Poor Alex’s lithe beautiful form was marred with bruises and welts of every color. Fresh belt marks were the brightest red and beginning to swell. He had darker ones circling his wrists from being pinned down days before. The jabs to the ribs were already turning a little blue, then there were the faded yellow ones scattered here and there.<br/><br/>When Andreas came to him Alex flung his arms around Andreas’ shoulders and buried his face into the other man’s neck. He was careful to keep the gun arm out of the equation. He was shaking like a leaf. “Th... thank you.”<br/><br/>Alex didn’t want to let go of his savior. He wanted to cling to him and be held, for everything to be ok. “You... you.. shot him.” He blinked wide eyes up at the other man sitting on his bed.<br/><br/>Alex only vaguely recalled that Andreas had told him to do something, what was it? Get clothes? Right now he was distracted with the other man’s gaze, there was something different in those eyes. What was it?<br/><br/>The boy drew in a long shaky breath and let it out then mumbled. “I want to too...” Alex had never held a gun in his life, but it wouldn’t be that hard, would it? Point and shoot.