Hold Me

It seems like this update took a while too. But at least this one is longer! More action, and the introduction of the new character Asterik! Enjoy!

dut: here's the answer to who the guy is, and yes it is Alex to the rescue
SODA: the answer is in this chapter! Sorry it took so long!
Bex: I'm glad you found my story and that you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review!
kikaria: sorry this took so long! Here's what happened!
Lee: thanks for the constructive criticism! I really appreciate it! I'll try to loosen up the dialogue ^^;
Ultra: thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked it!

Evan suddenly found himself whirled around and thrust up against the alley wall, the blade pressed against his throat. He looked up fearfully into dark green eyes, half-hidden beneath thick black lashes. The other person’s expression was one of hatred, and the disgusted look was pointed directly at him. “I didn’t think Eric would be the type to go after kids... But even if you are a kid, I can’t overlook this,” the person growled, pressing the blade harder against Evan’s neck.

“Y... You know Eric...?” Evan asked fearfully, glancing towards the entrance to the alleyway in search of a savior.

“Oh yes... I know the bastard quite well,” the man growled, a dangerous gleam to his eyes. “And to think I was so sure that I could trust him to be left alone. No matter, I’ll get my revenge, and enjoy it. Nobody cheats on me,” the man hissed. Evan trembled, having no idea what this person was talking about. He wished desperately that Alex was there. “What’s the matter? No protests? You weren’t acting nearly this obedient and sweet when I saw you with Eric... Is that how you lure them in?” the man demanded angrily. Evan winced, thinking how such a tone ruined the man’s beautiful voice.

“What do you want with me?” he finally mustered up the courage to ask.

“Revenge, on Eric,” the man stated with a shrug. At those words, Evan felt his anger flare. Why did he have to suffer for this man’s hatred towards Eric?

“Then why me? Why not Eric directly?” Evan demanded, glaring back at the man holding the knife to his throat.

“Because I figured this would hurt him more. And you’re the reason I want revenge in the first place,” the man replied coldly.

“What did I do?” Evan growled angrily.

“You’re Eric’s boyfriend. I could tell it from the way you two were acting on the streets just now, and heard enough to confirm it. I want revenge for his betrayal,” the man stated. Evan looked at the man in shock.

“You obviously misunderstood. I would die before being with that annoying jerk,” Evan snapped back, before realizing that he had said the wrong words when the man’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“I don’t believe I gave you any right to say anything about Eric, did I?” the man growled, seizing Evan by the collar of his shirt and roughly throwing him to the ground. Evan gasped as he made contact, knowing that he’d develop some sizable bruises later. However, from this new perspective, he could get a better look at his attacker. And even Evan had to admit, his attacker was HOT. Long brilliant red hair cascaded over his shoulders and down his back contrasting beautifully with his eyes. His body was perfectly proportioned with a well-muscled chest that was shown through the fishnet shirt the man wore. Also, the skin-tight black pants he was clad in left absolutely nothing to the imagination either. Evan was snapped back to reality as the knife was pressed against his chest, the man leaning over him and sneering. “Now, shall we discuss my terms?” the man asked with a smirk.

“Asterik!” the shout came as a wash of relief for Evan, who instantly recognized Alex’s voice. Both turned to look were Alex stood in shock at the entrance to the alleyway.

“Alex? Long time no see,” the man replied with a smirk.

“What are you doing to Evan?!” Alex continued, starting to look angry.

“I’m getting revenge for Eric’s betrayal!” Asterik snapped back. Alex slipped back into shock, staring dumbfounded at Asterik.

“What the hell gave you that idea?” Alex demanded and Evan started. For some reason he hadn’t imagined such a phrase coming out of Alex’s mouth.

“They were acting all lovey-dovey on the street yesterday when I came back to this city. And again today!” Asterik stated.

Alex sighed, “I understand how that could be misconstrued, but please talk to me first before you do something crazy like this again. Now, please remove the knife from Evan. You’ve traumatized the boy enough as it is.” Asterik glared at Alex refusing to move and Alex frowned. “I’m not going to ask you again... Remove. The blade. Now.” Alex’s voice had taken on a dangerous tone that had Asterik quickly stepping back from the boy. The instant the knife was gone, Evan leaped up and threw himself against Alex who wrapped comforting arms around him. Evan was embarrassed at the childishness of his actions, but was grateful for the warm and protective presence of Alex. Being encased in Alex’s embrace, he did not see the poisonous look that Alex shot Asterik. “Eric hasn’t betrayed you. I asked Eric to look after Evan yesterday because I didn’t want the boy left alone after being sick for so long,” Alex stated. Asterik blinked, and then he looked embarrassed as he realized his mistake.

“Then the kid’s yours...? Not Eric’s...?” he asked quietly, looking ashamed.

“That’s right,” Alex growled back.

“Aw... hell... I... I made a pretty nasty mistake, didn’t I?” Asterik asked uncomfortably.

“You did,” Alex replied calmly.

“Kid... I’m sorry... This was all just a big understanding, okay? I didn’t really mean anything by it,” Asterik insisted. Evan looked across Alex’s chest at the other man and nodded. A look of relief came over Asterik’s features and he smiled at the boy. “So, everything’s all cleared up then?” Asterik asked.

“No... You still have a debt to clear up. But we’ll figure that one out later,” Alex stated and Asterik nodded, knowing better than to argue with his long-time friend. Despite Asterik being the first to resort to violence when angry, when Alex was in that mood he was a lot more dangerous.
---------------------------------------------------
“You two know each other?” Evan demanded, once he had gotten a hold of himself.

“So it seems,” Alex sighed. “Asterik here used to live nearby until his parents got a divorce. Even after that we went to the same school. That is, until you disappeared a year ago,” Alex said, raising an eyebrow at Asterik.

“I had business to take care of,” Asterik replied with a shrug.

“I see...” Alex waited for the other to fill him in on what that business was, but Asterik remained silent. Evan found the silence between the two of them making him extremely uncomfortable and he wished that Eric was here, knowing how well the other boy managed to relax the mood. As if on cue, the other boy appeared with a shout in the opening to the alleyway.

“You found him! Thank goodness! I guess you were right, he didn’t go down that side street,” Eric muttered, obviously out of breath. “But you know, it would be beneficial to have cell phones at a time like this... not so much running around,” Eric muttered, wiping sweat from his face.

“That’s all you can say?” Asterik demanded, after getting over his shock of seeing Eric. Eric started and looked past Alex, his eyes fixing on Asterik.

“Asterik...?” Eric breathed, not sure if he was seeing things or not. “Where have you been?” Eric shouted, dashing towards the other boy and embracing him in strong arms. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you?!” Eric demanded, managing to lift Asterik who squawked indignantly.

“Eric! Put me down!” Asterik ordered, and Eric obliged, grinning like an idiot at his missing boyfriend.

“Let’s give them some time alone together,” Alex murmured to Evan who nodded. They both left the alleyway, allowing Eric and Asterik their privacy, before heading back up the street where they’d came.

“How did you find me, anyway?” Evan asked.

“I was returning when I saw you take off. You’re a fast runner though, it took me a while to find you,” Alex scolded gently.

“I’m sorry... I didn’t think anything bad would have come from it,” he muttered.

“I know, just don’t do it next time,” Alex said, gently ruffling Evan’s hair. The boy smiled up at Alex and then continued walking beside him in silence.

“What were you doing, anyway?” Evan asked at last.

“Getting some paper work so that I could officially take care of you,” Alex said, pulling a roll of paper that Evan hadn’t noticed before out of his pocket. “I’ll need your help with these too, if you know anything about your family it would be helpful,” Alex said, and Evan froze going pale.

“It... It’s been too long...” Evan said quickly, looking away and towards the ground. However, Alex saw the move and stopped, seizing Evan and forcing the boy to look up at him.

“Something happened between you and your family...?” he asked, concerned.

“I... don’t want to talk about it,” Evan muttered, averting his gaze.

“Evan...” Alex began, but seemed to think better of it. “I won’t press you now, but know that if you ever need to talk about it I’ll be more than happy to listen,” he encouraged with a smile. His hand fell away from Evan’s face and the boy returned his gaze to Alex.

“All right... thank you,” Evan said with a nod.

“In the meantime, let’s head home,” Alex said.

“What about Eric? Shouldn’t we tell him we’re leaving?” Evan asked.

“I do not want to return to that alleyway and walk in on what’s most likely taking place in there. Besides, by the time Eric remembers us he’ll know that we left him behind. Of course, I doubt it will be for a long time. No, there’s no point in waiting for him,” Alex stated. Evan stared before slowly turning a lovely crimson shade.

“Y... Yeah... We can just go...” Evan muttered, and Alex laughed at Evan’s reaction. The boy glared at him, but the effect was totally ruined by the blush that refused to go away.