Stirring Creatures

by Darien Cox

  Leaning forward, Myles pinned Elliot with a glare. “Well what were his exact words?”

  “I was talking about me and Nolan, and Baz said he didn’t want to talk about love. I asked if someone broke his heart. He said ‘Have love for someone should not in the now.’ I asked if he meant Christian. He nearly shit himself that I’d guessed it. Then he admitted it.”

  A pit formed in Myles’ gut. Protectiveness and yeah...jealousy made his nerves dance. Did Christian realize? And if so, why was he pushing to see Baz? Was he curious? Did he like that Baz was into him? Maybe it gave Christian some odd thrill. The thought of that made bile rise in Myles’ throat, and anger pulsed at his temples.

  “Myles, calm down,” Elliot said. “Your Irish skin just turned five shades of purple.”

  “Does he know?”

  “Who?”

  “Does Christian know, Elliot? Did you tell him what Baz said?”

  “No! Of course not. Myles, don’t go there, that’s not who Christian is and you know it. Christian just wants things to be cool with Baz. He’s never believed Baz had feelings for him. And now that Baz has Joff in his life, Christian thinks that proves we were all wrong. If Baz does still have feelings for Christian, Christian doesn’t realize it.”

  “And when the alien hybrid told you he was in love with my boyfriend, did he mention what his intentions were?”

  “He doesn’t have intentions, Jesus, Myles! Baz said he knew it was stupid and that he knew Christian loved you. If Baz is avoiding Christian, I guarantee it’s out of pure respect.”

  “Maybe so, but if Baz is avoiding Christian, it stands to reason he still feels the same way. Otherwise it wouldn’t be a big deal to him to meet with Christian.”

  Elliot threw his arms up. “Which is why I tried to dissuade him tonight, but you didn’t have my back!”

  “Well I might have if you’d told me before that an alien wants to fuck my boyfriend for Christ sakes! And did it ever occur to you that Christian should probably have that information going in?”

  “Baz told me in confidence, and it has no bearing on our work. So no, I didn’t mention it to Christian, there was no reason.”

  “But now it clearly does have bearing on your work. Baz is avoiding Christian. This is fucked up. I’m gonna call him.”

  Elliot stopped Myles’ hand as he reached for his phone. “Don’t. Let it play out. You know Christian, he’ll be totally professional. Maybe this is what Baz needs. To get used to being alone with Christian in a work setting. Shit, maybe it’s my fault. Maybe Baz is afraid I told Christian what he said. Meeting with Christian will make it obvious he doesn’t have a clue, and Baz will probably relax.”

  “You and Nolan had Baz and Joff over to your house for a social visit. Baz never brought up Christian to you again? Never asked you about him or referenced that conversation?”

  “Not a word. And Baz and Joff are a really cute couple. Joff has learned English and they’re really funny and silly together. They seem happy. Don’t worry, okay? It’s Christian. He can handle anything that happens tonight. Come on, you know him.”

  “Joff has learned English? I met him at the party after your wedding and all he could say was ‘Happy to you’. That wasn’t even two months ago.”

  “Yeah, well, Joff is a fucking alien hybrid, I guess they learn fast. I’d never say this in front of them, but Joff’s even slightly easier to understand than Baz now.”

  Myles chewed his lip, worry making his dinner churn unpleasantly in his stomach.

  “Myles, chill. It’s Christian. He can handle talking to Baz tonight. I know Christian acts like a giant baby when he’s aggravated but he’s a professional strategist and he’s smart as hell. He’ll handle it, whatever happens.”

  Myles relaxed, the tension leaking out of him. “You’re right. It’s fine. It was just...weird hearing that.”

  “That an alien-human hybrid was in love with your boyfriend?” Elliot smirked. “Now why would that be weird for you?”

  Myles laughed. “Good point. I guess I’ll give myself a pass.”

  “Think how poor Joff feels, having to deal with us suddenly. He’d never been up close to humans until Baz dragged him to the party after my wedding. When Nolan and I had them over last week, Joff kept staring at us like he was simultaneously fascinated and terrified. When Nolan tried to hand him a drink, Joff nearly jumped off the couch. He got used to us, though. By the end of the night he was joking and making us all laugh. But think about it. To him we’re the aliens.”

  “Yeah. We’re the aliens. We’re weird to Joff. Yet Baz somehow fell in love with Christian.”

  “Hey, you should feel flattered!” Elliot grinned. “You scored a guy who’s coveted by otherworldly beings.”

  “Yeah.” Myles chuckled. “Think I’d prefer if my competition was limited to local villagers.”

  “You have no competition. I’ve known Christian since he was eighteen, and never seen him so crazy in love. He worships your lawman ass. You know this.”

  Myles smiled and nodded. He was confident in his relationship, and knew Christian had no interest in Baz beyond the obvious fascination with befriending an alien. And Myles liked Baz. Trusted him. There was nothing to worry about.

  Yet after what Elliot just revealed to him, Myles knew he’d be watching the clock all night. And wouldn’t relax until Christian returned home.

  ****

  Christian shut the car door and stared up at the cabin. The lantern, marked with a ‘3’ for Elliot, hung from the porch roof. The lantern was lit, and Christian could see through the windows that a light was on somewhere inside. Baz was in there.

  Christian took a deep breath, nerves dancing suddenly. He’d been so indignant and revved up at the thought of Baz purposely avoiding him, he’d been ready to bust in guns blazing. But now that he was here, he questioned himself. He hadn’t fully thought this through.

  Shit, what if Baz had been purposely avoiding him? What did that mean? That Myles was right? That his friends were right? Christian refused to believe it. Baz had never shown even a glimmer of romantic interest toward Christian. He’d always been respectful. Baz always exhibited some shyness, but it’s not like he’d been standoffish during the crisis in October. At headquarters, Baz had tried to keep Christian calm about Nolan putting himself in danger. Soothed and reassured him, showed empathy and even a few tears.

  But that’s all it had been. Compassion. Friendship. Christian would know if there was more to their interactions than he’d perceived. He’d know, dammit.

  But would you? He’s part alien, after all.

  “Doesn’t matter,” he whispered. Whatever his friends and Myles claimed to see just wasn’t there. They were wrong about this. So that brought Christian back to square one. If Baz was avoiding him, then Christian must have done something to offend him. And he aimed to find out what that was, and clear the air.

  He headed for the cabin. It was a clear, cold night, stars brilliant against a black sky. His breath came out in visible puffs and his boots crunched in deep snow. He’d have to mention to Ogden that someone ought to plow Baz’s driveway. Baz might not care since he likely beamed down via a tunnel of mist or some shit, but if Christian and the other lowly humans had to be traipsing up here in the middle of winter, it would do well to shovel the driveway before someone got hurt.

  And throw some gravel on the steps, he thought as he moved gingerly across the icy porch to the front door. He knocked three times, and waited, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. He’d been so afraid Elliot would change his mind, he’d run out of the house without gloves or a hat, which was stupid. Singing Bear Village got damn cold in December, the frigid mountain wind never letting up, and his ears were already stinging just from the short walk from the car up to the porch.

  He frowned as he waited, shoulders tightening. No one came to answer the door, and his paranoia kicked in, wondering if Baz knew he was there and was purposely ignoring him. He knocked again, harder this time,
then heard Baz’s muffled voice call out from inside.

  “Door unlock, Ellytot, come in!”

  Christian pushed open the door and stepped inside, warmth flooding his chilled body. His eyes darted around as he closed the door behind him. A cozy living room with dark wood shelves and modest furniture, country-themed with paintings of deer and flying geese hanging on the paneled walls. Worn throw rugs across a scuffed wooden floor. And no sign of Baz.

  Christian walked down a short hallway and found Baz in the kitchen, seated, tall body hunched over a translucent gelatinous glob on the table that looked like a brain. Inside the brain-sized blob, small spiders of electric color flashed pink and green within. Baz’s long white fingers hovered over the strange item, head bowed, silky white hair hanging down over the sides of his face. Christian was about to announce his presence—and that he was not, in fact, Elliot—but Baz seemed lost in concentration, so instead he waited silently in the doorway.

  “One minute, Ellytot,” Baz breathed as he continued to fuss with the item on the table. “Apology, need to make sure secure before you take. Have seat, El. Chill out.”

  Christian frowned. Chill out? And El? The familiarity of Baz using Elliot’s nickname jarred Christian. Baz had definitely been spending quality time with Elliot. And Nolan, Christian realized, as he examined Baz’s attire.

  Baz was wearing jeans. Actual jeans, though Christian couldn’t imagine where he’d found a pair to fit his long legs. On top he wore a baggy brown ragg sweater over a white tee shirt. The tee shirt was a couple shades lighter than his alabaster skin. Work boots on his feet. He was dressed the way Nolan typically dressed all winter, the sweater strikingly similar to one Nolan owned. The boots weren’t just similar to Nolan’s, they were identical, aside from the larger size to fit Baz’s extra-long long feet.

  “Okay,” Baz said softly, his white hands gently touching the transparent blob, cupping the sides. “Just one more moment, need to adjust for surface oxygen, this thing being a bitch.”

  Christian swallowed hard. He was stunned at the transformation, the way Baz seemed to be more attuned to his human side, the casual phrasing. But it was more than that. Christian was seeing something very different in this moment. And he didn’t think it was just Baz growing more accustomed to humans, picking up their speech and mannerisms.

  It was because Baz thought he was speaking to Elliot, not Christian. When Christian spoke with the hybrid, Baz always had an underlying tension in his posture and words. Something nervous brimming beneath the surface. Christian had only just seen him last month. That Baz had changed this much in a short time was possible, but it was more likely he was simply more relaxed around Elliot. Christian was seeing a different Baz right now, the way he was with the others. The way he was when Christian wasn’t around. So why was he so different with Christian?

  Maybe he wasn’t. Maybe this was just progress, a growing familiarity with the team, amplified from spending more time with Elliot and Nolan. Or maybe Baz had grown more relaxed since he had a boyfriend now. Perhaps Joff had made Baz chill out. Either way, Christian would have the answers to these questions momentarily, when Baz finished his work and figured out it was Christian, not Elliot, standing in the doorway.

  Sighing, Baz brushed a strand of long white hair back from his face, eyes still focused down. The gesture with the hair wasn’t one Christian had ever seen from Baz, and reminded him of Nolan, the way he’d tuck his hair behind his ear when it was down. But Baz didn’t have the kind of ears hair could be tucked behind—his were flat to his head. More evidence of time spent with Nolan and Elliot. And Christian felt foolish envy, that his friends had this relationship with the hybrid, while Christian felt pushed out.

  “Okay.” Baz placed his hands on the table and nodded. “Should be okay to move now.” He looked up. “Tell Hoggin that...Chrischris?”

  Baz’s oversized eyes widened, his shoulders stiffening under the sweater. Within the electric blue and green of his double-iris, Baz’s oval pupil visibly dilated, black spreading across the inner ring. He stared, lips parted, saying nothing.

  “Hey, Baz.”

  Baz’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Hello, Chrischris. I think...I thought that you were number two. No? Get wrong?”

  “No, you’re right. I’m number two. Elliot is number three. But he’s not feeling well tonight, so sent me instead. That a problem?”

  “No problem.” Baz’s long white lashes lowered. He seemed to gather himself, and stood, gesturing toward the table. “Is ready to go. I speak to Hoggin. Tell him how to use energy. Should be okay to take but to be cautious. I have container.” Baz abruptly left the room, his tall body breezing past Christian without a glance.

  Christian took a seat at the table, scowling at the round blob. Tiny spiders of electric light flashed within. It should have fascinated him, but he was too preoccupied with Baz’s reaction. Baz had gone from completely relaxed to tense in seconds. There was no question in Christian’s mind anymore. Something was up. Baz had a problem with him. It made Christian angry, and a little sad. After all they’d been through together, it shouldn’t be like this.

  Baz returned with a silver box. Still avoiding Christian’s eyes, he set it on the table, then gently lifted the energy device and placed it inside. After closing the box, Christian watched as the seams disappeared. “Is Ogden gonna know how to get into that box?”

  “Yes. Okay. I tell him. He know. Is all good.”

  Baz lingered by the table, eyes focused on the box. He stood with hands on his hips, posture very human, until he glanced at Christian. He immediately straightened and his shoulders stiffened. “Okay. You can take.”

  “Sit down,” Christian said. “We should talk.”

  Baz blinked rapidly as he stared at Christian. He dragged his chair out and sat. His large eyes narrowed slightly. “Sure. To talk. Ask me about device? I think Hoggin brief you all. But will answer questions.”

  “I don’t care about the damn energy device right now, Baz. I just want to have a chat with you.”

  Baz eyed him warily, drumming his long fingers on the table the way Nolan did when he was thinking. “Okay, Chrischris.” Baz smiled, but it looked forced. “You warm enough? Is cold outside for human.”

  Christian chuckled. “I’m fine. Nice and warm.”

  Baz stood. “To take jacket off?” Baz pointed to the heavy winter coat Christian still wore, then his shoulders hunched and his head bowed. “I mean to...take off if you want to take off. Or to leave on. Leave on if cold. Or take off if warm. You cold, Chrischris? Need tea? Elliot teach me to make. Make tea for you?”

  “Baz. Relax. I’m fine. I don’t need tea.” Christian shrugged his jacket off, and for the very first time he glimpsed a whisper of something as Baz’s eyes trailed over his arms. Christian smoothed his black tee shirt self-consciously, and watched as Baz’s gaze followed the movement. When Baz caught his eye, he quickly looked away.

  Ah, shit. Fuck. Maybe Myles was right. Maybe they were all right.

  But maybe not. Perhaps Baz was just looking at Christian’s tattoos. Maybe it was nothing. Fucking Myles had put the idea in his head that Baz was attracted to him. Christian was probably just over-focused on that and seeing things that weren’t there. Either way, he’d come too far to turn back now. He had to know what was up. It was personal, sure, but it also potentially affected work stuff, so this talk had to happen either way.

  “Sit down,” Christian said. “Relax.”

  Baz sat. He glanced at Christian, then looked away. His pupils still seemed dilated, but it was hard to tell. Baz’s eyes were gorgeous and hypnotic, but a little freaky, so Christian wasn’t sure how they reacted to the light. Human’s pupils often dilated when they gazed upon something that pleased them, but Baz was only half-human. Christian was over-thinking things again, trying to monitor every reaction from Baz, and it was ridiculous. He could simply talk to him, and ask what he’d come to ask.

  “Baz, are you angry at m
e?”

  Immediately, Baz straightened in his seat, his luminescent eyes widening. “No! Never to be angry with you, Chrischris! Never. Why you say this?”

  “Because we had two meetings scheduled this month and you didn’t show up for either of them.”

  Baz did that thing where his body curled in on itself and his head bowed. “Not angry, Chrischris. Had other...things. Apology. To be late. But spoke to Shaytee. It was...resolve.”

  “Then why do you look guilty right now?”

  Baz looked up and blinked. “Guilty? Baz...I do not look guilty.”

  “I know your body language. When you feel bad about something you tighten up and do that hunch thing. Like a dog that just got yelled at.”

  Baz’s white brows pinched. “You say to me I am like dog?”

  Christian smirked. “I think you know what I mean.”

  “I think you call me dog. Very unkind, Chrischris.”

  “Why? You have something against dogs?”

  Baz’s head tilted. “You fucking with me now.”

  Laughing, Christian nodded. “I’m fucking with you a little. Just trying to get you to relax. You’re so tense around me. When you thought I was Elliot you acted completely different. Why is that?”

  “I do not understand. No to be different with Ellytot.”

  “Cut the innocent routine, Baz. When you thought I was Elliot you were all ‘hey bro chill, be with you in a minute, dude.’”

  Baz scowled, lips pursed. He leaned back and crossed his arms over his narrow chest. “I did not say dude.”

  Smiling, Christian pointed. “There. See? Now you’re being real with me. You’ve relaxed some because I’m getting under your skin. Why can’t you be that way with me all the time? The way you are with Elliot and Nolan? And probably JT for all I know.”

  “Chriscrhis. You don’t make sense.”

  “Tell me the truth. You have some problem with me? I have to ask. Make sure things are all good. We do have to work together, you realize. More so now that Ogden and the Whites are making deals.”

  Baz was silent for a beat, keeping eye contact. “No. We fine to work. No problem.”