The Alien Next Door

21 - Chinese and Chuckles

POV: Jake
I'm waiting on the platform for Morgan's train to arrive, my hood is over my head but I'm not looking down. There's just too many people around for me, so I compromised with myself. Which is fair enough, I'm still new to all of this. I have found that if people are looking at me and I smile at them they usually smile back and continue with their day, though there is the odd few who keep staring and I just turn away from them. But life seems to be looking up and I'm so glad about that.

"Jay!" Morgan shouts as they make their way down the platform towards me. I spot them in the crowd and give them a small wave before waiting for them to approach me. "I've missed you so much!" They say as they engulf me in a hug. "I've missed you too, let's get you settled in," I reply as I lead them out towards the car park.

"You've got a nice place," They say after I've given them the tour. "Thank you, I'm just about affording it to be fair, but it'll do for now," I reply with a smile. Job hunting can be done another day, I just want to enjoy my week with them. "When can I see Phoenix?" Morgan asks as they sit themselves down on the sofa. "Whenever he's back from work, he usually knocks or sends me a message," I respond. It's probably not the answer they wanted but that's all I've got to give them.

We're cuddled up on the sofa on our phones when there's a knock at my door, "I'll get it!" Morgan says as they peel themselves off of me and run eagerly to the door. "Phoenix!" They squeal as they jump onto him and nearly knock him over. I laugh, watching the situation unfold before me. Silly geese. "You're here?" He asks confused as he carries them into the apartment and drops them back on top of me. "Argh!" I groan as they hit me. "Sorry!" Phoenix says looking shocked. What is up with him today? "I'm okay, they're not too heavy, just awkward. You okay?" I ask as Morgan crawls off of me and I stand up. "Yeah, just tired. Want to watch a movie?" He responds hurriedly. "Uh sure?" I reply looking at him questioningly. He's acting off. "You choose Morgan, we'll go get snacks from next door," I say as I take his hand and pull him him out the front door and into the hallway.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask him as he searches for snacks in his cupboards. "I'm just tired," He says a little too forcefully. "Fifi?" I ask quietly and watch as he stands up and turns towards me. He leans up against the counter and takes a deep breath. "Mums not very well," he says as he brings his hands up to his face. I step closer to him and wrap him in a warm hug. He quietly cries into my hair and I hold him tighter.

"Are you sure you want to watch this movie?" I ask after a few moments. "Yeah, I can sleep," he replies letting go of me and sniffling. I grab a share bag of crisps and give him a quick kiss before saying "Come over when you're ready, I'll save you a spot,"

When I go back to my place I leave the door off the latch so he can walk in whenever he's ready and join us. "Did you get snacks?" Morgan asks as I bring the crisps out from behind my back. "Yes!" They shout as I throw the crisps at them. I shuffle them over to the edge of the sofa and I lay down on the long part of the sofa waiting for Phoenix. "Shall we start?" They ask and I nod my head in response.

Phoenix sneaks in when the movie is about twenty minutes in and lays down next to me as the big spoon. It doesn't take long for me to realise he's asleep because I can hear his quiet snores from behind my ear, poor boy. I catch Morgan looking over at us both and smiling before bringing their attention back to the movie. I have no idea what it is called but it's not too bad, a little cheesy but not too bad.

"Shall I order Chinese?" I ask Morgan quietly as the movie credits are rolling. "Sure, I'll call them for you? You're a little tied down currently," They say laughing quietly. "Please, just get the meal for four and anything else you want," I reply as they stand up and go and rummage through the fast food leaflets on my kitchen counter. They find it and go into my bedroom to make the call.

Morgan answers the door and retrieves the food as I carefully wake Phoenix up. "Fifi, food is here, wakey wakey," I say as I gently trace my fingers over his arm. He starts to stir and I roll over to face him. "We got Chinese, don't go back to sleep," I say as he sleepily looks at me. I sit up and his arm still lays over me, he's so sleepy right now. "I'll dish it all up?" Morgan asks as Phoenix pops up next to me. "Good idea," he replies as he leans his head onto my shoulder.

POV: Phoenix
"I can't believe you made friends and on the train down here. You really do be breaking the unwritten rules of public transport Morgan." I laugh in disbelief after they tell us the story of how they ended up talking to a guy on their journey. "I know! But it does mean I have another friend to meet up with back home, he seems really nice too, I think I'll invite him out for drinks when I'm back," They add a wink at the end for dramatic effect and me and Jake look at each other and burst out into laughter. Soon enough, the three of us are rolling around the living room laughing but we're not really too sure what at.

"I'll sleep on the sofa, you two get the bed." Morgan says as another episode of b99 finishes. "Nope, we'll go to mine and use my bed and you can have Jakes bed." I say looking over at Jake to see if that's okay. "It's a plan, I changed the bed sheets this morning so it's all clean for you duck," He replies standing up and disappearing to his room. "You okay with that?" I ask Morgan and they nod in response, "Well then, sleep well and I'm sure Jake will come over when I leave for work tomorrow." I say as I give them a hug before standing up and popping my head into his room. "I'll meet you round there?" I ask him quietly. "I'm ready now," He replies looking at me smiling.

"Are you going to go and see your mum?" Jake asks me as we're getting in to bed. "I don't know, I need to but I'm just scared," I admit shyly. "I can come with you if you want?" He asks as he pulls me into his chest. "I don't think she'd want you to see her ill so it's probably better if it's a solo journey. But thank you for the offer," I reply as I get comfy and lay my head on his chest and wrap my arm and leg over him.

"Are you sure?" He asks after a while when I'm just about to fall into the land of unconsciousness. "Yeah," I reply as he sits up slightly and pulls off his shirt. "Sorry, I got hot," he says shyly as he lays back down and I put my head back where it was before. "Sleep," I reply as kiss his chest.