Author's Note: This will probably now be a bit longer than a three shot. Please review!
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Nadim takes the initiative of buying them both coffee and finding them a seat by the window, as Alec seems to feel more comfortable with letting Nadim handle things at the moment. Although Nadim is aware that they are both still reeling from this sudden and inexplicable connection, it heartens him to see Alec still clutching his creased and water-stained copy of To Die Unbound as though it is a talisman. He is surprised when Alec speaks first.
"What made you write… the things you write about?" asks Alec, his striking green eyes open and clear.
Made. His word choice is curious. When Nadim writes, there is a deep-seated compulsion to tell the story and he says as much to Alec. "It's an utterly irrational thought because these characters are fictional, but it's like I'm fulfilling a promise to a friend. It's as though by not writing about their lives, they'll be forgotten even though no one knew them in the first place."
Alec's brow is furrowed and he runs his long index finger in circles around the rim of his cup, causing the powerful muscles in his upper arm to twist and bulge ever so slightly. The motion is constant and erotic. Nadim's mouth is dry so he takes a sip of lukewarm coffee.
"You know them. Isn't that enough?" asks Alec.
"I suppose it is. It would seem you know them as well."
Alec does not respond at first and instead drinks his untouched coffee. "I don't want you to think I'm being presumptuous, but as much as I connected with the characters, I felt an even stronger pull towards the person who wrote about them."
It is a bold pronouncement, but Nadim does not feel taken aback. Hesitantly, he says, "If I'm being honest, I'm drawn to you, too." Nadim is, however, taken aback by his own audacity. He is never this blunt, even with people he's known for years. "Listen to us, prattling on so seriously," he amends with an attempt at an airy laugh. "We don't even know the first thing about each other."
"We don't, do we? Fucking mad, this is" smiles Alec. That smile seems to melt away all the tension from the room and things begin to feel natural. Nadim tries not to stare too hard at the charming dimples forming on Alec's cheeks, framed by an attractive three-day scruff. His eyes are so green.
"Well, I grew up in the suburbs just north of the city," begins Alec, his voice mellowed into a much easier tone. "My mum's a doctor, dad's a lawyer and both of them are disappointed that I didn't choose to do either of those things. My sister and I own a gym and dance studio together downtown and we work as personal trainers and dance instructors."
"So you're a dancer. What kind of dance do you teach?" asks Nadim, intrigued. His mind forms an enticing image of Alec in tight athletic clothing.
"Ballroom mostly. Sometimes kids' classes, but usually I leave those to my sister." A slight blush rises in Alec's cheeks and he rubs his hand on the back of his neck. Nadim thinks he is adorable. They share a moment of companionable silence.
Taking his cue from Alec, Nadim says, "My parents are Syrian immigrants but my sister, brother, and I were born here. I haven't spoken to my parents or my sister in two years. They're very traditional and didn't exactly warm up to having a gay son. My brother and I are still close, though." Ignoring Alec's sympathetic look, he plods on. "As far as my professional life goes, I studied English and Ancient History at uni and went to work for Red Serpent Publishers straight after graduation. And, as you know, I write novels in my spare time."
"What does your brother do?" asks Alec.
"He bartends at a cocktail lounge over on Appian Road. I go over there after work at least once a week."
"I always wanted a brother. Don't get me wrong, my sister is great, but it's just different, you know?" Alec looks wistful and Nadim senses some underlying pain.
"Yeah, it's nice. He's practically my best friend, but that's not saying much since I don't get out a lot," Nadim laughs.
"I'm sure you have friends besides your brother."
"Yeah, friends from uni and work. They invite me out, but I'm the quiet type, sort of just blend in to the wall. I suppose I prefer being alone with my thoughts," says Nadim with a shrug. "I don't know what's gotten in to me, asking you to coffee. Completely out of character."
"I'm totally the opposite," says Alec. He downs the remaining half of his cup in one large gulp that makes his Adam's apple bob temptingly. "I'm out at bars or parties every weekend. I'm probably the type who can't bear to be alone with his thoughts for too long."
"Do they scare you?" Nadim realizes his question might be insulting to someone like Alec, but it is too late to take it back.
Thankfully, Alec is pensive rather than offended. He is visibly struggling to find words. "The silence reminds me that something is missing, and I don't know what it is."
Before Nadim can respond, the barista comes over to tell them they're closing in five minutes. Once they are out on the sidewalk, they stand facing each other. Alec coughs and shuffles his feet. Nadim does not want this to be the last time he sees this strange and wonderful man. He looks up unabashedly into Alec's impossibly green eyes.
"You know, I've always wanted to learn how to ballroom dance," says Nadim in what he hopes is an inviting tone.
"Maybe I can teach you sometime," suggests Alec with a relieved smile. Nadim smiles back so broadly his cheeks hurt. "Well, I'm this way," he says, pointing down the street behind him.
"I'm this way," says Nadim, pointing in the opposite direction.
He hardly sees it coming. Alec bends down swiftly to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. Nadim's eyes close, savoring the all too brief touch of the man's lips. By the time Nadim reopens his eyes, Alec has disappeared around the corner.