artisjustlines

[artisjustlines]

Let's Go Home

__

⚠️Trigger Warning⚠️

This story touches on parental abuse, and also a form of physical touching of wounds. It mentions alchohol abuse and other topics that might be triggering to some.

__

Anthony winced, getting off the ground and patting his knees off to get rid of the dry dirt that lingered on his knees.

The pain was manageable. His 'father' never went this far however. It usually ended in a drunk apology followed by an obscene amount of crying and hugging.

He didn't mean to burst out of his old mans embrace, it just kind of happened. Anthony could recall in that moment he felt no fear expressing how he felt about the bipolar mess of a man; but unfortunately, the way he felt was deemed rude and inconsiderate.

"Oh my God! Anthony! Are you ok?" Artis asked, placing a worried hand on Anthony's shoulder. He flinched, startled by the sudden voice. Anthony made the same mistake as before, pushing her away with wide eyes.

"Ah.. oh.. s-sorry.." he bowed to her, watching as she got up from the shove like it was nothing. "I.. didn't think you'd fall.." he continued backing up when she got a bit closer.

"You.. Your eye, it's bruised." She frowned as if just looking at it physically harmed her.

She had seen this multiple times, nothing getting rid of her nagging suspicion that his father had a hand in this; but of course, she couldn't do anything about it.

'Noblemen shouldn't mingle with such... commoners!' Her mother's words rang through her ears as of it were a soliloquy of unspoken rules. Rules that she had to abide by. Rules that no one seemed to break, in fear that the chains around their necks would be taken, and their lives as an addition.

"Anthony, this is the third time this month! What is he doing to you?" Artis's face contorted and twisted in a sense of disgust, she truly could not believe she was to marry into such a 'family'.

"They're not doing anything. I'm fine." He hissed, rolling his eyes as he saw the face of pity she made. "Besides, if you really care that much, go cry to your boyfriend about it." Anthony grumbled.

"Just because we are to be married doesn't mean we have to like each other. Because I certainly dont like him." Artis sighed, holding her hands up before lightly grabbing Anthony's free arm, the other holding onto his ribs.

"Hey don't--" He was cut off by a sharp breath causing him to grumble out.

"Look. I won't touch you anywhere you don't want me to.. but I need to get you somewhere safe..."

Anthony sucked in a shakey breath, something pricking the back of his eyes.

"...ok." he huffed. Artis slung his arm around her shoulders, propping him up just enough to be comfortable, but not too much where it hurt to breathe.

"Comfy?" She asked before taking a step.

"Yeah..." Anthony said. His eyes darted from Artis to the ground quickly.

"Alright," She smiled, stepping forward "let's go home."