Why Should We Hide?

Dante followed, bring Alex with him.

Artemis froze when he reached the kitchen, seeing Jacen was still in there, sitting at the table with his own food. Trying not to pay too much attention to him, Artemis went over to the fridge to see what he could make himself and the others for breakfast.

Dante led Alex to sit in the living room while Artemis cooked, Dante started drawing him.

Artemis quietly made them food, trying not to look at Jacen as he passed him while taking food out to the others. "Here." He said as he handed Alex a plate, giving a small smile.

Alex smiled back at him, "Thanks." He said as he picked up a fork.

Dante focused on his drawing.

"No problem." Artemis said as he sat down beside Alex, making sure not to get in Dante's way.

Alex smiled and looked at Dante as he drew, "He's really consirtrating."

Artemis smiled and nodded as he looked over at Dante. "Yeah, he does that a lot."

"He must be a really good artist." Alex smiled.

"He is," Artemis nodded, smiling. "Probably because I helped teach him." He added jokingly.

Alex smiled back, "That probably helped him... Maybe a little."Alex joked back teasingly.

"Hey!" Artemis said, pouting as he looked at Alex. "You haven't even seen any of my recent art yet, so how would you know?"

"I was just joking..." Alex said softly, afraid he had offended him, "I'm s-sorry...." He added softly, "I would like to see your art sometime...."

"What? Oh... it's okay, I know you were joking." Artemis quickly said, frowning slightly, worried he'd scared Alex.

"I... I know..." Alex said softly, hating Austin for making him nervous like this.

Artemis gave a small smile, shyly reaching a hand out to touch Alex's arm.

Alex smiled softly before looking up at Artemis, he knew this was more the liking him.

Dante finished his picture and looked up.

Seeing Dante look up, Artemis quickly pulled his hand away out of habit, used to hiding from everyone.

Dante looked at his brother, "Arty.... You know you never have to hide it from me.... Please.... I know why from the others but...." Dante stopped, he didn't want to say that he felt ashamed of himself sometimes.

"I-I know..." Artemis said quietly, hanging his head so his hair fell in his face. "It's just...habit I guess." He mumbled afterwards.

Dante hugged his brother.

Alex gently patted Dante's shoulder before ruffling his hair, "Its okay Dante, you shouldn't be ashamed of who you are..."

"You know what i was thinking?" Dante asked softly.

Alex just nodded silently, "Yeah...."

Artemis gave a small smile and hugged Dante back with one arm before looking at Alex, frowning slightly. "What made you think that...?" He asked him quietly.

Alex sighed, "I was the same way before i started dating.... Sorry if i thought wrong...." Dante shook his head, "Sometimes its at least true for me..." He admitted quietly.

"Oh..." Artemis said quietly, going to say something else until Jacen appeared in the doorway leading from the kitchen.
Just by looking at him it was obvious Jacen ha been out all night, shadows under his eyes, his hair and clothes out of place as if he'd slept like that; the smell of alcohol and smoke still clinging to him.
A sad look crossed Artemis' face at first before he just sighed, shaking his head as Jacen leaned against the doorframe.

Dante sighed and ducked his head when he saw his brother, he loved both of his brother's dearly and he hated seeing Jacen like this. But he kept his mouth shut, knowing if he even looked like he was going to say something that he'd go off the deep end.

Alex nervously scooted half an inch away from Artemis, afraid of Jacen figuring out what Artemis didn't want him too.