Burning Coldness | BXB

Burning Coldness 23: Broken Soul (Part Two)

|BROKEN SOUL|

Nathaniel didn’t know what to say. There were no words of consolation. Everything he might or could say would probably sound like a pathetic attempt—a corny phrase of empathy that would turn no real comfort to him. Instead Nathaniel kissed his tears away, and embraced him—offering his comfort just by being there for him at times like this.

Despite waking up with grief in his chest, Andrew had to admit he felt slightly more at ease just by sensation of a warm body pressed against his back. He couldn’t fight off a smile of relief and the feeling of comfort that Nathaniel’s brought him.

Looking at the clock, Andrew realized it was time to get up and get ready for school. Even though he wanted nothing more than to stay laying here in this cloud of warmth and security, he knew that new day has come, and that he had to pick up his pieces and carry on.

What is done, it’s done. I hope she will forgive me wherever she is right now. Andrew thought sadly. Removing the comforter, he glanced at the sleeping guy beside him. His heart filled with joy looking at Nathaniel’s angelic face. He caressed his cheeks, leaning in to kiss it.

“Baby, wake up,” he whispered, picking him up a kiss in his nose. The blonde mumbled in his sleep, wriggling under the sheets. Andrew kissed his lips softly, getting easily intoxicated by the sensation. Nathaniel’s lips started moving along him, finally waking up.

Nathaniel groaned, stretching on the bed. “I just had this wonderful dream of kissing these plump, soft lips of yours.”

“If you won’t get up, kissing them will stay only as a dream.” Andrew teased him, moving towards the bathroom. Nathaniel pouted at him, and pulled him into the kiss.

•••

Forty minutes later they were riding the elevator. The door opened to an underground garage. “Where are we? I thought you had a driver?” Nathaniel asked after they went on.

“I am going to drive us today, Antony my driver was… Bridget’s husband.” he trailed off, gulping hard, this simple question reminding him of his fresh wounds.

“Never knew ‘bout it, shall we go now?” Nathaniel asked afterwards.

“Faster!” Andrew took Nathaniel’s hand dragging him towards his family’s parking lot.

“Which one should we take?” Andrew asked, rubbing his chin in thought. When blonde didn’t respond, he turned to look at him. Nathaniel was gawking at the cars in front of him, his eyes were wide, and Andrew thought they would pop out.

“Are these all yours?” Nathaniel looks at him with a confusion and amazement plastered all over his face.

“All mine, we are Harriet after all.” Andrew shook his head, smirking at blonde’s shock.

Nathaniel walked between the cars, looking at each like a little kid in a candy store. “Dude, you’re really that car enthusiast?” Andrew smiled at Nathaniel.

“Is this Chevrolet yours, too?” Nathaniel gasped somewhere among the cars.

“Which one?” Andrew asked him, walking towards the blonde. “Ain’t mine. That was owned by my father, but he never drives it.” Andrew shrugged indifferently.

Nathaniel ran his fingers carefully over the shiny black motorcycle as if afraid he might damage it somehow. “Amazing!” he exclaimed, completely engrossed in the admiration of the two wheeled beast.

“Can we take this one?” he asked Andrew with hope in his eyes.

“Seriously? Nathaniel, you are aware that it’s a winter. Besides, I’ve no desire to die.” he said, immediately regretting his choice of words as they reminded him of Bridget’s premature demise.

Nathaniel frowned, genuinely disappointed, “But I know to drive it, I had a motorcycle.”

“But maybe in spring, definitely not now.” Andrew pulled reluctant Nathaniel’s away.

“Do you want to drive? I hate driving.” Andrew asked the blonde, dangling with the keys in front of his awestruck face.

“Really?” Nathaniel asked excitedly.

Andrew rolled his eyes at the blonde. “Yes, really. Go ahead.” Andrew pecked the blonde, handing him the keys.

They drove in peaceful silence, Andrew looking at Nathaniel from the corner of his eye. The blonde was beaming, and Andrew couldn’t fight off but smile at his expression. What is it about this guy that makes me feel this way?

Suddenly, Nathaniel took Andrew’s hand, intertwining their fingers. Andrew was startled by the unexpected movement, but he didn’t pull away. Tingles erupted on brunet’s skin, and he squeezed Nathaniel’s hand, letting him know that he liked this. Nathaniel barely looked at him, their eyes meets, and they smiled at each other simultaneously. Warmth crept up at Andrew’s face, his heart skipping a bit.

Nathaniel reluctantly returned his gaze to the front, but the slight rosiness of his cheeks didn’t escape Andrew’s observant eyes.

Andrew realized they were embarking on an unknown territory. He felt it—something has changed. They were no longer seeking carnal desire in each other anymore, this was more that occassional sex. It was becoming so much more than what it was, but interestingly enough, Andrew found himself actually excited to discover that newly-undiscovered thing.

Nathaniel pulled his hand away as they arrive on the school’s ground. Andrew felt disappointed by the instant lack of comforting warmth given by that short moment.

“What a car! But I think I will dream about that beautiful two wheeled monster tonight.” Nathaniel said, returning the keys to Andrew.

“You won’t dream about me?” Andrew feigned disappointment.

“Looks like someone’s jealous?” Nathaniel wriggled his eyebrows at the brunet.

“Why would I?” Andrew huffed. They were bantering all the way towards their homeroom, not noticing the occassional stares they received. It was understatement to say that people were surprised seeing them socializing with each other, and actually talking like friends. Only when Andrew noticed his minions, gawking at him with jaws almost dropping to the floor, little did he realize that he was not supposed to be talking to Nathaniel.

“Crap.” Andrew muttered under his breath. Nathaniel glanced him apologetically mouthing, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Beep me later.” Andrew whispered at him. After a subtle nod, the blonde sped away. Andrew stopped in front of his minions, glancing quickly at Nathaniel before he turned a corner. The guys still gawked at him, question marks almost visible over their heads visible.

“Come on, let’s go to class.” Andrew ordered them, pulling his mask of indifference on. Settling in his seat, he allowed the thoughts of Nathaniel to swarm in his mind. He couldn’t fight it anymore, it was completely futile to deny his feelings for the blonde. Andrew smiled to himself, he didn’t even know he was carrying lifted.

Andrew, you are completely whipped, he thought to himself and he wanted to laugh at the admission. He probably laughed at his butt off if he wasn’t in class. He realized that over the course of the past few months, all the things he hated about Nathaniel became the things he loves now. Somehow, Nathaniel’s wriggled his way in Andrew’s heart, and now one by one, he was tearing Andrew’s defenses down.

Andrew turned in his seat, subtly directing his gaze towards the blonde, who was already looking at him. It seemed that the world ceased to exist as he was looking into those two pairs of chocolate pools. For the first time in his life, Andrew’s cheeks reddened, one clear, loud thought ringing in his head over and over again. And in all 21 years of his existence, nothing made more sense than those simple words…

I like him.