Voice in the Silence

The moon casts a dim light over the room, making it feel even more unwelcoming. Despite the late hour, cars keep darting past outside the window, refusing to let him fall asleep. Maybe they aren’t really the problem, but he has no desire to figure that out. It’s easier to blame the world around him. He feels a warm touch on his shoulder and senses the mattress sink ever so slightly. He’d been lost in thought, hearing nothing at all. A burning body presses against his back, slender arms closing around his chest. “Why did you come?” he asks quietly. “I can’t sleep without you,” he feels the heat of the words against his neck. “You shouldn’t be doing this,” he exhales. “This isn’t the right time.” “Then when is the right time?” there’s irritation in his voice. “Why can’t we be together?” The question makes him flinch, and he turns sharply. Only a few centimetres separate their faces now. He looks into the burning eyes opposite him, torn apart by conflicting feelings. This should never have happened—and yet it feels so right. “Dave, I want to be with you. And you want that too,” it isn’t a question, but a statement. How badly Dave wants to close that distance and feel Steven’s lips on his own. “Steven, go,” he says firmly. “I don’t have time for you right now. You’re keeping me from sleeping.” “Oh, really?” Steven’s eyes gleam with mockery. “You used to pass out instantly when we were lying together. And now I didn’t even have to wake you.” “Fine,” Dave gives in, turning onto his other side. Steven presses against his back again, wrapping his arms around Dave’s waist. He isn’t going anywhere. They can’t exist without each other anymore.

────────── ✦ ──────────

Alena pulled her fingers away from the keyboard and groaned softly as she rubbed her eyelids. She hadn’t expected to spend two whole hours on a single chapter. And even then—if not for Iriska demanding dinner, she might not have noticed night falling at all. Those two hours had flown by in an instant. Despite her teenage love for fanfiction, Alena had never tried writing herself. Her Russian teacher had praised her essays, but they were nothing compared to real creative work. At school, she had merely voiced her opinions on the issues discussed in class. Now, she was creating her own world—and living in it. When she returned from her friend’s place in a foul mood, she realised there was no one who could truly share her indignation. Letting it all out hadn’t changed anything, and she slipped back into gloom. Until a brilliant idea struck her. If she couldn’t find the perfect fanfic for herself, then she would write it herself. It didn’t matter how terrible it might be from a literary standpoint. Alena had no intention of publishing it anywhere. At most, she might show it to Sashka. She was the only one who wouldn’t laugh at her mistakes—though she might still twirl a finger at her temple and say Alena had completely lost it over this. For now, though, the story was turning out perfectly. Alena reread it, smiling fondly at her own characters. This was exactly how they were supposed to be. After work, she would sit down at her laptop and pour out all the ideas she had accumulated during the day. They could come to her on the way to work—or suddenly, right in the middle of it. Two weeks passed like this, and ten chapters emerged from her pen. It might not have seemed like much. But for Alena, with her lack of writing experience, it was nothing short of a real feat. She couldn’t resist and wrote to Sasha. @alena_synthesis, 17:10: You won’t believe what I’m doing 🔥 @sasha_moonrise, 17:11: 👀 Participating in a ritual sacrifice in honor of your celibacy? @alena_synthesis, 17:11: Ugh 😡 No. @sasha_moonrise, 17:11: ? @alena_synthesis, 17:11: I did it! @sasha_moonrise, 17:11: I need more details, or I’ll start imagining things again. @alena_synthesis, 17:12: I’m writing a fanfic! @sasha_moonrise, 17:12: You? Writing? A fanfic? @alena_synthesis, 17:12: I wrote ten chapters. I want you to take a look. @sasha_moonrise, 17:12: Is it about Daven? @alena_synthesis, 17:12: Who else would it be about? @sasha_moonrise, 17:12: Wow… you’ve completely lost it 🤦‍♀️ Send it over. @alena_synthesis, 17:13: 📄 The boys @sasha_moonrise, 17:13: What boys, seriously? 🤣 Sashka went offline, and Alena collapsed onto the couch. She nervously kicked her leg, glancing at her phone. Iriska circled her owner with purpose, swishing her tail. Alena sighed and tossed the phone aside. After all, Sanya was a friend. She wouldn’t say anything that could hurt her. Probably. Alena picked up the phone again. @sasha_moonrise was online 15 minutes ago Alena set the phone down again, but in a way that would let her notice any notifications. Iriska demanded attention once more, and Alena couldn’t say no. @sasha_moonrise, 18:56: I’m shocked. @alena_synthesis, 19:00: More details? @sasha_moonrise, 19:00: When did you learn to write like that? @alena_synthesis, 19:00: I don’t think I learned 😄 Unless I was in the same class as you. @sasha_moonrise, 19:00: If that’s the case, you’ve been hiding your talent well. Why did you even go to the econ faculty? @alena_synthesis, 19:01: Thanks for the compliment, but I think I’m doing pretty well at work 😜 @sasha_moonrise, 19:01: Seriously, that’s awesome. Keep writing, you’ve got me intrigued. @alena_synthesis, 19:01: Thanks for the motivation 💛 I just came up with a few ideas while you were reading. @sasha_moonrise, 19:01: 😘 Can’t wait for things to heat up. Alena smiled with satisfaction. Her friend’s support was more necessary than ever. And knowing she could share her work with someone gave her an extra push. New ideas about the development of the main characters’ relationship were already forming in her mind. But Sashka wanted the heat. And Alena knew it was needed. It wouldn’t be easy, but she knew how to get what she wanted. This case would be no exception.