Ferry of Woe [malexmale]

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

I woke up to the absolute worst sensation in the world.

Strike that, a combination of the worst sensations and the horrible odor of alcohol on my breath. First came the headache that assaulted my skull like Mjolnir, Thor's hammer. The second thing to hit me was the nausea that churned my empty stomach. I felt dribble down my lip and onto the pillow. That was all I could manage with my stomach being so empty. I quivered at the heat wrapped around me, a mild comfort to the agony wracking my body.

I sniffed at the congestion blocking my nostrils, reaching up to rub my hands gently against my eyes that felt like they were sinking into the back of my skull. I dropped my hands, sniffing again and risking the process of opening my eyes. It felt like trying to pry apart two steel doors.

Even worse was the vicious assault of bright light in the room. I could only manage a low whimper of pain in the back of my throat. I buried my face below the blanket, curling up into a ball to escape it. I smelled something vaguely sweet through all of the alcohol and heard a footstep thump, making me squirm under the blankets. I lifted a small part of the blanket, just enough to peer out and see Alexion standing in the doorway. I was a little confused as to what he was doing here, still.

He'd had two chances to leave, but he still stayed.

I wanted to be suspicious, but I felt horrible as I managed to pull the blanket back down to hide from his scrutinizing glare.

"Turn off the lights." I croaked, voice hoarse and dry. I needed water, I thought miserably. I listened to Alexion click the lights off and I sighed in relief, crawling back out a bit from under the blankets as Alexion approached me with a small metal tray. A warm hot cup of chicory coffee and a slice of toast made up my breakfast.

"Sit up." He ordered. He sounded upset. Was he mad at me? I wish he wouldn't speak so loudly. His voice sounded like it had been plugged into a faulty amp and was blasting, but I didn't want to tell him to be quiet. I was feeling too awful to speak. I carefully slid further out from the blankets, propping myself up on my elbow. I picked up the coffee, shivering at the warmth of it in my hands, savoring the goosebumps of pleasure. I took little sips of it, swallowing hard to get it down past the nausea and dryness.

"You came home drunk." Alexion's voice was tight. I looked up and for some reason, the anger in his eyes stung me. Why was he angry with me? I was an adult. I could drink when I pleased. At least, that's what I tried to tell myself. I struggled to remember last night, but only picked up bits and pieces. Although, it was enough to know that I had completely and utterly humiliated myself, probably Cerberus and Leon as well. I forced the blush of shame from my face, taking a deep gulp of coffee and nibbling at the toast.

"Where did you go? Why did you get drunk?" He demanded. Irritation brewed inside me as I shot Alexion a scathing glare. How dare he shoot me these questions so early in the morning-- and so rudely!

"Last I checked, you were not my keeper." I replied tightly. Alexion's eyes narrowed further and I feigned stoicism, despite the pain tightening in my chest at being looked at like an insect.

Please stop looking at me like that.

You remind me of Hades.

"I may not be your keeper, but I can give you a piece of advice-- Drinking won't make the pain go away, or make anything easier. It'll just make you feel like shit." Alexion said bitterly. I could sense experience in his words, but decided not to open that can of worms right now. Besides, I wasn't feeling well enough to interrogate him. I sipped at the coffee, trying to ignore the fact that Alexion was standing there, watching me intensely. I glanced in his direction, ready to tell him to go away when I suddenly noticed how clean and organized my desk was. I gave pause at that, squinting to make sure I was seeing what I was actually seeing.