When Adom wakes up it's morning once more. He's lying on his side, the blanket pulled up to below his chin and the space beside him empty. He pats at the mattress and notices that it's cold to the touch. Alexander has been gone a while. As soon as the alpha pops into his mind the pool inside his chest stirs, like a cat stretching when it finishes a nap. He can feel that Alexander is far, everything inside of him feels dulled and muted. For a moment he can't manage to sit up, his hands a weight that seem unfamiliar to him. His eyes land on the window across from him. The moonlight from last night replaced by the blinding rays of the sun. A bird chirps from somewhere outside and he can hear a few people talking, walking, mingling outside of Alexander apartment. Adom focuses on the ambient sounds and pushes himself off of the bed.
As soon as he's sitting up anxiety, foreign in its gravity settles upon him. He can smell Alexan
"So, we should probably exchange phone numbers," Adom passes Alexander his phone, taking Alexander's in exchange. They've got a game starting up on Alexander's console. Both of them had decided to just hang out and ask each other questions naturally. Alexander raises Adom's phone and snaps a picture to set as his contact photo before handing it back. Adom just adds a small soccer ball beside his name in Alexander's phone and calls it a day. "Oh? Do you play?" Alexander asks him once he's got his phone back, thumb running over the screen. "Yeah, you could say I'm a pro" Adom boasts, picking up a game console controller and starting a new run. "Hm, I'll believe it when I see it" Alexander knocks him with an elbow, Adom's player on the screen falling to their demise. He sends a glare to his right, Alexander pretending like he's done nothing wrong.They play like that for hours. Adom learns Alexander likes to cheat more than actually play.
"Are you asleep?"It's late into the night. Adom can see the moon from his bedroom window, bright even though it is waning. Alexander is sleeping on the ground below him in Adom's old sleeping bag. He'd used it a grand total of one time when he went camping in college. Adom's bed is smaller than Alexander's but they could have still fit on it together. Adom turns on his side and wonders if he should have offered that instead of the sleeping bag. He's still unsure of their kiss in the kitchen, unable to make sense of it.It was a nice kiss, an amazing kiss even. Alexander had held him with a firmness that Adom might have at one time thought suffocating, but it had been gentle. Still lax and comfortable, letting Adom take shape as if he were clay. His lips were soft, pressure just right. And the ever-present scent of rain mingling with the earth was becoming a candle Adom never wanted to blow out. But now Adom wonders why they kiss
Adom settles back into his spot and they start a new game. "He's attractive," Adom starts, he says it like the words are harder than pulling teeth. Sebestian scoffs at his reluctance and gives a quiet hum. "And he's older, by a few years." Adom jabs at the buttons on his controller, trying his best to not die in the game. "He's got his own company, and his own condo. His place is super clean and tidy, and he's super smart as far as I can tell." Adom's mind conjures up an image of Alexander, smile bright and suit crisp earlier that morning, just to torture him. "He's nice. Like really sweet and considerate, always thinking ahead and making sure I'm comfortable." Adom looks down at the controller in his hands, now limp within his lap and sighs. He wants to see Alexander already.It can't be more than half an hour since Alexander dropped him off and yet to Adom it feels like it's been too long. The bond is calling for him, the water a sad lull inside his chest. "Wow," Sebe
For the first time in a while Adom wakes before the sun. He squirms underneath the heavy duvet and blinks his eyes open, a slow surrender. Somehow, he doesn't feel tired like he expected. His eyes don't ache and his body is thriving with budding energy. He turns his head and sees Alexander, still asleep by his side. Adom lets out a soft sigh, his room bathed in a strange glow from the rising sun. It's still dark but it's also a shade of blue and pink outside Adom's window. Alexander face is serene as he sleeps. He's on his side facing Adom, one arm beneath his head and the other laying in front of him on the sheets. It's so quiet that Adom fears his tiny movements will be loud enough to wake the other alpha. He turns towards Alexander and just looks at him. Like this Alexander seems half the size he appears to be, huddled into a ball. Adom slips in closer and reaches out a finger to trace Alexander's arm. Adom's eyes focu
Adom exits through the door and tucks the sheets into his bag. He starts walking towards the elevators, feeling numb all over. This is really happening; he thinks and feels his eyes start to water. Leaning against the hallway walls he finds Sam, a concerned frown masking his features. Adom makes to walk past him and into an awaiting elevator but gets stopped. He had been grateful that by the time his little chitchat with the boss had finished nobody was left in the office, all having gone home for the day. He's really not in the mood to see Sam right now, one of his juniors. For all he knows Sam could have been one of the few who had wanted to switch out from his team. "Is everything okay?" Sam asks, his hand that had reached out to block Adom's path cowering back to his side. Adom looks at him, his eyes holding all the contempt and vexation he wasn't able to show or even conjure up for their boss. "Not really, no" Is his
Adom's eyes start to droop as the bath water continues to cool. Alexander is cupping water into his hands and then letting it drip slow over Adom's shoulder and back. It kind of tickles whenever his fingers brush against Adom's bare skin. It's also a little soothing, the faint glow of the candles helping to guide in Adom's descent towards sleep. "Hey sleepyhead, this is nowhere to pass out" Alexander says, the mirth not concealed in his voice. Adom opens his eyes long enough to stare at Alexander and give a soft huff before they're closing again. Alexander chuckles, his wet fingers cupping Adom's cheek for a second. "I'll go get you a towel," And just like that he's gone, leaving Adom to sit alone in the bath. Without Alexander there, talking or creating ripples in the water it's almost too silent. Adom takes a moment to stretch and yawn, the flickering of all the candles drawing his attention. He watches them dance and feels warm in their presence.
As Adom walks further he starts hearing chatter from their conference room. They only use it for monthly meetings so it's strange to have it occupied now. Adom walks up to the room and opens the door, his curiosity getting the best of him. Nobody notices his entrance, too busy talking and chatting around a table full of food. Their giant conference table is covered like a buffet. Adom looks around in shock, that is until his eyes land on Alexander. He's standing in the corner talking to a bunch of people from Adom's team. He's laid back and nonchalant, Adom would even go as far as to say smiley. Sam is trying his hardest to stop the other juniors' pestering but it seems to be of no avail.Adom grabs the person closest to him, a man he doesn't quite recognise so he must be new, and asks him what is going on. "I was just told there was free food," he says with disinterest, plate stacked in his hands. "Right," Adom mumbles and moves throug
Adom has been through a lot in his life. He's been through relationships that didn't last, friendships that came and went with the passing of time and also a pet or two that ran away from home. Every separation is different, every single one hurts different. Adom's only constant is his family, his parents and his sister who he adores. They fight, often or at least they did. But now whenever Adom thinks of her and his family those aren't the memories that resurface, it's all the sweet moments. All the times his sister gave him advice or his parents hugged him in consolation. So when Adom thinks of Alexander, it isn't too difficult to default into his preconceived notions. People always leave and Alexander is just another one of those people.It isn't difficult to think that way, Adom wishes he thought that way. Except he doesn't. As he stares at Alexander's face while the older drives them home, all he can think about is how much he wants Alexander to