This story is written by Hoshi.
This page is canon and takes place 2009.
"You go to bed, I'll be coming soon I swear." Ethan answered Zen. He listened to her footsteps as she was walking down the hallway and towards the bedroom. He bit his lip, standing in the middle of the dark living-room. He felt his heart sink a bit as he once again found himself all alone in the apartment, which reminded him of nothing but his boyfriend. The entire situation had his emotions tied up in a knot, and he felt he had no right to actually live in his own place. He couldn't stay living with another woman in the apartment that Edwin was paying for, especially not since Edwin didn't approve of it at all. One part of him feared being seen as unfaithful, and another part of him feared what Edwin might be able to do towards Zen when he wasn't home. He couldn't defend anyone in either scenarios. On second thought, he didn't fear being seen as unfaithful, more than being discovered for the cheater that he undeniably was, that he knew he was.
Deep breath. Another deep breath, then he stepped out to the balcony. He wanted air, that's what he told himself, in reality all he desired was to get out. In spite of that, he couldn't leave. Leaving required money, and he needed to pay for two people now. He would do anything for her. Ethan fiddled up a pack of cigarettes from his back pocket and placed one of the sticks between his puffy lips. They were still somewhat throbbing from all the kissing he had done that night, the last one having occurred just mere minutes ago. He pulled out the lighter from the cigarette package, lit the stick and put the lighter back into the package, package back into the pocket, as should be. He inhaled the smoke deeply, then shakily let it back out as he tried to let his worried pass by. The night was somewhat chilly, and he rubbed his bare forearm a bit where he stood, thinking about how absent his friends had seemed lately. He wondered if they actually were seeming to pull away from him, or if it was only his mind trying to play tricks again. Either way, it was working.
Ethan's eyes ran from the dark night sky, clouds surrounding the usually bright stars, then down to the half full parking lot beneath him. Both out of boredom and searching for anything to distract his mind, he surveyed the area up and down, recognising the handful of vehicles that always stood parked there. Among them, Datui's beloved motorcycle. He smiled a bit thinking back at the memories the image in front of him brought him, but his smile soon faded as he noticed the familiar silhouette sitting on one of the rocks on the slim "forest" line on the other side of the car road. Technically it was merely a few rows of trees that miraculously hadn't been chopped down yet, but it was the closest thing to a forest that Ethan could think of in any nearby area, as his apartment was placed right in the middle of the big city. It might have been the biggest collection of trees that was actually within walking distance. He pulled out his phone and sent away a message, but the person below didn't even flinch. With a silent sigh, Ethan put out his cigarette against the ash tray on the small wooden table, surrounded by flowers that Zen had planted to keep herself occupied. He walked back inside, to the hall, threw his jacket and shoes on and stepped out the door. Ethan was just about to close it when he stopped dead in his tracks.
Once again back into the apartment the brown haired guy made his way into the bedroom, pushing the door open slowly. He tried to be quiet, but the door was creaky and the universe betrayed him. He took a few steps into the room, flinching as his shoes echoed against the wooden floor below. He leaned down onto his knees besides the bed and ran his hand over Zen's hair gently. She was awake now, but had most likely just managed to fall asleep a second before he interrupted her peace and quiet.
"Hey darling." Ethan mumbled softly, his voice somewhat deep and soothing in the almost pitch black room. "I'm going to be downstairs, but I'll be back up soon. I've got to check a thing." He explained, and Zen let out a groggy hum.
"Are you going out..?" She mumbled back and Ethan smiled a bit, though soon realizing she most likely couldn't see it, if she even had her eyes open.
"Yeah, but I'm not going anywhere far, I'll just be right below the balcony so don't worry." He promised, and with that he slowly made his way back outside, for a second time, making sure to close and lock every door behind himself. Recent events had made him extremely paranoid of leaving his half lover all alone in there, but he would be quick, and he would have an eye on the door. Nothing could happen.
