Two weeks had passed since he last saw Alex and Montag was losing his mind. They texted every day and occasionally talked on the phone, but it wasn't the same, he wanted to see Alex smile and he wanted to touch him, kiss him and make him blush. The way he felt with Alex was new for him. They could talk about stupid stuff or serious things, and he didn't feel uncomfortable or scared. Alex was so straightforward with his opinions and feelings that it was difficult to imagine him as a manipulator. Montag knew Alex would never use his own words against him.
Montag would go as far as to say that he was happy. It wasn't the same exuberant happiness he felt when he was 10 and his mother praised him, it was a calmness, a sense of completion, the reassurance that he had someone, someone he could talk to, someone he could lean into.
The waiting was over, Alex promised him he was going to go to that day's rehearsal and while they still had to be careful to not raise suspicions in Andrea, with good planning they might be able to sneak out to cuddle for a bit. Montag was excited.
He arrived early and Debra opened the door for him with her face flushed and her hair messy. He always thought they struck gold having a band member with their own studio, especially someone like Debra who didn't need to rent it and had it just for the love of music. Being a nepo baby must be nice.
"Did I interrupt something?"
"You did, asshole. You're always early but not this early, thank you for ruining the mood."
As she was saying that a pretty, hyper feminine blonde woman was coming out of the studio. She gave him a smile and kissed Debra on the cheek before leaving on foot.
"What would you have done if it wasn't me but Derek who arrived early?"
"The same? Are you under the impression that I care about his feelings? I've been honest with him. It is not my fault he doesn't get it. It is not my responsibility, and I shouldn't be made to live my life around his broken heart."
"Geez, I was just asking."
"Dude, I know Derek is your friend, but if you actually cared about his feelings, you should've made sure not to fuck me. Don't be a hypocrite."
She was right. Montag behaved like a heartless bastard prioritizing his sexual desire over the emotional wellbeing of Derek. He tried to put himself on Derek's spot and imagined someone else getting physical with Alex and his chest ached. He needed to be a better friend, less of a selfish jerk.
"You're right. Sorry"
"No biggie. Just don't do it again. Come in"
Montag sensed when Alex entered the studio. His soft voice was clearer than all the other sounds and Montag swore he could feel his scent surrounding him. He was going crazy with need. Alex approached him to greet him, and Montag felt his knees weakened.
"Hey"
Alex had his head bowed down, but his eyes were looking directly at him, and Montag saw a naughty spark on those beautiful hazel irises. The desire to kiss him increased tenfold. Montag didn't know how he was going to survive the whole practice without touching him.
"Hey"
Montag gave him a nod and a wink and resumed his work. Alex smiled and walked back to sit next to Andrea. She opened a gum package and gave him one stick. He put it in his mouth and looked at Montag while chewing slowly, his tongue peeking out every time he blew a bubble. Montag felt his body getting hot and his dick getting hard.
"How long have you been screwing Andrea's brother?"
Debra's whisper shocked him. Montag widened his eyes and turned to look at her. She was grinning, looking pleased with herself. He panicked and without a second thought, grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her out of the studio. She cackled and he felt his stomach sink. He tried to look unaffected.
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"Ha! Don't pretend I'm not right. You look at each other how Derek looks at me or Julian and Andrea look at each other. It's nauseating"
"You're imagining things."
"I don't really care dude. I was just curious." She patted him on the back "Andrea's gonna have your balls for breakfast when she finds out."
"If she finds out" he expected to sound threatening.
"So, it's true." She tilted her head considering her next words "If you want my advice, which I know you didn't ask, I'd recommend you both get ready for her tantrum, the others probably didn't notice because everyone there is affected by their own romantic feelings, but that kid is her brother, she knows him better than anyone else."
"I'll handle it, just don't tell her yet."
"Like I said before, I don't care. She won't find out from me, but tell your boyfriend to stop being so obvious."
Montag rubbed his hands on his face, frustrated. Objectively, Alex was an adult and Andrea's opinion on their relationship wasn't important to Montag, but he knew their sibling relationship was a strong one, Alex really appreciated what she thought and respected her opinions. Montag didn't want to be a source of strain in their relationship.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Is it really worth it, though? You're 26, aren't you too grown to be hiding around in corners and stressing yourself about a relationship like a teenager?"
"Excuse me, you're in the way."
Montag's heart hit the ground when he heard Alex's flat voice. He was standing in the hallway looking at the floor, his hands fidgeting. Montag was sure he listened to what Debra was saying and he felt like a piece of shit for distressing him.
"Sorry, I'll be heading back."
Debra walked back into the studio and Alex walked past her to go to the bathroom. Montag followed him in and closed the door behind him. Alex still wasn't raising his head. His hands were now grasping his navy t-shirt.
"Babe, look at me."
"She's right, you know. You could be with someone else."
"But I want you, and you're absolutely worth this and so much more."
Alex sobbed softly and Montag pulled him by the shoulders to hug him. Alex was the one who deserved better, he deserved someone who didn't make him cry as much as Montag did. Alex sniffled one last time and raised his head to look him in the eye, his gorgeous hazel eyes were glassy and sad.
"I missed you so much. I don't know how I managed to go two weeks without seeing you."
Montag held his face with both hands and kissed him eagerly. Alex's heartfelt words made him tremble. The blind trust that beautiful man put on him scared him. He spoke from his soul, without second guessing himself, his lack of filter so endearing and seductive.
"I missed you too, I wanted to kiss you and it took all of my willpower to not devour you as soon as you entered the studio."
"These past days were torture, I almost hugged you back there. I was basically eating you with my eyes."
"That's what Debra saw. She noticed our flirtatious glances and asked me about them. She thinks Andrea might kill me."
"I'm not a Victorian debutante and Andrea isn't the guardian of my virginity. I didn't want to tell her because she doesn't seem to trust you and I wanted to mellow her out a bit, but these two weeks were enough to show me I'm not made to have a secret relationship"
"What are you planning to do?"
"Well, I already came out to her. How difficult could it be to tell her you're my boyfriend?"
"I'm your boyfriend?"
Alex frowned and slapped him on the arm. Montag laughed and kissed his frown, his nose, and his lips. He loved teasing him and seeing his expression change.
"Yes, you were the one who agreed to date me. Now you're stuck with me"
"That doesn't sound like a bad future. I like it a lot"
"Well, get used to it." He smiled and pushed him towards the door "Now get out and let me pee"
"I'll be waiting outside" Montag kissed him and walked out.