Potentially triggering. Implied abuse, Overstimulation, tracking footsteps and doors, descriptions of extreme anxiety.

If any of these trigger you please opt out this chapter is not necessary to the story only providing background to Ethan's situation. I am happy to provide you with a summary of events if you so choose. Anyways on with the chapter.

It wasn't the first time Ethan could hear his heart in his ears. Feel it pounding on the opposite side of his ribcage. Hearing going a little fuzzy and the world falling down into just one point. The footsteps stopped. He moved. His door shut as the front door opened.
 
Two pairs of footsteps now. The world was getting loud the buzzing of equipment on the street construction the neighbors it was too much. Ears buzzing he reaches out to grab his earbuds. The new ones for his walkman. Shoving them in his ears and trying to calm his heart.
 
He was in their home. He was in their hom e. He had hoped and hoped and hoped this one would just be another fling another phase. But he was here. He was in their home.
 
He couldn't do anything. Not while mom was there. Not when mom thought he was perfect. The perfect addition to make the perfect family.
 
Ethan goes to his cold sheets and pulls them tight around him. Back facing the door. Don't let them see your face. Make them think you're asleep.
 
Nothing happens when you're asleep.
 
In. Out.
 
Five beats against his sternum.
 
In. out.
In.
 
Out…
 
The third door closes.
 
Ethan begins to shake. He was left alone. Thank God he was left alone. He's been trying goddammit. He's been fucking trying.
 
Ethan do better in school. Ethan stop getting into fights. Ethan stop making all that noise. Ethan. Ethan. Ethan.
 
"And how old are you, bud?"
 
None of your damn business. That's how old
 
Now is that any way to treat a stranger. Bud .
 
"you've been causing a lot of trouble Ethan." his name was spit like a curse. like the school bullies that called the girls dirty things.
 
"I'd say its time we fixed that"
 
No no no no no his hands are shaking and he's grasping at his sheets and 
No no no no no
 
Ethan, please wake up you're having a nightmare.
 
That wasn't… that wasn't his voice that was… 
 
That was Gomez . He was ok.
 
Gomez wouldn't hurt him. He promised.
 
But so did he .
 
But this isn't about him and would never be about him. Because Gomez was here and he felt safe and he understood. And he was better . He taught Ethan how to duel. And granny taught him how to cook.
 
And he never bothered to give him hugs.
 
And so Ethan buries his face deeper into Gomez's side and takes in a shaking breath and Thing lightly rests on his head. And he's okay.
 
"There's no need to talk about it but as always I'm here to listen."
 
"Thank you."
 
"Of course my boy. Of course."