#caitlesshea

Alex had written his schedule in the last letter he’d sent so he’d know when the best time to call would be. He even wrote out the entire time zone conversion so he wouldn’t have to do anything extra. Alex didn’t want to be a burden just because this was something he wanted.

Sure enough, only a few minutes late, the phone rang.

“Hello?” Alex said after only half a ring.

“Did you know that you have to press that little green phone button to actually make it go through? The payphone you just type the fucking numbers and wait, you’d think it’d be the same, but fuck me if anything makes sense,” Michael complained. Alex smiled and brought his leg to his chest. He hid his smile in his knee. He couldn’t let anyone know he was talking to a boy, that would get him in a lot of trouble, but... It was Michael.

“Hi,” Alex said, softer this time as he tried to contain his excitement.

“Hey,” Michael said back, sighing as he subsided his complaints, “I miss you.”

Alex looked around for good measure before saying, “I miss you too. God, I can’t believe I get to hear your voice.”

“Come home,” Michael grumbled, “I’ll find somewhere to hide you and we won’t have to leave and you can hear my voice whenever you want.”

“Oh yeah?” Alex chuckled, “Where would you hide me?”

“I know a place,” Michael said, that matter-of-fact tone heavy in his voice.

“I’m sure you do,” he said, “But I’ve got a couple years before I can get out.”

“Hence the hiding,” Michael insisted. Alex smiled sadly to himself. “When are you getting a break, though? ‘Cause the second you do, we’re finding a place in the desert and staying there for at least 12 hours.”

“Bring sunscreen this time,” Alex said.

“I tan.”

“So do I,” Alex laughed, “I still wear sunscreen. We don’t wanna fuck up your pretty skin.”

“You’re pretty,” Michael shot back. Alex rolled his eyes.

“No, you’re pretty.”

“You’re prettier.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Not even kinda.”

“I will win this argument, you are literal model material.”

“Oh, shut up, I am not.”

“Alex Manes, you are so gorgeous in every way that I--”

“Manes!”

Alex jumped and dropped the phone to stand at attention for his CO. Sargent Wilks eyed him, stepping closer. Alex was convinced that his father was friends with this man and told him to keep a closer eye on Alex than everyone else. He was always on his ass, always suspicious of him, refused to let him be alone with anyone if he could help it. It was frustrating.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Talking to a friend from home, Sir.”

“Sounded like more than a friend to me,” he said, looking at the phone that Alex had let drop to the floor. He was really hoping it wasn’t broken.

“Well, just a friend for right now, Sir,” Alex said, already having his excuse prepared, “She didn’t want to do long distance.”

“Mhm,” Sargent Wilks grunted, nodding his head, “What’s her name?”

“Isobel,” Alex lied, “Tall, blonde, gorgeous. I got lucky.”

“I see,” he said, still not completely buying it. But Alex wasn’t stupid. If they traced the call, it’d be in Isobel Evans’ name. The bill would be sent to the Evans’ residence. They could suspect, but they couldn’t prove shit. “Well, don’t talk too long. We’ve got stuff to do.”

“Yes, Sir.”

He stood at attention until Sargent Wilks got far enough away to feel comfortable. He quickly bent down to grab his phone. It wasn’t cracked or anything and the call was still going. Alex put it to his ear.

“Hey, you still there?” Alex asked. Michael was quiet for a second.

“I hate this,” he whispered when he finally spoke. Alex’s heart ached a little more than he would ever admit. 

“I know, but I’ll be home when I can, okay? And we’ll talk as much as possible,” Alex insisted. Michael didn’t respond. “Hello?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” Michael sighed, “But you should go. I’ll text you or whatever. Bye, Alex.”

“Wait, are you mad at me?” Alex asked. Michael sighed.

“No. I’m not mad at you,” he said, “But I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay,” Alex whispered, “Bye.”