Falling For A Murderer (BoyxBoy)

Hellos and Goodbyes

A yawn slipped through the lips of the boy who rested on my lap. His once up straight body now curled sleepily against my own, his breath of tiredness the only noise in the silent room. All but one of the guests had left, leaving Sam, Jim and I in the company of Sarah, whose earlier statement on the mother who left had sent us all into a spectrum of shock.

Movement from the kitchen made my head turn, only to see Sarah leaning against the doorway, clutching a hot drink to her chest. She looked at my boyfriend gently, a soft sigh escaping her lips before she made her way to the couch that sat across from where I was.

She had a look in her eye that said she wanted to say something, but the way her lips were pressed together showed she knew better than to. Whether what she wanted to say might hurt us I couldn't tell, but my judgment told me it was because she didn't want to break the silence.

I caught her eye and nodded to the spare seat on the couch next to her, indicating I wondered where Jim was. She glanced at the ceiling above us, and I soon heard the pitter patter of feet making their way down the stairs.

"Everything alright down here?" The older man asked as he stepped into the living room, so ironically named in this moment of dead silence.

"It's all good," Sarah spoke, her voice barely louder than a whisper, yet travelling far in the empty air. The mumbles of voice caused a stir in the human that lay on my lap, his eyes fluttering open, akin to the wings of a butterfly. A smile weaved across his lips when he saw me looking down to him, a glimmer of simple joy in his irises.

"Hey." He hoarsely murmured, voice muffled by my shirt which his face had nuzzled against as he 'd slept. "Sorry for falling asleep on you." He smiled apologetically, shifting himself so he sat up. He looked around, seeing the room void of visitors, only Sarah left behind. "When did the others leave?"

"A little while ago," I answered as the rain began to patter outside, lightly at first, before quickly beginning to hammer down. At the sound of water drops slamming against the window, we turned our heads to view to downpour. Outside was dark, a charcoal grey hue of clouds looming above us. Nothing but a small strip along the horizon to let the setting sunlight through. An antithesis of darkness; a palette of pinks and oranges sweeping along the skyline.

"But Sarah's still here."

"No shit, Sherlock." She grinned from her seat, just as another small yawn slipped from Sam's mouth.

"Sorry." He whispered, stifling another.

"I'll carry you to bed if you want." I offered, knowing he'd be more comfortable asleep up there than on my lap.

"Thanks." He grinned, leaning into my arms as I picked him up bridal-style and walked out the room. A rumble came from outside and a flash lit the room momentarily as lightning struck close to the town. A second later and the whole house went into complete darkness. A gasp of small surprise left my lips and Sam's grip on my shirt became stronger, not going unnoticed. A yelp came from the kitchen causing a small laugh to erupt from the woman in the lounge.

"Wow, I must have more balls here than you three combined. It's just a power cut. "

"No shit, Sherlock." Sam cried from my arms.

"It'll pass soon enough." She continued, rolling her eyes. "Well, it's not gonna get any lighter. Jim, where are you hiding your candles?" She disappeared into the kitchen, using her hands to fumble her way around the furniture.

I felt a tug on my shirt, as Sam searched blindly through his pockets, getting out his phone to use as a flashlight. The sudden ubiquity of light was blinding, but helpful above all things. I carried Sam to his room, watching my step as best I could, still, the body in front of me blocked my view slightly, and instead, I used my feet to feel each step as they came.