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Hank Alex chapter 2
Sadly Darwin’s family life wasn’t as happy. He came from middle class family. Unlike Alex, Darwin had his power of self-protection and continuous circumstantial evolution since birth and his mother hated him passionately for it. She never abused him physically because well, his mutation automatically protected him from harm, but some vocal abuse can hurt more than physical. He leaved his home after high school and started working as a taxi driver. He still posted some money to his mother every month because she is still his mother and he hoped that one day she can find it in her heart to accept him. Alex gave him a manly half hug, still not use at showing affection but his ‘brother’ bright smile make up for it.
Alex told Sean and Darwin his past but he leave some part out. He doesn’t tell them his parent was killed and he doesn’t mention about Scott. He just said his parent die and he grow up in an orphanage and he accidentally hurt a gang of thugs with his power in a fight and was sent to prison. It wasn’t really a lie. Sean has quickly pulled him into a tight hug. Alex went stiff not use to receiving affection, but slowly put his hand around the ginger and hug him back. He notice Darwin is looking at him with a look he can’t decipher, like he knew Alex is not being entirely truthful. ‘Well, it wasn’t a lie either’.
He notices Sean sniffling at his neck like a puppy. It caught him off guard, he blush and push him by the shoulder albeit gently. “Dude, are you sniffling my neck”. Sean blushed and spluttered. ‘Did he even mention the ginger is adorable’ .“Well…I…No…Yes…” Sean decided to just come out and said it “Well, your neck smell really nice, it is like pine, forest and spicy scent of honey”. “Dude, you got it bad. Really bad” Darwin shakes his head a little and smiles at his friend’s antics. “Look like, you need to get laid” Alex said.
“What said we go to the night club and hit on girls? Same rule, who get the most phone number win. The loser pays for drinks. After that I want to play pool and win myself some money”. “That game again” whine Sean. “It is no fun. Alex, you always won. And you’re not even interested in any of them. It is not fair”. Alex laughed a little “Only because you pick up line is so lame. You’re a handsome guy, Sean. If you cut your hair short and learn some good pick up line you will be a lot more popular. And you will have more than Maeve falling for you”. “Hey, I love my HAIR” Sean protest. “I agree with Alex, the long hair look don’t really suit you man”. “You guys…!” “Maybe I should coach you how to pick up girl…or man” Alex wriggles his eyebrow at him suggestively. “If you teach him that wouldn’t he be seducing you” they can hear the teasing in Darwin voice. “He can try but I basically know every trick on the book by now. It hardly worked on me anymore” Alex’s said smugly.
***
There’s something about Darwin that make people so comfortable around him. Something that broken up people’s barrier. Alex was surprise to find himself open up to the older male when ask about his past a second time. All it need is the word “You can trust me Alex” and Alex find himself telling about his past. Something he has told no one before (though he suspects Charles knew).
He told Darwin that his parent and his unborn brother were killed when their plane is attack and only he and Scott were save. He and his older brother Scott was separated at the orphanage. He told him that he really, really miss Scott and they use to be so close and do everything together like a pair of twin. He told Darwin he wanted to find Scott but was afraid that his brother might reject him for being a mutant and dangerous.
He told him how he was kidnap and nearly got butchered by a psycho murderer during his teen when his power awaken and incinerate that person. How scare he is that he had killed someone. How he can’t fully control his power and end up setting the orphanage on fire and many was hurt because of it. He had hurt his love ones and they look at him like his a monster. He can’t take it and ran away from the orphanage and from then on his life just went downhill. He ended in prison after a fight with a gang of thugs where he nearly kill one of them with his power and seriously injure the rest. He fights for solitary prison in fear of hurting someone again. He felt like since he can’t get rid of his power, he should protect everyone from it.
Darwin listened intently to the end and pull him into a warm hug. His voice full with warm and gentleness when he said “its okay, Alex. You’re not alone. You don’t have to be scare anymore. You got us now. We will help you get through this together”. And it is that voice that broke him into tears. Alex has forgotten the last time he let himself cry.
***
Alex tried his damnedest to stop noticing Hank, to stop thinking about him, to stop imagining him writhing pleasurably underneath him begging him for more. He managed to control his mounting obsession during the day when he can distract his thoughts by focusing on other thing like training, homework, and hanging out his friends and playing chess with Charles. Only a few visions would flash across his mind's eye when he actually caught sight of Hank himself (usually in class) before he forces his eyes away.
It’s really hard because he is arching to steal a look at the brunette whenever he is within eye range. Even the sound of the brunette’s voice is like music to his ear, tempting him to just look and be lost in his love again. How he wanted to look at those breathtaking oceanic eyes again and drowning in it. But one thing Alex is he is very stubborn once he made up his mind. He would never give up so easily. ‘You give up trying to win his heart like a coward just because you’re afraid of getting hurt’ said the small voice inside his mind. Alex told it to shut the fuck up! But nothing can save him from the onslaught of the fantasies that flood his mind and overcome his senses. Every fantasy that he tried to block during the day came back with a vengeance during the night and he always wake up really hard and arching for release. It’s torture!
***
After a few weeks, Alex gave up in trying to get over Hank. Seeing that he can’t forget about the brunette, Alex thought he might as well try to woo him anyway. The small voice in his head shut up instantly. Too bad, being so far the opposite side of the social spectrum made sure that there’s nearly nothing to talk about. Should he start reading biophysics and genetic books in order to talk with the brunette or would it be too desperate. Maybe he should pretend he needs help with his study like Raven do. It worked for her surely it would be for him. Then again, he wasn’t even friend with Hank, they never really talk, and he might think him a nuisance. And Hank might ask why he doesn’t just go to Sean (The one curse of having prodigy friend).
They have different group of friend (Hank only hang out with Raven it seem and that’s mostly in his lab. Are they having a ‘research date’? What a nerd. And he is not jealous, dammit!), different interest, and different back ground. Alex began to question if they have other thing in common besides being G-Men. It is like they come from a totally different world. He wonder how he could he be so attracted to someone who is totally different from him. What is it about the other male that captivated him? Surely it can’t be just physical attraction. There’s something in his eyes…something in his smile… Something he can’t put his fingers on but was always there and drawn him in and making him feel all kind of feeling from love to protective to possessive to longing that he really can’t understand at all. Frankly said he just felt an immense love, protectiveness, possessiveness and desire for the brunette. Such strong mix feeling can’t be healthy at all.
***
Alex overheard about Hank doing morning training with Charles and decided it might be the first step to knowing Hank better, plus he love exercise. He could run with them. Of course by Alex’s rule something just bound to go wrong. To be fair it was a great morning. The temperature and the wind are cold and refreshing. Alex have wake up with a new spirit, refresh himself and quickly change into training clothes that Charles has prepare for them. It look like ordinary clothes but was actually made by a special fabric. He don’t remember the detail (because he is too busy getting back for all those lost time of staring at the brunette instead of listening to Charles’s explanation)
He saw the short older man and Hank and call “Hey”. “Hey, Alex” Charles said. Hank turn to him. Alex was stunned by the sheer beauty of Hank. That is the first time he saw the brunette without his glasses and his eyes look sharper and more intense, absolutely beautiful! Like the first time he sees it, he become blind to everything but those eyes, those beautiful, alluring eyes. It seems he has lost track of staring time again because the next thing Charles cough loudly startled him out of his reverie. “Right, Hank we’re going to start training now” Charles sounded embarrass.
Alex blush a little at being caught by his teacher. Shame burn through him as he remembers he is trying to steal Charles’s sister’s boyfriend when Charles had been so kind to him. But it doesn’t burn as strong as his desire for Hank. “Can I…train with you guys?” he couldn’t stop the nervousness that flow strongly through his vein. ‘What are you doing?! Keep calm’. He wonders when the hell he has turned into a bundle of nerve. He felt eyes boring into him. “Of course, you can” Charles said and the blonde sigh with relief.
“On your mark. One, two, three go!” The three of them run. Alex was leading but the other two was close behind. They run as fast as they can around the large garden before stopping, exhausted. ‘Say something? Anything’ Alex thinks as he looks at Hank who is touching his knees in exhaustion for awhile. That’s when he sees Hank leg, it is so big and unique it make his groin, stirs. Alex secretly had a feet kink. Hank leg was now officially 4th place after his eye, his smile and his face. He really had to break the habit of staring too long because the next thing he know Hank back off and try to hide his beautiful, huge feet. Alex was ashamed at being found out. ‘God, he catches me staring lustfully at his feet. He must be disgusted at me’.
And as he watched the hurt cross Hank’s face, Alex will himself to say something, anything. Alex really need to stop being so nervous around Hank because the next thing that come out of his mouth “No need to hide your feet, Bigfoot”. God, Alex really need to watch his mouth with soap or spank himself until it bleed because the hurt on Hank’s face grow and the brunette walk away from him. Alex watched Hank go and nearly tear his hair away in frustration. Why it is so hard to send his feeling across?!
Gentle hand touched his shoulder. He turns to look at Charles knowing eyes. “Its okay, Alex. Give him some time. He will figure it out” Alex doesn’t know what to say about that because even if Hank did figure out Alex feeling for him, Hank wasn’t interested in him. Hell, he doesn’t even show any sign that he is interested in guys. For all Alex knew he can be as straight as an arrow and be totally disgusted with Alex’s obsession with him. And why is Charles still being so kind to him when he is trying to steal his sister’s boyfriend right down his nose?!
***
Alex was in the way back to his room when he noticed that Hank’s door is open slightly. The urge to take a peak of his brunette arise strongly but he repel those thoughts. He is not some pervert and he will never violated Hank like that. What if he is changing clothes? The image of a naked Hank appears in his mind eye and he felt the beginning of an arousal. He quickly squashed the image from his mind. He refuse to be some kind of peeping tom, he has his dignity to uphold. Suddenly he hears a cheerful feminine laugh. Raven. In Hank’s room! What is she doing there? Jealousy gnawed at his heart before swallowing him whole. He couldn’t stop himself, before he knows it he has take a peek. He can’t really see anything so he quietly pushed the door even bigger.
He sees the two of them wasn’t doing anything and sigh in relief. The bimbo is sitting near Hank’s bed with an open book in her lap while the enthralling male is all laid out on his bed with his glasses perched on the top of his head stretching his arms revealing a line of beautiful white skin at his waist. Alex let his eye take in the beautiful porcelain skin of his love and feel himself harden quickly. God, he is so beautiful!. What he wouldn’t give to have the other male in his arms.
Alex doesn’t realize that Raven had look up and saw the way he look at Hank with eyes full with lust and something else she can’t decipher. Raven had caught Alex glaring at her and couldn’t fathom why the blonde hated her when she had been nothing but civil to him but now she understands why. Raven had seen how upset Hank got after one of Alex insult and it is weird because Hank had told him that he had gotten much worse in the past. Why would he let such taunt get to him so much? That’s when she realizes that Hank had feelings for Alex. Raven look at Alex and her eyes narrow. There’s no way she is going to take the laying down and let another guy take her man away again, not after losing Charles, her childhood love to Eric.
She got up, grabbed the back of his head and crashed their mouth in a hot, searing, kiss. Hank went stiff in surprise but quickly relax and kiss her back, his hand cupping her face gently as he deepen the kiss. Alex felt his heart breaking at the sight and quickly leave. He doesn’t even realize that he had bump his shoulder against someone as he walk like a zombie to his room. A hand quickly grabs his shoulder and turns him around. Sean and Darwin look at him with really concern expression. Alex look deathly pale and his eyes was full of suppress tears.
“Alex, you’re okay, my man?” Darwin asked him voice full of concern and worry. “Okay, of course I am okay” Alex hated how his voice broke or how close to tears he is. “You sure don’t look okay” snapped Sean “You look like you are on the verge of a mental breakdown”. Darwin looked at Sean disapprovingly but Sean continues. “When can you learn that you can always come to us” Sean voice soften as he pull Alex into a tight, warm hug.”We’re your friend silly, it’s our job”. Alex hug the taller male back, touched. “He is right, Alex. We will always be there for you” Darwin touched his shoulder. Alex can’t be more grateful to have friends like them.
After that Alex avoided looking at Raven and hank altogether for days. The image of the kiss is still fresh in his mind and tears at his heart every time he sees them. Alex tried to fill all his time with other activity to divert his attention from Hank. But no matter how hard he tried somehow his mind always come back to the alluring brunette. God, he is doom!
He told himself to stop it! What good it is on being hang up on somebody else boyfriend. ‘It was just a kiss? It doesn’t mean they were a couple’. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was a deep, passionate kiss! And they’re so a couple; they were always with each other. ‘So it is not like you don’t know that before. Doesn’t stop you, right? So why should it stop you now?’ Alex doesn’t know how to answer that. ‘Try again. Give it another go. Either way you can’t get over him right. Might as well try then brooding like a girl whom you have been doing a lot lately’ Alex scold at that. ‘If you’re a man, be strong’ the voice echoes what his father once tell him. ‘Don’t be afraid to chase after you dream, no matter what it is. And if you fail, don’t give up. Keep chasing. Believe me, it will pay off in the end’ his father has told him and Scott once.
It is one of his father countless pearl of wisdom he has sprouted through their time together. It warms his heart and gave his strength to carry on. His father was his Hero after all. He looked at Hank. The beautiful brunette is his dream. He will give it one more go.
***
The group is having a group time in one of the mansion’s room. The blonde saw Hank sit at the long sofa at the end of the room, he wanted to sit next to him but figure out it would be hard to restrain himself so close to the star of his every fantasy and sit on the sofa next to it. He kind of regrets it when Raven took the seat. Fortunately for him, the shy scientist shift to the end of the sofa so there’s a good space between them. He really doesn’t want to be in the vicinity if they’re going to be all over each other. The anger might just make him lose control of his power. And scaring the hell out of Hank or killing him is the last thing he need right now.
“We got to have secret codename. We basically secret government agent now” said Raven. Who know she can be so childish? Secret government agent code name, really? It does sound cool though, not that he will ever admit it.
“I want to be call, Mystique”
“Damn, I want to be called Mystic” tease Sean well naturedly.
“That’s not how I call it” Raven now Mystique shape shift to Sean in seconds “and I am way more mysterious than you” she said in a playful I’m holier than thou voice. Everyone (excluding Alex) claps their hand loudly. Alex won’t admit it but he was impressed.
“Darwin, what about you?” ask Angel.
“Well, Darwin is already nickname and it is sort fit, adapt to survive and all” Alex smile at that, leave it to Darwin to be modest all of the sudden. He has always eagerly shows how awesome he is in front of him and Sean. “Let me show you” ‘then again maybe not’.
Darwin put his head inside the aquarium and a scale grows at both sides of his cheeks allowing him to breathe underwater. The others were really impress. Heck, even Alex’s who already knew of Darwin power was impress. Is there anything Darwin’s power can’t adapt to so automatically and effortlessly? He doesn’t have to struggle to control his power like Alex does. He gave his ‘brother’ a loud clap of hand. “Sean, what about you?” Sean seems to be contemplating this for a second before he said “I want to be Banshee”. Alex smile at that. Others may not know it but a banshee is, a legendary ghost from Irish mythology, said to possess a powerful cry, although the banshee spirit is invariably female. The name fit Sean like a charm.
“Why do you want to name yourself after a wailing ghost?”Ask Hank.
“You may want to cover your ear”. They (except Alex and Darwin) look confuse but quickly cover their ear. Sean looked to his right and left mischievously to make sure everyone had cover their ear before letting out a gust of sound, a whistle that shatter the glass screen that cover the other side of the room. Another impressive sound but not nearly as loud as before. Maybe the excitement is dying off. “Your turn” said Sean to the dark beauty. Angel get up and turn to her back “My stage name is Angel” she said, to their surprise her beautiful wings tattoo turn to a pair of beautiful veined wings growing from her back. Darwin stared at his crush then at her wing fascinated, he feels his cock stir. ‘God, I think I have a wing kink! That’s new’.
“You can FLY?” Raven asked excited.
“And…this?” she let out a highly acidic substance from her mouth and throw it to the stone statue, the part it hit burns. More excited noises. Alex has to admit he is very impress too.
“How about you?” Angel asked Hank.
Alex wanted to open his mouth to suggest something? A cool name? But as usual he got nervous and put his foot in his mouth again. “What about Bigfoot?” Once he realizes what he said and saw Hank’s huge hurt expression he wish he could crawl into a hole and die. ‘Good job, now he must have hated you even more’ said the voice inside his head. Worse the bimbo got a point by defending Hank.
Raven use this chance to score a point. “You know what they say about guy with big feet” she looked at his feet. “And yours is kind of small”
Alex doesn’t even care that she basically insulting his manhood or the other’s reaction to it, his heart burn with jealousy when Hank smiles gratefully at Raven. God, he hated his life! Why did he subject himself to this again?! He should know to stay clear of group activity. Next time, he wouldn’t let Sean talk him into it (For someone with lame pick up line, that guy can talk people into basically anything when he put his mind to it). It is bad enough seeing them being lovey dovey in class, he has to see them doing it outside of class too! Heaven must hate him!
Raven smile smugly as Hank smile gratefully at her and turn to look Alex. The expression on his face shocked her. He looked totally and utterly devastated. Raven’s felt her heart constricted with guilt. She just wanted to claim Hank. She never meant to hurt him, at least not this much. She then remembers the kiss. God, if even this small exchange hurt Alex this much then the kiss…! Shame and guilt burn through her so brightly. She has did all this because she has a huge crush on Hank but now she realize that Alex’s feeling for Hank was in totally different level than her and she has totally and purposely hurt him!
Alex doesn’t realize he has space out when they call him again. “Alex, what can you do?” he really wasn’t in the mood for this. That and if he use his power now, his haywire emotion might cause him to blast everyone to smithereens anyway. He gets up and storm out of the room, ignoring the sound of his name being call.
“Alex…” Raven called him, at a lost at what to do. “He doesn’t look so well” Sean got up. “I’m going to see how he is doing” he quickly went after Alex before Darwin can stop and told him it is best to leave the hotheaded blonde alone when he is like this. Hank watched Sean went after his love, jealousy burning brightly in him. Hank downs his bottle of beer miserably, wanting to get piss tonight. Raven look at Hank, he looks really miserable. Guilt once against burn brightly in her. She never meant for it to be this way.
Alex keeps walking even though he heard the ginger call him. Can’t the boy leave him alone? He needed to be alone right now. Too bad the ginger already caught up with him.
“Alex, are you okay. You don’t look so good” he put his hand on Alex’s shoulder and Alex angrily push it aside.
“Leave me alone!” he growled.
Silence thick in the air before a hurt voice broke it “I’m just worry about you”
Alex felt like a dick. He just yells at his best friend, Sean was just worried about him. He closed his eyes, breathe deeply and try to calm his raging heart. “I’m sorry, Sean. I’m just… I need to be alone okay. I need to cool down” he said, still seething with anger inside.
“Okay” Sean said. “If you need someone to talk to, you know you can come to me or Darwin, right?”
“I know, thanks”
It was around midnight that the blonde went to Sean’s room. He had cool down enough but he still can’t sleep. He would go to Darwin if he doesn’t think the dark male will be asleep right now. It is Sunday night and Sean usually awake during this time. And sure enough he can still see the light from the ginger room.
He knocked softly at the door. The door opens showing the ginger in his pajama. The ginger light up like a light bulb when he saw him. It warms his heart. “I know you would come” the long hair teen smile warmly at him. Not for the first time he thank the heaven for giving him such a wonderful friend.
“I can’t sleep” the blonde said “Too many things in my mind”
“Want some booze?” the ginger said looking at the special refrigerator he bought. Alex had to admit sometime it nice to have a rich friend.
The ginger carried back a handful of beer and to the floor near Alex sit and sit down. Alex feel relieve it is just normal beer. He doesn’t want to drink Sean’s expensive alcohol. He wouldn’t feel right about it. Beside it is nice to know that even rich people drink the same thing you do. He love Sean modesty, it make it easy to forget the gap between them.
They both open up their tin of beer.
“Bottom up” said Sean delightedly (Alex’s can’t help but smile too. The ginger’s delight is contagious) and drunk out his beer. Alex follow suit.
As usual, Sean being a lightweight got really drunk fast while Alex was still pretty sober. He laugh as the drunken Sean start singing then laughing then joking. He wished he could tape this! Sean was a funny guy but drunken Sean is downright comical! God, he loves this guy!
Suddenly Sean turn serious (well as serious as a drunk person can be)
“You know you should stop about all this Hank things and find someone else. Someone better. If he can’t see how great you’re then he don’t deserve you”
Alex’s mood quickly plummeted at the mention of the alluring man.
“Sean, I don’t want to talk about it”
“No, we’re going to talk about it” Sean voice stubbornly. “I hate to see you all upset and bother over him. You should see how you look after I went after you. You look absolutely devastated! And all of it’s over Hank! Is he really worth it? He doesn’t really know you! He doesn’t really speak to you! He doesn’t see you, not like I do!”
“Sean…’” Alex said surprise. “You…”
“Yeah, I love you. Funny how you never realize it” Sean said bitterly. Alex lost words to say. Now that he thought at it, there’s many sign. God, he really was blind!
Sean move closer to him. “Look Sean, I’m sorry I have never realize your feelings…” he said guiltily. He doesn’t realize that the ginger has move so close that he could feel his breathe. It sent shiver down his spine.
“Look Sean, you’re drunk…”
“I’m not that drunk” Suddenly Sean looked a lot sober than before and Alex doesn’t know how to take it.
Sean straddles him. “Sean” Alex blushed and tried to stop of him by using his hands on his shoulder
“What? Am I not good enough?” the ginger said hurt. “Please, Alex” Sean pleaded, his eyes gleaming with tears “Give me a chance. I can be better than him”
Alex looks into Sean’s teary gaze and still. Now that he has knows that Sean really did have feeling for him, he really can’t see why he should reject him. He would lie if he said that he wasn’t attracted to him. Sean was funny, sweet, adorable, and fun. He always manages to brighten his day with his presence. He and Darwin has became the closest person Alex had in years. They just click together so well. And Sean was always there for him. He can’t have asked for more. It would be so easy to give in, to let he fall in love with Sean. It is way better than being frustrated over Hank.
“Yes” he said and their lips clash together. Sean kissed him hungrily. Alex stopped as he suddenly saw the image of Hank smiling in his mind’s eye. Those blue eyes when their eyes met…Suddenly, all his conviction before is blown away. The kiss just seems wrong. Wrong lips, wrong person.
He pushed Sean back. Shock and hurt written all over Sean’s face before he saw the look in Alex’s face. He really looks like a lost kid.
“I’m sorry Sean” his voiced sound so helpless and miserable. “I just…god…I couldn’t get him out of my head…I couldn’t get him out of my head!”
Alex is just about to tear up his hair when Sean sooth him. “Shhhh. Its okay, Alex. It’s okay” he said with suppress tears. “At least I try” he gave him a sad smile. “I have no regret now”
Much later, Alex tugs in a sleeping Sean to bed. He ruffles the thick red hair lovingly.
“I’m sorry, Sean” he whisper. “I just want you to know if it was any other circumstances, I would have fall in love for you. You’re special, Sean. You’re special to me”
Sean opens his eyes as he heard the door close indicating that the blonde had leave. What Alex had said rang loudly in his mind. The tears he had been suppressing fell down his cheeks unbidden and he fists his hand full of determination. He had made his decision.
***
Hank was staring at Alex, who is a table away from him as the blonde eat his hamburger breakfast absent mindedly. He is quiet and distance this morning, sitting alone instead of with his friends and keep looking outside the window as if there’s something interesting there. Hank wishes he would direct his grayish eyes to him instead. The first time he met those eyes it seem like time has standstill.
“Hot, isn’t him” Hank was startled from his ‘Alex staring time’ by Sean’s voice.
“Sean” Hank blushed at being caught staring.
“So, what do you think of him?” Sean asked blandly
“Who?” Hank blushed again.
“Alex, of course. So what do you think of him?” asked Sean.
“He was… a friend” Hank really don’t know what he suppose to say but he couldn’t just confess.
“You know that is not what I mean, McCoy” pushed Sean.
What is this? Is Sean trying to rub at his face that he has Alex? “I don’t think that is any of your business Cassidy” he said defensively.
“It is when my best friend is madly in love with you”
Hank went still. His eyes widen. There’s no way that is true. Wasn’t Alex with Sean?
“What are you talking about?” the brunette voice trembles. “Wasn’t he your boyfriend?”
“Wow, you’re both blind. A match made from heaven indeed” Sean said sarcastically, rolling his eye.
“What do you mean?” Hank really don’t understand where the ginger going with this.
“I mean you guys like each other. Alex was totally crazy about you, nearly everyone had realized it” ‘I have notice it early from the start’
“What?” Hank asked in disbelief. Did the ginger honestly belief he would fall for that. There’s no way Alex like him let alone love him!
Sean sighs. It’s so true that geniuses can be so stupid some time. It like their entire brain cell focuses only on one place. Then again, Alex wasn’t a genius and he is blind too.
“He likes you. He keeps staring at you longingly. He gets nervous while he is around you. Don’t you realize it?” Sean knew the answer is ‘No, I don’t realize it at all’
Hank frowned. “All he did is insult me and stare at my leg like I’m a freak” he sounded hurt.
“He’s just pulling your pigtail. He told me that he like you. I’m his best friend, I know”
Hank stops and turns to look at Alex. His mind processing what he just heard. Trying to take it all in stride. His memory playing in his minds. ‘The way Alex look at him…how he sounded nervous when talking to him…how angry he look that one time he caught him staring at him and Raven (at first he thought Alex like Raven and was jealous). How could he not notice all this? He stares at the blonde who has finish his meal and stare quietly out of the window. He just looks so lonely and distant.
He turns his eyes to Sean. “Why are you telling me all this? I thought you like him too”
“I don’t plan to tell you until last night” Sean sigh. “I thought it was my chance to win him over. And for a second I thought I had him but then he pushed me away and said he can’t keep you out of his head” Sean turn to look at Alex who is still staring into the distance. “He looked so lost and miserable, I can’t stand it” Sean said bitterly. “I wanted, no, I needed him to be happy and the only way he can truly be happy is with you”
Sadly Darwin’s family life wasn’t as happy. He came from middle class family. Unlike Alex, Darwin had his power of self-protection and continuous circumstantial evolution since birth and his mother hated him passionately for it. She never abused him physically because well, his mutation automatically protected him from harm, but some vocal abuse can hurt more than physical. He leaved his home after high school and started working as a taxi driver. He still posted some money to his mother every month because she is still his mother and he hoped that one day she can find it in her heart to accept him. Alex gave him a manly half hug, still not use at showing affection but his ‘brother’ bright smile make up for it.
Alex told Sean and Darwin his past but he leave some part out. He doesn’t tell them his parent was killed and he doesn’t mention about Scott. He just said his parent die and he grow up in an orphanage and he accidentally hurt a gang of thugs with his power in a fight and was sent to prison. It wasn’t really a lie. Sean has quickly pulled him into a tight hug. Alex went stiff not use to receiving affection, but slowly put his hand around the ginger and hug him back. He notice Darwin is looking at him with a look he can’t decipher, like he knew Alex is not being entirely truthful. ‘Well, it wasn’t a lie either’.
He notices Sean sniffling at his neck like a puppy. It caught him off guard, he blush and push him by the shoulder albeit gently. “Dude, are you sniffling my neck”. Sean blushed and spluttered. ‘Did he even mention the ginger is adorable’ .“Well…I…No…Yes…” Sean decided to just come out and said it “Well, your neck smell really nice, it is like pine, forest and spicy scent of honey”. “Dude, you got it bad. Really bad” Darwin shakes his head a little and smiles at his friend’s antics. “Look like, you need to get laid” Alex said.
“What said we go to the night club and hit on girls? Same rule, who get the most phone number win. The loser pays for drinks. After that I want to play pool and win myself some money”. “That game again” whine Sean. “It is no fun. Alex, you always won. And you’re not even interested in any of them. It is not fair”. Alex laughed a little “Only because you pick up line is so lame. You’re a handsome guy, Sean. If you cut your hair short and learn some good pick up line you will be a lot more popular. And you will have more than Maeve falling for you”. “Hey, I love my HAIR” Sean protest. “I agree with Alex, the long hair look don’t really suit you man”. “You guys…!” “Maybe I should coach you how to pick up girl…or man” Alex wriggles his eyebrow at him suggestively. “If you teach him that wouldn’t he be seducing you” they can hear the teasing in Darwin voice. “He can try but I basically know every trick on the book by now. It hardly worked on me anymore” Alex’s said smugly.
***
There’s something about Darwin that make people so comfortable around him. Something that broken up people’s barrier. Alex was surprise to find himself open up to the older male when ask about his past a second time. All it need is the word “You can trust me Alex” and Alex find himself telling about his past. Something he has told no one before (though he suspects Charles knew).
He told Darwin that his parent and his unborn brother were killed when their plane is attack and only he and Scott were save. He and his older brother Scott was separated at the orphanage. He told him that he really, really miss Scott and they use to be so close and do everything together like a pair of twin. He told Darwin he wanted to find Scott but was afraid that his brother might reject him for being a mutant and dangerous.
He told him how he was kidnap and nearly got butchered by a psycho murderer during his teen when his power awaken and incinerate that person. How scare he is that he had killed someone. How he can’t fully control his power and end up setting the orphanage on fire and many was hurt because of it. He had hurt his love ones and they look at him like his a monster. He can’t take it and ran away from the orphanage and from then on his life just went downhill. He ended in prison after a fight with a gang of thugs where he nearly kill one of them with his power and seriously injure the rest. He fights for solitary prison in fear of hurting someone again. He felt like since he can’t get rid of his power, he should protect everyone from it.
Darwin listened intently to the end and pull him into a warm hug. His voice full with warm and gentleness when he said “its okay, Alex. You’re not alone. You don’t have to be scare anymore. You got us now. We will help you get through this together”. And it is that voice that broke him into tears. Alex has forgotten the last time he let himself cry.
***
Alex tried his damnedest to stop noticing Hank, to stop thinking about him, to stop imagining him writhing pleasurably underneath him begging him for more. He managed to control his mounting obsession during the day when he can distract his thoughts by focusing on other thing like training, homework, and hanging out his friends and playing chess with Charles. Only a few visions would flash across his mind's eye when he actually caught sight of Hank himself (usually in class) before he forces his eyes away.
It’s really hard because he is arching to steal a look at the brunette whenever he is within eye range. Even the sound of the brunette’s voice is like music to his ear, tempting him to just look and be lost in his love again. How he wanted to look at those breathtaking oceanic eyes again and drowning in it. But one thing Alex is he is very stubborn once he made up his mind. He would never give up so easily. ‘You give up trying to win his heart like a coward just because you’re afraid of getting hurt’ said the small voice inside his mind. Alex told it to shut the fuck up! But nothing can save him from the onslaught of the fantasies that flood his mind and overcome his senses. Every fantasy that he tried to block during the day came back with a vengeance during the night and he always wake up really hard and arching for release. It’s torture!
***
After a few weeks, Alex gave up in trying to get over Hank. Seeing that he can’t forget about the brunette, Alex thought he might as well try to woo him anyway. The small voice in his head shut up instantly. Too bad, being so far the opposite side of the social spectrum made sure that there’s nearly nothing to talk about. Should he start reading biophysics and genetic books in order to talk with the brunette or would it be too desperate. Maybe he should pretend he needs help with his study like Raven do. It worked for her surely it would be for him. Then again, he wasn’t even friend with Hank, they never really talk, and he might think him a nuisance. And Hank might ask why he doesn’t just go to Sean (The one curse of having prodigy friend).
They have different group of friend (Hank only hang out with Raven it seem and that’s mostly in his lab. Are they having a ‘research date’? What a nerd. And he is not jealous, dammit!), different interest, and different back ground. Alex began to question if they have other thing in common besides being G-Men. It is like they come from a totally different world. He wonder how he could he be so attracted to someone who is totally different from him. What is it about the other male that captivated him? Surely it can’t be just physical attraction. There’s something in his eyes…something in his smile… Something he can’t put his fingers on but was always there and drawn him in and making him feel all kind of feeling from love to protective to possessive to longing that he really can’t understand at all. Frankly said he just felt an immense love, protectiveness, possessiveness and desire for the brunette. Such strong mix feeling can’t be healthy at all.
***
Alex overheard about Hank doing morning training with Charles and decided it might be the first step to knowing Hank better, plus he love exercise. He could run with them. Of course by Alex’s rule something just bound to go wrong. To be fair it was a great morning. The temperature and the wind are cold and refreshing. Alex have wake up with a new spirit, refresh himself and quickly change into training clothes that Charles has prepare for them. It look like ordinary clothes but was actually made by a special fabric. He don’t remember the detail (because he is too busy getting back for all those lost time of staring at the brunette instead of listening to Charles’s explanation)
He saw the short older man and Hank and call “Hey”. “Hey, Alex” Charles said. Hank turn to him. Alex was stunned by the sheer beauty of Hank. That is the first time he saw the brunette without his glasses and his eyes look sharper and more intense, absolutely beautiful! Like the first time he sees it, he become blind to everything but those eyes, those beautiful, alluring eyes. It seems he has lost track of staring time again because the next thing Charles cough loudly startled him out of his reverie. “Right, Hank we’re going to start training now” Charles sounded embarrass.
Alex blush a little at being caught by his teacher. Shame burn through him as he remembers he is trying to steal Charles’s sister’s boyfriend when Charles had been so kind to him. But it doesn’t burn as strong as his desire for Hank. “Can I…train with you guys?” he couldn’t stop the nervousness that flow strongly through his vein. ‘What are you doing?! Keep calm’. He wonders when the hell he has turned into a bundle of nerve. He felt eyes boring into him. “Of course, you can” Charles said and the blonde sigh with relief.
“On your mark. One, two, three go!” The three of them run. Alex was leading but the other two was close behind. They run as fast as they can around the large garden before stopping, exhausted. ‘Say something? Anything’ Alex thinks as he looks at Hank who is touching his knees in exhaustion for awhile. That’s when he sees Hank leg, it is so big and unique it make his groin, stirs. Alex secretly had a feet kink. Hank leg was now officially 4th place after his eye, his smile and his face. He really had to break the habit of staring too long because the next thing he know Hank back off and try to hide his beautiful, huge feet. Alex was ashamed at being found out. ‘God, he catches me staring lustfully at his feet. He must be disgusted at me’.
And as he watched the hurt cross Hank’s face, Alex will himself to say something, anything. Alex really need to stop being so nervous around Hank because the next thing that come out of his mouth “No need to hide your feet, Bigfoot”. God, Alex really need to watch his mouth with soap or spank himself until it bleed because the hurt on Hank’s face grow and the brunette walk away from him. Alex watched Hank go and nearly tear his hair away in frustration. Why it is so hard to send his feeling across?!
Gentle hand touched his shoulder. He turns to look at Charles knowing eyes. “Its okay, Alex. Give him some time. He will figure it out” Alex doesn’t know what to say about that because even if Hank did figure out Alex feeling for him, Hank wasn’t interested in him. Hell, he doesn’t even show any sign that he is interested in guys. For all Alex knew he can be as straight as an arrow and be totally disgusted with Alex’s obsession with him. And why is Charles still being so kind to him when he is trying to steal his sister’s boyfriend right down his nose?!
***
Alex was in the way back to his room when he noticed that Hank’s door is open slightly. The urge to take a peak of his brunette arise strongly but he repel those thoughts. He is not some pervert and he will never violated Hank like that. What if he is changing clothes? The image of a naked Hank appears in his mind eye and he felt the beginning of an arousal. He quickly squashed the image from his mind. He refuse to be some kind of peeping tom, he has his dignity to uphold. Suddenly he hears a cheerful feminine laugh. Raven. In Hank’s room! What is she doing there? Jealousy gnawed at his heart before swallowing him whole. He couldn’t stop himself, before he knows it he has take a peek. He can’t really see anything so he quietly pushed the door even bigger.
He sees the two of them wasn’t doing anything and sigh in relief. The bimbo is sitting near Hank’s bed with an open book in her lap while the enthralling male is all laid out on his bed with his glasses perched on the top of his head stretching his arms revealing a line of beautiful white skin at his waist. Alex let his eye take in the beautiful porcelain skin of his love and feel himself harden quickly. God, he is so beautiful!. What he wouldn’t give to have the other male in his arms.
Alex doesn’t realize that Raven had look up and saw the way he look at Hank with eyes full with lust and something else she can’t decipher. Raven had caught Alex glaring at her and couldn’t fathom why the blonde hated her when she had been nothing but civil to him but now she understands why. Raven had seen how upset Hank got after one of Alex insult and it is weird because Hank had told him that he had gotten much worse in the past. Why would he let such taunt get to him so much? That’s when she realizes that Hank had feelings for Alex. Raven look at Alex and her eyes narrow. There’s no way she is going to take the laying down and let another guy take her man away again, not after losing Charles, her childhood love to Eric.
She got up, grabbed the back of his head and crashed their mouth in a hot, searing, kiss. Hank went stiff in surprise but quickly relax and kiss her back, his hand cupping her face gently as he deepen the kiss. Alex felt his heart breaking at the sight and quickly leave. He doesn’t even realize that he had bump his shoulder against someone as he walk like a zombie to his room. A hand quickly grabs his shoulder and turns him around. Sean and Darwin look at him with really concern expression. Alex look deathly pale and his eyes was full of suppress tears.
“Alex, you’re okay, my man?” Darwin asked him voice full of concern and worry. “Okay, of course I am okay” Alex hated how his voice broke or how close to tears he is. “You sure don’t look okay” snapped Sean “You look like you are on the verge of a mental breakdown”. Darwin looked at Sean disapprovingly but Sean continues. “When can you learn that you can always come to us” Sean voice soften as he pull Alex into a tight, warm hug.”We’re your friend silly, it’s our job”. Alex hug the taller male back, touched. “He is right, Alex. We will always be there for you” Darwin touched his shoulder. Alex can’t be more grateful to have friends like them.
After that Alex avoided looking at Raven and hank altogether for days. The image of the kiss is still fresh in his mind and tears at his heart every time he sees them. Alex tried to fill all his time with other activity to divert his attention from Hank. But no matter how hard he tried somehow his mind always come back to the alluring brunette. God, he is doom!
He told himself to stop it! What good it is on being hang up on somebody else boyfriend. ‘It was just a kiss? It doesn’t mean they were a couple’. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was a deep, passionate kiss! And they’re so a couple; they were always with each other. ‘So it is not like you don’t know that before. Doesn’t stop you, right? So why should it stop you now?’ Alex doesn’t know how to answer that. ‘Try again. Give it another go. Either way you can’t get over him right. Might as well try then brooding like a girl whom you have been doing a lot lately’ Alex scold at that. ‘If you’re a man, be strong’ the voice echoes what his father once tell him. ‘Don’t be afraid to chase after you dream, no matter what it is. And if you fail, don’t give up. Keep chasing. Believe me, it will pay off in the end’ his father has told him and Scott once.
It is one of his father countless pearl of wisdom he has sprouted through their time together. It warms his heart and gave his strength to carry on. His father was his Hero after all. He looked at Hank. The beautiful brunette is his dream. He will give it one more go.
***
The group is having a group time in one of the mansion’s room. The blonde saw Hank sit at the long sofa at the end of the room, he wanted to sit next to him but figure out it would be hard to restrain himself so close to the star of his every fantasy and sit on the sofa next to it. He kind of regrets it when Raven took the seat. Fortunately for him, the shy scientist shift to the end of the sofa so there’s a good space between them. He really doesn’t want to be in the vicinity if they’re going to be all over each other. The anger might just make him lose control of his power. And scaring the hell out of Hank or killing him is the last thing he need right now.
“We got to have secret codename. We basically secret government agent now” said Raven. Who know she can be so childish? Secret government agent code name, really? It does sound cool though, not that he will ever admit it.
“I want to be call, Mystique”
“Damn, I want to be called Mystic” tease Sean well naturedly.
“That’s not how I call it” Raven now Mystique shape shift to Sean in seconds “and I am way more mysterious than you” she said in a playful I’m holier than thou voice. Everyone (excluding Alex) claps their hand loudly. Alex won’t admit it but he was impressed.
“Darwin, what about you?” ask Angel.
“Well, Darwin is already nickname and it is sort fit, adapt to survive and all” Alex smile at that, leave it to Darwin to be modest all of the sudden. He has always eagerly shows how awesome he is in front of him and Sean. “Let me show you” ‘then again maybe not’.
Darwin put his head inside the aquarium and a scale grows at both sides of his cheeks allowing him to breathe underwater. The others were really impress. Heck, even Alex’s who already knew of Darwin power was impress. Is there anything Darwin’s power can’t adapt to so automatically and effortlessly? He doesn’t have to struggle to control his power like Alex does. He gave his ‘brother’ a loud clap of hand. “Sean, what about you?” Sean seems to be contemplating this for a second before he said “I want to be Banshee”. Alex smile at that. Others may not know it but a banshee is, a legendary ghost from Irish mythology, said to possess a powerful cry, although the banshee spirit is invariably female. The name fit Sean like a charm.
“Why do you want to name yourself after a wailing ghost?”Ask Hank.
“You may want to cover your ear”. They (except Alex and Darwin) look confuse but quickly cover their ear. Sean looked to his right and left mischievously to make sure everyone had cover their ear before letting out a gust of sound, a whistle that shatter the glass screen that cover the other side of the room. Another impressive sound but not nearly as loud as before. Maybe the excitement is dying off. “Your turn” said Sean to the dark beauty. Angel get up and turn to her back “My stage name is Angel” she said, to their surprise her beautiful wings tattoo turn to a pair of beautiful veined wings growing from her back. Darwin stared at his crush then at her wing fascinated, he feels his cock stir. ‘God, I think I have a wing kink! That’s new’.
“You can FLY?” Raven asked excited.
“And…this?” she let out a highly acidic substance from her mouth and throw it to the stone statue, the part it hit burns. More excited noises. Alex has to admit he is very impress too.
“How about you?” Angel asked Hank.
Alex wanted to open his mouth to suggest something? A cool name? But as usual he got nervous and put his foot in his mouth again. “What about Bigfoot?” Once he realizes what he said and saw Hank’s huge hurt expression he wish he could crawl into a hole and die. ‘Good job, now he must have hated you even more’ said the voice inside his head. Worse the bimbo got a point by defending Hank.
Raven use this chance to score a point. “You know what they say about guy with big feet” she looked at his feet. “And yours is kind of small”
Alex doesn’t even care that she basically insulting his manhood or the other’s reaction to it, his heart burn with jealousy when Hank smiles gratefully at Raven. God, he hated his life! Why did he subject himself to this again?! He should know to stay clear of group activity. Next time, he wouldn’t let Sean talk him into it (For someone with lame pick up line, that guy can talk people into basically anything when he put his mind to it). It is bad enough seeing them being lovey dovey in class, he has to see them doing it outside of class too! Heaven must hate him!
Raven smile smugly as Hank smile gratefully at her and turn to look Alex. The expression on his face shocked her. He looked totally and utterly devastated. Raven’s felt her heart constricted with guilt. She just wanted to claim Hank. She never meant to hurt him, at least not this much. She then remembers the kiss. God, if even this small exchange hurt Alex this much then the kiss…! Shame and guilt burn through her so brightly. She has did all this because she has a huge crush on Hank but now she realize that Alex’s feeling for Hank was in totally different level than her and she has totally and purposely hurt him!
Alex doesn’t realize he has space out when they call him again. “Alex, what can you do?” he really wasn’t in the mood for this. That and if he use his power now, his haywire emotion might cause him to blast everyone to smithereens anyway. He gets up and storm out of the room, ignoring the sound of his name being call.
“Alex…” Raven called him, at a lost at what to do. “He doesn’t look so well” Sean got up. “I’m going to see how he is doing” he quickly went after Alex before Darwin can stop and told him it is best to leave the hotheaded blonde alone when he is like this. Hank watched Sean went after his love, jealousy burning brightly in him. Hank downs his bottle of beer miserably, wanting to get piss tonight. Raven look at Hank, he looks really miserable. Guilt once against burn brightly in her. She never meant for it to be this way.
Alex keeps walking even though he heard the ginger call him. Can’t the boy leave him alone? He needed to be alone right now. Too bad the ginger already caught up with him.
“Alex, are you okay. You don’t look so good” he put his hand on Alex’s shoulder and Alex angrily push it aside.
“Leave me alone!” he growled.
Silence thick in the air before a hurt voice broke it “I’m just worry about you”
Alex felt like a dick. He just yells at his best friend, Sean was just worried about him. He closed his eyes, breathe deeply and try to calm his raging heart. “I’m sorry, Sean. I’m just… I need to be alone okay. I need to cool down” he said, still seething with anger inside.
“Okay” Sean said. “If you need someone to talk to, you know you can come to me or Darwin, right?”
“I know, thanks”
It was around midnight that the blonde went to Sean’s room. He had cool down enough but he still can’t sleep. He would go to Darwin if he doesn’t think the dark male will be asleep right now. It is Sunday night and Sean usually awake during this time. And sure enough he can still see the light from the ginger room.
He knocked softly at the door. The door opens showing the ginger in his pajama. The ginger light up like a light bulb when he saw him. It warms his heart. “I know you would come” the long hair teen smile warmly at him. Not for the first time he thank the heaven for giving him such a wonderful friend.
“I can’t sleep” the blonde said “Too many things in my mind”
“Want some booze?” the ginger said looking at the special refrigerator he bought. Alex had to admit sometime it nice to have a rich friend.
The ginger carried back a handful of beer and to the floor near Alex sit and sit down. Alex feel relieve it is just normal beer. He doesn’t want to drink Sean’s expensive alcohol. He wouldn’t feel right about it. Beside it is nice to know that even rich people drink the same thing you do. He love Sean modesty, it make it easy to forget the gap between them.
They both open up their tin of beer.
“Bottom up” said Sean delightedly (Alex’s can’t help but smile too. The ginger’s delight is contagious) and drunk out his beer. Alex follow suit.
As usual, Sean being a lightweight got really drunk fast while Alex was still pretty sober. He laugh as the drunken Sean start singing then laughing then joking. He wished he could tape this! Sean was a funny guy but drunken Sean is downright comical! God, he loves this guy!
Suddenly Sean turn serious (well as serious as a drunk person can be)
“You know you should stop about all this Hank things and find someone else. Someone better. If he can’t see how great you’re then he don’t deserve you”
Alex’s mood quickly plummeted at the mention of the alluring man.
“Sean, I don’t want to talk about it”
“No, we’re going to talk about it” Sean voice stubbornly. “I hate to see you all upset and bother over him. You should see how you look after I went after you. You look absolutely devastated! And all of it’s over Hank! Is he really worth it? He doesn’t really know you! He doesn’t really speak to you! He doesn’t see you, not like I do!”
“Sean…’” Alex said surprise. “You…”
“Yeah, I love you. Funny how you never realize it” Sean said bitterly. Alex lost words to say. Now that he thought at it, there’s many sign. God, he really was blind!
Sean move closer to him. “Look Sean, I’m sorry I have never realize your feelings…” he said guiltily. He doesn’t realize that the ginger has move so close that he could feel his breathe. It sent shiver down his spine.
“Look Sean, you’re drunk…”
“I’m not that drunk” Suddenly Sean looked a lot sober than before and Alex doesn’t know how to take it.
Sean straddles him. “Sean” Alex blushed and tried to stop of him by using his hands on his shoulder
“What? Am I not good enough?” the ginger said hurt. “Please, Alex” Sean pleaded, his eyes gleaming with tears “Give me a chance. I can be better than him”
Alex looks into Sean’s teary gaze and still. Now that he has knows that Sean really did have feeling for him, he really can’t see why he should reject him. He would lie if he said that he wasn’t attracted to him. Sean was funny, sweet, adorable, and fun. He always manages to brighten his day with his presence. He and Darwin has became the closest person Alex had in years. They just click together so well. And Sean was always there for him. He can’t have asked for more. It would be so easy to give in, to let he fall in love with Sean. It is way better than being frustrated over Hank.
“Yes” he said and their lips clash together. Sean kissed him hungrily. Alex stopped as he suddenly saw the image of Hank smiling in his mind’s eye. Those blue eyes when their eyes met…Suddenly, all his conviction before is blown away. The kiss just seems wrong. Wrong lips, wrong person.
He pushed Sean back. Shock and hurt written all over Sean’s face before he saw the look in Alex’s face. He really looks like a lost kid.
“I’m sorry Sean” his voiced sound so helpless and miserable. “I just…god…I couldn’t get him out of my head…I couldn’t get him out of my head!”
Alex is just about to tear up his hair when Sean sooth him. “Shhhh. Its okay, Alex. It’s okay” he said with suppress tears. “At least I try” he gave him a sad smile. “I have no regret now”
Much later, Alex tugs in a sleeping Sean to bed. He ruffles the thick red hair lovingly.
“I’m sorry, Sean” he whisper. “I just want you to know if it was any other circumstances, I would have fall in love for you. You’re special, Sean. You’re special to me”
Sean opens his eyes as he heard the door close indicating that the blonde had leave. What Alex had said rang loudly in his mind. The tears he had been suppressing fell down his cheeks unbidden and he fists his hand full of determination. He had made his decision.
***
Hank was staring at Alex, who is a table away from him as the blonde eat his hamburger breakfast absent mindedly. He is quiet and distance this morning, sitting alone instead of with his friends and keep looking outside the window as if there’s something interesting there. Hank wishes he would direct his grayish eyes to him instead. The first time he met those eyes it seem like time has standstill.
“Hot, isn’t him” Hank was startled from his ‘Alex staring time’ by Sean’s voice.
“Sean” Hank blushed at being caught staring.
“So, what do you think of him?” Sean asked blandly
“Who?” Hank blushed again.
“Alex, of course. So what do you think of him?” asked Sean.
“He was… a friend” Hank really don’t know what he suppose to say but he couldn’t just confess.
“You know that is not what I mean, McCoy” pushed Sean.
What is this? Is Sean trying to rub at his face that he has Alex? “I don’t think that is any of your business Cassidy” he said defensively.
“It is when my best friend is madly in love with you”
Hank went still. His eyes widen. There’s no way that is true. Wasn’t Alex with Sean?
“What are you talking about?” the brunette voice trembles. “Wasn’t he your boyfriend?”
“Wow, you’re both blind. A match made from heaven indeed” Sean said sarcastically, rolling his eye.
“What do you mean?” Hank really don’t understand where the ginger going with this.
“I mean you guys like each other. Alex was totally crazy about you, nearly everyone had realized it” ‘I have notice it early from the start’
“What?” Hank asked in disbelief. Did the ginger honestly belief he would fall for that. There’s no way Alex like him let alone love him!
Sean sighs. It’s so true that geniuses can be so stupid some time. It like their entire brain cell focuses only on one place. Then again, Alex wasn’t a genius and he is blind too.
“He likes you. He keeps staring at you longingly. He gets nervous while he is around you. Don’t you realize it?” Sean knew the answer is ‘No, I don’t realize it at all’
Hank frowned. “All he did is insult me and stare at my leg like I’m a freak” he sounded hurt.
“He’s just pulling your pigtail. He told me that he like you. I’m his best friend, I know”
Hank stops and turns to look at Alex. His mind processing what he just heard. Trying to take it all in stride. His memory playing in his minds. ‘The way Alex look at him…how he sounded nervous when talking to him…how angry he look that one time he caught him staring at him and Raven (at first he thought Alex like Raven and was jealous). How could he not notice all this? He stares at the blonde who has finish his meal and stare quietly out of the window. He just looks so lonely and distant.
He turns his eyes to Sean. “Why are you telling me all this? I thought you like him too”
“I don’t plan to tell you until last night” Sean sigh. “I thought it was my chance to win him over. And for a second I thought I had him but then he pushed me away and said he can’t keep you out of his head” Sean turn to look at Alex who is still staring into the distance. “He looked so lost and miserable, I can’t stand it” Sean said bitterly. “I wanted, no, I needed him to be happy and the only way he can truly be happy is with you”