Oblivious

This part is just for Christie cause without you I'd never have written the damn thing. So thankyou.


Part Ten

Elijah’s big blues blinking up at me, his fingers under my shirt trailing in a lingering caress.
“Hello.” Soft murmur.
Try to breathe and end up swallowing hard, almost choking. Soft, almost shy smile. Does he know what he’s doing? How close this is to becoming oh so embarrassing?
“Thankyou for earlier.” Suddenly ducking his head, face flushing bright red.
Not. A. Clue.
He shifts, bringing his hip right against my…deep breath.
“I told you, it’s alright.”
Quiet nod and his hand stills, resting between my shoulders again.
“But thankyou.” So quiet.
Press a soft kiss to the top of his head.
“Why didn’t you go home?”
Shifting, lips against my neck, warm breath feathering over the suddenly sensitive skin. Thrill. Running straight down to my groin. Eyes suddenly wide. Oh shit! Shifting again and I swear he’s mouthing kisses down my collar bone. My shirt collar brushing his cheek when I dare to look. Heart suddenly pounding.
‘Oh god stop! Please or I’m going to embarrass myself. I have control but not *that* much.’
Deep sigh and more warm air flutters over the bone. Grit my teeth and clamp down hard on the reaction that wants to spring forth. Then he’s gone, shifting back away and I don’t want him to go, want him back.
‘Don’t go, don’t stop.’
Swallow, breathe. He’ll notice. But he’s suddenly sitting, eyes closed, running a hand through his mussed hair. Watch him slump forward, head in his hands.
‘Why’d he stop?’
For a moment there I thought…but that’s crazy. If he was going to kiss me…I’m just stupid.
“Lij?” soft, slowly sit and put a hand on his shoulder. No response. “Elijah?”
Soft murmur I don’t catch, sounded like a question.
“Elijah?”
Watch as he shakes his head ever so slightly then lays back down. Turn to watch his face but his eyes are closed, shutting me out.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry.” Eyes suddenly open.
Crystal clean like a summers day, calm. Almost too calm. He’s acting, with me! Damnit. But why? Why does he feel the need to act? Why now? And why do I let him?
Look down to find his hand gripping my waist. Flicker up to his eyes but they’re still calm, only his hand betraying him as it tugs gently then insistent, almost begging till I lay down beside him again. He doesn’t snuggle close this time, just turns onto his side and blinks up at me. His expression almost vacant. Fear. Thrills of terror as it scatters inside. Try not to reach for him, grab him and shake him, make him do anything, be anything but the vacant shell he is right now. His eyes close again and it’s easier not to panic. Silence then suddenly tears. Crystal tears welling in the corners of his eyes, sticking to his long lashes then breaking free to trail a river down his cheek. Cup his face with one hand and brush at the river of tears even as it flows harder. Quiet little half sob and he bites his bottom lip again. Slide my thumb over it, free it from his teeth, there’s been enough damage done today. Blue. His eyes open again and he’s staring up at my through the film of tears.
“Sorry.” Quiet.
“It’s alright.” Run my thumb over his lips again. “But tell my what’s wrong?”
Ducks his head, turns his face away so I can’t see him. Feel him bury his tears in my shoulder. Gently pull him closer, shuffle forward. He doesn’t protest even as I stroke his back, plant a kiss on his head.
“Spoke to a friend of mine today. He’s been a little frustrated lately.”
Oh so normal. Sigh and let him. If he doesn’t want to talk about what’s wrong I won’t make him.
“How come?” cradle his head even as he snuggles in close, slides a warm hand around my waist, almost tentative till I don’t stop him. Feel him physically relax after that.
“He thinks he might be falling for one of his co-workers.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? Or are office relationships frowned on where he works?”
“No, not really frowned on, it’s just you know, a little awkward.”
“So why’s he so worried, why doesn’t he ask her out? Is she married or something?”
“No, umm no. she’s ahh…not in a relationship as far as he knows. It’s just you know, he doesn’t know if this person like him.”
“This person?”
Silence.
“This is one of your gay buddies isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Full of relief. “So he’s not sure if this guy is…interested.”
“Ah…has he asked him?”
Can feel his frown.
“No.” like it’s blatantly obvious.
“Why not?”
“How would you take it if someone came up to you and just asked straight outta the blue. ‘Do you fancy guys? Cause if you do I wouldn’t mind a date?’ No he hasn’t asked.”
“I’d say I don’t know.”
“WHAT!?” spluttering, rearing back to stare at me in wide-eyed shock.
Blush.
“I’d say I dunno.”
“You!…really?” then “WHAT!?” again.
Swallow hard and feel the blush burning.
“Well it’d be honest and I don’t know. I mean I’ve never tried so I couldn’t really tell.”
‘Oh god, oh god, oh god what the fuck am I saying? Shut up, justt UPt UP!’
Refuse to say another word.
“That’s….that’s really…wow.” Blinking, wide- eyed shock, pleasant surprise.
My turn to duck my head, can’t meet those eyes right now.

“Orlando?” suddenly soft.
“Yeah?”
Refuse to open my eyes and look at him.
“You’re serious aren’t you?” gentle.
“Yeah.” Quiet.
‘Oh god I can’t believe it’s true.’
Soft hand on my cheek.
“It’s alright you know. I know it’s hard just to think about but it’ll be alright. And you’ve got us to talk to, me, Billy and Dom. But I won’t tell them unless you say it’s okay.”
“Thanks.” Barely a whisper.
Open my eyes directly to crystal blue. He doesn’t look away just blinks a few times. Can’t breathe. So beautiful.
“We should go.” Soft.
Nod but keep staring. Sudden soft, chaste kiss and he’s gone, clambering over me and heading for the door before it even registers.
‘He kisses me! HE kissed ME!’
“I’m hungry come on Orli.” Teasing me, taunting, knows how much I hate that name.
Stare up at him.
“You coming? I got your keys.” Sudden grin, jangling them.
“You are *not* driving my car.”