Angel with Newfound Hope

Chapter 7: Chance

Alex's Apartment - Day 2, 1:09PM

"Alex, hang on a second." Bryce spun his companion around right before he could head inside. Something with him was off the moment their eyes met. The dull orbs lacked any vitality that would normally be present. His entire face was still without expression. He had a feeling that man was sulking, and was about to address it.

"Do you need something?" Alex's response was a lifeless monotone. He already knew the chief found out, but was still willing to answer any questions.

"I'd like to ask that you quit sulking. So what if I got onto you. Things like that happen all the time. I just had to end that before an actual fight broke out. You need to choose your battles, Alex. Please don't let your temper get the better of you. None of us want to see you hurt." Bryce pleaded with the human. Was he really thinking what the brunette thought he was?

"You thought I was sulking?" He asked the reptile. "I'm already over it, Bryce. I'll keep my temper under control from now on." He stated lifelessly. The other's brows crossed in annoyance. The human hoped he didn't see his other issue.

"There's still something wrong here, I can feel it. Just tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help it." The stocky officer offered. Alex wasn't about to reveal what he wanted in front of the person he wanted it from. He'd die sooner than that.

"There's nothing wrong. Shouldn't you be heading back to the station? I'm sure there's still work to be done." The smaller male tried to turn around, but was stopped in his tracks.

"I am doing my work. My current task is to make sure you're okay. Now please tell me what's going on." Bryce pleaded. All he wanted to do was make sure Alex would be fine. The human's attitude really wasn't helping him at the moment.

"There is nothing wrong, Bryce. Now please let me go inside. I said I needed to be alone and that's what I intend to do." Anger began to bubble up from within, chipping away at the brunette's temper. That persistent reptile wasn't letting go and it was getting annoying.

"Alex-"

"Look. There's really nothing wrong besides me being exposed to excessive heat. I'll call you if there's anything I find out about Reza. Now please go." With that, he shut the door in the chief's face. He was finally alone to sulk as much as he pleased without interruption...

Alex ended up sitting in the shower until the water ran cold. Nothing could really help with that kind of depression besides hot water and excessive steam. Nothing else ever did. He finally stood back up and shut the water off. His dripping body was completely exposed to the mirror he now stood in front of.

The human glazed over each and every scar he had on his torso, remembering the experiences behind them. Various claw marks, cuts and bullet scars littered his chest and abdomen. All of them he got from his early days as Viper. He didn't dare expose that skin to anyone anymore for his sake. It wasn't like he'd ever have anyone in his house like that again anyway.

Suitors started getting creeped out when they saw the scars. It only worsened the more he got, until he just stopped dating entirely. There wasn't anyone out there whom he wouldn't have to hide from. He sighed heavily. At least he had Mongoose to thank for his newest set of armor. It saved him from all too many wounds.

It was another twenty minutes before the brunette finally felt ready to leave. He left his shirts off until he got the air to a comfortable temperature. Never had he been more relieved to feel the chilly breeze on his bare skin. He began to think about where his stuff might now be, as well as who may have it.

Alex was snapped out of his thoughts the moment his stomach began growling. With all that happened, he'd completely forgotten about food entirely. Now he paid the price with hunger pain and audible organs. His mouth started watering at the mere thought of some pan seared chicken. The piece itself would be topped with scrumptious caramelized onions and mushrooms. Sides would consist of gorgeous fried greens and a bed of fluffy white rice. And topping the whole picture off would be a nice, frosty glass of foam-topped beer.

'Wait a moment. I wonder if Bryce drinks at all. Maybe dinner could be my way of apologizing.' He pondered. He'd never seen the chief outside of work and their meeting. Maybe this could be the chance he was looking for. The human grew more giddy the more he thought about it. He only hoped the reptile possibly swung his way...