<><><> SEPTEMBER <><><>
<><> A week later <><>
— Have you looked over the report I sent you about the bodies found in the swamp? — Bran asks. — I sent it to you two weeks ago.
— Yes, the footage is already being edited — Tadeus replies.
— I just sent you another one about the teenager who was found in a suitcase last weekend.
— I'm on it.
— I need to discuss a few things with you about…
— I don't think that's necessary. If it's about the case, write another report and send it to me — Tadeus orders him.
After his workday, the journalist walks through the outdoor parking lot of the news building to head out onto the avenue when he feels a tug on his arm. — Tadeus, please give me a moment — Bran says.
— What do you want?
— What happened between us was months ago, and I'd like us to be friends again. Honestly, I miss laughing with you at lunch and how much we helped each other at work.
— I don't think we can go back to the way things were.
— I don't hold a grudge. Maybe we could try something more later, when everything… with every intention.
— What are you talking about, Bran? There's never going to be anything more between us, and the time we slept together was a mistake because I just lied to you, I made you think you had a chance.
— Waw — he says.
— I'm sorry, I just make things worse. I ruin everything — says Tadeus, placing his hand on Bran's shoulder.
— I think it's best if I quit — he says.
— No, don't leave. Don't quit your job over this misunderstanding — Tadeus says, giving him a quick hug— You deserve someone who truly loves you and is crazy about you, I swear.
— You're an idiot — Bran says with a smile as he breaks the hug — I guess we'll see each other next week, then.
— See you then — says Tadeus. When he looks back out onto the street, he sees Alexander's car on the other side, so he crosses the road. — How was your day?
— The new drug we're developing has shown good results. It'll be ready to be released to the public soon.
— That's excellent — Tadeus says with a smile, but leans against the window as Alexander leans in to kiss him — I hope to get an exclusive interview. I still work on the column for the Kronos newspaper.
— I certainly hope you'll accompany me to the press conferences too — Alexander says.
As soon as they arrive home, Tadeus notices the new paintings, the curtains, and the vibrant color of the furniture in the living room. — Now this place really feels like a home — he says. Alexander places his hands on Tadeus' waist and kisses him for a couple of seconds before Tadeus pulls away abruptly.
— I already asked Robert to make dinner. How about we go upstairs and watch a movie? — Alexander asks, returning his hands to Tadeus' abdomen — In my room.
— It's fine if we just have dinner tonight — Tadeus says, taking Alexander's hands and moving them away from his body.
— Can you tell me what's wrong? First you avoid my kisses, and now you don't want me to touch you either.
— I feel tired.
— I can give you a massage; I know they relax you.
— I'll be down in a minute — Tadeus says. After taking a shower, his boyfriend watches him come out of the bathroom while sitting on the bed.
— Are you still mad at me?
— What?
— I'm just trying to understand why my boyfriend is treating me like a stranger.
— That's not true.
— And what about Yenedith's birthday? — Alexander asks — I heard they celebrated it at a mansion; I doubt it's one of your coworkers'.
— Don't even start — says Tadeus — The birthday party was at her friend's house, and it was a surprise for her, not even I knew about it.
— Did she like the surprise?
— She was really happy.
Alexander smiles and continues after a few seconds of silence — The fact that you ignore me feels like a stab in the chest. I think about you all day long, and I've told you how much I love you.
— Love isn't something that can be measured with words — says Tadeus.
— I feel like your actions aren't enough for me — says Alexander.
— And what do you want me to do? Tell me what I can do.
— Stop avoiding me. Every time you get angry or have problems in your life, you pull away from me. If you could take my eyes out so I couldn't see you, you would.
— I don't like feeling vulnerable.
— Is that why you haven't told me what happened the last time you locked yourself in your apartment for days without eating? It hurts that you don't trust me.
A fleeting memory of the gun in his hands flashes through Tadeus' mind at that moment. — Sometimes I have episodes like that where I don't even recognize who I am, so I lock myself away to avoid distractions. I think that maybe, in the silence, I'll be able to find some part of myself that isn't distorted, but everything stays the same — Tadeus says, puts his hands on Alexander's shoulders — It's ironic to think that someone I barely know makes me feel more like myself.
Alexander stands up and hugs Tadeus with all his might — What else do you need to know about me?
— Your dreams, your desires, what makes you laugh, what you don't like… I could go on and on — says Tadeus — I'm going to discover every aspect of you.
Strauss pulls his cheek away from him and uses both hands to brush his lover's hair back so he can look him in the eyes more easily. — I promise you the same — he says, kissing him gently to feel that warmth that keeps them together.