(you know when it deletes a fully written response just because you accidentally closed your phone? Yeah(；一_一) but Faybian would definitely argue heavily against that but secretly love it XD)
"Believe me, when I deny you any direct and honest response, there's a good reason." His smile softened and he rested his head prettily on his hand. "You're going to run out of things to call me sooner or later. Heaven for it you have to use my actual name. Now that I think about it, I don't think you've ever said my name without anger or desperation behind it." He shrugged slightly. “If only it were as pleasant as that. Maybe I’ll tell about my death in detail one day but for now, I’ll spare you from details for your own sake as well as well as what remains of my sanity.” Faybian shook his head as he finished off the rest of his milkshake. “No, I think I’m all set.” He replied, tidying the tale before standing and tossing the jacket over shoulder. He chuckled lightly “then lets get home.”
(Honestly, that happens to me more times than you can think. I'm constantly switching between computers and I forget to save my response in a document so then I have to rewrite it, but like Faybian is just adorable)
Alexander nodded and stood up from the table. He paid for his food at the front and exited the diner. "That was fun. I can't believe I'm saying something like that. Of course, science is fun, but it feels like I've discovered everything already." Alexander was cold again as they began to walk outside. At least they were going home, instead of continuing to walk. Alexander wanted to hold Faybian's hand again, but he wasn't sure how to come across it. He needed an excuse, a crowd, or someone they needed to act like a couple in front. Just anything so that he could feel warmth in his hands again. Alexander walked closer to Fayabin than he had before, but he still continued talking. "Who knows, maybe I'll stumble upon something new to study for. Not that science and math are boring, both are very nice." Alexander felt his hand brush against Faybian's, almost like he was in one of those cheesy movies.
(awe I'm glad you like him! And yes that's also happened!)
"A nice break well deserved." Faybian agreed, glancing down at Alexander when he got closer, a shiver traveling down his spine when their hands met. He took a deep breath, willing his emotions to get under control. All Alexander was, was a simple human. there wasn't a reason for faybian to have any fluttering or feelings towards him. Any good demon would use those feeling to their advantage and try and persuade a human to hell faster. Then again, Faybian wasn't like any other demon. He had been an angel, and that part of him would always be a part of him. It was half the reason why he was in such good graces with Lucifer. How would he even explain himself to Alice if he did catch feelings for Alexander? Until he bacame a resident of of Hell, it'd be near impossible for Faybian to justify being with a human. He sucked in a deep breath and nodded, not wanting to focus on that right now. After all, he didn't have feeling for Alexander. This was a mere curtesy from losing the bet earlier. He gently draped his jacket over Alexander's shoulders and offered his arm for him to take. "What other areas of study would interest you?"
"That you are right about." He looked at Faybain with a raised eyebrow. Alexander was pleased with the warmth from Faybian's jacket. And took his offer and linked his arm with Faybian's. He was skeptical, but he let it slide for now. He instead decided he should think about the question that Faybian asked of him, which wasn't an easy answer. "I don't know. There are so many things to do in this world, but they seem…useless. Why do we need music, for example? Sure it's fun to listen to, but what does it bring to society that helps shape it? Nothing. There's acting too. Why is it so important because the only thing it does is help the actor make money? It doesn't help me in any way. I've gone most of my life without tv or media. Those things shouldn't tempt me and-" Alexander realized he was starting to go down the path that got them on this date in the first place. "Sorry…"
Faybian tilted his head, biting down an immediate response for some5hing more well thought out. "Well, I've found music helpful in many ways. It helps convey an emotion when simple words cannot. It calm or enrages. It amplifies an emotion. It's a creative outlet for many. It can even motivate. Without music I think this world as well as heaven or hell would be a very dull place.As for acting, I suppose much if the same. It's a way to express oneself. Just as you express yourself through your love for science, others express themselves through acting or some other profession. I'd almost argue what's the point of science. It's not like we're going to discover everything there is to know about the world in one or even a million lifetimes. If you argue you're helping with that research, I'd argue what sort of impact are you making? If you think about it, somomes life time of work will barely be a scratch on all that there is to uncover. Perhaps your work won't help others. Perhaps it will. What matters is that you enjoy doing it and truely believe what you do is important, regardless of what others may see your occupation as. The same goes for people who make music or act. It's something that makes them happy while simulataneous fulfills their need to live a proper life." Fabian sucked in a breath, having never realized just how much he could talk. He straightened slightly and shook off Alexander's apology. "They may have not have tempted you before but slowly you are becoming more interested in them now. After all, look what going outside of your comfort zone has done. You found something you like. To some it may seem like a silly sport or a waste if time but to you it's something that gets you away from work. Let's you relax and be free from Mr-serious-Alexander for a few hours." He teased. "I don't think Hobby's or jobs have to have meaning as long as they make you happy."
Alexander went silent. He couldn't understand Faybian at all. The more he talked, the more confused he got. Alexander took in the air to then speak, but nothing came out. He closed his mouth, and Alexander clenched his teeth behind his straight face. How come a demon who has been through hell understands happiness more than he could. He understood the fundamentals, but how come it never seemed to register with him. Then, what if what he was doing didn't serve a purpose to anyone, as Faybian said. What if he was doing something even more useless than before. Was science something that made him happy, or was it just another path his parents paved for him? It was too late to turn back now. What else could he do? What else is out there for him for someone to benefit from what he does. As long as he's useful, that's enough for him. It was too many things to think about at once. Alexander clenched Faybian's arm. "Are you…happy?"
Faybian tilted his head, casting his gaze around when he felt Alexander clench his arm, instinctually searching for any immediate signs of danger. "I am." He said softly, once he was sure no one was around. "At least most of the time. There will always be some aspects of my after life that I will not enjoy. Any reminder of my former life usually puts off my day though but I've gotten a better handle of my emotions." He said proudly, fliching when he remembered how he had previously killed people in the ally way not too long ago. "Well, more or less." He snickered softly and glanced down at Alexander. "And you? Are you happy with the life you're living now?"
Faybian tilted his head, casting his gaze around when he felt Alexander clench his arm, instinctually searching for any immediate signs of danger. "I am." He said softly, once he was sure no one was around. "At least most of the time. There will always be some aspects of my after life that I will not enjoy. Any reminder of my former life usually puts off my day though but I've gotten a better handle of my emotions." He said proudly, fliching when he remembered how he had previously killed people in the ally way not too long ago. "Well, more or less." He snickered softly and glanced down at Alexander. "And you? Are you happy with the life you're living now?"
(Sent it twice, lmao)
"That's nice…" Alexander spotted his apartment and started to open the too door with his key. "I don't know. I don't know what happiness feels like. As long as I'm useful to someone, I guess I have to be." Alexander stuffed the keys into his pocket and walked into the building. Once they were upstairs in his apartment room, he took off Faybian's jacket and handed it back to him. "Thanks, I'm going to go take a shower. There should be another shower here if you want to use that one. You know where my bedroom is. Don't touch anything. I'll be out of the shower for the second part of our-" He stopped. "Well, whatever this is." Alexander flashed a smile and disappeared into the shower. Alexander had a lot to think about while he was there. "What makes me happy?" He frowned. "How do I figure that out? Sure I've felt love, but was that happiness. Is successful experiment happiness anymore if I'm expecting to work every time. How does he understand it? How does he feel it? But I can't?" He banged his forehead against the shower wall. He yelled loudly to the point where anyone could hear. "This is so frustrating!" Alexander punched the wall, which made him wince and scream even more. Alexander wanted to cry, scream, feel pain, and give up all at the same time.
(I don't know what happened(;_; it just did a thing(・・) also awe Alexander!)
Faybian nodded , still skeptical as he followed Alexander inside and took back his jacket. "I don't think you have to be useful to anyone to be happy." He murmured softly, removing some fluff from the jacket, unable to meet Alexander's gaze. He breathed a small laugh and nodded. "Of course." He wandered about until he found the second bathroom and started asking his layers of clothes off, the conversation still swimming in his mind. He wasn't entirely sure how Alexander cod say he didn't feel happiness when just a few hours ago, he had been laughing and smiling. Was that not happiness? When he had won the game or eaten something new, did he not feel happy?
Faybian's head snapped up at the loud thunk coming from where Alexander had been, that followed by a yell. The yell was what got Faybian moving, ignoring that he was in nothing but a button down and pants. He rushed to Alexander's room and cautiously hovered behind the bathroom door. "Alexander?" He called, hand already gripping at the handle. "Are you alright? Can I come in?" He ignored the desperation rising in his voice. He didnt want to worry himself if it was nothing but at the same time, he could just be standing there like an idiot while Alexander was hurt and faybian, despite himself, hated that feeling.
Alexander gasped when he heard Faybian. He then realized he had forgotten to lock the door. "Shit, uh…no, I'm alright, just hurt my hand a bit!" He tried to run out of the shower, forgetting the stem that goes into the shower. He opened the glass door but tripped. Alexander grabbed onto the rack that held his towel in hopes of not hurting himself even more. However, he took that rack with him creating a loud crash sound. "Fuck!" Alexander was glad he could speak and didn't bust his jaw, but something hurt. "God-mother fucker." He was cursing up a storm in the bathroom as he tried to grab on to something else, but that didn't favor him either. Today was not his day, and the door was still unlocked. He gave up. "A little help would be nice…" The towels thankfully covered some parts of him, but not everything.
Faybian flinched as he heard more crashing from inside. Once he hear Alexander call out, he rushed in, brows knit into confusion as he took in the destroyed bathroom and Alexander laying in a heap of wreckage at its center. "What demon were you fighting in here?" He asked, pushing aside the towel rod and detangling Alexander's foot from the shower head. Unfazed by his lack of clothes, he carefully wrapped Alexander in the towel and carried him out to the bedroom. He went back into the bathroom and grabbed clothes for Alexander to change into. "If you were hoping to gain some assistance in the shower, I'm afraid I never included that in our deal, nor would I ever in the future." He knelt in front of Alexander and took his hand to examine it. "Care to explain why you munched the wall." He deadpanned, now looking angered that Alexander had hurt himself instead of desperately scared
Alexander rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. That's not what I was going for. I was trying to lock the door. I forgot to. Then I tripped, and now I'm here." He took the clothes off the bed and started to pull them on started with his shirt. He pulled on his underwear and threw the towel on the floor. He looked down at Faybian and turned his head towards his pillow. "I'm fine. I just got a little angry, so I punched a wall. Nothing too bad." He tapped his foot nervously. He just wanted to lay down with Faybian and go to sleep and forget about his emotions. Faybian kneeling in front of him did not help his case. "Seriously, I'm fine." Alexander wasn't okay because he knuckled had little scratches on his knuckles.
"you are clearly not fine. People who are fine don't punch walls for fun Alexander." Faybian growled, letting go and standing to find something to clean the blood and badage Alexander's hand. Since now he was pissed, Faybian also decided to prolong the wait for their little agreement tonight. He retrieved his clothes from the other room and showered in Alexander's bathroom, not wanting to be far in case the human got any ideas again on hurting himself. He sighed softly as he pulled on a worn t-shirt and sweatpants and stepped out into the bedroom carrying his supplies. He nodded towards the bed and settled down beside Alexander, silently taking his hand again and started to clean the dried blood, keeping his eyes focused on his work so the other wouldn't see the anger still stirring there. "For someone like me, I can understand the sudden bursts of emotions that accompany my actions." He started, carefully to keep his voice steady. "Those actions being killing some unwanted beings and freeing then from the world." He muttered with a soft laugh. "But for you to have an irrational response to anything seems out of character." He left again to throw away the towel now caked in blood and to put away his supplies. Once he returned he settled on the other side of the bed and gently tugged Alexander to him, the ever present humming of static that came with heightened negative emotions naow lessening when he had Alexander close and safe. He tangled their legs together and wrapped Alexander in his arms, head resting atop his as he settled in for the night. "You don't have to tell me why you got mad if you don't want to. Honestly I'm not paid enough for this job to be a therapist for every contracted soul." Faybian muttered, trying his best to sound emotionally detached but he knew, deep down he wanted to know every little thing about Alexander, including what made him so mad that he'd punch a wall. And how to avoid that ever happening in the future. "Know that I'm not fixing that by the way." He tugged the blanket over them both and gently squeezed Alexander. "Good night you insufferable human being." He murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head before turning off the night stand lamp.
“I…” Alexander watched Faybian work. There wasn’t anything he could say to better the situation. How could he explain to Fayabian that he hated that he was happy? His mind seemed to go blank when Fayabian pulled him into the bed. The frustration went away and practically melted into his arms. It felt nice to be in this position again. It felt like heaven. So what if he was dancing with the devil, it made him feel alive. More than he ever was before. He let out a breath as his hand reached up to Fayabian’s neck. He felt cold to the touch. Alexander pushed his nudged his head into the crook of his neck. He wanted to forget but the aching in his hand reminded him. “I was angry when you said you were happy. I’ve been doing the same thing for years. It used to be fun. After a while, it started feeling like a chore.” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m a horrible person for thinking that. I mean it’s great that you’re happy, I just don’t understand how to be that.” Alexander didn’t know how to feel. He was stressed because he was angry at Fabian, but the way he held him made him feel otherwise. It was to the point where he didn’t want to get up early tomorrow to go to school. He felt hot not from being angry, but just from being held by him for this long. His thumb moved back and forth over Faybians cheek. He probably despised the notions but it made Alexander feel calm and less fidgety.
Faybian stiffened slightly when he felt Alexander shift but slowly relaxed. "You're not a horrible person, Alexander." Faybian murmured, breath catching when felt Alexander's breath against his skin, warm and making him tingly. He shoved down the feeling for now and refocused on the human by his side. "You've done the same routine for ages now, far before I came along I presume. It's only natural that you feel burned out and unhappy with what you consider your job. That's not to say you can't feel happy while you do your job now and in the future, you just have to find different ways to shake things up from time to time. Take our evening out for instance. You seemed quite happy when we went bowling and when we went out for dinner. I don't think it's that you don't know how to feel happy. It's more you feel unfulfilled when that happiness comes to an end. You want to feel that giddy happiness constantly and that simply cannot be. You need times to feel other emotions else that level of happiness will feel like your job, mundane and unfullfilling. It's nothing to get angry over." He reassured, gently nudging into the hand at his cheek and closing his eyes. "Get some rest Alexander. You'll feel better in the morning."
Alexander hummed and gave into sleep. He didn't want to go to sleep, his mind was running a mile a minute. How could he go to sleep when all he wanted to do was think about today. However, he figured it was time to give his brain a rest. Alexander fell asleep pretty easily due to the warmth and embrace of Faybian. The next morning he felt better than he had in a long time. He felt relieved and relaxed when he woke up. Alexander yawned and looked out the window just above the side of his bed. He groaned and shifted into a better position. He didn't want to get up and the sun only hurt his eyes. Alexander's skin felt great against Faybians. Their legs were tangles and if he was being honest he would use that as an excuse not to get up if prompted. "Good morning…" He mumbled against Faybain's neck.
Faybian didn't really understand why he was being so patient or complasive to Alexander's situation but it felt nice for a change. To care about someone and try and please them without any expectations or suspicions. He hadn't felt that kind of connection with any since…well since he was alive. Even then, his last hours alive were speant cursing every one of the people he saw as friends who had betrayed him. He nuzzled into Alexander's warmth and slept heavily throughout the night with barely a stirring. Faybian growled sofroy when he feot Alexander move beside him, instinctually tighteningbhisbhold on the other and absolutely refusing to open his eyes. "If it were a good morning, I wouldn't be getting up at this ungodly hour." He said, voice deep and rumbly with sleep. He tugged the blanket over their heads to block out the light. "Go back to sleep dear, we'll start breakfast in a few hours."
Alexander let out a breathy laugh. "You do know I have to go to school early. I have a lab today, which means earlier than usual. So, at 10, I have to leave, but I have to start getting ready in a couple of hours." He loved the tight hold Faybian held him in. Alexander should be used to the stupid pet names Faybian gave him, but they only made him blush harder every time he said one. "That's not what makes a good morning. What makes a good morning is that I wake up in your arms. You're pretty comfortable for a demon." He liked that Faybian pulled over the blanket, but it only put him closer to the demon. "Why do you want me to go back to sleep so bad? You want to stay with me that bad." He closed his eyes again and slid his hand down to Faybian’s chest to get a bit more comfortable.
"good, we can up in a couple of hours. Which means not now." Faybian grumbled, opening his eyes just a bit to give Alexander a glare. He stayed quiet save a small, dare say, embarrassed, huff. A shiver went down Faybian's spine as Alexander's hands came to rest on his chest. "I have no qualms with throwing you off this bed if you continue asking questions, Alexander." Faybian threatened halfheartedly as he burried his face in Alexander's hair, both to be more comfortable and to hide the blush creeping up his cheek and ears. "If you must know, I'm not a morning demon by any means. And right now I'm quite comfortable. Partly because of you."
Alexander hummed in amusement. "Alright, Alright, I'll stop." He looked up to Faybian when he responded to his question. Well, the best he could with Faybians's head barrier in his hair. "Well, I'm glad I make you comfortable." Alexander could barely see Faybian because he didn't have his glasses on. They were still in the bathroom where he had made that embarrassing scene of himself. The sheer thought made his heart race. He was positive Faybian could feel it thumping against his chest. He hated the way Faybian made him feel. He accepted that he might have feelings for him, but even then. He's a stranger who said he came from hell. He's an attractive stranger, but still. Alexander lifted his hand and put it back on his cheek. Alexander pulled his head back from his hair to get a good look at Faybian. Even in the dim light, he was still just as attractive. He looked at his lips, then back to his eyes. Nope! No, you can't kiss a random guy. This is how you get hurt, Alexander! Then you start pushing people away, and then it ruins everything! No! Maybe…
Feeling Alexander's heartbeat quicken, Faybian pulled back the covers, groaning softly in discomfort when more of the sun shown through the drawn curtains. He had never admitted to be good at reading emotions so he immediateoy looked around for any form of danger. He only looked back towards Alexander when he felt his hand on his cheek. "Is something wro-" Faybian's breath hitched at being suddenly so close his human. He felt his own heartbeat quicken. He had never been this close to anyone, then again he had never slept in the same bed as anyone else. His eyes fluttered slightly and nudged his head into the hand at his cheek. He wanted so badly to leaning into…whatever this was, and stay happily warm and fuzzy forever. But this wasn't a fantasy he could live in. This was his contract. And he was a demon. He slowly leaned in before sitting up and standing from the bed, . "I guess this means I'll start breakfast." Let Alexander thing him cruel, it was easier than admitting he was falling in love.
That moment of just staring at Faybian felt like hours, so he was so shocked when it ended. Alexander's eyes were already closing, but he felt the bed dip and lighten. He quickly opened his eyes and nodded. He took this as a sign never to try that again. He needs to watch himself. Alexander hugged the pillow Faybain was lying on and waved. "Uh, yeah. I'll be here. Just call me when you're done. I want to lay down and sleep a bit more." He turned his back towards Faybian and hugged the pillow covered in his scent. He hated this. he didn't need this right now. He didn't need his stupid emotions being in the stupid way. Alexander only brought Faybian here to guide him, not fall in love with him. He is hot, though. He's caring, friendly, tolerate me, cooks for me, and lays with me at night. But that's only because he's required to….
Faybian slowly nodded, tempted to go back into bed and pull Alexander back into his arm and finish off the kiss he had alluded to. But he had made his decision to pull away first, now he had to live with it. He wandered into the bathroom and freshened up a bit. Still heavy with sleep and confusion emotions, he decided to stay in his PJs for now. He set Alexander's glasses by his night stand pressed a chast kiss to his hair, thinking him asleep, before making his way to the kitchen to begin breakfast.
As he started to cook, faybian reminded himself if his job. He was a demon lord tasked with fulfilling a deal with a human. In that deal nonwhere did it mention developing emotions. Nothing more. He sighed and nearly burnt the pancake he had been staring at as if it had insulted him. "Oh lovely." He growled, quickly moving the pan before the pancake became a hocky puck. He braced his hand against the counter and calmed his heartbeat. Alexander had never mentioned wanting a relationship with anyone. So why did Faybian ever think he could be the exception. He poured another pancake into the pan and continued with breakfast, focusing the little attention he had on that than his struggling emotions. He'd figure those out later if at all.
Alexander tried his best to stay in bed. He tried his best to forget. Nothing worked he kept thinking about Faybian's touch, his sleepy voice, and how he's not a morning person. These things made him want to kiss Faybian more and tell him what he felt. How could he explain that his heart runs a mile a minute whenever they're too close. His thoughts were interrupted by the smell of burning. He got out of bed slowly and shuffled over to the kitchen. He rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up. It wasn't that easy. He wasn't a morning person, but he trained himself to be, which sucked. "I smelled something burning. Is everything okay? I hope you're not burning my kitchen down. I pay for that every month." He walked over to Faybian and leaned his head on Faybians back. He then wrapped his arms around Faybians waist in hopes of recreating a pillow.
Faybian flipped the last of six pancakes he had managed to save, only burning 3 other more in the process, which, for the time of morning, he decided to count as a complete win. He yawned widely, giving himself a good stretch before making the last bit of batter left, not wanting to waste it. "I'm not, just burned some pancakes." He mumbled, "besides, what's a burned kitchen if you have to pay for that hole in the wall anyways." He teased tiredly, taking a deep breath and gently leaning into Connor's warm embrace. Rules be damned if he could stay with Alexander like this forever. "You could have stayed in bed for a bit more. I'm not quite done here anyways." He said, twisting in Alexander's embrace and gently resting his hand ontop of his head. "I hope you can forgive the uneveness of the pancakes, I told you I'm not a morning person." He gave a light laugh and gazed down at Alexander, his heart starting to race a bit again. "And for before. I…" He took a beep breath. "For a demon to develope feelings for a human is not common for us." He tried to explain, grimacing at his own lack of ability to properly show how he felt towards Alexander.
Alexander gave a small and tired laugh. "I worried you might've destroyed something again. Partially because I wanted to make sure you didn't burn yourself or something. The pancakes probably taste amazing. I don't care about the shape." Alexander was about to pull away when he felt Faybian move. However, he liked the pleasant surprise of a hug. Alexander leaned into his chest, feeling the same warmth he felt from the bed. He hitched a breath when Faybia started his last sentence. He was going to say forget about it, but he took a step back surprised and shocked. He leaned against the counter, looking up at Faybian confused. "Wait…so you aren't angry? I thought you were angry because you got up so fast. So…what are you saying?" Alexander played with his hands, darting his eyes to the pancakes, and not really being able to stand still.
"I…" Faybain swallowed dryly and idly toyed with Alexander's hair since his hand was still in his hair. "I'm not angry…just confused. I've never felt something like this, even in my living life. I don't know what to do and what not to do." He looked as desperately lost as he sounded, for the demon lord, a first. He looked away from Alexander as if in pain though a smile ghosted over his lips. Why was admitting his feeling so hard? It wasn't like he hadn't done harder things. The job of a lord of hell wasn't all fun and deals all the time. Yet this felt like he was cleaving the world in half. "I-" he sighed, his hand moving from Alexander's hair to his cheek as he trapped Connor between him and the counter. "I want to carry you back to bed and burry you in as many blankets and pillows as you have if only to maintain the warmth we had before. Even more, I want to hold you close to me, and keep you close for the rest of your life." His gaze swept up to meet Alexander's before he shyly looked away. It seemed that he couldn't stop, but then again, he didn't want to. "I want to wake up to you again, I want to rediscover science again with you." He chewed his lip, eyes widening when they caught on yet another burning pancake. He quickly turned off the burner and gave an embarrassed laugh. "A fine demon lord I am, hm? Falling for his first human contract."
Alexander was speechless when Faybian finally stopped talking. How long has he known Faybian? A month? Half a month? What did it matter at this point? Alexander wasn't sure how to be strong and accept his confession, if that's what you want to call it. He didn't know whether to curl up into a little ball of embarrassment or say that he felt the same. His face was as red as a stop sign. He stared at Faybain before realizing words existed. "I…I feel that way too. I wasn't sure if I liked you or just thought that because you were so nice to me. But I-I feel the same way. Th-That's why yesterday, I was trying to keep my distance from you, and then you pretended we were a couple. Then you kissed my hand, you kissed my hand, and you hand your arm around me." His voice became soft and shaky. "All of that felt nice. I want to do that again with you. A lot more times." Alexander took Faybian's wrist and cupped his hands around Faybains's. "I hope that I understand what you're saying. Otherwise, this would be awkward if it was the total opposite." he took a deep breath. "You're confused. Do you want to try it with me? Not anything dirty. Oh god, I worded that weirdly. You know what I mean, right?"
Faybian watched Alexander for a few minutes that felt longer than his hundred years banned to hell. For a dreadful moment he though that he misunderstood and scared Alexander with the idea of being with him. "Alexander I'm -" he paused then laughed softly, gently brushing his thumb along his cheek. He shook his head in disbelief and gently tugged Alexander into a secure hug. "Perhaps not now dear, we'll have tonight for all that." He sighed and nodded to the uneven pancakes. "The faster we eat breakfast, the better i'll feel about making imperfect pancakes." He shook his head and rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the sleep that still clung to his body.
