Our Romantic Horror Story

XVIII

Dylan

Seeing Alex again after what felt like an eternity apart cemented a lot of what I had been thinking over the past week while at home. Even with the immense fatigue of my burnout, thoughts of Alex still plagued my existence all week. I had been deeply worried that he would be angry with me. Deep down, I knew that Alex wasn't like that, but my anxieties were not always rational. 

Alex's immediate acceptance was overwhelming in my fragile, vulnerable state. 

Telling Alex about my autism made me feel like I had laid myself bare for Alex to see but I knew that it was the right thing to do. I hated not being honest with others as I had hidden myself from others most of my youth; it made me deeply unhappy.

He had reacted in a very similar way to Kai, who I had told fairly early on into our time together at University. Unwavering acceptance; it felt strange.

The crowds had interrupted that sensation but Alex was quick to pull us through it, guiding me through the crowd and towards his parked car where we were flashed by snapping cameras and yelled questions by men with microphones. The bright flashes of light made me wince and Alex stepped in front of me to block the photos. 

Opening my car door for me, he ensured I was safe inside before walking around to the other side of the car. He had a little more trouble getting his own car door open as he had to fight against the crowd of people. While waiting for him, I could help but look out of the car window at all the faces gawking at me.

One in particular looked at me with a look of contempt, despite the tint of the windows making it near impossible to see through. The look was intense and it sent shivers down my spine, making my blood run cold in my veins. Something about him just didn't seem right. 

Alex eventually managed to enter the car and he now had the arduous task of trying to drive through the crowd of people. He was quite happy to sound his car horn but I feared he would kill somebody if they didn't back off. 

"I'm really sorry, Dylan." Alex sounded defeated, "It shouldn't be this way."

Glancing at him, I looked down at my hands as I wrung them together. Seeing the way all of this effected Alex broke my heart; it was hard to constantly lack privacy and freedom. 

From all of our time spent together and late-night phone calls we had had, I knew that Alex craved nothing more than normalcy and quiet. 

After a week apart, the both of us needed some time alone. Together. To know where we stood and explore whatever it was that was happening between us. However, when we were constantly being interrupted by life, it was hard. 

Alex managed to break free from the car park, leaving those people far behind as he drove aimlessly.

"Where should I drop you?" Alex sounded exhausted.

The week away from life had done me a lot of good. I was able to ground myself and bring myself back together piece by piece by resting myself from the hard-hitting battle of life. It seemed to be that Alex needed the same; neurodivergent or not, we all need a break sometimes. 

"Just keep driving."

Alex glanced over at me and cocked an eyebrow.

"What are you suggesting, Dylan?"

I had missed the way my name rolled off his tongue. He made it sound like honey.

"You have a break from work, right? Would it possible to escape the city for a few days?"

Alex hummed, his expression softening at the idea. I could tell he liked the idea and he hoped he said yes; it would do us both good. He tapped on a contact on his car dash and his car phoned through to Jake. I bit my lip, my stomach dropping at the thought that I might be making an enemy out of Jake by distracting Alex once again. Was I making problems for him?

"Go for Jake."

"Jake, how are we feeling about the idea of me disappearing from the public eye for a few days? Wait for the storm to settle?"

I waited for his response with baited breath, my heart pounding against my chest.

"Sure, have fun."

With that, Jake hung up the call. I looked at Alex with surprise plastered across my face. From the little interaction I had had with Jake, this did not seem like characteristic behaviour. 

"I have a sneaking suspicion that something is going on between my assistant, Jenny, and Jake." Alex explained, "He didn't even hyperventilate at the news headlines from last night."

I nodded slowly, still not fully understanding what had just happened.

Alex did as I had suggested, just driving in a random direction while we listened to music contentedly in his car. It felt slightly insane to randomly leave for a trip with a a man that isn't even my boyfriend yet with nothing that we would need for a trip. In fact, it felt ridiculous, but I was happy to be with Alex.

Me: Alex and I have decided to get out of the city for a few days. Don't worry about me!

Kai: Stay safe, have fun. You owe me details when you get back!

Setting into my seat, I began to google places we could go. Alex swatted my phone from my hand. 

"Don't ruin the spontaneity! Let's just turn up somewhere and get everything we need when we're there. No planning, no barriers."

"Where's there?" I asked.

"I don't know, we'll know when we get there."

As we drove, I sang softly along to the car stereo and played with Alex's free hand as he drove. We drove along the motorway for a while before Alex got bored and took some random junction and began only moving through right turns. He was having too much fun with the situation. 

By the time the sun began to set, both of us were aching in our seats and were in dire need of stretching our legs. Alex continued taking only right turns and it led us to a rather desolate looking edge of the country where the roads were littered with potholes and there wasn't a single streetlight for miles around.

The sun was beginning to set and the sky was lighting up with the most gorgeous colours of purple and pink, all swirling together to make a glowing sunset that really took my breath away. It was only made better as they car reached the top of the incline and the vast, sprawling sea was revealed to me. 

It was a deep blue colour, contrasting against the pinks of the sky and it thrashed violently against the cliff walls in a way that was calming. I scooted to the edge of my car seat to see it better, my mouth dropping open at how amazing the view was.

Alex pulled the car over and I scrambled out, not waiting to let him open the door. Walking closer to the edge, I let the sea air expand and fill my lungs. A trickle of a smile appeared on my face. This was the place we were looking for.

From behind me, I heard a camera shutter sound. Alex had taken a picture of me. Ducking my head and wringing my fingers, I fought my smile. With a gentle hand against the small of my back, he brought me closer to him and angled the phone to take a photo of us together, in front of the view. 

Blushing and windswept, I smiled up at the camera and then at Alex. Both times the shutter sound went off. Taking his hand in mine, I continued to play with his fingers, as I had done the entire ride here. He gently squeezed my hand. Once. Twice.

My breath catching in my throat, I looked up at him with wide eyes. Biting my lip, I felt my stomach erupt into butterflies and my mouth go dry. I cautiously squeezed back twice, making Alex's eyes go dark with passion. 

He pulled me even closer to him, pressing his warm lips to mine and making me melt like butter underneath him. My hands instinctively went to his hair, entangling themselves in his thick locks as the kiss became less gentle and more ravenous.

It was a kiss that said a great deal. It was a kiss that said I miss you, I want you and I am glad we're here. It was also a kiss that suggested much more.