Hypernova : A Sequel to Supernova

Episode 4 - Clipped Wings

Jade sat at the dimly lit bar, fingers trailing the rim of his half-empty glass. The clink of ice cubes seemed to echo louder in his mind than the low murmur of conversations around him. His reflection shimmered faintly in the amber liquid, his thoughts more bitter than the whiskey sliding down his throat. 

Loss. That familiar feeling wound tightly around his chest, constricting his breath as he tipped the glass back and swallowed the last of his drink. He signaled for another, eyes scanning the room as a small distraction from the ache gnawing at him.

That's when he noticed him—a lean figure at the far end of the bar, tousled hair and dark eyes locked on him. The intensity of the stranger's gaze was one Jade had seen a milion times--interest.

With a click of his tongue, Jade turned his eyes front, waiting for his drink. After their gazes met, the man didn't stay put. He slid onto the stool next to Jade, blocking out the soft glow of the bar lights, his presence immediately invasive.

"Tired of watching me?" Jade's voice was sharp, dripping with sarcasm, his eyes never leaving the rows of bottles in front of him. He didn't need to look to know the man's eyes were still on him

The stranger's reply came smoothly, too smoothly. "You're hard to ignore."

Jade would usually scoff at such a line, but tonight he didn't have the energy. A flicker of a bitter smile tugged at his lips. Maybe a distraction wouldn't be the worst thing.

"Mind if I buy you another drink?" the man offered, his voice warm, syrupy.

Jade lifted his newly poured glass in response, taking a slow sip. "Already covered," he muttered, but the stranger wasn't deterred.

"You might have a drink, but you look like you could use some company," the man persisted, his gaze flicking to Jade's lips before trailing down his body, lingering in a way that was both bold and presumptuous.

 "I'll have what he's having," he told the bartender.

Jade's mouth curled at the edges, a smirk that didn't reach his eyes as the sting of rejection festered in the pit of his stomach. "Are you offering your company?"

The man chuckled softly, the sound rich and confident, fingers tracing the rim of his glass as if rehearsing for the next move. "Only if you want it."

Jade's eyes briefly flickered over him, taking in the too-eager smile and the sharp gleam in his eyes. He leaned back in his seat, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly. "It might be more than you can handle," Jade said, his tone light but edged with something darker. 

Taking a sip of the drink the bartender handed to him, the man's gaze bore into Jade, "I'm a big boy."

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The apartment door slammed shut behind them, the sound of it still echoing when Jade's back hit the wall. He grabbed the stranger by the collar and yanked him forward, crashing their mouths together in a fierce, hungry kiss. The air was thick with heat, with the scent of skin and sweat.

The man's hands fumbled at Jade's shirt, pulling it open with impatient fingers. Buttons flew, fabric ripping, but Jade didn't care. He growled, biting the man's bottom lip as his hands roamed down, nails grazing along his back, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened—tongues twisting, breaths heavy.

Jade spun them around, pushing the stranger hard against the wall. For a fleeting moment, Jade hesitated, a sliver of doubt slipping through the cracks in his resolve. 

What was he doing?

The man pressed against the wall began raining kisses along the side of Jade's face. Forcing the unneccesary thoughts from his head, Jade pinned him there with the weight of his body, his knee sliding between the man's legs. The stranger gasped, hips jerking up in response. Jade smirked, his lips brushing the man's ear.