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The candles flickered from their places around the space as breaths were exhaled around them and the lights from the flames casted a serene glow throughout the room. There was a comfortable silence filling the space, Smile of a Child by Paul Reeves playing quietly in the background. A window was open in the other room, allowing in a slight breeze making the curtains flutter occasionally. Every so often the “ching” of wind chimes could be heard from where they hung from the eaves troughs and the soft sound of the neighbour’s dog’s bell could be heard in the distance.
Two pairs of shoes sat atop the blue, synthetic door mat against the wall next to the front door. One pair of blue sneakers and one set of white converse with a dirt smudge on the toe. A cheery welcome mat lay nearby, millimetres from the duplex’s wine-coloured carpet.
There were two champagne flutes accompanied by a bottle of sparkling French wine resting on the white, table cloth. Used napkins sat next to empty plates, the bow-tie mac-and-cheese pasta on the plates having been consumed a few hours before.
A soft glow was emitting from an electronic fireplace in the adjacent room, heating the den and flickering along with the candles placed around the house. The coffee table was pushed up against the wall and the old couch, where two men were lightly panting, was next to a dark stained bookcase.
Dream kissed away the tears gently falling from the brunet eyes; the action seemingly more affectionate then the situation appeared.
“You did so good, baby.” Dream smiled softly, cupping George’s face in his palms, “Absolutely perfect.”
He leaned in and kissed George tenderly. As the older man kissed back, he tasted the saltiness of his tears on the brunet’s lips.
“Hey,” Dream moved back, eyes flicking back and forth on George’s face worriedly. “you’re crying. Are you okay Georgie?”
George forced a smile, sniffed and nodded. “I’m fine, Dream. Just a little sore but I’ll take an aspirin after you leave.”
The blonde stood up, pulling on his jeans with a slightly concerned look on his face.
“Okay. Just make sure to see a doctor if the pain keeps up.”
George only nodded, turning away to gather their clothes off the floor as Dream slipped on his sneakers.
“Thanks again for dinner, Gogy, it was excellent. 5 stars.”
George chuckled as he tossed Dream his t-shirt and slid on his own silk robe.
“Very funny, Dream, but I don’t see you cooking any gourmet meals for me either. The last time we ate at your place, the grilled cheese was so burnt it tasted like charcoal. I didn’t even know you could burn a sandwich that severely.”
Dream, having finished dressing, laughed and walked over to the door.
“I’ll see you next week, ‘k? We’ll get pizza from the place down the street from my house.”
George shook his head in amusement and strode over to open the front door.
“That sounds nice, Dream. I’ll see you on Friday.”
He watched the younger man walk down the stairs, get into his silver sorts car and drive away, before shutting the door and collapsing against it, crying. Sobs racked his body as tears soaked the front of his shirt. George hugged his knees to his chest and watched a white candle on his kitchen counter flicker and sputter, flame dancing freely on its wick completely unaware of the sorrow lingering in the apartment. George let his head fall against the door with a hollow thud as he closed his eyes and exhaled shakily as the candle sputtered out.
************************************
Dream rested his forehead on his steering wheel and let his shoulders drop, tension leaving his body as tears fell from his eyes.
He could hear the sounds of the night all around him. The cars honking on the highway a few blocks away, the wind rustling the tree leaves along the boulevard, a singular owl calling out to the night.
One year ago he’d met George online, on a popular dating site, looking for a date to a family function. They’d gotten along well and fast foreword a few weeks and he’d messaged the brunet again for a drink at a local bar. Drinks had quickly evolved to sex and now they were hooking up almost every week. Dream and George quickly realized they had mutual friends and agreed to keep whatever they were casual so as not to complicate their other relationships.
Dream’s phone buzzed in this pocket, startling him. He pulled the silver device from his bag and stared at the screen.
📞 Sapnap
2 Missed Calls
Dream groaned and tossed the phone onto the dashboard, placed his hands on the steering whee and turned the key in the ignition. The engine thrummed to life and the radio crackled on. The last few beats of some pop song ended with an upbeat piano riff.
“Welcome back to Star 102.2 this is Jeremy and it’s time for our nighttime song requests! First on the list…”
Sighing, Dream turned up the stereo, stepped on the gas and put the car into drive. Pulling off the side of the street, the blonde turned off George’s street and onto the main highway where he was immediately stopped at a traffic light. He nodded to the driver in the vehicle next to him before carrying on through the intersection, music melodically filling his ears as he continued on his way home.
“I can’t breathe, I’m so weak, I know this isn’t easy.
Don’t tell me that your love is gone…
That your love is gone.”