“I’m fine. I don’t need your help.” Alex slurs, pushing away from you only to stumble and catch himself on the wall. The stubborn bastard.

He’s bleeding from…everywhere. His lip, his nose. His whole damn face is covered in blood and bruises, yet he still insists that he won the fight, and that he’s not even hurt.

You grab him again, dragging him down the hall and into his bedroom. You had to drive him all the way back to his house from the party because he was too drunk to do it himself. You ignore his whines and protests as you kay him down on the bed, grabbing a washcloth to wipe away the blood.

“You can’t keep doing this. You’re not indestructible. You’re a sixteen year old boy.” You scold, earning a grumble of something you can’t understand from him.

“Can you stay with me tonight? Just for tonight.”

He looks up at you, pleading with his eyes. the sight of him so desperate pulls on your heartstrings, though you would never admit it to him.