Zick-Zack Romance (MxM)

Unexpected Visitor (4)

Chapter 7: Unexpected Visitor (4)

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Nathan came back from work that day only to see his roommate was still laying in bed. “Hey… I’m back…” He said in a quiet voice as he entered the room. “You… alright?” Though it seemed more than obvious that the other wasn’t alright at all.

“Yeah, I’m fine… I was just about to take Leo for a walk…” Mason said in a tired voice, his entire face was red and his eyes were puffy. His sheets and especially the pillow seemed to be drenched in tears.

‘Did he cry all night?!’ Nathan thought to himself as he spoke up again. “You know… I can take him for a walk instead if you want to lay in bed a bit more…” He offered.

“No… little buddy’s my responsibility…” Mason said as he sat up from his bed and began putting Leo’s collar on. His movements were slow but he managed to put it on properly in the end. Leo was wagging his tail in excitement ready to go out.

“Then I’ll come along with you.” Nathan said with a smile on his face. ‘Never seen him so down…’ He thought to himself as they headed outside. “Um… are you going to wear that?” He asked looking at the man that was still in his indoor clothes.

“Hm? What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” Mason asked with a grumpy voice as he rubbed his tired eyelids.

“N-nothing… It’s perfectly fine…” Nathan remarked as they headed out. ‘Well… it’s already dark outside anyways, there won’t be many people that see him…’ He thought to himself.

The weather outside was warm and although it was past seven o’clock, there was still some light outside. It was already April and the trees were beginning to bloom, the birds were chirping and everything seemed to be moving again. The winter this year seemed longer than usual but now that it was finally over it seemed like there was reason to celebrate.

But amongst this pleasant atmosphere was Mason walking as if he were a living corpse… no that was a rather poor description of him. If anything he looked like he’d lost hope in all of humanity, there was this saddened look in his dark brown nearly black eyes that made him look really vulnerable.

“So… um… how’s writing going today? It’s the start of April so you have to work hard, right?” Nathan wanted to cheer the man up but there was little he could think of that would make the man happy in that instance.

“Ah… yeah… I wrote a bit… not good though but…” Mason didn’t seem to be talking in full sentences and his voice was so much quieter than usual that it made it difficult for anyone to hear him, even Nathan who was standing less than half a meter of distance away from him.

“That’s good… at least you’re writing… Um… hey we could go to the beach one of these days? That sound like a plan?” Nathan suggested.

“No… I hate the sun…” Mason said in a low mutter as he walked Leo who happily went forward, sniffing the grass and marking his territory along the way.

“Then how about your favorite coffee shop, huh? They have these new spring drinks you’ll definitely love!” Nathan said in a cheery voice that was in many ways a complete contrast to the person he was talking with.

“No… I have energy drinks so I’d rather drink that to coffee… and coffee’s expensive as well…” Mason said in a saddened tone.

“I mean it is… but you like it so?” Nathan wasn’t sure where all of this was coming from but he felt really bad seeing his friend like that. ‘I should probably call Drew over… I’m sure he’d have a way to cheer him up…’ He thought to himself.

“Yeah… oh… you know what? I’m not getting my paycheck for March… fun, ain’t it…?” Mason said as they walked past a couple with two big Dalmatians who growled at them.

“Hm? Why?” Nathan asked in a panicked voice as he looked at the man again.

“Ah… I didn’t write enough last month… Sales of my books were low… Lois my editor called to tell me that and… well there isn’t much I can do about it…” Mason explained, still making large pauses after every few lines.

“Um… well… if you need money I can lend you and-” Nathan was interrupted by the other man.

“No, I have savings I’ll be fine… but I realized I should start saving up a bit more… You know…” Mason said as he continued walking ever so calmly.

‘No, I don’t know…’ Nathan thought to himself as he took out his phone and texted Drew about what’s going on. As if the other was the last shred of home he’d have.

They both head back soon after and notice the door is unlocked. “Hey… didn’t we lock it before leaving?” Nathan asked as he looked at Mason who didn’t seem to remember.

They carefully entered the apartment thinking something might have happened and then saw someone unexpected…

“Hello, guess who’s back?” Lucas said with a cheery voice as he stood there in the middle of the living room.

“You’re back so soon, I thought you’d stay a bit more…” Nathan said as he welcomed the man back.

“…welcome…” Mason said as he went to lay down on his bed again, not feeling like he had much energy for anything at that point in time.

“Eh… what’s with the long face?” Lucas asked as he tilted his head to the side. “You sick, man?” He questioned as he tired to put his hand on the other’s forehead.

“Don’t touch me…” Mason muttered as he pushed away the other’s hand from him. Then took his sheets and covered himself all up to his face, staying underneath them.

“What’s his problem?” Lucas turned to Nathan who only gestured to him to go to the other room…