#mlbbnatan

Day 2 - Switch

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The sharp ding of the coffee machine snapped Aamon out of his focus. He brushed it off, going back to his project but the strong smell of caffeine was hard to resist. It washed away all the fatigue that was weighing on his body. Aamon had to put down the tweezer he was using and rolled his chair to the coffee station behind him. The coffee machine was a small cube with a cone-shaped container attached on top filled halfway with lightly roasted coffee beans. A cup of freshly brewed espresso sat inside. Aamon opened the small door and more of that fragrant coffee smell greeted him.

'I guess I could use a break...' He mumbled to himself before taking a sip. Instantly, he felt his head clear up and let out a relaxed sigh.

'That hits the spot...'

Aamon took the coffee cup and returned to his workstation. His table was a mess of magnifying glass, tools and mechanical arm extensions that helped him hold whatever items he was using but did not have any space to keep it. At the center was a box holding a blue crystal fragment inside it surrounded by red silk padding. The crystal seemed to appear alive. A faint pink aura was flowing within the crystal. It branched out like veins, pulsing like a living heart. This crystal was something Aamon had been dying to get his hands on for his entire career.

Picking up the tweezer and pulling down the magnifying glass, Aamon studied the crystal. His other hand had picked up a pen and scribbled his thoughts onto an open journal. The pages were covered in rough sketches and short rushed notes. Ink stains covered the corners and a few spots on the page. At the top, the word "Soul Fragment" was underlined.

The Soul Fragment used to be named as a myth among scholars of his field. Aamon thought his superiors were joking when they told him to not study what is labelled as children's tale. The Soul Fragment is believed to reveal one's deepest desire and allow it to manifest. Not that Aamon had something he desperately want to become a reality but there is one question in his mind that stayed with him since that day.

******

One month ago

A stream of smoke blew out of his lips as he exhaled. Aamon flicked his cigarette, letting the ashes fall into a glass ashtray beside him. The night was silent and calm. There were ocassionally sound of people walking past their rooms or voices reaching their floor from the garden below. Not to mention, there was also a gentle snore beside him.

Aamon turned to the figure whose back was facing him. He watched the way their shoulders slowly go up and relaxed as they breathed. The back muscles flexed as they stirred in their sleep, rolling their shoulders before turning to lie on their back. A mess of white hair splayed over the pillows and the beautiful face frowned. They lifted a hand to rub the sleep from their eyes.

'Having trouble sleeping, Your Grace?' Aamon asked casually.

Natan hummed in his sleep. He now have his arm resting over his eyes as if the dim lights were bothering him. Aamon took one last drag and crushed the blunt in the ashtray. He exhaled the smoke before turning to snuggle close into his lover's arm. Well, "lover" is a loose term...

Aamon nudged into the crook of Natan's neck as he whispered, 'If sleeping is troublesome, better to just wake up, you know?' Aamon pressed soft kisses. 'Come on now. Are you really just going to sleep when I'm here?'

'Be quiet will you...'

His heart dropped hearing those words growled at him. Aamon immediately stopped his kissing but his lips remained lingering on Natan's skin. His frustration came out as a big sigh. Aamon wanted to say more but decided against it and shifted away from Natan's side of the bed. He turned around, facing the French window. His eyes stung as much as the crack on his heart.

'Sorry.' Aamon murmured. A part of him wanted to hear Natan's response but another part of him knew it would only hurt him more.

‘Don’t be…’

The answer came a little sooner than he expected. Aamon dared to glance over his shoulder to see Natan slowly stirring awake once more. His eyes were slightly open, still fighting through the fatigue. Aamon stayed silent. He worried that if he opened his mouth, it would flip Natan’s mood. Natan did not seem to be in a foul mood but Aamon knew not to fall for that facade.

So, Aamon waited for Natan to speak. It had only been a few seconds but to Aamon, it felt like hours. His silence was bothering him. Alas, Aamon could only bite his tongue from speaking since he’s already on thin ice.

He watched as Natan slowly rose from the bed, sitting up while rubbing his face. Aamon stared at his back. His hand was itching to reach out and trace the muscle of his back, but he kept it at his side.

Aamon dared himself to speak. ‘Leaving so soon?’

Natan only hummed in reply.

‘I thought you’re free tomorrow,’ Aamon added. He made sure to speak in a soft and steady manner. ‘Or do you actually have something come up at last minute?’

The answer never came. Natan seemed to ignore him as he got up from the bed and quickly slipped on his pants and shirt. Aamon sat up, swinging his legs to the side and got off the bed. Natan had left the bedroom and was making a beeline for the front door. Aamon had to pick up his pace.

‘Your Grace…’ The words slipped out before he could stop himself. Thankfully, Natan listened and stood frozen with his hand on the doorknob. He did not turn his head nor showed any sign that he is listening but Aamon pushed his worries aside. He took a deep breath and stepped closer while clutching tight onto the bedsheet he had pulled as a quick cover for his bare body.

Aamon started his words slowly, 'I...understand that this week have been quite hectic but...' Aamon took another deep breath before continuing to speak. 'But, I hope you take some time for yourself. If you need me, you know where to find me.'

He wanted to say more but thought against it. Pursing his lips, Aamon waited for Natan's response. It was hard to tell how he felt about what he just said when his back is facing him. Aamon felt a tingle of discomfort in his stomach but he blamed it on his anxiety.

After what felt like an eternity, Natan only bid him farewell and stepped through the door. Aamon stood with a disappointed look on his face as he watched the door slowly coming to a close.

*****

So many things Aamon wanted to hear come out Natan's mouth. That man not only closed himself off to the public -- only appearing at special occassions or whenever people needed him to cut the ribbon in a ceremony -- he also closed himself to the person he held most dear. Aamon scoffed at himself. Did you really think Natan likes you? You're nothing more than his doll. Just a toy.

He let out a long sigh. Aamon returned to his task. Deep down, Aamon did not know what he should be doing next. He had been staring at this crystal for hours with little to nothing to note down. The crystal appeared to be dormant now. There was no more of that heart-like pulse coming from it. Plus, the colored aura inside grew more faint until it was barely visible.

As if the crystal itself has died...

Aamon looked away from the magnifying glass. The only way for him to fully understand the crystal's potential is to have it be used on an actual person. Aamon planned to use it on Natan. If the myth rings truth, Aamon should be able to see what is hiding behind that face. He can finally see how Natan felt being around him and what type of person Aamon is to him.

They knew each other from way back when Aamon first moved into Eruditio. His knowledge and expertise on magic studies got the attention of Erudition scholars. They invited him to study at their facility while also giving lectures at their prestigious university. It was not something Aamon thrived for but if it meant opening more doors to explore, he will take that chance.

He did not expect for one of the doors to be none other than Duke Newton.

Duke Natan Newton was a man to be more of a myth than the Soul Vessel. The man spent most of his days within his office. No one was sure what he was doing there but from what Aamon heard, he's just as busy as everyone in their labs.

'Duke Newton's super invested in time travelling especially after meeting Professor Nolan. He's been obsessed with it.'

Aamon once heard his colleague gossiped as he was filing in his daily report.

'He's been with Professor Nolan a lot, hasn't he? Do you think something's going on between them?'

'You're too deep in your romance novels. Professor Nolan just got out of a divorce. Plus, they can just be close friends.'

'But what if that's what they want us to think?'

'I'm not dealing with your delusions. Just finish up your report before Duke Newton nags up a storm again. You're already on his bad side.'

As the co-worker mocked their friend, they did go back to their task. Peace returned in the office but a turbulence was stirred up in Aamon's heart. He did not like to engage in gossip but the thought of Natan being together with Nolan made him question if their OWN relationship had any meaning to it. They first met at a graduation ceremony with Natan giving a speech and Aamon watched in awe from the lecturers' seat. Natan's charisma and professionalism were oozing whenever he opened his mouth. Perhaps that was what that drew him in first. It could be something else but seeing him on that podium for the first time was enough to take his breath away.

Soon, their barriers started to break when Natan took notice of Aamon's expertise after he made a breakthrough in condensing magic energy into crystals - the Mana Shards as he would call it. Aamon would have Natan's frequent visit to his office. Eventually, Aamon's career grew and he was promoted as the Director for Eruditio's Research Society. Though, his promotion managed to draw in glances from everyone especially his peers.

'I heard he's sleeping with Duke Newton.'

'Not surprised. It's the world we live in...'

It's idle gossip. Aamon did not care but the days of having Natan come over to his apartment. Most of the time, Natan needed his opinion on something that his colleague and advisors failed to satisfy him with. Aamon and Natan are always on the same page as if they shared the same mind and perception of the world. That is probably another reason that drew Aamon closer to him. It felt like Natan chose him and only him. He chose him above everyone else. Aamon was the only one deserving of his knowledge.

Aamon glanced over to the Soul Fragment. He needed to know if their relationship is beyond colleague status. Does Natan see Aamon as how Aamon sees him as his lover?

Before Aamon could think of a proper strategy, a sharp squeak snapped him out of it. He looked up and saw a small bird perched on his windowsill. It was one of the mechanical messenger birds he would find flying around in the city. They were covered in bronze with a few white metal plates. The bird cocked its head as if eyeing, checking if this was the correct target before the compartment on its back opened and a thin robot arm came out. It held a mini envelope. Aamon did not miss the official seal stamp. He stared at the letter for a few seconds before his hand reached out to take the letter from the bird. Once the delivery was confirmed, the bird's crystal-like eyes flashed once and it flew away.

The letter felt heavy in his hand. It was just a single paper when he opened but somehow it felt like he was holding a brick.

I'll be coming over in 10 minutes. There's something that we need to talk.

****

Aamon could not stop pacing around his lab. He did what he could -- putting aside his equipment and leaving only the necessary on his table. Aamon swept the floor so many times that the cement almost shine like marbles. He needed something to do. The anxiety was eating him from the inside and Aamon needed something to distract him from it. If he gave it any more attention, Aamon might pass out from lack of breath. His chest was beyond tight and breathing was getting a lot more difficult.

In his mind, thoughts and speculations on what the expect was flooding his head as if a dam just opened its door. They came in fast to the point Aamon felt like he got a headache. So many possibilities on what Natan wanted to see him for.

Or maybe he just needs to let off steam with your body.

'Shut it!' Aamon growled while shoving that thought aside. Natan is not the type to take advantage of him like that.

The doorbell ringing made Aamon freeze. The hand that held the Soul Fragment clutched tight into a fist. Aamon was quick to recover before he might accidentally crush the crystal by accident. It was hard to get his hand on this. He came this far. Aamon is going to push through until he sees the end of it.

Doesn't matter if it left him with a broken heart. Better be hurt by the truth than live in a lie.

Aamon hurried to the door. He peeked into the peephole and saw Duke Newton standing on the other side. Natan did not seem agitated or stressed. He appeared poised and regal as he always does. His outfit appeared very formal with the dark brown suit and multiple badges pinned on his chest. Natan was cleaning his monocle with a fiber cloth before putting it back on his right eye.

Aamon took a deep breath and unlocked the door. It swung open and Aamon wore a warm welcoming smile.

'Hello, Your Grace. How may I assist you today?'