The Delivery Boy(boyxboy)

Chapter 23: Constellations and Confessions.

I saw you standing there
Sandy blonde hair, the way it came tumbling down
Just like a waterfall
And if you need a light
I'll be the match to your candle
My darling, I'm ready, to burst into flames for you

I was just coasting till we met
You remind me just how good it can get

Well I've been on fire, dreaming of you
Tell me you don't
It feels like you do
Looking like that, you'll open some wounds
How does it start?
And when does it end?
Only been here for a moment, but I know I want you
But is it too soon?
To know that I'm with you

-

Axel

It was amazing how a person so tall could shrink into smaller versions of himself, until it seemed like he barely occupied any space. It was honestly amazing how someone so lanky, someone who would stand out so obviously in a room full of people -- could become a ghost whenever he wanted to, he could turn his skin into so thin it would look like invisible thread you couldn't even weave your fingers through.

That's what it felt like to hold Xavier during the ride to the hospital. His fingers were weaved through mine - I could feel his heartbeat run through the places we were connected, his fear dripped into me like a poison from his hands, his anger visible in the vein that thrummed somewhere against my palm. He was quietly sniffing and looking out the window, where the world raced behind him - he looked like he was trying to run from something that was a part of him.

A vague thought about my sister was floating in the back of my mind - about how this wasn't healthy for her, about how she depended on me so greatly that if I diverted my attention from her, her only world would fall right at her feet. I had texted Brooke to pick her up and bring her to the hospital, Brooke had responded immediately - I was thankful no questions had been asked. It wasn't about friendship, or something less, or something more - it was about basic human decency. He had a mother who had been in an accident, he was horribly worried, and he needed someone. I would give that to him, just this one time, because anything other than that would be downright cruel.

His sniffs became louder as a tear dripped down his eyes. I gave him a secret glance - noticing how sharp his face became, how his entire face had gone so pale his freckles appeared visible - how he looked so incredibly soft, so genuinely young - touching him made me feel afraid. My heart thrummed up my Adam's apple and sat in my throat as I reached out to touch his face, wiping away the flood of his fear. He looked at me then, with his brilliantly green eyes, and there was so much unbearable pain in that one expression - I could've sworn I would have offered to share it with him, to carry his burden for him, only if the car hadn't stopped.

The rest was a complete blur. It was amazing how fast time would go when you needed it to stop for you, just to spite you. Before I could collect myself or my thoughts, we were already up the floor and Xavier was shouting for his mother, absolutely livid. He was shown to a room while I stared at this retreating back, almost having an out of body experience. Shaking my head and trying to get my tongue out of my throat, I followed him up until he was with the doctor, who looked so calm - it even made angry.

"Name, please? What relation do you have to Mrs. Alexander?" I could see a sheen of sweat above her eyebrow, there were circles under her eyes.

"I'm her son," Xavier sobbed out, trying to control himself by breathing through his teeth, "Please tell me she's okay. How did it even happen? Is she-"