A moment to think of it

That evening went by quickly after that little dive. Matthew got to train on various exercises of swimming while Wyatt was on video call working with Lauren and Alex. They were done with the work in almost no time since Lauren was giving bright ideas, Alex was giving a great combination of them and Wyatt was adding the essential plot twist. Matthew did few laps from side to side of the pool while Wyatt who ended the phone call got up and walked towards the pool.

Wyatt: "Matt, I'm done. It's getting late."

Wyatt checked his phone "8:45 PM" Matthew got out of the water in a jump and landed on the hardwood floor next to Wyatt before rubbing his eyes a bit.

Matthew: "really? Sorry I didn't see the time"

Wyatt: "it's okay, I was busy too so I didn't see it pass either. We should get going"

The weather was rather chilly. October was clearly announcing fall. Wyatt lifted his head up as Matthew was getting showered again. He looked at the sky. It was quite clear tonight, he could see the stars and the milky way. It was a beautiful purple and deep blue paint in the sky. The dome was now completely invisible in the night. The lights on the fence were on, giving the place enough lighting to keep it clear and nice to be. The pool also seemed to have lights at the bottom, as it was glowing underneath like there was a whole other secret world underneath the surface. Somehow it made Wyatt chuckle.

He had a glimpse of that hidden place. He alway thought nothing much about pools and the ocean but once he saw what Matthew showed him underneath the agitated surface. He felt curious, admirative even. It was like he met with a whole new world ready to be explored. He remembered the sensation of being totally submerged. The silence almost soothing and Matthew's body.

He frowned at the thought and while he did, he remembered that part. He was in Matthew's arms, he couldn't hear anything but he sure could feel his heartbeat. It was slow, and rhythmic going in harmony with the surrounding background noise of water rustling. And then the moment Matthew looked at him before they went up. That very moment he could see Matthew's eyes from a new angle and lighting. They were glistening and his pupils were looking at him with such intensity yet no malicious intent. He found himself blushing while remembering that.

Somehow it reminded him of his brother. They used to go for a swim at a lake during summer camp. His brother would show him around the woods and the wonders of the vast lake, but he never dared to enter the water. His brother was a born swimmer, so he would look at him swim for hours before they had to head back to camp. It was one of his good memories about him.

He missed him a lot, life was so less fun without him. His father was too busy and even when not, it was barely for moments...ephemeral moments. It saddened him and he decided to brush it off, focusing on the colors he saw today. It was beautiful and he internally thanked Matthew for showing him that. Just at that moment, a voice made him jolt.

Matthew: "Hey there buddy. Gazing at the stars (*looking up*) they sure are beautiful. Did you believe that somewhere up there there might be other beings?"

Wyatt chuckled and looked at Matthew before looking up again.

Wyatt: "I don't know, it's possible. What do you think they could be like?"

Matthew: "(*thinking*) probably less fur, humanoids, maybe they have extra limbs or something. Or maybe they are like in the movies. People with super strenght and flight abilities (*chuckle*) It's so sparkling"

Wyatt turned his head to look at Matthew's eyes, the reflection of stars made them even more beautiful. Wyatt stared as if looking at a new galaxy shaped by the stars and the alligator eyes patterns. Matthew looked to the side and noticed Wyatt looking.

Matthew: "We should go now, it's getting really late"

Wyatt noticed the time and the fact that Matthew was already dressed and had packed his things nicely.

Wyatt: "yeah"

They looked again one last time at the bright stars in the night sky and took their way to the elevator ready to get home. "9:01PM" on the clock.

As they reached the gates, Matthew couldn't help but notice Wyatt was having issues walking busy typing on his phone.

Matthew: "Hey buddy, you should either stop to text or stop texting while walking. You might stumble"

Wyatt didn't hear and was focused on replying to his father.

Liam: (*Typing*)" Hey kid, yeah i know i said i would be home but things got a bit stormy here so I might have to do some extra hours again, sorry. I made Cassius drop some food home though"

Wyatt: "(*sending thumbs up emoji*)"

Liam: "Hey...Kid I love you"

Wyatt: "(*typing*) I lov| "(*erasing and just pocketing his phone*)

Matthew came to realize Wyatt sad expression and understood this was some kind of family issue. He didn't want to pry but seeing his friend like this was a bit off. Despite the fact they met yesterday, and barely talked. He felt great vibe with Wyatt so seeing his mood switch like this made him remember some bad stuff that happened to him. He went for a hug which completely took Wyatt off guard.

Wyatt: "huh wh-what..."

Matthew: "just wanted to hug you. So (*pulling away*) Let's get you home safe and sound"

Wyatt: "yeah the walk would be quite tiring"

Matthew: "the walk? (*chuckle*) where do you live?"

Wyatt answered and Matthew thought for a second before saying while snapping his finger.

Matthew: "It's on my way, i can drive you home"

Wyatt: "you have a car?! How many surprises do you have ?"

Matthew: "we met like yesterday buddy, there are plenty of things you don't know about me (*chuckling*) but no i don't have a car. (*grinning*)"

Wyatt wasn't sure on how to process it so he followed Matthew to a parking lot next to the gates. They walked past many luxurious cars and finally Matthew stopped which made Wyatt that was behind to crash on his back.

Wyatt: "ouch ! Hey" (*rubbing his snout*)

Wyatt looked from the side past Matthew and saw something that made him widen his eyes in awe and excitement.

Wyatt: "No fucking way"

Matthew turned and grinned before leaning on a black sports bike. It was shining and the wheels were big probably to hold the weight of the alligator. He was grinning while playing with the keys in his hand.

Matthew: "so want a ride?"

Wyatt got back to his senses and frowned dramatically.

Wyatt: "Dude, driving on a bike with a passenger req-(*interrupted*)"

Matthew took out his driving license out and shoved it on Wyatt's face.

Wyatt sighed and gulped.

Wyatt: "This is clearly dangerous..."

Matthew: "Are you scared ? (*chuckle*)"

Wyatt: "wait, something is not adding. Even if i accepted, there's no room for me behind. Your tail will be on the passenger sit. "

Matthew listened and looked up before realizing it was true then he nervously scratched the back of his neck.

Matthew: "yeah you right (*embarrassed*)"

Wyatt: "it's okay i will get home by foot. I don't live that far"

Matthew objected and grabbed his helmet.

Matthew: "I have an idea. You will sit in front of me"

Wyatt: "I don't know how to drive that thing"

Matthew: "who said you'll drive? I will drive, you just going to sit nicely and hold on tight" (*thinking for a moment*)

Wyatt was confused about that and just raised an eyebrow.

Matthew sat on the bike and put on his helmet, he took another one from the bike trunk. He gave it to Wyatt.

Matthew: "put this on"

Wyatt just did as he was told and had some issues folding his ears to fit in. Once he was done he tilted his head while looking at Matthew starting the bike. It was a roaring noise that made the ground around tremble. Wyatt could feel the power of that engine and gulped. Matthew then asked him to get closer. He did so. Once he was next to Matthew, the latter got back a little.

Matthew: "come on, get on"

Wyatt hesitated before sending a leg to the other side of the bike to sit on it. He was sitting just before Matthew. The latter was thinking before saying "okay, hm if i move to the side it doesn't move much" he was actually checking the balance of the bike while on it with Wyatt in such a disposition. He then closed the small gap between him and Wyatt and sat literally body against body which made Wyatt jolted.

Wyatt: "wh-what ?"

Matthew: "I need to be a bit closer to the center of the bike, else the bike will be drown behind with my weight. Are you comfortable enough?"

Wyatt was actually sitting nicely just that his back was now on Matthew's abs and chest and his butt was pressed against what he dared not to think of.

Matthew: "get your hands on the handle bar and hold on tight. Worry not even if you let go you won't fall, i won't let you fall, okay"

Wyatt was clearly anxious at the idea of going this way. He was really triggered by the whole body to body thing and now he had to deal with the possibility of him falling. He gulped thinking that Matthew would not let him fall but he feared something else. Matthew arms then surrounded Wyatt, hugging his entire body with his huge frame. He held the handlebar and tried the accelerator while holding the brakes.

Matthew: "ready?"

Wyatt: "n-no?"

Matthew: "didn't hear that"

Matthew let go of the brakes and the bike rocketed out of the parking lot and a quick skid allowed them to get out of the gates and storming in the streets at great speed. Matthew clearly enjoying the speed and Wyatt way less as he was screaming. Too bad his screams were deafened by the helmet and the bike's motor. They drove on the empty highway. At this hour, a pretty normal thing in this part of town.

Wyatt was trying his best to hold on tight on the handlebar. His body was forced a bit backwards because of acceleration which made him press harder on Matthew's lower part. The red lights from his bike were creating lines as they were moving fast and started to zigzag through the few cars that were on the way.

Matthew's tail was lying still on the bike rear end. He himself was a bit bent forward, pressing a bit on Wyatt underneath but not crushing him. Like this they were heading towards their destination.

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Liam was worried. He kept walking past and forth in the room while thinking. He looked at his screens. He was really confused about everything that was going on. Someone that knows him, and knew about project B-54 was trying to pull some strings to play with his nerves. He was pissed off, he called for Cassius who looked exhausted but answered almost like a robot.

Cassius: "Sir"

Liam: "Get bot C-03 ready, we are going to the outbreak chamber of Project W"

Cassius: "Right on it sir"

Cassius stormed out and closed the door leaving Liam alone again with his thoughts. Liam sat in his chair and closed his eyes. He looked at his desk and held a picture of his family, it was an old one...his wife and eldest son were still alive. He sighed in melancholy and took out his phone. His last message was left on read. He knew Wyatt loved him but...with time it was getting less and less clear to see. His work was taking so much time. He thought about quitting but then again, quitting means he will be unemployed and free...free to think about that night, over and over and over again...it haunted him.

The worst was announcing it to Wyatt. The innocent face of his son popped up in his mind as he remembered the day. His son was confused and somehow didn't believe it...then he was in tears. Liam was known for so many good deeds, miracles and yet he was totally powerless against this situation. His son turned down everything related to physics since that day. He kept only the books of his brother, but he never really talked about how he felt.

Sometimes, Liam wondered if he knew his son at all. The distance between them was growing wider with time and those ephemeral moments of closeness were just retarding what was to happen at some point. He closed his eyes and crossed his arms. He sighed and turned his chair to look at the city, wondering what was his son thinking right now.