The Altered.

Chapter LXV.

The silence that came about between Miles and Aaron was something that Miles appreciated. It was colder on the lower level of the library than it was on the next level where the rest of the group was sleeping. Miles and Aaron sat close - because of the cold, obviously - and they hadn't spoken for a while. The fact that Miles was starting to be thankful for the quiet was something he'd have never thought he could do if he'd been asked a month ago. He typically disliked silence, but with Aaron, it was okay.

Today was a day that Miles had feared for almost his entire life. A day that would change himself and his future. A day where he'd undergo the Alteration and become a new person completely, then the night would be spent celebration with family and friends and gifts. He wasn't getting any gifts today. Unless Aaron's presence counted.

There was a soft rustle as Aaron moved, and Miles felt his shoulder brushing Aaron's. Out of the blue, Aaron asked, "Do you really think we're all going to pull through this?" he asked. "That we're all going to live?"

"We had this conversation the other day," Miles said with a frown, worried about how long the same miserable thought had been circulating in Aaron's mind. "But to be honest, I don't know." He sucked in a breath through his teeth." It's not that death is scary, but it's what you lose when you die. I'd lose everything I've worked towards. I'd lose our friends. I'd lose you."

"You say that like I'm a separate category from our friends." Aaron's comment was made in an offended tone.

"That was unintentional," Miles said. A liar. "Maybe we will die. I don't know anymore, and optimism is a little overrated at this point. I just hope that if we die, we all die together."

Aaron's hand found Miles' in the darkness. Miles felt a spark of electricity shoot through his whole body at the contact. "Then we should make the most of what we have when we're alive, right? Tomorrow isn't promised."

Miles looked back at Aaron; all sandy hair and pale freckles dappling his nose and two shining pools of sapphires as eyes. "The more you have when you're alive," Miles murmured, "the more you lose when you die."

"Like you said," whispered Aaron, a smirk playing on his lips, "if we do die, we'll all die together. No point wasting whatever time we have left."

Miles couldn't help but smile too, wishing he had a place to look elsewhere than Aaron's face. God, they were close - Miles had nothing to do, nothing he wanted to do, that wasn't staring at Aaron's face while he was so near. It helped that Aaron was staring at him, too.

Shit. He wished he could stay here forever.

"Okay," said Miles, daring to lean in just a little closer. Their noses were nearly touching. "Then how are you going to choose to make the most of the rest of your life? Supposing that your life is only going to last... a little while longer."

Aaron sucked in a breath through his teeth. "Your confidence in my ability to survive is heart-warming. Really."

Miles drawled, "I strive to make you reconsider your lifespan."

"That's dark."

"So is my soul."

"Liar. You're much too cute for that."

Miles raised an eyebrow. The number of times that people had called him cute because of his height was a number too high, but the fact that Aaron had called him by it hit on a whole new level. "You didn't answer my question."

"Oh, right." Aaron tipped his head from side to side, making a show of considering his decision. "When you ask what I want to do with my life, do you mean, like, long-term? Or just... tonight-wise."

"Considering we're bound to die soon, whatever happens tonight probably is long-term."

"Ah. Right."

"Yeah." Miles smirked. "Better make it good."

Aaron kissed Miles.

It was so easy. Aaron just glanced down at Miles and inclined his head towards him, rotating his body so that he sat in a more suitable position for what he was about to do. With one of his slender hands, he set it down on Miles' waist. The touch was electrifying.

Aaron let his head fall softly towards Miles', and Miles welcomingly tipped his own chin upwards to meet Aaron's open lips before he even knew what he was doing. Aaron's lips fell onto Miles' and when they so perfectly slotted together, the electricity from the touch found its way through Miles' entire body.

Was this allowed, so soon after he'd murdered Ty? Was this allowed, when the world was falling apart? Was this allowed, when today was meant to be a day that would have changed Miles' life forever, but instead he was here, losing himself in a pair of endless blue eyes and lips crashing against his own like fierce, passionate waves. His life would change today, but not because he was being Altered.

Aaron was different from Ty when he kissed Miles. He was soft where Ty had been rough, and he was careful where Ty hadn't hesitated. Aaron was different - but no less perfect.

Miles felt his heart speed up so fast that it almost clawed its way out of its cavity in his chest.

What was he doing?

Miles pulled away and clapped a hand over Aaron's mouth, his own breathing the loudest sound in the room. Aaron looked confused. Miles was, too, but not because of Aaron - he was confusing himself.

Heart pounding in his throat, Miles slid his hand away from Aaron's mouth and rested it on Aaron's cheek instead, pulling himself together. He held his hand there for a few minutes. Then he kissed Aaron, and this time he let things work.

He felt a surge of confidence. All at once, this was really happening.

Aaron was considerably softer than Ty had ever been, but it didn't take Miles long to adapt. It felt right and wonderful.

They kissed and they kissed and they kissed.

The first time Miles properly wrenched himself away was when Aaron's hand found its way gently to the back of Miles' neck, a harmless, probably unknowing, touch. "Don't," gasped Miles, taking that hand of Aaron's and setting it on his shoulder instead. The sudden reaction hadn't been voluntary, but at the mere thought of hands on his neck - even if Aaron's touch was notably different to being choked, especially being choked by the Altered - no matter how cautious or affectionate, scared Miles. "Please."

"I didn't mean to -"

"I know," breathed Miles. "It's not you."

Aaron seemed to quickly understand, nodding to show that he realised what Miles meant.

Then they were kissing again, and this time, nothing went wrong.

Aaron wouldn't take Miles on exhilarating adventures or drag him onto the dancefloor at a party, but Miles didn't care. Ty and Aaron were two completely different people; Miles had a place in his heart for them both.

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+1186 Words.