Nick
Nick walked toward Dr. Desai's office, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. He had seen Dr. Desai in two moods…pissed or neutral. But when she called him earlier, her voice held something foreign: strain, almost hesitation. Dr. Desai never faltered, never wavered, yet there she was, sounding as if she was nervous about something.
As he reached her office, he paused to see the metal gate partially open. When he peeked in he noticed Dan sitting across from her, his back to the doorway. He was dressed casually in a loose brown shirt, his broad shoulders filling out the fabric effortlessly. Nick's heart skipped, an involuntary reaction he had come to despise.
Stay professional, he reminded himself. But it was easier said than done. Dan had a presence that demanded attention. His cool-grey skin caught the soft light filtering through the blinds, highlighting the alien beauty that fascinated Nick. He cursed inwardly. Of course, Dan would be here, testing his already fragile resolve.
Nick's eyes involuntarily traced Dan's form as he walked towards them. The casual way he leaned against the chair, his long fingers resting on the armrest. Nick had seen handsome men before, physically enhanced, surgically flawless, rich people of New Earth had all the resourced to mold their bodies to their liking, but none of them had ever made him feel this way. Dan was different. Not just because of his alien physiology, but because of what he awakened in Nick long before they'd met.
Nick's thoughts drifted to a memory he hated to revisit. The first time he had seen Dan wasn't in person, but on a TV interview years ago. Back then, Dan had been nothing more than a distant figure, a Grosh ambassador captivating the world with his charm. Something that had caught Nick's attention were his thick veiny wrists with that the unusual grey hue of his skin. It had stirred something deep and confusing in Nick. It had been the first time he felt attraction, and it terrified him.
Now, that same man sat just a few feet away, and Nick hated the way his body responded. Even though his mind hated the idea.
The way Nick's pulse quickened, the way his thoughts turned to things he shouldn't be thinking. Knowing Dan in reality had shattered the illusion. Dan was arrogant, impossible, and clearly determined to make Nick's life difficult. But even knowing all that didn't stop the traitorous flicker of desire.
This crush—this infuriating, ridiculous crush—was ruining his life. He had worked too hard to get here, to build a career in alien medicine. Dan was a complication he didn't need, and yet his heart refused to get the memo. He forced his gaze away from the inviting breadth of Dan's thighs, berating himself for even entertaining the thought.
Focus, Nick, he thought. You're here for Dr. Desai, not him.
But as he stood frozen few meters behind Dan, battling his emotions, the soft rumble of Dan's voice reached his ears. The sound sent an involuntary shiver down his spine. Unbidden, his mind wandered, imagining how Dan might sound in bed or right after waking up in the morning.
Dan turned around, as though he had sensed the vivid, traitorous images swirling in Nick's mind. When their eyes met, Nick swore he saw Dan's nostrils flare slightly, his gaze sharpening with an intensity that made Nick's chest tighten. And then something unexpected happened—Dan's eyes glowed, faintly but unmistakably, with a golden-amber hue.
Nick took an instinctive step back, his breath catching in his throat. That glow served as a stark reminder: Dan wasn't human. He wasn't just a man who could derail Nick's career with a careless word; he was a terrifying alien capable of much, much worse. The thought sent a chill down Nick's spine, yet his feet remained rooted to the spot.
"Nick," Dr. Desai called, her voice cutting through the tension like a lifeline. Nick tore his eyes away from Dan, grateful for the reprieve. Before he could respond, the words he meant to say died on his lips.
Dan was rising from his chair.
The moment Dan stood up, the room seemed to shrink. He looked taller, broader, and more imposing than Nick remembered. Or perhaps he was standing just too close.
It wasn't just his size…it was the sheer force of his presence, the way it demanded attention. Nick's throat tightened as Dan's eyes swept over his face, studying him with unnerving focus.
"We started on the wrong foot," Dan said, his voice deep. It reverberated in the space between them, as though his words carried weight beyond their simple meaning. "Let's start over, shall we?"
Nick was finding it hard to process Dan's words because his stomach was churning with unease. The sudden change in Dan's demeanor wasn't comforting…it was alarming. Dan had a reputation for being cold, indifferent to others' feelings. Why would he care now? Suspicion gripped Nick, warning him that this could very well be some kind of test. A way to see if he could shake Nick's professionalism.
Still, refusing wasn't an option.
Nick nodded stiffly, his voice failing him. Dan's hand extended toward him, palm open. It was a simple gesture, but Nick hesitated. His gaze flicked from Dan's face to his hand, then back again. Everything in him screamed to refuse it, but it would be rude if he refused and he wasn't going to stoop to his level. Reluctantly, he took the offered hand.
Dan's grip was firm, warmer than Nick expected. When his fingers wrapped around Nick's hand, the alien squeezed, just enough to make Nick feel it. Nick, caught off guard, but he didn't react. His own grip tightened in response, an instinctive show of defiance, but Dan didn't flinch. Instead, he smiled.
The smile unsettled Nick.
It wasn't warm, nor was it reassuring. On Dan's face, it looked alien, unnatural…like something he'd practiced in a mirror but never quite perfected. The forced curve of his lips only made Nick more uneasy, and he quickly pulled his hand away.
Nick dropped his gaze to the floor, unable to meet Dan's eyes any longer. There was something about the way Dan looked at him, as if peeling back layers of his soul. It was too much sometimes.
Even with his gaze averted, he could feel Dan's eyes on him…relentless, consuming. Nick swallowed hard, the air between them thick with tension he couldn't name. Dan wasn't just another man. He was a figurehead, a legend, a heartthrob admired by millions across New Earth. And yet, at this moment, his attention was wholly fixed on Nick.
It was exhilarating and terrifying.
But what was with his eyes? Why were they glowing all of a sudden?
"We are having an annual physical exam for NEAE employees. I will have to take your blood sample for that," Dr. Desai said to him, standing all of a sudden and scrambling to prepare a syringe. Her nervousness didn't go unnoticed. The fact that Dr Desai was taking the blood sample for the annual exam, didn't quite sit well with Nick.
"Are you okay with that?" Dr. Desai prompted.
"Sure," Nick said pulling his hand away as if he was looking for a reason to do so and walking away from Dan as fast as possible and going to the exam room. Dr. Desai followed close behind, a blood vial and a syringe in her hand.
"Why don't you make friends with Dan, he could be a nice guy," Dr. Desai said while teing the tourniquet around his arm.
Nick frowned in confusion, Dan wasn't the kind of man people usually made friends with. If she had asked him to bow down in front of him and worship the ground he walked on, Nick would have still believed. Dr Desai had to be insane to expect Nick to be his friend. "I don't think he likes me that much," Nick whispered, making sure Dan didn't hear him in the other room.
"He may seem difficult at times but he is a good person. He is just a different species, we don't socialise the same way,," Dr. Desai smiled.
Nick had no idea why Dr. Desai was defending Dan all of a sudden. She was one who warned Nick about him time and again. His fear that it might be a test seemed a more likely explanation.
"Is it a protocol to make friends with the alien you are working for?" Nick asked, trying to understand her motives. Nick had no intention of going anywhere near Dan if it wasn't absolutely necessary.
"Are you guys gossiping about me?" Dan's voice pierced through the lab's doorway.
"You wish, Dan," Dr. Desai gave a nervous laugh, capping off the blood vile.
Dan stood in the doorway of the lab, his presence filling the doorway without effort. Nick could feel his gaze, heavy and unrelenting, tracking his every move. It was as though Dan's eyes were a tangible force, drawing attention to him even when Nick desperately wished to avoid it.
"I should leave," Nick muttered, standing up and straightening his sleeve slowly so he didn't look like he was trying to run away. "I just remembered I needed to collect some files from Dr. Ferreira." He made up the excuse, as he moved toward the door, aiming to slip past Dan and escape the suffocating proximity.
But Dan didn't budge.
Blocking the doorway with his tall frame, Dan met Nick's eyes with an unwavering gaze. The intensity of it made Nick halt mid-step, his breath hitching in frustration. He tilted his head upward to meet Dan's eyes, his attempt at defiance crumbling under the sheer weight of that gaze.
"Please, move," Nick said, forcing sternness into his voice despite the rapid thudding of his heart. He shifted his weight, preparing to sidestep Dan if needed.
Dan's eyes zoned on his lips for a second before a wide smile spread on his lips. The same practiced smile that was starting to creep Nick out.
"No," Dan said simply, straightening his posture and making himself an even more immovable barrier. His voice carried a calm finality that dared Nick to challenge him.
Nick had dealt with enough bullies in his life to know when someone was trying to push his buttons. He squared his shoulders, ready to shoot back with the kind of sharpness he rarely allowed himself, but Dan cut him off before he could speak.
"I was thinking about going out," Dan said casually, as though they were discussing something trivial. "Would you like to come with me?"
Nick blinked, his thoughts stalling for a moment. He stared at Dan, convinced he must have misheard. Dan? Going out? With him? His brain struggled to reconcile the notion. This was Dan, after all. The Dan everyone on New Earth admired. The Dan whose face adorned posters, screens, and headlines. The idea of Dan wanting to spend time with him…a nobody intern, was preposterous.
"I don't think that's safe," Nick replied, once he found his voice. He tried to keep his tone measured, hiding the incredulous shock simmering beneath. "You'd be mobbed by people."
Dan cocked his head. "People wouldn't care."
"They would," Nick insisted, his voice rising slightly as he took a half-step back. "They're crazy about you."
Without turning, he addressed Dr. Desai over his shoulder. "Is that true, Ira?"
From her desk, Dr. Desai scoffed. "Don't be smug, Dan. Of course, it's true. I don't understand the fuss, though, you're not even human."
Dan's low chuckle filled the room, a sound deeper and richer than Nick had expected. For the first time, it seemed genuine. The hard lines of his face softened as the laughter reached his eyes, transforming his usual stoic expression into something almost angelic.
Nick's stomach fluttered, an unwelcome warmth spreading through him. It was unfair how a single moment—a laugh, a smile—could make someone like Dan seem so...human. He caught himself wishing Dan would smile like that more often, instead of wearing that practiced, unreadable mask.
"I could go out in disguise," Dan said with an expectant look at Nick. His deep-set of brows casting an alluring shadow to his face, making the mysterious man look even more intriguing.
"I don't think that is possible," Nick stated. There was no disguise that could hide his towering height and grey skin.
"Are you trying to dodge the offer, Mr Allen?" His eyes glowed brighter than before, the smile disappeared, leaving behind an intensity that was too much to handle.
"I am maintaining boundaries," Nick snapped back.
Dan's expression hardened, the smile slipping off. "Don't try to resist..." he started to say when Dr Desai interrupted.
"Dan, I'll handle the arrangements," Dr. Desai cut in, halting whatever Dan was about to say.
"You won't face any problems. Dan's driver will drive you safely," she said, placing a hand on Nick's shoulder.
She looked at Nick, her expression softening as she smiled. "You haven't been to Recluse 1 yet, have you?"
Nick blinked at the mention of the famous colony. Recluse One was legendary, one of the first green colonies designed to replicate the forests of old Earth. It boasted the highest oxygen levels on New Earth and was a sanctuary of untouched nature. Access was strictly limited, and most people could only dream of stepping foot there without special permission.
Nick shook his head, feeling a twinge of excitement despite his caution. "I've only seen it on TV."
"You should experience it in person," Dr. Desai encouraged. "It's unlike anything you've ever seen. You'll enjoy it, I promise."
A part of Nick hesitated, still wary of the idea of spending time alone with Dan. But the opportunity to see Recluse One was too tempting to pass up. Against his better judgment, he found himself nodding.
"Okay," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. "When are we leaving?"
Nick couldn't understand Dan's sudden attempt to play the nice guy. It was so unlike him. If he truly felt sorry for his actions, a simple apology would have been far more effective than dragging him out on some outing. Spending time with Dan felt like setting himself up for a different kind of torture.
"Today. Get ready. We are leaving in an hour," Dan informed.
"Right now?" Nick frowned.
"Yeah," Dan said, smiling.
Nick looked away. Well fuck that smile and fuck the things it did to him.
"I'll get ready," Nick said, leaving the lab with hurried steps.
When it came to clothes, Nick didn't have many options. His wardrobe was strictly professional whites, greys, and beige. Nothing screamed 'casual outing with an alien'. He finally settled on a plain black T-shirt and jeans, figuring simplicity was the safest bet.
By the time he made his way to the main lobby, Dan was already there, waiting for him. The moment their eyes met, Nick's steps faltered.
Dan looked... well, like an angel who had stepped down from heaven. He wore a sea-green shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and while his outfit seemed casual, nothing about the man himself was ordinary. From the artful mess of his hair to the sharp lines of his black shoes, everything about him exuded effortless sophistication.
The baseball cap he wore partially obscured his eyes, but there was no mistaking who he was. Even without his glowing gaze, Dan stood out, an alien from another planet, too flawless to belong to this imperfect world.
"You look good," Dan said, his voice smooth but loud enough to draw a few curious glances from nearby employees. Nick's face burned instantly, the compliment igniting a wave of embarrassment. He could already imagine the whispered conversations and speculative gossip this moment would spark among the onlookers.
He felt like a lamb being fattened up with sweet words, only to be slaughtered later…his career likely the first to go.
"Uh, so do you," Nick replied, forcing the words out in an effort to sound polite, like the good little intern he was supposed to be.
"But you haven't even looked at me yet," Dan countered, his tone tinged with amusement.
What was with him today? Was he... flirting? Was Dan, the same man who barely acknowledged him before, now throwing out casual flirtations? Hesitantly, he raised his gaze, locking eyes with him despite the nagging voice in his head warning him against it.
The smirk on Dan's face faltered, his confidence wavering for the briefest moment. To Nick's surprise, it was Dan who broke eye contact first, his expression suddenly unreadable.
"Let's go," Dan said abruptly, turning on his heel and heading for the exit without another word.
Nick stood there for a second, baffled. The man was nothing if not a walking enigma.
They walked out of the NEAE building, where a sleek levitating car awaited them. It hummed softly as it hovered a few inches above the ground, a marvel of New Earth's advanced engineering. Levitating cars were a luxury, reserved for the elite and powerful. Only a privileged few ever had the chance to ride in one, while the rest of humanity relied on public transport or bicycles.
Nick hesitated for a moment, taking in the smooth, polished surface of the car before stepping in. The interior was just as impressive as he'd imagined, plush leather seats, ambient lighting that adjusted to the passenger's mood, and a display console that could connect to almost every digital system on the planet. Excitement bubbled up in his chest, despite the awkwardness of the situation. This wasn't just any car. It was one of the most luxurious vehicles in existence.
Dan slid in beside him, his broad frame dominating the space. The car was spacious, but clearly not designed with 6'7" aliens in mind. He adjusted with a practiced ease, though, as if he'd done this a thousand times before.
His proximity made Nick hyperaware of the faint, earthy scent of him, a mix of something alien yet oddly pleasant.
"You seem nervous," Dan said, his deep voice resonating in the confined space.
Nick glanced at him, quickly looking away. "I'm not nervous," he lied, trying to focus on the futuristic console in front of him.
Dan leaned back in his seat. "You're not a very good liar."
Nick sighed, feeling his face heat up. "It's not every day someone like me gets to ride in a car like this."
Dan studied him for a moment, his glowing eyes softening. "You haven't been in one of these before?"
"Nope. First time."
"Enjoy the ride then."
The car began to glide forward, the world outside transforming into a blur of towering skyscrapers and neon lights. For the first few minutes, Nick stared out the window, trying to ignore the man sitting beside him. But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts kept drifting back to Dan, the way his eyes seemed to catch every detail, the way his presence demanded attention even when he was silent.
The rest of the ride was silent, not like Dan was the chatting type. When they finally reached Recluse One, Nick couldn't help but gasp. The colony was breathtaking, a sprawling expanse of lush greenery and towering trees that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. It was a glimpse into what Old Earth might have once been, a place untouched by pollution and industrial greed.
Dan stepped out first, his presence grounding against the backdrop of untamed nature. Nick followed, his feet sinking slightly into the soft moss-like ground.
"Welcome to Recluse One," Dan said, turning to face him. For the first time, there was no teasing in his voice…only sincerity.
Nick looked around, awe-struck. "It's beautiful."
Dan nodded, his expression unreadable. "I know."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the sounds of the artificial forest filling the space between them. Thank god Nick agreed to this. This was an experience of a lifetime.
***
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