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     "I'll be there in 20 minutes."

     Morris's half-closed eyes didn't blink as he observed the rain pour down the window of his living room.

     "I was calling to let you know I'm not going to work today. Can't drive you."

     Victor didn't respond right ahead. While he pondered, Morris observed a particular drop of rain on its journey downwards. The watery shadows of rain shifted across his skin, smooth from the neutrality of his expression.

     "What happened?"

     Yes Victor was his best friend, but the last person he wanted to tell what happened to was a gay man. He'd probably twist his mind into thinking he was one as well, and Morris wasn't having any of that.

     "It doesn't concern you."

     Victor paused. "10 minutes."

     Morris opened his mouth, but the call had ended. He let the phone simply drop from his hand onto the couch, and himself as well.

——-

     "I just don't- don't feel well." Morris said through clenched teeth, pacing left and right by the big window of his living room.

     Victor was leaning on the tall cabinet, and so whenever Morris glanced at him, he could see himself in the cabinet's mirror. He looked disgusting from lack of sleep and shaving cream. He forgot to buy some last time he's gone shopping.

      "I just don't understand why you're keeping it from me. What could I possibly do other than give you advice?"

      "I honest to God don't want your advice."

     Victor watched the man pace away from the window to his bedroom and followed. He was getting dressed for work.

     "Thought you weren't feeling well."

     "I was lying, Victor, to get you out of the apartment, but it seems I must leave my own home in order to be left alone."

     The hangers slid down the rod with swooshes as he discarded one suit after the other until the row was finished, point at which he started over.

     Victor approached calmly, a hand in the pocket of his brown pants, and placed the other hand onto Morris's shoulder. Since the thin, long-sleeve t-shirt on him was large, the collar didn't cover his shoulder entirely and so Victor's hand landed on skin.

     It was surely the reason Morris halted and stumbled away, moving the shirt around.

     "Morris."

     "I will have an accusation of sexual harassment thrown at me, Victor! Funny part? I deserve it!"

     Victor gawked at his friend, hand still where Morris's shoulder was moments ago. After just a second, his eyes went half-closed again.

     "How?"

     "I kissed Noah."

     Victor's arm slumped down, both hands now in his pockets. He glanced at the floor, his long neck bent.

     "Why?"

     Morris sat down on his big, unmade bed and rubbed the grey carpet with his naked feet.

     "He just. He just genuinely complimented my top hat and I lost it."

     Victor rubbed his mouth with a hand to keep from laughing. The guy was hopelessly serious about this.

     "How'd he react?"

     Morris glared at him, then at the walls. "None of your business."

     "Why are you being like this? I'm your best friend."

     "Gay best friend."

     Victor's faint smile slid off, his neck rising. "How does being gay make a difference?"

     "It makes a huge fucking difference, Victor!"

     Morris should've sensed something was wrong from the way he'd asked his question, somehow more monotonous than usual. He looked up to see those dark green eyes, those clever, wise eyes that had slid over thousands pages and held the answers to all, glance at him the way he'd glance at a book that he'd read and had been impressed by none.

     Victor just hugged his own thin waist, turned around with easy steps and his back hunched nonchalantly, and left.

 

     "You keep staring at me, Morris Kentson." Heather chuckled, her perfect teeth matching the pearls around her neck.

     She'd known Morris would wear something as vintage as ever for the party, and so she went for the elegantly classic red dress, red lipstick and white pearls attire, her dark brown hair pulled up in a loose, voluminous bun.

     "You keep being gorgeous, Heather Cliffin."

     Really, he was just afraid to look up or anywhere around. From the corner of his eyes, he could distinguish the crowd that stood around the coffee vending machine like moths around a flame.

     IT.

     Noah Vinson.

     It made his stomach rise in the place of his heart, which in turn had risen to his throat. All in all, his insides felt wrong, he was just unwell and wanted to go home, all because of a misunderstanding between himself and himself.

     He just got a little excited over a compliment, and how well Noah looked with a top hat has had nothing to do with it.

     "Morris?"

     The man tightened his grip on her hourglass waist and spun them around, focusing on the beauty, feminine beauty before him. He mus've been the luckiest guy in the building to have gotten her as a date and there he was, blowing it.

     He took a deep breath, put on his charming smile and sent her in a twirl.

——-

     Noah watched it all from above the rim of his coffee cup, a hand in the pocket of his suit. He was wearing a thing he's had since Uni, and so it stood tighter on him than he was comfortable with. But he got a bunch of compliments and even heart stickers for it, so he deduced it wasn't that bad.

     Morris's tie must've helped. Long, thin and black, it went well with the pitch black suit and white shirt.

     "So, things are going smoothly between you two." Chester commented as dull as ever.

     Despite looking sharp and very much hot in his suit, he hadn't touched the mess of tangled locks of hair. Noah himself would be afraid what might come out of it, so he couldn't blame the guy.

     "Whatever." Noah placed the empty cup on the table and shouldered away someone that was about to use the coffee vending machine.

     "Asshole." he murmured, walking away.

     Noah ignored him, pressing the 'minus' button to lower the sugar to a minim of 0.

     "He's clinging onto her but really he's clinging onto his heterosexuality." Chester said.

     "I couldn't give any less fucks. I'm not going to suck it out of him like a desperate little bitch."

     Chester glanced at his friend from the corner of his eyes.

     "Stop with the coffee."

     Noah straightened up and downed his coffee before darting the cup away.

     "If you touch that button one more-"

     Chester gripped Noah's wrist and struggled against him before pushing him away. They gripped at each other's clothes and started shoving around, while everyone from IT ignored their little fuss.

——-

     Morris didn't want Noah gone.

     He knew that for sure the moment his stomach dropped from his chest and his heart returned to its destined place as he watched the CEO of Fey enter the room along with people he'd invited.

     They made their way to the CEO of Vex, who was, too, accompanied, and so they formed their little group of important people.

     "Morris?"

     He glanced at his own group that consisted of Rae, Heather, and a handful of friends. He's been far away from his physical self this entire evening, it must've been the nth time people called his name in order to snatch him back into present.

     "I must go, I'll return immediately."

     He brushed Heather's waist before making his way to the pompous people. Once there, he tipped his top hat in salutation, and the men chuckled.

     "This is Morris Kentson, HR generalist. I believe he's the one you were meaning to talk to. Morris, this is Mister Fey, CEO of Fey." Mr. Hundall made the introduction.

     "Glad you made it, sir." Morris shook his hand.

     The man was fit for his age, and though bald presented a short, well kept beard.

     "Gladder! So, if I dare get straight to business, who is this man Jen kept swooning about?"

     "I should believe that to be me, sir, but I can also present you a model she might've mentioned. I'll be right back."

     Fey laughed loudly, as did Mr. Hundall, while Morris walked away. The first few steps were confident strides, however the closer he got to the vending machine, the more hesitant he grew.

     Noah's white hair was ruffled in places as though it's been pulled by someone. The white tips stood in contrast with the black suit, and faded into his mat white shirt.

     He looked a bit scrawny in clothes that fit him, and his legs could be actually visible to their full, considerable length. Still, he was looking sharp and. nice.

     "Vin."

     The man glanced up from his cup of coffee, and Morris's eyebrows knitted together at the sight of red that stained the immaculate whiteness. His lip was busted.

     Noah stared at him for a few seconds before cocking his head curiously.

     "Kent."

     Morris glanced at the floor, hands in pockets. "Can you try and follow what I'm about to say?"

     Noah squinted his widened eyes, red and captivating and- Morris glanced back to the floor.

     "I'll try my best to cope."

     Morris nodded, flicking his top hat when it fell forwards.

     "It's no big deal, just a crazy idea of mine. I wanted... I..." he sighed. "I wanted you gone, so I recommended you as a model to this ad agency that Vex got involved with. They want to meet you and all but it... you can just go ahead and decline."

     "I failed." Noah announced.

     Morris raised his eyebrows.

     "Failed to follow. What the fuck are you talking about." Noah clarified. "You were planning to give me away as a model to some company?"

     "Pretty much. But I now realize it was the dumbest thing to do, as in, you would never accept it or anything and... yeah. They just want to see you. If you could decline them shortly that'd be great."

     Noah looked at his chest and then back into his eyes, most likely confused by the subject of conversation. The elephant in the room wasn't helping his gears, for sure.

     But then a grin went loose, despite the injury on his lower lip.

     "Why would I refuse?"

     Morris's hand slipped out of his pocket, dangling. He opened his mouth, switching his weight from one foot to the other while scratching his temple.

     "Well... You don't seem the kind of person that would... I mean- you don't have to refuse, I just didn't think you'd like it. It's up to you really. Just come see them..." his voice trailed off into whisper.

     Noah placed his cup on the table, by the dozen others, and arranged his (Morris's) tie. Morris eyed the gesture with a frown and moved his hands aside, fixing it himself.

     "So, hate me that much?"

     Morris placed his palm on the tie, pressing it flat onto Noah's chest, and brushed it down.

     "I just really didn't want that footage out there, but then... As I said by the bridge."

     "But then I grew on you." the corner of Noah's lip twitched. "A lot, if yesterday's anything to go by."

     "I'm sorry."

     Noah waited, glancing from one deep green eye to the other. "That's all?"

     Morris shrugged. "It just happened. That's all."

     The man crossed his arms, leaning his torso frontwards. "If you want me to stay, dance with me."

     "What?"

     Noah bumped into his shoulder as he walked past him and towards the mob of people watching them. Morris watched him go for a few moments before moving after him.

     When he arrived, they were already discussing money and schedules. Morris stood by Fey and Noah, merely watching their mouths move and hands gesture, their conversation muted. Now and again, he focused more than he should on the tongue that slid over the red that stained the plump, white lip.

     "So then it's settled?"

     Morris gulped dryly, glancing away from Fey's questioning gaze to Noah's daring one. Their eyes locked, those transparent orbs barely peeking at him from behind the eyelids. The lights were bugging him.

     "Want to dance, Vin?"

     Fey and Mr. Hendall frowned Morris's way while Noah did the opposite.

     "I greatly appreciate everyone's intention but I'm glad about my current situation. Now if you'll excuse me..."

     And that was pretty much how Morris ended up with his hands around Noah's waist, surrounded by numerous dancing couples. Surely no one took them for serious, but the group they'd just left looked very much dazzled.

     He'd get hell from CEO for this.

     "Is this your response to what happened yesterday?" Morris asked.

     "Is it inadequate?"

     Morris tsked, glancing around. "You're making fun of me aren't you."

     "I would never." he insisted, placing a hand on Morris's shoulder.

     The taller man took hold of his wrist. Before he got to snatch it right off, he got the urge to feel up the defined, round bone, and so he did.

     "Why are you beating around the bush, Kent?"

     "Regarding what?"

     Noah hummed, however it wend unheard because of the music. "Say, the folder, to begin with."

     Morris squinted. "Folder?"

     He could remember him mentioning some folder all those days ago, when they were in the bathroom.

     Noah blinked his eyes slowly, getting closer to him, nose raised. "The folder on my laptop, Kent. Must I go into detail?"

     "I have no idea what you're talking about."

———

     Chester eyed the dancing men while leaning on a burgundy covered table, expression neutral-to-sleepy. His coworkers weren't any more impressed, arms crossed and heads barely straight.

     "How about we break the ice." Chester suggested.

     "What do you mean?" a frail voice asked, that of the youngest guy in their branch.

     "Well, the entire company knows of Morris's broadcasted video save for Morris himself."

     A few heads turned Chester's way.

     "Yeah, it makes it even funnier. Why ruin it?"

     Chester sighed. "Because this party is boring."

     With that, he pushed himself away from the table and walked towards the music system.

———

     "Kent." Noah insisted with a strained laugh. "You wouldn't have kissed me yesterday if you hadn't seen it. Seriously, it's no big deal. I planned it all."

     Noah was only getting closer, and Morris's fingers tighter around his wrist.

     "Vin-"

     "So I was sitting at there in the bar and this guy comes up to me and he said 'My life stinks' and I saw his gold credit card and the way he was looking at people across the room and I looked at his face and you know, what a good looking face, and I just said 'Dude... Your perspective on life sucks'."

     Through it all, both pairs of eyes gawked at each other, however only one was focused. Morris's eyes were steadily growing more and more distant until he was staring right through Noah, the way Victor would stare at a book he'd read and had been impressed by none.

     Laughter all around went heard over the beat he'd once found catchy and cheerful, but currently made him sick to the stomach.

     "I can seriously explain..."

     His words went unheard as Morris raised his head, observing the faces observing him.

     Rae was hiding her eyes while Heather hid her laughing mouth. In the space between them and the group of important people, Morris's eyes passed over other numerous familiar faces, laughing and pointing. Eventually, he saw Mr. Hundall lean closer to Fey and point at Morris, gesticulating and chuckling. He was explaining the stunt, for sure.

     And just like that, Morris saw himself as the most ridiculous thing. Standing there like a vintage wannabe fool, with a pocket clock at his chest and- the stupid top hat.

     He let go of Noah, despite the grip he'd returned on his wrist, and took off his hat before walking to the exit. On the way, people patted his shoulder and back, glued a few heart papers to him, but he passed right through them.

     Once outside and safe in the darkness of the hallway, he took deep breaths and paced around. When he came upon a trashcan, he threw away his top hat and resumed walking.

————-

     High school never ends, not quite.

     It had to be why Morris was locked in a bathroom stall, crying. Well, only tearing up, he was a man after all.

     He had every reason to, as he thought back on everyone's behavior. They've known of it for quite some time, and yet he went about his business gullible.

     "God." he whispered, rubbing away the forming tears before glancing at his wet hand and sniffling.

     And if he thought his day couldn't get any worse, he had another thought coming. The door of the bathroom opened, and he glared at the pool of light that formed on the floor beyond the stall door.

     It dispersed the next second as the door closed. Morris brought up his legs and hugged his knees like the little girl he was, not in the mood for Rae's wise ass.

     "Morris, open up."

     Morris hugged his legs tighter, clenching his teeth.

     It was Noah.

     He knocked on the door repeatedly, and when Morris refused to give any sign of presence, the man entered the next stall. Morris listened the noises confused until he understood he was about to climb the toilet and enter his stall.

     Morris stood up and went for the door but while he unlocked it, Noah landed onto the toilet and hurried over, pressing his back to it with a rattle.

     Morris glared at Noah, whose grey irises could be barely distinguished from the sclera in the darkness.

     "Are you crying?"

     The man in question rolled his eyes, choosing not to comment.

     "Seriously, you either act way past your age or like a child."

     Morris slapped away the hand that was going for his arm. Noah rubbed it with a frown.

     "Look. All I did was send it to a friend. He was the one to have sent it to another one, who posted it on this site that 80% of the people in this company use."

     Morris rubbed his forehead, sighing shakily. "A site. So the whole wide world has access to it, then."

     "It's not my fault!"

     "It is too!" Morris yelled. "You could've told your stupid friend to take it down right ahead."

     "Fine, I'm- I'm!" his tiny shoulders raised helplessly, face contorted in what looked like pain.

     Morris placed his hands on his hips, staring at him in disbelief. "Just fucking say it, man."

     Noah leaned on the door, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm... stuff- God, ugh."

     Morris wiped away what was left of the tears and shook his head. "Just leave."

     "I am sor-" he coughed. "I'm sorry. Ugh. There." he raised his palms. "I really am. Seriously. Please..." he sighed lightly and bowed his head.

     "You made a fool of me and you just- you screwed me up."

     Noah blindly reached out and touched Morris's jaw the way he'd been aching to all this time. It was firm as he'd imagined, and the bone beneath sharp to the touch.

     Morris frowned at him. "What in the world?"

     "Kiss me."

     Morris choked out some noises, taking a few steps back.

     This was not okay. Having weird thoughts about Noah and feeling an inexplicable, however ignorable, attraction towards him was one thing. Possibly having the feelings returned was another. It made things real.

     "Shut up." he whispered.

     Noah leaned his torso frontwards, butt on door. "You really didn't see the folder did you."

     "Just-"

     "Gay porn."

     Morris slumped down on the toilet.

     "I wanted you to see it and bail out, but you... I thought you chose to take advantage of the information instead."

     Morris shook his head, gaping. "You're not gay..."

     Noah raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Well shit, my bad."

     Morris continued shaking his head. "I- I only saw some videos of you! I didn't... What?"

     Noah slid down the door until he was crouched, his back pressed to it and elbows on knees, arms dangling frontwards.

     They stood in silence for a while, taking the time to process everything. Noah kept tapping the floor with his dress shoe, while Morris observed said shoe.

     "But you like me." Noah murmured.

     Morris raised only his eyes. "You're my least favorite person right now..." he straightened his back slowly. "The kiss was an impulse... you were acting nice for once and it made me weird."

     "But..."

     "You're an asshole, Noah. It's who you are, and I've had enough of it. Now get out of the way."

     Noah stood up, jaw and fists clenched. "You- You killed my rat!" he yelled after the departing man and exited the stall, watching him go. "You're the asshole, you killed my fucking rat!"

     With that, he entered the stall and slammed the door after him before taking Morris's previous spot.

     "Man, you guys are wicked."

     "Thanks, I try."

     "I know you do."

     "Oh quit the humanitarian crap. I'm a cunt and that's fine with me."

     "Whatever you say, Noah."

     Noah sniffled, clenching Morris's tie.

 

Is there something wrong with this chapter? Man... I don't feel proud of it... Is it ok?

Also Noah and Morris to the right—-... I meaaan up there. (still pissed at wattpad about that)

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