Groom Wars

23. A Poisonous Bear's Kiss

Falling in love with someone wasn't something that could be explained by logic. Logically, Adriel was the last person Leandro wanted to be attracted to, but the die had been cast. From the first meeting, Leandro had sensed something between them. Something that couldn't be put into words. Something that sometimes made Leandro forget to breathe or made him smile without realizing it. After being warned by the show's executive producer about allegations of a homosexual relationship between Leandro and Adriel, Leandro knew he had to be careful. But Leandro was a methodical man; he wanted to put distance between Adriel and him while preserving their friendship.

When Leandro returned to their room with a pair of cameramen trailing him, he found Adriel sitting on the top bunk, reading a novel. The teddy bear that was labelled poisonous watched everyone from the foot of the bed. Its white fur seemingly absorbing the room's fluorescent lights. Its beady black eyes, forever open. Forever seeing. Leandro knew he shouldn't, but he promised himself that this would be the last time he and Adriel spoke till the fuss surrounding them dwindled.

Adriel, hearing Leandro's tread, lowered the book. He was wearing a pair of rectangular-framed glasses, the lens removed. The glasses coupled with the light that illuminated his caramel skin made Adriel look intelligent and alluring. A baggy white shirt draped his thin frame. He almost seemed like a picture frozen on a page of a fashion magazine. His gaze, pondering, musing; lips curled into a bemused smile. His finger froze while tapping the sheet. His chin tilted down. The image was broken when Adriel's tongue wetted dry lips. Adriel blinked twice. There was some confusion in his manners, some hesitation to speak.

Adriel had talked with the executive producer a few minutes before Leandro; they had likely warned him as well. Adriel bowed his head, and something sad filled his gaze. Leandro picked up the fluffy white teddy bear. No man their age would be caught dead with a toy like this. It was humiliating. Unmanly. But this wasn't a regular teddy bear; it was poisonous.

He asked Adriel, "What makes this poisonous?"

Adriel held out his hand and beckoned with his fingers as if he wanted to hold it. Leandro stood by the boy's side. His head cleared the railing and was close to Adriel's waist. Adriel took the bear, inspected it, and said, "A poisonous liquid covers its fur."

"Ah, then I'm poisoned."

"But there is an antidote."

"What is it?"

Adriel froze, a half-smile on his lips. "Do you really want to know?"

"I prefer knowing to dying."

Adriel lowered the bear to Leandro's face. Its soft muzzle pressed against Leandro's cheek, creating a flurry of conflicting emotions in Leandro's head. "A kiss?" Leandro whispered, but the cameramen had been recording them and could hear them. There was nothing secret, and while it could be dismissed as a cute gesture between friends. It was different when they were under the microscope. Leandro felt like a butterfly pinned against a wall for many pairs of eyes to examine and draw conclusions about.

"Mhm." Adriel bowed his head, the sadness returning to his mien. He said, "I think you and I shouldn't talk for a while. The people here don't really understand our relationship, and I'm not sure if the viewers will either. I don't want to get you into any trouble." His eyes were moist. Leandro wanted to raise his hand, and caress the boy's cheek, whisper that everything would be alright, but he didn't. He restrained himself and reposed on his bed, resting his exhausted body after the day's events. In silence, Leandro stared at Adriel's bunk above his and grudged the world for being the way it was. Grudged himself for his tainted, homosexual desire.

***