𝙸.𝙳. : 𝖦𝖴𝖤𝖱𝖨𝖭, 𝖬𝖨𝖢𝖧𝖠𝖤𝖫 :
Alex’s tears weren’t surprising but they hurt to see nonetheless. Michael’s hands don’t move from cupping the other man’s face. While he knew he wasn’t responsible for Alex’s pain at the moment, it felt intrinsic that he want to be the one to put a stop to it. Probably because they had hurt each other so much as kids, and even within the last couple of years. Alex would never want him to take on his pain but Michael doesn’t care. If that had been one of his alien abilities then he would have done it regardless. If only because he never wants his lover to feel any pain at all. He doesn’t argue; however, and leans back to offer Alex a watery smile. “You know I’m here for you no matter what.” It was the only place he wanted to be.
Michael sucked in a slow breath and finally let his hands fall from Alex’s face, one hand moving to rub down the back of his neck. “I think you should take the rest of the day off. Let me take you home. We can curl up on the couch or in your bed and mindlessly watch movies or something. You shouldn’t go back to working on that thing for awhile.” If Alex, who was one of the strongest people he knew, fell prey to that stupid machine then anyone could. Michael absolutely did not want Alex touching that thing any time soon, or ever.
“If you don’t want to tell your boss you’re taking the rest of the day off then I will.” Not that he figured that’s what Alex would want but the offer was on the table. “I’ll wait for you.” He pressed a kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead before leaving the room so the nurse could finish up her evaluation and clear Alex as okay to leave. He waited just outside the door of the facility, leaning against it and pulling his jacket tighter against the chill. When Alex finally joined him, Michael reached for his hand and drew him in close. “Let’s go.”
A little while later, Michael followed Alex into his house and guided him toward the bedroom. “C’mere,” he said softly, reaching to tug the buttons of Alex’s shirt open with the intent of helping him get undressed so he would be more comfortable. There were so many things running through Michael’s head at the moment; how much he wanted to keep Alex in his sight after seeing him close to the edge. An irrational part of him thought maybe they should elope to Vegas and get married, though he knew that was crazy. He wanted to keep Alex by his side for when one day, finally, he figured out how to get back to his home planet. It was an experience he wanted to share with the love of his life. And Alex was without a doubt the love of his life.
TIME MOVED QUICKLY , BUT he welcomed it with open arms. His forehead tingled in the aftermath of the kiss long after Michael departed from the room. A coldness found a home in his bones in Michael’s absence. It made him eager to be in his ORBIT again. He watched as the nurse scribbled something down on his chart and tap her bottom lip with the butt of the pen. She dismissed him with a gentle wave and empathic smile. As he navigated the halls , Alex carried himself with a limp. Discomfort radiated through him with every step , his stump and hip loudly COMPLAINING. Stepping outside , the brisk air bit at portions of exposed skin.
His boyfriend’s hand within his own made him feel warm again. He melted into the contact , breathing in the scent of PETRICHOR and motor oil. If he could , Alex would gladly wrap himself in the blanket of scents. It was all Michael ( security , love , support , acceptance , understanding ).
Shuffling into the house, his brain continued to bombard him with ghosting sneers. Why would you be deserving of him? For these past years, all you’ve caused him is pain. How could he love you?
He deserved Michael ; they DESERVED each other.
Every shift of weight onto his right side IGNITED shooting pain through him. The bedroom was a familiar sight , but it felt so strangely FOREIGN. Alex stepped to Michael and watched the subtle bounce of those soft curls as the alien worked to unbutton his shirt. He shrugged it off his shoulders , not caring where it landed.
This didn’t feel REAL. Everything seemed DISJOINTED and blurry. Only thing in focus was Michael , whose image and presence lacked the haziness that OBSTRUCTED everything else.
The former airman placed the palm of his hand against Michael’s cheek , the scruff scratching his skin. “ Sorry , ” Alex murmured , apologizing despite it not being required. “ Needed to make sure you were REAL. ” He gave a gentle smile as his thumb stroked the skin it rested upon.
Michael was the Sun that Alex REVOLVED around ; he was caught in the his GRAVITATIONAL pull and he never wanted to leave. “ I should probably take a bath. My leg’s acting up. ” Alex leaned his brow against the alien’s , taking a deep breath. “ Don’t want to part from you though , ” he then quietly added , words barely voiced. “ Scared you might disappear. ”
