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Like their friendship, the script had also become faded. Ian seemed to be doing his best to evolve it into something more. They were good together as friends. Perfect, even. Accepting one another's boundaries, comforting each other when needed, and comfortable in a shared living space.
A bit too comfortable now. Elias shook his damp hair out while snapping on his wristwatch and checking the time. 9:47 AM. He slept for way longer than usual and hadn't checked his phone. When he did, August's name would be all over the screen.
The man harbored many noble qualities, but patience wasn't one of them. Elias tossed his dirty clothes in the hamper and strode barefoot toward where he'd plugged his phone in last night. It winked at him in the darkness of his bedroom, mocking him.
24 new messages.
5 missed calls.
15 unread emails.
Yikes. Elias scowled and swiped away every probing question from his boss, every voicemail he didn't want to listen to. He was about to do the same to the emails when one caught his eye, making his brows shoot up.
"What the hell?" he muttered, opening it up.
It was from none other than Levi and less than ten words long.
Have you given it any thought?
Levi
It had come through late last night, and Elias had to sit down on the edge of his bed as his heart thundered in his chest. Just looking at the alpha's name reminded him of what he'd said. The loop just kept going in his head. That damned cross and pleasure to the point of begging, but in a closed, safe environment.
Elias wanted to believe it was the right solution for both his trust issues, since they wouldn't actually be together, and his need. No questions, no judgment. He liked the idea of it.It was a lot less dangerous than toying with someone he truly loved when he wasn't positive he could commit.
A pot crashed in the kitchen, making Elias throw his phone in the air to land and bounce across the silk sheets. His heart kept on pounding for a different reason. Elias was with Ian now, not in the way the alpha would like, but he'd broken down the first barrier. Allowed lost sense without blockers to take him on a ride of discovery, one where the sex wasn't fast or rough. It had a slow, teasing quality and, well, matched exactly how Ian had described it—like they were making love.
Elias had mixed feelings about the L word, but he was enthusiastic about the nicknames. With a low, frustrated groan, he glanced at his phone again before leaving it behind in the bedroom. By the smell of it, Ian made coffee, and he needed sustenance.
As he entered the living room, the intense brightness of the walls covered in photos of them and the lively collection of ivy plants that Ian had gathered assaulted him with their cheeriness. The alpha immediately turned towards him, grinning widely and displaying his charming dimple. His best friend's happiness practically shot out of his eyeballs.
Shit.
"Good morning. Here's your mug. Two shots of caramel macchiato creamer and a quick stir."
Ian handed Elias his old, chipped red mug covered in constellations. Seven years ago, when he started full time at Deaton Medical, before Ian's mother passed from cancer, she'd bought it for him. The writing was long gone, chipped off through many rounds in the dishwasher, but he could still remember what it once said.
Follow your dreams into the stars.
It was cheesy, but Elias took the advice seriously. He'd worked every day of his life to make a difference.
He grasped it, tipping it up in thanks. "Morning."
The atmosphere between them was still easy, so he glanced past Ian, clad in a black apron far too small for him, to the stove. The usual Saturday spread was there. Over-easy eggs bubbling in butter, sausage patties on the griddle, and buttermilk pancakes peppered with chocolate chips. Elias' stomach rumbled.
"Just a few more minutes," Ian promised with a wink.
Elias nodded and turned back to the living room, expecting to find the mess he made last night. It was gone, popcorn and discarded bowl cleaned up while every blanket sat folded and stacked on the low coffee table. One blanket, a yellow knit throw from Ian's mother, was casually flung across the back of the couch.
He liked consistency from one environment to the next. It's why his office had the same cream and espresso color scheme as home, but with far fewer personal touches. Elias took a sip of his coffee as he walked around. His fingers brushed aside the hanging plants, then he stopped at the far window to take in the city below.
It was busy with cars puttering toward the gates on the south end of Hamton. Most residents did their exuberant shopping down in Oakford on the weekends, leaving the capital half-full. Elias watched them go for a while before letting the curtains cover the view once more. By then, Ian had placed various dishes across a four-person dining table, along with more coffee in a press.
"Hungry?" he asked, cocking his head.
Elias nodded, slurped the last of his drink, and sat down, eyes on the food, while Ian went to grab condiments. He decided not to wait, grabbing two pancakes and slathering them in enough butter to stun a lesser man.Ian didn't utter a word as he took a seat across from Elias, completely captivated by the way he devoured his food. Even going so far as to steeple his fingers under his chin and lean both elbows on the table. Elias ignored it, snatching two pieces of wheat toast, adding chive cream cheese, and stacking two eggs plus a slab of sausage between them.
The taste was heavenly enough that Elias moaned in the back of his throat. Ian chuckled and reached to refill both their coffee cups just the way they liked it. After that, he finally piled food onto his own plate.
