Hotel Room

Chapter 5

The rain came down in torrents, a relentless sheet of water that hammered the pavement and drowned out the distant sounds of the city.

Ian stood in the middle of it all, the cold water soaking through his clothes, plastering his hair to his forehead. He didn't care.

All he cared about was the figure huddled on the ground in front of him.

Shawn sat slumped, his shoulders shaking with quiet sobs, his face hidden behind trembling hands. Ian let out a slow breath, feeling the frustration simmering inside him.

He kicked at an invisible stone on the ground, watching it disappear into a puddle.

"Shawn," he called out, his voice low but edged with impatience. "Get up. We need to go."

But Shawn didn't move. Instead, his sobs grew louder, his whole body trembling. Ian clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides.

For a long moment, he just stood there, staring at Shawn, battling with himself.

He didn't want to get involved—not like this. But the rain wasn't letting up, and they couldn't stay out here all night.

Ian sighed heavily, the sound lost in the downpour. "I don't even know why I'm doing this," he muttered under his breath.

And yet, despite his words, he moved forward, crouching down with his back to Shawn. "Come on. Get on."

Shawn sniffled, barely reacting at first. He looked up through red, swollen eyes, his tears mixing with the rain.

For a second, he just stared at Ian as if trying to process what was happening. Ian didn't turn to face him. He kept his back turned, his patience thinning.

"Shawn," Ian said again, more firmly this time. "Stop crying and climb on."

Shawn hesitated, his breath hitching in his chest. Slowly, he pushed himself up, his hands shaking as he latched onto Ian's shoulders, pulling himself onto his back.

His sobs continued, quieter now, but still there, each one tugging at Ian's nerves.

Ian stood up, adjusting Shawn's weight on his back. The cold of the rain was biting into his skin, making everything feel heavier. He took a deep breath and started walking, his steps firm but careful.

The rain pounded against them, but Ian's focus was on finding shelter. Shawn's bike lay forgotten on the side of the road, completely useless in this weather.

As Ian trudged forward, his eyes scanned the streets. His gaze landed on a hotel across the road, its warm lights a stark contrast to the freezing storm.

He cursed softly under his breath, looking both ways before darting across the street.

Shawn clung to him tighter, his face buried in Ian's neck, his sobs muffled.

"Can you stop crying?" Ian asked, more softly this time, though his irritation was clear. "Your cries are... giving me a headache."

Shawn sniffed but didn't respond. Ian shook his head, feeling the throbbing ache in his temples grow.

The hotel's lobby was a welcome reprieve from the storm outside. Warm air washed over them as Ian pushed the door open and stepped inside, dripping water onto the polished floor.

The receptionist, a young woman with bright eyes and a smile that felt too eager, looked up at them.

"Good evening, sir," she said, her voice overly sweet as she eyed Ian, her gaze lingering on him a little too long. "How may I help you?"

Ian shifted Shawn's weight on his back, already tired of the attention.

"I need a room," he said, his tone flat. Then, after a second's hesitation, he added, "Two rooms if you've got them."

The receptionist clicked away on her computer, her smile never wavering. After a moment, she looked up, an apologetic tilt to her lips.

"I'm so sorry, sir, but we're fully booked tonight. I only have one room left."

Ian closed his eyes briefly, feeling the frustration build again. He looked over his shoulder at the rain still pouring outside and sighed, resigned to his situation. "Fine. I'll take it."

The woman beamed as she processed the booking, typing quickly before handing over the key card.

Ian took it without a word, barely glancing at her as he turned to leave.

"Excuse me," the receptionist called out suddenly, her voice faltering slightly. Ian stopped but didn't turn around.

"I... I don't suppose I could get your number?" she asked, holding out her phone with a hopeful smile.

Ian finally turned, his expression cold. He stared at her for a moment, then said, "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

The receptionist blinked, her face flushing with embarrassment. She stammered something under her breath, but Ian didn't stick around to hear it.

He turned back toward the elevator, his steps purposeful as he carried Shawn along.

The ride to the second floor was silent, save for the soft whirring of the elevator and the faint sound of Shawn's uneven breathing.

When they arrived, Ian stepped out, scanning the hall until he found room 207. He swiped the keycard, and the door clicked open.

Inside, the room was small but clean, the warm lighting casting soft shadows on the furniture.

Ian stepped toward the bed, ready to set Shawn down, but the faint sound of snores made him pause.

Shawn had fallen asleep on his back, his face still tear-streaked but peaceful now.

Ian stood there, staring down at him for a moment, a mixture of exhaustion and annoyance washing over him.

He shook his head, muttering under his breath, "What a mess."

Without much care, he walked to the bed and gently tossed Shawn onto it. Shawn barely stirred, curling up as he sank deeper into sleep.

Ian watched him for a moment longer, then turned away, running a hand through his wet hair.

He wasn't sure why he had done any of this. But it was too late to turn back now.

With an annoyed groan Ian tugged his soaked shirt off, tossing it to the side with a huff. His hair clung to his forehead, dripping from the rain, his patience thinning by the second.

Shawn was still passed out on the bed, snoring lightly, completely oblivious to the mess they were in.

With an irritated sigh, Ian began to unbuckle his belt, muttering under his breath, "I don't know why I'm doing this..."

And just as the words escaped him, a sudden, desperate scream shattered the quiet.

"Please... leave me alone!"

And Ian froze, his fingers pausing mid-buckle.