Warning: Story may contain spontaneous plot and some implied stuffs
It's like grocery shopping with a little kid. All Altaïr wants is the sugary foods in colorful packaging. Cereal, ice cream, candy, cream filled doughnuts. Just whatever caught his eye. He'd disappear to some part of the store, then reappear later with the box of whatever in his hands, giving Alex gigantic puppy eyes as he holds up the box in hopes of being able to store in their basket. And every time Alex sends him away, feeling like a mother who made the unfortunate decision to go shopping with her young son.
Sometimes Altaïr instead brings him odder things. Sodas he doesn't know the names of, packaged meats, frozen dinners, or whatever new off brand of yogurt there was. Those Alex dismissed as well. He didn't shop for food because it looked good or because he wanted to try it. He was a simple man in terms of food. Milk, eggs, bread, coffee, and butter. He could so easily just live off those five things no problem. But here they were, having to replace all those because Altaïr went through all of it like it was nothing.
Long ago they had already discussed how food was now readily available to just about anyone with a couple bucks. It amazed Altaïr that just about everyone had food, food was everywhere, food, food, and more food. But it also enraged him that despite that, there were people still starving in the streets. ("This is the twenty-first century!" he had raved. "How can your technologies not feed all the people of the world by now?")
Alex didn't have an answer for him at the time. He did however have an answer when Altaïr came running back up to him for the uptheeth time that shopping trip to shove a box of Fruity Pebbles in his face. The answer for that was yes just to at least make him shut up. And it worked until Altaïr started pestering him about chocolate milk to go with it.
x-X-x-X
"Bad mistake!" Altaïr cried the next morning, gagging over his breakfast combination of Fruity Pebbles in chocolate milk. "Big mistake!"
"Well that's too fucking bad" Alex growled at him, sipping his coffee as he browsed the news on his laptop. "You wanted it, you got it, you're gonna finish all of it. Otherwise, I'll never feed you again"
Altaïr stopped complaining after that.
x-X-x-X
Altaïr was a simple being when it came to technology. He knew how to turn things on and off, and that was just about it. Alex attempted to teach him how to use a regular telephone, and a month later, Altaïr knew how to answer it at least. Dialing in an actual number, not so much. But at least Alex felt better about leaving him home alone knowing he could just call him. Alex sometimes contemplated getting the man a cellphone; just a simple cellphone that didn't text or anything, just made calls.
But after watching Altaïr stare at a keyboard for an hour and manage to type three letters, Alex decided that maybe a cellphone was currently asking too much.
x-X-x-X
"But what about my work?" Alex asked his boss, hands bunching into fists. "You said my research would revolutionize the industry! If you just give me a little more time-"
"Dr. Mercer, I'm sorry" his boss apologized with a shake of his head. "We don't have time. Even if we could present your work, it would still be too late. We're not going to be saved"
Anything else his boss had to say to him, Alex barely heard. In the end, he stormed out of the office and stomped back to his lab, positively seething. He was so close, so goddamn close! He had been studying genetics and DNA alterations for years, it was what Gentek hired him for! He was so close to completing his work, and after that, he could have really done something. Actually made something, could have shown what he could really so. It would have made the company millions!
And Gentek was going under. He needed their labs for his work. Their recourses, their money, their time…He needed everything from them, and they were closing down. As he stomped by to his office, there were already others boxing things up, others making phone calls to other companies, everyone just preparing for the end.
By the time he reached his office, most of his anger had subsided and replaced with dread. He was going to need a new job. One that payed the bills, the rent, clothing, food, his cellphone, network provider, subway…Just a bunch of shit he was able to live comfortably with on his pay from Gentek. He had money in the bank, sure, lots of it. He could live off his savings, for a little while anyway. But perhaps not too long, not with Altaïr living with him still…
Oh.
x-X-x-X
He came home that night not sure what to say to his roommate. He didn't think Altaïr would understand the concept of making money to live comfortably, or having to cut back for a while on spending money and….things people didn't have to worry too much about back in the day. He didn't have to explain anything at all when he got home, though. The Syrian was missing from the apartment. Alex felt utterly relieved by that. Of all the things to be worried about, Altaïr not being here was currently not one of them.
Which gave Alex a little more time to come up with a good explanation. He started up dinner just as something to help him think, he thought better when he was working. But nothing came to his mind, no good explanation, just nothing at all. The real panic set in when Altaïr clambering back in through the window, and Alex didn't know what to say to him. But what could he? What did the self-proclaimed time traveler know about this all?
"Alix!" Altaïr greeted him, scrambling over to look over Alex's shoulder to see what he was making. "You are back! What is for dinner? Is it good? What is wrong? You look pale. Are you sick? Should I make you the coffee?"
"Dude just shut up" Alex sighed, glancing over his shoulder. "I'm fine, just…sit the hell down"
And Altaïr complied. An amazing feat on its own, but Alex was far too stressed to really be impressed. He could feel the other man staring at him, just waiting, waiting. Eventually dinner was finished, and for Alex, it was do or die time, handing Altaïr his plate, and settling down to eat with him. They didn't say anything to each other; Altaïr scarfing down his plate, while Alex picked at his own. Somehow they dragged it out until Altaïr was done and now staring at him expectantly. Alex finally decided to speak.
"I'm losing my job" Alex blurted out. Altaïr quirked a brow at him.
"I mean" Alex went on, and sighed. "My company? Gentek? It…it can't stay in business. It's closing down. It's not going to be operational anymore. So there will be no one for me to work for. So…yeah I'm just…"
"I do not think I am seeing the problem" Altaïr said. "Can you not just get another job?"
"I could but it's not that simple" Alex said. "I'd have to apply for a new job, and that might take some time. I need the money, okay? We'll be alright for a while on my savings, but the point of saving money is to use in the future, not now. And things are expensive. And I just can't waste all my money that fast, so things might be a little hard for a while until I can find a good job that can support us, and it won't be easy and we're gonna have to cut back on a lot until hen and-"
Alex was only silence when a hand reached out and placed itself over his mouth. He hadn't realized that he had started babbling on endlessly until Altaïr stopped him.
"You worry too much" Altaïr said, removing his hand and standing. "Come, your shoes, get them on. We shall run it off"
Alex didn't even argue.
x-X-x-X
By the time they stopped (some rooftop in Upper Manhattan), the last thing Alex was thinking about was his job. Rather, he was far more focused on his aching sides and legs. When Altaïr said they were going for a run, he expected a normal run, more like a casual jog. But oh no, Altaïr's definition of it was "running like no tomorrow and climbing over everything they possibly could". It showed how horribly out of shape Alex was. He hadn't done this much exercise since college, and once he got hired by Gentek right out of it, walking to the subway, to work, and back was all the exercise he needed.
He supposed, as he lied on the roof top gasping for air, that he really needed to start up some routine again. Altaïr, on the other hand, was still ripping and rearing to go, as if none of that bothered him at all, like it was something he did all the time. Knowing him, it probably was. Was this what he did all day when Alex wasn't home? Terrorized the streets of Manhattan like this? Goddamn.
"How are you feeling now, Alix?" Altaïr asked him, hovering over him with a wide grin.
"Like my.. legs are gon…gonna explode" Alex wheezed out. Was this how he was gonna die? Death by limb and internal organ explosion? No one was capable of this shit, not the kind of Altaïr made him do, the kind the man could do. Altaïr wasn't human. It was just the most logical conclusion of the night. Alex had been housing an alien for the last three months.
Altaïr laughed at him, and pulled him up into a sitting position. They lapsed into another period of silence, Alex slowly but surely regaining his breath and waiting for his everything to stop hurting. Tired. So tired. This is what he got for not even actually eating his dinner. His stomach felt like a hollow pit, and he could feel himself positively shaking all over. But it reminded him of why they were out here in the first place.
"Altaïr?"
"Yes?
"Thank you"
"For what?"
"Tonight"
The other man smirked at him. "I tell you, you need to relax more" Altaïr said. And as if for emphasis, leaned over and planted his lips on Alex's.
"Now you are very much welcome"
Alex was shaking for a whole new reason now.
x-X-x-X
Abstergo Industries wanted to hire him. Yes, that was right, Abstergo. They were one of, if not, the biggest medical company in the world. And they wanted to hire him. Alex kept reading their letter over and over, completely dumbfounded. Gentek was no where near as big and revolutionary as Abstergo, but someone wanted him. They knew of him, wanted him, needed him. According to their latter, they were staring up some projects in the area of genetic memory and DNA, everything Alex knew like the back of his hand.
Abstergo wanted to fucking hire him.
Alex discussed it with his boss, and his boss urged him to give them a call. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and he couldn't let it go. So Alex called the number provided in the letter, and spent the rest of the work day working up his resume right after the call. They wanted his resume as soon as possible to set up an interview. It was the absolute best news that everyone in Gentek had received since the announcement of them going under.
His colleagues were constantly dropping by Alex's office, wishing him luck, congratulating him, or offering their names as references. By the end of the day, Alex emailed it off, and now all he had to do was wait. But he was in such a good mood after that. Alex, for once, left work with a smile on his face. He even dropped by a mini mart to pick up a celebratory six pack, frozen pizza, and ice cream….among other things.
The smell of burnt coffee was the first thing to greet Alex when he walked through the door upon returning home. Altaïr thought Alex would feel great if he had a fresh cup of coffee after work every night, even if he still managed to positively ruin it every single time. But tonight, Alex didn't care about coffee.
"Alix, you are just in time! I have just finished your coffee, I'm sure you will-" Altaïr started to greet him with, but was swiftly cut off when Alex pulled him into a bruising kiss. When they broke apart, Altaïr blinked at him with pleasant surprise. "I am happy to see you in such a good mood"
"I was offered a job today" Alex said excitedly. "I already sent in my resume. The biggest company in the world wants to hire me, Altaïr. Out of everyone in Gentek, they wanted me. just me. It's a dream job, like, you have no idea"
Alex explained everything as he tossed the pizza into the oven. He explained what Abstergo was, what they did, what it would mean for him. He didn't know how much Altaïr actually understood, but he smiled and nodded the whole time anyway.
"It sounds very good. I am happy for you. You look happy" Altaïr said to him.
"How can I not be?" Alex actually laughed. "This is the best thing anyone in my field of study could ever be offered. My work will explode with Abstergo. I could get so much more done with them than I ever could with Gentek. What would have taken me years might be done in months. MONTHS"
Sure, he just sent in his resume less than a few hours ago. But if Abstergo wanted him so bad, they were gonna get him. He was practically a shoe in for a job with them. It was just the best news he had gotten in weeks. They were going to be fine. Things were gonna be fine.
x-X-x-X
Alex practically jumped out of his skin when his cellphone started ringing. He scrambled for it, ignoring Altaïr's cries of protest, He half slid off the bed to grab at his pants and dig through his pockets until he found it.
"Hello?" he said when he answered it.
The following conversation mostly consisted of someone talking to him about Abstergo, his job, the closing of Gentek, etc. etc. Things Alex didn't care about as he waited for the person to just say "you're hired". That, and he was partially distracted by wandering hands that kept making their owner's displeasure of this interruption known. Alex had to keep slapping his free hand over his mouth to keep from making some rather questionable noises.
But eventually things were cut to the chase. Alex managed to keep a straight voice as he scheduled an appointment with Abstergo in two day's time as Altaïr all but had his way with Alex's body until he hung up the phone. Alex didn't even get to relay the good news, he was assaulted with kisses right after, and the two continued to revel in goodness.
x-X-x-X
'They have called me back. My time here is over. Do not forget me. We will meet again'
'-Altaïr'
It didn't make sense. He never made sense but this….this did not make sense. At all. Alex didn't buy it, he was being messed with. Altaïr was just showing off how well he had learned modern English. Big whoop. He'd be back before dinner. He was like a cat that knew all the places in the neighborhood that he could get food from. He would come back.
Except he didn't. The next morning, there was no beautiful Syrian curled up in bed with him. There was no burnt coffee when Alex got home from work later that day. Now Alex went to look for him, visintg all their haunts in hopes of finding Altaïr. It took him all night to look everywhere he thought he might find him, but to no avail. He even asked the other tenants of his building; "Have you seen my roommate?"
No one had a positive answer for it.
Work was suddenly stressful again. But Alex didn't dare take a day off. Abstergo may have wanted him, but he was terrified that if he so much as missed one day, they'd find someone else to work on these projects for them. And Alex loved these projects too much to risk losing them. The work they were doing was groundbreaking…
But he loved Altaïr just as much. It took him days to finally accept that Altaïr wasn't coming home. His sick worry turned to anger. His anger turned to grief. His grief solidified then shattered into heartbreak. This wasn't the first time this had happened, someone he loved walking out on him. Except the circumstances were different. And it didn't hurt this bad when Karen left him. He missed her, sure, it hurt. But life felt empty without Altaïr. And it hurt like hell.
He had to drag himself through work, throwing himself into the projects, not returning home until late in the night, then leaving again only a mere hours later. His new boss was impressed by the progress he was making. There was already talks of him being promoted to lead the projects themselves. Alex really didn't care, though.
x-X-x-X
"Come onnnn, Alex! Just tryyyyy and relax tonight?" Dana urged him as they walked into Bad Weather. "You gotta try his Shirley Templar, it's to die for! Oh my god, just wait until you see him!"
Alex hardly payed attention to her. He knew his sister was just trying to help, and he appreciated it, but going out to drink wasn't his idea of getting over a guy. He couldn't remember how Dana talked him into coming here. Or why his own little sister cared about his love life so much, or now, his lack of. Maybe she was right that he couldn't just work, work, and work all the time. He needed a break. As much as Alex hadn't wanted one, he let Dana help him this one time.
Bad Weather was one of those "hip" nightclubs over in Brooklyn. Alex really had no interest in places like this. He had maybe gone to two in his whole life; once in college, and once when he was still dating Karen and she convinced him to go. Thankfully Dana didn't make him dance or anything, and just took him straight to the back where the bar was.
"XAVIER!" Dana called down the bar, waving at the bartender at the other. "Hey, Xavier!"
"Coming!" a voice shouted back over the boom of the music, and moments later, Altaïr slid over to them.
No, not Altaïr. But the sight of the him made Alex freeze up regardless. Had the same crooked grin, same eyes, nose, even that fucking scar over his lips. It was like looking at Altaïr's twin brother. No, felt more like staring at a ghost. Cause Altaïr didn't have siblings. Altaïr claimed he didn't even come from this time period. And yet, here he was, serving drinks to people.
"Dana! Hey, what's up?" this Xavier person addressed his sister.
"Hey Xavier! Weeee got a problem" Dana said, draping an arm over Alex's shoulder. "My brother here is suffering. His roommate walked out on him, still not over it. Got anything to help him out?"
"Oh shit man, that's heavy" Xavier shook his head. "Don't worry buddy," he said to Alex. "I got just the thing for ya"
Alex nodded mutely, never taking his eyes off the bartender doppleganger as he mixed drinks with extreme ease, as if he had been born with a cocktail shaker in his hands. Moments later, Xavier presented Alex with a drink that he had dubbed, "The Ex-Girlfriend".
"The Ex-Girlfriend" was sweet upon first taste, but burned the whole way down.
"Wow" was all Alex was able to say when he set the glass down.
"Pretty great, huh?" Xavier smiled. And it was that smile, that mind melting, smug look that made you question whether you wanted to punch it, or kiss it. Or both. "First drink's on the house"
Without even thinking, Alex asked him, "But if I keep tipping you, you will keep giving me that smile?"
He could have died right there and then, especially when a familiar bow was quirked at him.
"I could work with that" Xavier nodded. "Play your cards right, maybe you can pay me in your phone number at the end of the night"
"Then start getting your mixing on. I have so many worries to drown out"
It was like dealing with a wild animal. Couldn't tell what it was gonna do next, but Alex felt he didn't care how the rest if this night played out, just as long as he could have this one last time.
Oh man I wonder who that was. Thanks for reading.
