Not going to the sheriff had been his preferred way of dealing with this when it was just about him. But it wasn't just about him anymore. If Alex was worried about his dad hurting Michael again, and that was making him think that he had to do something he didn't want to do to protect Michael. The very thought of that made him feel sick.

He slid his good hand up to curl around where Alex's pressed against his.

"We were scared." Michael countered logic with logic. "And I don't have insurance."

"But I'll tell him I'm more scared of what happens if I don't. I mean, I don't have anyone to protect me. He arrested my last foster parents when what they did to some of the younger kids came out, so. He knows something about my situation."

Of course, the sheriff might insist on him going to the doctor or something, but he'll cross that bridge when he comes to it.