Chapter Text
The sun beamed down on the bustling city below but for the solemn man walking down the hard concrete, warmth was something he hadn't known for about two years.
“We are worried about you.”
Alex sighed and rubbed his face looking at the building before him, walking inside. There in the entryway was the receptionist desk with his favorite person sitting behind the desk. He walked over to the small window gaining her attention.
“Morning Alex, how are you doing today?” Lillian asked.
“I'm..okay?” Alex replied with a slight hesitation in his voice.
The young woman nodded softly. Alex had only been coming to Safe Harbor for a couple of months now.
“I'll get you checked in and she'll be with you soon.”
“Thanks Lillian.”
He turned to his right and walked over to one of the chairs in the small waiting room. He wasn't sitting long when he heard his name being called.
“Alex Mclean.” The tattoo man stood, walking over to the blonde, following her down the hall.
“How are we today?” She asked as they walked.
“Okay.” He replied.
They made it to the room as the blonde opened the door to let him in. Alex walked inside and over to one of the chairs sitting down.
“She'll be in soon.”
With a nod, the man watched her close the door behind her. Looking around, it was what you'd expect in a normal office. Desk, chairs, motivational posters on the wall. He wasn't waiting long when a knock came with the door opening.
“Hello.”
Alex smiled seeing her walk in. Sophia Lawson had been with Safe Harbor for over ten years and had been highly recommended. She was about his height with shoulder length hair and a warm smile. With his folder in hand, she made her way to her desk sitting down.
“How are we today?” She asked as she opened his file.
“I'm doing okay, I went out with a few friends this weekend.” He replied.
“Oh that's wonderful! And how did that go?”
“Good,” he smiled, “my friends were happy to see me out and enjoying myself.”
“That's wonderful to hear. So last we left off you had started to open up about what happened two years ago but we ran out of time.” Sophia reviewed looking at her notes.
Taking a breath and nodding, the younger man began. “It began just like any other day…”
I was running late and trying to get a taxi when in a hurry never works in your favor...
Sophia chuckled knowingly. Alex gave a small smile and continued…
After trying for five minutes I saw one parked down the street and ran for it. I had just reached for the door when I felt a hand brush against mine. Turning my head I saw him looking back, his eyes were dull, almost lifeless but I could still see the pleading look he had. So I backed away letting him have the cab…
Alex looked down at his hands, curling his fingers inward. That look of gratitude on Brian's face had been burnt into his mind. It was almost as if it was the nicest thing anyone had done for him in a very long time.
Sophia could tell her client had hit his limit for the day despite still having a few minutes left. She stayed silent letting Alex come to on his own.
When he finally looked up, his fingers uncurling, she knew he had calmed down.
“Wanna talk about it?” She calmly asked.
“No, I'm okay.” He reassured. “That look he gave me that day always hits. He looked…lost.”
“Do you want to end our session for today? We don't have too much time left.”
“Yeah, I think so.”
She nodded and set up his next schedule before walking him out. Lillian smiled seeing him walk by.
“See you next week.”
“I'll be here.” He chuckled, walking out the door. The noise of the city hitting his ears once again, the sun had begun to lower as he made his way home.
He was almost home when a voice caught his attention making him look to his left, his eyes going wide. The hair was the same, voice the same, could it really be?
Taking a few steps towards the unsuspecting man on his phone, Alex raised his hand laying it on his shoulder.
“Bri?”
The blonde man jumped and turned, giving the most disgusting look. “What the Hell?! Get your own damn cab!”
“Jack? Jack what's going on?!” The person on the phone cried out.
“Nothing, a freak trying to steal my cab, you know how these city low lives are.” He responded, opening the door to the yellow vehicle sliding inside, shutting the door. “Now, as I was saying…”
The cab drove off leaving behind a very embarrassed man. Keeping his head down, the man walked the rest of the way to his apartment building, walking up the few steps, and going inside.
The normal noise of families and doors opening and closing greeted him as he made his way up the stairs, turning to his right. He made it to his door unlocking it and turning on the light, shutting the door behind him.
Sitting on the couch, Alex leaned back allowing his legs to stretch out. The man's words swimming through his mind but he simply laughed to himself. It wasn't the first nor last time he'd been called a freak. When he was younger it bothered him, but now he shrugged it off.
His phone went off making him pick it up seeing a new text. Opening it up, Alex read the text.
“Hey, how did things go?”
“Okay, It was a good session.”
The person on the other side smiled happily seeing the response. He and the others had begun to worry about Alex when he started talking about seeing his ex everywhere in the city the year prior, causing some disruptions and even a call to the police.
“Going to the movies tonight, wanna come? Riley will be there.”
Alex perked, sitting up. He and Riley had become fast friends since she started dating Lauren. He quickly replied back.
“Yeah! I could use a night out of the apartment.”
He was messaged the time and was invited to dinner as well, Alex letting them know he'd be there. His phone went silent as he sat it down and stood to get ready, his smile never wavering.
A few hours later, Alex was happily engaging with his friends while eating. The small group hadn't been able to hang out for a while and Riley's job kept her busy.
“How's things going?” Riley asked, looking at her friend.
“Okay. One day at a time you know?” Alex replied, smiling softly.
“You seem to be more…um…” Mason rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
“More…You?” Lauren offered.
The dark haired man chuckled. “Thanks guys, I'm truly trying.”
The group finished their meals before heading out of the restaurant and to the theater.