Lucky
by Nico Grey
V
Alex hadn't been waiting impatiently by the telephone, but he was still surprised when he didn't hear from Abby Wednesday evening. Earlier in the day, on the bus, she had hinted that she was disappointed that he hadn't been home to take her call the previous evening. His explanation that he and Fionn had joined Caleb and Tyler to observe their jiu-jitsu class had only partially mollified her.
When nine o'clock rolled around and he still hadn't heard from her, Alex called Abby. His call went straight to voicemail, so he knew that her line was in use. For a moment he panicked, hoping that she wasn't busy lining up someone else to help her with Saturday therapy sessions.
After several futile attempts to contact Abby, and with his homework already finished, Alex decided to call Fionn to pass a little time before he headed to bed. He was sure they could find something to talk about. He found it easy to have interesting conversations with Fionn.
Alex checked to make sure he hadn't accidentally recalled Abby when he heard the busy signal in his ear. Then he remembered that his calls to her had gone immediately to voicemail. And his phone showed that he had called Fionn's number.
It appeared that Fionn was also busy talking to someone. Alex just couldn't figure out who he might be calling. It seemed rather late for a call back to family in Ireland. And he really couldn't think of anyone else that Fionn was close enough to for a telephone conversation.
Alex hoped that Fionn wasn't having some sort of emergency. As his bedtime approached, and Fionn's line was still in use, Alex decided that he's just have to hope that everything was well with his friend and wait until morning to talk to him.
Caleb's greeting was friendly enough when Alex boarded their bus in the morning. But he thought that Abby's expression appeared guarded.
With only three miles remaining until they reached the school, and their ancient driver apparently in urgent need of a restroom, Alex didn't have time to find out what was bothering Abby. She was commiserating with Caleb over the arrival of warmer weather that would soon bring the cross-country skiing season to a close.
That thought alarmed Alex for a moment. He was just starting to enjoy his role providing vital relief to Caleb and Tyler's aching muscles. He wasn't sure what it would mean to his masseur-in-training internship once the snow was off the ground.
He only had a few moments to share brief 'good-byes' with Abby and Caleb before they hurried off toward the school cafeteria and he had to hustle to his homeroom.
Alex was eager to speak with Fionn during their Social Studies class. His friend seemed in good enough health when he arrived, but Alex sensed some anxiety.
Unfortunately, Alex didn't have the opportunity to investigate. Mr. Donnelly asked to speak with Fionn briefly before class. Class itself was consumed with a lengthy discussion about the impact of Amazon deforestation on life in Vermont.
Alex was frustrated. The discussion had sounded absurd when it was introduced. He was surprised that Mr. Donnelly was actually able to tie events in the distant rainforest south of the Equator to life many thousands of miles away in the northern hemisphere.
By the end of class, he was deeply involved in the conversation, but he was still watching Fionn carefully and looking for an opportunity to question him. When the bell rang to signal the end of class, Alex attached himself immediately to Fionn. He had questions that needed answers.
"Alex!"
Alex sighed. Mr. Donnelly demanded his attention.
"Can you stay after class for a few minutes? It's important!"
Alex was frustrated as he watched Fionn disappear through the classroom door. His friend didn't appear to be in an immediate crisis, but Alex sensed that something was bothering him.
That concern was also on Mr. Donnelly's mind. He had already heard some talk around school about an incident in the gym. He had noticed Fionn's demeanor when he arrived for class. And while Fionn hadn't offered any details, the teacher was sure that something was eating at him.
Alex figured out pretty quickly that his job was to spill the beans. Mr. Donnelly held him after class because he wanted answers. He was quick to remind Alex that he thought very highly of both him and Fionn. He liked both boys. He was just looking to help if he could.
Alex didn't understand everything that was bothering Fionn, but he knew more than the teacher. He decided to do more than just spill the beans. He tipped the whole steaming cauldron over onto the classroom floor!
Surprisingly, Mr. Donnelly didn't seem shocked by the stories of abuse, or even their sexual nature. But he did agree that the three incidents of hazing that Alex had witnessed should already have been dealt with.
Exposing Fionn to the rest of his gym class and several from the girls' class went well beyond normal teasing and could even be construed as criminal. That Thumper Frye had been the ringleader wasn't news to Mr. Donnelly. He had Thumper in class. He had also taught Thumper's older brother when he was in middle school.
Mr. Donnelly explained that part of the problem had to do with Fionn's father. He was an outsider, brought into the area to manage the most important manufacturing site and largest employer in their part of the state. Naturally that bred resentments.
Ross Donnelly knew what he was talking about. Ten years earlier, his father had been the outsider that corporate overlords brought in to manage Packwood Precision Optics, and his successor had been Eamonn O'Connor's predecessor. As the son of the big company's viceroy, Ross had experienced some resentment from other members of the community.
The Fryes' role only complicated matters. Thumper's father owned a business that serviced and repaired heavy equipment and large trucks. A lot of their business came from the company that Mr. O'Connor managed. But rather than appreciate the opportunity that gave him, Pete Frye resented being so dependent on an outsider.
Mr. Donnelly suspected that talk at home was part of the reason that Thumper had decided to target Fionn. The sexual nature of the abuse was excessive, but Mr. Donnelly had heard whispers of stories going back into Antioch's history. Such things weren't unheard of in the community.
Mr. Donnelly also had the sense that there was more to the history of Fionn's abuse at the hands of Thumper and his friends than Alex knew. Fionn had a secret. Alex remembered Thumper's threat at the end of their confrontation in gym class and decided that would make perfect sense.
His conversation with Mr. Donnelly had made Alex anxious; first because any time a teacher wants 'a word' it could end badly, but also because he really wanted to check in with Fionn. Now he would have to sit through two more classes before he had his next opportunity to touch base with Fionn at lunch.
But Alex was also encouraged by Mr. Donnelly's concern. Maybe it was due in part to having once been in Fionn's shoes. But Mr. Donnelly had always been a decent teacher who cared about his students. Alex found it reassuring to know that the teacher was on his side.
Fionn didn't have much to say during lunch. He wasn't closed off to conversation, but he was reticent.
Alex did find out why Fionn's telephone had been busy the previous night. He had been talking to Abby.
It took Alex a few minutes to absorb that information. He spoke with Abby on the telephone when she insisted. But Alex sensed that Fionn may have initiated this contact. Alex also knew that he didn't stay on the phone with Abby for any longer than necessary. But unless Abby had been speaking with someone else earlier in the evening, it appeared that she and Fionn had spoken together for more than an hour.
That felt a little 'off' to Alex. But Fionn didn't give any indication that there was a need for concern. He did indicate that he might speak with Alex at more length when they got together Friday after school. Fionn still seemed to be weighing the pros and cons of some disclosure.
Their lunch conversation was pleasant enough. Alex was pleased that Fionn appeared eager to spend another night at the Fortin home. He also seemed eager to visit Abby again on Saturday, although Alex did sense that the situation still provoked some anxiety in his friend.
During their Physical Education class, Alex stuck close to Fionn's side. He approached Mr. Talbot and requested permission for him and Fionn to spend the period running to improve their conditioning.
Mr. Talbot wasn't quite as thick as he appeared to be. He understood that there had been a problem between Alex and Thumper at the end of their previous class. Keeping the two camps separated was the sensible thing to do. So he approved Alex's request. He even hinted that he'd be more present in the locker room at the end of classes to prevent any shenanigans that could lead to more trouble.
Alex was surprised again when Fionn asked if they could visit Abby after dinner Friday evening. Alex's mother reminded the boys that they shouldn't stay out too long. It might be Friday night, but dark still arrived early— and would until daylight saving time started the following night. She felt a responsibility to make sure that nothing happened to Fionn.
"Thanks, Mom!" Alex complained. "But it's okay if something happens to me?"
"Of course, dear," Marie assured him as she shooed the boys out the door. "You've heard that old expression, 'If you break it, you buy it'? We'll your father and I already bought you. But I imagine it would be quite expensive if we let something happen to Fionn."
Alex didn't know what to make of that. He was pretty sure that his mother was joking with him. He just wasn't used to seeing that side of her.
It didn't help that Fionn spent most of the short walk to Abby's house speculating about what Alex's parents might have paid for him. It was also a side of Fionn that Alex hadn't often seen. When he considered that Abby was waiting at their destination, he was having serious second thoughts about their visit.
Abby was surprisingly sympathetic when she greeted them at the door. She seemed particularly concerned when she turned her attention to Fionn.
Fionn picked up on Abby's mood. Alex didn't think it upset him. But it did appear to deepen an air of resignation.
Abby's parent were both at home. They greeted the boys. A look passed between Abby and her father when she introduced Fionn. They appeared to share some understanding or opinion.
Abby led the way to the West's family room. When Alex went to sit next to Fionn on the sofa, Abby gently intervened. With her eyes she directed Alex to a chair, before sitting down next to Fionn.
Alex appeared to be the only person in the room who didn't know what was going on.
"I found it online," Abby informed Fionn. "I'm afraid that it's everything they told you it was."
Fionn didn't look up. He simply nodded sorrowfully. To Alex, it looked like the news was a disappointment, but it hadn't come as any surprise.
Alex hadn't expected Abby to wrap her arms around Fionn's shoulders and pull him into a firm embrace. From experience, Alex knew that Abby could be touchy and she could be feely. He had just never seen her do touchy-feely before.
"It doesn't change anything," she told Fionn. "You're a wonderful person. I'm glad you're my friend. You just made a mistake."
Fionn nodded again. He still didn't look up. Alex thought that he could hear some faint sniffling.
Abby continued to hold Fionn securely, even rocking him gently.
"I think it may be time to tell Alex," she suggested. "He's your friend. He wants to help."
That brought Fionn's head up. He looked directly into Abby's eyes.
"Will he be my friend when he hears about this?" he asked bitterly.
"Of course," Abby reassured him. "I promise it won't change Alex's opinion of you. Not even a little bit."
"Just show him, then." Fionn turned away from Abby's and went back to studying the carpet.
Abby wasn't willing to "show" Alex anything. She explained that even having whatever Fionn wanted Alex to see was probably illegal. It certainly wouldn't be legal to show him.
Abby guided the conversation. Slowly, reluctantly, Fionn began to use his own words to explain to Alex.
By the time the story was over, Alex was shocked. He had heard about what Tyler and Caleb had gone through; at least bits and pieces of their stories. He understood about the dangers that modern technology could pose to privacy in the wrong circumstances. He had discovered that some people were capable of being perfectly miserable to others. But he had never really considered just how awful some people were capable of being.
It had happened just a couple of weeks after Fionn's family arrived in Antioch. He had been naively hopeful that he could fit in with his new classmates. Their reaction toward him had been difficult to read. But when they invited him to a Halloween party, in his reserved way he had been pleased to be included.
The party had been hosted by Thumper Frye. It had been held at the Frye residence. Thirty or forty of Thumper's closest friends were there. Even his older brother and a few of his friends had dropped by for a while to partake of refreshments and to share the entertainment.
Fionn didn't get back home until late the following afternoon. He was worried that his parents might never let him leave the house again. After he returned to school on Monday, he was afraid that he might never be able to show his face in town. Thumper and his friends pulled him aside between periods. They shared several images from a video of the party's entertainment. It was Fionn.
Alex was shocked. But he understood what was most important. Fionn needed his reassurance. He needed to know that he still had friends who respected him and cared about him. He had to be sure that they wouldn't abandon him now that they knew the absolute worst about him.
Alex squeezed in next to Fionn on the sofa. He and Abby both held Fionn while he rid himself of four months of pent up sense of betrayal, fear, and shame. Alex had no idea how he would do it, but he wanted to absorb all of Fionn's negative emotions and allow his friend to start over with a blank slate.
Alex tried not to think about the sort of person that could hurt another person the way Fionn had been hurt. If he did, he was afraid of what he might do the next time he saw Thumper Frye.
Fionn was much more emotionally settled when Abby asked his permission, then left the room to return with her father.
Jonathan was very calm and patient with Fionn. Alex had the sense that Fionn's story wasn't unfamiliar to him, although he didn't give anything away to Fionn.
Jonathan promised Fionn that he wouldn't share anything he heard with anyone unless he had reason to believe that Fionn was in danger. He did suggest that Fionn share the story with his parents. But he assured Fionn that decision would be entirely up to him.
Alex didn't hear anything new on the second telling of the story until Jonathan started asking questions about where Fionn went after the party. Fionn had no recollection. All he knew is that he woke up in a ratty old sleeping bag the following afternoon, somewhere in the woods near his home.
As Jonathan probed further, Fionn remembered that his head had been throbbing when he woke up and it had taken him the rest of the weekend before he started to feel like himself again. He also remembered, with some embarrassment, that he had been naked when he woke, with his clothing stuffed haphazardly into the sleeping bag with him.
That got Jonathan's attention. He appeared to be proceeding carefully but purposefully as he continued his questioning. Without being overly direct, he managed to help Fionn recall additional information about how he was feeling when he woke up.
Fionn recalled a throbbing pain in his bum that he couldn't explain. He didn't have any additional recollections, other than being surprised that his bum felt greasy.
Jonathan asked about any blood or other sign of injury. But when Fionn couldn't recall anything immediately, the questioning moved tactfully to other topics.
When the conversation started to wind down, Jonathan mentioned that Abby had told him about a video that she had found online. He asked Fionn's permission to pass that video along to a friend of his who specialized in digital forensics to see if any evidence could be uncovered from that video. He assured Fionn again that it would be his decision whether to share the story with his parents, or to take legal action if anything could be proved against the people who had hurt him.
As Alex and Fionn were preparing to depart, Jonathan made it a point to shake Fionn's hand and praise his courage.
"You remind me very much of my younger brother when he was your age," Jonathan said. "I wish he and I had been able to have a conversation like this back then. It might have saved some people a lot of misery."
Alex and Fionn returned to the Fortin house in silence. Alex struggled to find something to say that didn't risk upsetting Fionn. Fionn, for his part, seemed to be watching Alex warily in his peripheral vision.
It wasn't something he could have explained with words. But Alex understood that despite the reassurance he, Abby, and Abby's father had just offered, Fionn still wasn't feeling confident about where he stood with his friends after his secret had been revealed.
He didn't allow himself to over-think the situation. Alex just threw an arm around Fionn's shoulder and drew him closer.
Fionn stiffened for a moment, then gradually relaxed into Alex's embrace. Alex's sense that Fionn was watching him faded, replaced by the physical sensations of knees, hips, chests, and shoulders rubbing against each other and providing their own form of assurance.
Marie Fortin chastised her son with a warning glance at the kitchen clock when he and Fionn squeezed through the back door together. Her relief to see both boys home safely was compounded by their relaxed demeanor.
"Sorry, Mom," Alex apologized. "Abby's father wanted to talk with us. And you know how Uncle Jonathan can be once he starts talking."
Marie smiled knowingly at her son. She knew Jonathan West. She also knew her son. There was a little more to the story that would come out sooner or later. . . one way or another.
Once they had retreated upstairs to his bedroom and had started preparing for bed, Alex wanted to question Fionn about his decision to take his conflict and his secret to Abby first.
But on reflection, he recognized that it had been a good choice on Fionn's part. However uncomfortable Abby could sometimes make him, when she was in control of a situation it always seemed to work out well for her friends in the end.
Fionn was obviously feeling better. Part of his problem was now in Jonathan West's hands, and Alex knew that there was no one better equipped to make sure what happened to Fionn was sorted out properly. Sharing such a sensitive confidence with his friends had helped Fionn feel more secure and would serve to bring them all closer together.
"How can you do that?" Fionn asked with wonder.
He and Alex were in front of the wash basin in Alex's bathroom. Alex had just stripped off his clothing and started washing himself before bed.
Alex was confused.
"I figured we'd run in the morning," he explained. "It won't make sense to shower before a run, so I thought I'd just clean up a little before bed."
"But. . ." Fionn's face screwed up with disgust. It took him several seconds to continue.
"You know what I did at Thumper's party," he sighed. "How can you feel comfortable taking your clothes off when you know that I sucked off a bunch of guys' willies there?"
"Why would that bother me?" Alex wondered. "I know Thumper got you drunk. I think maybe he even drugged you. I'm pretty sure that's what Abby's father thinks."
Fionn didn't seem convinced. His face was still twisted in a rictus of self-loathing.
"I'm really sorry that happened to you, Fionn. I hate Thumper for what he did to you. But why would that change what I think about you?"
Alex wrapped his arm around Fionn's shoulder again. It had worked on their walk home. But Fionn's body was rigid. He averted his eyes.
"What if I had wanted to do it?" he murmured.
When Alex continued to hold him securely, Fionn tried again.
"What if you knew I might have done it if they had just asked, instead of making me do it?"
Alex was pretty sure that more than his heart had jumped.
"Did you want to?" he asked.
"I don't know. Maybe," Fionn admitted. He struggled to get away from Alex's arm. "Doesn't it bother you that I might be queer?"
Alex kept Fionn safe.
"Not really," he admitted. "You're my friend. I like who you are."
"Well I am!" Fionn had started to raise his voice. "I'm a poof! Do you still like who I am?"
Alex had come to terms with his attractions a long time ago. He was confused by Fionn's apparent self-loathing.
"Of course I like who you are, Fionn," he insisted. "It doesn't change anything if you're gay. . . except maybe. . ." Alex was surprised at the tension he suddenly felt. "Except maybe that I'd ask you out if I thought you could feel that way about me."
Alex waited for that declaration to register with Fionn.
"I am gay, Fionn," he admitted. "I like you. And if you ever decide you could like me the same way, I'd want us to be more than friends.
"This has been so hard for you, Fionn. I have no idea how you managed to keep what happened inside you for so long. But you have friends who care about you, who want to help. All you need to do is let us."
"You're gay?" Fionn was still a step or two behind in the conversation.
"Uh, yeah." Alex was pretty sure he had already covered this ground. "I want to help you, Fionn. But I think maybe it will take more than me and Abby to help you get through this."
Alex sighed. He knew that the next suggestion would meet some resistance.
"I think maybe you should tell your parents."
Alex barely restrained Fionn. He continued to struggle against Alex's grasp.
"I can't tell my parents! They can't know what I did!"
In the back of his mind, Alex wondered how much of the exchange his parents could hear and what they might be thinking.
"Fionn," he tried to make his tone as soothing as possible. "You didn't do anything! All you did was go to a party without your parents' permission. They must already know that. You got home so late the next day."
He waited for the reasonable explanation to register with Fionn.
"While you were there, you trusted some people who really didn't deserve your trust."
'Like that asshole, Thumper,' he added internally.
"We've all done worse. You just had the misfortune to be in the company of some really rotten people."
He waited again for Fionn to begin to internalize the argument.
"Right now, your parents won't care about that. They'll want to make sure that you're alright. They will help protect you from what Thumper and his crew might do. And you know they're capable of doing something awful."
He could see his argument finally begin to take root in Fionn's mind.
"He threatened you, too," Fionn reminded Alex. That seemed to matter a lot to Fionn.
"I'm just not sure what my parents will think when they find out I had those willies in my mouth. . . or if they figure out I'm a poof," he reflected.
"They'll love you, Fionn," Alex assured his friend. "Why wouldn't they?"
"How did your parents take it when you told them you're. . . gay?" Fionn wondered.
Alex blushed.
"Uh. . ."
"What did they say?" Fionn asked.
Alex had a hard time looking into Fionn's eyes.
"I, uh, haven't yet?"
He cut in quickly when Fionn started to react.
"But I know it won't change how they feel about me. I'll go tell them right now! It won't be any big deal. You'll see."
Alex started toward the bathroom door.
"Alex!" Fionn sounded alarmed. "Your clothes!"
That was embarrassing!
"It really would have been an interesting way to come out to my parents," Alex mused as he and Fionn started down the stairs.
"So does this mean that you two are together now?" Marie Fortin wondered when Alex had finished his revelation.
Fionn looked alarmed. He had been a fly on the wall while Alex shared his news with his parents. It was a shock to suddenly find himself included in the event.
Before Fionn could say anything, Alex explained.
"This is just about me," he interjected. "Fionn just happened to be here when I decided to talk to you."
Brian Fortin eyed his son skeptically. But he decided that it really wasn't his business. The O'Connor boy seemed a nice enough kid. He wasn't too concerned if something did develop between him and Alex.
"No!" Fionn insisted. "I am a poof. It's just that Alex and I haven't talked about. . . us. I can't tell my parents," he concluded lamely. "I don't know what they'd say."
"Oh, honey!" Marie exclaimed. "You shouldn't worry about that. Your mother loves you.
"I think she probably already suspects," she assured Fionn. "A mother knows her son. And she always loves him."
Alex wondered who this stranger was. He could never recall his mother acting so maternal with him. And Abby's behavior toward Fionn had been very supportive, for that matter. Why were Abby and his mother so solicitous of Fionn's feelings when they had never been as protective of him?
But watching Fionn tremble over the possibility of familial rejection, he understood. He was experiencing some of those same responses himself.
Abby congratulated Alex when he and Fionn shared the conclusion of their previous evening with her. But she appeared far more concerned about Fionn. Alex resolved to begrudge neither of his friends what Fionn needed.
When lunch had concluded, Alex began preparing for their massage therapy session to Abby's exacting instructions while she led Fionn upstairs. He gathered oils, fragrances, and linens. He warmed massage oils. He sliced lemons and prepared a tray of refreshments for their guests. He opened the door and welcomed Caleb and Tyler when they arrived.
After Alex led their guests to Abby's bathroom, he gathered the supplies and carried them to Abby's room. He almost dropped everything when he opened the door.
Fionn was lying face-up and naked on Abby's bed while she gently massaged him. To Alex, he didn't appear the least bit uncomfortable, although he was clearly somewhat excited.
When Abby noticed Alex, she finished her massage. She leaned over Fionn and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"You're beautiful," she assured him.
Fionn seemed lost in the moment.
Abby turned to Alex expectantly. He placed his supplies on Abby's dressing table and joined her at the bedside.
"You are beautiful," he assured Fionn.
Alex leaned toward Fionn and kissed him gently on the opposite cheek.
Fionn's eyes fluttered open.
"You missed," he informed Alex.
After Alex had corrected his error, Abby pulled him aside.
"He needs that encouragement, Alex," she told him quietly. "I don't know if he even remembers it, but there's a scene from that video they took at Theodore's party. After they made him blow most of the guys there, they took his clothes.
"Fionn was pretty out of it by then. But there must have been dozens of kids standing around him, boys and girls, making fun of him. They were brutal. Even if he doesn't remember a thing about that, we need to make sure that he understands the truth. He really is a beautiful boy."
Alex sat next to Fionn on the bed while Abby stepped out of the room. There was a loud pounding on the bathroom door.
"When you guys come out of there, you'd better be as naked as the day you were born!" she bellowed.
"Jaysus!" Fionn jumped. "Abby's really nice most of the time. But sometimes she can be terrifying!"
Alex couldn't disagree. He was too busy ripping his clothes off to reply.
"I guess we'd better get ready for Caleb and Tyler," he suggested to Fionn.
He helped Fionn off the bed.
"She is right," he added with barely contained awe. "You really are beautiful!"
Alex waited for Fionn to stop blushing. Then he raised an eyebrow and asked permission to kiss him again.
Alex experienced mixed emotions as he waited for Fionn to arrive for their Social Studies class Monday morning.
Before Fionn went home on Saturday, Alex had encouraged him to tell his parents about what had happened to him at Thumper's Halloween party, even if he didn't feel ready to go into details about his own sexual attractions. He had repeated the encouragement when they spoke via telephone Sunday afternoon.
But when Fionn arrived in Social Studies class Monday, Alex thought that his friend seemed disappointed.
"I bottled it," Fionn admitted. "I really wanted to last night. But my father was upset about something that happened at the plant over the weekend. It just didn't feel like the right time."
Alex was disappointed, too. But he was supportive.
"Soon as you can," he whispered as Mr. Donnelly glanced in their direction.
Class was about to begin.
"You know," Fionn confided as they huddled over lunch, "it might be easier if you were there to help me. Kind of like I was for you Friday night. I mean, my parents are less likely to lose their minds if we have a guest. And if you did that naked thing you were going to do for your parents. . ."
He smirked.
"I would," Alex almost choked on his chicken fingers. "It it makes it easier. I really think it will be better for you when your parents know. And we are going to be in Brattleboro tomorrow night," he reminded Fionn.
"So that's a 'no'," Fionn snickered.
"That's a 'I really would if it was the only way'," Alex corrected. "But I think your parents would be too busy calling the sheriff to listen to you if I wasn't wearing anything."
"Abby, on the other hand. . ." Fionn suggested.
"She'd hear every word. It's creepy the way she never takes her eyes off our dicks, but she doesn't miss a thing that we say."
Fionn sighed.
"I actually liked Saturday," he admitted. "Just all of us the same, knowing that Abby really did like what she was looking it. It was weird. But I haven't felt that comfortable with my clothes off since I was about three."
Alex resisted the urge to say anything about what he had enjoyed. It was a compliment. But he was concerned that Fionn might find his sentiment a little creepy.
"Just, do it when you can, Fionn. But sooner really will be better," Alex advised.
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