Chapter Twenty - We Will Punish

Thantophobia:

(n.) The fear of losing someone you love.

Chapter Twenty – We Will Punish

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The internet had officially exploded. Not only we -the American people- were celebrating the fact that gay marriage was now a thing in the whole country. But from all over the world there were news flashes, messages, skype calls and endless post on social media. Fifty States of Gay has finally become a thing, one news article had said.

And of course I can't show it to the people around me, who are all highly disappointed in the country. But at least I have Evan to share it with and that makes me happy. Not even the words of the community can bring my spirit down, even after a week of hearing their words.

But of course, not everything is like flowers and sunshine, it's the opposite actually. The day after the decision had been shared with the rest of the world, all believers came together. In troops, all stuffed into busses, they came to the Supreme Court to protest. There were two sides, the believers and the gays. And for some they were standing opposite to their family members.

All people from the community were like hawks, seeing everything that was happening around them. So there was no way I could go to Evan's house without being seen, not even in the night. For the past week all we have done is celebrated via texts messages and it's seriously frustrating to not being able to touch him.

Grace hasn't said a word about it and surprisingly enough, I don't have the idea that she wants to. Normally she's all about telling me what's wrong with things, but she seems to be OK... It's not so much a problem, but it worries me nonetheless.

The only thing I've been doing today is sitting behind my desk and informing my staff of all the tasks that need to be done. Piles of unread files and letters lay abandoned next to me, I simply don't have the time for it. All of Evan's messages are making me long for him, but even now I can't just go to that restaurant. It's weird to someone like me walking into that place, but even more if I start asking for him in a time like this.

'James from Marketing, Sarah from communication, Mortim from Production and so on. These are all request for you to come out to the public and say that gay marriage shouldn't be allowed.' Grace's voice breaks me from my thoughts and I look up with a frown as her words register in my head.

'Why would they want me to speak up?' I say and I cringe as my voice comes out a lot harder than I intended to.

'Because they're assholes.' Grace answers me and my eyes widen at her casual answer.

'Why are they assholes?' I try to ask her casually, but then my phone goes off. I look at it in confusion as I see Evan's name on my screen, he never calls me during the day. I give Grace a quick nod and she gives me a reassuring smile.

'Alexander Donahew, how can I help you?' I say formally, just so Grace won't expect anything.

'A-Alexander you have to come to the bar!' A frown forms on my face as Cindy's worried voice reaches my ears. I open and close my mouth a few times, but it takes a while for me to form some words.

'What's wrong?' I ask, but my voice comes out as a mere whisper.

'There was a fight, Evan he-.' Cindy's words get broken off by a horrifying scream in the background. Tears form in my eyes as I realize whose scream it is and I immediately push myself away from my desk. I get up from my chair and throw my suitcase on it. In the heat of the moment I stuff all of the documents on the table in it, before speaking in hushed words to Cindy.

'Stay calm, I'll be there in less than twenty minutes.' Without waiting for a reply I end the call and push my phone into my pocket.

'Grace, I need a ride in like now.' She swiftly takes my bag from my hands and point towards the door.

'It will be ready by the time you're downstairs.' She doesn't ask for an explanation, or brags about the fact that I rudely interrupted our conversation.

I don't even thank her before running out of the door and storming towards the stairs, the elevators will take too long. In a speed I didn't know I could handle I run downstairs and as promised one of the chauffeurs is standing in front of the door by the time I'm downstairs.

'Where do you want me to take you, sir?' He asks me as he holds the door open for me. I half scream it to him as I jump behind the wheel, closing the door behind me. He seems to notice the rush as he jogs to the passenger side and opens the door for himself. The complete car ride is spend in an uncomfortable silence. He probably doesn't even notice it, but I can't keep my mind from wondering over Evan's situation.

I don't know what exactly happened, how it happened and what is going on with him. The only thing that I know is that his scream was one of pure agony.

Luckily we arrive in front of the cafe in record time and without thanking him I push open my door and sprint away. As I open the doors of the café my eyes immediately land on Evan, who's lying on the ground with his face littered in bruises.

His lip is busted, his eyes blue and as far as I can see he's completely covered in bruises on his stomach and chest.

I don't think twice about sprinting towards him and pushing away the people that are standing around him. All of them staring at him with worry, but seeming to be unsure of what to do.

'What the hell happened?' I ask him once I'm crouched down next to him and he surprises me by giving me one of his famous laughs.

'I showed them how fabulous I could be.' As he says it he lets out a chuckle, but the vibration must hurt him as his face immediately scrunches up. I shake my head and roll my eyes as I slowly run my hand through his wild hair.

'Who did you show what?' I ask him just to be sure.

'The people who were protesting, they were screaming about homosexuality being a sin. And that everyone would go to hell who came out to be gay. And so I asked them to tell me where to go and when they asked what I was looking for I said hell.' My eyes widen at his blunt joke and I so desperately want to hit him, but on the other hand I am really proud of him.

So as carefully as I can I give him a kiss on his forehead, making sure to avoid his bruises. And then I lean my head to his ear and whisper.

'I love you, idiot.' He immediately starts blushing and hides his face beneath his arms.

'I love you more, bigger idiot.'

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