Fadel cleaned Peem's injuries back at his own shabby apartment. It had been a long time since he had such proximity with Peem. As far as he could remember,it was when Peem fought with classmates back then at high school and had injuries that Fadel ever got close to him,close enough just to have his wounds disinfected. Fadel was grateful though, for every time he had to take care of Peem when injured. At least he was useful to him that way but most of all,he got close enough to smell Peem's cologne which he loved a lot.
"So,what's between you and Mr Kant?". Fadel asked as he disinfected the pink spot on Peem's lips. He swallowed hard so he wont be exposed. He tried to clear the hunger inside of him to have a taste of the enticing full lips.
"Maxwell is insane". Peem said arrogantly. "He picks fights for no reason"
"What about secretary Brown?". Fadel asked. He was worried about that part. Peem had shown perversion towards Ricky a bunch of times. So, Fadel really thought something must be going on.
Peem pulled his face away at the question. "Birds of the same feather flock together. He's just good looking"
Fadel turned away from Peem to arrange his first aid kit. "What about you?". He suddenly asked.
Peem stared at him surprised. "What about me?"
Fadel smiled at him a bit. "If you hadn't done something wrong,why would Mr Kant retaliate so violently?"
"How should I know?". Peem snapped childishly.
Fadel stared at him and thought
Will you ever change and admit your wrong
Fadel got lost in his thoughts while Peem stared at him ,confused by the look in Fadel's eyes. Those eyes accused him of a million offenses. "Why are you looking at me like that?". Peem eyed Fadel who shook,startled by Peem's voice.
Fadel quickly stood up to wash his hands in the kitchen zinc. Peem followed him.
"Fadel". Peem called. "You don't think I would do something to Ricky, do you?"
Fadel sighed. "I don't know"
"What do you mean by 'I don't know' ?"
Fadel suddenly got upset and shouted at him. "It means I don't know !!" The effect of him shouting like that was weakness. He had earlier been affected by Maxwell's pheromones and wasn't feeling well. He stressed himself again by exclaiming. He began to sway from left to right like he would collapse.
Peem didn't notice Fadel was weak on time as he continued to lash at him. "Fadel,whose side are you on,mine or Maxwell's?"
"I get paid by the company so I view things from the company's perspective". Fadel replied
Peem frowned. "That's not what I asked. If you ignored your paycheck, whose side are you on?"
"The moral side". Fadel managed to say despite his weakness. He knew Peem was very unreasonable.
"Oh. Maxwell abuses power and picks fights in public. He's definitely immoral". Peem said pleasing himself
"And you?". Fadel attacked. "You made Secretary Brown act like an escort. Is that moral?"
Peem was so pissed at Fadel's response. "Do yo---. Do you know who you're talking to?"
Fadel looked down sadly. He was hurt. "Sorry,Mr Ronald. I spoke out of turn". He glanced at his wrist watch. "Its one in the afternoon. Shouldn't you return to the office?"
"Do you think I want to stay in this dump?". Peem said angrily. "If it weren't your special day....". Peem paused. "Do you think I'd want to?"
Fadel looked around his house wearily. "Yes,my small and shabby place isn't fit for you. You should leave"
"First Ricky Brown. Now its Maxwell Kant. Why do you always argue with me over those baffling people. Do you like them?". Peem talked without thinking. He always did that when he was upset.
Fadel was already passing out little by little. He was too tired from talking,from shouting and standing, coupled with his illness, it weighed him down.
Peem didn't notice, he kept on talking angrily. "Now I get why a Beta like you is so sensitive to Maxwell's pheromones. You like him,don't you?"
Fadel looked at him,his eyes closing slowly. It was then that Peem noticed him.
"Hey,are you okay?". He moved closer to Fadel. "What's wrong?". Before Peem could say another word,Fadel collapsed into his arms.
*************
Peem wiped Fadel's body with a towel. His temperature was too high and he was burning up. He felt Fadel's temperature and compared it to his one more time. "You're burning up". Peem whispered to himself.
Peem held Fadel's hand for a while,squeezing it softly to ease stress. He bent closer to watch Fadel's face. "Do you have antipyretics?". He asked the half asleep patient.
"No". Fadel answered sweat beads forming on his forehead. "I'm fine". He added.
Peem eyed him. "How can you be fine? You forgot you birthday and didn't even say a word about your fever. Even kids know to see a doctor when they are sick. How old are you,really?". Peem stared at his closed eyes for a while,his heart softened. "I'll go buy you medicine". He stood up but Fadel held unto his hand restricting his movement.
"You don't have to,really". Fadel whispered. "Peem. Can you stay with me a little longer?". He pleaded.
Peem smiled and sat back down on the bed with him,holding and squeezing his hand. "Okay". He said and glanced at the alarm clock on the table behind him. It was a minute to midnight. "Happy birthday". He whispered to the sleeping Fadel.