Zeke groaned as he heard his phone ring. He fumbled blindly and answered it, pressing it against his ear. "H'lo…?"

"I'm so-sorry, did I wake you up?" a soft shaky voice whispered. Zeke frowned and opened his eyes.

"Who is this?" he asked sharply.

"I-I'm sorry." The person on the other end whispered. "I-I didn't know what else t-to do. He'll kill me if he knew I was doing this."

"What? Who's going to kill you?" Zeke asked, frustration making his words sharp.

"M-My b-boyfriend."

Oh.

"OK, what is your name and where are you?" Zeke asked, sitting up. "I take it you need help? How did you get this number?"

"You are the 13th person I called." The boy whispered. "People are not-." There was a loud sound and the boy whimpered in fear. Zeke grimaced. "Shit, he's back. I have to go. I'll call you back?"

"O-." Before Zeke could respond, the line went dead. He swore and looked at the phone number in his call log. He tried calling back but it went into voicemail. "Fuck!"

He looked at the time. It was almost 4AM, he still had hours before he had to get up for work, but that phone call had disturbed him.

There was no way he was going to sleep now.

*

"So I got a phone call." Zeke said later in the morning when his brother and his brother's boyfriend showed up at his restaurant. "Weird call. Some kid was…well, he said his boyfriend wanted to kill him."

"Oh?" Zion asked in his cop voice. "What did you do?"

"Well, I think his boyfriend came back 'cos he hung up." Zeke shrugged. "Could have been a prank. But…"

"Probably." Alex said. "Did you call him back?"

"The number was hidden." Zeke lied. He stood up. "I'm going back to work, see you guys later."

It was probably a one off thing. Like, who calls a stranger in the middle of the night and says stuff like that?

*

He was on his way home after locking up when his phone rang. It was the same number that called him earlier.

"You had me worried for a bit there." Zeke said. "Are you OK?"

"Y-Yeah." The boy sniffed. "Sorry about this morning. He doesn't know about this phone."

"What is your name?" Zeke asked. The kid sounded like he had been crying.

"S-Simon." The kid whispered.

"Hi Simon." Zeke said. "I'm Zeke."

Simon chuckled. "I've never met a Zeke before."

"Consider me your first."

"OK." Simon said quietly.

"Where are you?" Zeke asked as he walked home.

"I-I can't tell you that." Simon said. "He'll know…"

"So what do you want from me?" Zeke didn't mean to sound harsh, but he was frustrated. The kid-Simon-wasn't giving him anything.

"S-Sorry. I-I just wanted someone to talk t-to." Simon said. "We m-moved and I-I don't know anyone here. I j-just needed a f-friend. I'm s-sorry."

Zeke sighed. "OK. We can be friends." He heard Simon sigh. "But on one condition."

"What's that?" Simon said warily.

"Tell me the truth." Zeke said.

"O…K." Simon said slowly. "That's all?"

"I'll know if you lie." Zeke said. "My brother is a cop, I've had practice."

"Oh." Simon sighed. "OK."

Zeke smiled. "So friend, when is your birthday?"

Simon laughed. "March 28th. You?"

"August 30th." Zeke answered. "Where do you live?"

Simon hesitated. "N-New York."

"Really? Me too." Zeke said.

"You live in New York?" Simon asked. "Wow."

"Yeah." By then, Zeke had gotten to his apartment. "Are you going to hang up on me like the last time?"

"I said I was sorry." Simon said, giggling. "He would have killed me if he saw the phone."

"Is he-Is he hitting you?" Zeke asked the question bugging him. "And don't lie to me."

Simon was silent. "I-I'm not a victim."

"I didn't say you were." Zeke said.

"He-He's stressed and he d-doesn't handle stress well." Simon said. "He loves me, he's just…"

Zeke threw himself on the couch. "OK. What is your favorite dessert?"

"What?"

Zeke laughed at the confusion in Simon's voice. "I'm a chef and I bake. I like to bake for my friends."

"Oh." Simon sighed. "I like chocolate."

"Me too." Zeke said. "None of my other friends do, can you imagine?"

"What?" Simon said incredulously. "But, it's chocolate."

"That's what I said." Zeke said, smiling. "I'll bake you a cake."

"Thank you." But he sounded sad. "But I can't get it. I'm not…I don't really go out."

Zeke frowned. "We'll figure something out."

Suddenly Simon gasped. "I have to go. Jon will be home soon."

"Wait," Zeke said, loudly. "Can I call you?"

"Maybe I'll text you." Simon said quickly. "Thank you, Zeke."

"Call me anytime." Zeke said, he knew he sounded desperate. "Even if it's in the middle of the night. OK?"

"OK." Then the line went dead.

Zeke sighed. "What the hell?"

***

A couple of blocks away, in an apartment building; a slim brunet turned off his phone and put it in a water proof case. Then he opened a plastic can of flour and stuffed his it in there.

He was smiling.

It felt strange.

It had been a while since he smiled.

Jon had dragged him all the way to New York, where he knew nobody. He had been given a promotion and that came with a transfer.

Simon had lied to Zeke when he said he wasn't a victim.

He was.

He was also worthless and stupid and useless and weak.

And no one would ever want him.

Jon was it.

Sometimes he thought about ending it all. He had come close once, but he couldn't go through with it.

He was also a coward.

He had also thought about killing Jon too. One night, while Jon slept peacefully next to him, he had watched him and thought about plunging a knife into his throat while he slept.

He didn't dare.

One, he hated the sight of blood.

Two, with his luck, he would mess it up and Jon would kill him for sure.

So he did nothing.

Until he found the phone. It was an old phone. He found it when he was cleaning out the guestroom, Jon used as his study.

Simon had tried his sister's number but it was disconnected. That was when he started dialing random numbers.

Some picked up. Others went straight to voicemail.

He had just about given up when he dialed Zeke's number. When he had picked up, he thought the guy would curse him out like the others had done. But he didn't.

Now he had a friend.

Simon couldn't stop smiling.

He started making dinner for Jon. His boyfriend loved pasta and meatballs. It was easy and quick. Simon looked at the time and his smile dimmed. Jon would be home in an hour.

It was enough to kill his good mood.

***

"So he called again." Zeke said the next day. It was a weekend and he didn't open till midday. "And we talked. His name is Simon."

He was at his Zion and Alex's loft, having breakfast, like he did every Saturday.

"Really?" Alex asked. "What did he want?"

"Nothing. I guess he just needed to talk to someone." Zeke said. "He says he just moved into town and he doesn't know anybody."

"What did you say?" Zion asked him.

Zeke shrugged. "He's cool, I guess." Zeke said. "It's just phone calls. And he calls me, I don't call him. What's the harm?"

His brother stared at him. "What else?"

Zeke shook his head. "I'm not sure…I think his boyfriend hits him."

"Why would you say that?"

"Just some of the things he says." Zeke said. "But get this, he loves chocolate."

"Wow, he's a weirdo, like you." Alex said, laughing.

"Hey!" Zeke smiled. He saw Zion frown. "Dude, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." Zion said. "It's just kinda weird. Just be careful."

Zeke rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mom."

*

By the time he took a break, it was almost six in the evening. Weekends were always hectic. He picked up his phone and swore when he saw four missed calls and a text message.

The calls were from a hidden number and the text was from an unknown number.

Hi.

Zeke sighed and thought about calling. Instead he typed a quick reply and waited.

Almost immediately, his phone rang. "Hey." Simon said quietly.

"I'm so sorry." Zeke said. "Weekends are my busiest days."

"It's OK." Simon said. "Jon was called away at work so I was just…"

"Where do you live?" Zeke cut him off. He didn't know why but he wanted to see him.

"I told you, New-."

"No, your address." Zeke clarified.

Simon was quiet, but Zeke could hear him breathing shakily. "I-I can't. I'm sorry."

"Why not?" Zeke pressed.

"Jon will kill me." Simon said. Zeke blew out a breath.

"I kinda hate this Jon guy." He said.

"He's not so bad." Simon said, giggling. "Just intense. And being a cop isn't an easy…"

"He's a cop?"

"Uh…I mean, he, uh," Simon stuttered.

"Simon…" Zeke growled.

"Yes." He sounded resigned. "He's a cop. That's all I'm telling you."

"Fine." Zeke said. "So what do you do for fun?"

"Oh, I play the guitar." Simon said. "Not so much now though."

"Why?"

"I-My guitar broke." Simon said, sadly.

"Let me guess, Jon?" Zeke really hated this Jon person.

"It was my fault really." Simon said quickly. Can we talk about something else? Please? What do you do for fun?"

"I cook. I bake." Zeke replied. "Sometimes, I fight. But I'm way too pretty for fighting, so…"

Simon laughed and Zeke grinned. "Wow, you are so modest." He chuckled.

"Well, I have my moments." Zeke said.

"I'm sure you do." Simon said. "Lemme guess, you're a blond. A regular dudebro."

"The blondest." Zeke said on a laugh.

"I knew it!" Simon chortled. "Is it true that blonds have the most fun?"

"I can't believe you even have to ask." Zeke said. "Of course we do."

Simon laughed. Zeke loved the way his laugh sounded. He wondered how it would sound if he heard it for real, not through the phone.

"OK, OK." Simon said. "You have blue eyes. No, something exotic, like…pale purple."

"Purple?" Zeke scoffed. "No. I have one blue eye, the other is green. I have heterochromia."

"Wow, really?" Simon sounded awed and Zeke blushed. "I have never seen that before. That is so cool."

"Why thank you." Zeke laughed.

"I bet you get all the girls, huh?" Simon teased.

"Sometimes." Zeke said.

"You lucky dog." Simon said, chuckling. "OK, blond, heterochromic eyes…hmm, you're tall, like 6ft or more, built like a surfer."

"Well, I'm about 6'2" and I look more like a brawler."

Simon giggled like a high school girl. "No! I refuse to believe that. I bet you're beautiful."

Zeke found himself blushing again. "No I'm not. I'm a man. I'm hot."

"Of course." Simon said and Zeke could almost imagine him rolling his eyes.

"Let me do you." Zeke said then slapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he said. Simon laughed.

Aloud.

"Be careful, Zeke." Simon said. Zeke rolled his eyes.

"You are a pervert." He joked. "OK, I think you have long black hair and green eyes and you are built like the Rock."

Simon sounded like he was gasping for breath. "You are really bad at this."

"Hey." Zeke said, rolling his eyes. "OK, what do you look like?"

Simon was silent for a while. "I'm OK I guess. I mean, I'm no Dwayne Johnson. I have brown hair and brown eyes. Skinny and short."

"Hot." Zeke said. Simon giggled.

"Oh yeah." Simon said dryly. "I'm a rockstar."

"I knew it!" Zeke said, laughing.

They talked a bit about this and that, then Zeke had to get back to work. "Are you sure I can't call you?"

"No, I can't risk that." Simon said quickly. "But you can text me. I'll reply when I can."

Zeke supposed that was OK. He wasn't completely satisfied, but it would have to do.

"Sure." He said softly. "Simon…take care."

"You too." Then Simon hung up.

Disclaimer: This chapter contains a scene of physical and sexual abuse as well as slight mentions of suicidal thoughts.

**********

.

Simon called him twice a day, every day for the next few weeks and they texted back and forth. Alex teased him about his new 'pen pal'.

"I think Zeke has a crush." Alex said one night. They were all ready to go to the club and were waiting for Zion.

Bella, his baby sister laughed. "It's about time." She said. "He was getting boring. So, who is she? Are you going to ask her out?"

Zeke rolled his eyes. "I do not have a crush." He muttered. His best friend, Diane, who was also his sister's girlfriend laughed.

"Dude, you are glowing." She said. "Like, you look happier. Tell us, what's going on with you."

"It's nothing." Zeke said. "I just…it's nothing."

"Zeke…come on." Bella whined. "Tell us."

"No." Zeke said. "It's nothing. I'm zen or whatever."

They all looked at him as if he was insane. As Bella was about to say something, Zion joined them. "Sorry, I'm late. I had to pick up Jon."

Jon?

Zeke looked behind his brother and saw a tall, blond man with cold grey eyes.

"This is Jon?" Alex asked and Zeke caught the tightening of his lips before he smiled. "I'm Alex; Zion has told me so much about you."

"Whatever he said I did, don't believe him." Jon said, smiling. He reminded Zeke of a shark.

Zion made the introductions and they all made their way to the club. Zeke kept looking over at Jon. The guy was as tall as his brother and he had this air of…icy aloofness that made Zeke shiver slightly.

He picked out his phone and sent a text to Simon.

Zeke: Tall, grey eyes, short blond hair, rapist jacket…ring any bells?

He pushed his phone back into his pocket and whispered to Alex. "I don't like him."

Alex shrugged. "Your brother says I need to be nice to his friends, no matter how much I don't want to." He whispered.

"You're pissed, huh?" Zeke asked, still whispering. Alex loved Zion's name and he used it all the time. The fact that he used the phrase 'your brother' said a lot.

"My friends are lovely." Alex said. "This guy is bad news."

"You know Zion." Zeke said helplessly. "He is always trying to be nice."

Alex rolled his eyes and Zeke jumped when he felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out and saw a message from Simon.

Simon: Rapist jacket?

Trust Simon to miss the point. On purpose. He typed a reply.

Zeke: Focus, Simon.

A reply came immediately.

Simon: You met Jon.

Zeke: Yes I did. How did you get mixed up with someone so creepy?

Simon: Can we not talk about him? And put your phone away before he sees you.

Zeke: Why didn't you come with him?

Simon: He's at a work thing. I have no interest in that.

Zeke scoffed. A work thing? Jon was not only abusive; he was also a liar and a creep. How did Simon meet this guy?

Zeke: We'll talk about this later.

Then he shoved his phone into his pocket. "Are you OK?" Alex asked.

Zeke had totally forgot he was there. "Yeah, I'm fine. Was just checking something."

"What are you guys whispering about?" Bella asked loudly. "Come on."

Zeke looked up and saw Jon staring at him. He resisted the urge to shudder.

He really didn't like the guy.

*

"So, Zeke." Jon said, sitting next to him. "Zion tells me you are a chef."

"Yeah." Zeke said, shifting a little. They guy was too close. "I own Carter's. You know it?"

"Really?" Jon smirked. "I live not far from there."

Zeke stiffened. Simon had been close by and he didn't know. Well, close-ish.

"Really?" So you live in Brooklyn?" Zeke said, suddenly interested. Jon smiled, probably thinking he had scored.

"I do." He replied. "Since I moved to New York, I haven't really found a good place to eat out. Is Carter's as good as I think it is?"

"Why don't you come on down during the week?" Zeke said. "You can find out for yourself."

"Maybe I will." Jon said, before Zion called him and he left.

"Is it just me or is that guy all sorts of creepy?" Diane said, sitting next to him.

Zeke sighed. He needed to talk to someone about this. "Di, I am going to tell you something and you have to promise you won't say anything to anyone. Not even my sister."

"Not even Bella?" Diane's eyes widened. "Wow, it must be serious."

"Kinda." Zeke said, sighing. Then he told her everything. He told her about the calls, and everything he knew about Jon; from the little Simon had told him. Her eyes narrowed when Zeke said he suspected that Jon hit Simon.

"So Simon's your crush?" she asked finally.

"He's just a friend." Zeke said firmly. "And I'm worried about him."

"Wow." She glanced at Jon, before looking back at Zeke. "What are you going to do?"

"I have no idea."

*

Simon: Are you awake?

Zeke was just getting home when Simon's message came in. He was slightly tipsy but he replied.

Zeke: Just getting in. Should you be on the phone? Jon should be home.

Simon: He's asleep. I just wanted to say hey.

Zeke suddenly found himself on the verge of tears. Simon was just…helpless and all Zeke wanted to do was to help him. Jon was obviously not a good person and Zeke wanted nothing more than to get Simon away from him.

Zeke: Have you ever thought of leaving him?

Simon: And go where? It may be easier but not very smart.

Zeke: You could stay with me. I can keep you safe

Simon: He'd find me anywhere I go. And he'll hurt you. I can't let that happen.

Zeke: Don't worry about me. Let's make a deal. If you really need to get away, call me. I don't care what time. I'll come and get you.

Simon: That doesn't sound like a deal.

Zeke: That's all you're getting. Think about it at least.

Simon: OK.

Zeke smiled and went to get ready for bed.

He fell asleep hoping Simon would accept his help.

***

"What are you smiling at?" Simon jumped at his boyfriend's cranky voice.

"Nothing." Simon stood up quickly. He already had coffee ready so he poured a mug and handed it to Jon.

"Are you hungry?" Simon asked, his voice quiet, eyes down. Jon hated it when Simon looked at him.

"No. I'm meeting Steven at the airport." Jon said. "He may be staying here, tidy up the guestroom."

"H-He's sta-staying he-here?" Simon stuttered.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Jon asked, looking at him coldly.

"It's, uh, he scares me." Simon said, almost inaudibly. "The last time he was here h-he hurt m-me." Simon closed his eyes in shame. The last time, Steven was here, he had almost raped Simon, when Simon had bitten him hard when he had forced his dick in his mouth. In his fury, Steven had beaten Simon until Simon had hidden in the guest bathroom until Steven left, muttering something.

He flinched when Jon stood up and grabbed his shoulder hard. "He did say he liked you. That son of a bitch is just a fucking horndog. What did he do?"

"He-he tried to m-make m-me s-suck…" Simon didn't finish, because Jon backhanded him and he fell. He didn't make a sound but he felt blood in his mouth.

"And you did, didn't you?" Jon yelled, kicking Simon. "Like the little slut you are, you sucked his dick. And you kissed me! With…" he growled and picked Simon up by the collar and threw him against the wall.

"No!, I swear I didn't!" Simon shouted. He knew it was pointless. Jon never listened when he got like this. He doubled over when Jon punched him in the stomach.

"I'll show you what happens to sluts who try to cheat on me." Jon said, dragging Simon to their bedroom. "I bet you thought he could save you, right? Huh? When will you learn that you are mine. Worthless as you are, you belong to me. Who wants a fucking loser like you? Nobody. Except me. After all I have done for you, and you do this to me!"

Simon was thrown on the bed and Jon straddled his hips. He was slapped a few times till he saw stars. Then he felt Jon pull his shirt off and was struggling with his shorts. Simon froze and started struggling.

Big mistake.

Jon wrapped a hand around his throat and squeezed. He squeezed until Simon started seeing black spots before his eyes. He vaguely felt the hand leave his throat and then Jon flipped him until he was on his stomach. He felt Jon push down his sweatpants and then there was a painful pressure in his ass.

Simon screamed into the pillow as Jon pushed into him harshly.

He was sobbing when Jon groaned behind him and collapsed on top of his body. He flinched when Jon stroked his hair gently.

"I'm sorry." Jon said. "Why do you make me so angry? Why do you make me hurt you? Do you think I like hurting you?"

Simon whimpered but didn't say anything. His eyes were closed and he was struggling to breathe. Jon sighed and stood up. "I'm going to take a shower." Then he was gone.

Simon lay on the bed, his body aching and shaking from his sobs.

He wanted to die.

But if he died now, Zeke wouldn't know what happened and he would be really sad.

Zeke.

He was the only good thing about his pitiful existence.

He needed to talk to Zeke.

Wincing he got off the bed and automatically pulled the sheets off the bed. Then he made his way to the guest bathroom.

Standing in the shower, he turned it on and made it as hot as he could stand. Then he started to cry again.

***

"Hey Zeke." Simon sounded dull.

"What's wrong?" Zeke asked immediately. Simon sounded off.

"Can we not talk about it, please?" Simon's voice cracked. "Tell me, tell me about Diane. I have never had a best friend before."

"Hey, I can be your best friend." Zeke said, softly. He sat on the floor of his bedroom and leaned against the wall.

"You are my only friend." Simon said.

"Now I'm your best friend." Zeke said, forcing his tone to sound cheerful. "What's your favorite shape?"

"What?" Simon asked.

"I was going to design your cake." Zeke said. "Do you like shapes or superheroes or princesses?"

Simon choked out a laugh. "Is it 'cos I'm gay that you think I'll like princesses?"

"Do you?" Zeke asked.

"Who doesn't like princesses?" Simon said, trying to be stern.

"What will it be?" Zeke asked. "I can make anything. Except ducks. I hate ducks."

"I feel like there's a story there."

"Well…" Zeke blushed. "I just don't like them. Beady eyed motherfuckers." He shuddered.

"Oh my God." Simon squealed, laughing. "Are you scared of the duckies?"

"No." Zeke scowled. But Simon was laughing, so that was progress. "I hate them. There's a difference."

"But they are so cute." Simon said.

"Never say that again." Zeke said in faux annoyance. "They are evil and should be destroyed."

Simon giggled. "I thought you were a big tough guy."

"You wanna see my muscles?" Zeke joked. "I'm as big and tough as it gets."

"Uh huh." Simon was chuckling. Then. "I like Star Wars."

"What?"

"For the cake. I like Star Wars." Simon said.

"For real?" Zeke grinned. "Dude, I'm going to blow your mind! You're going to love me."

Simon muttered something that Zeke didn't catch. "What did you say?" Zeke asked.

"Nothing." Simon said, quickly. "Thank you." His voice was soft and sad again.

"Hey, I promised. No need to thank me." Zeke said. "What are friends for?"

To his horror, Simon started to cry over the phone, huge sobs and gasps filled Zeke's ear and he found himself blinking. He hated feeling helpless.

"I-I'm s-sorry." Simon sobbed. "I'm just s-so t-tired. My body hurts and his friend is coming over and I just want it to be over."

"What are you saying?" Zeke asked, his hand tightening on the phone.

"I-I w-want it to be over." Simon said, brokenly. "I'm so tired."

"Simon, listen to me." Zeke said, sharply. "Don't do anything stupid. I promise I'll be here for you. Just don't-don't do anything."

"Why?" Simon sounded resigned. "Nobody's going to miss me. I'm just a worthless loser that nobody wants."

"I'll miss you." Zeke said softly. "I'll miss you. Don't forget that."

"Y-You will?" Zeke's heart broke at the hopeless tone of Simon's voice.

"I swear I will." Zeke said. "And if you are gone, I'll have to eat the whole Death Star chocolate cake by myself. No one wants to see that."

Simon laughed softly. "OK." They were silent for a while. "Zeke?" Simon said after a while.

"Yeah?"

"Did you mean it when you said you would come and get me?" he sighed shakily. "If I need to get away?"

"Of course I meant it." Zeke said, sitting straight up.

"OK." Simon sighed. "I need to get away from here. I need to leave him."

Zeke stood in an alley not far from his restaurant. After Simon had told him where he lived, he had borrowed Diane's car and drove to the restaurant, before walking to the alley where Simon told him to meet him.

He saw a duffle bag land at his feet before he looked up and saw a figure in a dark hoodie step out of an apartment on the second floor and wave at him. Zeke raised his arms and motioned for him to jump.

"You'll catch me?" Simon called out in a low voice.

"Dude, I promise." Zeke said. "Jump. Don't think about it. I'll catch you."

He saw Simon sigh and then jump off the rusty fire escape. Zeke caught him easily. And in a moment of weakness, hugged him tightly.

Simon squirmed and hissed in pain, before Zeke freed him. "Sorry." Zeke said, blushing.

Simon looked up at him, his face partly hidden in the hoodie over his head. "Wow, you really are blond. And tall. And your eyes…wow."

"Told ya." Zeke said, grinning. Simon ducked his head and bent to pick up his duffle bag. Zeke took it from him and grabbed his wrist. "Come on."

They made it to the car without any incident. Zeke noticed Simon was limping but didn't say anything. Not yet.

"Thank you." Simon said. His voice was soft and sounded way better than he did over the phone. Zeke turned to look at him. He still had the hoodie over his head. Zeke reached tentatively and pulled the hoodie off his head.

His eyes widened.

Simon had a black eye and the side of his face was swollen. His lower lip was split and there was a large hand print on his neck. Simon swallowed hard and avoided looking at Zeke.

"You lied to me." Zeke said, anger burning in his chest.

"I-I didn't." Simon said, shakily, his eyes shiny. "I j-just never talked ab-about it."

Zeke closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "We need to tell someone, Simon."

"No!" Zeke jumped at Simon's outburst. "He'll kill me. He'll hurt-hurt…Oh God, this was a mistake. I have to go back." Simon started hyperventilating. "Oh fuck, I fucked up bad. Jon will kill me this time. He'll kill me."

"Hey, Simon. Calm down." Zeke said, softly. He grabbed his hands and rubbed his palms gently. "Calm down. It's OK."

Simon was already crying. "I-I'm n-not a victim. If we te-tell any-anybody, th-they'll s-say I'm a v-victim. A-And he'll find out. And then h-he'll k-kill m-me."

"I'll kill him if he touches you again." Zeke growled and Simon looked at him as if he was crazy.

"Don't be stupid, he's a cop."

Zeke shrugged. "So I'll go to jail."

Simon blinked then a chuckle escaped him. Then he started laughing and crying at the same time. Zeke stared at him helplessly.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry." Simon said, giggling and wheezing.

Zeke grabbed him by the shoulders and pressed his lips against his. Simon sucked in a breath and clutched at Zeke's wrists. Zeke tasted the blood on his lips and a low sound rumbled in his throat as he tasted Simon.

Pulling away, he found Simon staring at him wide eyed. "I'm sorry." Zeke muttered.

He didn't know why he even did that.

"No, it's-it's OK." Simon said, putting his fingers on his lips. "You h-have a…"

He gestured to Zeke's lip and Zeke rubbed his lip to find blood on his fingers. "I shouldn't have…"

"It's OK." Simon said, his voice calmer. "Better than a slap."

Zeke sucked his breath. "Simon, do you trust me?"

Simon nodded, his eyes on Zeke's face.

"Good." Zeke said, starting the car. "Leave everything to me."

*

Zeke winced when Simon clutched his hand tightly as Diane was fixing him up. His friend worked as a paramedic and that was the only person Zeke could think of to call.

"Your ribs are really bruised…I won't know for sure until we get an X-ray and I have done my best but I have to ask." Diane looked at Zeke. "Do you want him here? I have to ask some questions. Since you don't want to go to a hospital…"

Simon sighed and Zeke felt him release his fingers. "I'll be in the kitchen." Zeke murmured as he left the living room.

He wanted to hit something.

Zeke remembered the bruises and scars that covered Simon's torso. He was upset because Simon had not told him but on the other hand, how did someone even start talking about something this fucked up?

Simon had answered Diane's questions with his head bent, his brown wavy hair falling into his face. Zeke wanted to hold him close and never let him go. It was obvious Zion and the other police officers had no idea who Jon was. The man was a totally different person in public.

Zeke decided to make a sandwich while he waited for Diane and Simon. He had seen Simon's ribs protruding through his skin.

"Hey Zeke." He heard Diane say softly behind him. He turned and saw she had tears in her eyes.

"This is bad." She said. "We have to tell somebody. He-." She swallowed. "His boyfriend really hurt him. Like really, really bad. He needs to go to a hospital. This is beyond my expertise."

Zeke sighed. "You saw how he reacted when you suggested it, he won't go." Zeke rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Maybe…" he stopped. "I could call mom, but then Bella would know and we know she can't keep a secret. Zion would know and then Jon would know. And you know how well that would go…"

Diane swore. "I hate this. He's so…"

"I'll talk to mom." Zeke said, interrupting her. "That means I have to go back home."

"If you can convince him then do it." Diane said. "He needs all the help he can get."

Zeke nodded. "Thanks Di." He said, hugging her. "Just don't tell Bella. At least not yet."

"I don't tell my girlfriend everything, you know?" Diane said, picking up her bag and leaving the apartment, telling Simon she'd check up on him in a couple of days..

"She's nice." Simon murmured when Zeke came back with the sandwich and a bottle of water.

"She's alright I guess." Zeke said, absentmindedly. He watched as Simon pushed the plate away. "You have to eat something."

"I know." Simon said. "But I-I can't. I'll throw up."

"When was the last time you ate?" Zeke asked. Simon sighed.

"I had breakfast with Jon on Monday." Simon said matter-of-factly.

"That's like six days ago!" Zeke exclaimed. Fuck. "Dude, eat. Please. Let me take care of you." Zeke begged.

Simon sighed in annoyance. "Fine." He snapped. He grabbed the sandwich and eyed it. "No onions?"

"No onions." Zeke smiled.

"No mustard?"

"Dude, just eat." Zeke said, laughing. "I used to babysit my little brother and his friends. I know all the tricks."

Simon glared at him as he bit into the sandwich and chewed slowly. Then swallowed with difficulty. Zeke watched him as he took another bite. And another. Until he had eaten the entire thing. Zeke handed him the bottle of water. Simon drank the water and put the bottle down. "Happy?"

"Very much, yes." Zeke chuckled. "I want to suggest something. Don't freak out."

Simon curled on his side on the couch. "Yeah." He sounded tired.

"Di says you need to go to a hospital." Simon opened his mouth to protest. "Wait, wait. In Manhattan. My mom owns a clinic there. I'll tell her whatever you want me to tell her, but you have to go. He can't get to you. I promise."

Simon was silent. Then, "Where's your bathroom? I think I'm going to be sick."

Zeke grabbed his arm and took him to the bathroom where Simon knelt in front of the toilet bowl and threw up.

"I-I told y-you." Simon moaned, trying to glare at Zeke as much as he could.

*

"So…" Zeke said, after he had gotten Simon in bed. "My mom is a doctor…"

"No hospitals." Simon said weakly.

"Hear me out." Zeke said, sitting at the foot of the bed. "She owns a clinic. In Manhattan. Di says you need to see a doctor. A real doctor."

"But I'm fine." Simon said, sitting up. He hissed and grabbed his side.

"You're obviously not fine." Zeke said. "Look, I'll be with you the whole time. We'll tell her whatever you want. But you should know that my mom is like a bloodhound. She can smell a lie from miles away."

Simon looked down at his hands. "I-I'm…Jon will find me."

"He won't." Zeke said. "I will do everything in my power to make sure he doesn't touch you ever again."

Simon was quiet for a long time. Then, "What about your job?" he whispered. "If you take me to Manhattan, you'll miss work."

"Yeah, so?" Zeke asked. "Let's focus on you, OK?"

Simon sighed and looked at Zeke in the eye. "I'm not a victim."

"Never said you were." Zeke said. "I have never seen you as one."

"I just made a-a mistake." Simon said. "If I go to a hospital, they-they'll judge me."

"Just tell me who and I'll punch them in the face." Zeke winked and Simon choked out a laugh.

"Why are you doing this?" Simon asked, sobering. "I'm not-not worth it. I'm just some loser who…"

"You aren't a loser." Zeke said shifting closer. "Besides we're besties, remember?"

"But Diane…"

"Diane will be fine." Zeke said; smiling. "So, will you let me take you to my mom?"

"OK." Simon nodded. "You'll stay with me the whole time?"

"I promise." Zeke said.

Simon nodded again. Then yawned.

"Get some sleep." Zeke said, standing up. "You trust me, don't you?"

At Simon's nod, Zeke winked. "Then don't worry about anything."

*

"I'm going to see mom tomorrow." Zeke said later that night when he called Zion.

"Why?" Zion asked. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Zeke lied. "Why do you think something is going on?"

"You haven't been to see mom in a while." Zion said dryly. "The last time, we had to practically drag you."

"Well, I miss my mommy." Zeke said in a mocking tone. "Is that a crime, officer?"

"Zeke…" Zion sighed. "I know you're hiding something, but I can't deal right now. Alex is mad at me for some reason."

"He hates Jon." Zeke blurted.

"Yeah, he and everyone else." Zion sighed.

"I have my own problems." Zeke said, "I don't have time to fix yours. So I'll call you from mom's tomorrow. Tell, Alex I said hi."

***

Simon sat up suddenly, disoriented. He looked around, wondering where he was. Then, slowly, the events of the last 12 hours came back to him and he sighed, sliding back under the duvet.

After three years with Jon, it was surreal. He had learnt to sleep lightly because, the slightest thing would set Jon off and he…Simon swallowed.

He was OK.

He was safe.

Zeke said he'd keep him safe. He promised.

The only thing giving him serious anxiety was the trip to Manhattan tomorrow. The first time Jon had hurt him, he had dragged his broken body to the Hospital back home and they were no help. Oh, they treated him, but he could hear them whispering when they thought he was asleep.

They thought he was pathetic.

A loser.

A pathetic faggot loser.

When he was stable, someone had called Jon. Simon thought he was going to die. Jon had yelled and pushed him around.

Simon squeezed his eyes shut. He felt tears leaking out of his eyes and rubbed them off his face furiously. He was always crying.

Why did he always have to cry?

He took slow breaths until he had calmed down. This was an opportunity to start over. Maybe he'd go back home to…he didn't even know if his mom wanted to see him. No, he wouldn't go home.

It wasn't like he could even afford to go anywhere. He had no job, no money, nothing of value.

He really was just a worthless, useless human being.

He sat up again and leaned against the headboard and hugged his knees. There was no way he was going to sleep again.

At least, Jon wasn't around to hurt him anymore.

That was progress.