Alejandro's Hombre

Ch.35: to the North

Gabriel stared long at Xander after the kiss. they burst out laughing afterwards as Gabriel kiss him again. Xander caressed Gabriel's hair, and the latter closing his eyes to feel the touch.

"you seem to like me combing your hair like this." Xander said, gently massaging Gabriel's scalp, too. the man nodded and lay comfortably on top of him. Xander kissed Gabriel's temple, then slightly nibble at the shell of his ear. Gabriel groaned and hug him tighter.

"Mama used to do that when I was a little boy, and it puts me to sleep. It feels so good, really. and then she'll be humming a lullaby until I slumber."

there's a warmth that spread from Xander's heart through out his system upon hearing Gabriel's words. He felt flattered to know that his simple gestures would remind Gabriel of one of the most important person in his life.

"you want me to put you to sleep?"

He asked, and he heard Gabriel laugh. bumangon ito at itinukod ang dalawang siko sa blanket, habang nakangiting naka-tunghay sa kanya.

"you have a mole here." Gabriel said, pointing the right side of Xander's nose. "it looks so cute. do you know what they say about people having a mole on their nose, specially on the right side of it?"

"what is it then?" Xander asked, getting ticklish as Gabriel playfully boops his nose. "stop it Gabe. nakikiliti ako..."

"they say that the mole on the right side of the nose means that the person is passionate..." Gabriel said in a hushed tone, placing a kiss on that side of Xander's nose. "and seeks more sexual activities..."

Xander's face automatically heat up as Gabriel invaded his lips again. Xander pulled away and bashfully hit Gabriel's biceps, his face now flushed and his heart beating so fast.

"at saan mo naman nalaman yan, aber?"

"hmmm... Google?"

pabirong kinurot nya ang braso nito na tinawanan lang ni Gabriel. umalis ito sa ibabaw nya at nahigang muli sa blanket, nakatingala sa kalangitan. Xander lay down his head on Gabriel's arms again and watched the legions of stars above.

" have you watched the Lion King?"
tanong ni Gabriel sa kanya. He nodded.

"oo naman. is it favorite Disney movie?"

"yes. I could relate to Simba in so many ways. gaya na lang nung sinabi ni King Mufasa na kapag pumanaw ang mga mahal natin sa buhay, they became stars on the sky. that they look at down us, watching from a distance." Gabriel's voice sound so distant, and there is a deep sense of longing in it. Xander just caress his sides, tell him silently that he's just right there beside him. "ito yung ginagawa ko lagi kapag nangungulila ako kina Mama at Papa. I just lie down here, and watch those stars. or talk to the moon, no matter how silly that might be. Gift often come here with me, and we'll pretend that our parents are really up there, looking at us."

Xander's tears fell as he listened to Gabriel. He lost both his parents and raised his only sister alone, providing everything for her. for both of them. Gabriel is the very first man he loves, and Xander is forever thankful for that. and he'll never regret falling in love with this man.

"hey, are you crying?" Gabriel said, as he noticed Xander's moist face. "don't cry, okay? I took you here to enjoy the sight with me. I'm sorry if I said something so dramatic."

Xander shook his head and rest his hand on Gabriel's left chest.

"you don't have to apologize. I'm glad that you shared these things with me even if we're just dating. Thank you, Gabe."

"hmmm... parang ayoko ng thank you lang..." Gabriel said, biting his lip as he slowly lay Xander back on the soft blanket. namilog ang mga mata ni Xander at itinukod ang mga palad sa dibdib ni Gabriel dahil alam na nya ang binabalak nitong gawin.