Chapter Twenty-Three:AdamSomething Comfortable
987 Words
The weekend ended faster than Adam expected.
Much faster.
One moment, he was waking up in Alex’s bed, surrounded by warmth and quiet.
The next…
He was standing in the kitchen, watching Alex make breakfast like this was something they did every morning.
And somehow, that was the strangest part.
It felt normal.
Too normal.
Adam leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Alex move around the space.
But this morning, the relaxed version of Alex was gone.
Not completely.
The softness was still there.
The warmth was still there.
But Alex was dressed for the outside world again.
A perfectly tailored navy-blue suit.
A crisp shirt.
A watch that probably cost more than Adam’s entire art collection.
Alexander Hayes had returned.
The businessman.
The man everyone knew.
Yet Adam couldn’t forget the man who had spent the weekend painting with him, washing dishes beside him, and laughing over burnt toast stories.
Two completely different versions of the same person.
And somehow…
Adam liked both.
After breakfast, Alex picked up his keys.
“I’ll take you home.”
Adam looked at him.
“You don’t have to.”
Alex gave him that familiar calm expression.
“I know.”
Adam smiled.
There it was.
The tone.
The certainty.
The quiet way Alex said things that made them feel less like suggestions and more like decisions.
Adam shook his head.
“You really don’t leave room for arguments, do you?”
“No.”
The honesty made Adam laugh.
“At least you’re aware.”
“I am.”
And somehow, Adam didn’t mind.
⸻
The drive to his apartment was peaceful.
They talked about random things.
Nothing serious.
Nothing that needed a long conversation.
Just small pieces of their lives.
When they arrived, Adam reached for his bag.
Before he stepped out, he paused.
“Thank you.”
Alex looked at him.
“For what?”
Adam shrugged.
“The weekend.”
A small smile appeared on Alex’s face.
“I enjoyed it.”
“So did I.”
There was a brief silence.
Then Adam leaned over and kissed him.
A small, gentle kiss.
Not rushed.
Not uncertain.
Just natural.
When he pulled away, Alex looked at him quietly.
“I’ll call you later.”
Adam smiled.
“Okay.”
Alex hesitated for a second.
“Get some rest.”
Adam laughed.
“I think you forgot I spent the entire weekend resting.”
“I know.”
“So?”
“I still think you should.”
Adam shook his head, smiling.
“You’re impossible.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
And then Alex drove away.
⸻
The day moved smoothly.
Almost surprisingly smoothly.
Adam went to the gallery.
He checked inventory.
Spoke with customers.
Answered emails.
Worked on a few sketches.
Everything felt normal.
Except his phone kept lighting up.
Alex: Did you eat lunch?
Adam smiled.
He looked at the message for a moment before replying.
Adam: Yes. Did you?
A few minutes later—
Alex: Yes.
Simple.
Straightforward.
Very Alex.
Later:
Alex: How is the painting?
Adam: Still fighting me.
Alex: You said that yesterday.
Adam: Because it is still fighting me.
Alex: I believe in your ability to win.
Adam laughed quietly at his phone.
It was strange.
A few weeks ago, Alexander Hayes had been someone he barely knew.
Now…
He was someone checking on him throughout the day.
Someone asking about his meals.
Someone asking about his art.
Someone who remembered little things.
Adam found himself appreciating it more than he expected.
⸻
That night, his apartment was quiet.
Not the uncomfortable kind.
Just peaceful.
Adam had showered and changed into comfortable clothes before his phone rang.
Alex.
He answered immediately.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
Even through the phone, Alex sounded calm.
“How are you?”
Adam smiled.
“I’m good. You?”
“I’m fine.”
A pause.
“Did you eat?”
Adam laughed softly.
“You really ask that every day.”
“Yes.”
“And you plan on continuing?”
“Yes.”
Adam shook his head, smiling.
“Yes, I ate.”
“Good.”
They talked for a while.
About the gallery.
About Alex’s meetings.
About nothing important.
And somehow, those were the conversations Adam liked the most.
Eventually, Alex asked:
“What are you doing?”
“Getting ready for bed.”
“It’s late.”
“I know.”
A short pause.
Then—
“What are you wearing?”
Adam stared at the phone.
There it was again.
That question.
He smiled.
“You’re really curious about that, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
Adam looked down at himself.
“A black T-shirt and gray sweatpants.”
He waited.
Maybe Alex would say something teasing.
Maybe something flirtatious.
Instead…
“That’s what you’re wearing?”
Adam blinked.
“Yes?”
“Okay.”
That was it.
Adam laughed.
“Okay?”
“Yes.”
“You asked.”
“I wanted to know.”
Adam shook his head, amused.
“You are very strange.”
“I’ve accepted that.”
They both laughed.
And somehow, the conversation continued naturally.
No pressure.
No awkwardness.
Eventually, Alex said:
“Sleep well.”
“You too.”
“Goodnight, Adam.”
“Goodnight, Alex.”
The call ended.
Adam placed his phone beside him and stared at the ceiling.
He still didn’t know what they were.
That was the truth.
They hadn’t defined anything.
They hadn’t had some big conversation about feelings.
They weren’t making promises.
They were simply…
Spending time together.
Learning each other.
Building something quietly.
And maybe that was why it felt so comfortable.
There was no performance.
No pretending.
No pressure to become something overnight.
Just two people enjoying each other’s presence.
Adam smiled faintly.
He didn’t know where this was going.
But for now…
He liked where it was.
And maybe that was enough.
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