He was hoping that the little bit he opened up about would be enough to stir something in Alex.  The way those fingers tightened on his hand, he was sure that they were on the brink of something.  The timing of the wine’s arrival put an end to that progress.  Andreas withdrew his hand, sampled the wine, and gave it a casual acceptance.  Once the waiter was gone and the other blond went on insisting it was all an accident, Andreas sighed again and stared at his wine glass.  No, it wasn’t easy to break through years of physical and psychological abuse.  He knew that well enough.  It was frustrating, though, being the one on the outside looking in.<br/><br/>“If that’s the truth… then why do you look like you’re going to have a panic attack?” he asked.  “Ask yourself a few questions, Alex, and don’t be too quick to respond.  Think about it.  Okay?”  He paused there, downing his glass of wine like it wasn’t some aged, expensive thing that should’ve been savoured.  He wasn’t in the mood for that, right now.  “How many<i>accidents</i>?  How many times have you been hurt?  How long does it take before he’s sorry?<i>Is</i>he sorry at all?  Better yet,<i>are you afraid</i>?” he asked slowly, trying to catch those pretty blue eyes with his so he could see the truth in them.  “Because if you’re afraid, then you can’t stay there.  I’m telling you right now, it isn’t safe.”