To Hide and To Seek [Book 4, BoyxBoy]

Chapter 7

NIXON'S POV

I waited outside in the blistering heat for Izazya to come back. I paced like a mad man, counting my footfalls, wondering on who-knows-what was going on. He'd been gone several hours, and I was debating whether to go in there and drag him from the room myself; the rumours were already going around the complex about Izazya, and they weren't exactly good for his reputation.

"I knew this was a bad idea," I grumbled to myself, walking back across the perimeter. I couldn't help but blame myself;I'd let him do this, and now this could end everything we'd been working towards. Several of the guys had already dropped out of the plan I'd formed, and now we had new reports on Joe's whereabouts, and it wasn't exactly pretty.

It was another half hour before Izazya stumbled out of the Science Building; his hair was dishevelled, the sweat pants he'd adorned earlier were now ripped and hung loosely from his hips, and the scratch marks now complementing his bronze complexion were more than obvious. He smiled and waved at me, running his hands through his hair.

"Nixon, my main man, how's it hanging?" He asked, his voice slurred. "Guess what I just did."

"Have you been drinking?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

He shook his head and smirked. "I'm just on a high, my friend. Damn-"

I interrupted, "high?! Izazya, we just got you clean!"

He held up his hand, his face suddenly composed. "If you wouldn't interrupt like an asshole, you'd realise that I was on a natural high, you fuck nut." He smirked at me, "and you wouldn't believe what a woman will admit to you when she's on her back with my-"

"Okay, okay." I shook my head and raised my hands to cover my ears before he broke into laughter, and couldn't help but chuckle myself. "Walk with me."

We both fell into a confident stride back towards the main building. "What's up buddy? You seem stressed." Izazya pointed out.

"Well done Captain Obvious, would you like an award?" I snapped back, before sighing. "Sorry."

"I'd still like my award. A meatball would be nice," he smirked. "Yes. A giant meatball."

I shook my head at him, "now isn't the time for games, Izazya."

We approached my office, and I unlocked it quickly. I opened the door and ushered him in, closing it silently behind me.

I turned to the office, taking in the usual bland white walls and the unholy smell of whiskey that dampened the air like one of those sickly-sweet air fresheners for a car. I sighed heavily, and walked over to the heavy oak desk and leaned against it, taking in Izazya's current state. Could I tell him now? Was it the right time? The voice in the back of my head burdened me with a million and one questions, and then Izazya added some.

"So, why are we sat at the Desk of Importance whilst you have a look of impending doom on your face?" He asked, with his usual smirk on his face.

"A better question to be asking is why haven't you got a look of impending doom on your face?" I retorted.

He gave me a knowing look. "Have you got the runs again? Seriously man I blame all the whiskey for-"

"No Izazya," I replied in a disgusted tone, with a curled lip to match, " I do not have the shits."

"Awkward boner?"

"No-"

"STD?

"Izazya please-"

"You slept with the new medic girl?" Izazya jumped out of his seat excitedly, before a look of realisation passed across his face - closely followed by a smirk. "Oh, wait, that was me."

"Izazya, please stop." At this point I was exasperated, and knew now was the time. He sat back down, and I sat against the desk, with my hands in my lap. "We need to discuss something important."

"What is it?" His facial expression suddenly dropped. "Joe?"

I nodded slowly. "We may have a lead on where he is."

"Then tell me." He responded quickly.

"Do you love him?" I suddenly asked, my thoughts changing direction quicker than I could get my words out.

"What?" He laughed loudly, the sound resonating throughout the empty room. "Of course I do, Nixon. What kind of fucked-up question is that meant to be?"

"An honest one," I replied. "Because so far, whilst he's been gone you've been getting drunk, lolling about on the sofa, getting high and fucking women." I stated bluntly, "you're meant to be gay, Izzy. Gay men don't sleep with women."

He rolled his eyes at me, obviously insulted. "I'm bisexual, I'll have you know."

"Well, put it this way." I cleared my throat, "you need to clean up your act. The people Joe - and your father - are with, they aren't cool."

"What do you mean?" He asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

"Your boyfriend's father got into a lot of trouble," I said slowly. "And because of that, Joe is paying the debt."

It took approximately thirty three and a half seconds before it processed in Izazya's mind.

"He's with the Mafia?"