Aleksi woke a groan, sunlight now beaming through the window. He was unsure what time it had been that they had woken up earlier, but the 9:00 now flashing on his alarm in neon lights had him huffing. He eased himself out from under Cameron’s arm, dipping to press a kiss to the mans head softly before rubbing at tired eyes. He fucking hated mornings.

Aleksi shambled to the bathroom, unsure of whether he wanted to wince or grin at the sight of his neck. Damn, Cameron had really done a number on him, hadn’t he? Little of his throat lay untouched, an undeniable claim that would annoy him if it didn’t thrill him so much.

Nimble fingers grabbed two painkillers from the cabinet and filled a cup of water from the tap, returning them to the nightstand for Cameron, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He was absolutely going to need them. Quietly, he moved to the curtains, tugging them shut to let the other sleep longer, pausing at the edge of the bed. His fingers hesitated, before reaching down to brush a platinum lock off of the blonde mans forehead.

Coffee. I need coffee.

God, did he ever. He trudged out of the bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind him. Five minutes later and the heavenly scent of coffee began to waft through the air. Aleksi sighed, leaning back against the counter. A hand stabbed through his hair, tugging lightly on a huff. Dammit. Damn Cameron and his pretty face, and broad shoulders. Damn his strong arms and heady kisses that had left Aleksi’s head spinning. That had him craving more.

A groan escaped him as he poured his mug, settling at the table and scowling at nothing. He took a slow, deep sip of the dark liquid, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was too goddamn early for such heavy thoughts, he thought with a huff. And yet, there was that burning desire nagging in the back of his mind to slip back into bed, curl back into Cameron’s hold and mouth along his jaw. Run his fingers through platinum locks- fuck! What the hell was wrong with him all of a sudden?

It had never been like this. Not in a long, long time. Aleksi had rules, ones he followed without question. Never bring someone into his bed more than once. Never get attached. No one stayed the night, even if Aleksi ached to simply sleep next to someone the way he once had with Laurie and Ellie. No marks. 

He had never craved someones attention before. Why would he? He was pretty, and he knew it. He could walk into the club, and have his pick with just the crook of a finger. He wasn’t going to worry about whether someone wanted him or not. If he was turned down, there was always another all too happy to fall into bed with him, or press him into a wall and ravage him.

How many of those rules had he broken last night?

He hadn’t even hesitated. That was the worst part, he mused as irritation washed through him. He’d brought Cameron to his bed, curled against him, and all but silently begged him to stay. The marks rule had certainly been broken if the tender bruising running up and down his neck was anything to go by. They hadn’t even done more than kissing, that was the real kick in the teeth. A scowl tugged at his lips as he glared at his coffee mug as though it had personally offended him.

“You know, if you keep scowling like that, I think your poor coffee will turn to ice.” Tired amusement colored Camerons voice as he spoke, leaning against the kitchen doorway. His arms were crossed over a bare chest, a lazy smile on his lips. A chuckle escaped him as he padded across the kitchen, helping himself to a mug and filling it with coffee, reaching out to ruffle Aleksi’s hair as he passed. His head was still pounding, but the painkillers that had been left were proving to be a godsend.

“What did it even do to have you looking so grouchy this early in the morning, brat? Or are you just not a morning person?” He teased, a wry smile on his lips as he settled at the table opposite the other, peering atop the mug. God, even sulking, Aleksi looked absolutely adorable. How on earth was Cameron supposed to resist picking at him? It took all of his self-control to not kiss that pout right off of the others lips. But that… that would be basically the worst thing he could do.

He’d thought hard about it since Aleksi had slipped from the bed (and yes, he’d been awake to feel gentle fingers in his hair, lips pressed to his head so tenderly). Pretending he couldn’t remember what had happened last night was the best course of action for everyone involved. His eyes pointedly avoided the dark bruises on golden skin, even as he kept his smile easy, sipping at his coffee. Would Aleksi taste as good with coffee on his tongue as he had with the bittersweet alcohol?

Aleksi shot the older man a withering look, before glaring once more at his cup, lifting it to his lips. “Nine am is too goddamn early for human beings to be awake.” He huffed. Even still, some of the tension bled from his shoulders as he sipped, emerald eyes peering owlishly at the other. Dark chocolate curls were a fluffy, untamed mess atop his head, stray curls falling loose in his eyes as he rested his elbows on the table. “Figures you’d be annoyingly chipper in the mornings…” He muttered under his breath, glancing away with a huff. “How’s the head anyways? You seem to be doing alright for your first time drinking that much.”

“I think it would have been a lot worse if you hadn’t left the painkillers. Thanks for that. Somehow I didn’t expect pretty drinks to pack that much of a punch.” The blonde admitted, a sheepish smile on his lips. “It’s not like I haven’t gone drinking before. Every time Emily’s brothers are in town, they drag me to the Dirty Goose pub for beers. I don’t exactly like the taste, but even a pitcher of beer in me, I’ve never gotten as fucked up as last night.”

A snort fell from Aleksi’s lips, amusement written onto delicate features. “I’ve never understood the perception that beer is a “manly” drink, honestly. Those pretty cocktails so many straight guys shit on? They will fuck you up six ways to Sunday. Plus they don’t taste like literal piss in a bottle.” He made a face. “I can’t stomach beer though, if I’m being honest. Makes me sick. But tequila, vodka? I can get six or seven shots in me, go out and dance, have fun, and probably do it for cheaper with a far better end result.”