Maiston was awakening.
He wanted to keep sleeping, but his phone was ringing. He reached out to grab it and answered the call.
"How was the mini-vacation?" Jim inquired.
"It was fine until you rang," he said, sitting up in bed and running his hand across his face, finishing in his hair.
He sighed because he wasn't in the country; in fact, he was far away and hadn't heard from anyone for two weeks. He had traveled alone and the peace he'd found he wouldn't trade for anything. He hadn't checked his phone, watched TV, or read any newspapers.
It had been Jim's idea because he knew that he needed a break, so he had simply accepted, knowing it was for the best.
"That's good, you're flying back today and you'll arrive tomorrow night. Don't you miss me?"
He cracked a small smile and stood, walking to the cabin window to look at the nearby sea. It was a sunny day and, although it was just nine in the morning where he was, it was already beginning to heat up.
"Not in the slightest."
"Even so, you know I'm the best thing in your life. Anyway, how's Obelly doing? Has he called you a lot?"
"Yes, we've talked a bit, but since he studies during the day, I tell him not to call too much at night so he can rest. Have you seen him? He was home alone and that worries me."
"He's fine, all in order. I checked on him a couple of times as you asked."
"Good, I'm going to sort things out for the flight. Talk later."
He ended the call with a long sigh.
He never took vacations and the last time he had, it was with Prince. He had taken them intending to get him off his mind, but it was impossible not to think that while he was on this supposed-to-be-fun vacation, Prince was having a good time with someone else.
He swallowed hard and headed for the shower. He wanted to refresh his body once more before facing the many things that would be waiting for him. And these were things he imagined, but there were also others he didn't anticipate at all.
For a moment, he wished to stay there forever because he had no desire to return home whatsoever. He knew Obelly was there, but it felt as if there was nothing inside. He had gone through his heat cycle while in the cabin and couldn't remember it being so challenging and difficult. It felt miserable, a heat that simply burned his heart, making it clear that what would calm him with no trouble was no longer there.
He closed his eyes, releasing a sigh, and stared at a ring he should have tossed a long time ago, but always carried in his trouser pockets.
He thought he kept it solely as a reminder of a mistake not to be repeated. And he was certain, being dazzled by Prince that way had been the worst mistake, though he didn't think about it with the same intensity as before.
With his suitcase packed, a taxi came to take him to the airport to board the plane. The journey was long and torturous. He tried to sleep to shorten the hours, he tried many things, but none succeeded.
Before he realized, he was getting off the plane and noticed it was getting dark. He sighed because these were spontaneous vacations taken on the same day everything had spiraled, so he was oblivious to the media storm brewing.
It was cold, and the climate change from a completely temperate place where not a single drop fell, to one where rain was imminent, was disorienting. He took another taxi without delay that dropped him outside his house. He saw lights on below and in his bedroom above. And, even though everything was lit, entering felt like stepping into a dark, cold cave without the slightest warmth, which he had initially ignored too easily, but unfortunately, that ease was fading.
He opened the door and left his two suitcases at the entrance to shed his coat, for the heating inside was on and everything was warm.
He looked around, noticing it seemed as empty as always. Obelly was supposed to be home, but it felt like no one was there. He sighed and began climbing the stairs slowly. Upon reaching the top, he heard noises. He stopped, unsure if it was his imagination or the echo of his own footsteps. Seconds later, he heard them again. A faint moan reached his ears and his brow furrowed.
He couldn't help but remember the times he would come home to hear moans and feel intense pheromones before finding Prince testing out new toys bought on a whim, spending hours in bed, relishing each other without a care in the world.
But he knew that was gone.
"Obelly?" he called out.
He hastened his steps and opened the bedroom door. The first thing he saw was Omega standing, then Jim moving the bed. It was heavy, so some noise came from the effort.
"Oh, you've arrived."
Obelly turned and smiled. Without hesitation, he approached for a warm embrace.
"What were you doing?"
"Obelly's phone fell behind the bed, so he asked for help and... here it is," Jim announced, retrieving it after moving the hefty bed.
Maiston saw no issue with that and simply believed Jim, as there was no reason to doubt his friend. He nodded, exiting with Obelly, who showed too much, almost excessive interest by bombarding him with questions.
"I would have liked to go with you," Obelly mumbled downcast, “but studies wouldn't allow it."
"Did you get good grades?"
"Yes! I'm always the best in my class. Also, I prepared something for you. I was going to make it with almonds, but Jim said you don't like them."
"Just a bit."
He watched Obelly retrieve an exquisite-looking dessert from the refrigerator, listened as the preparation was explained, and thanked him when offered a taste.
They sat on the couch, and Obelly watched him eat.
"The stars were also visible," he commented with a smile.
"The stars? Did you just look at the stars?" the Omega asked, smiling as he brushed back his black hair. "How boring. There's no point in watching shiny dots in the sky."
He scrutinized Obelly's face, seeing complete disinterest where Prince always listened with a smile. It was yet another reminder from life that nothing was the same, and he didn't have that special person who listened to everything he said with love and admiration. He said nothing, yet his heart ached as if hot knives were being plunged into it.
He looked away and then stood up.
"Where are you going? Don't you want to eat more?"
"I'm tired; I'm going to sleep."
"So soon? I thought we'd celebrate," Jim joked, watching him ascend the stairs. “By the way, the TV's busted. Don't bother trying to turn it on.”
Aware of the revelations awaiting if he turned on the TV, he'd much rather face it all tomorrow. Maiston said nothing, just headed to his room and collapsed onto the bed. He was weary from traveling and had to return to the company the next day to take charge of everything. He knew Jim always handled things when he was away and he didn't worry too much because he trusted him and their years-long friendship. Yet, there were matters Jim couldn't fully manage.
He closed his eyes, staring at the ceiling. He wished to sleep after changing clothes, but it was elusive. The bed felt both familiar and alienly cold.
He tossed and turned until he detected an odd smell, the scent of Jim, and remembered Jim had moved the bed and helped Obelly. He dismissed it all and, unable to sleep, went out to his back-facing balcony.
He gazed down at the garden; it was vast, filled with fruit-bearing and flowering trees that bloomed only in their season. It was winter, so the red roses Prince had planted were neither grown nor blooming.
He closed his eyes, unsure how long he'd been watching the night before finally returning to bed. Soon after, Obelly came to bed too.
Feeling him close, he yearned for nothing despite not being together; he just wanted rest. He moved away, but felt Obelly draw nearer and sat up in bed.
"I'm tired, you should sleep for class too."
"But we've been apart for two weeks. Don't you miss me?" Obelly queried sadly, trying to come closer but being rebuffed, a departure from past reluctance.
He wasn't sure how to respond, whether yes, no, or indifference.
"I'm worn out and tomorrow, I have to work."
Without further thought, he rose and moved to the couch.
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