Electric Blue and Catnip - 22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Rain poured that Friday evening. Large drops pounded the pavements forcing Joshua to take a cab to Alexi’s building. He walked into the building determined to take Alicia’s advice. He and Alexi were going to talk about their future tonight.

Alexi’s parents were flying in on Monday evening; Lily had planned an ambitious itinerary. He’d read the schedule yesterday and felt overwhelmed. The Kotaru family was in town for business as well as pleasure. Lily had Alexi slotted into their daily activities amidst officials from the Japanese consulate and various businessmen.

The elevator doors opened into the penthouse and he smiled when he heard Coldplay’s fix you coming from the stereo in the kitchen. Joshua took in delicious scents of spices mixed with baking fish and remembered the first day he’d come for dinner. A smile tugged on his lips at the memory of Alexi standing by the sink eating strawberries. He entered the kitchen to find Alexi washing strawberries at the sink.

Déjà vu, he thought.

Alexi looked handsome in a beige t-shirt that clung to his shoulders, white fitted pants with his hair held in a short ponytail.

“I brought wine for those,” Joshua said when Alexi closed the tap and drained the red fruit.

Alexi glanced up with a wide grin. Joshua closed the distance between them and took Alexi’s smiling lips in a hungry kiss. He tasted strawberries and coffee, wrapping his arms around Alexi; he closed his eyes when Alexi returned his kiss and gave a soft moan.

“Hi,” Alexi said when they pulled apart.

“Hi,” he said pressing a kiss on Alexi’s jaw. He stepped back and held up the wine bottle to show Alexi. “We should do dessert before dinner.”

Alexi laughed and shook his head. “I’ve spent the past hour on the main course, Mister.” He took the wine bottle from Joshua. “Dessert after fish,” he said. “How’s Alicia?”

Joshua watched him take the bowl of strawberries and wine to the kitchen table set by the windows. Alexi returned to the island table and started chopping tomatoes he’d left on a board.

“She’s fine. She’s having a boy, Patrick is ecstatic.”

“That’s great,” Alexi said happily.

“She asked if you’d visit mum one last time before you left.”

Alexi paused in the act of chopping tomatoes to glance at him. “That’s a good idea.”

Joshua moved around the island to stand behind Alexi. He hated the tinge of sadness that fell over Alexi’s tone every time he talked about leaving. Wrapping his arms around Alexi’s waist, he pressed his body against Alexi’s back and buried his face into Alexi’s shoulder. Taking in a deep breath, he held in Alexi’s clean, intoxicating scent. It reminded him of fresh laundered clothes dried in the summer sun, carefree, warm, he pressed a kiss on the curve of Alexi’s neck and closed his eyes when Alexi leaned back against him.

After a few moments of silence, Alexi continued chopping his tomatoes. “Lily flew out this morning. She’s in Tokyo meeting Taka. We have the apartment to ourselves until Sunday.”

“What are we going to do with ourselves all alone in here?” Joshua asked, moving his hands to Alexi’s hips.

Alexi chuckled when Joshua nuzzled his neck, and pressed a kiss on his ear.

“Josh,” Alexi said, “I have to finish this if we’re having dinner tonight.”

“We can always have strawberries.” Joshua suggested his lips trailing kisses along Alexi’s neck. “We can try that trick you used when you woke me with a strawberry once.”

Alexi gave a moan when Joshua nibbled on his earlobe. “That sounds enticing, truly, but did I mention I spent an hour preparing dinner.”

Joshua slipped his right hand under Alexi’s shirt; he trailed his fingers over Alexi’s stomach, caressing warm skin. He smiled when Alexi pressed back into him and raised his knife.

“Josh,” Alexi sighed. “Please…stop teasing me.”

Joshua sighed dramatically, making Alexi laugh, and stepped back reluctant to lose Alexi’s warmth.

“Fine, what can I help with, master-chef?” he asked, moving to the sink to wash his hands.

“You can chop cilantro for me.” Alexi pointed to a fresh bunch on a tray. “I’m making a salad, everything else is ready.”

Joshua got a knife from a holder on the counter and got to work. “How was your session with Dr. Marshall?”

Alexi shrugged. “He had me sitting on the stage for an hour. We talked and afterwards, I played a few pieces, there were no episodes.”

“That’s progress,” Joshua praised cutting the cilantro into half. He piled the two halves together and started chopping it into fine pieces. A pang of guilt raced through him every time Alexi talked about his therapy. A part of him wanted Alexi to be unable to get back on stage. Maybe then, Alexi would stay in New York a bit longer. He shook his head to dispel the thought and concentrated on chopping cilantro.

“Josh,” Alexi said softly when he didn’t comment further.

He glanced up to find Alexi watching him with sad brown eyes. His heart clenched in pain, hating the thought of Alexi hurting. He dragged out a smile and said, “I’m glad you’re getting better on stage.”

“We should talk about next Friday,” Alexi said as he transferred the chopped tomatoes into a salad bowl and took the chopping board with the fine pieces of cilantro from him.

“What’s there to talk about? You’re getting on a plane and leaving me,” Joshua said with more bitterness than he’d intended.

Alexi stopped mixing the tomatoes and cilantro with a mortified expression.

“Do you think it will be that easy for me?” Alexi asked, his voice trembling. He reached for a shaker and proceeded to sprinkle the tomatoes vigorously, Joshua feared they might get a salt overdose.

Alexi slammed the shaker down on the counter and turned to the sink.

“I wish you’d come with me,” Alexi said turning on the water to wash his hands.

Joshua leaned on the counter behind him, watching Alexi rinse out dishes. He wished he could go with Alexi too but, how could he? The fall semester would be starting soon. He was due at the university on Monday, there were departmental meetings, classes to schedule, programs to plan, not to forget his own research projects.

Shane…he sighed.

A large part of him wanted to rebel, leave it all behind, pack a bag and follow Alexi.

Alexi turned wiping his hands on a grey dishcloth.

“I can’t come.” Joshua answered hating the dark shadow that crossed over Alexi’s handsome features. “I’d love to get on that plane with you, Alexi.”

“I know.” Alexi swallowed hard and dropped his gaze to the dishcloth he held.

Joshua was glad for the music because it filled the silence. How could fate treat them this way? Alexi was everything he’d ever wanted in a partner: humorous, sincere, supportive, and intelligent. Being with Alexi filled all the cracks in his heart to overflowing.

Alexi moved to the oven and removed the platter of fish. He took it to the kitchen table and started serving the pieces on to the plates laid out on the mats.

Noting Alexi’s tense shoulders, he tried to lighten the atmosphere.

“I’ll visit you on weekends, or you can visit me,” Joshua said.

“I have to work weekends. I can’t get away from the tour, we’ll have to grab hours between travel and appearances.”

“I don’t mind watching you work.” Joshua pushed off the counter and picked up the bowl of salad Alexi had mixed. He took it to the kitchen table. “I’ll attend your concerts.”

Alexi nodded taking the bowl of salad, he started scooping generous portions and serving them on the plates. Joshua started to move away but stopped when Alexi suddenly dropped the serving spoon on the table and shook his head.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Alexi choked out.

Fear swept through Joshua at those words. He wasn’t ready to watch Alexi leave. He certainly couldn’t handle a breakup if Alexi even suggested it-, he shook his head.

“Alexi-

“I don’t know what’s worse. Having to live for days without you, then seeing you for a couple of hours. It’s going to kill me watching you leave me repeatedly. I can’t do it.”

“You have to.” Joshua insisted.

Alexi shook his head. “The pain will be too much, Josh. Maybe we’ll be better off just-

“Don’t say it,” Joshua cut in, his words came out quiet, forlorn: sadness dripping through like an overflowing dam. He turned away from Alexi afraid of breaking into tears. He wished he could turn back the clock to the moment he’d first walked in minutes ago. He was wrong; they didn’t need to talk about this, not when Alexi’s solution was to break up.

“I’m having moments lately when I wish your Dr. Marshall doesn’t succeed to get you better. At least then I know you would have to cancel the tour and stay here, with me.”

“Josh,” Alexi gasped behind him.

“That’s wrong. I know it is, because it makes me feel terrible every time I think about it.” A soft sigh escaped and he shook his head.

He moved to turn but Alexi wrapped his arms around him from behind. Joshua closed his eyes when Alexi pressed his face into his back.

“I’m sorry,” Alexi said into his shirt.

Joshua opened his eyes, his gaze dropping to Alexi’s hands on his stomach. He’d spent hours watching Alexi play piano. He covered Alexi’s hands with his own, thinking of how Alexi’s caresses drove him insane with need. He turned within Alexi’s embrace and pulled him into a tight hug. Breathing him in, loving the feel of him in his arms. He leaned down to take Alexi’s mouth in a kiss. They didn't need to talk.

He poured his desperation and fear into their kiss, taking everything from Alexi, holding him as if they were never going to be apart.

“Josh, dinner,” Alexi whispered when Joshua bunched Alexi’s t-shirt and jerked it off.

“It can wait.” Joshua muttered against his lips.

Alexi clung to his shoulders as they shuffled out of the kitchen. Their lips locked in a melding kiss, his hands fumbled on Alexi’s belt buckle, pulling it open with jerky motions. He groaned when Alexi ran his hands under his shirt, slender fingers scored his back, digging into his skin. He pushed Alexi against the wall in the hallway, and bit his bottom lip getting a needy moan in return. His hands pushing down Alexi’s trousers, he broke their kiss and trailed his mouth to Alexi’s bare shoulder. He savored Alexi's needy moan when he slid his hands over Alexi's ass kneading the firm globes. He used his hold to pull Alexi into him, grinding his hips against Alexi’s hardness.

Their breathing came in harsh gasps as they kissed passionately, Alexi’s fingers digging into his hair when he lifted him and carried him the few steps to the living room. Dropping Alexi on the couch, he reached for his own belt buckle only to have Alexi stop him.

He met Alexi's gaze as he felt Alexi undo the button on his trousers. Alexi ran a caressing hand over his hard bulge before pushing his pants down.

Joshua sunk his fingers into Alexi’s hair when Alexi wrapped a hot hand around his aching erection. He held his gasp when Alexi caressed him in slow, maddening, deliberate strokes that drove him to the brink. He closed his eyes when Alexi took him into his hot, silky mouth, a long groan escaped as sensations rocked through him. His cock hardened until he couldn’t hold his gasps, he glanced down and read the small triumph in Alexi’s eyes. He ruthlessly held his climax back until he couldn’t take the heat of Alexi's mouth on him anymore.

Dragging Alexi’s mouth off him, he leaned down and captured Alexi’s lips in a punishing kiss. His need roaring in his ears as he pushed Alexi back on the couch and trailed kisses down his chest, swirling his tongue on Alexi’s belly button until he reached Alexi’s hard cock. He gave Alexi a wicked grin before taking him into his mouth. Pleased when Alexi arched into his heat, he decided he was going to make sure Alexi didn’t doubt their relationship ever again.

****

Alexi lay on his side watching Joshua sleep on the living room carpet Sunday afternoon. They hadn’t moved from the living room much. He smiled remembering Joshua reheating the fish they’d forgotten on the plates at around two a.m. Saturday morning. They had spent the day watching old movies laid out on the couch.

Time seemed at a standstill. Neither of them had made the effort to move to the bedroom, or turn on more than the lamps in the corner when it had gotten dark. When they spoke, they carefully avoided topics to do with the future. They’d taken a long shower together last night and ordered food from an Italian restaurant nearby. Joshua had tied a towel around his hips to get the food from the delivery guy.

Alexi sat up and yawned, stretching his arms over his head. The sun spilled into the living room, the rays warm against his skin.

Joshua shifted and he propped his head on his arm when his blue eyes opened. He leaned and kissed Joshua on his forehead.

“Hi, sleepyhead,” Alexi said.

Joshua yawned and reached for him. He laughed when Joshua crashed him against his body. Arms tight around his bare back, Alexi shifted so that they lay pressed up against each other.

“This is good.” Joshua murmured into his ear. “I want to wake up this way every day.”

Alexi closed his eyes at the simple declaration and buried his face into Joshua’s shoulder.

****

Alexi walked into the Plaza Athenee on Monday evening carrying a white lily for his mother. He crossed the lobby his steps silent on the white tiles with black diamonds. He’d always liked the hotel’s warm décor. The arched doorways, gold chandeliers with white candle like lights made the Plaza Athenee feel a bit like a castle. He pressed the elevator button and stood studying the painted forest on the wall. A dirt path wound through the trees on the wall disappeared over the horizon. For the next few minutes his imagination went wild thinking what lay beyond that forest: an oasis filled with exotic creatures, and a house in the middle of the lake where he and Joshua could hide away forever. No cares, no responsibilities, no separation.

The elevator doors swung open, jerking him back to the present. He rode the elevator to the sixteenth floor and headed for the Thai suite as Lily had directed. He knocked on the door and a young woman answered. She smiled at him and stepped back to allow him in to the suite.

“Who is it?” his mother called from the living room. She appeared a few seconds later and gave an excited shout.

“Oh! My dear Alexander, how I’ve missed you,” she said rushing to hug him.

Allegra wrapped him in a cloud of white floral and peach. She held him tight, her hands rubbing his back, a familiar gesture meant to comfort. Allegra turned her head slightly and brushed the side of his head with a kiss.

“Hi Mum,” he said returning her hug. Her red floral dress whispered when she stepped back and he held out the lily to her. “For you,” he said with a wide smile.

She gasped and took the flower; she kissed his jaw and reached up to wipe traces of her lipstick from his skin. “Thank you, darling. Come,” she took his hand and led him into the living room, “have tea with me.”

“Where’s Dad?” he asked when they walked into a living area with dark hardwood floors, a carpet with burgundy red trimming and silk cream furniture.

Allegra led him to a couch and poured them tea. “Your father and Phillip were called away the moment they landed.” She glanced at her watch. “They should be back soon. Business takes precedence,” she said with a tight smile. “Enough of that though, tell me about you. How are you doing, Alexi?”

He took her left hand in his and instantly felt like pouring all his troubles to her. She squeezed his fingers, her eyes narrowed when he looked at her.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head and swallowed hard. “I’m just happy to see you. I’ve missed you too.”

“Getting ready for your tour?” she asked urging him to take his tea with a nod.

He reached for the cup she’d placed on a coaster and sipped the hot green tea. “Yes. Practicing my music every day,” he replied.

“The film score?” she asked.

“Finished,” he said putting his cup down on the table. “They’ll send me tickets for the premiere. Want to come with me?”

She nodded. “I’d love to.”

“What about you? How’s Dad and Phillip?”

Allegra grinned wide. “I have news. I’m sure Phillip will want to tell you himself, but I met his girlfriend. She’s a nice girl, very intelligent, not like the gold diggers he’s brought home before.”

Alexi laughed. “Mum, you think everyone we bring home is not good enough.”

“Yes, well, it’s because I love you.” Allegra shrugged. “I like Phillip’s Hikari. You’ll meet her when you get home. She comes over for dinner on weekends.”

He wondered if Allegra would react the same way to Joshua, if she’d look forward to having Joshua over for meals. How would Joshua react to his mother? She wasn’t easy to understand.

“Alexi,” Allegra patted his hand and he lifted his head to meet her concerned gaze. “What’s going on in that creative mind? Has Adrian been disturbing you?”

He shook his head with a small scoff. He hadn’t thought about Adrian since the day he’d seen him outside the studio. Adrian seemed a ghost past, funny how that worked. At the start of the summer, Adrian had taken up so much of his thoughts.

Allegra touched his jaw with the back of her hand. “You’re distracted.”

Taking a throw pillow, she arranged it on her lap and urged him to lay his head on the pillow. He moved down and did as she asked. She brushed cool fingers through his hair and he closed his eyes at the soothing caress.

“We did this when you were a boy,” she said after a while. “Do you remember your audition for your high school entry? You were so nervous I was worried you’d faint on stage.”

He remembered. His high school academy entry exam had felt like the end of life, he thought in amusement. “You told me that I was my own worst enemy.”

“You are,” she reiterated making him open his eyes to meet her gaze. “It’s the best quality about you Alexi, possibly also the worst.”

“Mum,” Alexi complained.

“It’s the truth.” Allegra ran her fingers through his hair again with a smile. “What are you worrying about? Does it have to do with the young man named Joshua?”

He blushed. He would have looked away but she stopped him by bunching his hair in her fingers.

“Tell me about him,” she said gently.

He sighed and shook his head, tangling her fingers in his hair. His thoughts filled with the weekend and hours spent in Joshua’s arms. “He’s…perfect.”

“Perfect,” Allegra said raising her right eyebrow.

“You’re giving me the look.”

“What look?”

“Lifting your right eyebrow at me, you think I’ve lost my mind.”

Allegra shook her head. “You have, honey. You’ve fallen in love. How serious is it?”

Alexi sighed and moved to sit up. She allowed him and he ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t imagine living without him. I’ve even considered giving up my career for him more than once these last few weeks.”

“Very serious,” Allegra nodded in understanding. He sat back on the couch and waited. She shifted to face him and asked, “Can I meet him?”

“Are you going to give him the third degree like Nonna and Grandpa?”

She shrugged. “You’re my son; he should expect nothing less, Alexi.”

“He’s important.” Alexi pleaded meeting her gaze. “I need him.”

Allegra nodded and reached out to take his hand. The door opened and his father and brother walked in to the suite. Allegra squeezed his hand as they both stood.

“We’ll talk about this later,” she said quietly.

“Alexi,” Phillip greeted when he saw him. “You look well; New York has been good for you.”

Alexi grinned at his brother and turned to his father. He bowed respectfully. “Hello father,” he said in Japanese. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Alexi,” Hideki said coming to stand before him. “Your brother is right, you do look better than when I last saw you.”

Hideki pulled him into a warm short hug. As they pulled apart, Alexi laughed when Phillip locked an arm around his neck and ruffled his hair.

“You hair’s grown,” Phillip teased. “Don’t trust the hair salons in New York?”

“Not with an inch,” he declared punching Phillip’s shoulder lightly.

“Alright you two,” Allegra said accepting a kiss on her cheek from Hideki. “Time for dinner, we are going to celebrate. This is the first time we’ve been together since March this year.”

Hideki nodded and smiled at Alexi. “Yes, we should celebrate. Your mother insisted on this trip and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’m glad she did.”

They moved toward the dining room and found the table set ready for dinner.

He forgot his worries for the next few hours. Dinner with his family was animated; Phillip regaled him with tales of family drama in the past few months. Visiting cousins, work mishaps, their parents arguing over investments and parties, his mother felt compelled to defend herself during those stories. His father insisted that there was no reasoning with her. He envied their unity. Despite their differences, his parents’ marriage was strong.

Alexi sat back in his seat wondering if he and Joshua could manage to be like his parents. Wishes aside, this dinner was definitely better than the last one they’d had together. His father, who sat beside him sipping wine, must have read his thoughts because he put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. He turned to find his father smiling at him with approval.

“I’m glad you’re doing well, Alexi.” Hideki nodded to his mother. “She’s been worried.”

“Obsessed,” Phillip said with a laugh and mimicked their mother’s voice. “I wonder if Alexi’s eating right. Alexi hasn’t called; do you think something’s wrong?”

Allegra shook her head and winked at Alexi.

“We’ll all be glad to have you back in Japan,” Hideki said.

Alexi stared at his plate and wished for the same confidence. He’d have his family back in Japan, but his heart…, he met his mother’s gaze. Her smile disappeared as he held her gaze.

Dinner ended soon after. His father’s assistant called him away leaving them to talk in the living room. They chatted until ten o’clock in the night and then Allegra gave a little yawn.

“I’m tired,” she confessed. “I have an early meeting tomorrow at the Zantam offices. Your grandmother Marion insisted.”

Alexi stood and urged her up. “Go to bed, you need your beauty sleep.”

“What are you suggesting?” she asked in a teasing tone.

“That you’re lovely, and to keep looking that way, you need some sleep.” Alexi kissed her cheek and gave her a hug.

“We’re meeting for lunch tomorrow,” Allegra reminded him. “Will you bring Joshua with you?”

He nodded and stepped aside to allow Phillip to bid her goodnight. She kissed Phillip’s cheek.

“Don’t stay up too late, you two.” She bit back another yawn. “Goodnight, my darlings.”

“’Night, Mum,” they chorused and chuckled at the familiar habit.

“Want to go out for a few drinks?” Phillip asked.

“Yeah, my treat,” Alexi offered.

They ended up downstairs at the bar.

“I heard about Adrian,” Phillip said the moment they got their drinks. “Taka showed me the paperwork. Why didn’t you sign the restraining order?”

Alexi sighed. “He’s not worth the trouble. I’ve had a lot of time to think about him, Phillip. I’ve met someone else, and he’s taught me so much more about love than Adrian ever did. Wasting my time signing a restraining order makes him important. He’d have come looking for me just to make sure I knew it.”

“He deserved to pay for what he did to you.” Phillip tossed back his drink and got another. “I’m sorry you had to go through it all alone.”

“I had help.” Alexi smiled and shrugged. “I’m sure you know about Joshua Randolph.”

“Of course,” Phillip said with a laugh. “Mother watches us like a hawk. The moment they ran a background check, Dad and I got the memo. I hope he makes you happy, Alexi. If he’s another Adrian, I won’t stand for it.”

The bartender brought them two more drinks and Alexi tossed his back. He winced and shook his head. “So happy, it’s killing me.”

Phillip passed him his drink and motioned for another. “You look happier than you did a few months ago. How’s the music?”

Alexi smiled. “It’s back, can’t stop writing.”

“What about your anxiety? You have an ambitious tour ahead of you. Will you be able to manage?”

Alexi tossed another shot back and gave his brother a bitter grin. “We’ll just have to find out on Friday. Enough about me, tell me about you. How’s life as the Kotaru heir?”

Alexi listened to Phillip talk about their father’s expectations. He had never envied his brother’s position. Running Kotaru Industries wasn’t easy, there were traditional responsibilities forced upon Phillip daily. His brother carried all his constraints with such composure. He remembered what his mother had told him earlier in the evening.

“Mum told me about Hikari,” he said turning in his seat to look at Phillip. His brother would never introduce a woman to his mother without having thought seriously about her. “You’re going to marry her, aren’t you?”

Phillip chuckled. “I figured she wouldn’t keep it a secret. Yes, I’m marrying Hikari. I didn’t want to tell you before you met her.”

“She must be one tough woman.” Alexi sighed.

“Why do you say that?”

“She impressed our mother.”

“It was touch and go at the start,” Phillip confessed. “I wasn’t sure Hikari could handle her. Allegra is an acquired taste.”

“She almost had Adrian put in prison at the start of the summer.” Alexi dropped his gaze to his glass. “I almost let it happen too.”

“Alexi-

“You don’t have to tell me ‘I-told-you-so’.” Alexi cut him off. “I said it to myself for weeks before Josh pulled me out of my misery.”

“Did he now?”

“Yeah, he’s so good to me,” Alexi continued. “He’s so much stronger than I am. There are times I feel as though I can’t face my life without him. Do you feel like that about Hikari, Phillip?”

“Sometimes,” Phillip mused.

“I think you and Josh would will get along. Do you remember when you took me bungee jumping?”

Phillip laughed. “You turned into a chicken and refused to jump.”

“Josh forced me into a roller coaster this summer. It was so exhilarating I wondered why I hadn’t done it before. He called it scream therapy. Can you believe that?”

Phillip held up his glass for a toast and said, “Sounds like love, lil’ brother.”

Alexi realized he’d drunk more than planned when they finally got ready to leave. He stood from his stool and almost stumbled to the floor. Phillip pulled his arm over his shoulder and helped him out of the bar.

*****

Joshua paced the living room, his gaze on his cell phone. It was one o’clock in the night and there were no messages from Alexi. Lily had come in around nine. She’d gone straight to bed claiming exhaustion. He sighed and forced himself to be patient.

He knew how family dinners could be. Talking late into the night, maybe Alexi’s family had insisted he stay over at the Plaza. If that was the case, shouldn’t Alexi have called him?

Changing direction, he went to stare out the floor length windows wondering if he shouldn’t go out to look for Alexi.

The elevator doors opened and he whirled around relieved. He stopped short when he saw an unfamiliar man. He had short dark hair and was dressed in a light cream suit.

Joshua moved and gasped when he saw the figure slumped against the unfamiliar man.

“Alexi,” Joshua said. He rushed forward ready to take Alexi away from the stranger. “Who are you? What did you do to him?”

“Josh,” Alexi slurred. He lifted his head slightly and blinked. “There are two of you.”

“Are you drunk?” Joshua asked in shock. He tried to pull Alexi away from the stranger. Now that he was close, there was something familiar about him.

“I might have taken a few drinks. We were celebrating. This is my big brother, Phillip. Phillip, this is my Josh. Jeez, I’m so tired.” Alexi sighed and closed his eyes.

Alexi sagged and his brother held him tighter with a sigh. Alexi was out. He reeked of whiskey; Joshua couldn’t remember Alexi ever drinking excessively. Joshua gave the man supporting Alexi a short glance. What a way to meet Alexi’s family.

“We should probably get him on a bed.” Phillip grinned at him breaking the ice. “He’s out until tomorrow, believe me.”

Joshua nodded and helped Phillip take Alexi to their bedroom. He pulled back the covers on Alexi’s side and they lay him on the bed. Phillip pulled Alexi’s shoes off and pulled the covers over Alexi.

Joshua took a step back and watched Phillip study his brother for a moment before he leaned down and pressed a kiss on Alexi’s hair.

“Would you like some coffee?” Joshua asked when they left the bedroom.

“Coffee sounds good.” Phillip followed him into the kitchen and slid on to a stool at the island table. “So, you’re Josh?”

Joshua took a mug from the cupboard and reached for the coffee he’d brewed thirty minutes ago.

“I am,” Joshua replied sizing up Phillip. He was taller than Alexi, sharp features, strong jaw, his eyes more slanted than Alexi’s were. Dark brown eyes met his gaze and he added a keen intelligence to Phillip’s repertoire.

“How was your family dinner?” he asked taking the mug of coffee to Phillip. “Sugar, cream?” he asked.

“None,” Phillip answered. “Dinner was fine; it was nice to have the family together in one place. We all missed Alexi very much this summer.”

“I’m sure,” Joshua said leaning on the counter. He folded his arms against his chest.

Phillip sipped his coffee and studied him. “My brother cares a lot about you.”

Joshua thought about Alexi’s drunken introduction in the living room and felt his heart clench. Alexi had called him, ‘his Josh’.

“I care about him too.” Joshua told Phillip hoping his sincerity came through.

Phillip studied him for a moment, before he put his mug down. “I’m glad. I’ll be going now. I have a few appointments tomorrow. Take care of my brother.”

Joshua pushed off the counter and followed Phillip to the elevator. The doors opened and Phillip turned to give him a short bow. “Tell him to call me in the morning.”

Joshua watched the doors close with a sigh and switched off the lights

*****