Bad Boys Toys (english)

Chapter 11 New in the old life

Fourth's alarm clock, as usual, goes off half an hour earlier than it should.

The old life always foresaw waking Gem for a while longer.

And Fourth's body still remembers every habit of his life.

He deactivates the waking sound and lies in his big double bed with his eyes still closed.

His mind takes its time to arrive at reality.

A reality that has always been characterized by the same routines.

No matter where he is, when he is.

He will open his eyes.

Stretch himself.

And be ready for it, to wake his best friend.

A warm feeling of comfort spreads through Fourth's chest.

Warmth that swims into his body cells.

Whether he's in Gem's child's room right now.

Whether Gem is with him right now in his student apartment in Bangkok.

It doesn't matter where or when.

If he opens his eyes right now, he'll wake the man at his side.

Gem has always been there.

His second half is awakened and they go about a day together.

Fourth feels refreshed.

The warmth that emanates within him as he thinks of his life with Gem so far shows him the comfort he has always enjoyed.

Gem is there.

And as he stretches and glimpses his room in New Zealand with his eyes open, he smiles contentedly.

Finally, a calm after the storm.

His soul is ready to finally behold the past.

The fear of having lost Gem for good is unjustified.

They both crossed a line in a weak moment that will not tear them apart.

And Fourth's mind fills with thoughts of what happened.

Gem and the women.

Gem's jealousy over Mark.

And Gem's remorse when he came back to him yesterday.

His old life.

With a shame-filled moment of intimacy.

Their escapade in the shower.

Fourth thought that was it.

The end of a lifelong bond.

But Fourth's smile brightens as he comes to understand Gem's remorse is enough to save their friendship.

That's why his big little brother looked so sad and distraught yesterday.

So he remembers that slip in the shower.

He's ashamed of the assault.

Fourth's smile shows his emotion.

He's sorry, too, after all.

It was a slip.

A physical oversight at Gem's.

And an end point for Fourth's possessed soul.

And as Fourth ponders this in his bed, he realizes that true connection can overcome any hurdle.

Gem wanted to talk to him about this yesterday.