Florencio was fucking pissed.

People on the airplane ride gave him dirty glances.

Fuck off.

Everything was rushed.

He knew it was Natalie who told Rudy all about his family. She had no right. She hurt him.

Florencio couldn't think of anything to say to David when he met him outside his mother's apartment building.

He was yelling. Angry veins popped on his neck and forehead.

What was he saying?

A hard, skin breaking punch was delivered to Florencio's face.

"Fuck," he sputtered, holding his cheek. "David—"

"This!? I'm here wasting my time on your mother? It's not my problem your family is in shit, Foster."

Florencio leaned over the rental car and heaved in breaths. God, his face hurt.

The short journey to his mothers room felt centuries long.

His mother was sleeping soundly. A bottle of whiskey accompanied her side. She was in some kind of great panic and this is what she did?

Florencio could only hope something fell into place for him and he didn't turn into an alcoholic like his father and biological mother. He was painfully reminded of his not so proud moments involving alcohol.

Florencio left a note for his mother and money. The dread he felt from earlier had damped. He suddenly didn't want to talk to her.

Sam was right about his mother.

Florencio would rather die than admit the truth.

-

By the time Florencio had returned home, I did too. So did my grandma.

Florencio texted me he had gotten back safely. A week ago.

I was trapped once again in my cycle of loathing with my mother.

She wasn't home yet and I laid on my bed, the tv sounding like static now. I trailed my fingers up and down my bare thigh, wishing my hand was someone else's.

The doorbell rang and I walked lazily to the door. I almost opened the door when I realized I was in my underwear and a tank top. I could hide behind the door, I thought and opened it.

The feelings only Florencio could bring me flooded. One side of his face was yellow and purple. What happened to him? What happened with his mom?

"Is your face okay?" I blurted.

He knew what I meant.

He shrugged, eyes brimmed red. "I wish I never went."

"Why do you keep going back?" Sam had said...

"I thought she cared." He sniffed and my ears perked at the sound. Was he crying?

He wiped his face quickly. "I don't know why I came here. I'm so sorry, Parker."

I grabbed his arm and dragged him inside before he could leave.

I hugged him tightly, burying my face in my shirt. It felt right and I didn't care anymore.

"Don't cry," I said softly, reaching up to dry his tears. It was an odd sight. He didn't make much noise. His eyes overflowed, teeth sunk into his bottom lip to keep it from trembling.

"I hate this so much," he whispered. "I don't have much. I'm sorry."

He was confusing me. I kissed his cheeks, jaw, and neck.

He didn't touch me back and I got scared. "You're all I have and I'm sorry for that."

Stop apologizing.

"W-what happened?" Desperate, I pressed his hands to my body. He always touched me. "Tell me." His hands fell.

I dug my fingers into his shirt incase he tried to move. "Please." The fear in my belly swirled.

"She's an alcoholic," his voice trembled. "I can't do that— this again, honey. I don't want to."

Florencio's life was thrown into a bowl and his future was picked out at random. Why was this so torn?

"Let's lay down," I urged and took him to my bedroom. Florencio resisted slightly. I freaked and pulled harder. This felt like a goodbye. Please no.

I locked my bedroom door and practically shoved him into my bed. Usually I wouldn't be so bold, but I crawled on top of him, pulled a blanket over us. It was almost ten pm. I was already ready for bed.

I kissed his face and anywhere I could reach until I fell asleep.

-

I was being pushed.

Almost I let myself be moved.

Almost.

But I remembered what happened earlier. What time was it?

I grasped onto Florencio's shoulder. My fingers slid past his shirt and I ended up digging my nails into his skin.

"Parker!" He grabbed my hands and suddenly had them pinned to my chest. He completed his dominating action and got on top of me. I struggled underneath him. He held my hands so tightly my fingers tingled.

"What are you doing?" He hushed.

"You're leaving," I gasped. "You're upset a-and you won't come back. Everything is all pent up."

Something washed over his face. "You're a hypocrite."

My legs twitched, trying to kick him. He put his legs on top of my shins. The pain of his weight was minimal.

"No I'm not," I defended. "I talk about myself unlike you."

"Bullshit," he laughed unhumorously.

I huffed. "I was going to tell you about my mom, but I don't think so anymore..." I really had wanted to but he was hurting my feelings now.

He hung his head. "I didn't mean to say that."

I nodded. "Good." My fingers wiggled and I couldn't really feel it. "You're the biggest jerk I've ever met."

His shoulders shook.

"Let me go." My hands were asleep. The position was overbearing and the creepy part of me liked it.

He got off me and started to walk away. Despite the numbness in my hands, I jumped on his back, clinging to him.

"What the hell?" Florencio's fingers dug into my thighs. I tried to ignore it. "Where do you think I'm going?"

"Leaving!"

"What's wrong with that? I parked a few houses away, I'd like to start the walk."

I pinched his shoulder and glanced at the clock. Two am.

"Earlier felt like a goodbye," I confessed. He wanted me to be open and I was trying. "I don't want you to leave. I know about your mom. Sam told me and what you said... I'm sorry."

He sighed tiredly.

"I couldn't leave you if I tried."

I held him tighter. Finally.

"That doesn't mean I don't have shit to clean up." He dropped my legs and I almost fell to the floor before he caught me. "I have to go." He kissed me hard. My bottom lip was being bitten and sucked on harshly. I mewled. Florencio's hands played with my underwear. I closed my eyes tightly, waiting for something.

I yelped when he slapped my ass.

"That's for doing this." He grabbed my hand and placed it on his shoulder where a few scratch marks were.

I tired to ignore the heat below. I wasn't sure what was more embarrassing, the marks on Florencio or that I wanted him to... again. I couldn't even think it.

Florencio touched my blushing face. "Did you like that, honey?" He murmured. I gulped when he grabbed my bottom again, shoving me against him. "How am I supposed to leave when you're distracting me?"

This time he pinched the fat of my inner thigh.

"Florencio," I whined.

"I'll be back. I won't leave my dirty girl hanging for too long." His breath was hot against my ear. His nicknames and actions made me feel humiliated. Florencio probably thought I was a freak for blushing at his words.

"Parker," he said softly. "Are you okay?"

I nodded and looked at the floor. "Yeah. I just... I didn't mean to overreact. I don't like to see you sad. I was afraid you wouldn't come back."

He bit the shell of my ear, making me wince. "It's like you didn't hear me."

A giddy feeling settled in me.

"Can we talk when you get back?" I asked.

He pulled me to him. I felt him nod.

-