Page 31 of Should the Sky Fall

Kieran looks at him. “You don’t think you’re sleeping on the sofa, are you?”

Dawson looks at the sofa. That was, in fact, what he thought. “Well…”

“Nuh-uh. You’re sleeping in the bed with me.”

Dawson makes a face. “Really? Do I have to?”

Kieran rolls his eyes. “I’ll change the sheets, okay?”

Dawson is dubious.

“I will!”

“Okay, okay. I’ll sleep in your bed with you. But I’ll pinch your nose if you snore.” It might be nice not having to be alone with his thoughts for once.

Two days later, Dawson is questioning his life choices yet again, although this time for a different reason. If he’d thought that staying with Kieran would be preferable to being alone in the empty apartment, he’s sorely mistaken. And when he said Kieran wasn’t that dirty? It couldn’t be further from the truth.

He could get over finding wet towels on the bathroom floor, or the bathroom mirror sprayed with toothpaste, but why does he have to find Kieran’susedunderwear on his side of the bed, or a half-eaten container of food left on the table overnight? Also, people who leave a used butter knife on the sink’s edge have a special place in hell reserved for them.

He’s barely got any shuteye in the past two days, because his dear friend snores like a chainsaw and talks in his sleep. Not to mention he’s a damned blanket hog. That’s one good thing about Cal—he sleeps like the dead.

Jesus, straight guys are gross. He might end up taking the sofa in the end. The lesser of two evils.

Since he’s been up most of the night, he watches the minutes on the clock tick by. At six, he can’t take it anymore and decides to go for a run. Kieran’s place is further from the beach, not just a street over like Cal’s, so he’ll need to go through streets and crossings, which he hates.

He brushes his teeth first and washes his face before going through his suitcase. He didn’t bring his running clothes, so he just throws on a plain white shirt and the joggers he was wearing yesterday. He doesn’t have his running shoes either, but that’s fine. He’ll run barefoot once he reaches the beach. If he’s quick enough, he might still catch the sunrise.

Spoiler alert: he’s not quick enough. He doesn’t mind. The sky is absolutely stunning, playing out in shades of orange and purple.

Dawson loves this; the beach and living on the East Coast. It’s one of his favorite things, just listening to the sound of waves and seagulls (and occasionally being attacked by them), and feeling the sand slide between his toes. Whenever he’s here, he can pretend he’s living a different life. He should’ve married a surfer, then he would have a good reason to spend most of his time on the beach. Before work swallowed up his life, Cal used to surf too.

While the morning run doesn’t miraculously make his problems go away or his gloomy mood disappear, he does feel a little better when heads back to Kieran’s half an hour later. He considers steering his course towardsLost and Groundto grab a quick bite, keep the endorphins pumping through both exercise and carbs, but he hasn’t brought his wallet nor his phone with him, and he forgot to put his watch on after he showered last night. Gabe and Zeke would probably try to make him get whatever he wants for free, or let him pay later, but he’d feel awkward doing that. Although he could convince Kieran to go with him before he has to leave for work.

Kieran’s already up and in the shower when Dawson gets back. Knowing his friend doesn’t tend to bring clothes with him to the bathroom (ask Dawson how he knows), he steers clear of the bedroom and waits in the living room, chugging down a glass of water.

“Wanna go to the cafe with me?” Dawson asks when Kieran emerges—fully dressed—a few minutes later.

“Oh yeah. I haven’t been in a while. Now?”

“I need a shower.” Dawson pulls on his sweaty shirt. “But then I’m good to go.”

“No rush. I’ve got plenty of time.”

They get to the cafe just after eight, and this time it’s decidedly not quiet. Gabe manages a quick chat with them while Zeke pumps out drinks.

“Are you staying?” Gabe asks after Dawson paid for them.

“Yeah, we have time to kill,” Kieran says.

“Cool. Just take a seat, I’ll find you.”

“Of course you will. Hard to miss this pretty face.” Kieran bats his eyelashes, and Gabe giggles.

“So gay,” Dawson stage whispers, getting the honor of seeing Kieran stick his tongue out. “And we can wait here. You’re busy enough as it is.” He thinks Gabe wants to argue, but in the end he just smiles.

“Such a gentleman. Damn, Dawson, if you weren’t married…”

Dawson laughs, and Kieran with him. Gabe is a flirt; it’s no secret. He flirts with everyone, but it’s just harmless fun. Well, mostly harmless, if Dawson doesn’t count the people who are so enamored with Gabe, men and women alike, that they come to the cafe daily just to see him. Gabe thinks it’s sweet. Dawson thinks it’s bordering on stalking and obsession.