"No, mom, I'm fine…" Rory blew out a long sigh as he pulled his knees against his chest in the mushroom chair by the window of the small apartment. "I'm staying with a friend… besides, I wouldn't want to inconvenience Ben…"
"But honey, you know Ben has come around quite a bit recently." Maggie continued.
Rory rolled his eyes. "Yeah, until Rin shows up looking as he typically does to find me… then what? Back to being band from my childhood home? I can't go through that pain again… I can't deal with the memories of dad right now on top of everything else."
Maggie remained silent for several minutes before responding. "You know, Rin is incredibly worried… right? I can't count the times they've called…"
Rory blew out another heavy sigh. "That's exactly why I can't come back there, Mom… Besides, if I'm right, it wouldn't be safe for you if I were there either."
A frown could be heard in Maggie's voice. "Rin told me about the accident… Honey… I… I… about before… I…"
"It's alright mom… I don't blame you…"
"You should… I should have spoken up. I should have kicked him out then instead of letting him throw out my only child. What would your father think… He must still be rolling in his grave…" Tears could be heard in her voice now.
"I'm sure it was a shock to you…" Rory's words trailed off as his thoughts returned to that night and the stunned look on his mother's face.
"I was… but not because of you being gay, son… It was more because of how you looked and what you were saying. I had no idea what to say or what to do. I was so scared, and then Ben…" Her sobs sounded freely over the phone. "I should have been stronger back then, taken your side more firmly."
Rory blew out a resigned sigh. "I doubt anything would have been different regardless… You don't know this person, the lengths he's willing to go, the acts he's capable of…"
She was silent again, her voice cracking with a slight trembling when she finally spoke again. "And you're sure it's him?"
Rory shrugged against the phone pressed against his shoulder and ear. "I can't be one hundred percent certain, but yeah… I think it is, especially after the last messages he sent." Movement on the street below caught Rory's attention. "Mom, I have to go." He quickly hung up and pulled the thin curtains closed, leaving only enough of an opening to see through. "Shit…" He whispered as he watched the bickering below.
Dillon grabbed Sabastian's upper arm and spun him around, causing him to stumble into him. "And why can't I come up? You've never tried to keep me out before? Hell, typically you're trying every fucking thing you can to get me inside. What's changed?" Dillon shot a suspicious glance toward the apartment window overlooking the street. "What are you hiding… or rather, who?"
Sabastian struggled against Dillon's vice-like hold. "Even if it were a who, why would it be any of your business? You've said more than once you don't give two shits about me! Now, let go!"
Dillon tightened his hold as he began walking them toward the apartment. "If you have nothing to hide then introduce us… then I'll leave."
"Introduce you?!" Sabastian bit out angrily as he struggled against Dillon. "As what? This is my previous fuck buddy. No worries, I only work with him often now. Well, yes, we do have to share a hotel and bed from time to time. That won't be a problem, right?" He shoved Dillon with his free hand. "Fuck off with this already! You and Rin were the ones who moved on first! It's not my problem, it didn't work for you!"
Dillon snarled down at Sabastian as he shoved him away. "Fine! But I swear to god if I find out you're hiding something else, that you know more than you're letting on! I'll make you regret it!"
"Regret it?! I already regret plenty where you and Rin are involved!" Sabastian snapped back as he straightened his clothes and spun toward the stairs. He could feel Dillon's eyes on him as he stomped up the stairs, but he didn't dare to look back. Once inside he collapsed against the door. "That was intense… I… don't know how much more…" Sabastian shook his head. "No… It's fine…" He forced himself up from the floor and joined Rory by the window. "Is he still out there?"
Rory nodded as he stepped back from the small crack he'd been looking out of. "I can find another place…"
Sabastian shook his head as he watched Dillon settle against the hood of his car and cross his arms. "No, it is thrilling… I like the attention…" He rubbed the spot Dillon had held him earlier unconsciously.
Rory frowned. "You don't have to answer… and if I'm overstepping, I apologize, but…" Rory studied Sabastian for several long seconds before continuing. "It isn't Rin you like most… is it." It wasn't a question. Rory didn't need the answer. It was obvious in the way Sabastian stared down at Dillon.
Sabastian shook his head, a sad smile curving his lips. "Is it that obvious? Ha… Too bad it was never obvious enough to them… Or if it was, they both always chose to ignore it…" He shook his head. "No, to Dillon, only one person has ever mattered… has ever existed, and that's Rin… will always ever only be Rin…" Sabastian let the curtains fall back into place as he turned to face Rory. "You made the right call leaving, regardless of your reason. It will only end in pain for you. The only love those two can offer is a twisted, partial thing… neither will ever be able to give themselves to anyone because they'll never be able to let go of the other."
Rory frowned as he read the hurt written across Sabastian's face. "Yet you hold out hope still? For what?"
Sabastian shrugged. "I don't know anymore… Win Rin, win Dillon… It's that simple… Or at least that's what I thought in the beginning…" He lowered onto the mushroom seat by the window and pulled his legs against his chest. "You think I'm pathetic, yes?"
Rory shook his head. "No… I know what it's like to hold out hope that things will change… that people will change…" Rory shook his head. "But they don't…" He moved back to the window and peered out of the tiny crack in the curtain. Dillon was still leaning against his car hood, staring up at the window. He thought back to what Rin had said, more than once, about giving consideration to Dillon and allowing him to be a part of their relationship. "People don't change. He is here because it's what Rin wants, not because of you or me…"
Sabastian nodded, his head against his knees as he picked at his toes. "I know…"
Rory studied Sabastian's slumped over form, feeling pity for him for the first time. "Then why still hold on so hard? Why not take this chance to move on as well?"
Sabastian shrugged. "I don't know… Every time I think I can… every time I think I have… something drags me back." A sad smile curved his lips. "Just look at him out there… He's irresistible, no?"
Rory glanced back out of the window, but Dillon was nowhere to be seen. The car was still there, however. Rory's eyes widened as heavy footsteps sounded outside the stairwell. "Sabastian… You locked the door, right?!"
Sabastian's wide eyes shot to the door. "I… I don't know! I think I did…"
Rory ran toward it, but before he could turn the deadbolt the door was already swinging open. Rory quickly maneuvered behind the door as it slammed wide.
"You know, I was thinking… You've never been one to hide shit. If anything, you'd flaunt it." Dillon barked as he barged into the tiny space, his eyes burning into Sabastian.
Sabastian had the good sense to hide his face. He balled up in the chair as Dillon advanced on him and pulled him roughly to his feet. He forced his gaze on Dillon as Rory's silhouette moved around his peripheral vision. He held his tongue as he stared into the face of the person he once desired more than air itself, but now… What did he feel now… His own feelings had become so twisted and corrupted since becoming entangled with Rin and Dillon that he barely knew himself. "Is it so hard to believe that someone could move on from you and Rin? That someone could want more than whatever fucked up nonsense it is you offer?" He forced a sardonic grin onto his face as he began to laugh manically. "Isn't this what you've wanted all along? Now you finally have Rin all to yourself."
Dillon shoved Sabastian back into the seat and raked his hand through his hair. "Is that really how you all see me? Rin's pathetic toy? Fuck…" His eyes moved around the space, and he narrowed his eyes. He moved toward a familiar sweater. "Doesn't look like you're completely lying… You're definitely not alone…" He turned toward the bedroom.
Sabastian shot up from the chair and chased after him. "Wait! Where are you going? There is no reason for you to be here! Now get out!" He grabbed the back of Dillon's shirt and pulled hard, but there was no slowing him, let alone stopping him. "You have no right to be in my house! Get out!"
Dillon snapped around. "I don't?! Without me, you'd still be sucking dick and selling your ass on the streets! I've kept you from losing this goddamn place more times than I can fucking count. I've paid more of the rent and bills than you at this point, and you're going to tell me I can't walk through it?"
Sabastian collapsed onto the floor, tears of shame and frustration streaming down his face. "Dillon, please… Why are you like this… Why…" He shook his head. "Never mind… Just leave…"
Dillon gritted his teeth. "Fine… If there's no one in there, I'll leave."
Tears streamed down Sabastian's face. "There's not… But what would it even matter to you if there were? Are you even here because of me? You're not, are you? You think he's here? You think I've helped Rin's new lover?"
Dillon arched a brow. "You haven't? Then why is his sweater in your living room?"
Sabastian furrowed his brows. "His sweater? You mean some of the clothes that Rin tried to give him that were mine? Was I not allowed to take my own clothes back?" Sabastian's shoulders shook with sardonic laughter. "People really don't mean anything to either of you, do they? We're all just toys for your entertainment. Easily replaced and tossed aside once something better comes along." His glaring eyes met Dillon's. "Well, I hope you never find him!"
Dillon raised his hand in frustrated anger.
"Hit me! Go ahead! Just the next step to being just like your precious Rin!" Sabastian screamed from the floor.
Dillon clenched his fist as he lowered his hand to his side and stormed past him. He paused at the door. He turned back to Sabastian. "I hope you know, this is goodbye…"
"Fuck you! Then go already! I hate you!" Sabastian couldn't hold back the sobs as Dillon disappeared through the open door. He wasn't sure how long he'd lain on the floor before gentle hands slid a throw blanket over him and began patting his arm.
"I'm sorry you're going through this because of me. I'll leave in the morning." Rory murmured softly as he settled on the floor beside Sabastian. He'd never really cared much for the Frenchman but after hearing the fight between him and Dillon from the stairway just a floor up, he couldn't hold back his sympathy.
"Stay… Where would you even go?" Sabastian sniffled.
"Does it matter? Look at all the misery I've caused you."
Sabastian shrugged as he sat up on the floor. "How do they say? Misery loves company?"
Rory frowned. "And if he comes back?"
Sabastian shook his head. "He'll not be back after that… He'll never be back after that…" New tears streamed down his face.
Rory's heart broke, and he couldn't stop himself as he pulled Sabastian into a hug. "I'm sorry…"
Sabastian's eyes searched Rory. "This must be hard for you, too, no? Yet I've not seen you shed a tear."
Rory blew out a long sigh. "It's different when you leave someone for their protection. I know if I stay, Rin will get hurt."
"The stalker?"
"Yes…" Rory's gaze became distant.
"Are you still getting messages?"
Rory nodded. "Yes…"
"Have they told you who they are yet?"
Rory shook his head. "But they don't need to… That's why I need to stay away from Rin and need to stay hidden."
"What if you're wrong?"
Rory shrugged. "Then good, better for everyone… but I don't think I am…" He leaned to the side and retrieved his phone from his pocket. After scrolling for a few seconds, he held his phone out to Sabastian. "This is what he sent after the car wreck."
Sabastian read the message out loud. "So close. I nearly had you within my grasp again, but not to worry I'll have you again soon enough. I hope you're enjoying this little game of cat and mouse. I do love a good chase." Sabastian furrowed his brows. "There's nothing overly specific here, though."
"He keeps saying he'll have me again… and makes reference to a game of cat and mouse and giving chase just like Mike used to," Rory replied deadpan.
Sabastian shrugged. "He could just be referring to how close he was to you at the event earlier that day… And after the new obsession with dark romance, the term 'cat and mouse chase' has become quite popular. You can get merch with the saying on it and everything now."
Rory frowned. "So, you think I'm overreacting too?"
Sabastian shrugged. "I don't know… I don't know what happened in your past, but I think maybe the trauma from that, combined with the scare from what happened last weekend, has your mind in a bad place."
Rory nodded. "Maybe you're right…" His eyes moved back to his phone. "My mom called earlier… She wants me to move back home…"
Sabastian furrowed his brow. "Isn't your stepdad a total homophob?"
Rory nodded. "Wanna go home to visit with me?"
Sabastian busted out in laughter. "Are you serious?"
Rory nodded again, his eyes not leaving the phone screen. "Why not? What better way to prove to her I'm not welcome there?"
Sabastian shrugged. "Fuck it, why not."