"Shall I pretend I didn't see it?"

☆

Slow, soft, tender. Isaac feels the warmth of Adam's lips press against his. If he could have put it into words it would have been labelled as perfection. The way his emotions felt heightened in such a way as if he had taken a pill… an addictive pill in which he knew It would be difficult to give up.

Adam felt the pain in his shoulder take a back seat, with the kiss overriding his senses. With everything in his life harbouring such harrowing sorrow, this was a moment of joy. A break in the dark clouds. He was never a believer in fate or soul mates but maybe Isaac was here to prove him otherwise. Everything about the moment felt right as they became totally lost in eachother. Neither one pulled away, as they stayed this way. Lips moving in sync with each other, tongues colliding as they fell deeper and deeper under each other's spell. 

The sound of something dropping to the floor is what brings them back. Isaac opens his eyes, with Adam doing the same a moment after. They pull away from each other to see Jojo standing by the door, stooping over to pick up a bag of ice. “Sorry…I…” she gets to standing as she hurriedly walks over to the seated pair, offering over the bag, “Here's your ice.“ 

Isaac reaches out to take the offering, now drawing his attention back to Adam. “I'm going in neat. Can you take it.” He hovers the freezing cold ice over Adam's injured shoulder, ready to make contact. 

“Go for it.” Adam grins, with his mind still replaying the kiss. That was anaesthetic enough to endure anything. 

“I seem to have interrupted a moment.” Jojo blushes as she dares to make eye contact with the pair. 

Isaac shakes his head. “Three strikes and you're out.” He mutters, thinking back to the missed opportunity he and Adam had shared this morning, courtesy of her text interrupting the moment. 

Adam pushes the ice away after a brief time. “It's fine now. It will bruise but I'm ok. As long as I don't have to play again.” 

The look Isaac was giving Jojo was enough to know that she shouldn't insist he returned to the pitch. “We have a substitute, don't worry.” She smiles, looking back at Isaac before addressing the other male. “You are in good hands Adam. I can see he cares for you a lot.”

Adam feels a blush to his cheeks as he looks down, sensing the awkward feeling Isaac may be displaying. “Thanks for the ice Jojo. You can go.” He answers rather abruptly. 

“Shall I pretend I didn't see it?, The kiss?” Jojo grins at the pair as heads out of the room, chuckling to herself. 

“I have nothing to hide.” Isaac shouts back as she disappears. He looks back at Adam who was wincing as he attempted to make circular motions with his injured shoulder. “Do you think you need to get that seen by someone?”

Adam shakes his head, he carefully reaches for his top as he with much effort, places it over his head. “I'll just rest it. I hate hospitals. All that death.”

Isaac half nods in agreement. He had his own reasons for hating hospital visits. Mainly due to his broken heart and struggling mind. He looks again at Adam. The man probably didn't realise how he heeled him more than he knew. “Us… you and me… are we good?” He wonders. That kiss, was it just a one time thing?

Adam smiles at the other male. The feeling he had was more than mutual. “We're good.” He suddenly pulls his lips into his mouth in thought, before he decides to speak.  Since we saw Miss Fine, how have you been sleeping?”

Isaac looks at Adam in wonder of what he meant. “Do you mean, do I still have nightmares?” 

Adam nods. “This may sound silly but when you're next to me, I sleep soundly…”

“Is this a line to get me to stay over?” Isaac laughs. “That one I have never heard before.”

“I'm being serious!” Adam feels his body stiffen, only to be reminded of his aches and pains. “You take away the screams in my head. Is it the same for you?”

Isaac looks away in thought. “Last night I was drunk so I don't think I can count that one,” He reaches out and takes Adam's hand in his. “But I'm willing to test your theory.” 

****

“So why are you here?”

“Hmm?” Isaac pulls the paper cup of coffee towards him, determined to drink this one. 

Zander repeats the question. “I said, why are you here in a coffee house with me when he has obviously invited you over for the night.” He leans back in his seat, as he folds his arms, looking Isaac up and down. “His company would surely be better than mine.” 

“In case you didn't remember Zander, I'm noy exactly well versed in the art of courtship. I've stayed away from matters of the heart because of my heart…. And because other people irritate me.” He looks at Zander and his raised eyebrow at his words. “Present company accepted.”

“Isaac, if you refer to it as courtship we have a problem. You are not lord of the manor. He's a guy you like who likes you back, though at this exact moment in time, I'm unsure why.” He looks at the lost soul opposite him, who stared into his coffee as if to tell his own fortune. “Your life is precious, you still need to live it to the full.” 

“I don't want to have a heart attack if we… y'know.” 

“What?”

“Don't make me say it.” Isaac frowns at Zander in annoyance. 

“Drink too much caffeine?” Zander replies, trying to stifle his laugh. 

“Sex…Zander Sex!  I hate you.” Isaac squeezed the cup in his hand, making the liquid rise then fall. 

“You know that's not the reason.” Zander edges his chair closer to Isaac, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Have you considered that you might just be scared of vulnerability, of falling in love? Surely, that would have a positive effect on your heart and your soul.” 

“What is your job again?” Isaac glances up at his friend, a hint of a smile on his face. “Are you like a therapist in disguise?” 

“Trust me, I'm not a therapist.” Zander, emits a chuckle as he sits back once again. “I'm just looking out for you. Anyway, you are the one who mentioned sex. Maybe he genuinely wanted your company."

Isaac side eyes his friend. "You made me say it."