Rooftop

AN: This is shorter than I expected because there'll acutally be ANOTHER update in a few days with the second part of this chapter that just wasn't working out. ENJOY!

And all those who left me AMAZING reviews supporting me and telling me they understood why I did WHAT I did, THANK YOU! I was crying because of it. But it was happy tears. :D




The lobby was mostly deserted due to the early hour, and Ethan stepped from the elevator into the empty foyer. Glancing around, he didn't immediately see what he needed, so he approached the front desk and waited for the primly dressed clerk to notice him.

She looked up with a smile. “Good morning! How can I help you?”

Ethan smiled back, his lips finding it surprisingly easy to return the grin. “Good morning, I was just wondering if you had an ATM around here. Is there one in the hotel?”

“Oh yes. Just go down that hallway,” She motioned to the right wing of the lobby. “-and take a left past the main dining room. There's one right by a double door.”

Ethan thanked her and walked the short distance to the dining room, his stomach rumbling at the smell of breakfast being made to serve in the buffet. In a little alcove by the door stood the ATM, and he pulled his debit card out of his back pocket, swiping it and then withdrawing three thousand dollars from his account. The fact that this ATM even had that much in it shocked him a little, but then again, this was a very nice hotel. He grabbed his receipt, retrieved his card and returned to the lobby, his wallet heavy in his back pocket.

At the desk again, he caught the attention of the woman from before.

With a slightly confused grin, she asked, “Did you have any trouble finding it?”

Ethan waved his hand, smiling. “No no, I had no trouble, thanks. But I would like to request a room change.”

Her smile faltered a bit. “Is there something wrong with the room, Sir?”

He shook his head. “Not at all. It's just I need two adjoining rooms and preferably on the first floor.” As an afterthought, he added, “And also, as far away from the room I have now, if possible.”

The woman couldn't help but look a little surprised, but she continued to smile. “Alright, I think that can be arranged. What room are you in now?”

“337.”

There was the clattering of keys as she checked her computer for rooms, then she smiled again. “Okay, it looks like I've got one available, on the first floor, two rooms with an adjoining door.” There was an almost imperceptible shrewdness in her eyes as she handed him his two new keys. “It's located at the end of the hall, right near an emergency exit. Is that alright?”

Ethan blinked. “Yeah, that's fine.” He paused. “Look, uh...There's nothing funny or anything going on here. I just, you know...need a new room.” For some reason, the woman's eyes were making him nervous and he fought the instinct to run.

Delaying him, the woman lowered her voice slightly. “Are you the same young man who requested a gallon of bleach and several other cleaning items last night?”

Ethan gulped, a prickle of fear going down his spine. “Well, uh...Yeah, I guess so...”

“May I inquire as to why you needed that? If this hotel suspects any foul activities, we are obligated to contact the local law enforcement. You realize that, right?” She was stern, all trace of the smile gone from her face.

Waving his hands frantically, Ethan shook his head. “Whoa! Wait just a minute! I just said there's nothing illegal going on! I'm not doing anything wrong! I swear!”

“Then may I ask what exactly is going on? To my knowledge, you were seen arguing with an unidentified man last night, then he disappeared, and you needed cleaning supplies at midnight, yet refused our cleaning services, and now you're requesting a new room. As the manager of this hotel, I must know if there's nefarious activity occurring in my business.”

“The manager?” Ethan balked, face going pale as he saw her reach for her phone. “Wait! I'll explain, I'll explain! We're on the run!”

She paused. “The run?” She repeated, with one brow raised in disbelief. “From the police?”

“No! Just...Well, me and my...friend," Ethan wildly searched his head for something to say. "...Uh, We're running from his...uh...family!” He said, trying to make the lie convincing. In truth, he had no idea who they were escaping. “They don't want us to be...uh,” He blushed, realizing he'd have to tell some of the truth. “He's my...”

A warm hand closed over his own on the counter, surprising him. “He's your boyfriend?”

Ethan looked up, blinking, then he nodded slowly. “Uh...Yeah...”

At once, the manager's face melted into a wonderful smile. “Oh, Sweetie. I understand. My son's gay too, and he's been having trouble with his partner's family accepting him.”

Ethan stood still, a little confused the the sudden change of attitude. He felt like he'd just been flip-flopped. “Uhh...yeah, okay. Well, that's what's...Um, going on. I needed the cleaning stuff because he...was so distraught over what's happening that...he, uh...” Ethan felt truly despicable for what he said next. “-he hurt himself. I just wanted to clean the mess he made without causing a fuss.” To think Fen would ever do something as weak-willed as him was ridiculous, and Ethan suppressed a guilty shiver. But the lie started coming easier. “And I think I recognized someone outside our room who knows us, so I just wanted to get away from there, but he's too weak to go to a different hotel.”

The woman was still holding his hand, and she pursed her lips sympathetically. “Oh my, that sounds horrible! Does he need medical care?”

“No, he didn't really do anything that bad.” Ethan forced a half-joking grin. “He's really just a big baby and likes to pull the whole 'victim' thing. It was mostly scratches.”

“Are you sure?” She didn't sound too convinced.

“Yeah, he's fine. Except, well...could I maybe have a wheelchair to help him move to our new room?”

Her face was still troubled, but she nodded, stopping mid-step on her way to the back offices. Turning back to him, she asked. “Are you over 18?”

Ethan quickly pulled his ID out of his wallet, flashing it to her so she could see his age. Anything to get this over with.

She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Very brave showing me your name like that. How do you know that I won't tell it to anyone who asks?”

Ethan took a chance. “Because you're kind. And you know from your son what kind of difficulties we're facing just because we want to be together.”

It worked, and the manager's face softened once more as she turned to retrieve a wheelchair from their supply closet.

Anxious minutes passed as he waited, fingers drumming on the high marble counter. He thought it funny that the woman hadn't realized his credit card was already in the system along with his personal information. Or maybe she'd just been testing him again. The sound of metal clanking drew his attention back to the back doorway.

“Here we go, a nice sturdy chair for you, all ready to go.” It was wheeled to the side of the front desk, out onto the main floor. “Do you want me to come up and help you two move?”

Ethan took the chair, smiling again and shaking his head. “No thanks, he doesn't want anyone to see him like this. But I appreciate the offer.”

“My pleasure, Hon. If you need anything, my name's Kathy, don't hesitate to ask for me. Okay?” Her face, though not as nervous anymore, held some remaining conflict.

“Yeah, thanks again.” Ethan gave another smile, taking the wheelchair and going back to the elevator. He kept his smile until the doors slid shut, then slumped back exhaustedly against the cool carpeted walls. That had been uncomfortably close. Not being used to talking to people sure did make explaining oneself difficult, and Ethan felt no desire to do it again. All he wanted to do was go back and curl up beside Fen on their bed, soaking up his presence.

But there was much to do.

The doors dinged and slid open, and Ethan peered around them, checking to make sure the halls were empty. They were, and he almost ran to his room, swiftly unlocking the door and slipping inside with the chair. He didn't breathe until it clicked shut behind him.

Inside, Fen still lay unconscious on the bed, not having woken at all during the night. Ethan wasn't sure how long he'd be out, but he knew they had to move. Healing Ethan must have taken a lot of power to do, and Ethan was pretty sure it had sent out a beacon to those searching for Fen. It had only taken them one day last time to find them, and he didn't want to risk getting caught when Fen was so weak.

Ethan was no match for any kind of being like Fen. He'd be no protection at all for his mate.

The plan was simple. Relatively.

Since there was absolutely no way he'd be able to move Fen without people getting suspicious of his unconscious state, and since Ethan wasn't that great of a driver, he didn't think he'd be able to do it on his own. So, they had to stay at the hotel. But, having a new room would help them at least have a chance of getting under the radar, so to speak. It was the only thing Ethan could come up with on such short notice on how to keep Fen safe and away from those strangers.

Letting them have Fen was not an option Ethan was willing to allow. He'd only just realized what a treasure Fen was, he certainly wasn't about to give that up for anything.

His luggage remained untouched by the doors and Ethan hung them on the back of the chair, hooking them over the handlebars. Next, he uncovered Fen slowly, afraid of jostling the larger male and aggravating any injuries he might have acquired from using such a strong amount of his power.

The chair was rolled to the side of the bed, and Ethan began to slowly inch Fen's massive body over towards it, sweating long before he even had him ready to be slid into the chair. First, he lowered Fen's long legs down to the floor, draping his thighs on the side bar of the chair, then he wrapped his arms around Fen's waist, carefully pulling him over and letting him slid down into the seat.

Fen's head lolled, tilting limply to the side before Ethan helped him slump further down so he wouldn't fall forward. There was a belt attached to the side of the chair, and Ethan gratefully pulled it across Fen's stomach, strapping him securely in the seat.

Fen's feet were bare, and Ethan didn't want to put his already chilled flesh on the metal feet stands, so, on a whim, he looked in the spacious closet and saw a pair of fluffy white slippers.

Pulling them out, he couldn't keep the grin from spreading his lips as he slipped them onto Fen's rather normal-sized human feet. It was just so...cute. He pulled a spare sheet from the closet as well and draped it over the front of Fen's body, covering up his limp form. Stepping back, it looked like Fen was merely resting, not unconscious.

With another quick once-over to make sure Fen was sitting comfortably, Ethan walked around to the back of the chair and grabbed the handlebars, slowly pushing Fen forward to the door. He paused and peered around the room, checking to see if anything was left behind, then opened the door, propping it open with his foot, and wheeling the chair and his ward out into the brightly lit hallway.

Someone in a long black coat was striding swiftly towards them and Ethan tensed, his whole body instantly alert as the strange man approached them.

He wasn't ready. He didn't have any way to protect them yet. They were going to be caught. Oh god, it was over.

The man got closer, leveled with them, then passed by silently, nodding in greeting before continuing his brisk pace along the corridor.

Ethan blinked after him, watching the man stop at a door and do a weird little dance as he searched for his room key. Then the door unlocked and he all but leapt inside.

Oh. Ethan relaxed, chuckling a little nervously. The man had only had to use the bathroom.

Still laughing softly, Ethan dug his feet into the carpet and slowly pushed Fen down the hall towards the elevator. Even though the chair was sturdy, Fen was still quite heavy and the chair didn't exactly roll easily for Ethan's weakened frame. But they made it to the elevator and Ethan got Fen inside safely.

The short ride to the lower floor was excruciatingly long, and Ethan fidgeted during the slow descent.

The doors slid open on the first floor, and Ethan held his breath, expecting an attack on all sides. But there was no incident during the walk to their new rooms. True enough, they were at the end of the hall, near an exit, and right next to each other. Then again, to think the woman had lied was quite foolish.

But Ethan still didn't trust anybody.

Well, except for Fen.

He chose the room furthest from the exit, so if they did need to escape, they could use the opposite room and sneak out that door right to the exit. Or, if all else failed, they could go out the windows because they were on the first floor.

Either way, Ethan was prepared. Almost.

He had one more errand to run after getting Fen securely inside, then he could finally relax.

Figuring out with key belonged to which room, he used the correct one to open the door in front of him, and wheeled Fen inside to sit by the bed. He'd move him onto the bed eventually, but first he had to make the room safe. Turning back to the open door, he shut it and dead-bolted it, then he went over to the window and shut both the white see-through curtains and the drapes as well.

With the room in darkness, he switched on one bedside lamp, then he checked to make sure Fen was okay before he went to the adjoining door between the two rooms and unlocked it. Then he went back to the front door and unlocked it, going out into the hall and stepping up to the other room door. He unlocked it and stepped inside, deadlocking it behind him, then shutting the curtains like he had in the first room. Lastly, he went to the still-locked adjoining door on his side and unlocked it, opening it to bare the first room's already opened door, and then stepped back into that room with Fen. After redead-bolting the door in the first room, he crossed over to the bed and sat down for a moment, getting himself ready to move Fen out of the chair.

“Alright. I don't know if you can hear me,” He said softly, standing and bending close to Fen's ear. “-but I could use a little of your super-strength to help get you on the bed. I'm about to pass out and I'm not even close to being done.”

There was no acknowledgment of his plea, but Ethan felt better for just asking. That had been the first thing he'd said to the larger male since he'd cut himself, and though it wasn't exactly what he wanted to say, the ice had been broken.

Unbuckling the belt from around Fen's waist and moving his feet out of the stirrups, Ethan began to talk. “You know, I don't think you realize how heavy you really are. Not that you're fat or anything. In fact...I don't think you even have an ounce of fat on you.” He murmured admiringly, running a hand over the smooth cool bulk of Fen's thigh. “It's a wonder you don't have a swelled head from how perfect you are...” His hand slid higher, dangerously close to the juncture of Fen's legs, but he stopped, whipping back his hand abruptly, feeling dirty. “Sorry...” He whispered, hooking his arms under Fen's shoulders and attempting to pull him forward. “I promise not to perv out on you while you're asleep.”

Fen easily shifted forward with Ethan's help, but then it got difficult, as Fen's weight centered to far over the front of the chair and Ethan huffed, trying to twist himself towards the bed. It was so close...so very close, yet Fen wasn't giving him any help.

“Come on...!” He wheezed, straining with his diminutive arms almost giving out. The back of his knees hit the bed and he just flung himself backwards, pulling Fen halfway from the chair along with him.

He took a minute to catch his breath, and flushed as he noticed how Fen sprawled atop him, that black-haired head laying on his chest. Without thinking, he reached up and ran his fingers through Fen's hair, marveling at its sheen. “You're so pretty...” It was almost as if he was merely sleeping. “Fen...?”

But there was no answer, and Ethan shook himself, knocking the thought that perhaps Fen would...No, nevermind.

He carefully, slowly, pushed Fen to his side, quickly sitting up and kneeling down to lift Fen's twisted limbs from where they hung off the bed. He pushed Fen's legs up into the mattress and then laughed as he looked up at the larger male. Fen was all the way on the bed, but he was upside-down. His head was near the end, and his feet were almost touching the headboard.

“You don't mind staying like that, right?” He asked, smiling faintly when Fen didn't answer that question either. He climbed back on the bed and grabbed all the four fluffy pillows from under the sheets, plopping them down at his side. Two were stuffed underneath Fen's head, and the other two he curved on either side of the first two, down a little bit lower so Fen wouldn't roll off the bed or move in his sleep.

The sheets of the bed went all the way to the floor, and Ethan merely folded them up and over Fen's limp form, tucking the edges under his side and making sure to keep him covered. The room was a chilly and Ethan turned up the heat with the thermostat.

Fen was far too cold for his liking.

Now that Fen was resting comfortably once more, and they were in a safe location, Ethan decided to change clothes. He'd gotten sweaty from all the activity.

The two luggage bags were still hanging on the wheelchair, and he grabbed them both, surprised at how heavy they felt. There hadn't been anything added since the night before, and he hadn't noticed their weight when carrying them up himself.

Though, perhaps that was just further proof to how out of it he'd truly been.

Shaking his head, he lugged the bags to the side of the bed and unzipped both of them, sitting back on his heels in shock as clothing literally spilled over the open edges.

Apparently, he hadn't paid attention when Fen had been shopping for them, because he didn't remember acquiring this much stuff.

There were at least 5 bags from various clothing stores stuffed in each bag, which Fen must have done the morning before while Ethan had been sleeping.

While he had been...dreaming.

Opening a bag at random, Ethan found several pairs of jeans, in varying color and thickness, as well as about a dozen or so t-shirts. He chose one of each at random, rifling through the other bags to see if there was any kind of hat or sweatshirt that would-

Bingo. A black hoodie sweatshirt. That should help hide his face somewhat. And in the bag underneath that one, wear bunches and bunches of underwear. Boxers, briefs, things made of silk, and...

Well, if Ethan had to give a name to the item he just discovered, he'd call it a thong, but...He didn't realize they made those for boys, and he blushed.

It dangled from between his fingers, black and bordering on being lacy, almost taunting him. Did Fen want to see him in it? He wasn't exactly sure he could put something like that on. But...Well, if Fen wanted it, he'd do it.

He waved it over near the bed. “If you wake up right now, I'll put this on for you.”

Not even a twitch.

Maybe Fen didn't even want him anymore. Perhaps he would wake up as soon as Ethan left and then leave him forever.

Ethan remembered the words he'd spat out the night before. And events leading up to it.

“You said earlier that if I told you to leave, then you'd leave. I want you to leave.”

The air rustled as Fen was beside him in an instant, yanking him around and crushing him in his arms. {You do not mean that.}

Ethan tried to push the larger male away, but he wasn't strong enough. “Yes, I do. I want you to go and I want to go back to my apartment, alone.” Shoving against that broad chest again, Ethan grunted. “Let me go.” One more ineffectual shove. “Let me go!”

Fen did the opposite, arms pulling even closer and that long hair falling to frame their faces. {No.}

“What?! You said you'd leave me alone if I told you to! I'm telling you now! Leave me alone! Get off me!” Ethan struggled uselessly, thin arms flailing out to beat against Fen's smooth chest. “I want to be alone! Leave me alone!”

Perhaps, he'd gotten his wish. But he had a different wish now.

All he wanted was for Fen to wake up.

Rising to his feet, Ethan stripped right there, not wanting Fen out of his sight any longer than he would have to, and all the clothes fit him perfectly.

For a moment, he just stood there, feeling how comfortable the clothing was. It was good quality and seemed like it had been tailor-made for him. It was wonderful.

Ethan had only pulled whatever he could find off the racks, not paying attention to size or color or fit. It was merely a means to stay clothed. Fashion and comfort had nothing to do with it.

Smoothing down the front of his hoodie, Ethan stepped up to the mirror hanging above the far desk, and he gave himself a once over.

He looked...good.

His hair was a little shaggy, in need of a hair cut, and he could stand to gain a couple of pounds to fill out his hollow cheekbones, but all in all...he looked...like a young man. A young man who actually cared about how he looked.

His dark blue eyes were sad, but it was a different sadness. Not the deep aching chasm of despair that he'd suffered before, but a lover's sadness. The sadness of someone missing their love, their mate. And Ethan did.

Fen was so close to him, a short distance away, yet cut off from him because of his own actions. He just hoped that wherever Fen was in his head right now, it was pleasant.

As always, his cheeks were smooth, having not ever really had to shave more than once a week. But it wasn't just him. His father and brother had both been very un-hairy men.

And there it was.

He just thought about his family...and hadn't felt his soul rip open.

His eyes met their mirror reflection and a soft smile spread his lips. He looked, though sad and missing his love, content. There were no demons in his vision any more. Instead, there was a shining clarity that made his sapphire orbs look like gems.

“Thank you.” He whispered, looking to the sleeping form of Fen reflected in the mirror.

And then, it was time to go.

Ethan checked his pocket again, making sure the money was still there as well as both of the room keys, then he faced Fen once more.

“...Well...I've got to go get something...But, I promise I'll be back. I won't...I won't ever try to leave you again. I won't run.” And he wouldn't. At least, not unless Fen told him to. He wasn't exactly sure how the larger male would react when he finally awoke, but Ethan was prepared to do whatever he had to, to make amends. To beg for forgiveness. Though...

Well, he wasn't sure if what he did was forgivable.

But, for now, he would just focus on what he had to do in the moment, and right now, he had to buy a bodyguard, cause Ethan on his own...Well, he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against any of those 'mercenaries' that Fen had said attacked him.

It was way before noon, and Ethan was hungry from not eating properly in the last few days, but he wasn't going to stop and rest for something silly like eating until he had done as much as he could to ensure Fen's safety.

He would exit through the other room, so he could leave the door to the room that Fen was in, dead-bolted. But as he started walking to the adjoining room, his steps slowed and he found himself glancing back to the lump of fabric hiding Fen from view on the bed.

Without meaning to, he quickly crossed back to the bed, kneeling next to Fen's head carefully, like he didn't want to disturb him, but that was silly. Peeling back the sheet partially covering Fen's face, Ethan ducked down, stopping an inch from Fen's lips. Gentle puffs of sweet-smelling breath brushed against Ethan's mouth and made him want to close the distance between them.

He remained untouching.

As much as he wanted to, Ethan couldn't bring himself to kiss Fen. Not because he was scared, or shy, or anything. He just felt as if...as if he'd lost the right to enjoy that beautiful mouth. At least, until Fen woke up and told him he could...kiss him, then...he would wait.

“I'll wait til you wake up.” He murmured, feeling the puffs of his own breath bouncing back at him because he was so close to Fen's face. “Then, if you let me, I'll come to you and kiss you like you want me to. How I should have done already. Goodbye, I'll be back.”

Ethan backed off the bed, feeling his pockets once more, than he headed over to the other room, shutting the adjoining doors, but not locking them, behind him. At the peephole of the main door, he checked the hallway quickly, finding it empty, and he slipped out the door, transferring the 'Do Not Disturb' tag from the inside of the handle to the outside.

The reassuring click of the door behind him gave him the courage to walk away, though, he felt each footstep full of doom as he took it. He did not want to leave Fen alone, even if for a moment.

He took the elevator to the lobby and made his way through the mass of . There were many more people wandering around the room, since it was not so early anymore.

At the front desk, he waited for a clerk to notice him.

Kathy wasn't there, so he waited for several minutes while tourists booked rooms and checked out.

He'd always been good at blending in, not being noticed, and nobody even spared him a glance. Not until the desk was free and a 20-something male clerk gave him a smile. “Hi there, how can I help you?”

Ethan returned the smile. He'd thought he'd forgotten how to, but it felt so natural, and not forced at all, though still a little bittersweet. “Is there a car service number for this hotel? I need to go into town.”

John, as his nametag read, smiled again. “Certainly, Sir. Will this be a short trip, or a long trip?”

He thought about it. “Probably a long one.”

John pulled out a little black phonebook and picked up the receiver of the phone at the same time, dialing and smiling at Ethan the whole time. Then the other line picked up and John was momentarily distracted. “Hello! This is John at the front desk, and I need a hotel taxi out front for one of our guests. His name is...” John raised his eyebrows at Ethan and waited.

“Ethan. It's Ethan.”

“His name is Ethan, and he'll be waiting out front for you alright? Great! Thanks, Kim.” John focused back on Ethan. “The taxi will pull up out front in about 2 minutes, and you can wait outside in the sitting area if you'd like. The number of your car is 21. Is there anything else I can get you, Sir?”

“No. That's all. Thank you.”

John gave him a nod, then was already greeting a new guest trying to book a room.

Ethan decided to wait outside, in the sun, and he basked in the heat of it on his face as he stepped outside. Birds were chirping and a light breeze ruffled his hair as he waited.

It all felt so good. He heard the birds, actually heard them, and the soft wind, while not cold at all, still gave him goosebumps underneath the long sleeves of his black hoodie. Without his knowing, he'd been trapped in a cocoon of his own making for the last three years. True, he had used it for protection, but it had only ended up cutting him off from the world. He'd been trapped in a hell of his own making, and now, well, now he was free.

Finally free.

“Hey, kid! You waitin' for me?”

Ethan snapped his head up as a gruff female voice drop-kicked him out of his memories. He whipped his head towards the voice and saw a heavy-set middle-aged woman giving him one hell of an amused smile.

“Never seen the sun before, kid? It's quite bright, ain't it?”

“Uhh...Are you my driver?”

The woman snorted. “Yup! I don't wear this uniform for fun, kiddo! Name's Veronica.”

And it was true, she was in a deep blue pant suit, that on anyone else would have looked classy, looked quite comical on ...Veronica's plump frame.

She laughed again as she motioned him over to the black taxi waiting at the curb. “I know, the name doesn't fit, right?” She removed her driver's hat with a flourish as she opened the back passenger side door. “You can call me Ronnie, if it pleases ya. It pleases everyone else.”

Ethan didn't quite know to respond to her, but he shuffled over and slid inside the car, smiling shyly as Ronnie shut the door. She waddled around to the driver's side and plopped in the front seat. She turned with another grin.

“So, where to, cutey? I know this whole town like the back of my hand. You need it, I can find it!”

Ethan took a deep breath. “Are you sure about that?”


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


It had been an interesting afternoon, to say the least, and Ethan clutched his bag to his chest like it was made of gold.

Well, it certainly had metal in it, but not gold at all.

The lobby was empty, except for a couple people here and there, and Ethan prayed he'd have the elevator to himself.

Thankfully, he did, and at his floor, he sprinted down the hallway, fumbled with the keys in his pocket for the right one, then he was in, shutting and bolting the door behind him.

With one deep breath, Ethan fell back against the door, resting with his back pressed flat to the wood. The whole day had been quite an adventure. Ronnie had indeed known where to find everything, and even though they'd had to go three towns over and the drive had been 2 and a half hours long, he'd been able to get what he needed.

He pushed away from the door and went over to the adjoining doors, slightly nervous that Fen would be awake.

Or gone.

He opened the two doors, pulling his end in, and pushing the other end out, light from the small bedside lamp spilling light across the threshold at his feet.

There was Fen.

Still passed out on the bed.

In a small way, he was relieved, but it was an empty relief.

“I'm back. I've got what I need to keep us safe.”

While Fen stayed silent in his unconsciousness, Ethan crossed to the desk, placing his bag on it and pulling out the item inside.

The guy at the store had said that even the most inexperienced could handle it. Ethan let his hand fit into the groove and his other hand traveled down the smooth metal barrel of the pistol. What had the owner of the gun shop called it? Ethan looked down at the operator's manual that came with it, and read the name displayed on the front.

A 'compact semi-automatic Smith & Wesson .45 ACP Chief's Special'.

Huh. Such a long name for such a little gun. It was only about 6 inches long with a 3 inch barrel and it fit into Ethan's hand more comfortably than it should have. The guy who sold it to him had said it was typically a women's type of pistol, due to it's easy firing and light weight. But Ethan had needed something he could handle without killing himself. Though, he hoped he never had to actually use it.

But, like he said before, he would do anything to keep Fen safe.

Later, he'd read the manual, and memorize it, and perhaps, depending on whether or not he got up the nerve or not, he'd sneak off into the woods behind the hotel and try it out. Just to fire it once and know what it feels like.

His stomach growled loudly and Ethan realized it was close to dinner time, and he'd gone without food for such a long time, that he was starting to feel dizzy.

He slowly lowered the pistol to the desk, even though it wasn't loaded and he picked up the phone beside it. There was a button that was specifically for room service and he dialed it.

After one ring, a girl with a faint accent picked up. “Hello, this is room service! What can I get for you?”

Jeez, the people who worked here sure were cheerful all the time. Then again, Ethan hadn't dealt with people in a while, so maybe that was normal. He cleared his throat. “Uh, hi. Can I get some...uh...” Ethan realized that he didn't know what they served, but he was pretty sure they had the normal fare. “...Ummm, can I just get a steak, well done, a baked potato, some corn, uhh...A couple of bottles of water, and umm...Do you have milkshakes?” Suddenly, Ethan had a craving.

“Of course! What flavor?”

“Um...Vanilla?” Ethan wasn't very fancy. He hadn't even had ice cream for a few years. But a vanilla milkshake sounded like heaven right now. “And, uh, what time does the kitchen close?”

“Oh, we're open all night. Is that going to be all?”

“Yeah.”

“It'll be about half an hour, okay? What room number?”

“198.”

“Okay, thank you!”

The line went dead as the girl hung up and Ethan hung up too. He didn't think he could wait that long. Glancing over at Fen, he wondered if perhaps the larger male would wake up upon smelling the food. He had to be hungry. Ethan would give him all the food if it happened like that.

But if not, then he'd eat his fill, start building up his strength and learn the feel of the gun. If Fen woke up though, they weren't even going to stick around, they'd be leaving that second.

Ethan picked up the gun again, weighing it in his palm.

Getting the gun without a license would have been impossible normally without waiting the three-day check period, but Ethan hadn't had a problem. Maybe it was because he'd looked so harmless, or maybe it was because the gun was such a tiny thing, but the owner of the ammo shop had let him have the gun, off the books.

Of course, it was probably the extra thousand bucks Ethan had given the guy under the table after he'd already paid full price that got him the gun.

Either way, Ethan had an unregistered firearm.

There was a knock at the door and Ethan jumped, dropping the gun onto the table and shrieking before he realized that it was still unloaded. He'd have to work on that reaction, or he'd end up with a bullet in his stomach.

So lost had he been in his contemplation, that he hadn't even realized that it had already been over 35 minutes.

Freaky.

He went to the door and checked the peephole, making sure it was a waiter with a food cart and he unbolted the door, cracking it open and peeking out. “Yeah?”

“Room service, Sir. Would you like me to bring the cart in, or leave it out here?”

“Out here, please.”

The waiter blinked but said nothing, and he waited, smiling politely. Thankfully, Ethan had some small bills in his pocket leftover from the shop. He pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it over. “Thank you, that'll be all.”

“Thank you, Sir. Have a good night.” Then he walked away.

Ethan only got the cart once the guy was out of sight, and he pulled it in, locking the door behind him.

He picked up the plate with the steak on it and brought it over to Fen, waving it under his nose. “Smell good? Want a bite? You can have it if you wake up, you know.”

Nothing.

Ethan sighed and brought the plate back to the tray and he wheeled the tray to the desk, where he sat down and began to eat.

The food was delicious, and Ethan couldn't help but scarf it down as fast as possible, eventually cleaning off everything from his plate. Grabbing his milkshake and one of the bottles of water, Ethan carried both over to Fen. He sat near Fen's head, pulling it up onto his lap and making Fen recline against him. He opened the water bottle and put his milkshake at his side.

The water bottle was tipped to Fen's mouth and Ethan let a few drops splash across those dry lips. Ethan spread the moisture in with the soft pad of his thumb, parting Fen's mouth and dipping in to touch his tongue. “I'm going to give you some water, okay? Don't choke.” He tipped the bottle again, slowly touching it to Fen's mouth once more, using his other hand to stroke Fen's throat softly. After a moment's hesitation, he let the water flow into Fen's mouth.

It overflowed and spilled down Fen's cheeks, but then, Fen's reflexes kicked in, swallowing the water in little gulps to keep from drowning.

Ethan felt a surge of pride at just that simple little act of helping Fen get fluids. He'd figure out some way to get food into him as well.

But for now, even though Fen was still lost in his deep sleep, Ethan felt good. Just holding his head in his lap, as he sipped on vanilla milkshake.

He would worry about Fen's eventual anger or hatred once he woke up, but not now, and not until he had to.

TO BE CONTINUED


AN: There's a one-shot for this story, full of smut and love, and it's not part of the actual storyline. If you like, go check out my Author's page for it, or any other of my M/M fics! Thank you! In-Depth Reviews make me write faster!