Down Again

Chris was so fed up with his family, his wife and the Argent name overall. 

Code, code, code. 

He was sick of it. 

It never felt right to hunt “these rabid creatures” when they mostly were just living their lives just like everyone else. 

He was sick of guns and blood. 

Especially since his baby daughter was born. 

Victoria was going on and on about how early they should start training her to be an amazing hunter. 

Gerard and Kate were all for, basically plotting how to teach Allison to shoot a gun or arrows before she even knew how to walk. 

Chris was just so so done. 

He couldn't do it. 

He just couldn't. 

He didn't want this life for his baby. 

He wanted her to have a normal childhood with children problems, grow up a good human without her hands being stained with blood. 

When he came home and saw Kate teaching her all about the best ways how to kill a werewolf, Chris snapped. 

The divorce was ugly, it was all his family against him. 

He got dragged through court after court till he finally was divorced and had full custody over his baby. 

He couldn't get away fast enough. 

But Gerald just had to have the final blow. 

- You are nothing to us. You have always been a weak one, too damn soft for your own good. Why couldn't you at least try to be more like Victoria and Kate. Victoria is more like a daughter to me than you will ever be a son. You are a disgrace. - 

Chris simply took it with no reaction, there just was nothing left in him to fight with someone who will never change. 

He just wanted to get away, far far away and give Allison all he could. 

Allison wasn't taking the change too well, she was constantly crying and refusing to eat her bottle. 

They were sitting outside in the park, her wailing, face red while Chris tried his best to get her to eat at least a bit. 

They both haven't really slept. 

Even while he was the one to spend the most time with her, always feeding and changing her, holding her, she still missed her mother and constant people around her when Chris wasn't around. 

Chris really felt like a bad parent. 

He was already failing her. 

Someone stopped in front of them, scowl in place. 

- It sounds like you are trying to kill the poor thing. - The man leaned a bit closer to look at screaming Allison. 

- I'm so sorry for bothering you. She just. - Chris raked one hand through his messy hair. - We just moved here and she isn't adjusting well. We aren't sleeping almost at all and she refuses to eat her bottle. I just don't know what to do. I somehow thought that being outside would help since she always loved being outside. -

Chris was close to tears himself. 

- Give her to me. - The guy reached out for the baby, Chris instinctively tightened his grip. - I am not gonna hurt her. -

Was it weird that he felt like he could trust the guy? 

His brain probably wasn't working right from the lack of sleep. 

He gave Allison over, the guy cuddled her upright over his chest, pressing his jawline against her little head. 

He hummed softly. 

Allison snuffled but started to calm down, actually cuddling closer to the guy's neck. 

Chris just gaped at them. 

- How did you managed that!? - He was really a fucking bad parent if some random guy could calm his daughter just like that. 

- She's hurting. And she can sense your inner turmoil. She can't stay calm because you aren't calm. - Guy swayed softly. - Also about feeding, it's sometimes hard for babies to switch to formula if they are used to eating breast milk. -

- Well, we don't have any available. - Chris snapped, getting a flat look from the guy, murmured his apology. 

- Have you tried milk sharing? By your confused look I take it as no. My sister has a baby around the same as yours, she has a lot of breast milk, the little devil can't possibly eat it all. We can try to see if your lil princess can agree with her milk. - Guy sat down next to Chris, Allison already asleep, her little hand pressed against the other side of the guy's neck. 

- I'm probably desperate enough to try anything just to help her. I'm Chris between. She is Allison. She's seven months old. - Chris stuck his hand out for the guy who was smiling. 

- Peter. Are you free right now? We could go over to the big house to see if we can get this womb nugget fed. - Peter smiled, making Chris' chest to un tighten a bit more. 

Allison was doing much better with getting donated breast milk. 

She was used to eating from the bottle since Victoria never wanted to breastfeed, but now she was starting to get back to her previous appetite. 

She also loved being held by Peter and the constant attention she got while they went over to the Hale House, everyone basically adopting her as one of their own right away. 

Talia was fussing over Allison, allowing her baby boy and girl to play carefully with the baby. 

Peter pulled Chris aside, pulling him down the corridor and inside a bedroom. 

- Stop worrying, she's safe. You on other hand are barely functioning. Go take a shower that is longer than five minutes. Then get in the bed and sleep. We will watch over her while you do that. I promise not to take my eyes off of her. But you need to take care of yourself too. - Peter showed Chris the en suite bathroom. - I left some clothes for you, they are mine, all clean. Hope they will fit till you get home. If you need anything, just call for me. - 

Peter flashed another of his warm smiles before leaving Chris alone. 

Chris was so grateful for Peter. 

He took a long shower, allowing his body to unwind before pulling on the soft clothes that smelled like Peter and got in the bed that too smelled like Peter. 

It didn't take long at all for him to fall asleep. 

When he woke up, the room was already dark, he checked his phone to see that he had slept for five hours straight. 

Just as he was sitting up in the bed, Peter opened the door. 

- Dinner is ready. - He looked so adorable holding Allison. 

- Are these new clothes? - Chris rubbed at his face, getting out of the bed. 

- Oh, yeah. - Peter laughed, looking all shy. - I bought a couple stuff for her. She seems to love them so far. Hope you don't mind. -

- I… Guess not. - Chris leaned down to kiss Allison on the cheek, loving to see his baby all happy. 

She gladly leaned over to him, all joy and babbling. 

- She's really a nice girl. - Peter ran a hand over her head, down her back and rested it over Chris’ hand. 

- She's all my life. She constantly makes me a better man. - Chris couldn't help but smile down at his daughter. 

Peter smiled so softly, something like longing flashing in his eyes.

Chris was looking at the letter in disbelief, panic starting to set in. 

What the hell will he do? 

Before he could think about it, he called Peter. 

- I'm getting kicked out of my apartment. Like, have time to move out by the end of the week. - Chris raked one hand through his hair, really not knowing what the hell to do. 

- I'll be over in ten. - Peter hung up. 

Well, that wasn't helping! 

Chris went over to watch Allison sleep in her crib. 

First thing Peter did when he arrived was pull Chris into a hug. 

Chris basically melted against him, needing that comfort. 

- Let's pack your stuff. - Peter looked him right in the eyes, holding him by the shoulders. 

- What? - Chris wasn't following along what Peter had in mind. 

- You are moving in with me while we find somewhere else for you to stay. No arguments. For now it will be in the big house but my apartment isn't ready yet. - Peter squeezed Chris’ shoulders. 

All Chris could do was agree and start packing their stuff, right now only the most necessary things, agreeing to come get the rest tomorrow. 

Allison seemed ecstatic to go back to the Hale house, loving all the attention she got there. 

It probably did well to have other children around her. 

What Chris didn't see coming was that they would all stay in one bedroom. 

But laying next to Peter helped soothe something deep inside him. 

Peter had become his closest friend in Beacon Hills. 

And let's be honest, Chris was touch starved so when in the middle of the night they pressed together, he could only sleep better, enjoying the warmth of a body next to him. 

They were playing outside by the creek, dipping laughing Allison in the water, swinging her around and just enjoying the sun. 

Allison was falling asleep, just finished her bottle when Peter pulled Chris back inside the water. 

They were both laughing, all wet. 

There were water droplets glistering in Peter's eye lashes. 

Peter was still holding Chris around the waist when he slowly cupped Chris’ cheek. 

- I'm going to kiss you. - He murmured already leaning close. 

Chris shivered by feeling Peter's breath ghost over his lips. 

He closed his eyes, swaying forward. 

It was nothing like any of his previous kisses, this one was sweet, with no rush, filled with tenderness. 

Chris couldn't get enough. 

He pulled Peter even closer, pressing their bodies together, wrapping his fingers into Peter's wet hair. 

Still the kiss stayed just as tender. 

It filled him with such a warmth that he hasn't felt before. 

When they broke apart, both were smiling rather shyly. 

Somehow Chris couldn't wait to do it again. 

Even when before Peter he had never even considered being with a guy. 

Yet it felt way more right than all his years of being with Victoria.