2. Tell me What Love is

Tell me what is Love:

Zee sped up his car to reach his home. He was dying to go pick up Fletch, who would be back after two years. 

Sadly yes, Fletcher had to leave the country for two years to pursue his doctorate research on one of the proposals his professors suggested him. 

And Zee missed him the most. 

Basically Emerson and Alex were planning to get married after a year of his specialization, but Fletcher had to leave on a short notice. So they chose for a quick planned wedding. 

Fletcher, Zee, Charles, Luke, Joss, Max, Tul, Lam, Park. They all prepared everything in a span of two days to arrange for their wedding as Fletcher had to fly with Charles after four days. So he wanted to spend some time with the new addition in his family. 

Alex was comfortable around Fletcher and Zee both. He was doing his internship in Giles's Family Hospital as a Child Specialist. 

They spent two days enjoying their free time. Fletcher and Zee didn’t spare a single moment to tease Emerson and Alex. They loved to see their cute blushed brother in law, keep running to his husband for support. And not to mention, he pouted too, when his sneaky husband team up with his brothers. 

When Fletcher was leaving, Zee was the most difficult to handle. Fletcher had to turn back twice to calm him. And he was upset to an extent that he was about to cancel his seat. It was Alex who comforted both of them making Zee understand and let Fletcher go.

And now finally he was coming back after completing his degree.

*******

"Emeryyyy, Alexxx. Where are you guysss? We have to gooooo. Emeryyyy”. He was shouting out loud when Emerson entered the lounge with Alex behind him.

"What happened, Zee"? Emerson asked him, sitting on the couch pulling Alex in his arms to sit with him.

"What happened, what Emery? We have to go pick Fletch. He is coming back. Oh my god how I missed him. Why you guys are so relaxed? Let’s go. Hurry up". He was trying to pull them to leave. 

"Okay okay, Zee. Hold up would you. Umm can you do me a favor? I was doing some work upstairs; i guess i left my mobile in Fletch's room. Could you please get me"? Emerson stood up, pretending to forget his mobile. 

"Aaahhhh okay okay. Alex it’s been two years still you can’t teach your husband to take care of his things". Zee was ranting climbing the stairs, visibly annoyed. He was in a hurry and then there was Emerson. Aaahhhh.

He opened the door and turned the light on... And

"HOLY SHITTTT". He was startled as soon as he saw a sleeping body in the bed all covered in the duvet. He held one of the drumsticks hung up at the wall and quickly pulled the duvet to hit the intruder.

"SURPRIIIIIIIISEEEEEE". He fell on his butt as Emerson, Alex and Fletcher shouted.

********

"I am not talking to you". Zee was sulking, arms crossed on his chest. Apparently Fletcher had reached home right after he left for University and he had planned a surprise for him with the help of Emerson and Alex.

And now his baby brother was sulking sitting at the far end of the bed. And all three of them were trying not to laugh. 

But Alex failed. He let out a chuckle and hid himself in Emerson's chest laughing out followed by Emerson and Alex. They were constantly laughing for past fifteen minutes adding to the HUFFS from Zee.

"Laugh. All you want to laugh. I am leaving". He stood up frustratingly to leave, but Fletch pulled him and he landed in his lap. Fletcher secured him tightening his arms around him. 

"Okay okay. I am sorry. I just wanted to surprise you". He pecked his temples gently like he always did. 

It was he always did to coax Zee. And it was a normal sight. 

But... What happened now? Why it felt different? Zee felt his heart skipped a beat or two as Fletch's lips lingered on his temple. He slightly turned to see Fletcher and again... 

He was mesmerized by how his eyes got excited sharing his stories. The way his lips moved forming a word. How his cheeks flush when he laughed so much. He was more handsome than before. More hot. More sexy.

"What the fuck am thinking". Zee cursed himself for thinking like this. It was Fletcher. His blood related brother for god sake. 

"So Fletch. Any boyfriend huh"? Alex asked wiggling his eyebrows. 

"Wait what? Boyfriend"? Zee felt a pang. He turned to see Fletcher who was blushing visibly.

"Owh owh owh Alex... Our Fletcher is whipped". Emerson winked at Alex and them both high five. Fletcher knew he was screwed. They won’t spare him he knew. So here he was all cheekily smiling, cute wrinkles popped at the side of his eyes showing his crescent shaped honey eyes. 

"Now spill. Who is he? Do we know? Classmate? Research fellow? Oh wait is it Charles"? Emerson was over dramatic, and Charles entered right on the time and he overheard the last part.

"What about me, Emery"? He sides hug everyone. 

"Nothing, Charles. Fletch told us he is into someone. So I thought maybe it’s you." Alex explained laughing and he laughed even more when he saw both of their expressions. 

"Him!!!!!!!!" 

"Noooooooo"""!!!!! They were making disgusting faces and there was just one person who couldn’t get this joke. 

"Fletch, are you serious? You have a boyfriend"? Zee was still shocked. Fletcher never told him. 

"Yeah, Zee. Your precious Fletch is in love. And let me tell you, his boyfriend is really possessive and jealous type. Totally his match. So you better stop clinging to him". Charles ruffled his hairs. 

Zee was so lost in his thoughts. 

"Nope Charles. No one can ever replace my baby brother. He is always my first love". He replied lovingly hugging him tight. Zee smiled bright. Yes he is always put first. 

*******

"Okay anyone up to drinks"? They had finished their dinner when Emerson asked. 

Alex shook his head no. He was a light drinker and he had a shift next morning. 

"I am going to sleep. Good night everyone. Bye Charles, Fletcher. Zee. Sorry i have a shift tomorrow". He apologized smiling and everyone waved off. 

"Good night Love. I will be up soon". Emerson bent him to kiss full on his lips. And only left him when all boys laughed at the blushing boy. 

"Seriously Alex, you still blush". Fletcher mocked and Alex smacked him with a pillow. Running up to his room.

"Now I know how it feels to be in love". Fletcher said out of blue and Emerson smiled. 

"What do you mean, Fletcher"? Zee looked at him. He was just nursing his beer, sitting in Fletcher's arm. 

"I used to wonder how come Emery would get all cheeky around Alex. Why his eyes spoke his heart whenever he was with him. I have realized how it feels when your heart beats so fast to leap out of your chest. It’s all Love. When you simply forget who you are? Where you are? Right, Emery"? He turned to Emerson. 

"Fletch. Love is all about sacrificing. It’s something you can put in words. It’s a language you don’t need to learn. You get it automatically when you meet THAT person. 

You know. I always had plans about my future. How to shape it. How to turn it. It was for both of you. I felt like am not a brother but a father to you. 

I never felt an empty spot by my side. I was quite contented and satisfied with what i had. Until... He came into my life". Emerson smiled without even looking at the sleepy Gulf coming to him. 

"I was waiting for you Babe". He pouted cutely snuggling into him, curled in his lap...

"Am sorry, Lex. I was just telling Fletch how my life was completed the moment you became a part of it". He pecked his cute nose. And Alex smiled before placing his head on his shoulder. 

"Let’s go to sleep. Good night guys". Emerson lifted Alex and went upstairs. 

Fletch and Charles was just watching them in awe. And Zee...

He was snoring. In his comfort place. In his brother’s arms. 

"Charles, do you want to stay the night"? Fletch asked Charles but he shook a NO.

"I am leaving Fletch. It’s late. And sleeping here means no sleep at all. So bye." He waved him and left for his home.

"Zee. Let’s go to sleep". He patted Zee's cheeks and he opened his eyes groggily. 

"Fletch… I want to sleep with you". He mumbled.

"Okay. Come let me take you". He lifted up his baby bro like old times. And Zee smiled. 

"He is still my Fletch".

**********

"What were you talking about downstairs"? Alex asked as Emerson lay beside him after taking a quick bath. He pulled Alex into his arms facing him. 

"I was telling them what love is"? He swapped the fringes off his forehead…

"You know what, Emerson. You should have just told them your name. It’s what Love is". Alex was surely his heaven. 

"You know what Alex. I never thanked you enough to be a part of my life. That day... If you hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here holding you in arms. May be I wouldn’t be this happy..." Emerson was lost in his Past.

*****

Emerson and his four friends were working on their project in a garage. 

It was rather technical handling. Cutting, molding and welding the sharp iron pieces. 

Currently, Emerson was holding a big sheet of iron trying to cut it with the help of electrical cutter. His friend, was shifting another piece of a sheet when he accidently bumped into the one Emerson was handling. 

It slipped off his hand resulting in a bit slit on his hand. 

"Shit Park". He screamed in pain. Everyone hustled to take him to the hospital. 

"What happened to him"? They were rushing to Emergency when a Boy stopped them. He saw Emerson's bleeding hand and instantly pressed the wound at both sides.

"F.. Aaaaahhhh it hurtssss". Emerson screamed again. 

"We have to take him to emergency". Lam said in a stern tone thinking he was just a visitor or maybe a junior. 

"Please, come with me". He was still holding Emery's hand while leading him to the emergency room. 

"Jess. Look. He has his hand injured. Could you please help him"? He nudged a doctor attending a patient. 

"What is it Alex.. Oh shit Emery!! What happened"? He was surprised to meet Emerson. Well they were not exactly friends but knew each other well. 

"Jess. Oh god... We were…" He was having difficulty speaking through pain.

"Oh hold up. Nurse, go and get me the antiseptic and prepare for stitches". He stopped him and rushed to attend his wound.

Lam and Park had to leave as they had to close the garage so Emery was left with Jess and... Oops. He didn’t know the name. 

*****

"You should have handled it with care Emerson. It just touched the bone". He tied the bandage before cleaning the whole kit. 

"It’s okay Jess. Being a mechanical engineering student. It comes handy". Emerson tried to joke. 

"By the way. Where are you leaving now"? Jess asked him.

"Well. I guess i have to call a cab. Since Lam took his car". He was about to dial for a cab. Previously he thought to call Zee. But he knew he would panic and he didn’t want to disturb Fletcher. 

"There is no need to call the cab. Jess, can I drop Emerson"? The cute boy asked Jess. 

"No its okay. I can manage. It would be...." He was about to excuse but Jess held his hand.

"Alex is right Emery. He will drop you. He has the car. Go. And here are the medicines. Prevent it from water, okay"? He handed him a bag and motioned Alex to take him home.

******

"So Alex. Which year you are studying". Emerson started to build up a talk as he told Alex his address. And well they had the same route. 

"Umm. I am a medical student, second year". He replied focusing on the road. 

"And Jess"? 

"Oh. Jess. He is my cousin. My mentor. My inspiration. The reason why I joined Medical". Alex was telling him excitingly and Emerson felt a slight burning at his left side of the chest.

Every shine in Alex's eyes was drowning him into the hell of darkness. But why? He had just met him. Then why? 

"Seems like you really adore your cousin, Jess". Emerson tried to tone his jealousy…

"Yes, Jess is worth to be adorned". Alex didn’t catch his tone. He didn’t see how Emerson fisted his hands tight.

"Well, Emerson. Here we are". Alex parked the car at their doorstep. Shit... Why was it so soon? Alex couldn’t help to smack himself for driving so fast.

"Thanks Alex. I owe you. Do let me know if you ever need me". He was sincere in his words and Alex knew. He smiled his million dollars smile and Emerson was done for it.

He was never into anyone. Hell he never even dated someone. But he wanted to know Alex. 

But maybe it was too soon. 

*****

They met again. 

Emery was in the cafe to get a slice of cake for Fletcher and Zee. He was choosing between the flavors when he heard a familiar voice. 

Well not exactly familiar, but he could never forget it. 

"C'mon, Jess. I remember you love blueberry cheese cake. How can I forget about your choice"? 

Emery slowly turned to find Alex talking to his Jess. He felt a bitterness sweeping inside him. 

"Ohh. Hello Emery. How come you are here? How’s your hand"? He smiled brightly but Emery couldn’t even smile.

"Ahh. I had to buy cake for my brothers. I am leaving now. Bye". And he left grumpy.

"What’s wrong with him"? Alex looked him as he drove his bike away. He was feeling awkward. 

"Is the cake packed"? He turned to the counter to grab his order before Jess would chop his head through phone.

*******

"Hi". 

Emery was looking for book in a book store when Alex approached him. 

"Hi Alex. How are you..." He greeted him but his face instantly fell as soon as he saw Jess behind Alex.

"Hi Emery. How are you doing"? Jess asked his politely and it took every inch of Emery to keep his cool as Jess wrapped his arm around Alex. 

Alex noticed the slight glint in his eyes. He wasn’t able to get the instant mood change whenever it was about Jess.

Doesn’t he like, Jess? But he was fine when we met at the hospital.

Alex was indulged in his thoughts. 

"Alex. Would you be okay? I have to fetch Weir. His car broke down". Jess shook him and Alex smiled. 

"Yes, I will manage. You go". Jess was surely in a hurry. And Emery was confused. Who is Weir now? Why is Jess worried about him? Wasn’t Jess with Alex? Aaaahhhhh. 

"Wow. Jess.". Alex huffed. He grabbed his books and was about to leave when Emery held his hand. 

"Wait Alex. Well. Do you have some time"? Emery asked him and Alex thought for a while. 

"Yes. Is everything okay"? He softly replied.

"Umm. Will you have a cup of coffee with me"? Emery offered and Alex just stared at him..

*******

Tabby