Chapter 33
Thirty-Three
Ronan sat on Sean’s bed as he packed almost every item he owned into two large rolling bags. Clothes, books, his skates, of course , even some odd silver instrument he could blow in that made a series of high-pitched notes.
He looked forward to hearing Sean play for him, but he still had so much on his mind. He needed to subdue Autumn’s father and explain his situation to Sean before heading back to Surge.
The emperor and empress were counting on him. But worse still, he hadn’t told Sean he wasn’t of this world and needed to figure out the right time.
Planets from the Earth’s solar system hung from the ceiling, surrounded by rainbow glow in the dark stars. Sean had never mentioned he had a fascination with outer space, but it was apparent upon first glance around his bedchamber.
A positive sign, or at least he hoped.
Sean stood on his bed to grab some of the stars from the ceiling. “I know you’re going to think this is silly, but I can’t sleep without these. I count them over and over again until I fall asleep every night. I even stuck them around my dorm room. My roommate thought I was crazy.” He chuckled.
“I don’t think it’s silly, but you won’t need them. There are plenty of stars for you to count where we’re going.”
“Come again?” Sean glanced at him, mouth tilting to a grin.
Ronan’s face warmed against his will as he ran a hand through his hair.
Sean continued. “Oh, and I don't want to forget this.” He raced over to the shelf and pulled out a large black leather-bound book with silver edges.
“What’s this?” Ronan cocked his head to the side.
“My sketchbook.”
“Oh, you never mentioned you liked to draw.”
“That’s because it’s kind of a secret,” Sean shrugged and flipped through the pages, searching through his sketches. “But I enjoy it so much, I’m actually thinking of changing my major from event planning. Do you want to take a look? I’ve never shown it to anyone else before.”
“I’d be honored.” He took the book from his boyfriend and examined the drawings. He was pleasantly surprised at how life-like they appeared. Some were in black and white, while others were in full color.
The opening pages featured Earth’s magnificent scenery—farm landscapes, beautiful night skies filled with a full moon and whistling stars, the vast woodland. Ronan could’ve sworn he was looking at a picture of Farrah Falls.
“These are exquisite,” he glanced up from the book, smiling.
“Thank you. I’m so glad you like them.”
As he continued to flip, the images grew darker—some of monsters covered with full body fur and fangs, while one was coated from head to toe with iridescent black scales with long twisted talons popping from his fingertips. His slit-eyes were a lifeless yellow like golden butterscotch that seemed to shift to deep purple as he flipped through the pages. A razor-sharp lethal tail hung above his buttocks dripping in crimson blood. Its eyes watched Ronan no matter what angle he positioned the book. Goosebumps ran down his spine. Sean had a wild imagination.
Ronan struggled to pull his eyes away from the scaled monster. He continued to turn the pages but stopped dead when he reached an image of a flying saucer in a field surrounded by little green men with large obsidian eyes and four fingers on each hand. He bit his cheeks so hard as not to laugh and hurt his boyfriend’s feelings. This one was ridiculous.
“Wait, is this what you think aliens look like?” Ronan quirked a brow. Never in any of his travels had encountered any creature who appeared so primitive.
At that moment, Sean’s mother burst into the room holding two brown paper bags and cold orange drinks that read Fanta . Her brown curly hair sat in a mid-length ponytail, and her large brown eyes smiled at them.
Sean pressed the book closed, hiding it behind his back.
“Here, I packed you both some snacks for the trip. Are you sure you can’t stay a little longer? Your father and I would love to talk more with you and your friend. Thank you again for your service, Ronan. It isn’t every day we have a handsome man in uniform come and visit our home.” She batted her eyes.
“Um, you’re welcome,” Ronan’s face burned from the compliment.
“Where did you say you two are going again?” Sean’s mother asked.
Ronan opened his mouth to speak but Sean interrupted. “Please, Mom, stop, you’re embarrassing me. I’ll text you when we get there. We promise we’ll check in.”
“Okay,” Sean’s mother ambled over and hugged him, kissing his cheek and leaving a red lip imprint. He groaned, pulling away.
“We should get going,” Ronan glanced into his pocket at the time on his communicator. The screen read 22:00 hours. “We’re going to be late.”
“Well, you sure packed enough, didn’t you mijo? It’s hard to believe only the two of you are going on this trip.”
“It’s three of us,” Ronan corrected her.
“Mom, please stop, I got this,” Sean’s face flushed a deep crimson.
She winked. “I know you do, and I know you’ll make us proud.”
Ronan’s heart sped. They needed to leave immediately in order to maintain his schedule and come through for Autumn and Dante.
Sean struggled to carry the bags he packed. His belongings spilled from the sides and fell to the floor. Ronan took them from him and slung them over his shoulders.
Sean’s mother gasped. “Not only is he cute, he’s strong too.” She fanned her face.
Sean rolled his eyes as they made their way through the door and down the steps.
Ronan made his way outside with Sean. Lights sparkled through the windows of Sean’s house and into the night. His parents stood in the doorway waving goodbye, and his mother blew kisses at them.
“I’m sorry about her, she’s a bit extra,” Sean glanced his way, shaking his head. His ginger-blonde hair shifted over his eyes.
He chuckled. “It’s okay.” Secretly Ronan wished his own parents would have cared more about him.
They approached a midnight-blue land craft parked along the black.
“I ordered an Uber so we could get going as soon as possible. I know you have to get back to work.”
They climbed inside with Sean’s numerous bags tumbling over their laps. The pilot of the vehicle turned around and addressed them. “Where are you headed?”
Sean shrugged and glanced at Ronan.
“Take us to Farrah Falls.”
“You got it.”
Sean tilted his head. “By the way, who’s the third person coming with us?”
Ronan pressed out an uneasy smile. “You’ll meet him soon enough.”