What will happen to the other?

Max's eyes fell on Alina once he steadied himself in the house. He looked down at his appearance when he saw her looking, straightened up, and shrugged. Alina let out a huge sigh as she walked over and removed his tie. "Go and take a shower. You look hideous." she said, pushing him lightly towards his room.

Max only nodded and went. Alina stood a long time then, listening to the sounds of water running. She was not alone in her grief, she understood that now. Max had loved Alex too, loved him fiercely. Alina had once thanked Max for saving Alex, saving him from himself. But now she understood how they had probably saved each other. "And now that one of them is gone. What will happen to the other?" Alina mumbled to herself as she looked down at her hands.

She stood still for a few minutes, then looked up. Her eyes held a determination when she did. Alina spared one last glance to the room Max was in, before turning around.

Max had no idea how long he was in the shower. It seemed like the world did not hold the concept of time anymore. Even before, he had thought to be alone with Alex only for a few minutes after everyone left, but the next thing he knew, a guard was placing a hand on his shoulder and telling him to go home. That was when Max had looked up and realized that it was night, he still had no idea when that had happened.

And just like before, Max seemed to have forgotten what he was doing in the shower. It was only when he looked down to realize that his skin was all clammy from the water that he sighed, wrapped a towel around his body and stepped out of the shower. Max pulled on fresh clothes and walked out of the room, having no idea what to do next.

But as he walked out, a delicious smell wafted through the air and Max's feet turned towards the kitchen, even though he was sure he would not be able to stomach anything. 

But as soon as he stepped foot in the kitchen, Max felt as though he was struck by lightning. He stared at the man in front of him, a man with brown hair standing with his back to him. Max could not see the man's face, but he was sure, he was sure that the person in the kitchen right now was Alex. He had no idea how could it be possible, and he didn't even care. All he could think about was how Alex was here, right now, in front of him, and how he was never going to let him go away ever again.

Max crossed the kitchen with lightning speed and hugged him from behind. And once Alex turned towards him, surprise etched across his face, he buried his face in his neck and cried. Cried for having lost him, and cried for the miracle that had given Alex to him once again. He had no idea how they both stood there, but in a few minutes Max felt Alex's hands wrap around him and tears leaking from his eyes too.

Alex composed himself after some time, and spoke a single word, "Max?" and that was when Max knew something was wrong.