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Tadeus shows up at the office wearing clown makeup that consists of cat-eye liner on his upper and lower eyelids, as well as a vertical line in dark shades of red on each eye. This line runs from his forehead to the bottom of his cheekbone, with a black dot at each end. His eyebrows are outlined in black, as are his lips, around which a smile stretches four fingers' width from his ears, giving him a more chilling appearance.
His hair, which is usually slicked back, is now parted in the center and combed to the sides of his forehead. He wears a red velvet suit, with a red satin scarf around his neck that covers the center of his bare chest.
— Welcome, Tadeus! — his boss says when he sees him and offers him a glass of wine. — This year there was a major breakthrough with the program; we hope it continues this way.
— Thank you very much. It's all thanks to the team and the production. Without them, I'd just be a man talking to himself in the mirror.
Several people laugh at his response and greet him one by one with a hug. The team has never been so close-knit.
Despite the celebration, Tadeus can't stop thinking about how, a year ago, he was on the beach kissing a man who still won't leave his mind.
— Enjoying the punch? — Bran asks, snapping him out of his trance. Tadeus looks at the snack table and nods — I made it.
— It's really good. I don't go into the kitchen unless it's to break a plate.
Bran smiles and says — Well, we're in the same boat, because that's the only thing I know how to do.
Tadeus nods and takes a sip from his glass. Just then, he gets a text from << A: I want to fuck your face>> in response to a photo he'd posted to his status before heading to the party.
— Tadeus, come here! — one of his coworkers calls out to him. He plays a game of tic-tac-toe on the floor for several rounds until his team wins a bonus. Then comes the dance competition, charades, and the game of popping balloons on other people's backs while protecting your own. Tadeus decides to step away to eat some snacks and have a non-alcoholic drink. He checks the time on his phone; it's almost midnight.
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— I think I'm heading home now. I need to get a good night's sleep before my trip — he announces. He starts saying goodbye to everyone, until he runs into Bran.
— I want to go home too. We can go together if you want.
— Are you heading south?
— Yeah.
They both leave the building and wait on the street for a taxi, while Bran waits for a driver to accept his ride request through an app. — I was surprised you came. You haven't been very sociable.
— It's been a tough year, that's all — Tadeus says. Just then, another text message arrives from A; this time it's a photo of his bare chest peeking out from between the sheets.
— And are you still seeing that guy?
— Who?
— I've been thinking, and I can't help but feel drawn to you — Bran says. Tadeus lowers his hand and turns to look at him, not knowing what to say — I was really hurt before, but it bothers me even more to think about you so often.
— Well, we're coworkers, Brando; we see each other almost every day — Tadeus says — It's inevitable. Give me a second.
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— You can be mad at me for as long as you want — he says to Bran.
— No, what bothers me is that I never have the courage to tell you I want you to fuck me again.
Tadeus opens his mouth to reply, but the words just fly right out of his head. Brando leans in a little closer when he sees his hesitant expression — No, that can't happen — Tadeus says, pulling away.
— I don't mind being just another option for you; we don't even have to talk about it.
— Brando — Tadeus says, more like an exclamation, disappointed by what he's just heard — Didn't I tell you that you deserve someone who…?
— I know, but I also deserve to have some fun, don't I? You had fun with me, and now I think it's only fair that I do the same.
— I'm in a relationship right now.
— With that guy from the other day? I guess he forgave you.
Tadeus exhales as he flashes a smile, not knowing what to say. At this moment, he doubts that this man is really waiting for a ride on the app, and the fact that not a single taxi stops to pick them up is driving him a little crazy.
— You asked me to stay.
— Brando, when I told you not to quit, it wasn't to feed this fantasy you seem to have of an "us" — says Tadeus — If you can't accept that night was a mistake, you'd better quit.
— You're an idiot — he says with blurred vision by the tears welling up in his eyes.
— I know — Tadeus says with a firm expression. Brando lunges forward in an attempt to touch his lips, but he doesn't even manage to cup his face with his hands before feeling the rough concrete of the platform — Damn it, Bran! Just go home.
Tadeus watches him walk away as he adjusts his scarf. A few seconds later, Alexander arrives. He's so overcome with emotion at the sight of him that he rushes to kiss him before closing the car door. Strauss manages to close the garage door before Tadeus wraps his arms around his torso and kisses him. They lean against the kitchen wall, the hallway, and the door to undress before reaching the bedroom. Strauss steps back, leaning his hands on the bed, while Tadeus crawls to avoid parting their lips.
Tadeus sits on his lap and continues kissing him for several seconds. He breaks the kiss and looks him in the eyes before using one hand to guide Alexander's member inside him.
Tadeus guides Strauss with his movements until he reaches climax. Alex sits up, leaning his back against the headboard to embrace him.
— I love you — Alexander whispers. He brushes his cheek against Tadeus' chest and wipes his lips with the sweat there.
"I should put it all behind me" Tadeus thinks.
In the morning, after breakfast, Alexander gets in the shower to get ready for work. Tadeus settles into bed to watch TV. He flips through several channels, trying to find something interesting. Sports, cooking, the news, sports again; he pauses and returns to the news channel. "Good morning, everyone. There's a commotion following the discovery of a body early this morning in a central part of the city…"
— Another story for your show — Alexander remarks as he dries his hair with a towel.
— How morbid — Tadeus says.
After hearing the news, he calls his sister and grandmother to make sure they're okay. Alexander gives him a goodbye kiss just before he ends the call, and Tadeus watches him leave the room. Then, he takes that moment to call someone else.
— Are you sure he has nothing to do with it?
— Not that I know of — says Pine on the other end of the line.
— Well, I'm also glad it wasn't you. Yeah, we'll talk later.