54: Longing

“I am at the gate,” Stephen's utterance made Xavier's heart miss a beat. Though he was furious with the man, he couldn't deny that he wanted to see him. He hastily rose from the plush rug he had been sitting on and hurried outside. Contrary to what he had told his security hours prior, he demanded they open the gate. And there he stood. The man who made him feel so helpless. Xavier swallowed watching him saunter into his compound with so much familiarity. Though he too was drunk, he could tell Stephen wasn't sober either.

Stephen walked until he stood in Xavier's personal space. They were face to face and each could feel the other's breath fanning the face. Before Xavier could stop himself, he let his head fall on Stephen's chest with a sigh. Xavier breathed out deeply, letting his chin fall on Xavier's head before kissing it.

Both men stood there awkwardly loving each other's presence for a while and then Xavier turned and headed back to the house with Stephen following closely. The