#with killian.

          step by step, axel dragged himself through the body of people that had crowded in early celebration of simon’s birthday. axel had caught sight of him briefly   —   much more time than a simple greeting and birthday wish he hadn’t had so far, the place having been swarmed by others with a similar idea. feeling slightly out of place in a crowd where he barely recognized a face, a sense of relief washed over him as soon as he caught sight of killian. despite him and the brunet only recently making amends, he’d felt the same familiarity he did as when they merely spoke online. and so, axel strolled up to him.   “   hey,   ”   he said at first, letting his lips purse into a slight smile. his hands were tucked into the pockets of his shorts.   “   you did a good job   —   simon seems to enjoy himself. it’s ... quite busy, too.   ”   chocolate brown hues lingered on the figure of his friend ... friend, he could call him a friend now, he figured. his mind couldn’t help but trace back to earlier today when he’d seen the brunet before. they hadn’t spoken, no, he had been with a certain blonde that he only knew from pictures in the tabloids. despite the two of them not having been that close until so recently, killian hadn’t mentioned her once. something seemed off.   “   but, uh. how’re you and bella   ?   i saw you guys together earlier today.   ”  @killianlaw.

          although patience was a virtue that axel held very dear in most circumstances, his patience was currently being tested. on various levels. the time had been ticking away, axel having watched the hand of the clock behind the bar move for minutes at a time. it were at least a minute or fifteen until the notification flashed up on his phone screen. simon announced that he was not only running late, but unable to make it, at all, to his own celebration drinks. merely organized to celebrate his recent album release. he were unwilling and unable to pin the blame on simon for circumstances most likely beyond his control. however that did not change the fact that he had looked forward, perhaps needed, a night such as this one   —   if only it were to clear his head after months spend in the studio. it were with a nearly inaudible sigh, that axel raised the beer glass to take the last gulp. he were about to get up from the bar stool he occupied, until his eyes landed on a familiar face. one that instantly drew his gaze back to his fingers tapping on the bar.   “   what’re you doing here   ?   ”   the tone of his voice expressed nothing but indifference. it lacked the anger, the frustration he felt the last time they came across each other. perhaps it were his weariness that suppressed those feelings. he could have realized sooner, killian’s motive for being there.   “   simon’s not coming tonight, no need to stick around.   ” @killianlaw.

          days went by without speaking another word to the blond. where he had been relieved of one burden, he had been confronted with another. although he would not rule their little slip up a true mistake, axel questioned himself, consistently, if he should have kissed back. he had not yet reached a verdict. he didn’t think he would anytime soon, even. however, in the meantime the guilt of avoiding all possible confrontations with killian seemed to be eating him alive. perhaps it was the explanation for why he found himself knocking on the blond’s door late that evening.   “   hey,   ”   was the only word he could muster as the other opened the door. he gritted his teeth together as chocolate brown hues fell to the ground.   “   can i come in   ?   ”    @killianlaw.

          upon killian entering his place, axel moved to shut the door behind both of them before moving into the living room space. the place was cluttered with some of his jackets, but similarly with scattered pages of sheet music and discarded lyrics of renegade’s new album.   “   sorry for the mess   —   just leave your jacket somewhere   ...   can i get you anything to drink   ?   ”   he briefly turned his head to have chocolate brown hues catch sight of the brunet. it had been a while, more than a while, since they had last spoken. perhaps the strains on their friendship had not entirely been resolved yet, however they were in the process of growing closer. not as close as they had been in the past   —   axel doubted that he would ever regain killian’s trust like that.   “   it’s been a while. what’ve you been up to   ?   bet you have some good stories from after you won that award at the amas.   ”   @killianlaw.