Running From Him (ManxMan) ✔️

Chapter 43: Touchy Touchy

🏃Clark’s POV🏃

“Ethan!” I shouted, unable to stop myself from yelling the words out. Ethan’s head snaps up and before I know it his arms are wrapped tightly around my shoulders and neck. I make sure not to wince --much-- in his arm and hug him back the best I can.

Neither Ethan nor I feel embarrassed about causing a scene at this point and the police officers that surrounded us gave looks before and then eventually all got back to their work. I mean, they had probably seen many more crazy things than two guys being excited to see each other again.

Canada is not crime free, guys.

Then, I felt the wetness of tears falling against my shoulder and quickly began to realize that Ethan was crying.

“Oh, Ethan . . . ” I whispered, more aware of those around us and aiming not to bring too much attention to Ethan’s tears. Ethan grumbled something but didn’t move an inch. Ethan wasn’t that much of a cryer, in fact, this might have been the second or third time that I’ve seen him do it, so I wasn’t sure if he wanted everyone around us to know.

Ethan finally pulled away and I glanced behind me to see that Santiago had been waiting near us the entire time. Ethan, to my surprise, then went to pull Santiago in for a hug.

Santiago was confused and looked to me with wide eyes as if I could give him the answer. I shrugged and gestured for him to hug Ethan back. With a bit of hesitation, he did, and then Ethan began to explain.

“Thank you so much for everything that you’ve done.” He told Santiago, muttering into the taller man’s shoulder. “If it wasn’t for you, gosh, I don’t think that I would have been able to get Clark back.”

The mention of that previously unmentioned fact bothered me like nothing else. It was terrifying to think that if I hadn’t kept in touch with Santiago and built that relationship, he would have never been in my life and have been the one to save me. I tried to shake it off though and focus on the two in front of me.

“It was no trouble at all.” He said to Ethan earnestly. Then he took a moment to glance upwards. “But . . . I do think that you should thank my tia Manuela, over there.”

At the simple mention of the woman’s name, Ethan was off of Santiago and on to her in a second. Manuela had been looking over some documents while we all reunited but suddenly she was being pulled into a deep hug by a slightly taller man. She looked down at the blonde with a frown but, after several moments hugged him back. Ethan and I gave her our thanks and she accepted them graciously.

I was still smiling at how much she seemed to have hated the attention when I was suddenly tapped on the shoulder. I look behind me to find a taller man with a couple of bags of equipment, one looking to be the first aid.

I gave him a questioning look.

“We want to look over your injuries.” He tells me, gesturing to the many bags in his hands. “Because saving you wasn’t the official documented purpose for going to that man’s apartment, it was not the best idea to treat you there with no ambulances or guarded areas. It is best that we do it in one of the rooms in the back.”

I look over the man, noting that he had a badge that appeared to be both professional and medical. He was probably alright, but I was uneasy after everything that happened and still a bit cautious, against my logical mind.

You are in a freaking police station, what could possibly be unsafe? A part of me asked.

Yet in still, I found myself turning to Santiago who stood nearby.

“Can you come with me?” I ask him, attempting to sound confident and at ease when I honestly felt very uncomfortable. I don’t think it worked, but at least I tried. “Uh, I’ll just be more comfortable when you’re around, you know?”