Alex flushed brightly at the threat. He felt a wash of pain, embarrassment; panic? He bit his lip, then chewed it a little as he tried to think of what to do. No one, no one had ever called him out on that. Alex did not want Andreas to leave and never see him again, but he was afraid to get in more trouble.<br/><br/>His beautiful blue eyes looked up to meet andreas’ eyes. He searched the other man’s features.<i>Protect? Wait.. what? </i>Why... Alex hesitated a moment and let his lip side free of his teeth as he set his hand into That offered hand.<br/><br/>He opened his mouth to say something, but Andreas continued with his story. His long slender fingers curled tightly around Andreas’ hand. The more he heard the tighter he squeezed. It sounded familiar, but.. it couldn’t possibly be the same. His father loved him. He didn’t mean it when he to got so mean.<i>Wait... kill for him? </i>He was shocked by the other man’s words, but he filed that away for later.<br/><br/>He looked down at the table and was thankful that the waiter came at that moment to deliver the wine, giving him a moment to just collect his thoughts. The bottle was opened, and two glasses were poured. The waiter made sure that Andreas found it acceptable before he disappeared again.<br/><br/>Alex was unable to meet andreas’ gaze as he murmured softly, “I really did tumble down the stairs... it was an accident... we were arguing and he... and I lost my balance... and ...” he tried to continue but his heart was pounding so hard and there was a lump in his throat that he wasn’t able to swallow down.<br/><br/>Alex really believed it was an accident and this father didn’t purposely start a fight on the stairs with the intent of making the boy fall. He just didn’t think like that, because how could someone who claims to love you, so that? Though if anyone could get into daddy’s head, he definitely started the fight on the stairs and grabbed a fist full of Alex’s hair while he was screaming at him. When he was done yelling he roughly shoved Alex back as he let go of his head, which is what caused Alex to lose his balance and fall. If only the punishment ended at the bottom of the stairs....