'We'

Chapter Twenty-Two

It was almost eleven. Felix was still not home. Erik was worried sick.

He sat silently at the breakfast table, phone beside him. Jacob had gone up to his room, but his older brother could hear the dull music of his voice as he spoke over the phone to someone. Probably his girlfriend, Erik considered. He looked down at his own phone.

Their mother sat in the living room, TV blaring. Erik wasn't sure if she was doing it to purposefully distract him, but it wasn't working.

He should call, he knew it. Felix would pick up and all his worries would disappear. Something unknown stopped him, however. Something within him wanted Felix to prove himself to him - to prove that he didn't need to be watched like a child. Erik was worried, yes, but he trusted Felix with all of his heart.

It didn't make him feel any less sick, however.

It was well after midnight before a quiet tone sounded on Erik's phone. He jumped at it, searching hungrily for any sign of Felix.

'Are you still awake?' came the simple reply. Erik wasn't sure how he felt.

'Where are you?'

'Outside the door.'

The black-haired man flung the phone down on the table, and the TV in the other room suddenly went quiet. He strode across the house as fast as he could while still regaining his cool. He hesitated as he reached the door, hand hovering over the handle. He was still trying to decide if he were mad or not. Finally, he pulled the door open.

"You took your time. It's cold out here."

Erik was silent for a long while, letting the child slowly seep into the house.

"Where have you been?"

"I didn't mean to upset you."

"What sort of answer is that? I was worried sick."

Felix looked down, clearly apologetic. Erik sighed. He stepped aside, letting the younger man in. He shut the door against the cold.

"Sorry."

"Do you know what time it is?"

"I was with Rosa."

"No, that's not the time."

Felix hesitated, biting back a sharp retort.

"Why are we fighting?"

"Because I thought I'd lost you again." Erik's voice was quiet, honest. Felix had to look away, unable to meet his gaze. He was eventually greeted by a hand on his chin, forcing him to look upwards. Once he had made eye-contact, Erik dropped his hand to the smaller man's shoulder. They remained like that for a while - simultaneously calm and afraid. It was a strange sensation, to be in love.

"I'm tired," Erik finally insisted. "We can talk in the morning." He hesitated a moment before leaning in to kiss his lover on the lips. Felix closed his eyes, but the sensation vanished all too quickly. He guessed Erik was still upset. The older man took his hand, leading him up the stairs. The TV volume increased.

Erik sniffed Felix's shoulder as they made their way into their room.

"You haven't been drinking."

"No," he replied. "I don't hold alcohol very well."

Erik let out a quiet 'mhm', continuing onwards into the bedroom. Felix sat himself down on the edge of the bed as his lover stripped off his shirt, making no move himself to get changed. He just watched. Erik sat next to him in silence. Felix ran a hand through his hair thoughtfully, trying to think of something to say. He closed his eyes.

"Where did you go today?" Erik asked quietly.

"I've just come back from where Rosa works."

"That's not what I meant. Where did you go when I dropped you off."

Felix mumbled something under his breath.

"What was that, love?"

Erik had never used a pet name before. No-one had ever given Felix a pet name. It felt strange like something was burning in the pit of his stomach. He looked up at his lover, surprise appearance in his eyes.

"What happened to talk in the morning?" Felix asked quietly.

The taller man turned away, massaging his forehead with one hand. He closed his eyes, a picture of thought. Finally, he let out a deep sigh, brushing back the hair that had fallen into his eyes.

"I know you're an adult…"

"But?"

"I worry about you. I've never cared about another person like I care about you, and I'm not quite sure how I deal with it yet."

Felix blushed, flashing Erik a small smile. He hardly knew how to react; this feeling wasn't new, but it was a distant memory that he had almost forgotten. He was interrupted from his thoughts by a loud, obviously faked, sigh.

"Alright," Erik said, clapping his hands together. "Next time, call me."

"Yes, I-"

"Fine. I'm going to bed," Erik interrupted quickly.

"You're not… the conversation…"

"I'm not quite sure what you mean. I'm tired." He made to lie down, but Felix continued.

"Mad? You're not mad?"

"No. I'm tired."

"But, I didn't. I mean… I should have."

"Felix, stop."

"You are mad." Erik sighed again, turning to face him.

"I will be if you keep insisting I am." There was a long pause, the two men simply staring at each other. Erik's eyes narrowed. Not maliciously, but they narrowed all the same and it unsettled the brown-haired man.

"I know this was another one if your 'power stunts'.  I get that you're insecure. You're the most beautiful fucking man on the planet, and I don't want to leave you. Now can we go to sleep?"

With a breathy 'fuck', Felix began to sob.

"I didn't mean to make you cry," the taller man sighed sympathetically, petting his lover's head and drawing him into a hug, but it was far too late. It seemed he wasn't getting any sleep tonight after all.

Erik waited patiently for Felix to cry himself out, admiring his stamina as the sobbing went on. With a blush, he quickly retracted his last train of thought. Now really wasn't the time. His thumbs gently traced circles in the fleshy space between his lover's shoulder blades, willing him to grow tired so he himself could sleep. As the sniffling slowly began to subside, he heard the quiet sigh of Felix's voice.

"I should hear by the weekend. I'll let you know then."

"Alright," Erik agreed, too tired to really care what they were talking about anymore. He looked over at the threatening 2 on his electric clock. He was so fucking tired. "Can we sleep now?"

Felix didn't respond but stood to strip his shirt off. Erik took the opportunity immediately, diving under the covers without a second thought. Felix laughed as he turned back around; Erik already had his eyes drowsily half-shut.

"You know," the smaller man muttered as he slipped in beside him. Erik subconsciously wrapped his arms around the other man's waist from behind, muttering a sleepy 'mhm?' Felix took this as his cue to continue. "You talk in your sleep."

"I do what now?" Erik was immediately awake, and Felix chuckled quietly.

"You talk in your sleep." Felix craned his head around, planting a kiss on Erik's lips. He stared for a moment at the blush, before turning back around and closing his eyes, letting the constant warmth of his lover lul him into sleep at last.