Beyond the Shallow Waters ★ Maylor

Chapter 16

"Roger? Freddie said you need to talk with me?" Brian queried, poking his head out of the slightly open door.

"Yeah. Can you please come out here?" The taller man gave him an assuring "yeah" before walking out on to the balcony. The night air swept his hair and the chill wasn't too bad.

From behind Brian, Freddie gave Roger a reassuring smile and a thumbs up, closing the curtains. They now had privacy.

"Brian- I..." Roger sighed, not finding the words.

"What is it, Rog?" Brian's eyes are shown with concern. Roger felt the lump rise in his throat. Before Brian came out with him, he knew everything he was going to say. Now all of that disappeared.

"I just want to let you know-" He paused, "I'm going to miss you." He didn't have it in him to tell Brian he loved him. It would crush him when he'd have to go back. Roger knew no matter how much he'd beg Mina, she wouldn't do what she did for Freddie. She'd forbid it.

"I'm going to miss you too." Brian looked almost disappointed like he was expecting something else.

"Yeah." They both became silent, not know what to say. It became awkward.
     
"Roger, I-" Brian spoke up, acting like he had some to say.
     
"Yes?" Brian looked conflicted with himself.
     
"I'm just...going to head back inside." Roger became disappointed and watched the older man leave.
     
"Stupid, stupid, stupid." He gritted, hitting his head on the railing.

—
    
Prenter came back to his rental house late. It took him all day to find the supplies he needed.
    
No lights were on in the house next door so that must mean they were all asleep.
    
After his little escapade earlier that morning, he wasted going to waste any more time.
    
He snuck over and pulled out his lock pick set which, over the years, he learned to use quite graciously. Listening to the clicks, he got the door unlocked. The front didn't even squeak as it opened, to his luck.
    
"Now where would you be?" He whispered to himself. He quietly moved through the house and down the hall. The first door he opened was the hallway closet, then the bathroom, then he stood in front of Brian's bedroom. He slowly opened the door and peeked in. It was pitch dark except for the moonlight pouring in through the window; A singular form laid in the bed.
    
He crept over quietly and then pounced. It was only a pillow.
    
"What?!" He ran over to the other room, finding it empty as well. He searched the house. Nothing.

—
    
Roger couldn't sleep. He hadn't made an effort to try. He stayed in the balcony now in the dark, staring at the moon.
    
"Oh Mina, I wish you were here. I don't know what to do." He tucked his head in his arms that laid on the railing. He shivered as a strong night breeze hit him, deciding to go back in. It was already a quarter past 1 am. He walked down the hall and stopped in front of Brian's and his room. He told Brian that he would come to bed soon, but that was nearly three hours ago. He needed to distance himself from the human. He'd sleep on the couch downstairs instead.

Thoughts occurred in his head, of things he wanted to know. The only thing he didn't want to know: he definitely didn't want to know what was going in John and Freddie's room as he walked by.
    
He walked down to the living room and sprawled out on the couch. No matter how much he wanted to sleep, he couldn't.

He spotted John's cigarettes he left on the table and went for them. He knew Brian told him no but that didn't mean he hadn't snuck one or two before when Brian wasn't looking. He knew it was bad but it helped his nerves somehow. He lit it up and took a drag. It wasn't long before his nicotine buzz kicked in. It felt oddly good to him each time. He stubbed out the rest when it got to the butt, laying back down.

At least, it put some of his mind at rest. He grabbed one of the couch pillows, placing it under his head. He'd be fine without a blanket. He slowly drifted on to sleep.

—

When Brian woke up, he was alone again. He panicked, having the memories from the day before. He dressed and began to look for the young blonde like yesterday. When he did find him, he was curled up on the couch fast asleep. He slightly shivered, Brian found a blanket and placed it over him. He was so peaceful looking. Brian leaned in and kissed his forehead. He didn't understand why Roger slept on the couch though and not the bed with him. He'd just let it be.
    
He stood up straight and walked to the kitchen where he found Miami himself cooking breakfast.

"Morning Miami." Jim returned the greeting, flipping his omelet.
     
"There's some coffee over there or there's some Earl Grey in the cabinet if you'd prefer that." Brian thanked him and just poured himself some coffee.
    
"Do you think it would be okay to go down to the pier today?" Brian hoped that it would be okay.
    
"Yeah, I'm not going to stop you. It's at least safe there. Now I made you all these." He pulled a tray out of the oven that held cinnamon rolls.
    
"I'll go get Rog then." Brian walked out of the kitchen as Miami put the icing on their breakfast. Roger was still fast asleep when he entered the living room. He sat beside the boy and gently shook him.
    
"Rog. Roger." The young boy groaned, pulling out the pillow under his head and hitting Brian with it.
    
"I wouldn't do that, darling. Unless you're asking for a death wish." Freddie appeared out of nowhere causing Brian to jump. He's got to stop doing that.
    
"I just trying to tell him breakfast was ready. John up yet?" Brian let Roger be and stumbled over to Fred.
    
"I know and not yet. It's just me." Freddie gave a sleepy smile before disappearing down the hall.

   
"I wouldn't do that, darling. Unless you're asking for a death wish."

    
Freddie's words replayed in his head. He figured he, at least, would try again.
    
"Rog, come on." The blonde groaned again.
    
"Fuck off, Freddie." Brian raised an eyebrow.
     
"Roger, I'm not Freddie." Roger opened his eyes and looked up. His cheeks heated up and he turned almost bright red. He looked completely embarrassed.

"Sorry," Roger apologized, covering his face with his hands, "I thought I was back home for second and thought you were Fred. He'd wake me up sometime despite knowing I didn't appreciate being woke up."

"It's alright Roger," Brian laughed, "I was just going to tell you Breakfast is ready."

The icy eyes peeked through the cracks of his fingers staring into Brian's warm ones.

"Breakfast?" Roger muttered.

"Mhmm." Roger jumped up and hurried to the kitchen. Brian just chuckled and made his way as well.

—

After Breakfast, they all agreed to Brian's suggestion of going to the pier. It was deemed safe enough, jokingly.

It was more of a cooler, cloudy day. The wind with a little nippy but it felt great. All five of them, yes Miami joined them, walked down the long stretch on the Pier. Roger could never get over the ocean breeze nor the salty smell. It made him feel like this was his home. This is where he belonged.

Brian left Roger alone to have a moment by him and went to talk with John and Freddie. Miami sat on a bench, staring at his phone, and Brian and John got into a casual argument so nobody saw the hooded figure sneak up behind Rog. It wasn't until Roger gave a strangled cry was their attention captured.

Brian snapped his head over to the scene. It was Prenter. It all happened so fast. He had his arms around then Roger's neck and with a great big yank, he tore off the necklace. He threw it to the ground, stomped on it, and shattered the jewelry into a thousand pieces.

———
This has been one of my favorite chapters to write so far and one where I wasn't having absolutely writer's block or a lack of inspiration.
     Just want to say, don't smoke lol. I should be taking my own advice, but I can't help it.
     Also if you notice, Deacury is already to third base whoops
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