Chapter 79: How would you know?
"Did he do something?" Amir winced.
"Well, in a way, yes, but..." Amir reached for the cup with shaking hands. Andrew almost reached out to help him, but stopped himself. It would only insult him. He would remain on alert until Amir didn’t need it. As soon as the liquid touched his lips, Amir seemed to relax. His shoulders dropped, and his hands stopped trembling as much. "Sorry. I’m usually...more put together. I’ve been having a craving for a psl from this cafe in particular, and I had to escape the house to get here. Ben is just being...a giant worrywart and I just needed some space." Amir’s lips trembled as he gave them a small smile.
"Are you being held there against your will?" Maxwell asked softly, and Amir shook his head.
"No, not at all." He answered firmly. "I’m head over heels for the man, but I just...I needed some me time." Andrew nodded, understanding, and Maxwell looked at him, offended. Andrew winced, but decided he would deal with that later.
"Okay. That’s fine. We’re just worried about you. You seem...nervous, Amir. Is there anything we can do to help?" Andrew offered, and Amir glanced at him, his eyes filling with tears. Andrew and Maxwell immediately panicked as Amir wrapped his arms around Andrew, pulling him close.
"I just, I thought I was going to be okay on my own, but I’m so scared. I didn’t want to worry him, but now I’ve worked myself up. Can I...can I sniff you?" Amir sobbed, and Andrew threw wide eyes towards Maxwell. Maxwell frowned, but nodded. He touched Amir’s back, who jumped, but calmed down when Maxwell began to rub circles in his back.
"I know you wouldn’t ask this if it wasn’t Andrew, Amir. It’s okay." Amir’s tears soaked Andrew’s shoulder as the man pressed his face against Andrew’s neck and inhaled. Andrew held still, not moving an inch as slowly, the other man began to relax. Andrew had no idea what was going on, while Maxwell seemed thoughtful. "Did that help?" Maxwell asked gently, and Amir nodded.
He slipped out of Andrew’s arms, sniffing. He moved his glasses, wiping the tear streaks away from his face before reaching for the drink again and taking a huge gulp. Andrew winced. It must have been hot, but Amir didn’t even flinch.
"I...I know you must find this as strange behaviour. You barely know me, but I asked you something so personal." Amir’s face twisted. "I just...I couldn’t ask Ben again. He’d be worried." Amir inhaled, held his breath, and then exhaled. Maxwell placed his hand on his brother-in-law’s leg.
"Is it because you don’t want to get his hopes up?" Maxwell asked quietly, and Andrew watched in stunned silence as Amir’s eyes watered again and tears splattered onto his pants.
"Yeah." He choked out, nodding, and Maxwell sighed before reaching for the man and wrapping him in his arms.