Abandoned Tracks

Chapter Eight: Unexpected Guest

Morning dawned gently over the cottage, casting a soft glow through the curtains. Alex and Ethan were still enveloped in the warmth of sleep when a sudden, persistent knocking at the door shattered the tranquility.

Alex jolted awake, his eyes wide with surprise. "Who's that this early?" he muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Ethan stirred beside him, also roused by the noise. "I guess we'll find out," he said, pushing himself up.

They hurriedly got out of bed, and Alex made his way to the door, with Ethan following closely. When Alex opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of his friend, Mark, standing there with a broad grin.

"Mark! What are you doing here?" Alex exclaimed, a mix of surprise and joy in his voice.

"Thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing in your new place," Mark replied, stepping inside. He gave the room a quick scan, noting the cozy yet slightly disheveled state of the cottage. "Hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all," Alex assured him, shutting the door behind them. Ethan followed silently, watching the interaction with interest.

They moved to the living area, where Mark made himself comfortable on the couch. Ethan lingered nearby, curious about this unexpected visit.

"It's good to see you, man," Alex said, taking a seat opposite Mark. "How've you been?"

"Busy with work, mostly," Mark replied, stretching out his legs. "But I needed a break, and what better place than here? It’s so peaceful."

Ethan listened quietly, intrigued by this glimpse into Alex's social life. He realized he had never seen Alex with any guests before, which made this visit even more surprising.

"How about some breakfast?" Alex suggested, standing up. "I was just about to make some."

"Sure, sounds great," Mark agreed.

Alex headed to the kitchen, with Ethan following silently. He started preparing breakfast for three, which caught Mark's attention.

"Who's the third meal for?" Mark asked, a curious tilt to his head.

Alex paused, glancing at Ethan before replying. "I have a big appetite," he said with a small smile, knowing Mark couldn't see the person the extra meal was actually for.

Once breakfast was ready, they all sat down to eat. Alex and Mark talked animatedly, catching up on their lives and reminiscing about old times. Ethan watched from the sidelines, noting how much Alex laughed and seemed to enjoy the conversation. It was a side of Alex he hadn't seen before.

The morning slipped into afternoon, and the planned search for clues was postponed. Alex prepared lunch for three again, placing the third plate in the kitchen.

"Ethan, I'm sorry we can't have lunch together today," Alex said softly, addressing the space beside him.

Ethan, understanding the situation, nodded. "It's okay, Alex. I understand."

The day continued with more conversation and laughter between Alex and Mark. As evening fell and dinner was finished, it became clear that Mark was planning to stay the night.

"You can sleep on the makeshift bed," Alex told Mark, gesturing to the bed that Ethan usually used.

"Thanks, man," Mark said, getting comfortable.

Ethan, realizing he had nowhere to sleep, looked at Alex. Without hesitation, Alex turned to him. "You can sleep with me on the bed," he offered.

Ethan hesitated, but eventually nodded. "Alright."

As they settled into bed, Ethan and Alex found themselves lying close together. The bed felt smaller than usual, and the proximity made Alex acutely aware of Ethan's presence.

"This bed isn't so bad," Ethan whispered, his breath warm against Alex's ear.

A shiver ran through Alex, and he murmured back, "Yeah, it's not."

Morning came, and Alex awoke to find himself nestled against Ethan's shoulder. Ethan, already awake, gently brushed a strand of hair from Alex's forehead. The touch was light, almost hesitant.

Alex's eyes fluttered open, and he found Ethan's hand still resting on his forehead. Ethan whispered, "Good morning," his voice soft and close.

A chill ran down Alex's spine, and he whispered back, "Good morning." He smiled, feeling an unexpected warmth despite the morning chill.

As they lay there, sharing a quiet moment, the events of the previous day seemed distant and unimportant. For now, all that mattered was the here and now, the bond that was slowly but surely forming between them.

Mark was still asleep on the makeshift bed, oblivious to the quiet exchange happening just a few feet away. Alex and Ethan remained close, savoring the fleeting tranquility before the day truly began.