Beyond Darkness

Tea-se

Michael~

Michael was helping Jack with the lunch. The man knew his stuff and he had also let him in on the most amazing secret to creating the best ever Alfredo. Michael was surprised that it could be done that way. Essentially, Michael knew that tampering with traditional Italian dishes was a bit controversial, but Michael had loved this idea Jack gave him. He had told him that food is something that can lead to a person's heart because it's an emotion, and emotions are laced with deep memories. It might not taste the same as the original, but it would have an impact.

Michael watched Jack with an affection he had never directed towards anyone. Jack almost behaved like a caregiver. To Michael. Which was completely unnecessary considering he could've also been a kind of habit, but he had seen the way Jack looked over at him and even scolded him when he did something wrong or mildly dangerous. Michael had never received this kind of warmth from an older figure. At one point, he felt a certain emotion prick at his heart. Michael was fast and smart enough to hide it, but he felt like Jack had caught the facade. He had just smiled and patted his shoulder. Michael smiled at him, they were almost done with cooking when he offered to make some dessert. Jack was happy with the idea. They decided to bake chocolate chip cookies as they had the dough and it was easy and fast.

Vincent sundered in the kitchen and peeked over Jack's shoulder, "Cookies?" Jack laughed and let him taste the batter as if it was edible cookie dough. Vincent took Michael aside, "Hey, Orion is alone in the library." Vincent then winked at Michael, suggesting something Michael well knew what he wanted to do. "He's into you, you know?" Vincent whispered, it left Michael a little taken aback, as he didn't expect it. "What? You didn't know? Its so obvious though. It's ever present on your faces when you look at each other." Vincent laughed and then ruffled Michael's hair. Michael took off his apron and handed it over to Vincent. With a smile and a hug to Jack, he went upstairs to the library and, sure enough, there was Orion, looming over shelves and checking out books in each corner of the room. The room itself was highly impressive to Michael.

A high ceiling with wooden shelves, carved fixtures, a beautiful red carpet, the room was itself huge. It was like Michael had walked on a movie set or a library of his dreams. As soon as he walked in, Orion rushed towards him and dragged him towards a desk where there was a manuscript placed. Orion picked up the thick stack of papers and held it up for Michael to read. It's the Great Gatsby, it's a copy of the original manuscript and look!" He leafed through some pages and found some annotations which Fitzgeral had left in his wake.

Michael smiled at Orion's expressions as he leafed through the pages of the manuscript and pointed out his favourite scenes and quotes. So he liked reading? This was new information that Michael was glad he found out. Now he knew something about this enigma and the trouble of the person he was assigned to rescue, but had returned to Michael when in need. Michael reflected on what Vincent had said and he started to realise that he was actually infatuated with Orion. Even though they didn't even know each other's full names, this was something that Michael could not ignore.

The tug on Michael's heart was hard enough for it to sting in its cage. Michael walked around Orion and wrapped his arms around Orion's waist, pulling his back flush against Michael's front. Burying his nose in Orion's hair, he felt the softness of his locks on his face. He left a peck before nuzzling his neck. Orion had still gone in the sudden display of affection. It was affectionate Michael resounded as if he was answering an unasked question to satiate Orion's heart. It affected Michael in ways he had never thought it would. Michael pulled him closer.

"Orion?" Michael whispered against his skin. Orion hummed in response. Michael let go but only to turn Orion around and pulled him in flush against his body. Orion gasped, Michael slowly cupped his face, his thumb stroking Orion's skin. Michael's head dipped and he softly brushed his lips against Orion's. A soft whimper left Orion's lips and teased Michaels' conscience. He walked forward until Orion's back was flat against a bookcase. Michael, against Orion's ear, whispered, "Doesn't this ring a bell?" He felt Orion shiver against him. He heard a soft hum and Orion shook his head. "No?" Michael asked.

"No."