Yours (on TikTok) - Rob Jetten x Jesse Klaver

THREE

Jesse goes home with the distinct impression that he both understands Rob more and less than he did before. He has always been a mystery, but it feels like every new detail Jesse uncovers about him just leads to more questions. He can't stop thinking about their conversation. Rob never did say whether the TikToks were right. That makes Jesse want to assume that he has something more to hide. What did he say? Something about how he wasn't giving all his secrets away yet?

Meanwhile, his phone has completely blown up. Their tag, #resse, has gone so viral that the news outlets will be requesting interviews by Monday. In exchange, though, they both now have international followings. Jesse is almost frightened to see what Rob does with that kind of reach.

—

Rob spends the weekend being teased mercilessly by his partner and his friends. He doesn't mind so much, now that he's spoken to Jesse and he knows the other man doesn't blame him. If anything, he finds it less embarrassing and more of an opportunity to spread his profile. It's a thrill, watching the new followers roll in. It doesn't matter so much that they're only following him because of a few winks and longing looks, some of them will get to know him and stick around. He just has to post regularly and talk about the issues that matter.

Mostly, he doesn't think about it over the weekend. Well, not during the day, at least. He's busy living his normal life. Cafes, going for runs with his dog, visiting his parents and catching up on reading and gardening. After dark, though, his life has changed completely.

Have you seen this one?
Another message from Jesse. He's linked a TikTok that Rob has already seen.
Yes, it looks like I'm visiting your home, the way they've put it together.
Until I'm there with a microphone again, Jesse replies, almost instantly. Where is the footage of you touching the collar of your jacket from? You look stunning.
Rob smiles down at his phone, trying not to overthink it. You know, I can't remember, he types.

The other highlight for Rob is finding the older, official Green-Left TikTok with footage of Jesse demolishing his opposition with just his words. Sometimes he finds those almost too incredible to watch, Jesse can be so good. That is what had Rob throwing those winks and long glances at him in the first place. His good looks would be diminished without his brilliant mind and his determination to push their country to do the right thing. The two features together make him irresistible.

It's like that on both Saturday and Sunday evening. Flirting and chatting until late. The videos seem to have thrown them together in a way that nothing else could have. They share secrets now.
Thierry looks like he washes his hair with a garden hose. Every time I see his racist, homophobic face I feel sick, types Rob.
I love it when you argue with him, comes Jesse's reply.
It's so pointless. I can't seem to stop myself, though.
Please don't.

Eventually Rob has to put his phone down and try to sleep. He lies down in bed and smiles up at the ceiling. Jesse likes him. He really likes him. Both SBS 6 and the NOS have requested a joint interview tomorrow morning. He's excited like a puppy. He can't stop picturing Jesse tomorrow. Has it really only been two days? It feels like so much longer. So much has changed.

—

"Thank you for all the creativity, but we are promising you; it really is just fiction," says Rob, smiling at the camera without trying to look too much like a politician. He would have been shocked if someone had told him that he'd be doing this a week ago. Jesse nods along, eyes bright, beside him. Rob is itching to reach over and touch him.

The interviews are fun. The energy between he two of them is electric. Their hands brush together and it's like Jesse's skin is setting his own alight. Rob's hand seems to tingle from just the memory of the brief contact. They both can't stop laughing and smiling, especially when the cameraman asks them to end with a 'meaningful gaze'. It sends Rob into a fit of giggles. That will end up on TikTok too, he imagines.

Jesse looks relaxed, he's wearing a chic checked jacket with a black shirt underneath. No tie, the first few buttons undone like he had when Rob had seen him in his office back on Friday. And now, just like then, it's having the same effect; all Rob wants to do is lick a long stripe up the side of his neck. That neck looks delicious. It's everything he can do to keep his gazes from lingering, picturing the slide of Jesse's soft skin under his tongue.

At least today he has his shirt pressed and neat and his hair in order. Seeing Jesse at the end of the day, last week was almost too much. Unbuttoned, rumpled and messy like he'd just rolled out of bed for that glass of wine. It was almost cruel to see him like that without being able to finish off the messy masterpiece of tired, sated and satisfied-

"Thanks, gentlemen, that's everything we need."
After the reporters have shaken hands with them, Rob nods, smiles and turns to head back to his office. He can sense that Jesse will follow him without even looking over his shoulder to check. Good, they need to debrief in person. But he can't help but feel a nervous thrill run down his spine anyway. He's been dying to catch Jesse alone again since their meeting on Friday. The desire is overwhelming. He already knows what they'll probably do. He can't think about it. Not yet.

They reach Rob's office and he pauses, holding the door open for Jesse to go inside. He glances up and down the corridor; everything is quiet so he steps inside after him and neatly shuts the door, turning the lock.
"Well," he says, leaning against it.
"I can't believe we just had to do that," Jesse is still smiling, he shakes his head, disbelief clear.
"Not really a surprise, considering the reaction we've gotten online," says Rob.
"I feel like we just lied to them. Does it feel like that to you? Like we lied to them?" Jesse's eyes are alight with mischief, he's smiling down at Rob like they're in on some elaborate scheme together.
"We didn't lie," says Rob, evenly, even though he feels exactly the same. "Nothing has happened between us. Every word we said was true."

He's been waiting months, maybe years, for a moment this perfect. Rob isn't the kind of politician that asks or demands. He'll rephrase the question or suggest an alternative; he's the one who gets his way by making other people think it was their idea first. And when that moment finally comes, it's like he can taste it.

"Yes, but it felt like a lie," insists Jesse, meeting his eye. An errant curl has fallen onto his brow.
"If it felt like a lie," Rob says, his heart thundering in his chest, "then why haven't you kissed me yet?"