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There it is again.
Jusis tried his best not to listen to the subdued voice at the other side of the room. Eavesdropping is unbecoming of a man bearing the Albarea surname, he was repeatedly told as he was growing up in a mansion that always seemed too big and empty. However, he cannot help but wonder what is going on especially that this behavior has been going on for almost a month now; not that he is counting or losing sleep over it.
“… be there.”
"Don’t worry… know…. careful.” Jusis can feel the eyes staring at his back."
"Yes… can’t wait either.”
His heart stopped at that, his grip on his pen tightened. What is it that this fool cannot wait for? Is it really something to be hidden? He is aware that he is just a few meters away from him, right? Jusis Albarea takes pride in labeling himself as a rational person, but this apprehensive behavior and those utterances only leads to one conclusion; one that he did not even dare of thinking.
Machias Regnitz, his boyfriend of almost three years, is cheating on him.
“Who was that?” He asked the bespectacled man, voice successfully feigning disinterest. He has been taking notes for his political economy class for over an hour now, but his focus had flown out the window the moment that damn phone of his boyfriend started ringing.
“No one in particular,” Machias replied almost too quickly, however he recanted his first answer and settled with, “I mean… it’s Rean! Yeah, it’s Rean. He wanted to know if we’re available for drinks this weekend.”
You can’t even lie properly. Pathetic, Regnitz, he wanted to say.
“I’m available,” is what he said instead, lifting his head up to look at the other man. Time has been kind to Machias. The years went by with him looking even better, Jusis’ personal opinion aside. “What about you? You have no one to meet up with this weekend?” he stared at Machias as he ends the question.
Machias tilted his head at that, eyebrows scrunched. “None at all,” he then said, with no insinuations of a lie this time.
**********
Jusis cannot believe what is happening. He cannot focus in class. His hand has been on autopilot for Aidios knows how long (probably as soon as class started), writing notes in a daze and not being able to absorb a single information, his mind preoccupied with the same thought that has been tormenting him since last night.
Machias is cheating on him.
He knows he probably should not make assumptions, especially one that is as grave as this. Yes, he is starting to lose sleep when Machias’ dubious behavior started to surface (not that he would tell a single soul about that), but it will also be unfair to the latter. What if it is not true? What if he is not cheating at all? Coming straight to his boyfriend’s face and immediately accusing him of cheating would be worse because Machias is a mess the moment he loses his temper and Jusis had been in the receiving end of that fury a few times; the same fury that landed them in this relationship in the first place.
When they started dating two years ago, both of them in their junior year in Thors Academy, plenty were surprised while a few had knowing smiles on their faces as if to say, I told you so. Rean, the closest friend of the two, just gave them a tap on their shoulders. “I’m happy for you,” he then said, his smile wide.
Dating Machias is really not that much different from when they reluctantly became acquaintances and gradually, friends. The incessant banters are still there, with Jusis grabbing every opportunity to rile Machias, and the other unknowingly taking the bait. Their more serious quarrels often originate from their highly contrasting political views, with their heated argument more often than not ending in a steamy round of sex, which is fucking incredible. Oh, does Jusis love it when Machias pins him down, sucks marks on his clavicle, his fingers trailing downwards. He would then look at Jusis, who is beneath him, with a smirk that never fails to send the blond’s blood rushing down south, and murmur “Look at you, so powerless right now,” as he bites his earlobe. “Finally fucking ran out of anything to say? Where’s that smart mouth of yours now, huh,” Then another bite, to which Jusis could only respond to with a moan and his continuous panting. Machias then would pu–
Focus, Albarea, Jusis tells himself, now aware of the tightness in his pants.
What a great day.
**********
The coffee shop Jusis finds himself in after class is quaint. The interior features reclaimed and salvaged fittings, paneled walls and a few antique decorations. They were combined with a few contemporary elements and the contrast created is beautiful. The interior decoration looks rather modest and the goal was to make it look warm and pleasant. It is located in a secluded street in the city, which makes it a perfect place for him to recollect his thoughts before going home.
“Mind if we join you?” A voice suddenly spoke. Looking up, Jusis sees Rean and Gaius, a classmate and friend back in Thors Academy.
“By all means,” the blond replied.
“How’s your day, Jusis?” Gaius started asking as he and Rean made themselves comfortable on the other side of the table, each of them holding a cup of coffee.
It’s been good, Gaius. Nothing new except for the fact that Regnitz had the guts to cheat on me. Other than that, I’m incredibly well and–
“Is everything okay, Jusis? We’ve been looking at you ever since we came in and you didn’t notice us. You just kept on staring at your coffee like it did something to personally offend you. That’s unlike you,” Rean asked, his face starting to form into a frown.
No, it is not.
“Regnitz is cheating on me… I believe,” Jusis said, looking at Rean.
“What?” Gaius’ hand froze.
“Regnitz?” Rean said, his eyebrows raised at the use of Machias’ surname.
Jusis then proceeded to tell all about he knows about Machias’ behavior while Rean and Gaius listened, their eyes never leaving the blond’s even once.
“Are you sure about this, Jusis? This is some pretty heavy stuff,” Gaius eventually said, breaking the dead air that permeated their table after Jusis finished his story.
“Maybe you should just ask him straight out? I mean, this is Machias we’re talking about; hotheaded as he is, I don’t think he actually has it in him to do that,” Rean added, his head still having trouble wrapping his head around everything Jusis had told them. Is Machias really capable of doing this? But then again, a lot has changed over the years.
“Some party we got here,” a voice immediately spoke, bringing the three out of their reveries. Standing beside their table is a white-haired man with a black bandanna on his forehead, hands on his hips, wearing a black apron over a white shirt, with the sleeves folded up to his forearms, and his left ear sporting several earrings.
“You’re supposed to be at work, Crow,” Jusis said tiredly, rubbing his temples while staring at his coffee.
“I’m on break! Cut me some slack, will you? Not like there’s many people here right now anyway,” the man replied, taking a seat next to Jusis, crossing his legs and spreading his arms at the top of the couch. “Aaaaand, that’s so much better. What’s wrong, Jusis? You’ve been kinda out of it since you came in. Trouble in paradise? Specs’ cheating on you and found someone better?” He blabbered on, not noticing how the three went quiet.
After finally taking notice of the silence, he turned to Jusis. “Cat got your tongue?” He chuckled.
Jusis did not answer, opting to take a sip of his coffee instead. Crow’s eyes widened. “Wait… you can’t mean… Shit, are you serious?” He then inquired, both hands on Jusis’ shoulders, shaking him. “Machias really did that?”
Jusis sighed, removing Crow’s hands from his shoulders. “I’m not certain, but his behavior did change. He’s always talking to someone on the phone, acting like a deer in the headlights every time I ask him whom is he talking to, only for him to brush me off by saying it’s no one in particular or it’s his classmate. It happened again last night; someone called him while we’re studying in our apartment. I asked him who it was and he said it’s no one important, only to backpedal and say it was Rean, asking us if we want to go out for drinks this weekend,” he expounded, his hands folded to support his chin.
“What?” Rean whispered, confusion prominent on his face. “I didn’t call him last night. I’m going to Roer to meet up with Alisa on Friday night. I’ll be there until Sunday afternoon.”
Jusis felt his blood run cold.
"Go through his phone,” Crow suddenly said. “You’d definitely find your answers there.”
“That’s invasion of privacy,” Gaius replied, eyebrows raised, looking absolutely scandalized just at the very thought of Crow’s suggestion.
“Not when he’s a conniving, unfaithful bastard,” Crow quickly retorted. “Come on Rean, back me up here! You look at Alisa’s phone from time to time, right? Someone as rich as her must have many suitors,” eyes twinkling with mischief, he turned to the other male beside Gaius before kicking his leg from under the table.
“No, I don’t, and don’t talk about her like that,” came the quick reply, frowning at the white-haired man. The latter just raised his hands in reply.
Lucky, Jusis thought bitterly. Rean and Alisa met in a chance encounter in the former’s hometown four years ago. Dating the heiress of the nation’s biggest conglomerate must surely have its fair share of complications and yet here they are, never seeming to have any problems at all despite the distance between them.
“Maybe it’s the sex,” Crow suddenly exclaimed. “Jusis, next time you should tie him up and give him a hella good time. Swallow him whole and all that jazz. Ride him from the top. That way, he’s not gonna look for–“
“That’s quite enough, Crow,” Gaius gently interrupted, his voice leaving no place for retort.
“Aidios, I can’t believe Sara lets you talk to customers with a mouth like that,” Rean added with a wince.
“I refuse to take part in this farce. I will do no such thing, Crow.” Jusis finally spoke, his voice stern.
“Fine, fine,” Crow replied with a sigh. He then stood up and stretched. “Well, fun time’s over. Back to work for me. But I really hope this thing gets resolved soon, Jusis,” he added, his red eyes soft.
You and me both.
**********
It is already nighttime when Jusis arrived at their apartment. Upon opening the door, he immediately saw Machias, fresh out of the shower, wearing just a pair of jogging pants and a towel around his neck. Jusis would usually take his time staring at the other male, but the latter is on that phone again, talking like he is sharing a national secret with the person on the other end of the line.
“4 in the afternoon tomorrow? Sure, I don’t mind.”
“What? Here? I thought… I thought…”
“Okay, I’ll pick you up. We’ll go here together.”
Jusis saw red.
Machias turned to him after hanging the phone, “There you are. I’m beginning to think you’re not going home at–“ He was suddenly interrupted by a pair of lips crashing into his. “Hey! What the–?”
Jusis, however, paid him no mind. He kissed Machias again, with much more force this time. His teeth began to play with the other’s lower lip, leaving gentle bites as if asking for entrance to his mouth. When Machias gasped at the sensation, Jusis took the opportunity and shoved his tongue in. “What’s with you today?” he asked the blond, but not making any effort to stop him.
He moved from the other male’s lips in favor of Machias’ throat and the side of his neck. His hand started to roam around his boyfriend’s body. From his shoulders to his chest, downwards to his toned abdomen and finally stopping at the bulge of his jogging pants. Jusis then proceeded to sneak his hand inside Machias’ jogging pants and boxers, gently stroking the hardening member. Machias whimpered at that.
“Jusis, wait. Shit… we… we haven’t even had dinner yet!” Machias managed to say despite his panting.
“Do you want this or not?” Jusis nibbled at Machias’ earlobe, his hand not stopping at stroking the now fully erect member.
“Of course I do,” the other male immediately replied, burying his face at the side of the blond’s neck.
“Then I suggest you stop this incessant talking at once,” Jusis said, taking Machias’ face in his other hand and kissing him hard.
**********
“Albarea! I cannot fucking believe you! What did I say about leaving marks that cannot be covered by clothes?” Machias screamed from the bathroom.
“You certainly were not complaining last night,” Jusis grumbled, mostly to himself.
“I heard that, you insufferable brat!” the other male screamed back. “How do you think I should cover this oh-so conspicuous hickey you left on my throat, your highness?”
“Only Aidios knows the answer, I’m afraid.”
Rolling on the bed to reach for his phone, he suddenly saw Machias’ also on the table, just next to his.
“That’s invasion of privacy.”
“Not when he’s a conniving, unfaithful bastard.”
He is really going to do this, is he not?
With a gulp, he reached for Machias phone. His boyfriend told him before the passcode to unlock the device. He would have to do this quick to avoid being caught.
Passcode incorrect. Please try again.
What? Jusis then entered the code again, slowly this time.
Passcode incorrect. Please try again.
Machias changed his passcode.
Jusis’ heart sunk. He is going to get his answers before this day ends, whether Machias likes it or not.
**********
It is 4:30 in the afternoon and Jusis feels like shit. He is having palpitations both from the two cups of coffee he consumed this day and the nervousness he is feeling regarding as to what he is going to see when he gets back to their apartment. Machias said 4 PM, did he not? Not being able to take this any longer, he ended up ditching his class for the first time in his life in order to get to the apartment in time.
Upon reaching the front door, he can hear the faint sound of laughter coming from the other side.
"Hey, don’t! You’re going to leave a mark!”
Aidios help Jusis Albarea get a good lawyer because he is on the verge of committing a double murder right now.
Jusis gripped his keys tightly, his knuckles turning white. It is now or never. He quickly opened the door with his key, and went inside.
“What the–? You’re supposed to be in class!” Machias screamed, his eyes wide in disbelief.
“Let’s get this over with, Regnitz. I demand to know who you are screwing behind my ba– what is that?“
Sitting beside Machias is a black Labrador puppy, which is about 3 months old in Jusis’ estimate. “What is this, Machias?” the blond asked softly. Had all those calls…?
“It was supposed to be a surprise later for you. I never thought you’d be here this soon, though,” Machias replied, looking at the puppy; its eyes are wide, as if sizing Jusis up.
Jusis moved closer to the puppy, letting it – him – smell his hand. He then noticed that he is wearing a leather collar with a nameplate.
Rufus.
Jusis’ eyebrows shot up. “Would you care to explain why he is named after my brother?” he looked at Machias, eyes filled with amusement.
“It’s the only name he ever responds to. They found him three months ago in a cardboard box in the outskirts of the city, so the shelter took him in. It was a long process before I was able to adopt him, but I’m glad I was finally able to,” Machias replied, his mouth curved into a smile while petting Rufus’ head.
“Why the sudden adoption?”
“What? You don’t remember?” the other looked at him in bewilderment. “We went out for drinks with Rean two months ago when you said you wanted a puppy to keep this place a bit livelier.”
“And you believed me? I was probably drunk back then,” the blond raised an eyebrow.
“Honestly… If you don’t want him, I’ll just take care of him myself,” Machias said with a sigh.
“I didn’t say that,” Jusis then moved to grab Rufus and put him in his lap. The dog immediately settled down on his thigh, and started to lick his pants.
“So,” Machias started, “what was that about me screwing someone behind your back?” he asked Jusis, eyebrows scrunched and mouth formed into a scowl.
“I thought you were cheating on me,” Jusis replied, not meeting Machias’ eyes. He started playing with Rufus’ ears; the latter then lied on his back, as if presenting Jusis his belly for a rub. “You were so secretive the past month. Whenever I asked you who called, you never gave me a proper answer. Rean also told me he did not call you to ask us out for a drink; that was when I started to entertain the thoughts in my head.”
“That’s fair, I suppose,” Machias said wearily. He moved to sit on the floor next to Jusis, their sides touching. “Wait, was that why last night…?”
“Yes,” the blond cannot help but blush slightly. “I caught you talking again on the phone and you said you were going to meet here. I lost it. Although in hindsight, you were talking to the person in-charge of the shelter, aren’t you? You kept it from me because you wanted it to be a surprise.”
Machias let out a long sigh. “Seriously… though I suppose that’s fair. Sorry for causing you distress.”
“It’s fine. It’s not like I was not at fault, either. But I must say that this mutt is very much worth the trouble you went through,” Jusis said while scratching Rufus’ belly lightly. The dog panted in delight. “I also tried to look at your phone this morning, but you changed the passcode.”
“For Aidios’ sake,” Machias pinched his eyebrows. He then fished out his phone from his pocket. “I changed it because my classmates saw me inputting it one time and thought it would be a good idea to go through my messages and photos. Here, I’ll show you the new one,” He said while dropping his head on Jusis’ shoulder.
Jusis rested his head on top of Machias’ as he grabbed the latter’s phone, opening it with the new passcode. He then opened the camera and proceeded to take a picture of Rufus, now soundly sleeping on his lap.