10 comments/ 10636 views/ 10 favorites Crimson Sky Ch. 01 By: Royaltee *Hi this is my first submission here and I would appreciate it if you commented and/or critisised or complimented my skills. Hope you enjoy this and thanks to my lovely editor,MadeirenseJaqui, for all the help.* Alex "I hate you!" This is the first thing that came to mind after I'd processed the fact that that asshole was in bed - MY bed- with another guy. Just great, isn't it? I can't even think of something biting to say to him. You're probably wondering what I'm talking about so let me start at the beginning. My name is Alex Croon; I'm 21 years old and insanely rich. And no, it's not from any inheritance, my parents are both alive and well and my grandparents don't even know I exist so my wealth is all my doing. You see I'm an artist and a damn good one at that – even if I do say so myself. I started painting when I was three, was discovered when I was ten and had made a name for myself by the time I was twelve so I can't really attribute my wealth to anyone's cleverness except my own. Anyway, I live in a huge apartment in New York; the apartment is gorgeously decorated and pretty comfortable to live in. I live alone (I've never been able to share my living space) and up until a few minutes ago I had a boyfriend. Did I mention I was gay? Well I am. Anyway, Chase, my now ex-boyfriend and I have been going steady for a few months now. We met when he modeled for me last year – yeah he's a model – and while I'd love to tell you that I was dazzled by his beauty and had a crush on him from then on that's not how it happened. He actually approached me and asked me out a few weeks after we'd worked together, we went to dinner along with his friends -some date, huh? – where he introduced me as his boyfriend and that's what I've been up till now. So back to the present: a few hours ago I boarded a plane from California to New York, I didn't call because I wanted to surprise him. Guess who got the surprise when I came home from the airport to find my boyfriend lying on his stomach with another guy buried deep in his ass? "Al, baby, this is not what it looks like...I, uh...I was just, uhm... having a massage." "I didn't know masseuses used their dicks for massages and don't call me baby! You lost that right when you decided to fuck around." "But b--" "Don't! Just don't Chase. I'm giving you ten minutes to get your cheating ass dressed and out of my house." "Al please don't do this. I was lonely baby and --" "I don't care! I just don't give a fuck Chase and that's nine minutes now – I'd suggest you and your bitch get dressed before I run out of patience. Now I'll be waiting downstairs and if you don't get your asses down there in eight minutes then I guarantee you hell will break loose." I went downstairs like I said I would and waited but thankfully not for long because Chase and his new masseuse came down soon after me. "Baby I--" "Leave Chase – just go please" "But I--" "But nothing! Now go!" Immediately after I closed the door, I burst into tears. It's true what they say about money not being able to buy you happiness. I have all the money in the world and no happiness at all. Welcome to my world. "Hey Migg" "Hey Lex, howzit going man?" "Still alive I'm afraid" "Are you really?" "Yeah dude, I haven't seen a crimson sky yet" Both of us laughed at the weak joke. It was a joke that we started back in high school that if we ever saw a red sky then the world was definitely coming to an end. "At least you still got your crappy sense of humor dude, I'd be very worried if you lost that" We laughed again, "But seriously Lex, you haven't been answering my calls or anybody's for that matter and you never come out with us anymore. What's going on?" Miggy was right to be worried. After the breakup a few weeks ago I've been practically living like a hermit. I didn't want to see anyone anymore. Although to my defense, I've never been much of a people's person. Lately all I ever felt like doing was work and that's not unusual for me because I tend to throw myself into my work and forget about the outside world. "Nothing man, I've just been really busy that's all. You know I've got that exhibition coming up soon and unless I want to have a certain Ms Sally June on my case, I have to work my ass off to meet the deadline." "Seriously dude, you'd think I know you well enough by now to know that what you're saying is bullshit because that exhibition is not for months and I would know since I'm dating the certain Ms Sally June you so kindly mentioned just now." "Wow dude! You're with Sally now? Good for you bro" "Yeah well you would've known much sooner if you'd bothered to take my calls douche bag" I felt my face burn with embarrassment, "Uh yeah sorry about that dude, I guess I was not ready for the public yet." "Does that mean you're ready now?" "Not really, I'm still not over Chase" "Bro you seriously need to get over that asshole, it's been six weeks already" "Yeah I know but it's easier said than done." "Well if you bothered to get off of your rich ass and out of this posh apartment, you'd find it a lot easier to do you know." "Yeah I know dude but I just didn't have the energy to face the outside world...alone." The last word was whispered. "Bro you know you're never alone man, you have me and the gang and we're all worried about you plus we love you." "Yeah I know bro but it's not the same. I'll still go to bed alone and in my mind I'll still be alone Migg" He hugged me then. "I know it's hard but you'll find someone else bro and he'll make you happier than that ass wipe ever did." "Thanks Migg, I don't know what I would do without you bro" "Well seeing as you've been ignoring me for the past six weeks, I know you'll throw yourself into your work." I punched him lightly in the arm "Yeah right, as if I'd be able to live without you" Miggy laughed, "Don't worry Lex, you'll do just fine should anything ever happen to me" "I don't even want to imagine anything ever happening to you bro, it's too traumatizing." He laughed again "You are such a drama queen you know that right?" I put my hand over my forehead as if I had a headache, "Oh Miggy darling! I shall miss you terribly if anything happens to you! What would my world be without you?" We both laughed at this. "I'm really glad to see you laughing Lex, but I'll be so much happier if you come to lunch today." Having lunch together had become a daily ritual for our gang because after high school, we all just went our own ways and forgot about how close we were. When Miggy finally got the whole gang in New York he made it a rule that we all have lunch together everyday. "Migg I--" "Please Lex" He looked at me with big, sad green eyes and I couldn't refuse him. "Fine I'll come. Just stop looking at me like that." He beamed at me, "Great! Go get changed and we'll leave." "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I looked down at my simple outfit of a white t-shirt and paint spattered baggy jeans. "You are not getting out of this apartment dressed like that Lex, end of story." "But--" "No buts, just change." I sighed and went upstairs while muttering to myself. "Sometimes I wonder who the gay guy between the two of us is." "Lex?" "Yeah?" "I heard that" "Good maybe you'll start acting straight" I said under my breath. Miggy laughed, "I heard that too. Now stop complaining, you've got five minutes." Micah Today has got to be the worst day ever! I thought to myself for the hundredth time that day. I lost 6 patients in the space of an hour and was about to lose another one if I didn't do something fast. "We're losing him doctor" said Nicole, one of the nurses that worked at the hospital. "Check his blood pressure, sugar levels, heart rate, and temperature, everything you can Nicole, I can't help him if I don't know what's killing him and where are the test results?" "I'll go--" "No leave it, you stay with the patient and I'll go get them myself." "Yes doctor." I went to the in house lab and found Stanly there, one of our other doctors. "Doctor Woods wha--" "I brought in a set of blood tests a few days ago and I still don't have the results, how come?" "Uhm when did you submit these results doctor?" "Three, four days ago" "And the patient's name?" "Mr. Lewis, Bradley Lewis" "Ahh yes I have the results right here doctor" "Why didn't you send them to me?" "I--" "Never mind that now; tell me what's wrong with him?" "He has sugar diabetes doctor" "Fuck!" "Doctor Woods I--" I didn't catch the rest of what he was saying because I ran out of the lab. I bumped into Nicole in the corridor and demanded to know why she wasn't with the patient but she shook her head sadly, "I'm sorry doctor but we lost him" Great! That' the seventh one today. "His family?" "I was just about to break the news to them" "No Nicole let me--" "I'll do it Micah, you haven't slept since Sunday and that was a week ago, you need to get some rest." "But I have patients to--" "I'll ask Stan to take over from you" "But--" "Please Mick? You're my best friend and I can't stand seeing you like this, go home and get some rest. I know how much losing a patient bothers you but you can't save them all, especially if you're as tired as you are." I slumped my shoulders in defeat and sighed, "Ok Nic, I'll go." I went to my office then to pack my things and sadly left for home. Now I didn't live too far from the hospital so I usually walked there even though I have a car, it saves the petrol and I get exercise too so it works for me to walk. I rounded the corner to my house and stopped dead when I heard a thought that was not mine surface in my head. Why did I agree to get out of my apartment again? Oh yeah it's because I can't say no to my best friend, pathetic. I thought my shields were pretty strong but evidently not if I could hear this guy's thoughts. Wait what?! I never heard thoughts unless I lowered my shields -which I hadn't done- or intentionally picked someone's thoughts out of their head, so who's thoughts were I hearing and why? I looked around and saw two old ladies walking a dog, a woman in her mid-thirties jogging and coming round the corner at the other end of the street were two guys. Well it must be one of them, I thought to myself, there aren't any other guys on this street. I shook my head and continued walking home and in my haste to get into the safety of my quiet apartment, I walked head on into one of the guys I'd seen walking together. "Oh my God I am so sorry! I didn't see you there and oh God I'm so clumsy sometimes! Are you alright?" I noticed I was babbling so I shut up after that question. "Uhh yeah I'm fine doctor – you are a doctor right?" The most gorgeous voice I'd ever heard answered me and I raised my head to see who it belonged to and I couldn't help but stare. This guy was probably 5"7 and 100lbs, quite small actually but it wasn't his size that took my breath away. It was his beautiful stormy grey eyes and jet black hair that gave him a messy, freshly awakened look. He was, in short, gorgeous. "Uhm how did you know I was a doctor?" I finally asked. He laughed softly, "You are wearing a white coat, and it's usually doctors who wear those" "Wha-- Oh fuck I should have left this at the hospital" I flushed in embarrassment. "You seem tired doctor..." He trailed off... "Oh uhm... Woods, Micael Woods" I smiled warmly at him but didn't hold out my hand as was customary when one met someone new. "Nice to meet you Doctor Woods, I'm Alex Croon and this is my best friend Miguel Rodriguez." He smiled at me too and I felt a fluttering in my chest. I turned to the other guy. "Nice to meet you Miguel" This guy had a rough, masculine look about him that suited him perfectly and he was quite handsome in his own way but his masculine beauty paled in comparison to his friend's gorgeousness. "Nice to meet you too doctor. Do you perhaps live around here?" "Yeah, uhm, I live on this very street actually. The third house from here." Both guys looked awestruck. Wow! I heard in my head, he must be a pretty successful doctor. I realised that the voice I'd heard earlier and the one I just heard both belonged to Alex Croon. I quickly made my departure for something – I suddenly realised – about Mr. Croon was beyond my level of understanding. "Well gentlemen I'd love to stand and chat but I haven't slept in seven days – as you so kindly pointed out Mr. Croon – so I'll leave you to your business." "Oh yeah... Uhm... It was nice meeting you doctor." I thought Alex looked somewhat disappointed at my departure but I wrote that off as me imagining things again so I smiled at both of them again and went on my way. Crimson Sky Ch. 02 Alex Wow isn't he hot! I thought this to myself as the good doctor walked away. But he's probably straight and won't even remember my name by the time he wakes up, I noted sadly. I shook my head slightly and turned to Miguel, "Well he seems nice" I said as we resumed our walk. "Yeah he does seem nice and interested in you dude." I rolled my eyes, it's just like Miggy to try and hook me up with the first person that has stuff hanging between their legs. "No he didn't," I countered. "Uhm yeah he did. I saw him checking you out bro." I sighed. "Maybe you should stop drawing buildings for a living and start writing romance novels. You seem to have a lot of imagination for that sort of shit bro." He punched me lightly in the arm, "Ha bloody ha bro! I'm not imagining anything, I know what I saw." "Which is what exactly?" "We-ell... He was checking you out and falling all over himself." "That's just because he's tired. And anyway he's probably straight." I said. "What is it with you gay guys? It seems to me that every time you're interested in a guy, your gaydar goes on vacation." I laughed at this. "Oh and you suddenly have gaydar?" He laughed too "Nah man, I just know how a guy looks when he's interested. After all, I have to deal with your many fans. You sort of develop a feel for this kind of thing you know." "I thought your girlfriend was my manager, not you bro?" "Yeah she is but she's not the one who spends 99% of her day with you, I am. So I'm basically your unofficial manager Lex." "You talk a lot of crap you know that right?" I said as I pushed him lightly. Now Miguel is all muscle, so he didn't even budge. He laughed and pushed me back and guess who fell over on his ass from that light push? Miguel laughed as he held out his hand to help me up. "Hey, that hurt you know!" I said punching him on the shoulder. "You're such a softie dude." He said whilst laughing. "Yeah well I'm not the bodybuilding type like you." I shot back, laughing as well. "You really are one of a kind Lex" Miggy said as he pulled me in for a hug. "And that's why you love me" I said into his shoulder. We shared a comfortable silence as we walked the rest of the way to our favourite restaurant. "Hey guys, look who finally decided to come down from heaven and grace us with his presence" said Kevan, one of our friends. "Yeah I finally managed to convince his royal highness to give us some of his time" replied Miggy, laughing. I laughed too. "More like you gave me no choice Migg." "Ahh he smiles, it must be our lucky day" said Tevin, joining in in the laughter. "It's nice to see you guys" I said, smiling. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed their company till now. "Where are the others?" Miggy asked as we sat down. "Ahh well your sister excused herself because she has to work Miggs, Sher should be here soon, Nick has an exhibition to prepare for, Dev should be arriving with Sher, Sam is in the bathroom, Brad is avoiding Reni, Dave and Steph haven't called so I'm guessing they'll be here and as for Reni... Well, we all know who she's bound to be with." Miggs rolled his eyes when he heard Tev's last answer. "Reni never has time for us anymore. Ever since she got back with Ray, she spends all her time with him." "But Miggs, you gotta understand man, if she's not off filming somewhere, she's somewhere else modeling and if it's not that then she's in another part of the world, on tour for some or other reason and if it's not that then she's visiting someone so I really don't blame her for wanting to spend some time with her boyfriend." I said. Kev nodded his agreement, "Yeah I agree with Lex. She hardly ever has time to spend with Ray so I don't blame her for wanting to spend more time with him." At that very moment, who should walk in but our very own Serenity Graye? Since I was facing the door, I saw her first. "Oh my God Reni!" I exclaimed and rushed over to hug her. "Lex! It's been so long" she said, half running to hug me too. "Where have you been hiding? I've missed you so much." "Well if you missed me that much Ms Graye, why on earth didn't you come by? I'm sure you still remember where I live, right?" I mock chided. "Oh honey I'm so sorry it's just that what with spending more time with Ray and modeling, I've been extremely busy." She said as we walked to the table. "Oh and who's releasing a new line?" I asked excitedly. "Celestine is" she answered. "Hey Reni" said Migg as we arrived at the table. "We were just talking about how you've neglected us" he continued, winking at her. "Oh Miguel don't make me feel worse than I already do." She complained and we all laughed. "Hey guys... oh my god Reni and Lex! You're both here!" squealed Sam as she came back from the bathroom, "We've missed you both so much." "We've missed you guys too, right Lex?" Reni turned to me as she spoke. "We-eell--" I began but was interrupted by a sort of vision that popped in my head from nowhere. "Lex? Alex? Earth to Alexander, HEY ALEX!!!" I came back to reality at the sound of my name. "Uhh yeah?" "Dude what's up?" asked Miguel. I put my hand to my throbbing head -- when did I get a headache??? "I-I just got this sudden headache dude and..." Before I even finished talking, I felt myself falling and was out before I'd even hit the ground. Crimson Sky Ch. 03 *So sorry about the long wait but anyway here it is, CS Ch.03, enjoy.* Micah I woke a few hours after I'd fallen asleep and it seemed to me to be too little time to have been asleep but I sat up anyway and immediately lay back down because of the pain that shot through my head. I didn't remember having a headache before I went to sleep so it was kinda weird to be waking up with one and such a powerful one at that. I listened to my headache for a few minutes and lay as still as possible but when that didn't seem to be working, I forced myself to stand up, go to the bathroom cabinet and grab some pills. I took a couple out of the bottle, washed them down with a glass of water, then went straight back to bed. Alex I woke up on a soft warm bed -- not my own -- and immediately panicked as to why I was in a foreign bed. I thought of all the worst case scenarios my muddled brain could come up with and by the time it occurred to me to look around, I was pretty close to a full on panic attack. When I did look around though, my panic vanished instantly and was instead replaced with a comfortable sense of familiarity. This is Miggy's room. I threw off the covers and sat up only to be pushed back down by a strong hand on my chest. "What's your name?" came a familiar deep voice from above me. "Uhh Miggy it's me Alex" I answered, not hiding my confusion. "Alex who?" "Alex Croon." "Your parents' names?" "Martha and Arnold Croon." "Siblings?" "I'm an only child, Miggy, you know that." "What's my full name?" "Miguel Rodriguez. What's with the third degree Miggs?" "Where, when and how did we meet?" he persisted, not bothering to answer my question. "It was in kindergarten, when I was 4 and you were 5. The older boys were teasing me because I was so tiny, you stood up for me one day and we've been best friends ever since." I answered with the little smile that always came to my mouth when I talked about that day. He sighed and released me for his hand was still on my chest, "You had me so worried Lex. I mean one minute we were all talking and goofing around and the next you were out cold. What happened man?" "I..." I stopped. What did happen? I was talking to Reni and the guys and then... "Oh my God that weird vision!" I gasped, not realizing it was out loud. "What vision?" asked a confused Miguel, I looked at him and tried explaining the weirdest thing to ever happen to me in a way that wouldn't make him think I'm crazy. "Well back at La Lix I experienced something that can only be described as having a vision." I replied carefully. "A vision? About what?" he asked, I racked my brains trying to remember it but it was all fuzzy. "Well I don't really remember dude, I'm still kinda fuzzy in the brain" I said. "So what do you reckon it means? Are you like psychic or something?" he asked. "No... I don't know... This is all just weird. So you believe me?" He fully turned to look at me and hugged me tightly. "Of course I believe you Lexie, why wouldn't I?" He said into my hair. "I don't know, maybe because this all sounds too weird to be true and if I hadn't experienced it myself, I wouldn't have believed it could happen." I replied into his shoulder. "Well I believe you and I promise to help you figure this out dude." He said seriously and I felt tears come into my eyes. "Oh Miggy" I cried as I pulled him in for another hug, "What did I ever do to deserve you as a best friend?" "I don't know Lex, but I sure am glad you did it because you're the best friend ever." I wanted to leave that very day but Miggy wouldn't hear of it. "No Lex, you're not going anywhere," he said simply when I proposed the idea, "At least not until I'm very sure that you are 100% well." "But Migg," I moaned, "I can't stay here" "And why not?" he asked, "Well I've got my own apartment for starters and secondly, I'd be seriously cramping your style man" "How so?" "I'm pretty sure Sally wouldn't appreciate seeing me after you two had hot, wild sex all night" I reasoned. "Well she'll just have to deal with it because I'm not letting you out of my sight for the next couple of days, even if that means not having sex for the next 20 years." He stubbornly said. I burst out laughing, "As if you could ever survive not having sex that long." I said when I could talk again. He laughed too. "Yeah you're probably right but Lex I'm sure Sally would understand if I asked her to make herself scarce for the next few days because her most important client needed to recuperate." "I don't think so man. Knowing Sally, she'd probably blow a gasket over the whole thing." "Nah man she's not like that, she'll understand, especially since you're her most valuable asset dude." We carried on like this till I didn't have any more arguments left in me so I agreed to stay for the next few days much to Miggy's satisfaction. Micah I woke up a few hours later and was glad to find the headache gone. I still didn't know what had caused it but it didn't worry me as much as it should have. I thought about getting something to eat but decided to shower first. It was only after my shower that I thought to go for a jog. Oh well, I thought, you can never take too many showers. I dressed in a pair of jogging shorts and t-shirt and I was off. I guess I should tell you that I generally attract a lot of attention wherever I go, I find it disconcerting, but it's always been like this. I was born into a family that was naturally gifted with good looks and they seemed to think it was all just a part of life but I really don't get what the fuss is all about. I mean looks are just looks after all, they don't make any impact on the world but most people I've encountered seem to think differently. Anyway I have a lot more to be proud of than my good looks, I've got some brains about me -- which is why I'm a doctor, or professor rather, at the tender age of 20(or so people think) -- and I've got a very big heart. But most people seem to be focused on my exterior rather than my interior which really gets to me because I believe in the saying that you should never judge a book by its cover. I guess I should tell you how I look to at least give you a chance to form your own opinion. I'm 6" tall with sandy blonde hair that has a mind of its own when it comes to keeping it neat. I've got a fairly toned body with enough muscle to make me look fit, blue eyes that are so light they seem to be white sometimes, usually when I'm angry, and honey colored skin. So anyway I usually take the same route when I jog: down the road, round the park and back up the road again. So I took the same route today as I usually did. I jogged down the road, round the park, and as I was going up the road, a dark haired guy walked straight into me and I instinctively reached out for him because he looked like he might fall over. "I'm so sorry" he said and looked up at me. I caught my breath. The guy who had walked head on into me was none other than gorgeous Mr. Alex Croon himself. Alex Oh my God I just walked straight into Doctor Woods! I was taking a walk -getting some fresh air after being cooped up in Miggy's house for the past day and a half- and I took the route that took me to the doc's street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous man. I started thinking about my vision again and next thing I knew, I was walking into a very solid, very male body. I looked up to find that I had walked straight into my walking wet dream. I blushed at the thought and spluttered out an apology before clamping my mouth shut and facing the ground. I raised my head when I heard his soft laughter -- it sounded like the jingle of bells. "Ahh Mr. Croon, how nice it is to see you again although you did just knock the breath out of me." "It's Alex doctor and once again I am so sorry about that, I was...my mind was elsewhere." "I see Alex, anything you wish to talk about?" "Not really doc, it's...it's complicated, downright crazy even." "Hmm... Now you've got me really interested. Let's grab a drink while you tell me what's going on." I started protesting but he simply took my wrist and pulled me gently down the street to the nearby café. We sat down and ordered drinks and I noticed that he looked a little apprehensive, as if he was worried that he had done the wrong thing, I quickly put his mind at ease. "I guess I do need to talk about this, maybe get a fresh perspective." He visibly relaxed. "Well I'm nothing if not a good listener -- it comes with the job," he said. I felt really warm inside, as if he was sending me waves of warmth and reassurance and I strangely felt the need to confide in him. "This might sound a little weird but yesterday when I was having lunch with my friends, I had...kind of...a vision of sorts." I held my breath waiting for the laughter that never came. I looked at him to find him looking like he was seriously in thought and I had a dreadful feeling that he was going to pull all his scientific mumbo jumbo on me. "I see" he finally said, "And in this vision you saw...?" I sat silent for a moment and racked my brains for the answer to his question, what did I see? I looked at him armed with the same answer that I'd given Miguel but stopped short when I looked into those startlingly blue eyes, the same eyes I had seen in my vision. "Alex? Alex!" I refocused when I heard my name and immediately looked away to hide the blush that crept up my face as I answered him. "I saw you!" I whispered. "Me? What was I doing?" I sighed as the rest of the vision came back to me in bits and pieces, "You were in a hospital...amongst corpses, trying to bring them back to life." I said. "Hmmm... Most people would have you committed or tell you that it was just a dream but I think there's more to this than any scientific explanation." He said after a terrifyingly long pause. I exhaled and spoke again "So what do you think I should do doc?" "I think you should do nothing. Just wait and see if you get any more of these visions" He said thoughtfully, "Maybe by then you'll know what's causing them." He finished. We sat in silence for a while then I started asking him about his life and we had a back and forth conversation till we were laughing like old friends. That, I think, is when I started falling for him. Crimson Sky Ch. 04 *Coming soon, CS Ch.05.PS:[] means thought. Enjoy Ch.04* Micah I got back home 3 hours later than I had planned but I didn't mind - it was 3 well spent hours with really good company. I smiled to myself as I turned on the shower for the second time that day. Alex was witty but shy and blushed fairly easily - I think he spent half the time we were together blushing and he looked so cute. I felt my cock start to harden and I thought about taking a cold shower but realised that that would only irritate me and not take care of my problem down there so I stepped under the spray of water and imagined Alex with me in there, on his knees worshiping my cock. I took my hardness into my hand and slowly started stroking myself; I imagined it was his hot, wet mouth around my cock, sucking up and down then taking me deep. I stroked faster and imagined him drawing back slowly, licking the underside as he went and when only the tip is left in his mouth, he flicks his tongue into my slit and starts sucking on my head like a lollipop. I started feeling the familiar tingle in my balls that indicated that I was close and I imagined Alex massaging my balls while he assaulted my cock and when I took hold of my balls, I lost control and came harder than I ever had with his name on my lips. After I had stopped trembling enough to be able to stand up straight, I washed up quickly and went to make myself food with only a towel wrapped around my waist. As I was walking into the kitchen the phone rang and I went to answer it. "Hello" "Hey Mick" "Oh hey Nic, how's it going?" "Same old same old, how are things over there?" "Well I'm feeling very well rested but not exactly at peace" "Why not?" "It's not something we can discuss over the phone Nic" "Ok, I'm on my way and I'll bring takeaways so don't worry about making anything to eat" "You read my mind" "Nah I just know you too well. See you in a few minutes" "Ok." I hung up and rushed upstairs to get dressed. I had just put on my jeans when the doorbell rang. I went downstairs shirtless to open the door. "I swear you must have supernatural powers Ms Rodriguez because it hasn't even been 10 minutes yet" I said as I opened the door. I was surprised to find not my tall, brunette and smoking hot best friend standing on the other side but a tiny, black headed and utterly gorgeous Alex, along with his best friend Miguel instead. "Oh sorry, I was expecting someone else" I said, flushing as I thought of my fantasy involving Alex earlier on. "Yeah we got that doc" Answered Miguel as Alex was staring fixedly at the floor. I was just about to invite them in when a female voice shrieked, "Oh my God Miggy!" "Hey sis" "What on earth are you doing here?" "Well it's kinda hard to explain" "Well make it easy" "Uhm out here?" Alex finally looked up to ask that question, I flushed once more "I'm so sorry, I totally forgot my manners. Please come in." I stepped aside to allow them to come in. Once they were inside I led them to the kitchen - after rushing upstairs to put a shirt on. Miguel whistled, "Wow doc! This house looks great on the outside but inside it looks magnificent, a true beauty. The shape is not one that is used a lot these days and the structure...simply perfect." "He's an architect" Alex said apologetically. "Yeah I remember you mentioning something about it earlier" I said as I shot him a smile. "Please grab a seat and since I know Nicky brought more food than necessary, I know there's enough for all" "It's a good thing I decided against Thai then" said Nicky. "Oh you wouldn't have dared!" I said outraged and she laughed. "Micah hates Thai food more than anything else in the world. Come to think of it, so do you Alex." I widened my eyes in surprise, "You hate Thai too?" "Yeah I can't stand it." I smiled. One more thing we have in common gorgeous, I thought and out loud I said "Yeah me too." Alex blushed and smiled back. "Ok now that we've established that you both hate Thai food, maybe we can actually get to eating?" complained Miguel and everyone laughed. "You'll have to forgive my brother; he has a fast metabolism so eating is his favourite hobby." "Well I think food was the best thing ever invented so I guess I don't blame him for liking the stuff so much." I said. "Finally! Someone who speaks my language!" Miguel said and we all laughed again. Nicole dished up and I led the guys to the living room because the dining room seemed too impersonal. "So...I hate to be frank but what exactly are you guys doing here?" I asked when we sat down. They exchanged looks and I waited. "Uhm...well you see..." Alex began but stopped and looked to Miguel for help. "Well doc we were kinda wondering if you could give us your professional opinion on this whole situation" Miguel said. I raised my eyebrows in question for a second before composing my face, "My professional opinion?" I echoed. "Uhh yeah... You know, as a doctor." I looked at the pair of them for a moment and decided to be truthful. "Okay let me explain this gentlemen." I paused for a second before carrying on, "I'm a god. One of the many sons of Zeus to be exact." I looked at them both before I continued, "My fortes are the mind, soul and heart." I looked at them again and tried to gauge their reactions without using my powers. They were frozen in a shocked silence for a few minutes before either one could speak. Miguel was the first to regain his ability to speak. Alex Oh my God! The doc is a god! Oh oh oh, I must've heard wrong. Miggy and I must've sat in a shocked silence for close to five minutes before Miggy regained his ability to speak. "Wow this was the last thing I expected doc, and this is all cool and everything and we'll have a long conversation about it later but what does this have to do with Lex's vision?" He asked. The doc looked like he was deep in thought and it was quite a while before he spoke. "Well I'm sure Alex told you that he ran into me earlier and that he told me all about his vision right?" "Yes" "Well before I give you a definite answer I need to know a few things." "Sure doc, shoot." "Alex what time exactly did you have the vision?" I jumped a little at the sound of my name. "Uhm... an hour after we ran into you I think" I said in a cracked voice. "And were there any side effects?" "Yeah actually, sometime during the vision I got this splitting headache and almost immediately after the vision I blacked out." He sat quietly for a short while before he answered. "I woke up very shortly after I went to sleep with a headache that I didn't have before and this vision that you had, I recognize it as the dream I was having in the short while that I was asleep so that means..." "It means that I was in your head somehow" I finished for him and he nodded. "Yes that's exactly what it means but what I want to know is how and why you seem to be immune to my shields." He said. At that exact moment, Nicky walked in with the food and set it down before speaking. "This room is so thick with tension; I could make a winter sweater out of it." She said and we all burst into laughter. "Let's eat" said Miggy and I quickly agreed. We ate in silence for a few minutes and then I heard a voice speaking in my head. [Hmm... So he saw my dreams, which means he can probably read my mind too, interesting.] I choked and they all looked at me. "Alex, are you ok?" asked the doc. I spluttered for a few more minutes before I could finally breathe and then I answered him. "Yes I'm fine" [I just happened to hear a completely random thought of yours in my head.] It was his turn to choke. "How the hell did you do that?" He asked when he could breathe. "I didn't know I was doing anything doc. I was just thinking." I said innocently "No I don't mean that, I mean the hearing my thoughts part" He said a bit agitatedly. "Well you did think that I'd probably hear your thoughts." I said and Nicky gasped. "Micah do you know what this means?" she asked. I was surprised when he didn't bother to answer her but kept eating his food, I was about to ask him if he heard her when he choked again, for longer this time. "Uhm it's kind of rude to start a conversation out loud and finish it in thought" I said after we were sure that the doc would live. "No it's not; it's the best way to have a private conversation." Nicky answered. "Not anymore" countered the doc. "At least not if your theory is true" He continued. "Think about it, what other logical solution is there Micks?" He sighed, "None that I can think of right now but I'm sure we'll find a perfectly logical explanation that is far off from your theory." I interrupted at this point. "Uhm can someone fill us in?" But they ignored me like they never heard me. "Why does my theory bother you Micah? I mean you've been searching for something like this for years or are you not interested in..." She trailed off. "This is not the kind of life anyone wants to live, believe me I know." He said. "Don't analyze this Micah, just go with the flow and see where it takes you" She argued. "NO! I could never condemn someone else to be something like this because in your eyes it might look cool and shit but in reality it's not. It's the worst thing that could ever happen to anyone." He whispered the last part and I felt my heart breaking when I saw his pained expression. Everyone remained silent for a while and boy was it an awkward silence - at least for me it was. I looked at Miggy and silently pleaded with him to break the silence, he seemed to understand. "Uhm so doc you never did tell us your professional opinion on the matter" He said and the doc raised weary eyes to his. "I honestly don't have a professional opinion about this. I just think Alex should start working on shielding my thoughts out of his head. I am the only one you've heard so far right?" He asked turning to me. "Uhh yeah I haven't gotten anything off of anyone else doc." I answered a little shakily. "Then you should start working on blocking me out" He said and started clearing the dishes. "Micah..." "Just drop it Nicole, I won't do it." And he was out of the room. Micah I was livid. I couldn't believe Nicole would even suggest something like that. You know what she said? She said that the fact that Alex can hear my thoughts means that he's my soulmate and as if that wasn't absurd enough she went on to tell me that I should claim him so that we can be true soulmates, as in always in each others' heads and all that crap. I mean hell, knowing how much I despise what I am, how could she even suggest I do that to someone else? I feel bad enough knowing that Alex is already exposed to my thoughts and I can't even begin to explain how on earth that happened. I certainly am not accepting Nicole's reasoning. I'm sure they all could hear me banging the plates around but I didn't care, I needed to vent and in all honesty, they should be happy I'm taking it out on the plates instead of them, especially Nicole. "So called best friend." I muttered angrily. "Hey, the dishes never did you any harm" came a voice behind me. " "Well unless you want to volunteer to be beaten to a pulp in their stead, I wouldn't complain if I were you." I replied harshly and immediately regretted it. "I was just trying to distract you from your anger but obviously my efforts are unappreciated so I'll just leave." I turned to see tears brimming in Alex's stormy grey eyes and I sighed, just the thought of me causing him pain was too much for me to deal with at that moment. I looked at him for a moment before speaking. "Nicole thinks you're my soulmate" I said then first a look of genuine surprise crossed his gorgeous face then one of understanding and finally one of hurt. "You disagree with her" It was a statement, not a question. "Yes" I said in a gentle voice. "Wha--" "You don't understand what being my soulmate means Alex." "Then tell me doc" he whispered. "Make me understand." "Well for starters, you'd always have me in your head" "I would want you even closer" "And if something should happen to me, you'd feel everything twice as much as I would" "Most lovers dream of being able to do that" "And if I didn't claim you, you would slowly, very slowly and painfully mind you, die" "Why?" "Because one soulmate can't live without the other once they find each other, just like one can't die while the other lives" "Ok I have a feeling that should be cool and all but I just can't imagine what you're saying so let's rather leave that alone." he said a little shakily. "LISTEN TO ME!!!" I roared. "This is not about your imagining things. This is about you and how your life would be affected if I even considered publicly recognizing and claiming you as my soulmate." I said a little softer. "Would it be such a bad thing?" He asked, not bothering to stop the tears from falling. "Believe me it would be worse - absolute torture Alex. Living in someone's head is not child's play." I said morosely. "Yeah but not if you think you're falling for that someone" He countered and I felt the urge to shake him until he got that thought out of his head. "Don't ever say that again. Not to me anyway." I replied. The tears were streaming down his face by now and I wanted to kick myself for hurting him but at the same time, I wanted to kick him out of my house, for his own good and my sanity, I told myself. "Please try to understand Alex, it's not you I've got something against, hell given the opportunity I would make you mine, but this situation doesn't permit that. I'm sorry for hurting you and I'm sure you're a great guy and an even better lover but you deserve better than the life you would have with me." I said after a short pause. "Shouldn't I be the one to decide that?" "You should but I'm not giving you the chance to do so" "Why not?" "I would think it's pretty obvious why Alex." I said wearily. "So what does this mean for us?" He asked timidly. "Nothing." I said simply, "Absolutely nothing." "Don't you want to reconsider that answer Micks?" Came Nicole's voice from the doorway. "Yeah actually I do. What this means for us is that you will walk out of here a very safe man and you will go out there and live your life the way it was intended and you will forget that you ever met a man named Micael Woods. Do we understand each other Mr. Croon?" "Yes doctor." He answered and I smiled a little, the boy sure could catch on fast. "I'm glad, now would anyone like something to drink?" "Uhh I think I'll be on my way. Miggs?" Alex said. "Uhh yeah me too" Miguel answered him. "Thanks for everything doctor, we'll see ourselves out." Alex said as they walked out. "Micael Woods why on earth did you do that?" Nicole said as soon as they were gone. "We can't talk about this now; I need to talk to my father." I said quickly. That silenced her for the second that I needed to get a bond with him. Father? -Yes Micael what is it? Don't pretend you don't know father, I need to talk to you about this. -Well what are you still doing in New York then? I'll take that as an invitation to Olympia -What else could it be bright spark? I see you haven't changed father -Ha! I've been the same man for millennia Yes you have, anyway I'm on my way -No you're still in the same place, you're not moving We'll talk soon father I cut off the connection and focused on Nicole. "I'm teleporting so you'll have to shield your eyes." She nodded and looked away. I stared at her back for a second before in a flash of bright light, I was gone. In Mount Olympia: I teleported straight into my father's office and was mildly surprised to find that in the last decade, a few things had changed. Then again, knowing my father, Hera- I don't call her 'mother' - had to put her foot down to have him change even the tiniest thing. "Don't just stand there like a visitor, come sit." My father snapped at last. "You could at least be gracious about the offer" I snapped back. "Were you expecting a personal invitation?" He said. "Whatever, I need to talk to you." I replied. "So you've said." He remarked drily. "Yeah well it's a matter of the utmost bafflement to me" I said. "Is it really?" He said flatly. "YOU COULD AT LEAST SOUND INTERESTED!" I raged and he looked at me, a cold look in his eyes. "Be careful son, I think you're forgetting who you're talking to." He said coldly and I flinched. "Sorry" He lowered his eyes again. "I thought I told you to sit down" "I'm fi--" "Don't make me make you do it Micael" He said, once again raising his eyes to mine. "Fine!" I snapped and draped my left leg over the back of the nearest chair. "Now why exactly are you here? I haven't got all day to waste arguing with you." He said. "I think I may have found my soulmate" I said calmly and he looked genuinely surprised for a fleeting moment before bursting into laughter. "Well I would say congratulations but I've got a feeling that wouldn't go down too well." He said after he caught his breath. "Thank you oh so much for sparing my feelings, I appreciate it." I said sarcastically. "Well finding him certainly hasn't improved your personality I see" He said. "Well it's kind of annoying having to find out that my soulmate is human" I said. "Human huh, well may the Gods be with his unfortunate soul." He said and I shot him a dark look. "You seem to have forgotten that I deal with souls father" "No no, I haven't forgotten, I've just always wanted to say that." I sighed and rolled my eyes. "He chooses this moment to reveal his crappy sense of humor. If there is a divine being out there, He must have something against me." I sighed and my father chuckled lightly. "Well there are too many of us to all have something against you so you must be imagining things." He said. "Whatever, I need this problem solved ASAP" I said and my father looked like he might start laughing again but instead he turned his attention to the closed door and spoke. "Well isn't it my lucky day. My twin sons have both decided to come see me on the same day at the same time. Come in Ares." At that moment my identical twin, Ares, walked in. "Why hello twin. I haven't seen you in quite a while. What brings you to these parts?" He greeted cheerfully. "Well I'll be damned if you aren't smiling twin. What war has broken out that has put you in such a good mood?" I asked teasingly. We both laughed as he walked to where I was sitting and pulled me into an embrace. We sat down and held hands under the table like we used to do when we were younger. "What brings you here Ares?" My father asked. "Is it a crime for a son to want to visit his father?" Ares asked wistfully. "In your case it usually means you've landed yourself in some or other form of trouble so I'd rather not answer that." My father replied. Are you alright twin? Ares asked mentally. Yes why? I replied with a question of my own. Well I sort of had a feeling that something was wrong with you and that's why I came here. He said and I smiled fondly at him. It's not something we can talk about here, I told him. But there is something to talk about? He asked, worry lining his words. Yes but it's nothing to worry about. I reassured him quickly but he was still worried. Are you sure? He asked frowning and I sent waves of reassurance to him just as I turned to smile at him. Yes I'm sure, I said and I touched his forehead to ease the lines on it. There's no need to worry about me twin, I continued, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. "It's particularly rude to ignore your host when you came to visit him." My father's irritated voice cut into our mental conversation and we both smiled at each other one last time before turning back to him. Crimson Sky Ch. 04 "Thank you for seeing us father, we'll leave you in peace now" I said a little dreamily. "Just like that? Don't I have to endure a few more hours of your moaning before you leave?" He asked incredulously. "No." Ares said simply and we both laughed at the expression on my father's face. "We should keep all our visits this short twin" Ares said to me. "If it means we get to see the old man like this more often, I agree" I said to him and we walked out hand in hand before my father could object