Chapter 8 Past
A howling gale battered the windows, and insistent rain sluiced down the glass like a liquid curtain, as fir trees flailed in the inky night. The lights in Ry’s room sputtered, a brief, nauseating flicker, then died, plunging the house into darkness.
Ry froze, breath clenched tight. Of course, the power would go out now; of course, I’m alone.
He groped blindly for the bed, his foot catching the rough carpet and the unyielding edge of a chair leg.
His shin hit the bed frame with a searing smack.
He gasped, collapsing onto the soft mattress, fingers desperate for purchase.
He lay there as rain slammed the house, counting seconds as a charm to keep the darkness at bay.
I’ll be okay, it’s just a few minutes, right?
Minutes stretched, measured by the thudding of his heart. Shapes coalesced in the gloom. Outside, the wind continued its mournful symphony. He swallowed, his throat tight and dry, and forced himself to rise. He fumbled through the dim room for his phone.
No alerts about the outage. No timeframe for light.
He called Brand—no answer. The argument Ry had with Alex yesterday made him reluctant to reach out. He dialed Lon.
“Bro,” Lon said. “It’s wild out there.”
“Power is out. Yours?”
“Same. Mom got the candles going, and Dad’s been checking for water leaks every ten minutes. How’s it with you?”
“No one here but me,” Ry said. “I don’t know where my dad keeps emergency stuff. Any idea on the restoration time?”
“I think Dad has the radio on,” Lon said. “Maybe he knows. Lemme call you back.”
“Okay, thanks.” Ry hung up and navigated to his bed. Cold seeped in through his windows.
Ry’s wireless signal was too weak for the pages to load. No closer to an answer. He had minimal time remaining before his battery died. He stared at his ceiling for what seemed like forever, listening to the wind thrashing the rain outside.
Eventually, his phone lit up. Lon sent him a text saying the power lines were down in his neighborhood. He thanked his friend.
Ry flicked through his contacts, his thumb hovering over Alex’s name. He took a deep breath and called. No answer. As he was leaving a message, Alex returned the call.
“Hey,” Alex said, sounding breathless.
Ry steadied himself. “Hey. I’m sorry that I made it about the music.”
“Sorry I yelled,” Alex said. “It’s been a rough week. Are you doing okay in this storm?”
“No. Power’s out here. Lon’s too. Brand didn’t call me back.”
“Same here,” Alex said. “My dad has everything in order, though. Are you home alone?”
“Yeah,” Ry said, his voice trembling. “Can I be with you, please?”
After a pause, he said, “I’ll come over. Do you have an emergency kit?”
“I don’t know.” His voice cracked.
“Ry, it’ll be okay. I’ll be over soon. Let your dad know I’m going to call him, so he picks up.”
“Okay, I can do that. Thank you.”
“Try not to use your phone unless you need to. I’ll bring a charger with me.”
After he said goodbye, he phoned and texted his dad to expect a call from Alex. He’d have to go downstairs and unlock the front door. There was no telling how long it would take for Alex to arrive.
With nothing to do in the dark, Ry closed his eyes and waited, then fell into a fitful sleep.
He woke about an hour later, and still no sign of Alex.
His heart stuttered in his chest. He checked his phone.
No missed calls, but a recent message from Alex: On my way.
I should be there in about twenty minutes unless more streets are closed <3.
Ry wrapped himself in a soft blanket and headed into the hall, the wind quieter here. He turned on the flashlight on his device, the shadows dancing on the paintings. Normally, nightlights cast a faint glow in most areas, but with the electricity out, his phone was the sole source of illumination.
When he reached the front door, he unlocked it and then sat down on the floor a few feet away. His mobile died, leaving the entryway in darkness. Alex couldn’t get here fast enough.
Ry withdrew into the blanket, blocking out the whine and whistle of the gale, and waited.
Scratching sounds emerged from behind the door. Something scraped, and Ry’s stomach leaped. With no watch to guide him, he could only hope it was Alex and not the sound of a falling tree come to take him.
The doorway opened and a giant figure with two bags in his hands came stumbling in. Cold air flooded the room, rain gusting in until the door shut once again. Light bloomed.
“Ry, you there?” Alex set down the sacks, unbuttoning his coat.
Ry stood up and ran to him, hugging him tight.
“Hey, hey, I’m here.” Alex squeezed Ry closer. “I’m here.”
Light danced on the ceiling, and Ry took in sharp breaths. Alex smelled wet and cold, but under that, a hint of cloves.
“Come on,” Alex said after shedding his raincoat. “The living room will be the best place to stay.”
“Okay,” Ry said, grabbing a bag and trailing after his boyfriend.
“Your dad never answered me, so I assumed you had nothing.”
Alex handed Ry the flashlight. “Hold this for a sec.” He pulled out candles, a couple of lighters, a few battery packs, and a few other things. Ry followed Alex as he set up the tapers and lit them, warm light flickering to life.
The icy knot in Ry’s stomach unraveled, replaced by a warmth as the candlelight pushed the gloom away. Alex turned toward Ry once most of the candles had been lit and placed.
“Let’s get your phone charged. Have you had anything to eat?”
Ry shook his head. “Not since lunch.”
“Hungry?”
“Not right now.”
“Okay,” Alex said, taking a deep breath and surveying the room before his eyes landed on Ry. He wore his worn blue hoodie, though in this light it looked almost black. “You cold? I brought hot cocoa and can make some.”
“Yes, please,” Ry said, shuffling over to the couch and sitting down, still wrapped in his blanket.
“You are welcome to come with me,” Alex said. He sat down next to Ry and took his hand. “Also, we don’t want to burn your dad’s house down.”
“I’m okay now,” Ry leaned against Alex. “Thank you for coming out all the way over here in the middle of a storm. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Me too.” Alex pulled Ry close and rubbed his shoulder.
“What did your dad say?”
“Don’t worry about it, Ry.” Alex kissed Ry on the forehead. “Now, would you like cocoa, or would you prefer I stay with you?”
“I’ll be okay here.”
“If you need me, call out, but otherwise keep the door closed. We’ll want to keep the heat in. I’m going to grab blankets. They’re in the laundry room or one of the hall closets?”
“Hall closet near my dad’s study.”
Alex kissed Ry gently. “I’ll be back soon.” He picked up the other bag and headed to the kitchen.
Ry nodded and settled onto the couch. The candlelight flickered and danced as a draft swept in.
Alex’s footsteps were faint behind the closed door, but Ry felt warmer.
Inside this room, the storm’s roar was a distant, muted rumble.
He relaxed, checking his phone. The device powered on, yet its charge remained low.
Alex came back in and tossed the blankets and pillows to Ry. “Might as well get comfortable. Oh, that’s the water. I’ll be back.”
Ry grabbed the pile and took a couple of pillows and leaned them against the armrest, and shook out a blanket for Alex. Despite the darkness, it was only six. Ry looked in the bag that Alex had left and pulled out a radio, setting it on the coffee table. Alex had thought of everything.
Alex bustled in with two huge, steaming mugs of cocoa. The sweet chocolate in the air made Ry’s mouth water.
“Here you go.” Alex handed him one. He sat down. “Do you want to listen to the news? I brought some cards.”
“We also have some board games,” Ry said, sipping his drink. “Though they may be out of our age range from when my mom and I used to play.”
Ry sighed, warmth spreading through him. He shed the blanket and scooted closer to Alex, leaning against him. He looked at Alex’s hands, sparkling caught his eye.
“Did Ella paint your nails?”
Alex chuckled. “Yeah, you saved me from having my toes done as well. I didn’t have anywhere to be, and she was bored. My dad would never let her do such a thing, so I gave in.”
“She’s a makeup artist in training,” Ry said. “Though you pull it off.”
Alex grinned, setting his mug down. “Thanks. Well, let’s see what the news is.”
“Major outages have been reported all across the metro area,” a man announced.
“At least one hundred thousand residents are without power. PGE has crews prioritizing downed lines, and emergency crews are working to keep roads clear of debris. Do not travel unless necessary. If you see any trees obstructing roads or if you see a fallen wire, call first responders.”
Alex turned it off.
“It’s grim out there,” Ry said. “How bad?”
“I had to backtrack twice due to fallen branches blocking the road.”
Ry sat up, his face cold. The image of Alex crushed under a tree came to him. “I’m sorry I made you risk yourself.”
“Hey, babe.” Alex took Ry’s mug and set it down and pulled him tight to his chest. “You didn’t make me do anything. I chose to come.”
How could he have been so selfish? Tightness built behind Ry’s eyes, his tears staining Alex’s hoodie. His chest shuddered as he struggled to breathe through the tightness in his throat. He tried talking but couldn’t speak.
Alex held him close, rubbing his back. “It’s okay, Ry. I’m here.”
Ry focused on the warmth from Alex, the pressure holding him together, the sensation of hands on his shoulders. He pulled Alex closer to him. The low rumble of Alex’s voice vibrated through Ry, the words indistinct, but akin to leaves singing in the breeze.
Ry’s breath slowed, his swollen eyes still damp. He loosened his grip around Alex’s middle. He twisted to get more comfortable.
“Ugh,” Ry groaned. “I’m sorry I broke down like that. I’m not four.”
Alex glanced down, the soothing rubbing continuing. “Don’t apologize for being human. Glad you are comfortable around me.”
Ry noticed tears in Alex’s eyes. “Did I make you cry?”
Alex laughed, almost choking on spit. “Yeah, of course. Holding you, knowing I can help you feel better just by being here? God that’s the most amazing experience in the world.”
Ry melted at the words, a prickle at the back of his eyes. “Really? You are ridiculous.” Ry reached up to wipe Alex’s cheek. “I love you, goober. Thanks for being here.”
“By the way, you are the cutest crier.”
“What? No, I look so gross.” Ry wiped his nose.
Alex kissed him on the forehead and squeezed him tight. “I can’t explain it. All I want to do is wrap you up.”
“Does that mean I can finally get this hoodie?” Ry asked, tugging at the fabric. “It’ll be like you hugging me while I wear it.”
Alex chuckled and released one arm. He drank some of his cocoa, then set it down again. “By the way, I plan to stay until the power is back on or the roads are safer to drive.”
“Okay,” Ry said. He grabbed his cup, wrapping his fingers for maximum warmth. “This is good.”
“Enjoy. Let’s both hope I can make food for dinner out of the scraps you have and what I could get at the store.”
Ry watched Alex over his drink. There was a certain intensity in his expression when he was planning something.
He looked angry while lost in thought. Ry learned to read past that look.
Alex was talking through some of his plans, but Ry let the words flow over him.
Now Alex smiled at him, his face lighting up with boyish delight.
“What are you smiling at, babe?”
“You,” Ry said, raising his hand to Alex’s cheek. “I love your smile.”
Alex blushed. Ry set down his empty mug. He leaned in and kissed Alex, his lips soft and tasting of hot cocoa. Ry snuggled closer, burrowing as much as he could into Alex.
They locked lips again, Alex capturing Ry’s mouth over and over. His body tingled with heat at the points their bodies touched, overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through him. He never wanted to let go.