Racing with Time

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Time was chasing after him, but he made his pace slow; savoring every second.

After counting the money he had saved so far, he concluded it still wasn't enough, but it was better than nothing. He glanced at the calendar on the wall of his bedroom and murmured, "Just a few more days."

He slipped the bills inside a secret pocket of his backpack. He never leaves his savings in his room again, he never leaves the bag either, it was always with him. His father would not be suspicious, he brings that bag everywhere since he had to work. When he was done preparing, he started his busy day.

It has been weeks since he allowed himself to accept Karlos, and within those days, they never talked about Franco and Lucas, about the past, not even about the future. They lived the present, just as they promised with each other.

They settled on a routine. Gabriel now worked in another project, and as well as his sideline job at night, the one his father had not caught up...yet. He knew sooner or later, he will. But at least for now, he's able to save up enough before that happened. He kept himself busy during the day, sweating and exhausted as he hammered woods and lifted blocks. He was busy at night, too. Serving drinks and helping drunk customers to find ride. But despite his tiring day, he learned to keep his energy until past midnight. Despite his aching limbs and sweat-drenched hair, he strolled excitedly from the pub to the house at the crossroads.

He drank in his surroundings as he traveled. He let the chilly night bite his skin, allowed the stubborn wind to ruffle his hair, and enjoyed in the way the moon watched him silently. As he came face to face with the house, he found himself grinning. For in the balcony attached to it, a boy was waiting; standing and glowing as the moonlight casted upon him. The boy had the same expression, stupid smile behind golden rimmed spectacles. Karlos waved at him, and he snorted at the childish action.

He took his time as he forwarded towards the house, but the other boy doesn't find this enjoyable. Karlos disappeared from the balcony, sprinting to meet him at the entrance. His footsteps were heavy, as always, the sound echoing inside the house. Gabriel was about the turn the doorknob open, when the door was snatched backward. He almost lost his footing, but he was caught by the boy behind the door.

"Woops! You okay?" asked Karlos.

"You behave like a dog greeting his master." He pulled himself off of Karlos, finding his balance again. The other boy pouted in response.

"If I were a dog, I'd be humping on you right now." Karlos smirked.

Gabriel gasped, then sorted. "So perverted. Doesn't sound like something you'll say."

He pushed Karlos as he let himself in. He heard him laugh behind him as he scurried towards the study room. Despite the vulgar words, he found his face heating up.


Karlos had a spacious and comfortable bedroom to sleep in, yet here he was in the study room, futon splayed on the cold floor. He chose to stay here, and Gabriel was fully aware why. He could have insisted he use his comfortable waiting bedroom, but he enjoyed the company. In the weeks they had been together, Amalia found out Gabriel's nightly activities in the house. Opposite to his expectations, Amalia was happy with him staying in the house at night. She never questioned why Gabriel's unusual routine, she explained she understood it must have been Franco needing to feel the house he felt most at home in. Gabriel felt bitter about Amalia's assumptions, but it was better than her finding about the truth inside Gabriel's actual house. In a way, Franco was also the reason. But mostly, it was his father and his need for solace. These days though, he had his new reason for visiting the once abandoned house at night. And it was because of the boy sitting across him right now.

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⏰ Last updated: Nov 28, 2022 ⏰

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