Bubbling Over

The rising sun cast its rays through the window onto Alex's sleeping face, leaving their cheek a radiant shade of golden brown, faint shadows lining his jaw and the corner of their mouth, their long, tousled dark hair highlighted by black shadows. Framed by the light pouring through the window, he looked beautiful.

As he arose from the bed, eying his still-asleep partner, Michael wondered if any verses would have sprung to Alex's mind right now. Moments like this, sights of natural beauty, always triggered their inner poet.

Sunlight painted their face in a bright halo, Michael thought, Or something like that...

Alex groaned, their arm brushing up against Michael's body in a familiar manner. Michael knew what was going to happen next, and smiled as Alex opened his vibrant green eyes.

A moment passed as Alex's grogginess dissipated and gave way to their usual intense energy.

"What?" they asked, smiling warmly.

"Nothing," Michael blushed, "Nothing."

Alex shook their head and stretched. He then slid out of the bed with a familiar freneticism.

"Busy day," Alex sounded like they were speaking to themself, "Gotta get to work."

It took a great effort for Michael to rein in a sigh. He put on a smile which felt somewhat false and asked,"How's the design coming along?"

"Great!" Alex said, "Last night, I came up with a more efficient layout for the wheels! I can't wait to show the team!"

"You should pace yourself," Michael suggested, "Breakfast first. I was thinking poached eggs?"

"Sure," Alex was clearly only half-paying attention to Michael's words. Just like every other day.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Michael mused upon this as he stood at the stove. With delicate care, he tended to the eggs as they—nested in the silicone poaching cups Michael had just bought—cooked in superheated waters that bubbled and hissed with a fiery energy, just a few degrees shy of overflowing the pot and sending scalding water streaming down the sides...

The timer went off. Michael quickly turned off the flame before grabbing a set of pincers and, in succession, delicately removing the two containers from the steaming waters of the pot. One at a time, he slowly tilted the containers over the plate until the yolks landed over the slices of toast, each a radiant yellow core surrounded by an uncertain mass of white.

Sprinkling some salt and pepper, Michael called, "Alex! Breakfast is ready!"

He was met with no response.

"Alex?" Michael asked. He already had his suspicions. Grabbing Alex's plate, he made his way to their office. He suppressed a sigh as soon as he entered.

Alex sat at their desk, their eyes fixed upon their computer, focusing on yet another blasted LEGO model: some kind of green truck with eight massive wheels.

Ever the perfectionist, Alex continued to swap out pieces and change color schemes, editing their creation with the meticulous care of a surgeon. They loved their LEGO creations, and wanted the kids who would play with them to enjoy building them as much as Alex themself did.

"Alex," Michael called. Alex showed no response. "Alex!" Michael repeated more intensely.

Alex stopped, swiveled their chair towards Michael, and removed their earbuds.

"Sorry," Alex said, "What?"

"Um...food's ready," Michael replied, "But if you're in the zone, I don't want to interrupt."

"You sure?" Alex crinkled their nose.
"I'm sure," Michael replied, "Go do your thing."

He left Alex's breakfast at their desk and ate alone at the table. Normally, breakfast was a hailstorm of babble about LEGOs and the nuances of using axles instead of pins and the efficiency of studs carefully placed between bricks. In the past, Michael had felt overwhelmed and never understood a word Alex said. Lately, he realized that the silence was worse.

In a way, Michael loved that Alex had never really grown up, that everything had felt like an adventure with them. But, sometimes adventures lasted too long.

Michael finished his meal quickly and checked his calendar. Today was a flexible day, he had a few hours before meeting with his client. He could spare some time.

Within the confines of the bedroom, he opened his laptop. After pulling up Safari, he looked over his shoulder. Once he was certain Alex wasn't in the vicinity, he loaded up Apartments.com, pulling up his save list, examining the small one-bedroom yet again. Still available. It was well-reviewed: reasonable rent, good light, central heating. Further from the office, but that didn't matter in a lockdown...this could work.

Suddenly, Michael's train of thought was halted by a vibration in his pocket. He withdrew his phone and checked the contact. 

Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Oakland.

Oakland. Is something wrong with Dad?

Michael answered the phone.

"Is this Michael Avars?" the voice on the line sounded somber.

"Yes," Michael greeted.

"I'm Joel, I'm a nurse at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Oakland. I'm sorry to report that your father just passed away."

Everything froze.

"What?" Michael eventually asked, "What happened?" As Joel explained the situation, Michael heard every word, yet understood none of it. 

The rest of the call was a blur of logistics. All Michael could manage to say was, "Thank you for telling me." The words sounded quieter than a whisper. He put down the phone and just sat there, immobile in both mind and body.

"What's wrong?" Alex's voice punctured a hole in Michael's suspended mind. He swiveled his chair around and saw his partner in the doorframe. He only stared as Alex walked towards him.

Michael had to force the words out, "My dad died."

Alex immediately moved to their knees to meet Michael's eyes, and hugged him. Michael's void broke, and he cried in Alex's arms. For several minutes that felt like an eternity, they stayed there as Michael's shock and grief bled outwards. Nothing felt more comforting than Alex's grasp.

When their hug broke, Alex said, "Let's take the day off, both of us. We should call your sister."

"It's okay, Alex," Michael said gently, "I'll be alright, you can go back to your..."

"I'm here, Michael," Alex tenderly grasped Michael's hand and looked into his eyes. "I'm here."