” Dennis asked, looking up at Robby with tear filled eyes, voice cracking as he clutched at the older man's jacket.
“I think so. I think she would have hated you forcing yourself to be straight just to please everyone.” Robby said, believing every word. If she loved Dennis, (which wasn't hard, everyone that met Dennis cared for him. It was just in his nature to be loveable.) she would have loved him, Robby believed that with everything he knew.
Dennis let out a soft hum into the crease of his neck. Somewhat comfortable silence falling back over them as they just held each other close.
“The water is getting cold.” Dennis mumbled, slightly muffled.
“Then let's get out, get dry, and ice your eye. It will help with the swelling.” Robby said, a hand running Dennis's back hoping to soothe.
“Okay.” Dennis smiled, “can we have pasta tonight?” He asked, causing Robby to give the younger a soft smile, “of course baby.” Robby confirmed kissing the younger's forehead.