It's A Hoot (mxm)

Chapter 13

"Alexander," Toren greeted, pleasantly surprised.

His presence became an immediate distraction from the storm of burning fear and anxiety at the ever pressing events that lead up to his current circumstances.

"Hey," Alexander smiled sweetly, but took in Toren with a sweep of his gaze. "Were you going to sleep? I can come back another time." He seemed hesitant, his brow arching upon seeing Toren's guardian bear clearly determined to just sit there like a stone statue.

"I was, but I don't think I could sleep right now," he admitted.

Alexander took that as an invitation and ventured further into the room, shutting the door behind him with a soft click.
He kept a hand behind his back when he approached the bed.

"I got you something. I was thinking it might  help you pass the time while you're stuck here." He produced a book, smiling proudly as he held it out to Toren. "You said you were interested in pottery so I thought you might like it."

Toren couldn't help but smile as he accepted the book. It was advanced pottery techniques and tips. "Thank you." He turned it over to study the back before looking back up at Alexander, earnestly grateful. "I will enjoy it." Something to read rather than boredly plucking at the threads of his blanket was indeed, welcome.

There was a soft huff and they both looked over at a frowning Michael who was staring fixedly at the book as if it should be burned. When he noticed their attention on him, he forced a smile. He was trying, he really was, but a tension seemed to grow between them and Toren couldn't help but wonder why.

He looked down at the book, then back at Michael, but then he found his eyes trailing to Alexander.

Michael insisted on staying with him even if it meant he didn't get much sleep or quality sleep if he ever did, not to mention he practically sat in that chair the whole time even though he had a full time job that required his physical presence. Did he take time off from his job to be with Toren?
Bears were typically solitary creatures, but when they found something or someone they liked, they could be highly possessive.

And then it clicked.

Michael saw him as a prospective mate. So did Alexander. To say that he wasn't troubled by this would be an understatement. Was he unintentionally leading them both on?
He liked them. He enjoyed their company, but did he also see them as prospective mates?

He combed his fingers through his hair.
Liking someone and being attracted to them was different from viewing them as a possible mate. Liking someone was more attune to the human side. It happened a lot, just like any normal person would have it.
But a prospective mate, that was purely a shifter thing that fell on their animal side. It was rarer and it usually garnered feelings of jealousy and possessiveness in varying levels, depending on the shifter type.
Toren was well aware of the fact that prospective mates usually happened between like kinds, but sometimes would happen between different species.
To think both a bear and a wolf would see an owl as a possible mate.

It felt too soon for them to be having such feelings towards him. Toren liked to take things slow. He liked to take his time and it was never easy for him to simply just become friends with someone, let alone decide whether or not he wanted a future with them.

He sighed loudly. Another thing to add to the growing pile of stuff he had to deal with. He didn't find either of them a nuisance, just the problem they presented. The thought of settling down with someone hadn't really crossed his mind.

With a shake of his head he decided to deal with it later. 

"You know, I think I am tired. I'd like to rest." He looked up at Alexander, who gave a small nod. His eyes carefully flicked up to the bear and then he retreated from the room.