Page 33 of Cross the Line

Suddenly the cookie in his mouth tastes like concrete and it’s all he can do to choke it down. He doesn’t like lying, and he rarely has to because people don’t ask if he likes the thing he was born to do. They don’t ask if he has fun playing anymore. They don't ask if he’s happy with his career path. Everyone looks at Alec and sees a bright future. Alec seems to be the only one worried that future might burn him alive.

The Oreo lodges itself in his throat and Alec barely chokes it down, fighting back a sigh as he reseals the package and tosses it onto the coffee table, no longer in the mood for cookies anymore. There’s no one who can ruin Alec’s good mood like his own brain.

Judging by the look on Theo’s face it’s obvious he’s still waiting for an answer, so Alec tries to be as honest as he can without exposing everything. “No one ever likes being told what to do, do they?”

“Some people might,” Theo says.

“Are you some people?” Alec asks, poking Theo’s thigh with his toe. He’s infinitely more comfortable having the tables turned on Theo.

“I like knowing what to do,” Theo muses, “but I can’t say I am particularly fond of being told exactly what to do.”

“Imagine being told what you can eat and drink, when you’re supposed to work out, when you can rest, and what extracurriculars you are and aren’t allowed to do,” Alec says before he can think better of it.

Holding his breath, he waits for Theo’s probing questions or worse, for him to tell Alec it’s the cost of getting what he wants. Rio settles on his stomach and he focuses on her instead.

“That sounds hard.”

Understanding is somehow worse than anything he expected. Leave it to Theo to be the one person who gets it.

“The cost of being talented. We can’t all be a superstar,” Alec jokes.

“Sure thing, hotshot.” Theo pats Alec's ankle and though it’s a fleeting, playful touch, Alec’s entire body burns and he shoves his feet under Theo’s thighs in the shameless hopes of more contact. Theo lifts one eyebrow but doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t touch Alec’s ankles again, doesn’t touch any part of him, but he also doesn’t make any move to dislodge Alec’s feet.

“So you mentioned the pet store. Does it matter which one?”

“Not really, except that the chain pet stores are shit. There’s an independently owned one off Maple Street. They’d have everything we need and then we’re not supporting those corporate fuckers and their hamster breeding rings.”

“I have no idea what a hamster breeding ring is, but I’m going to take your word for it.”

“Good,” Alec says, not in the mood to spiral about the unethical acquisition of rodents.

“You probably have better things to do today than spend it with me. I’m sure I could order whatever I need online.”

“No, you can’t,” Alec protests, lifting himself up on his elbows. It startles Rio, who meows adorably. “Look at this baby. She needs all that stuff now. Well, realistically you could probably get away with just going to get her food right now. A lot of the other stuff she will need eventually, but online shopping is boring. Don’t you think it’s boring?”

“It’s efficient.”

“Efficient,” Alec snorts. “What the fuck, are you eighty?”

“Twenty nine, thanks so much,” Theo retorts, leaning back. He rests his arms over the back of the couch, causing his sweater to stretch taut over his chest. Theo’s a big boy and that’s evident in the swell of his pecs. More than once Alec has wondered how it’s possible that Theo has no idea how sexy he is. It makes Alec want to bite something.

Wishing he had another Oreo to chomp on, or a piece of gum, he settles for tapping his fingers on the edge of the couch. “The pet store should be open by now. We could go.”

“Together?”

“Unless you wanted to go figure out kitten shit on your own,” Alec says, shoving his bony toes into Theo’s ass.

“Little shithead,” Theo grumbles, though he doesn’t shove Alec away. “I definitely do not want to do it alone.”

“Great, then it’s a date.”

“A date,” Theo croaks.

Alec laughs, inordinately charmed by Theo’s spluttering. “Don’t worry, Mr. Allergic-to-commitment, I’m teasing you.”

“Hey.” The lines of Theo’s handsome face draw together, surprise warring with something sharper. “I’m not allergic to commitment.”

“Yes, you are,” Alec retorts, withdrawing his feet from beneath Theo. Careful not to knock Rio over, he holds her to his chest as he turns, stretching his legs out before rising.

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