His Tiny Sun

Chapter 20 - Alan Has a Boyfriend

CHAPTER 20

Alan Has a Boyfriend

Alan exited his bedroom at the sound of a knock on their apartment door.

Who could it be?

For a second, he hoped it was Jonah visiting, but his relatives were still around, so it was unlikely. Alan hadn’t ordered anything online recently, and neither had Eric. He would have told Alan if he had.

Perhaps it was someone going door to door to sell something?

Also unlikely—they rarely ever tried their luck in this area. Most university students were too broke to buy five-dollar chocolate bars. Especially those who lived in these crappy apartment buildings.

Alan racked his brain for a second longer, but couldn’t figure it out. At any rate, he’d discover soon enough.

Alan opened the door and instantly recognized the visitor from his pictures: intense eyes framed with dark eyeliner, shiny ginger hair, and an athletic physique. Real-life Flavien had way more fabric covering his skin, though—clothes that had visibly cost an arm and a leg. Alan was tempted to ask Flavien where he bought his shirt. It looked really nice.

“Hi…” Flavien said with a hint of hesitation. “Is Eric here?”

“No, he’s—” Alan froze for a second. Eric and Alan hadn’t been discussing each other’s dating lives recently. However, if things were good between Flavien and Eric, Flavien would know he was currently at work. “—out for a run.”

Flavien narrowed his eyes. “And who are you?”

“I’m his roommate.”

Flavien held Alan’s gaze for an uncomfortably long moment, his piercing eyes making Alan feel minuscule and naked. “He never told me about any roommate.”

“No surprise there,” Alan said, willing his smile to look natural. “I’m not a very interesting person.”

“Hm…” Flavien seemed to consider his answer for a few seconds, then smiled. “Any idea in which direction he went?”

Alan faked a chuckle. “No, sorry. I’m yet to put a GPS tracker in his shoes. Anyway, want me to pass on a message?”

Flavien’s smile widened, his facial expression simultaneously making Alan relax and tense. How could a person be so confusing? “No need…” Flavien said, walking right past Alan and into their apartment. “I’ll wait for him.”

Alan shook himself out of his stupor. “Wha—hey, wait !”

Flavien looked over his shoulder, his confusing smile still firmly in place as he uttered, “Hm?”

“Uh…” Alan felt an alarm go off in his chest. Flavien had just straight up let himself in like it was the most natural thing to do. It was probably best not to provoke him. “Do you want a glass of water while you wait?” Alan offered as he closed—but didn’t lock—the door.

“No, I’m good. Thanks, dear.”

Alan watched Flavien saunter toward Eric’s bedroom and disappear through the door, not even bothering to close it. Flavien was behaving like he’d been here a hundred times before, yet Alan hadn’t seen his shoes in over a week.

Alan tiptoed to the living room area—out of sight from Flavien—and snatched his phone from his pocket.

? Alan: Flavien is here

? Alan: I told him you weren’t home but he just walked in anyway saying he’d wait for you and now he’s in your bedroom

? Alan: What do I do???

Alan bit his nails as he impatiently waited for a reply that didn’t seem to want to come. Was Eric even allowed to have his phone with him at work? If not, then texting Marina wouldn’t be of help either, since they worked at the same place.

Just as Alan was losing hope, he saw that Eric was typing a reply.

? Eric: WHAT

Eric’s reply did nothing to calm Alan’s nerves.

? Eric: shit

? Eric: don’t worry I’m coming

? Eric: just leave him be for now

? Eric: he’s not dangerou s

? Eric: he’s just annoying

? Alan: okay :( sorry

? Eric: not your fault!!!

Alan exhaled a long, silent breath as he put his phone back into his pocket, then focused on remembering how to act natural, so as not to arouse any suspicion from his unexpected guest.

First, I’ll go to the bathroom. There’s nothing more natural than that. Then I’ll make myself some tea. And then…I’ll chop veggies for—no! No sharp knife. I’ll…

I’ll figure it out.

Alan gave himself a brief nod, then proceeded to get the first item from his list done.

Pee. Flush the toilet. Wash your hands. Hand lotion.

Alan buried his nose into his hands and inhaled the citrusy scent deeply. And again. And some more.

He was in no hurry to leave the bathroom.

Perhaps he could take a shower? No; bad idea. He had no desire to strip naked with a weird stranger in his apartment.

Tea it is, then.

Alan opened the bathroom door and relaxed slightly as he heard a happy little tune coming from Eric’s room. Flavien seemed to be playing a game on his phone, which meant he had no intention of coming out soon.

What a strange person…

Alan nearly yelped when he heard another knock on the front door, then almost fainted when he saw Jonah come in.

Jonah closed the distance between them in an instant. “You alright?” he whispered.

Alan nodded.

“Where is he?”

Alan pointed his index finger toward Eric’s room, not trusting himself to whisper.

“Stay in the bathroom, okay? Just in case.”

Alan nodded, but his hands refused to let go of Jonah’s arms.

What if he hurts you?

“I’m just gonna talk to him,” Jonah whispered, then gently but firmly pulled Alan’s hands away from his arms. He motioned for Alan to go into the bathroom, then turned around and made his way toward Eric’s room.

Alan closed the door, but not all the way, so he could at least listen in on them—and call the police if Jonah was in danger.

“Flavien?!”

“Jonah! What a nice surprise. It’s been so long!”

“Hey, I’m sorry, but I don’t think you should be here.”

Silence stretched on for a few seconds, worsening Alan’s anxiety.

“And why are you here?” Flavien asked.

“I’m Alan’s boyfriend.”

Alan’s heart fluttered at the sound of those three words, in that specific order, enunciated by Jonah.

“The little blond guy?”

“The man who lives here,” Jonah said, the tension in his jaw audible even from a distance. “You can’t just barge into someone’s apartment like that. You scared him.”

“Aw. It wasn’t my intention. I’ll just stay here and be quiet. You won’t even notice me.”

“You sure that’s a good idea? I dunno, man. If I came back home and found the guy I’m dating sitting on my bed, I’d be pretty upset. And a little weirded out, too, to be honest.”

Alan held his breath as he strained his ears, but for a moment, all he heard was the mobile game’s theme song still playing faintly in the background.

Flavien let out a loud sigh. “You’re right… You’re right. Right as ever,” he said… fondly ? “I’ll be on my way.”

“Yeah, I think that’s the right call.”

“Hey, I’m throwing a party at my parents’ beach house on Friday. You’re welcome, as always.”

“I can’t, I already have plans with Alan. Another time, maybe.”

Plans?

“He looks very kind. Good for you. Please tell him I apologize.”

“Thanks. Will do. Take care.”

“You too!”

Alan waited a few seconds after hearing the door close, then stepped out of the bathroom and almost walked straight into Jonah.

“He’s gone,” Jonah said, kissing his forehead .

“How did you know he was here?”

“Eric called me.”

Alan’s jaw dropped. “Eric called you ?”

“Yeah. He told me what happened and asked me to come here, so you wouldn’t have to be alone with him.”

‘Or what? You’ll suck Flavien’s dick?’

“I didn’t expect to seeFlavienhere, though,” Jonah said.

“You know him?”

Obviously.

“Yeah, we went to school together,” Jonah said as he led Alan to the sofa. “He’s not a bad person, but when he likes someone, he gets pretty intense. Being direct with him and setting clear boundaries is the only way to keep his… devotion under control. Anyway, I’m getting you a door guard. Tonight.”

Alan sat close to Jonah and rested his head on his shoulder with a sigh. “It was a very weird experience.”

Jonah wrapped his arm around Alan, pressing his hand against his waist gently. “No shit. You must have thought he was a psycho.”

“Thank you for coming to my rescue.”

“I can’t believe I’m gonna say this,” Jonah grumbled, “but you should thank Eric.”

Alan’s smile fell. “I don’t think he called you for the reason you think he did.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think he was just afraid I’d make a move on Flavien.”

“Do you have a history of cheating on your boyfriends or something?” Jonah asked nonchalantly, but with an unmistakable hint of nervousness in his voice.

Thankfully, he had nothing to fear in that regard. “I didn’t really have a boyfriend before, so I don’t know how I’d manage that.”

“Wait—I’m your first ?”

Alan’s eyes grew wide when he realized Jonah might wrongly think he was a virgin. “No—I mean, I’ve dated men before, just…” His cheeks heated up as he recalled how casually and confidently Jonah had declared himself his boyfriend. “…never long enough to reach that step.”

Jonah cupped his chin. “Well, you have a boyfriend now. Get used to it. ”

Blissful tingles traveled across Alan’s body as he lost himself in Jonah’s mesmerizing eyes. Could it mean he wasn’t afraid anymore? Well, probably not; Alan knew that deep fears couldn’t just disappear after one therapy session. However, Jonah had just made a declaration—a commitment. He’d chosen Alan, and as of here and now, he had no intention to put an end to their relationship. Alan had finally managed not to scare one of his potential partners away.

Alan’s heart was full in all the best of ways.

“So…” Alan said, biting his lower lip. “I didn’t know we had plans on Friday.”

Jonah let go of his chin and smiled. “I made that up to make him leave, but I’m open to suggestions.”

“ I don’t care what we do, as long as I end up in your bed ,” was what Alan ached to say. He’d never waited this long to have sex with a man before, and he was just about to blow up with lust every single time he was talking to Jonah. Or texting him. Or thinking of him. Or dreaming of him. Or literally just breathing.

God, he was so horny.

“Any ideas?” Jonah asked.

Alan reached for Jonah’s hand. He knew exactly what he wanted to do. “I’d like to take you out to dinner.”

“Dinner?”

“Mm-hm!”

“Alright, then. I accept.” Jonah leaned close to seal the deal with a kiss, but their lips never met as the building started shaking.

The door opened a few seconds later, and a disheveled Eric rushed in. “Still here?” he mouthed silently, gesturing toward his bedroom.

“No,” Jonah said. “I asked him to leave.”

Eric’s eyes narrowed as he closed the door. “What did you do?”

“I just told you. I asked him to leave.”

Eric looked at Alan, who gave a nod of confirmation. “Can I speak with you?” Eric asked him.

“Of course.” Alan squeezed Jonah’s hand, then stood up and followed Eric to his room.

Eric closed the door, then pulled Alan into his arms. “I’m sorry. I never thought he’d do something like that. You alright? ”

Alan hugged him back and relaxed. Believing Eric had called Jonah just because he was afraid Alan would make a move on Flavien had been entirely ridiculous. “No worries, I’m okay. Honestly, it was more awkward than anything. But there’s something I don’t understand…”

Eric let go of him, then took a few steps back and plopped down on the edge of his bed.

“Why didn’t he know you were at work?” Alan asked.

“Because I didn’t tell him,” Eric mumbled, averting his gaze.

“Are you still together?”

Eric sighed. “I don’t know! I told him I wanted to take things slow, but it didn’t work. He just kept texting me all the time.” He rubbed his face with both hands, then looked at Alan with tired eyes. “I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I just…stopped replying.”

No matter how creepy Flavien had been earlier, Alan’s heart squeezed for him. If Jonah suddenly gave him the silent treatment, he would be devastated. Alan walked to Eric’s bed and sat next to him. “Do you want to end things with him?” It seemed like the logical thing to do; however, relationships were anything but rational.

“Honestly? I don’t know. I always have a great time when I’m with him, but when we’re not together, he’s just so overwhelming . And I don’t know if I can trust him after what he did today.”

Alan couldn’t disagree with that last statement. Eric had tolerated much worse from past partners just so he wouldn’t be alone, though, so there was no telling whether Flavien’s stalker-like behavior would influence his decision or not.

“What should I do?” Eric asked.

Alan’s heart broke at the sheer distress in his eyes. “Maybe you could tell him you need more alone time? You could set specific days of the week, like, Sunday and Thursday, for example—”

“—Wouldn’t it be weird?”

“Weirder than him letting himself into our apartment uninvited?”

“You got a point.” Eric exhaled sharply through his nose as he stared blankly at the floor.

“Things certainly can’t keep going like this. You’re not happy. He must be sensing it, and maybe that’s why he’s trying so hard. I think it’s worth a try. It would definitely be better than, you know, ghosting him.”

“Yeah…maybe…” Eric breathed a long sigh. “You succeeded where I failed with Jonah, so you must be doing something right.”

Alan’s gaze dropped to his knees. Eric had this tendency to say things that were both uplifting and discouraging at the same time. Alan had never paid it any mind before—he just always told himself it hadn’t been Eric’s intention to be hurtful. However, after hearing Eric call him a slut and accuse him of wanting to suck Flavien’s dick, it was a lot more difficult to ignore.

“I’m not saying this to be an ass.”Eric squeezed his hand. “I still think he’s a dick, but he clearly cares about you. I’m happy for you. I mean it.”

Alan wrapped his arms around Eric’s shoulders and pulled him into a hug while he tried to study the situation objectively. Did Eric truly mean it? Would he have said that last part if Alan had reacted the way he always did—or rather, if he’d refrained from reacting?

Well, Eric did call Jonah, which in itself was unbelievable. He also left work early on his second day on the job to rush here. Perhaps he’d been genuine.

Perhaps Alan was just overreacting because he still felt guilty.

He exhaled a calming breath. Eric cared about him—he always had, and he always would. Alan could feel it in his heart. They were brothers. Brothers sometimes fought, but above all, they had each other’s backs.

“I was gonna make sandwiches…” Eric said hesitantly as he pulled away from their hug. “Should I make a third or…”

Alan nearly gasped, but he managed to suppress it—not that Eric couldn’t see the excitement written all over his face. “I’ll ask him.”

“‘Kay. I’ll call Flavien first,” Eric said, wrinkling his nose, “then I’ll join you.”

Alan stood up, internally crossing his fingers that it would go well. Eric needed a break from all these negative emotions. The past few months hadn’t been easy for him.

“Hey,” Eric said just as Alan’s fingers reached the doorknob. “Did he really just ask him to leave?”

“Yeah,” Alan whispered, his eyes wide with awe. “He made Flavien realize you’d be upset if you came back home and found him sitting on your bed. That’s all it took to convince him.”

Eric made a face of pure and utter bafflement. “He didn’t get angry?”

Alan shook his head. “Not even close. He even invited Jonah to his parents’ beach house before leaving—oh, wait, I forgot to tell you. Jonah knows him. They went to school together.”

Eric’s face relaxed and he gave Alan an unimpressed look. “Makes more sense.”

Alan was still very much impressed by how calmly and effectively Jonah had handled the situation, but he kept his opinion to himself. The truce between Jonah and Eric was flimsy at best and could shatter at any moment.

Alan gave him one last smile, then left his room, closing the door behind himself. He took a few steps toward their living room, then paused to admire how handsome Jonah looked, lounging on their sofa while looking at his phone.

“Do I have something on my face?” Jonah teased as he put his phone away.

“Only the prettiest eyes,” Alan said, taken aback by his own boldness.

Jonah appeared surprised for a split second, then frowned. “That can’t be true…”

Alan’s heart sank. Compliments had always been hit or miss with Jonah. It seemed he’d missed this time.

“…because yours are prettier.”

Alan bit his lip to stifle a squeal as his stomach filled with a hundred butterflies. He jogged toward the sofa and all but threw himself at Jonah, landing on his lap and in his arms. There was no way this was real—surely, he was dreaming. If it were the case, Alan hoped he’d never wake up.

Jonah chuckled as he stabilized him. “Everything good?”

Alan nodded. “He wants to know if you’d like to stay and eat with us.”

Jonah raised a skeptical eyebrow. “You sure he won’t poison me?”

“I promise,” Alan said solemnly.

“You promise a lot of things, Thomas…” Jonah said, cupping Alan’s cheek and stroking it with his thumb, “…but I’m willing to put my life on the line if it means getting a chance to look at your face for a bit longer. ”

Alan made a little embarrassed whine as he buried his face in Jonah’s neck. “You’re making me blush,” he whispered.

“What’s the point if I can’t even see it?” Jonah pressed two fingers underneath Alan’s chin and made him look at him. “Mm-hm,” he uttered while appraising Alan’s face. “A very fine blush indeed. May I offer a kiss as compensation?”

“Three.”

“Two and a half.”

“A half? How—mmh—” An explosion of bliss went off in Alan’s chest as Jonah once again shut him up with his tongue. A groan of delight left Alan’s lungs as he returned the kiss with equal ardor, pressing his right hand against Jonah’s chest and making it travel up to the back of his neck.

Jonah rested his own hand against the small of Alan’s back and pulled him closer, tilting his head a little more to take Alan’s tongue deeper into his mouth.

Without breaking their kiss, Alan moved to straddle Jonah, then groaned once more as Jonah slid his hand up his shirt, the feeling of his warm palm against Alan’s bare skin making him desperate for Jonah to explore more of his body.

They pulled away just long enough to catch their breaths. They gazed deep into each other’s eyes, sharing a dozen pleas and equal promises with a single look.Alan ran his fingers through Jonah’s hair,drunk with affection and lust, then cupped the back of his head and pulled him in for another kiss, drinking the soft groan that fell from his lips and landed on his tongue.

Jonah’s left hand found Alan’s thigh and squeezed, while his other explored more of his skin underneath his shirt, making Alan arch his back and exhale a sharp breath against Jonah’s lips.“You’re so hot,” Jonah whispered.

And then, Eric’s door opened.

In the blink of an eye, Alan found himself sitting on the sofa next to Jonah. Their heavy breathing, glistening lips, and disheveled looks betrayed what they’d just been doing, but Eric kept his gaze glued to his phone while he walked to the bathroom, not paying them any mind.

Alan’s gaze found Jonah’s, a garden of affection and lust blooming in his chest at the look in his eyes.

“Friday?” Jonah whispered.

Alan nodded energetically as a jolt of excitement traveled from his heart to his groin.

Friday. We’re gonna have sex on Friday.

It was in three days, yet it seemed like a million years away, especially after the moment they’d just shared. Alan felt one erection away from pulling a Flavien and sneaking into Jonah’s bedroom in the middle of the night.

Eric walked out of the bathroom, allowing Alan to focus back on the present. He gave him an inquiring look, to which Alan replied with a nod.

“Do you need help?” Alan asked, instantly realizing his mistake. He was still very, very hard; he couldn’t reasonably get up from the sofa just yet.

“Nah, I’m good.” Eric opened the fridge and started taking out the ingredients he needed. Alan looked back at Jonah, catching him in the act of adjusting himself.

“Your fault,” he mouthed silently.

Alan’s cheeks heated up as Jonah, for the very first time, openly acknowledged the effect Alan was having on him. He let his gaze wander down, biting his lip as he took in the prominent bulge in Jonah’s pants. Alan had never handled one this big before.

He couldn’t help trying to imagine what it would feel like in his hand…in his mouth…against his lips…on his tongue.

It would be the first thing he did on Friday, he decided. As soon as they had some privacy, he would sink to his knees and…or perhaps he could have a taste in Jonah’s car right after they left the restaurant. It would be so hot .

“You’re staring,” Jonah whispered.

Letting his lust dictate his actions, Alan leaned forward just enough for the back of the sofa to hide his face from Eric, then licked his lips suggestively while looking Jonah in the eye. “ Once I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for more ,” Alan’s gaze promised.

“Jonah. Anything you don’t like?”

Jonah whipped his head toward Eric. “No,” he said hoarsely, then cleared his throat. “Thanks. Also, thanks for calling earlier.”

Eric uttered a vague sound as he resumed his task, then mumbled, “Thanks for coming.”

Jonah made a vague sound of his own, then looked back at Alan. “You’re evil,” he mouthed silently.

Alan gave him a devilish smile. “You have no idea,” he whispered, then stood up and made his way to the kitchen table while Eric was looking the other way.

Jonah sprang to his feet and joined him, sitting down just as Eric turned around to put a plate in front of him. “Thanks,” Jonah said, then kicked Alan’s foot under the table.

Alan retaliated by stroking Jonah’s foot with his toes. “Eric makes the absolute best sandwiches.”

“They’re alright, I guess,” Eric mumbled as he put two additional plates on the table, sliding one toward Alan. He sat down and started eating without ceremony, prompting Alan and Jonah to do the same.Eric kept his detached air while they all took a bite, but Alan could see that he was watching Jonah’s reaction out of the corner of his eye.

Alan held his breath as Jonah chewed for what felt like an eternity. He doubted Jonah had told Eric one single genuine compliment since they first met, but Eric was extending an exceptional olive branch today, and Alan sincerely hoped Jonah wouldn’t ruin the moment.

“Okay, I gotta admit…” Jonah said, leaning back in his chair and looking at Eric with a lopsided smile. “This is pretty epic.”

Alan squeezed Jonah’s foot with his toes as he noticed the smile Eric tried to conceal behind his own sandwich.They probably wouldn’t ever become good friends, but it made Alan’s heart overflow with affection to watch them make such a monumental effort to get along.

Life was good.