Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Bloodwraith ❯ Airport ( Chapter 10 )

Aidan stepped out of the cab and closed his mobile phone. He paid the driver then waited for the driver to take his bags out of the trunk. The driver took out two small black leather suitcases and handed them to Aidan.

 

“Thank you,” Aidan said then placed his phone inside his pocket. He stepped into the airport and shaded his eyes when a barrage of flashes went off before him. He sighed as he heard someone come up behind him. He wished Kei would have at least warned him.

 

“You're going to have to get used to this again,” Kei said and Aidan glanced at him.

 

“Sometimes I hate your methods, Kei.”

 

“Aidan, I'd like to ask a few questions,” a reporter said and Aidan glanced to his side.

 

“What do you want?” he inquired.

 

“First let's start off with what you've been doing for the past year.”

 

“I moved out here for my own sanity and I've been working in a nightclub.”

 

“Your sanity? What do you mean by that?”

 

“Do you not remember that we lost a band member a year ago? We were close and...”

 

“Word has it that you were lovers.”

 

“If you wish to print it like that then fine. Either way, that's why I left. It was the only thing I could think of. I didn't want to be subjected to more pain. I don't know if you've ever experienced the loss of a close friend but the loss can be quite unbearable.”

 

“I haven't but that's not the issue here. Now this club that you worked in. What exactly did you do?”

 

“I was one of the performers in the show. Does that shock you?”

 

“Well it seems as though you have the figure for it.”

 

“Did you ever visit the club during show time? I had a bit of a following after all. Perhaps you were one of my fans,” Aidan commented and the reporter's face grew extremely red.

 

“No! I was just basing my questions off of what your manager told us. I've never been in a gay club,” the reporter replied.

 

“They aren't that bad. They just don't have a lot of women like the other clubs do. We occasionally got women that were curious about the finer side of life but our patrons were mostly men. The females just went there to see the strippers. Sometimes they came just to see me. You know it's more difficult to perform in front of someone you have no interest in.”

 

“I have absolutely no interest in that line of work.”

 

“Not everyone can handle it.”

 

“I'd like to ask a question,” another reporter said and Aidan glanced at him.

 

“What is it?” he asked.

 

“That man over there. Is he a new band member and quite possibly, your new lover?”

 

“Now wait a minute,” Jett said and the reporter looked at him.

 

“Yes?” the reporter asked.

 

“I'm not like the rest of them.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“I have no interest in men.”

 

“Then why...?”

 

“He is a good writer. That's why I took him on. Personal preferences mean nothing to me,” Kei replied and folded his arms. “I'm sure you all are fully aware that the band is virtually split down the middle when it comes to relationships. I do have two men that prefer the accepted form of dating. Do not misquote me on that. I am not saying one lifestyle is better than the other. I'm just pointing out what's widely accepted socially.”

 

“Besides, quite a few bands have been divided on the relationship issue. It's just not all of them are as open about it,” Nikki said.

 

“Didn't the two of you have a relationship for awhile?” the first reporter asked and Aidan got a pained look on his face.

 

“We did. Why does that sound strange?”

 

“Doesn't it make it hard to work together?”

 

“Not really. We've reached an understanding over it. Other bands have worked around their relationship problems. Why can't we?”

 

“An understanding?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“What do you expect to find when you get back home?” another reporter asked and Aidan paused.

 

“Memories,” he replied. “Lots of memories.”

 

Kei watched Aidan's face with interest then glanced at the reporters. He hoped they wouldn't press Aidan on his past. They did not need an emotional scene at the airport. That side of Aidan would not help get the public interested in the band again. It would just provide fuel for heated debates in the media. Aidan folded his arms and turned away. He did not want to think about the places he and Brett used to frequent and he most definitely did not want to see them. Kei nudged Nikki and Nikki looked at him. Kei pointed at Aidan and Nikki nodded his head.

 

“I think we are deviating from the point of this little meeting. The reason why we called you out here was to inform our loyal fans that we are taking to the stage again. We did not come here to revisit the past,” Nikki said as Aidan picked up his suitcase.

 

“Shouldn't we be going?” he asked and Kei glanced at his watch.

 

“We've got a couple of minutes to spare,” he replied.

 

“What's the first thing you're going to do when you get back home?” a reporter asked and Nikki glanced at her.

 

“Well I don't know about the others but I'm going to spend the day with my roommate,” he replied and winked at the reporter. The reporter flushed for a moment then glanced at Aidan.

 

“What about you?”

 

“Well I'd like to visit some stores that I haven't been to in awhile,” Aidan replied.

 

“What sort of stores?”

 

“Just...stores. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

 

“Have you ever been to their country?” another reporter asked and Jett glanced at him.

 

“No. I've never been to Verada,” Jett said then glanced at Nikki who looked slightly confused. “Alex gave me a lot of background information when we left the club last night.”

 

“Is Alex your girlfriend?” the female reporter inquired and Jett shook his head.

 

“He's a friend from high school and he's just a friend. I have absolutely no romantic interest in men.”

 

“He seems pretty firm in that belief,” Nikki commented and Aidan shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don't care what you guys go after. Men or women, it has nothing to do with me any more. I've got absolutely no feelings on the subject,” Aidan said then glanced at Kei. “Is it time?”

 

“Yes. We've got to start heading for our gate,” Kei replied then glanced at the reporters. “I'm afraid we've got to be moving along. When we get some updated publicity papers, we'll send them to you.”

 

“Well I think it went well,” Nikki commented as they walked down the hallway.

 

“I found Jett's comments slightly offensive,” Kei replied. “That's going to be a problem. We are not heathens. Did I not tell you that we are the same regardless of what sex we prefer?”

 

“You expect me just to hand over my beliefs just like that?!” Jett asked and Kei glared at him.

 

“We're not asking you to convert, we're just asking for respect damn it!”

 

“Well you certainly pissed him off,” Nikki said then glanced at Aidan. “What's wrong?”

 

“I don't want to see the past,” he replied. “I don't want to relive it.”

 

He started slightly when Nikki took his hand and Nikki smiled.

 

“We're really going to freak some people out.”

 

“I don't need comfort.”

 

“Don't lie. Your hand didn't tense up when I touched it.”

 

“Shut up.”

 

“You know sometimes the two of you sound like you've never broken up,” Kei commented then glanced back at Jett. “Whatever you say will not change reality.”

 

“I don't have to like it,” Jett replied.

 

“But you have to accept it.”

 

“It's like I told you, love knows no gender,” Aidan said as he pulled out of Nikki's grasp. Nikki glanced at him then reached into his pants pocket. He took out his mobile phone and flipped it open.

 

“Hello? Hey. How are you feeling? I see. When's the appointment? All right. Well right now I'm on my way to the plane. I'll call you when I'm at the airport. I don't want you to worry. You're in no condition for it. Right. I love you,” Nikki said then switched off his phone.

 

“Trouble?” Kei inquired and Nikki sighed.

 

“He's been feeling weak lately. I think it's because I've been away from him but he's got a doctor's appointment for a few days from now just to be safe.”

 

“Isn't it hard knowing he's on borrowed time?”

 

“I can't let that knowledge affect me for his sake.”

 

“So what happens when this stray dies? Are you going to get another?” Aidan asked and Nikki sighed.

 

“I might swear off love like you did,” he said and Aidan glared at him. “You seem to be doing quite well without anyone's shoulder to cry on.”

 

“Not funny. Going back to my place is going to be so painful.”

 

“Move,” Kei said and Nikki shook his head.

 

“Don't move. I like the place you have at home,” he said and Aidan tightly shut his eyes.

 

“He was there a lot,” Aidan said.

 

“He lived with you,” Kei said.

 

“True...”

 

“It looks like this is our gate,” Nikki said as he set his suitcase on the ground.

 

“We're pretty good on time,” Kei said as he glanced at his watch.

 

“I might get a drink then,” Aidan said.

 

“Wine?” Kei inquired and Aidan shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Perhaps.”

 

“They have alcohol on the plane you know. Mmmm. Those two are cute.”

 

“And they're definitely not interested in guys. Look at the two girls they're heading towards,” Nikki observed then walked over to an empty chair.

 

“The girls are foxes. Actually there's a lot of babes around here,” Jett commented as he glanced around.

 

“Damn! Why is it always the same old song and dance? Why must man sleep with woman? Why does society always throw that up in our face? The ancient Greeks knew how to have fun with their fellow man,” Kei said then glanced at Jett.

 

“I'm not going to say anything,” he replied and Kei folded his arms.

 

“You're learning.”

 

“I'm going to get some tea I think,” Aidan said. “I'm assuming you will watch my luggage?”

 

“Of course. What sort of people do you think we are?”

 

“I'll keep it close to mine,” Nikki said and stood up. “Hey Aidan, would you like to go out to dinner with Skye and me when we get back?”

 

“I'll think about it.”

 

Aidan sighed as he walked off. It would not be the first time he had been out with Nikki and Sky but he was not sure if he wanted to be out with them so soon after he had arrived home. He always felt jealous when Skye was around. It bothered him to see how Nikki treated him for he had been, once upon a time, the object of Nikki's desires.

 

“What would you like, sir?” a clerk at a small beverage stand asked and Aidan looked up.

 

“A medium iced tea please,” he replied then glanced around the airport. There were some pretty cute guys wandering around but most of them had women on their arms. Of course, it didn't bother him because he had no interest in love. He had no desire to immerse himself into another relationship. But, he reflected, Jett was pretty cute. His firm convictions against same sex relationships did get on his nerves, however. He could not help what he preferred.

 

“Your tea sir,” the clerk said and Aidan looked at her.

 

“Thank you,” he said then took his paper cup.

 

“You looked a little dazed. What were you thinking about?” Nikki inquired as Aidan sat beside him.

 

“Nothing. I'm afraid I was admiring the scenery,” Aidan said and Nikki looked interested.

 

“It seems that you can still feel lust despite your vow never to feel again.”

 

Aidan said nothing as he drank his tea. He could still perceive beauty without getting involved with the beautiful object.

 

“I do have a concern,” Jett said and Kei glanced at him. “When we arrive in your country, where will I be staying? I don't know anyone.”

 

“I've already taken care of that,” Kei replied. “You will be staying with Aidan.”

 

“What?!” Jett and Nikki sputtered as Aidan tried not to choke on his tea. Kei glanced at Nikki in amusement and Nikki's face grew red in embarrassment.

 

“Why did you pick me?!” Aidan demanded and Kei folded his arms.

 

“You have room,” he replied. “Also I'd like to have him somewhere safe. Your place is the most logical location.”

 

“Fine but you're getting my spare bedroom and don't you dare make any cracks, Nikki.”

 

“I wasn't going to say anything,” Nikki replied and Kei stood up.

 

“Finish your tea, Aidan. It's time to get on the plane,” Kai said.

 

“How long is the flight?” Jett asked as he stood up.

 

“It's over twelve hours. It'll take some time to get used to the time change.”

 

“Remember we were wiped out a few nights ago,” Nikki said and Kei nodded his head.

 

“We're going to have to get used to traveling again,” Kei said as Aidan threw his glass away.

 

“At least you don't have to worry about going home to an empty house now.”

 

“Shut up,” Aidan replied then picked up his bag.

 

“I don't want to sit for the entire time for twelve hours,” Jett commented.

 

“There's always sleeping,” Nikki replied. “I think I'll call Skye in an hour.”

 

“You'll be seeing him soon enough,” Kei said.

 

“I know but I worry about him.”

 

“So will Jade be waiting for us at the airport?” Aidan inquired and Kei shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don't know. I probably should try calling him again. I couldn't get through to him last night night.”

 

“What about Ty? What's he up to?”

 

“He went back to work. I'll call him when we get home.”

 

“I bet he'll be glad to get on the road again,” Nikki said as he showed his tickets to the clerk.

 

“I'm sure things must be difficult at the shop. The media's gotten hold of a lot of material concerning the band.”

 

“I wonder how that happened,” Aidan said and Kei shrugged his shoulders.

 

“I don't know,” he replied.

 

“I've got an odd question,” Jett said as they made their way to the plane.

 

“What?”

 

“Well when you guys do it, do you have to use protection?”

 

Nikki grinned at his statement and Kei tried not to laugh.

 

“If we sleep around a lot we do. The concept is the same whether you're fond of men or women,” he replied and glanced at Nikki. “Your seat is next to Aidan's. I figured it would be best if Jett sat beside me. I don't need to tell you anything about your own country.”

 

“If you do go out to eat with us, where would go?” Nikki asked.

 

“I don't know. I'd like some seafood, I think. I haven't eaten freshly caught fish in awhile,” Aidan said.

 

“The haddock was quite good the last time I had it. Of course there's always trout.”

 

“I like trout with some butter and herbs. You know you could cook fish pretty well. I had to take a couple of cooking classes just to survive.”

 

“Oh so now you can cook? Maybe we should eat at your place.”

 

“My place hasn't been cleaned in a year. You're not coming over until I've had a chance to clean up,” Aidan said and Nikki nodded his head.

 

“Fair enough. God, these twelve hours are going to be so long,” he said and closed his eyes.