Standing In The Rain (mxb) | ✔ |

Chapter Three

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It feels like I haven't slept at all. Wait...

I realize that I'm lying on the lounge chair. What time is it? The sun is shining softly through the thinning grey clouds. I open the glass door, stepping onto the balcony. Down below, the hustle and bustle is back to the way it was. People going to and from work, shops, breakfast, visitations, the whatnots. I take in a few breaths of air before walking back inside, careful to close the doors behind me.

Combing my fingers through my hair, I walk around. The living room to the island counter is about 13 paces. A really small space for such a tall man. He's probably still sleeping in his room. I knock on the door, but the door swings open when I brush my knuckles against it. I don't mean to intrude, but I see Fenrick lying on his bed with no cover. I walk over to pull one of my blankets on top of him. I stop and see that his waist is covered in scars. One looks recent, the flesh still pink. I reach out to touch it, but Fenrick stirs. His hand reaches out grabbing my wrist. In a blink, I'm on the floor.

His breath is heavy, almost a growl. Defensive, alert even though he seems half asleep. His eye seem crazed as if he's trying to analyze my intentions...he thinks I'm an enemy.

"Waitwaitwait! I can explain!"

His eyes widen as he realizes that it's just me.

"...oh...Evan."

He let's go and I sit up slowly, rubbing my wrists. He looks away and I can see from body posture, he's guilty.

"I'm terribly sorry about that...it's just a reflex that I can seem to shed."

"Oh..."

"What were you doing anyways?"

I look away, slightly embarrassed.

"I tried to give you a blanket...I thought you might be cold."

He looks shocked, but quickly smiles.

"Haha, well. It's best if we start the morning. Would you like a nicer change of clothes?"

"Uh, no thank you-"

"I insist."

He hands me another stack of clothes and shoos me into the bathroom. I sigh, closing the door behind me. What just happened right now? His mood changes so fast, you wouldn't think that he was the same person. I sigh, giving up on the strings and try to fit on the vest as best I can.

"Sir-I mean, Fenrick, where should I put these?"

He looks up at my disheveled state and sighs. He walks over and takes the clothes from me.

"Don't move."

He puts the clothes away in his room and comes back. As swift as a cat, he unbuttons the vest and slips it off. He reties the bow and strings on the white shirt and I feel myself begin to fluster. His hands press against my waist and brush against my chest and neck as he pins the vest back on.

"Oh dear, are you feeling sick?"

"N-no! I'm quite alright!"

I pat my cheeks and they quickly dissipate. I quickly finish the tie, the only garment I do know how to fold properly. I look back at Fenrick. He's staring back at me and I flush again.

"Um...would you like me to help with your tie?"

"...yes."

I have to tippy-toe to swing the tie over his neck. When I straighten it out, I feel his muscular figure underneath the fabric and my heartbeat quickens just slightly so.

"T-that should be good."

He nods and puts on his coat. He walks downstairs and I trail after him.

"Where are you going?"

"You said that you needed to get away from the city, am I not correct?"

"No, sir."

"Well, Evan, I have a few connections that could get you to the country side no fees included."

I open my mouth to ask why but he's quicker.

"Everyone deserves a second chance, did I not say that?...I'm giving you what I couldn't do for others before you."

Oh...his cheeks are lightly dusted a soft pink. This isn't the first time he's found someone out of a job and taken in. And he's trying to leave me before anything happens between us..? But I cannot assume so I won't take the blush into account.

"...Alright, take me to your connections."

When we walk, people shift away from us, as if they're scared of us...or rather scared of him. But I could see why. He adorns an indifferent facial expression, closer to a frown than a smile.

"Fenrick, if you smiled more, it'd make you look nicer."

"And why would I want to look nicer?"

"It makes you more attracti-"

I catch myself. Oh god, what was I saying???

"I'm sorry..."

I take a peek at his face. He's looking back at me.

A small smile creeps onto his face. I look away, blushing.

"How about that?"

"It looks nice on you..."

"Does it make me look more...attractive?"

"I-...I didn't mean to say that!!!"

"Oh?"

He suddenly turns cold, looking the other way. We reached a small fruit store.

☞ Exotic Fruits and Honeys ☜

Interesting.

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- Alex.