#I like to think Seb tries to be better than Augustus ever was to him in any era 😫

[bestdamnshot]

Having the Dorian plot, makes me think Seb would have silly moments like this with his son in private sometimes. You know he hates the attention outside

@artsymoriarty

[teenbasher]

Swimming Lessons

TW: physical, and emotional abuse of a minor, ptsd, near drowning, trauma mention.

Painful,awful,horrible headcanon (post Alex drowning) on how Augustus would try to nearly drown Seb after the accident at the lake "teaching him to swim"

(Will add link to previous fic where Alex dies below to keep the timeline somewhat organized)

If I am going to hell this fan fic is the reason why.

"There you are!"

Augustus rough voice startles the child as Sebastian tries huddling up small under the kitchen sink, hiding.

Thinking this time his father wouldn't find him Sebastian tried his best to stay still and quiet until the man had left again, but to his luck, Augustus was looking specifically for him today.

Grabbing him roughly by the wrists he yanks the boy out from his hidding spot, it's clear by the frown on his father's face, Sebastian is not going to enjoy whatever comes next.

At the pull and its force settles on his small body, a small, anxious squeak escapes the five almost six year old upsetting his dad.

"Shut up!"

Augustus barks instantly.

His father's harsh tone stingins his ears as much as his hands against his skin did.

Sebastian's eyes water and his lip quivers, trying his hardest not to make another sound, but more importantly, not to cry.

He always got punished for crying, me more he cried the severerity of the punishment increased.

Augustus terrified him, specially when he was the only thing in the room for the bastard to take his anger out on during his rages.

Starting to be dragged out the room, the boy's stomach hurts knowing going with his dad would hurt.

trying to put some resistance, he steps on the soles of his sneakers as hard as he could, creating traction between the wooden kitchen floor and the rubber bottoms of his shoes.

But having no time for this nonsense Augustus simply lifts him up by the tight grip he got on the boy's frail wrists; swinging him above the floor momentarily as Sebastian instinctively kicks in protest.

Stopping instantly; as he feels the increasing pain from his father's grip, Sebastian whimpers, unable to contain the tears this time.

A single tear rolls down his cheek. Sniffling and blinking rapidly, trying to stop more from falling the boy focuses his vision again. And his father's cold eyes pierce through him momentarily, as they meet his own.

The short few seconds he suffers the soules stare of the old man feels like hours to him making him feel unsure about himself.

Being so focused on not blinking and holding Augustus' gaze for as long as need be to show his father he was not the cry baby he thought he was.

He can't help but flinch at the sudden and surprising feeling of his cheeks being pressed together until his lips form an uncomfortable and awkard, squished "O" shape from his father's strong fingers pressing his face forcefully.

"You know, not to cry"

The old sadistic slow and calculated voice sends a shiver down Sebastian's spine.

"I have not, yet given you a reason to....."

He continues.

Sebastian's eyes widen and his body unvolutarily shifts as he feels his arms starting to go numb from the lack of circulation going through them, thanks to the awkward position his father has him pinned in.

Trying to nod he whimpers quietly & breaths shakily, learning to remain as calm as he can when his father is in his moods.

After a moment of silence Augustus speaks again.

" 'right, good"

His lips twisting into a wicket smirk, releasing the boy's cheeks.

"Today, Sebastian, I have a surprise for you, we are spending some, much needed quality time together, son"

The word son hardens the man's face for a slight second as he shifts the boy, releasing his wrists, instead sliding him against his side, wrapping an arm around Sebastian's hip.

Confused and still, not very comfortable the boy's little hands imediately go to his wrists, rubbing at the reddened marks left against them, fear settling in.

Shifting as little as possible the child frowns as his dad begins walking, carrying him out of the house through the kitchen's back door, out towards the small forests surrounding the back of the property.

Being too afraid to ask where they where going Sebastian focuses on the ground, observing the worn on his father's boots and the details on the grass they pass.

After some fifteen minutes of walking Augustus stops, and puts Sebastian down.

Still holding on to the boy he turns him to face him, not allowing him to look behind him, just yet.

"Don't turn around, is a surprise, I want you to keep looking at me until I tell you to, okay, Ale- Sebastian."

Hearing the almost mention of his brother's name instead of his own Sebastian's face drops, making his stomach twist.

"Okay, dad" the child whispers anxiously, looking up at his father.

"I need you to strip down to your underclothes okay?"

Augustus instructs him calmly.

"Wha-"

Frowning Sebastian opens his mouth to protest, but closes it imediately before he triggerinh the old man, knowing better than to question him.

Obeying the order, he nods slowly as his hands anxiously pull off his top, offering it to him. Not wanting to get in trouble for dropping it on the grass & getting it dirty.

Once he was stripped Augustus watches him momentarily, picking him up.

"Alright, Sebastian...."

He says, walking him forward.

"Today, I will be teaching you....."

As his dad spoke Sebastian looks around, finally seeing where they are headed, and the closer they get to the pond the colder his blood runs, as panick settles in his chest and he sinks deeper into his father's arms.

Hyper focusing on his emotions now, his little hands grip whatever they can of their father's clothing as firmly as poosible, foolishly thinking that as long as he stays close to Augustus he is safe, half listening to his dad speak; only tuning in again as the man says.....

"To swim"

And moments later, before the thought clicks in his mind he's tossed mid air towards the pond, landing in, making a large splash.

The moment his body submerges under the water, he freaks out and begins to desperately trash around, opening his mouth, trying to scream to his dad, to pull him out, to save him.

But unsurprisingly Augustus just stands there watching his remaining twin son struggle to breath.

Crouching down enough, he reaches into the water, gripping the boy by whatever part of his body he can grab wrapping his hand, tightly aroung his left upper arm, lifting him out the water.

Taking the boy a moment to realize he was not in the pond anymore, he blinks and coughs violently, expelling as much water as he can out of his system, trying to remember how to breath as he settled.

Before fully coming to, a sharp slap to the right side of his face, causes his ear to ring and his eyes to overflow with tears bringing his attention to his father as he tells him something he could not yet understand, still trying to calm down from the fright and listen, misserably reaching for Augustus despite him hurting him, just looking for some sort of familiar comfort.

He is betrayed once more as Augustus drops him in the water again without warning.

And again the small boy struggles to keep his head afloat and breath without swallowing buckets of water.

By the fourth time Augustus pulls him out the water monetarily Sebastian is exhausted and begs him with tears streaming down his face to take him home.

"Da-ddy.....pl-ease....stop, take me hoME......I'll be a good boy Daddy ple-ase"

He sobs, terrified, confused and tired beyond belief, at the mercy of his sadistic father who has decided his mission in life is to destroy him.

Without a word Augustus drops him in the water again but this time he holds him under the surface for a couple of moments until he feels the boy has had enough.

Pulling out the exhausted, semi consious kid a final time.

The man lays him on the ground, watching him before compressing his chest, until he comes to a little and coughs violently, eventually vomiting water.

Lifting him a final time after. Augustus tosses him over his shoulder, finally carrying him home. Passing out on the walk back, Sebastian wakes up hours later, in bed, in dried clothes, new bruising on his face, wrists and chest and the rawest throat he has ever felt, tingles.

A fresh and deepened sense of terror of both his father and the water sit on his chest as his eyes water and finally being alone again he can cry.