Smoke Signals • EarthMix AU

CHAPTER 2: Smolder

Earth sees the bathroom light on. It's past four in the morning and in his unwritten book for hook-ups, it's already past the perfect time to get up and get packing.

So, why isn't he moving?

He figures it's exhaustion. Which is normal, especially since last night's quite... something else. He couldn't help the sly smile that has formed on his lips as he recounts how hungry they both were for each other.

All that time, Mix kept his eyes glued to Earth's, like he was studying Earth's every move. As if afraid that once he closes them, he'd miss the experience altogether. Mix tried his hardest to keep his eyes open—only failing when he finally came. Earth suddenly feels hot thinking about those eyes; how they looked at and roamed Earth's body like a shrine he wanted to imprint in his memory somehow. How Mix was so ready, so eager to take it all in.

Take all of Earth in.

Stop fucking reminiscing and get moving, Earth.

Tired and satisfied, Earth fell asleep almost immediately, rolling his body away from Mix who, breathless and flushed, kept his eyes to the ceiling, taming his thoughts and racing heart.

That must be it. I'm just fucking beat.

Earth closes his eyes for a second, massages his temples, and contemplates—for the third time—leaving as soon as he clears his head.

But then he suddenly wonders what Mix would do when he realizes he's gone.

From how uneasy he looked last night and the way his hands shook, Earth knew it was Mix's first time hooking up with someone from the app. Possibly the first time he'd welcomed the prospect of casual sex ever. His actions in bed, however, proved that he's not a virgin.

When Earth studied Mix closely at the bar last night, the other's hands were shaking badly and he looked as if he was ready to pass out. It was clear that Mix was having an internal battle and that Earth was caught in the crossfire. One part of him was so ready to bolt while the other—the part that eventually won, much to Earth's delight—fought to stay.

Earth starts dressing up quietly, careful to shrink his movements so as not to disturb the early morning peace that has settled nicely into the hotel room. He hesitates for a bit near the bathroom, wanting to check up on Mix who, Earth realizes, hasn't made any noise since he's woken up.

"Leaving so soon, Cinderella?"

Earth was startled for a second before drawing his eyes to where the voice emanated from. So Mix was on the balcony all this time, smoking. Earth wonders if Mix saw him put on clothes—if he knows that he's trying to bolt. He hesitates for a second, looking like a killer about to flee a murder scene, before he remembers that he's done this countless times before.

So why is he hesitating now?

"I don't mind. You do you," Mix looks away from Earth and takes a long drag off his cigarette. He looks over the balcony's railing and into the light traffic below. The air is heavy with the promise of another day. In the distance, Mix could see headlights pierce the dense morning haze and he likes how, with a few minor differences, this mirrors the view from an old apartment.

It almost felt as if he's home.

He shakes his head and abandons the thought before it dives into a territory he doesn't want to relive just yet. No need to be sentimental this early.

Earth hangs back for a moment before deciding to sit next to Mix. He wonders how long the other has been there, sitting on the chilly balcony, visibly shaking in his thin long sleeve shirt.