Taste of Iron

Forty: Some Miscommunication Is Necessary For The Plot

Forty: Some Miscommunication Is Necessary For The Plot

Atlas didn't know what to do.

He called in sick at work, told Shawn that he had the flu and would probably need a few days off. There was no way in hell that he was going to show up at work with bruises all over his face. It wasn't even about what his co-workers would say. He could tell them the same lie he told the hospital staff and the cops— that he got jumped and mugged in some dark alley. But Emil... Emil wouldn't buy it. Atlas knew Emil would see right through him, and he didn't want to risk it.

Atlas knew that Emil wouldn't let it slide. If he got to know that it was Randy that did this, then all hell was going to break loose. Atlas's best bet was to avoid Emil until the proof of his beating was gone.

But that would take weeks. Even if his bruises faded and Atlas tried to cover them up with make up, how would he be able to hide from Emil until then?

Atlas had to try, though. He didn't want to cause Emil's rivalry to get worse. Things were even from Randy's perspective, but if Emil were to do anything... then Randy might do what he initially wanted to do. Atlas couldn't have that. Simply not. All he could think about was that he had to protect Emil, no matter what.

Atlas tried to read a book. But his eye was hurting. He tried to watch a movie on his laptop but that had the same effect. Plus, the painkillers were making him drowsy. Atlas was on the verge of passing out when his phone rang.

Right on time.

Atlas was expecting this. This was when he and Emil usually reached work, and he knew that the moment Emil would find out that Atlas was not in, he would call.

"Hey," Atlas greeted as he picked up.

"Hi baby, Shawn told me you were sick? What happened? Is it the flu? Ava's down with it too. Have you taken any meds? Do you want to see a doctor?"

"I'm fine," Atlas replied curtly. "Nothing a little rest can't cure."

"I'm coming over, okay? I'll bring some soup and—"

"No!" Atlas cut him off way too fast. Great. Just great. Way to go, Atlas. This wasn't suspicious at all. He bit the inside of his cheek nervously as his mind went blank. He had thought of a hundred excuses because he knew Emil would offer to visit, but it was as if his brain had stopped working all of a sudden.

"Why not?"

"I don't want you to get sick too," Atlas lied. It was the only thing he could come up with that made an iota of sense.

"Don't worry about that. I'll be fine. Let me tell you, the Alvarez family has a great immune system. Actually, I don't know about the Alvarez family because the only other Alvarez family member I knew was my mother but she had a great immune system! I don't think I ever saw her fall sick or—"

"Emil. I'm serious. I don't want you to fall sick. I'll be fine. I've taken some meds and I'll just sleep it off," Atlas stated. This wasn't a long term solution, but all he could do was take it one day at a time.

"How about I wear a mask? I won't catch whatever you have then! I'll even wash my hands after and take proper care of my hygiene," Emil suggested, and Atlas sighed in frustration. The crime boss really wasn't making this easy for him.

"Emil. I'm fine. Let it go."

"Oh come on, I can't let you be all alone when you're sick! Worst case scenario, we'll be sick together! We can order some soup and take long naps and—"

"Jesus Christ Emil why won't you listen to me?" Atlas snapped. "I don't want to see you! Goddamnit, has anybody ever told you how clingy you are?"

It hurt.