Eleanor approached Sebastian, flashing a confident smile with her perfectly white teeth and perfectly straight hair that perfectly framed her perfectly symmetrical face. She wore a sharp black suit and two inch heels that clacked affirmatively with every step she took, in contrast to the flaccid thumping of Sebastian’s own feet.
“Are you ready, Doctor Schafer?”
Sebastian wanted very badly to say no, that they really should get someone else, that the fate of the world was too much responsibility to lay at his feet, but he didn’t want to appear to be ungrateful or foolish. So, he simply nodded his head and followed Eleanor, walking up the marble steps into the lobby of the hotel, keeping his eyes on the black and white tile, only briefly looking up at the walls when the vibrant pink and yellow pop art of a one dollar bill caught his eye. Sebastian remembered visiting this hotel with Mary Anne on more than one occasion to have drinks with important visiting dignitaries and lobbyists. It was easier to meander around the chic hotel, then, smiling and nodding, following his wife--ex wife, he reminded himself again-- around, without being expected to contribute anything other than his presence. But now, he felt the decor loom over him, judging him, and finding him unworthy.
They rode the elevator in silence, save for Sebastian methodically breathing, trying to slow his thumping heart. But he couldn’t help but realize that his exhalation was a cacophony in the small space, couldn’t help but feel how much space he was taking up compared to Eleanor. By the time Eleanor was turning the key to the penthouse suite, Sebastian was sure he might faint.
But then the door opened. And Sebastian saw Xe.
Xe was sitting in a chair, with immaculate stillness, looking out the window. Sky-blue arms with unnaturally long fingers resting peacefully on xir lap. White hair that illuminated the room as it wisped lazily about, flowing like a gentle stream. Perfectly clean gold and white clothes that looked like they belonged to an Egyptian Pharaoh.
Upon hearing the door open, Xe turned xir head with the grace and precision of a computer. Xe had a strangely flat nose, and a sharp, slender chin. Xir eyes, gorgeous brown with a white swirl like cream being stirred into coffee, curiously darting between Eleanor and Sebastian. Xir small lips slowly grew to a broad, warm smile.
Sebastian’s breath fell quiet and his heart grew calm. He was sure he had just seen the face of god.
Hi Everyone! Emily here, with some Big news: I wrote a novelette and i'm releasing it next week on itch.io here: https://emilyriesbeck.itch.io/lastgasp
But my PATRONS can read it RIGHT NOW! https://www.patreon.com/posts/33498281
Love has no expiration date...
An alien entity known as Xe appeared on earth and said xe would destroy the world in 30 days.
There are 7 days left, and humanity's last hope is Dr. Sebastian Schafer, professor of philosophy at Georgetown University.
Time is running out, but as Sebastian and Xe get acquainted, they find themselves more interested in each other than the fate of the world...
Last Gasp is a 76-page queer novelette about finding out who you are, at the end of everything.
2087
titsay
yousharknotpass
dailybridgerton
kianamaiart