Under the Sea bonus story! I had so much fun returning to this world and these characters. I just really wanted to write a little epilogue sort of chapter. If you enjoy reading at all, please comment and share, it always makes the world of a difference 💙
Alex heard the laughter of dolphins in his ears, the rush of bubbles against his cheeks as fish swam past. He opened his eyes to treasure; stones of different colors and sizes covered the ocean floor, seaweed, coral, sea creatures of all kinds floated past.
Once upon a time, Alex had feared the ocean as he feared nothing else. Now he knew he was safe in its waters, for the love of his life resided there. He felt hands on his hips, pulling him back against a warm chest, even under the cold water, and he laughed. He was safe, a bubble of air protecting his head down to the base of his neck.
“Have you no decency?” Alex asked even as he tilted his chin up, giving Forrest more access to his skin.
“I wish to kiss my fiancé,” murmured Forrest with a grin against Alex’s neck. “Am I not allowed?”
“Not here,” he huffed, “where someone might see us.”
Forrest turned Alex around, making him laugh. He held his face in his hands, the gold band on his finger cold against Alex’s cheek. Forrest’s long blue and gold tail swayed calmly in the water below them, but his voice was in a near growl when he spoke, “I care not who sees us. Let them envy me, for I am the one to marry the most handsome man in all of the oceans and on land combined.”
Even under the water, Alex’s cheeks heated and he hid his face in Forrest’s shoulder. “Honestly . . .”
“Don’t you dare look down,” Forrest whispered, tilting down so that his forehead pressed against Alex’s, the blue and gold in his dark eyes glimmering with an overwhelming fondness and love that threatened to kill Alex in the best way.
As he neared, Alex’s mouth instinctively fell open, and he found himself closing the distance between them, eager to taste Forrest’s lips in his, when suddenly –
“Oi! Can’t you keep your hands off each other for two bloody minutes?!” Kyle appeared, his green and gold fin swimming behind him. He grabbed Alex’s arm and tugged. “Stop hogging him all to yourself!”
“Oh, leave them alone, Kyle,” Maria sighed dreamily. “They’re in love.”
“They have their entire lives to be in love!” Kyle demanded. “I have only another short moment while Alex is a free man!”
Forrest wrapped his arms around Alex’s shoulders, his smile in place, but his eyes dark. “And what exactly do you assume will happen between you and Alex?”
“Don’t be such a stiff, Forrest,” Kyle rolled his eyes, tugging Alex, and therefore Forrest, closer. “I just want to talk to him. Without you.”
“That’s simply not going to happen.”
“Don’t you trust me?” teased Alex.
“Implicitly,” said Forrest without a moment’s hesitation, and narrowed his eyes at Kyle. “It’s his wandering hands I don’t trust.”
Alex laughed and kissed Forrest’s cheek. He nuzzled his neck. Even underwater, as fish tickled his feet and the world turned to a peaceful silence around them, Alex could still smell Forrest. Even down here, he smelled like the ocean.
“Who knew,” teased Jenna, the white pearls in her hair making her look like an angel, “that Forrest could be so possessive?”
“I did,” Kyle huffed, “since we first found Alex and he wouldn’t let any of us near him.”
“I was being protective,” Forrest insisted. “Oh, enough of all of you. Come along, my love. We’ve been down here long enough and soon people will start to wake. We best get back to the surface so that I can change to my human form.”
Alex nodded, but accepted the hugs from Kyle and the others first. Forrest had been right in that Kyle held on longer than the others, squeezing him tightly enough to make him laugh, and then he had his arms around Forrest again.
“Hold on tight to me, my love,” Forrest whispered into the space between them. Alex remembered a year ago when Forrest had said the same thing to him before saving him from the cavern and returning him to his home. Alex had held on trustingly. Forrest had been his one small relief, even if he hadn’t really known him.
Now, as they rose to the surface together, Alex was filled with laughter, his chest overflowing with love for the merman before him. When they broke the surface, the cold hit them first, but Alex clung to Forrest’s warmth.
“Go on,” Forrest encouraged him, his lips against Alex’s ear. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Alex nodded, and let go of Forrest. He swam to the shore, and walked up the rest of the way. As he stepped out of the waves, he saw the water change color, as though someone were shining a bright blue light underneath the surface, and he turned to find Forrest standing in the water, the waves lapping around his naked waist. His blue hair and the blue glow of his eyes were gone, and his still-glowing blue seashell nestled in his collarbone. Alex smiled. He loved this version of Forrest just as much, for the magic of the sea never seemed to leave him no matter what form he took.
Alex reached for the hidden clothes he kept wrapped in a towel behind a boulder, and handed them to Forrest. Once they were both dried and dressed, they made their usual way up the far left stone steps to the street above.
The marketplace was still mostly bare, but Alex spotted a merchant here and there, preparing their stall for the day. Some waved good morning to him and Forrest, some congratulated them, some merely ogled.
“I hate when they stare,” Alex murmured.
Forrest grinned. “They can scarcely ignore your beauty, darling. Don’t begrudge them for it. I can hardly resist staring at you myself.”
Alex blushed. “That’s different! And it’s not me they’re watching, it’s you!”
He laughed. “So you’re jealous, then?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, and kissed Forrest’s cheek for good measure.
When the wooden sign for Le Gateau au Chocolat – Gregory and Isobel’s pastry shop – came into view, Alex and Forrest decided to race the rest of the way. They both reached the door out of breath with giggles. Alex had won by only a small margin. Forrest had been getting much better at using his legs.
“Oh, Alex, good,” Gregory called from behind the counter. “I’ve decided to change the chicken to beef for tonight.”
Alex faltered. “Isn’t beef expensive?”
Isobel came in from the kitchens. She wiped her hands on her apron and put them on her hips. “Don’t you go worrying about that. We’ve taken care of it.”
Alex looked to Forrest, suspicious. “You didn’t . . .?”
Forrest leapt onto the counter. “Oh, I certainly offered. What’s the point of being a king with riches if I cannot spoil my love? But no, your brother and sister would not hear of it. This time.”
“Stop it,” Gregory scolded. “We’re older, we take care of you, that’s how it works.”
Forrest hummed, and his eyes brightened. “Until Alex and I are married. Then he’s all mine.”
Alex caught Isobel’s amused look, and turned away, his face red. He cleared his throat. “Anyhow. What time’s the dinner?”
“Eight,” Gregory pointed. “Do not be late, both of you. Oh” – he dusted some of the sand off Forrest’s jacket – “and try not to mention any merpeople, will you? The last thing we need is for Liz and Max to know the truth, too.”
“They wouldn’t tell anyone,” Alex defended.
Gregory and Isobel shared a look, and Isobel sighed. “We can’t risk Michael finding out, Alex. I love my brother, but . . .” she shook her head. “Ever since you announced your engagement, he’s been . . .”
“He isn’t happy,” Gregory said. “Let’s put it that way.”
Alex sat down, and looked at the band on his finger. A circle of gold with an aquamarine jewel imbedded in the center. He hated to admit it, but in the moments after his excitement at marrying Forrest had faded, Michael had come to mind. What he would think, how he would feel, react. He’d been anxious, and now he knew he was right to have been.
“It’ll be all right though, won’t it?” he asked, hearing the plea in his own voice.
Forrest’s smile dimmed. He never liked the mention of Michael, but he leapt from the counter regardless, stumbled, then came to sit in front of Alex. He took his hands in both of his and kissed his fingers.
“Everything will be perfect, my love,” he promised. “I’m certain he will come to this dinner with kindness and happiness in his heart. He will be happy only that you are happy.” He hesitated, then, “You . . . are happy, aren’t you?”
“Oh,” Alex breathed, and wrapped his arms around Forrest’s shoulders tightly, burying his face in the crook of his neck. “I love you more than I can say. I’m sorry, my darling, I don’t mean to imply any different.”
“Really, Alex,” Isobel assured him, “you’ve no reason to worry about Michael. I’ll make sure of it.”
Alex sighed, resting his head on Forrest’s shoulder. “I just want everything to be perfect.” He played with Forrest’s fingers. “You’re a king after all, you must have standards.”
“I do,” Forrest nodded. “Absolutely. If it’s not Alex, then I will not have it.”
“Oi, keep your distance, you two,” Gregory warned with his wooden spoon. “We have customers coming in soon, and this is no pub!”
Forrest had Alex’s face in his hands, and was nuzzling his nose. He whispered, “I don’t see any customers now.”
He took Alex’s lips in his own, one hand reaching into his hair, the other cupping his neck. Alex whimpered in the back of his throat, and Forrest tilted his head to deepen the kiss, their mouths slotting perfectly together, Forrest’s tongue sliding against his own.
He ran his hands down Forrest’s chest, and then Gregory threw a rag over their heads. “Were you not listening?” he snapped. “Your engagement dinner’s tonight, can you not contain yourselves?!”
Forrest pointed at Alex’s face, incredulous. “Have you seen him?”
Alex hid his face in Forrest’s shoulder, embarrassed, as Isobel laughed loudly.
“Which looks better?” Liz asked, holding up a deep green dress, and a bright red. “This one? Or this one?”
“I think you look beautiful in both,” Alex said cheerfully. Forrest sat next to him, eagerly shoveling down the biscuits Gregory had given them to have after lunch. Every so often, he offered Alex one, Alex shook his head, and then he ate the entire thing in one bite.
“Mmh – yes,” said Forrest. “Beau—ifful.”
“Oh, you both are useless,” Rosa sighed from where she sat on the counter. “Obviously, the red is terribly unsuitable.”
Liz frowned. “Is it?”
“Yes!” she took a biscuit from Forrest’s plate. “This is an engagement dinner. The red should clearly be saved for the wedding!”
“Do you think so, Alex?” Liz asked.
“Er – actually –”
“What’re you asking him for?” Rosa huffed. “You know he’s too nice to tell you the truth!”
Liz opened her mouth to argue when the front door swung open. Max smiled at them.
“Good afternoon, all!” He ruffled Alex and Rosa’s hair, and kissed Liz’s cheek. “Afternoon, darling.”
“Did you see the suit I put out for you?” Liz said in lieu of a greeting.
“Yes, darling.”
“Don’t you dare wear it until the dinner.”
Max’s smile widened. “Yes, darling.”
“We have to look our best for Alex and Forrest,” she said. Then she mumbled something incoherent to him and they glanced at Alex, as though afraid he’d heard. Max merely nodded in response.
“Honestly,” said Alex, leaning against Forrest’s side. “You don’t have to go through all this fuss. It’s just going to be a small, comfortable dinner.”
Liz put her hands on her hips. “Then why did Flint order a new navy-blue coat for the occasion?”
“Did he?” Alex blinked, and flushed. Since their last voyage, he had feared for his relationship with his brother, the distance the truth about their mother’s death may put between them. He had seemed happy to be invited to the engagement dinner, but Alex had feared it had been an act. To know he cared this much, it gladdened Alex’s heart more than he could say.
Rosa scoffed. “Well, I won’t need any help preparing. I know exactly what to wear.”
“Yes,” Liz said testily, “but will you know how to behave?”
“Oi!” she argued. “Don’t you start with me, it’s Michael you should be concerned about!”
Liz shot her a sharp look, while Max turned a nervous smile on Alex and Forrest. Forrest had stopped eating.
“She’s joking,” Max assured them. “Michael’s really happy for you, Alex.”
Forrest smiled, but it was polite and cold, not at all what Alex was used to. “I trust he will be on his best behaviour.” Then he grumbled, “If not, I’ll throw him into the middle of the ocean.”
Alex hooked his arm around Forrest’s and kissed his shoulder. “Are there any more biscuits left for me?” he murmured.
Forrest’s eyes lit up at once, and he handed Alex the largest he had. “I saved it for you, my love!”
Alex laughed, his heart and the atmosphere of the shop lighter at once.
Forrest insisted on watching the sunset before dinner, but Alex had not needed much persuasion. Once they’d excused themselves from the shop, they made their way down the street, Forrest’s arm hooked around Alex’s. There was a time he had clung to him to walk, but now he stayed close for the sake of staying close itself. Forrest played with his fingers, and Alex kissed the back of his hand.
“Congratulations, dears!” Mrs. Valenti called for what felt like the millionth time, as she liked to congratulate them whenever they passed by. “Isn’t it so exciting, Mr. Higgins?”
“Eh?” Mr. Higgins chuckled good-naturedly. “Yes, yes, terribly happy for them!”
Forrest’s eyes lingered, once again, on the frozen fish in Mr. Higgins’ market stall, but at a kiss to his cheek from Alex, his eyes brightened once again.
Instead of going down to shore, they sat on the brick wall that overlooked the ocean, their legs dangling over the end. The sand below was soft, so there was no fear of falling. Nonetheless, Forrest kept a tight arm around Alex’s waist, and Alex felt safe.
The sky turned to rose and violet and gold as the sun fell behind the ocean’s surface. Alex asked if Forrest had seen plenty of sunsets before.
“I try to,” he confessed, “but there’s quite a risk of being seen by sailors, even so far out at sea.”
Alex shuddered as he thought of Forrest tied to a ship’s mast, at sailors who were happy to harm him because of what he was. He burrowed deeper into his side and nuzzled his neck.
“I will never let anyone touch you again, sailor or otherwise,” he promised in a whisper.
Forrest kissed the top of his head. “And I will protect you with my life.”
“Will I ever see your underwater kingdom?” Alex asked.
Forrest laughed. “Certainly,” he said. “I will have a room prepared where not a drop of water would dare to enter.”
Alex closed his eyes and let the sun’s warmth bathe them both in gold. “I don’t fear drowning with you at my side.”
“And you never shall have to,” Forrest told him, his hold tightening and promising a king’s protection.
They kissed in the setting sun until their lips swelled. They kissed until Forrest’s hand sought out the hem of Alex’s shirt, and Alex realized that if they did not stop soon, they would not stop at all. Then all those walking on the street behind them would have a true reason to stare. They kissed until Alex started to want nothing more than to fall to the sand below with Forrest in his arms, and forget the engagement dinner entirely. To prove their love another way.
Then he took Forrest’s wrist and pressed their foreheads together, the two panting, and pulled them both to their feet at the first signs of the evening stars. They went hand-in-hand, laughing, back to the pastry shop.
Alex told Forrest about the gold coat he’d asked Liz for him to wear, and Forrest told Alex about the deep blue ocean flower he’d acquired for Alex’s coat pocket.
Then a voice cut through their conversation like knife through ice.
“Alex,” Michael said with a nod. “Forrest.” His eyes fell on Alex and Forrest’s intertwined hands. “Am I too early?”
His voice was subdued, and Forrest’s eyes had darkened.
“Good evening, Michael,” he said, his grip on Alex’s hand tightening. “Not at all. Please, come in.”
“Are you nervous?” Forrest asked from where he sat on the edge of Alex’s bed. Alex watched him through the mirror’s reflection.
Alex pulled on his coat and took a seat beside him. He interlocked their hands. “Are you?”
Forrest smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. “Only that you will change your mind.”
Alex raised a brow. “Do you truly imagine my heart so fickle?”
Forrest’s grip on his hand tightened. “I imagine that there is no one who can love as you can. I know it. It is for that reason that I cannot help but worry. He was your first love.”
“And you are my last,” Alex told him. “That carries far more weight, in my opinion.”
Downstairs, they could hear the muffled clinking of cups and plates as the sky turned dark and stars peeked out. In the distance, the waves lapped against the shore softly, a comforting reminder that there was always somewhere they could escape to, somewhere where the troubles of land could not follow.
Forrest said nothing for a long while, then, “I do not want to see you harmed.”
“I could only be harmed by losing you,” Alex promised him. “I am marrying a king, it is you who has far more prospects.”
Forrest scoffed half-heartedly. “I will tell you what I’ve already told your brother; have you seen you?”
Alex burst into giggles, his face warm. He felt the soft touch of Forrest’s lips to his cheek. The laughter faded as they pressed their foreheads together, Alex’s eyes closed as he breathed Forrest in.
“Stay close to me,” he whispered.
Forrest nodded once, his lips brushing Alex’s. “Forever.”
Dinner had started off well. Alex and Forrest descended down the staircase to the shop where a long table sat and fairy lights had been hung up. The table lay covered with platters of beef, cheese, fruit and bread. Glasses of wine sat at every chair. Isobel and Gregory had truly outdone themselves.
Liz sat between Max and Rosa. Beside Max was Michael, Isobel, Gregory, and Flint. Forrest pulled out Alex’s chair for him, making him blush, and kissed the top of his head before taking the seat beside him. Alex did not dare glance at Michael.
For the most part, they shared in their stories, and though Forrest could not share many of his own for fear of exposing himself, he seemed quite content to listen to Alex’s versions of his bravery and kindness.
“I hear you were responsible for helping to save Alex,” Michael told Forrest, for he had but one of the many different stories of Alex and Forrest’s first meeting. He bowed his head once. “I sincerely thank you.”
“I could not see anything happen to him,” Forrest said, smiling at Alex. “It was love at first sight, you see.”
Alex hoped Michael would not respond, but then he said, “Yes, I understand the feeling.” He was looking directly at Alex, his gaze pointed as though he was trying to share a secret message with him.
Then Forrest took Alex’s hand and kissed the aquamarine bracelet he’d given him so many months ago on the shore. “All right, darling?” he whispered, and Alex nodded, the smile returning to his lips at Forrest’s eyes on him.
“Goodness, Alex,” Liz sighed. “I do love that bracelet. Forrest made that for him,” she told Michael, “did you know?”
“Purely for selfish reasons,” Forrest confessed. “I’ve always wanted to see Alex in aquamarine. He looks so beautiful with it, doesn’t he?”
“Where did you get that?” Flint murmured. “Bottom of the ocean?”
Gregory nudged Flint with his elbow, but the five of them were already laughing at the private joke.
“Honestly, Forrest,” grinned Isobel, “do you care about anything but Alex?”
Forrest hummed, eyes narrowed. “No, I don’t think so. Why?” he asked, genuinely confused when everyone save for Michael started laughing, “Is there anything else to care about?”
“I would think someone of your position would have plenty,” Gregory thoughtlessly said.
Rosa frowned. “What do you mean, of his position?”
Gregory’s eyes widened and Alex tensed. Forrest, after all, was a king. He had plenty of concerns, yet the others at the table did not know that.
It was Isobel who chuckled nervously and said, “Well, you see, Forrest is very wealthy. He has so much to tend to back in – er –”
“Paris,” Gregory quickly finished. “Because, as you all know, he is from Paris. Isn’t that right, Forrest?”
“Certainly,” Forrest nodded. “I am from Paris.”
Everyone returned to their meat and potatoes when all of a sudden a loud CLANK! drove all other conversation away. Michael had roughly set his fork and knife down.
“Is that why you chose him?” Michael asked, breaking the heavy silence. “Because he’s so much wealthier than I am?”
Alex was staring, brows furrowed. He set his utensils down delicately. When he spoke, his voice was cold to his own ears, something fierce and protective overwhelming him. “I beg your pardon?”
Michael scoffed, shaking his head. There was nothing humorous about it.
“Michael,” Max warned, but Michael was already seething.
“I thought it was odd,” he said. “You’d known him for such a short time, yet you fell in love so quickly. Is that why, Alex? He could take better care of you than I could?”
“Michael,” Isobel hissed, “enough.”
“Is that why you wouldn’t even give me another chance?”
Forrest stood at once, but Alex took his arm. He’d never seen Forrest’s glare so full of anger.
“I will thank you,” Gregory said darkly, “to mind your manners, Michael.”
“I’m sorry,” Michael said, crossing his arms on top of the table, his eyes on Alex. “I’m sorry that I’m the only one who will acknowledge that there is too much about Forrest that we don’t know. I’m sorry if I’m the only one who wishes to make certain that Alex is not throwing his life away at the first man to offer him comfort after heartbreak.”
“No, you’re right,” Flint said, slumping in his seat. “I’d much rather my brother stay with someone who hurt him.”
“Please,” Alex said quietly, and the table turned silent. He raised his chin and held Michael’s gaze. “Forrest saved my life in more ways than I could say. I did not know of his wealth until I’d already loved him, and even if I had, it wouldn’t have changed anything.”
“Alex –”
“You are a guest,” Alex told him sternly, “in my home. Forrest is my fiancé, and I expect you to treat him with respect.” His shoulders fell, his tone turned pleading. “I want you to be a part of my life, Michael. Please don’t make me push you out of it.”
Michael stared back for a long moment, his jaw clenched. Then he stood, murmured an apology, and left.
Forrest wrapped an arm around Alex’s shoulders, keeping him close. He pressed soft kisses to his ear, his cheek, his jaw as Gregory and Isobel made quick work of returning the rest of the table to cheerier conversation.
Later that night, Alex woke in bed to find Forrest’s side empty. He sat up, looking through the house, and softly called for Forrest in the shop. When he did not find his fiancé at home, panic began to rise in his chest until he forced it down. His father could not harm Forrest any longer, yet Alex knew he would not rest until he saw his love’s face again.
Realizing there was only one place Forrest could be, Alex quickly threw on a coat and his boots, and made his way down to the shore. There, with his knees pulled up to his chest amongst the waves, sat Forrest, staring out at the ocean. His blue seashell glittered at his neck.
Alex hesitated, then came and sat beside him.
“Are you upset with me?” were his first words.
Forrest frowned. “What in the soundless seas for?”
“The dinner,” he said. “I told Michael I – I wanted him in my life.”
A smirk tugged at Forrest’s lips. “That is no secret, Alex. I’ve known it since before I met you. Don’t you remember?”
Alex did. Forrest had told him that that was when he had first fallen in love with him; when he’d heard Alex speaking of Michael to the stars.
“Forrest,” he said, “I love you. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. Stronger than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
Forrest chuckled. “You dove into the ocean to save me, Alex. I don’t question your love.”
“Yet you’re here,” he said, his chin on Forrest’s shoulder, “instead of in bed with me.”
Forrest turned to him, kissing his nose. “I fear the mess of my thoughts might’ve troubled your sleep.”
“I am only troubled when you are not there,” he murmured, and kissed Forrest’s shoulder.
“You will never regret me?” asked Forrest.
Alex clenched his jaw. “You are a king. I am a mere human. What could I possibly offer you?”
Forrest cupped Alex’s cheek fiercely, his hold tight. He let his hand fall down Alex’s jaw, his neck, and settled on his opened coat collar. As he leaned in, he whispered the words, as though he was shocked Alex did not know the answer already.
“You.”
Before Alex could say anything else, Forrest kissed him. Their lips pressed together again and again, and when Alex felt Forrest’s tongue slide against his own, a moan escaped his lips. When Forrest began kissing down his chin, his neck, Alex looked around to make certain that no one was watching. But then this was the middle of the night. He didn’t think anyone would be awake for hours.
The waves turned suddenly warm as they washed around Forrest and Alex, as their kisses deepened, as Forrest’s fingers undid the buttons of Alex’s coat and gently pushed him onto his back. The kisses turned rougher, more eager, and Alex felt as though they would never move away from one another again.
Alex released a breathy moan as he ran his hands up Forrest’s naked back. He imagined them, lying nude on the beach, Forrest thrusting into him, licking a line along his neck, the cold quickly turning to heat so thick that Alex couldn’t breathe and was happy to suffocate.
He ran his hands down Forrest’s bare cheeks, urging him in deeper. He was so in love he could hardly stand it. This man, bathed in moonlight and showered with drops of the ocean, was to be his husband.
Alex took Forrest’s face in his hands and kissed him as he’d never kissed anyone before. Forrest was all his, the beautiful merman of blue and gold belonged to him. He never imagined, that year ago when he’d first embarked on his father’s voyage, that he would find such joy. When he’d fallen over the ship’s edge and his world had changed forever.
The ocean waves hit the shore with a gentle shushing sound, protecting Alex and Forrest from searching eyes. They were safe here, Alex was safe here. With Forrest, with the ocean, with the life he’d been given when it seemed he’d been destined to drown.
“Hold on tight to me,” Forrest told him. And so Alex did.
“Which looks better?” Liz asked, holding up a deep green dress, and a bright red. “This one? Or this one?”
“I think you look beautiful in both,” Alex said cheerfully. Forrest sat next to him, eagerly shoveling down the biscuits Gregory had given them to have after lunch. Every so often, he offered Alex one, Alex shook his head, and then he ate the entire thing in one bite.
“Mmh – yes,” said Forrest. “Beau—ifful.”
“Oh, you both are useless,” Rosa sighed from where she sat on the counter. “Obviously, the red is terribly unsuitable.”
Liz frowned. “Is it?”
“Yes!” she took a biscuit from Forrest’s plate. “This is an engagement dinner. The red should clearly be saved for the wedding!”
“Do you think so, Alex?” Liz asked.
“Er – actually –”
“What’re you asking him for?” Rosa huffed. “You know he’s too nice to tell you the truth!”
Liz opened her mouth to argue when the front door swung open. Max smiled at them.
“Good afternoon, all!” He ruffled Alex and Rosa’s hair, and kissed Liz’s cheek. “Afternoon, darling.”
“Did you see the suit I put out for you?” Liz said in lieu of a greeting.
“Yes, darling.”
“Don’t you dare wear it until the dinner.”
Max’s smile widened. “Yes, darling.”
“We have to look our best for Alex and Forrest,” she said. Then she mumbled something incoherent to him and they glanced at Alex, as though afraid he’d heard. Max merely nodded in response.
“Honestly,” said Alex, leaning against Forrest’s side. “You don’t have to go through all this fuss. It’s just going to be a small, comfortable dinner.”
Liz put her hands on her hips. “Then why did Flint order a new navy-blue coat for the occasion?”
“Did he?” Alex blinked, and flushed. Since their last voyage, he had feared for his relationship with his brother, the distance the truth about their mother’s death may put between them. He had seemed happy to be invited to the engagement dinner, but Alex had feared it had been an act. To know he cared this much, it gladdened Alex’s heart more than he could say.
Rosa scoffed. “Well, I won’t need any help preparing. I know exactly what to wear.”
“Yes,” Liz said testily, “but will you know how to behave?”
“Oi!” she argued. “Don’t you start with me, it’s Michael you should be concerned about!”
Liz shot her a sharp look, while Max turned a nervous smile on Alex and Forrest. Forrest had stopped eating.
“She’s joking,” Max assured them. “Michael’s really happy for you, Alex.”
Forrest smiled, but it was polite and cold, not at all what Alex was used to. “I trust he will be on his best behaviour.” Then he grumbled, “If not, I’ll throw him into the middle of the ocean.”
Alex hooked his arm around Forrest’s and kissed his shoulder. “Are there any more biscuits left for me?” he murmured.
Forrest’s eyes lit up at once, and he handed Alex the largest he had. “I saved it for you, my love!”
Alex laughed, his heart and the atmosphere of the shop lighter at once.
Genuinely forgot I could use this as a six sentence sunday post until just now. Anywhodle. I’m having so much fun writing this bonus story for my forlex merman au, Under the Sea, I love revisiting this world and these characters.
No date on when this will be up, as I have, unfortunately and very stupidly, burned myself out in a massive way, and so I’ve been very careful about now overexerting myself (again). I’m writing as much as I’m able every morning, and stopping before I hurt myself. It feels as it did after the season 2 finale, but, hey, I wasn’t able to write at all last week, so this feels like a huge step forward. This bonus story is just meant to be a fun little addition to an already fun merman story. Under the Sea is not really popular at all, but it holds a special place in my heart, so I sincerely hope you can give the bonus story a chance when it comes out.
I also have plans for a lot more malex and forlex (and even kylex and max x alex!) fics, but as I’m in a sensitive writing stage right now (my imagination has been gone the entire week, it’s truly terrifying), I’m not going into detail about any of them, or a post date. I just hope you will stay with me as I work through this frustrating time 💙
If you're still taking Forlex prompts, can you do something where the only person in the friend group who likes Forrest is Kyle? You can take it anywhere you want but I'm really missing Kylex at the moment.
***
Alex tugged the hem of his jacket, staring out the window at the neon sign of the Wild Pony, flashing on and off in the dark, heavy rain.
They’d been parked for several seconds, and neither had made a move to get out of the car.
Finally, unable to take it anymore, Alex said, “We don’t have to do this, you know.” Forrest smiled, amused. “Seriously, we can go to my place, or – or another bar, or –”
“Babe,” Forrest said calmy, and Alex fell silent. “What’re you going to do, never see your friends again because of me?”
Forrest didn’t sound the least bit mad. On the contrary, he talked to Alex as if he was the cutest thing in the world for worrying. It didn’t make the sting in Alex’s heart any less painful.
“It wouldn’t be because of you,” Alex said. “If they can’t accept who I’m dating –”
“You mean they hate me,” Forrest interjected.
“They don’t hate you. They hate that I’m . . .” he trailed off, his cheeks red at the thought.
Forrest sighed. “They hate that you’re not dating their favorite cowboy.” Alex said nothing. “Michael wants you, and you don’t want him, and that upsets him, which upsets them.”
“Right,” Alex muttered. “So, if anything, it’s me they hate.”
He scoffed. “Who on this God-given earth could ever hate you?” He covered Alex’s hand with his own. “Listen to me. They can’t bully you into trusting someone you just don’t trust anymore, and they can’t chase us away. If they were really your friends, they would just be happy that you’re happy.” His grip tightened slightly on Alex’s hand, and his smile faltered ever so slightly. “You . . . are happy, right?”
Eager to erase that expression from his boyfriend’s face, Alex leaned over the console and pressed a kiss to his lips. He rested their foreheads together as he exhaled deeply, some of the tension in his chest dissipating at the warm, comforting touch.
“I’m happier with you than I ever thought I was allowed to be,” he said firmly. It wasn’t something Alex Manes usually said, not something that had been met with kindness in the past. But at the blatant, raw love in Forrest’s eyes, the way he followed Alex’s lips, eager for another kiss, Alex couldn’t find it in him to regret a thing.
“I just don’t want them to scare you away,” he confessed quietly.
“Hey,” Forrest took his face in his hands. “I’m tougher than I look.”
Alex scoffed half-heartedly. “You look pretty tough already.”
He smirked and kissed Alex again. “Exactly.”
With that reassurance, Forrest stepped out of the car. Alex stared at the neon sign a second longer before he followed. Forrest was at his side in an instant, his jacket raised over their heads. Alex couldn’t help but laugh with him as they hurried out of the storm. They were still smiling widely as they opened the door and stepped into the warmth and old music of the Pony.
Then Alex looked up and his smile dimmed. There he was, having noticed him immediately, was Michael, sitting at the bar. Alex was trapped, unable to look away until he felt an arm come around his waist.
“You smell good,” Forrest said, obviously trying to take Alex’s mind off the inevitable. “Like cake.”
Alex smiled despite himself. He ruffled his own hair, laughing as water fell and hit Forrest’s cheek. “You’re saying I smell like cake?”
“Is that not a complement?”
Alex bit his lower lip and hugged his waist. “Come on, weirdo.”
They both weaved their way through the crowd easily until they reached the bar. Alex had suggested, before they’d left, that they get a table on their own, far away from the others, but Forrest had insisted, “We haven’t done anything wrong, babe. We’re not running away.”
So there they were, taking two empty stools at the bar, only two seats down from Michael who had gone back to staring at his whiskey glass.
Forrest kept his arm around Alex’s waist, keeping him close. “Hey, Guerin,” he said.
Without looking at him, Michael raised his glass. “Forrest.” His knuckles turned white around his glass. “Alex.”
Alex cleared his throat. “Hey.”
They stayed like that, in awkward silence, for a few seconds before Maria came out from the back with several glasses in hand. She momentarily stilled when she saw Alex and Forrest together. Then she glanced at Michael, downing his drink, and turned a sickly sweet smile onto the historian.
“Forrest,” she said. “Good to see you.”
Forrest either didn’t sense the hesitance in her tone or chose to ignore it because he smiled back kindly. “Maria. Can we get a couple of beers?”
“Sure!” and she pulled out two ice-cold bottles from under the counter, handing them each one.
“Uh – how’s business?” Alex asked for lack of anything else to do or say.
“Good,” she said, still glancing at Michael. “Good.” She suddenly snapped. “Hey, uh, Alex, can I talk to you? Uh – in the storage room. Michael, you, too.”
Alex and Forrest glanced at each other, but unlike Alex, Forrest looked like he might laugh. Alex didn’t think it was so funny. He knew Maria would just pretend to guide them to the storage room and lock them in there for a while. Give them time alone to work through whatever she thought they needed to work through. A kiss, and all their problems would end. A kiss, and Alex would suddenly trust Michael again.
No, Alex thought, clenching his fist. He was so tired of being disappointed by those who promised to always love him and turned their backs on him.
Michael glanced at Alex and began to stand, but Alex said, “Maybe later? You don’t really need us both, right?”
Maria’s eyes narrowed. Michael stilled, as if he couldn’t believe Alex was giving up the chance to be alone with him. He slumped back down in his seat with a scoff, shaking his head, his smirk bitter.
“He’s too busy for his friends,” Michael said. “Right, Alex?”
Something in Forrest’s eyes darkened at his tone. “Easy, Guerin.”
“Wasn’t talkin’ to you, Forrest,” he said.
Alex grabbed his arm. “Forrest, let’s just go,” he said quietly, though he was sure Michael was listening intently enough to hear them.
But Forrest merely brushed Alex’s lips with his thumb and smiled softly. “It’ll be fine, babe.”
Alex gripped him tighter, frustrated. Didn’t Forrest get that Alex didn’t want him to hear any of this? He didn’t want Forrest to feel unwanted, not for a second. He was sure that Michael was fuming behind him, but he didn’t care. He only cared how Forrest felt now.
“Come on,” Alex pleaded, “we can go to my place, and –”
“Hey, buddy!” someone suddenly said, and Alex looked up just in time to see Kyle take the stool next to him. He slung an arm around Alex’s shoulders just as Forrest’s tightened his grip around his waist, as if they wanted to protect him from both sides.
“Uh – hey,” Alex said, startled. “How did you –”
“I called him,” Forrest said easily. “Thought he’d like to spend a night out after his double shift at the hospital.”
“I did,” Kyle huffed. “Real considerate guy you got there, Manes. You really need someone to get on you about taking a break every now and then.” He smiled at Maria. “Right?”
Maria, startled that Kyle and Forrest seemed to be together on this, smiled. “Y-Yeah.”
“Must be a relief for you,” Kyle went on. “Since you and Liz have been his friends all this time, unlike me. I bet you guys are really glad Alex is so happy now.”
Maria frowned. “But, I mean, Alex doesn’t really need a boyfriend to take care of him.” She gestured at herself and Michael. “He has us.”
Kyle didn’t answer, looking back to Alex with wide eyes as if to say, Got here just in time, didn’t I?
Alex started to smile. “Don’t you have an early shift tomorrow?”
“If I can’t be late for you,” he said, “who can I be late for?”
Alex scoffed, shaking his head. Kyle tipped his bottle at a displeased Maria in thanks, and Forrest gave him a wink before kissing his cheek. A glass shattered, but Alex didn’t look.
Half an hour later, Kyle got a call and excused himself for a minute. Alex glanced at Michael, then looked back to his boyfriend. “You good here?”
Forrest nodded, and happily accepted the peck to his lips before Alex walked out. He found Kyle standing against a wall, just hanging up.
“Hey,” he said at spotting Alex. “Get any glass on you?”
Alex winced, leaning his shoulder against the wall. “Guerin . . . has his moments.”
Kyle shook his head. “You’d think he’d be a little nicer to you, considering . . .” He huffed. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; angry cowboy.”
Alex considered him. “I’m guessing that’s why you showed up tonight? To . . . what, protect me? I’m an air force captain, Kyle, I don’t need protection.”
“This isn’t about protection, Alex,” he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “It’s about showing you that . . .” he sighed. “That you have someone on your side.”
Alex groaned, rubbing his face with one hand. “I don’t want sides. I – I want to be able to get a drink with my boyfriend, and not feel guilty for it.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling shakily. “You know? Forrest was right, we didn’t do anything wrong. So . . . so why does it feel like I did?”
Kyle’s lips curled in a half-smile, the weariness not unlike Alex’s own. “Look, man, I’m not gonna tell you how you feel, and true love is lost on me anyway. But if you’re really happy with Forrest –”
“I am.”
“—then what else do you need to know?”
Alex tried to answer that question. But Maria, but Liz and Isobel and Max, but Michael . . . And he realized none of it mattered. Not comparing it to Forrest’s smile, or his warm touch, keeping Alex safe. For the first time, Alex felt so loved that it was like everyone else’s anger around him couldn’t hurt him.
Kyle seemed to hear his thoughts and clasped his shoulder. “Don’t think about it too much. For once, Manes, for this one thing, stop thinking, and just live.” He shrugged a shoulder. “And hey. No matter what happens, you’ve always got me.”
A smile tugged at Alex’s lips. “I do,” he said, brows furrowed. That was one thing he could trust in, he realized. One thing that had been fixed and made stronger with a lot more than a kiss. Something, somehow, a lot more important.
Alex straightened, the weight on his chest lessened and making it easier for him to breathe. “You going back in there?”
Kyle hung his head back, huffing out a white cloud in the chilly night air. “In a minute,” he said. “Those last couple of rounds took a lot out of me. The cold helps wake me up.”
Alex nodded and moved to stand beside him. Kyle peeked an eye open. “What’s up, Manes?”
“I’ll wait with you,” he said, and at Kyle’s raised brow, tilted his head. “You’ve always got me, Valenti.”
Kyle grinned, and nodded. “Good.”
And they stayed there for just another minute, staring out into the storm.
A prompt for forlex: (sorry if this sucks or its not what you're looking for) protective and head over heels Forrest...perhaps him going off on M*ria and trying to keep her away from Alex. And Alex just being extremely happy and free with him
I did not intend this to be a 2x06 spite fic of sorts, but that’s what happened.
***
There was this spark that lit in Alex’s eyes whenever he sat at his keyboard piano. A way he bit his lower lip as his fingers hovered above the keys, a way he smiled to himself whenever he tinkered with the notes and managed an accidental, beautiful melody.
“Not bad, huh?” he’d say with a shy smile that made Forrest want to grab his face and kiss him senseless to show him just how not bad it was.
Instead, Forrest would rest his chin on his palm as he watched Alex with a fond smile that he had no hopes or desire of ever controlling.
“That’s one way of describing it,” he’d say, and Alex would blush and look away, like he couldn’t believe the complement but liked hearing his boyfriend’s praise anyway.
Forrest had a love/hate relationship with that reaction. On the one hand, Alex Manes was the cutest man alive, screw whatever anyone else said, and he was glad to be the only one allowed to see that side of him.
On the other, he hated Alex not knowing how special he was. And when he remembered the quiet confessions made in diner booths and in the small space between them in bed, Forrest knew who to blame for it all.
He was laid out on the couch now, listening to his boyfriend play around with the keys and occasionally stopping to jot something down in his song writing book, when a knock came at the door.
Alex stopped writing and looked over his shoulder, brows furrowed.
Forrest lifted his head slightly off the armrest. “You promised you’d rest today, Alex.”
He shrugged. “I have no idea who that could be.”
Forrest sighed, pushing himself to stand. “I do. No, sit down,” he said as Alex began to move off the settee. “I’ll take care of it.”
“But I —”
Forrest took Alex’s face and smothered him with kisses, turning his objections to laughter.
“Okay, okay,” Alex giggled as he grabbed Forrest’s sweater, keeping him close instead of pushing him away. “Whatever you want.”
Forrest pecked his lips once more and returned his attention to the person who had knocked again.
His smile dimmed as he opened the door and found Maria. She tilted her head in what Forrest supposed was meant to seem cute. Clearly, she wanted something.
“Hi, Forrest,” she said. “Glad to see you’re here.”
“Hey, Maria,” he said with a sigh, leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed. “And yeah, Alex has a day off, so we’re working on some music and stuff.”
“And stuff,” she raised her eyebrows suggestively. “Well, it’s good. Alex needs a day off with his boyfriend.”
The tension in Forrest’s shoulders began to fade. “Yeah,” he said. “He does.”
“I won’t take up too much time,” she said, and the dread returned. She held up the laptop she’d been carrying in one arm and tapped it. “I just need him for, like, two minutes.”
As she moved toward the door, Forrest sidestepped to block her path, holding his hand up to keep the other side blocked, too.
“Yeah,” he said with grim resignation. “I don’t think so.”
Maria frowned at him. “Excuse me?”
“Maria, I just told you,” he said. “This is his one day off in months. Whatever you need, can’t you save it for tomorrow?”
“Alex doesn’t mind,” she defended.
“Because this is how he thinks friends are supposed to act,” Forrest said, getting more and more frustrated. Was this really how they’d been treating Alex all these years? He probably didn’t mind being taken advantage of, so it was okay?
“I want to talk to Alex.”
“I don’t really care what you want, Maria,” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I think what you want has taken enough priority in Alex’s life, don’t you? If you ask him for something, he’ll feel obligated to help you. But he’s finally having some fun, let him enjoy himself.”
She scoffed, offended. “You’re acting like I’m asking him for things all the time.”
“No,” Forrest said, “that would mean talking to him. And you don’t. You just pretty much take whatever you want, don’t you?”
She looked furious. “Where’s Alex?” she demanded. “I want to talk to Alex.”
Forrest checked over his shoulder to make absolutely sure Alex couldn’t hear them, and stepped down. “Why?” he asked. “Think if you’ll keep pushing, you’ll get what you want from Alex again?”
She blanched. “I... I don’t —”
“Oh, I think you do,” he said, somehow managing to keep his voice steady. “But, see, that won’t work this time. Because I’m here. And Alex knows that if he says no to you, I’ll still be here to keep him safe, to tell him it’s okay, to love him anyway.”
Forrest shook his head, disgusted. “I only wish Guerin had given him that same protection from you. But you both. Just. Needed him too much. Right?”
Maria stood, horrified and furious and near tears. Forrest didn’t care. The only person he cared about was sitting inside, creating stories with his piano. He turned and closed the door behind him, and made his way back to the living room.
“Hey,” Alex said distractedly, “who was at the door?”
Forrest sat down next to him, and kissed his shoulder. “I took care of it, Cap.”
Alex raised an amused brow at him. “Anything I need to know?”
Forrest shook his head, pulling Alex in closer by the waist and kissing his cheek, making his smile widen. At the sight and touch of him, warm and happy and safe here, Forrest felt himself able to relax again. “I took care of it, baby.”
I don’t know how many people would want to see it, but I’ve been reading my forlex fic, Under the Sea (rarest perks of having a crappy memory; I don’t remember almost anything I’ve written, so it’s like getting a whole new fic with my favorite tropes whenever I want it!), and I kind of really want to write a little bonus story about Alex and Forrest. I just love the setting and tone and all the characters, and I want to dive (ha!) back into that world for a bit. How many people would be willing to read that, if any? Especially if I included jealous Michael? 🤩
Alex’s eyes fluttered. He lied in Forrest’s bed, his warm gray blanket pooled at their hips, keeping the morning chill at bay. Forrest’s fingers ran softly up and down Alex’s spine, pressing kisses against his bare shoulder. Alex had one of Forrest’s oversized sweaters on, and his boyfriend seemed to want to take advantage of the naked skin it revealed.
“You awake?” Forrest whispered as he nuzzled the nape of Alex’s neck.
Alex hummed, tugging Forrest’s arm around his waist tighter and pressing his back against Forrest’s chest.
He felt Forrest’s breath fan his skin as he chuckled. “You sure?”
“Yeah, m’awake.”
Forrest sighed contentedly against him, pulling him in tighter so that there was no space between them at all. “You smell good.”
A sleepy smile tugged at Alex’s lips. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Forrest breathed. “So good.”
Alex bit his lower lip to keep his smile from widening. “Easy, baby.”
Forrest suddenly tightened his grip on Alex’s waist, and the airman burst into laughter against the pillow. “You know what that nickname does to me,” he purred against the shell of Alex’s ear.
Alex pressed his ass against Forrest’s hips and felt him inhale sharply. “Is your mind always in the gutter?”
“It is around you.”
“Well, I’m thirsty,” Alex said and looked over his shoulder to find Forrest’s eyes had darkened. “Not like that!” he laughed again and began to sit up. “I want water. I’ll be right back.”
“Lie back down,” Forrest said, pulling on his waist as he sat up. “I’ll get it for you.”
“No, I can do it myself.”
“Alex –”
But Alex took Forrest’s face in his hands, planting a kiss against his lips, effectively shutting him up.
“Stay,” he commanded, and swung his leg off the bed, grabbing his crutches.
He made his way through the small house, the rustle of Forrest’s bedsheets turned silent as he limped into the tiny kitchen. Forrest’s place on the Long farm was miniscule, but Alex had quickly grown to love it. It was cozy, fit perfectly for two, and had a trace of Forrest in every corner, every hung up leather jacket, every piece of gothic jewelry, every one of Buffy’s barks and her food and water bowls.
It was all Forrest’s, and Alex felt it in his bones every time he walked its halls. He felt safe, protected, comforted here.
That was why, as he filled a tall glass with water, the voice that came behind him was little more than an unwelcomed surprise.
“My, my,” Wyatt whistled. “Don’t you look comfortable.”
Alex sighed, pressed the bottom of his palm into his eye. The glass filled and Alex wordlessly had his drink as he heard Wyatt stepping further into the kitchen.
“What a treat,” he said. “A real-life war hero in my house.”
“It’s Forrest’s house,” Alex said with a huff, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “And you’re trespassing.”
“Funny, coming from you,” he said coldly. He crossed his arms as he cornered Alex against the sink. Alex wondered if he was supposed to feel threatened. “Where’s the town drunk? Don’t you two usually work together?”
“Town drunk,” Alex’s eyes narrowed. He scoffed. “Is that supposed to be Michael?”
“Michael,” Wyatt said with no small amount of disgust. “He in there, too?” he said, gesturing his chin to the hall that led to Forrest’s room. “Is that how you people do things?”
“You people?” Alex raised a brow. “Seriously? Are you still that upset that we didn’t let you shoot us the last time we were both here?”
Wyatt closed in on him, and Alex thought he would be sick with the strong scent of meat coming off the man. What’d he have for breakfast, grilled pork?
“I know those horses got out because of you.”
“We weren’t anywhere near the latch, Wyatt,” Alex said with a shrug. “You need to let that go.”
“No, you did something,” he said. “And you better be sure I’m gonna find out what it was.”
Alex turned away. “Okay, you’re standing way too close.”
“You may have made your way into my cousin’s bed, but that freak won’t.”
“Wyatt, I’m not kidding, back up.”
“Why?” Wyatt smirked. “I thought you liked this? Thought you liked it when men touched you –”
He reached out to touched Alex’s shoulder, where Forrest had kissed only seconds ago, but before he could, Alex took his arm, twisted it, and shoved him up against the wall, keeping him from moving a muscle.
“You listen to me,” Alex said, his voice dangerously low, “you demented son of a bitch. I am not some helpless one-night stand that you can take advantage of. I am an Air Force captain. When I say move, you move. You try to touch me again, you so much as breathe in my direction, and I will break your arm off. Oh.” He leaned in, growling, “And if you even think about threatening Michael Guerin again, I will kill you. Understand me?”
Wyatt was paralyzed. His expression was filled with fury and something akin to fear. He tried to open his mouth, whether to curse at Alex or plead for mercy, but all that came out was a stuttered whimper.
“Everything okay here?”
Alex looked up, releasing Wyatt at a leisurely pace as Forrest looked between them, brows furrowed. Despite the fact that Alex was the one pinning a terrified Wyatt, Forrest’s eyes raked Alex with concern, as if worried his cousin had hurt him.
“Everything’s fine,” Alex said, patting down his shirt casually. “Isn’t it, Wyatt?”
Wyatt looked like he wanted to kill Alex with his own hands, his jaw clenched so tightly Alex was sure it would draw blood. But instead of responding, he turned and roughly shouldered his way past Forrest out the kitchen.
They heard the door behind them slam shut, and Forrest took Alex’s face in his hands, looking him over more closely. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “He shouldn’t have been in here. Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Alex said on an exhale, holding Forrest’s wrists and calming his heartbeat at the steadiness of the historian’s pulse.
Forrest kissed his fingers and pulled him in. Alex felt himself finally at ease as Forrest’s arm came around his waist, his other hand on Alex’s jaw, holding him still to kiss.
It was meant to be a quick peck, but Alex put a hand in Forrest’s hair and kept him in place. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss, devouring Forrest’s mouth.
When they pulled away to breathe, Forrest’s brows were furrowed. “If he . . . if Wyatt tried anything –”
“Wyatt Long doesn’t scare me,” Alex said and bit Forrest’s lower lip, pulling him in for another kiss. “Besides. No one can touch me while you’re here, right?”
Forrest’s expression softened and he cupped Alex’s cheeks. His touch was warm and he smelled like books. “No one,” he promised. “I’ll keep you safe, Alex.”
“It’s a tough job,” Alex warned, and his smile widened when Forrest’s arm tugged on his waist possessively.
“No one will do it better than me,” Forrest smirked. “I’m your protector, whether you like it or not.”
“My protector,” Alex muttered. If you even think about threatening Michael Guerin again, I will kill you.
“Hey,” Forrest’s voice was soft as his hand fell down to the side of Alex neck. “Where’d you go?”
“Nowhere,” Alex said and hugged Forrest closely, burying his face in the crook of his neck. “I’m with you. I’m always with you.”
Alex parked his car and leaned back in his seat with a deep sigh, his fingers still curled tightly around the steering wheel, his knuckles white.
Beside him, in the passenger’s seat, was a copy of his discharge papers and separation documents. He hadn’t opened the envelope yet. There was no point. He was done, it was over. It was all over.
Alex placed a hand on his chest. If that were true, he thought, why can’t I feel my own heartbeat? Why did the world seem quieter somehow? Why did his limbs feel so heavy and his head aching?
Alex shook the thought from his head, grabbed the envelope, and made his way to his front door. He barely stepped in when everyone yelled, “Surprise!”
Alex blinked in the confetti and saw Liz, Isobel, Kyle, Max, Maria, and even Michael standing in his living room.
“What –” Alex barely started when the women leapt forward and hugged him excitedly.
“Alex, you’re free!” Liz said when she pulled back.
“Ugh, finally!” Maria said.
“How does it feel?” Isobel asked.
“It – um,” Alex shook his head. “You guys planned this?”
“We all did,” Kyle said and threw a streamer in Alex’s face. He forced a chuckle, but it came out no louder than a huff. No one seemed to notice, however, as Kyle gestured to Max, who had come to stand at Isobel’s side, and Michael who was leaning against the wall, his cowboy hat tipped down, his arms crossed.
“Max got the balloons, and Michael – uh – well, he got us inside,” Kyle said, and had the decency to look sheepish. He threw another streamer and said, “But the thought makes up for breaking and entering, right?”
“In my defense,” Michael held up a hand, “they said you knew.”
“Gregory said he’d come by later,” Isobel said, and Alex nodded. His brother may know how to help him fix this whirlwind in his mind. Not that there was anything to fix, per say, but maybe he’d be able to tell Alex why his chest felt so heavy and his eyes burned so badly.
“Are you surprised?” Liz turned to him with a wide smile.
“Y-Yeah, I – uh,” Alex swallowed. “Where’s Forrest?”
Michael scoffed and looked like he wanted to retort (God, not now, Alex thought. Please, not now) when Forrest stepped out of the kitchen, a large cake with birthday candles lit in his hands. It was covered in blue and white frosting, an Air Force symbol in the middle.
Alex couldn’t help the small upward lilt of his lips as Forrest came to stand in front of him. “But it’s not my birthday,” he said.
“Well, it’s someone’s,” Forrest shrugged. “And they didn’t have any ‘Congrats, you’re out,’ candles. Try not to be so picky, Manes.”
Alex laughed in earnest this time and reached over the cake to peck Forrest’s lips. “I love it. Thank you.”
Forrest’s smile was soft and his brows furrowed as he searched Alex’s face. It ought to have frightened Alex, how well Forrest could read him, but it didn’t. It usually brought him a kind of comfort, to know that there was one person he didn’t have to lie and hide around. One person who he could trust would know how to handle his moods. He used to think that person was Michael, but since then he’d learned. No one understood him quite like Forrest did.
But right now, Alex couldn’t take it. He looked away, not wanting to reveal anything. He couldn’t, not in front of everyone.
Forrest seemed to realize even that, and as everyone gathered around the cake, he pressed a hand to the small of Alex’s back. Alex hugged himself, leaning into Forrest slightly. Michael was watching him with narrowed eyes, as if trying to understand what Forrest had spotted that made him so worried, but Alex did not think the cowboy would have much luck finding out. He had never really understood the way Alex’s mind worked like Forrest did, and Alex definitely didn’t feel like being scrutinized for not being eternally thrilled about the party.
So Alex plastered on a smile, clapped Michael’s shoulder to come have some cake, and all the while, Alex kept close to Forrest, his heart beginning to hammer in his chest at the thought of being away from him for a second and getting lost in the small crowd.
So they had cake, and they talked, and everyone kept asking Alex to recount some of his adventures and memories in the Air Force, and Alex did as he was told, his eyes burning with every story, his heart heavier and heavier with every memory.
All the while, Forrest sat beside him, arm around his waist, recounting some of his own stories from the military, his friends and the funny times they had. Alex was grateful. It gave him a chance to breathe, to rest his chin on Forrest’s shoulder, close his eyes, and listen. He was painfully aware of Michael’s eyes on him, but couldn’t bring himself to talk about it, not this time.
When the others had all gone outside to sit in the backyard, bottles of beer in their hands and laughing around a bonfire, Alex stalled in the kitchen. He sat at the counter in the dark, the gold light from outside shining in through the window, illuminating his untouched drink.
“I told them it was a bad idea,” someone suddenly said, and Alex looked up to find Forrest leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. He was smiling gently. “Was I wrong?”
“Yes, I mean, no, I mean –” Alex sighed, rubbing his face with his free hand. “I don’t know.”
Forrest pursed his lips, then, “Don’t forget, Cap, that I served, too. I was part of a team, I had my brothers. And then my enlistment ended, and I signed the documents, and I was out for good. And . . .” he came to sit beside Alex, hands on the counter beside the airman’s. “Turns out, it was really hard to let go.”
“Yeah?” Alex whispered, his eyes filling with tears despite himself.
And still, Forrest’s smile was kind and soft. “Yeah.”
Alex huffed, covering his face with his hands. He was – he didn’t know what – relieved? Sad and grieving, but ultimately happy that someone else understood. That someone could take what he was feeling, incomprehensible to himself, and turn it into something coherent.
“There’s something wrong with me,” Alex said, his muffled voice cracking near the end. “I’ve wanted to get out for the longest time. I never really wanted to join in the first place! But . . .”
“You found a family,” Forrest finished, and Alex dropped his hands to see him shrug a shoulder. “And you miss them. Waking up to a purpose every day, feeling like you have a place. And now it feels like you’ve lost that, right?”
In lieu of answering, Alex let his head fall onto Forrest’s shoulder. Forrest kissed his forehead and mumbled against the skin, “There’s nothing wrong with you, Alex. You’re no more jacked up than the rest of us.”
Alex huffed a chuckle through his silent tears. Forrest kissed him again.
Alex shook his head against Forrest’s shoulder and, in a voice barely above a whisper, asked the question he’d feared considering at all. “What do I do now?”
Forrest sighed, wrapping Alex in his arms and holding him. “Take it one day at a time, Cap. One day at a time.”
One where Forrest is insecure about Alex/Michael’s relationship but Alex reassures him it’s nothing. Bonus if Michael witnesses this. Thanks so much in advance if you write it!
***
Sex should not have been so hard.
Forrest was losing his mind. It felt like every time he and Alex got close enough to touch, someone came along to keep them apart. And by someone, he meant Michael Guerin. Forrest supposed he should’ve seen this coming, considering he’d met Alex and Michael together and they hadn’t really been apart since, but he had hoped that once he and Alex were official, they would have some moments to themselves.
For instance; late at night, in Alex’s living room. The two were curled up on the couch watching TV, Alex nuzzling Forrest’s chest. Forrest leaned down for what was supposed to be a soft kiss, turning quickly into something more as Alex wrapped his arms around Forrest’s shoulders and sat up to straddle him.
Forrest ran his hands up and down Alex’s sides, reveling at the tiny moans escaping Alex’s lips against his own. Forrest felt his heart hammering as Alex’s wet, hot mouth slid against his, the airman’s fingers in his hair. He imagined Alex’s damp, sweaty body against his, settling himself between Alex’s thighs. He traced his tongue along Alex’s neck and was just beginning to tug at the hem of his shirt when a phone went off.
Alex’s forehead fell onto Forrest’s, the two panting heavily before Alex reached over to the coffee table and grabbed his phone.
“Sorry,” Alex breathed, “I’ll just turn it off . . .” he trailed off, his brows furrowed, his expression turning resigned. “Damn it,” he muttered.
Before Forrest could ask what was wrong, Alex answered the call.
“What is it, Guerin?” Alex asked, and Forrest’s shoulders sagged slightly, his racing heartbeat steadying at the mention of Michael’s name. “Yeah, okay, I – hang on, just. . . . Okay. . . . Okay, we’re coming.”
Alex hung up and began to stand, reaching for his jacket off the armrest. “Michael’s found some new symbols on the console that he hadn’t noticed before. He thinks they could help make sense of the others. We better go check it out.”
“Awesome,” Forrest said with a sarcastic smirk. “Totally how I wanted to spend tonight. In a bunker. With Michael Guerin.”
Alex smiled, pulled Forrest’s face close, and pressed a hard kiss to his lips. “I’ll be there, too, remember?”
Forrest glanced inelegantly at the front of his jeans. “Please, I’m trying to forget.”
But was that the last time? Of course it couldn’t be.
Another example; lunch at the Crashdown. Alex and Forrest were curled up on one side of a booth against the back wall. If they sat close enough together, they were nearly invisible to the rest of the diner. And they were sitting close enough.
It wasn’t like Forrest had planned to have sex in one of the seats, but as he pulled Alex’s leg over his lap and licked the whip cream off Alex’s chin, the airman’s breathy laughs fanning his lips, he did seriously consider taking Alex into the bathroom and having him right then and there.
“Someone’s going to see us,” Alex moaned against Forrest’s ear as Forrest nibbled at the soft skin on his neck, and he was immensely grateful that the two booths behind them were empty.
“Then how about,” Forrest muttered against Alex’s jaw, “we move this somewhere more –”
“Hey,” Michael suddenly slid into the booth and Alex and Forrest, startled, jumped apart. “Didn’t think I’d see you guys here.”
If Michael noticed the two of them breathing heavily, their faces red and lips kiss-swollen, he didn’t say anything. In fact, for a split second, as Michael glanced at Alex’s rumpled shirt and ruffled hair, Forrest could’ve sworn he saw his expression darken, but it was gone as quickly as it came.
“Just – uh,” Alex cleared his throat, gesturing at the burgers and milkshakes in front of them. “Lunch.”
Michael hummed, his eyes solely on Alex. “You still coming tonight?”
Forrest thought he was very gracious in not rolling his eyes. He knew everything about tonight as Alex had told him the second it had been arranged. Alex was to go to Michael’s bunker to help him practice with his powers. Michael swore he was getting the hang of Max’s power with electricity, but he only seemed able to focus when Alex was there. This, Forrest believed. Michael always seemed intent on impressing Alex, the airman’s single word of praise enough to raise his spirits and have him believing himself, and only at the thought of Alex in danger did Michael seem able to tap into abilities he never seemed to know existed.
But Alex was Forrest’s boyfriend, and they hadn’t even slept together yet, and it wouldn’t have been a problem except that Forrest really, really wanted to, and he knew that Alex also wanted it… but the second Michael came calling, Alex ran to his side. Forrest understood why, he’d gathered enough of Alex’s past to understand that the airman would feel pulled towards Michael, but he’d hoped, by now, that that would end.
It didn’t.
A scene; Alex and Forrest at the Wild Pony, drinks forgotten, their cheeks flushed, their foreheads pressed together as Forrest inhaled Alex’s scent, and oh, he was ready to take him then. He couldn’t believe how badly he wanted Alex just like this, how he could imagine Alex’s hands on his body, moaning into his ear, hot and wet and tight around him. His mouth hung open as Alex’s lips closed around his earlobe, his heart hammering painfully, his hands and legs trembling. He couldn’t remember ever wanting someone so badly, and by the way Alex reached under Forrest’s shirt and clawed at his naked stomach, he wanted it, too.
Forrest took Alex’s hand and was just about to drag him to his truck outside and do very nasty things to him – when Alex’s phone rang with a message.
“No, no, no,” Forrest breathed, sliding one hand into Alex’s hair – it was so soft, Forrest wanted to die – and keeping them close together. “Ignore it, baby, ignore it.”
For a moment, it seemed like Alex really had forgotten about the text. Then another one came through. And another, and another, and another.
Alex groaned as he pulled away to check, and Forrest only caught Michael’s name on the screen before Alex was frowning at the text.
“What does it say?”
Alex wiped a hand down his face, evidently trying to sober up. “I – uh – he needs me.”
Forrest sighed, scratching the back of his head. “Is it important?”
“He pushed himself too hard with his powers, I think he’s hurt,” Alex shook his head. “I’m sorry, Forrest, I’ll – I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
Forrest only nodded as Alex placed a kiss on his temple, grabbed his jacket, and hurried out.
Ironically enough, Forrest’s last straw wasn’t another interruption, but a time all three of them had been in the bunker – him, Alex, and Michael – and Forrest caught Michael glancing over at Alex every so often, raking his body up and down. He knew that look.
He recognized all too well what desire looked like, and Michael had it for Alex. Forrest purposely slammed another history book in front of him, and looked up innocently when the others jumped.
Alex, who was sitting right beside him, looked startled, and for that alone, Forrest felt guilty. But he also couldn’t take it anymore. He was Alex’s boyfriend, and he didn’t even feel like it anymore.
“Alex,” Forrest said, “you want to come over tonight?”
“Uh, sure,” Alex blinked. “Yeah, okay.”
“Aren’t you staying with Wyatt?” Michael asked with a raised brow, and Forrest plastered a grin that felt almost pained.
“I’m staying on the farm, and it’s big and my cousin and I are on opposite ends, if that’s what you’re worried about. We don’t even see each other.”
“It’s really cool,” Alex said, and Forrest could tell it was to his defense. “Forrest has lights and geographical maps and letters hung up everywhere, and it gets all silent at night. It’s like being the only two people in the world.”
Forrest smiled and leaned in, kissing Alex’s cheek. “Okay,” he settled on his book. “One more hour and we go. Sound good?”
Alex nodded, and Forrest touched his hair, already feeling better. Then Michael’s phone rang and Alex looked up.
Michael, who’d evidently been too busy staring at Forrest to notice, finally answered the call, his lips still pursed. He held it up to his ear, said, “What?” not without any edge, and his brows rose.
“Really?” he asked, and Forrest knew he saw him smirk that time, if only for a split second, before it was gone and his serious eyes were on Alex, his hand on his phone’s speaker. “Liz says she may have some new information on the console that she can bring by tonight. Can you stay a little longer for me?”
“Uh,” Alex glanced at Forrest, “can’t it wait till tomorrow?”
“Alex, I need you,” Michael said. “Besides, this is important for you to know, too. It might help make sense of some of those coded messages you cracked last week. You’ll stay, right?”
Alex rubbed his face. “S-Sure. Just a little longer.”
Michael smiled and stood. “Great, I just need to ask Liz something about Isobel,” he said, and looked to Forrest, smug and proud of it. “Private family stuff. I’ll be right back.”
And he left the bunker, the door closing behind him echoing against the steel walls.
“I’m sorry,” Alex said into the silence.
“Why would you be?” Forrest said, then, before he could help it, he added, “You have to stay, right? Michael needs you.”
“Forrest, come on –”
“Do you still love him?” he cut Alex off.
“What?”
“Alex,” Forrest smiled sadly, turning his chair to face him. “Whatever we’re doing, whenever he calls, you’re there. I used to think you were just sexually attracted to me, but we haven’t even slept together because Michael always needs you for something, so I can’t even pretend that’s true.”
“Forrest, I…” he shook his head. “I – I didn’t meant to make you feel like that.”
“I know,” Forrest said, took Alex’s hand, and kissed his fingers. “I know. But if it were anyone else, you and I both know you would never have stayed. It’s because it’s him. And that’s fine, I learned to accept what he was to you a long time ago, but I don’t even feel like we’re on equal footing anymore.” He sighed. “If… if you don’t want to date me anymore, then –”
But Forrest never got to finish his sentence as Alex suddenly took his face and kissed him roughly. Forrest heard a startled noise in the back of his own throat, but quickly melted into the kiss as Alex tilted his head and deepened it, his mouth open and wet and hot and wanting.
Forrest probably should’ve shown some restraint, but he’d been waiting to touch Alex for months, and he couldn’t take it anymore. As Alex bit his lower lip, Forrest knew he was being given permission to lose control. So he did.
He wrapped an arm around Alex’s waist and, in one pull, brought him onto his lap so that Alex was properly straddling him now.
“Touch me,” Alex breathed in his ear, but Forrest was way ahead of him. He was already unbuttoning Alex’s shirt, unable to think of anything but Alex’s hairy chest against his fingers, his soft stomach, his waist, his hips, his strong arms.
Before long, Alex and Forrest’s shirts were on the floor, and Forrest was moaning at the touch of Alex’s naked chest against his own, Alex hugging his shoulders, Alex reaching down for his belt buckle.
Right then, Forrest spotted Michael standing at the door, eyes wide, the phone in his hand forgotten, his eyes tracing Alex’s naked body, explored and touched and worshipped by someone else, and he knew he should’ve felt something about that – pride, pity, something – but all he could think of was Alex’s body, Alex’s voice, Alex’s breaths, just Alex who, with his back to Michael, seemed not to have even noticed anyone come in at all, too busy instead with planting wet and hot kisses along Forrest’s shoulders.
Forrest’s eyes fluttered shut and regardless of whether or not Michael was watching, he moaned and grabbed Alex’s face to fit their lips back together. He was sure he heard the door close at some point, but he was too preoccupied with Alex’s hands tugging down his jeans, reaching into his own back pocket and pulling out –
Forrest moaned, taking the condom from Alex’s hand. “You knew?” was all he could say through his thinning breaths.
“I hoped,” Alex panted back. “I’ve been dying to feel you. Please.”
Forrest hardly needed to be asked, straining in his jeans which he was struggling to take off. He quickly managed it, licking his lips as Alex stripped down himself, but Forrest did not let him get far. They’d both been waiting too long for this.
It was worth it. Alex was too beautiful to describe, his touch too intoxicating, his heat too much. Michael did not come back inside until Liz had arrived, and by then, Alex and Forrest had found their clothes, were in their seats, and the only form of touch they shared was their linked hands under the table.
Michael kept glancing at Alex, no doubt expecting him to give him attention, but Alex’s eyes seemed stuck on Forrest.
