Needle In A Haystack (EarthMix AU)

Chapter 16 - Curry [END]

"I'm going to work now. I love you." Mix leaned to his sleeping boyfriend. As was every morning, he woke up with enough time to shower, get dressed, and cycle to Amy's clinic. There was just one more thing in his morning ritual, and that was whispering I love you to Earth's ear. He then gently kissed his cheek and quietly left the bedroom. Earth however, wasn't asleep. Even though he assured Mix numerous times that his alarm didn't wake him up, he would always be awake anyway, pretending sleeping. He just really enjoyed the morning whispers and a kiss; it gave him energy for the rest of the day he spent working on the farm. Mix on the other hand has gotten his energy for a lovingly prepared lunchbox Earth has put into his bag the night prior.

It was almost scary how fast the time went by. Mix was on his second and last year of internship, with only three months left before graduation and getting his degree, yet it still felt as if they've only just started dating. How did it happen? They moved in together and lived happily, so what was the problem?

Earth turned on his back and stared at the ceiling. He has turned 25 two months ago and Mix surprised him with a week long vacation he saved up for for months, but the Japan trip itself wasn't the best part of his birthday present. It was the time spent with Mix, undisturbed by work or family, completely carefree and content. Waking up late with his boyfriend snuggled up to his body was just perfection and pure bliss.

"What are you so smily about?" Penny, his other colleague, nudged Mix's arm.

"Nothing." Mix grinned, gently removing a breathing tube out of the dog's mouth. He lifted the dog and very carefully carried him to the cage so he could wake up from anaesthesia there and not on the table. "Just this thing Earth does in the morning He pretends to be asleep so I would kiss him. It's cute."

"Yuck." Penny chuckled. "You are together for how long now? So in love."

"Seven years now." Mix locked the cage and disposed of his gloves. "We started dating just before I turned 18 so..."

"Hmm." Penny gave an acknowledging nod, but Mix sensed a little judgement. He raised an eyebrow and folded his arms. "What?" He asked, slightly annoyed.

"Nothing, nothing." Penny shook her head. "It's just...seven years is a long time. Are you really gonna stay with the first guy you date without checking other options?"

Mix snickered. "And exactly how single are you right now?"

Penny wiped the table with a frown. "This isn't about me. But you're missing out by settling with the first guy. It's a mistake. It never works out."

"Do you not realise how rude saying such a thing is?" Mix frowned. "First or not, Earth and I love each other. So much that I cannot even imagine my life without him. He is an incredible man with a great job, incredibly loving family, and a good heart. And most importantly, he loves me. I'm not missing out on anything and he isn't, and never will be, a mistake."

"I was just trying to...you jerk." Penny pushed past him with angry face.

Mix let out a deep sigh. He leaned against a wall, tugging at his lanyard when Amy, the doctor and his boss as well as Earth's sister-in-law, entered the room. "I..."

"It's fine. I heard." Amy shook her head. "What she said wasn't nice."

"Yeah." Mix rubbed his face. "I'm not doubting our relationship, I want to grow old with Earth."

"I know honey." She smiled. "Mix...what do you want to do after graduation?"

"What do you mean?" He let go of the lanyard. It sprung back into place but not before smacking him in the face and he grunted. "Ow."