Chapter 31: Unwanted Company

I groaned as I rubbed at my eyes. Sol was asleep beside me. It had been a long time since I slept peacefully.

... Well that's an understatement because my neck and back were feeling quite stiff. My arm was numb too because Sol had used it as a cushion but that is a welcomed kind of numb.

I tucked a strand of his hair behind his ear before hearing him groan and mumble something in his sleep. Aside from the drooling, Sol was cute when he slept.

His hair tends to curl and he gets clingy. His serious expression when working softens and he looked like an angel.

I shifted slowly as I pulled myself away from him and gently placed his head on the cushion. I straightened the blankets and turned off the recommended movies option as I wondered how we had slept through the trailers.

I stretched myself and prepared some things to eat and placed them on the dining table as I poured myself some coffee.

"Nngh... Aries?" I heard Sol's voice as he stirred from sleep. He still sounded groggy as I headed over to where he was.

"Morning. Slept well?"

"My neck is killing me." Sol murmured as he squeezed at his neck.

"Want me to help you out with that?" I asked him as Sol nodded and leaned forward half asleep.

***

"You're quite stiff today. Were you backed up? How is this?" I asked as I reached out to touch Sol.

"Don't say it like that. Nnn~ W-wait... Don't touch me so suddenly like that! Your fingers are chilly!"

"Eh? Sorry is it cold? Should I warm it up first?"

"It's okay. I'll gradually get used to it." Sol said as he glanced over his shoulder at me.

"I'll move slowly. Let me know if it hurts."

"Hnn~ That feels good..." Sol sighed as he leaned into my hands.

"Right? How about here, then?" I asked as I squeezed a little harder.

"A-ah?! Wait... That's a little too hard..." Sol gasped as he grasped the blankets, crumpling them in his hands.

"Yeah, sorry. Its a little tough for me too. Try to relax."

"I can't... it feels so good~" Sol moaned in delight as I smiled watching his reaction.

***

"How are you feeling now?" I asked as I sat beside Sol.

"I feel refreshed. My neck doesn't feel as stiff as before. It's like I went to a professional masseuse." Sol laughed as he rolled his head to prove to me it was a great massage.

"That's great."

"Want me to do it for you?"

"Sure." I replied in a heartbeat as Sol climbed off the couch and stood behind me as I felt the touch of his warm hands on my shoulders.

"How is it?"

"Not bad."

"You're quite stiff as well. Was work busy last month?"

"Yeah. I also needed to sort some things out. But I've made enough time to spend with you." I briefly glanced over at Sol, hoping the meaning of my words got through to him. But as usual, it went over his head as he nodded his head and casually smiled.

"That's good. Ever since you lived independently I haven't seen you take a breather." Sol said as his hands moved the similar way I massaged him.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I thought it would be a shame if you died last time because of me and didn't have a chance to enjoy your life." Sol said softly as his movement slowed and his voice dropped to a whisper.

"Well, no one can know when they die. Death is inevitable."

"I know but..."

At that point, I got up and held Sol's hands as his eyes widened from me doing something unexpected.

"Aries?"

"Just focus on the me before you now. I am not going anywhere. Keep your eyes on me... you may notice something you didn't before." I said as I felt my ears heat up from my last sentence.

"... Okay."

"Goo--" I was about to say before Sol's words got me silenced again.

"That's right, I haven't finished finding the solution to your problem. I noticed something from last time as well, but I need to test my theory as well..." Sol trailed off as I found myself at a loss of words.

"Speaking of which. I guess I'll go with you to the shoot. Oh, I'll give Darryl a call since it's the morning." Sol continued before we both noticed his phone ringing.

Sol rushed off to answer as I shook off my shock and headed for the dining table where I poured him a cup of coffee laced with milk and sugar. Sol couldn't handle overly bitter things and was a bit of a sweet tooth.

"Eh?!" Sol exclaimed in the other room before he hung up with a bewildered expression on his face.

As he headed into the dining room, I caught his arm to inquire what his sponsor had said. If he was going to stop Sol from taking a small break it was better for me to step in.

"Uh... he said that..."

"What?"

"He says he is going to come along."

"Eh?"

"W-well I did mention that it was your work and all..."

"And?"

"He says while you work he'll join me in the fun." Sol scratched his head apologetically as he grinned awkwardly.

"What? There's no need to trouble him. I'll be done very quickly. I'll bring you out." I blurted out as I didn't want Sol to be taken away.

I asked him to follow me there because I wanted to spend some time with him. I was gone for nearly 2 months not seeing his face. There's no way I would let that man, whoever it is ruin my plans!

"I did mention that to him but he said something along the lines of you needing to focus on work and that I shouldn't be such a distraction." Sol replied as he frowned.

It seems if I pushed him further to turn down going along with the self invited person he wouldn't go in the end. And most likely still be working till night with that person coming over.

I can smell it. And it irks me so. So as much as I don't want him coming along, pushing Sol to decline would be pretty much setting those two to spend time together regardless.

"It's alright then. Let him come along. Just spare some time for me." I said as I smiled.

"Okay. Sorry about this." Sol said as he smiled apologetically and heads back to the phone to send a message saying I agreed.

Thinking about it now, all I can think of is how annoyed will I be when I see him? I'm not looking forward to meeting him.

"Why don't you eat breakfast before packing? We can head over anytime." I said as I held Sol's shoulders and led him to the dining table.

"Oh, sure. Wow! That looks good."

"I wanted you to have the best." I grinned smugly as I sat him down and headed to the seat opposite him.

"You always spoil me. Thanks." Sol smiled as he picked up the sandwich I made for him.

***

"All packed?" I asked as I studied Sol's profile.

"Yes! Let's head over. How are we going?"

He had a small travel bag slung across his shoulder as he dressed snugly in his winter wear. It wasn't too cold over there but it was cute to see him dressed so snugly that I didn't want to say anything.

"I can dr--" Just as I was about to tell him that I can drive him down the doorbell rang.

I furrowed my brows before Sol scratched his head. It seems like he wasn't expecting a visitor either.

Perhaps it was because I had been preoccupied with thinking of what I was going to do with Sol later that I only noticed the scent that came from the doorbell. There was also something off about it that I couldn't quite place but my senses were on alert.

"I'll answer it." I said to Sol as I stopped his hand from reaching the door as I stepped ahead of him and smiled in my most reassuring way.

"Hmm? Okay." Sol hummed a reply before he took a step back and fidgeted with his bag to keep busy before I opened the door.

As soon as my eyes met with the man before me I stepped out and shut the door behind me as I grabbed him by his neck and slammed him against the wall.

"Who are you?"

"How barbaric. Just like all the others. I knew I shouldn't have left him alone. It was a good idea tagging along." the man replied calmly, completely shrugging off my question.

"I asked you. WHO. ARE. YOU?" I asked again, clamping my fist tighter against his throat. It made no sense how he was in no way fazed by his situation.

"Can't we talk without you putting on a fake bravado? I think you're not even my par if you were to try anything." the man smiled as his eyes glistened dangerously.

"..."

"What? Wolf got your tongue? How unsightly, lashing out like that. You pups have no sense of fear it seems." the man said before he placed his hand on my arm that held him up.

"Argh!" I groaned in pain as he squeezed my arm. It felt like he was crushing my bones.

"Why don't we talk in a more civilised manner now? What do you think?" the man smiled calmly as he shook my hand off and landed gracefully to the ground, dusting off his coat.

"You have no permission to enter." I croaked as the man merely glanced over his shoulder and grinned.

"Maybe not from you. But you aren't the owner."

My eyes widened as I realised what he had meant. I quickly rushed after him but stopped my reckless behaviour when I heard the door open.

"Sol. I cleared my schedule to drive you over to the lodge." the man said as he waved at Sol.

"Oh, Darryl! What a surprise. That would be great. We were just heading out." Sol replied as he pointed towards me with a smile.

"..."

"..."

I shared a brief eye contact with the man named Darryl before I bit the inner side of my cheek to refrain from lashing out. I hope he doesn't suggest making things worse for us.

"It's fine. We'll meet you there. I was going to go in my own vehicle." I said as I stood beside Sol. "Together with him."

"... Is that so? What a pity..." Darryl sighed dramatically as Sol glanced up at me and him for a moment.

"Why don't we all go together?" Sol asked excitedly as my hope was crushed.

"Well, I mean... I'm sure he would need to head to work after a few days and our schedules would clash and..." I gave Sol as much excuses as I could but Darryl cut me off.

"You can ride with me and meet up with him at the lodge." Darryl suggested as I saw Sol ponder the suggestion.

"On second thought, we can both carpool with him."

Darryl shot me an icy gaze before I did the same. There was no way I would risk letting him touch Sol. Those eyes that look like he was hunting his prey...

I will not let you touch even a strand on his head!

"Are you sure? I don't know your schedule. Don't photoshoots take a long time to complete?" Sol asked me as he tugged on my sleeve to grab my attention.

"I'm certain I'll finish with enough time to spend with you." I smiled as I patted his head.

I glared at Darryl as I heard a light snicker from him. I couldn't stand him. I hope whatever he and Sol are working on ends soon so I won't need to worry about them spending anymore time together.