Alex couldn't sleep last night - the excitement was too great. A new Task Master series would be starting soon, which meant he would be in London with him. Away from his family and the pressures of the world - just him and ... the Task Master. He had been excitedly writing all year, readying himself for this new series. It didn't matter who the guest stars were, what the audience thought... all that mattered was that he'd be seated right next to his gray fox Master, Greg.
Even though he had to wake up at 5 a.m. to take the train, he didn't end up falling asleep until roughly 2 a.m.
Greg sipped at a cup of tea, passively watching the scenery turn from countryside to a scenic city view. Soon he'd be in a rented flat in London where he'd be prepping for this new series of Task Master, with him in the starring role. The beverage hovered below his lips as his brain trailed off - lost in thought...
Alex arrived at 7 a.m. sharp. He unlocked the heavy wooden door and made his way up the first flight of stairs. He opened a second door and took a deep breath in. The flat was lovely - they'd been coming to the same one for years. It had one king size bed, a small office in one corner, a living space, and a humble kitchen. First thing was first: Greg liked fresh sheets, a warm meal, tea, and a clean place. Alex threw open the windows, put fresh sheets onto the bed, and began cutting up onions in preparation of a stew.
Just three hours after Alex had entered the apartment, Greg arrived. Alex was downstairs, feeling nervous. As soon as the taxi pulled up, Alex flung open the front door - too excited - thought Alex. The car pulled to a stop and Greg stared coolly at his phone until Alex cautiously opened the door of the taxi. Greg glanced up at Alex, a feigned look of surprise on his face.
"I thought the driver would do that -" Greg said, sharply.
"Well - I was here -" Alex said hastily, his tone far too eager for Greg's liking. "Shall I grab your things?"
"Yeah well - go on then -" Greg said, glancing down at his phone and smiling. Alex felt a rush of jealously, but stomped it down and went to grab Greg's luggage from the boot of the car.
Greg stepped into the apartment, appraising his surroundings. He wasn't overly fond of being in downtown London, and the apartment wasn't far away enough from the traffic and lights. But the smell of rosemary, onions, and beef wafting around as well as the familiarity of the place comforted him, and he walked towards the kitchen expectantly. He knew there would be a glass of whiskey waiting for him at the table, and reliably there was. He heard Alex make a small sound from the hallway, still lugging Greg's things up the stairway. Amused, Greg casually picked up the glass. He sipped at it, savoring the honey-spiced notes. He turned in time to see Alex, now sweating, drag a wheel-less luggage through the door. It was one of three Greg had unnecessarily brought along with him. He smirked and sipped deeply from the glass, ready to start the season.
Alex paused for a moment at the door, looking on at the tall man in the kitchen sipping whiskey he had poured, in an apartment Alex had rented, standing on a floor Alex had swept. He had crafted this experience, and he was enjoying it. And this was only the first hour of many hours. And Alex's heart in that moment -
was full.
