“Matthew,” Mark pointed at the bird that flew into their home. “Out.”
Matthew looked up from his book, to the bird, then back to his book. “I am busy.”
“Oh, come on.” Mark ducked when the bird flew by, “Matthew!” The omega whined, running to the alpha, “take it out.”
Matthew crossed one leg over the other, yawning, “the window is open. Leave it be.”
“You are too calm for your own good.” Mark glared at the bird perched on their bookshelf. He sat at Matthew’s feet, pouting, “do I have to go out with you today?”
“Do you want to?”
Mark put his head on the leader’s knee, “I like going out with you. It is never boring.” He closed his eyes, “just tired.”
“Sleep then, I will go alone.”
“Are you going out with Israel?”
“Yes.”
“I think he likes you.”
“Many like me.” Matthew flipped the page.
Mark rolled his eyes, flinching when the bird moved. He scooted a little closer to Matthew’s leg. “Of course they do.”
“Is it a lie?”
“No.” Mark played with Matthew’s lounge pants, “do you like him?”
“I love Israel. He and Ezekiel have always been my right hands.”
“Yes, but do you love him like he loves you?”
Matthew sighed, closing his book, “Why are you being so -talkative today?”
Mark grinned, pointing at the bird, “out.”
Matthew glanced at the white bird, setting the book on the side table, before standing.
-
“Matthew,” Israel removed his jacket, laying it over his leader's shoulders. “What are you doing outside, alpha?”
Matthew was shivering, sitting in the snow, playing with a rock. “Thinking.”
“You are freezing.” Israel smiled sadly, cupping his face. “Come, I have something for you to eat. Come.” He helped his leader up slowly, holding his weight to walk him inside. Israel carefully set him on the rug beside the unlit fire place. “I will start a fire. Stay here.”
Asher was dead. It had been fourteen days and Matthew hadn’t left his house.
Israel made sure he came over everyday to check on his leader. Make sure he was eating, make sure he was sleeping. Make sure he wasn’t out in the snow playing with rocks.
Matthew and him knew each other since childhood, always gravitated towards one another. Matthew was strong and smart, Israel followed in his footsteps. Ezekiel followed in Israel’s before latching onto Matthew’s. They were Matthew’s right hand, knew things no one knew. Knew things no one would ever know. But Israel, he knew more than Ezekiel, he knew more than Asher. Israel knew everything there was to know about his best friend. Israel was there when Matthew lost his parents, Matthew was there was Israel lost his sisters.
