Chapter 6

                                    

                                          
***          
"Are you mad? Sorry, I couldn't call earlier..."
Ethelstan's pleasant, languid voice woke Rikald. He opened his eyes slightly, grimacing from a headache, and looked at the guy sitting in the chair.
Ethel was wearing only jeans. Droplets of water glistened on his bare torso, dripping from the tips of his wet hair. The guy's face looked serene, and a dreamy smile played on his lips.
How handsome he is!
Rika's heart ached with longing. He would never get a guy like that.
"I can't. In three hours, I need to be at the airport. If I don't fly to Paris with my mom, she won't forgive me."
The guy pressed a flat phone tightly to his ear, simultaneously drying his hair with a towel.
Ethel's interlocutor said something, but Rika couldn't make out the words.
"It's your fault," the guy replied sadly and, after listening to a rather long tirade, asked: "What was I doing? Nothing special."
He looked at Rikald and smiled gently. Rika quickly shut his eyes, afraid of giving himself away.
Did Ethel notice his gaze? Or was the guy blinded by the nightlight?
Not wanting to tempt fate, Rika continued to pretend to be asleep.
"Go to bed already; see you at school," Ethelstan's voice sounded again. "I'll call you in the morning from the airport. I promise." Pause. "I promise you." Pause. "Okay, okay, I swear. Happy now?" Pause. A light chuckle. "Good night."
Rika heard the guy put the phone on the table and approach the bed. A few moments of nothing, and then Ethelstan lifted the edge of the blanket and, climbing under it, pulled Rika to him.
"So warm," the guy exhaled and fell silent.
And within minutes, he was peacefully snoring, nuzzling Rika's neck.
Rika lay still, savoring every moment. His heart pounded wildly in his chest. His skin was constantly covered in pleasant goosebumps. And a tender warmth spread through his soul.
No one had ever hugged him so gently. No one had ever endured his antics with such patience. And certainly, no one had ever tried to comfort him just by holding him.
But Ethel was a special person. So kind, sweet, and responsive... He protected Rika, comforted him, and then peacefully fell asleep next to him.
Rikald understood perfectly well that this fairy tale could not have a continuation. He knew that in the morning, this magical dream would dissolve into nothing. And so he firmly decided not to sleep, to enjoy Ethel's closeness as long as possible.
"Ethelstan," he whispered almost inaudibly.
What a beautiful name, like that of an angel or deity.
Very carefully, so as not to wake the guy, Rika covered Ethel's cool fingers with his palm. And his heart immediately responded to this innocent action with a frantic beat.
"Please, whoever is up there in heaven, let this story continue..." he whispered continuously, understanding how hopeless this wish was, but still hoping for the mercy of higher powers.
And when dawn broke outside the window, a heavy sleep finally overtook him.
***
Rika woke up when it was already light outside.
Sunbeams broke through the thick curtains, but the room was still dim.
The guy fidgeted on the bed and realized he was lying alone. Ethelstan was nowhere to be seen.