Dark Horses

Chapter 26 - Shopping

The next morning was a bit agitated. Mew didn't show any signs of worry but Gulf hadn't forgotten it. He didn't make an obvious effort to ask Mew about it but waiting for him to answer the question, he had asked at night. Mew just dismissed the idea. That's what was irritating Gulf. 

The lies. The secrets. The overall matters in the dark. 

The men dressed up casually to meet the others in the living room, they all were smiles and laughs while eating breakfast, while Gulf was engrossed in something else. Mew gave a tight smile at the talks. The others finished and walked towards the cars, to go to the market for a shopping spree. 

"Is something bothering you ?" Mew looked at him while he took his own and Gulf's plate to the sink. 

"You tell me. " Gulf stood up, picking up his jacket and placing it over his shoulder. 

They stared at each other for a while. 

"What is it now ?" Mew rolled his eyes. 

"You really gonna start it like this? You know what I'm talking about! Don't roll your eyes as if I'm just some nagging old wife. I am surely not, that's for sure. You wouldn't let me be. " Gulf crossed his arms. 

Mew stood there in silence, he then walked over inches away from Gulf's lips. 

"I was a fool to reconsider the thought of you would understand me. Clearly not. "

Gulf felt a clinch in his heart, tears formed in his eyes automatically as if he was thrown out of a cliff suddenly. 

"How dare you- How could you say that ?" Gulf quivered. 

"I have told you from time to time. There are things, I can't tell you. Not that I don't want to. You need to understand this small fact!" Mew raised his voice and Gulf stepped back, surprised. 

"All you want is me to love you or be with you or just go cuddling with you or do all that lovey-dovey things with you, But I'm in a fucking mess!! A hundred things are going in my head! A hundred things to take care of. And I still do as you say, and... it's not enough. Not fucking enough!!! " Mew raised his hands in the air, with a voice of anger. 

"I'm just fucking tired feeding you lies! We can never be what you want, Gulf! We can't! Simple as that! I know you love me but I can't, This is our second fight in less than two days. "

"I can't do this," Mew said with a shaky breath. 

"What?" Gulf whimpered. 

"I can't do this." Mew closed his eyes in defeat and took his keys as he passed him, frozen there shocked. 

"I never asked you to love me. " Gulf said as he cried. 

Mew stopped in his tracks, the sobs grew louder as he turned to face him, "I never meant to love you, Mew. It just happened. And if I had a choice.... I would have taken your suggestion. I would not love you. But now I do! and I can't do anything about it! So stop being such a selfish prick!"

"I never asked you anything, Nothing. All I want is you to tell me what you're going through, Not because I fucking wanna know everything but because I want you to feel better. I don't want you to drown in loneliness. I fucking know how that feels like! "

"I-" Mew walked closer in guilt, Tears flowing down Gulf was killing him, he didn't mean to tell all that, he was so frustrated with things going around. 

"Don't!" Gulf pointed his finger to him in anger. Mew stopped, looking at him. 

"I know! I know we can't be together, But I'm willing to take whatever you give me! And do you see me complaining that it is not enough!? Huh? No. You are enough, that's it. I know you push people away, you don't talk, you hide things away. But that's not how a relationship works Mew! There has to be trust! There has to be communication! I can't be in the dark but I'm willing to walk with you if you trust me. " Gulf sobbed and walked away, he went in a different car, alone. 

He couldn't bear looking at Mew right now, not even be near him. How could he say that I don't trust him. How could he?

Everyone meet in the shopping market, Gulf maintained his distance from Mew, He tagged along with Pam and Sam, He didn't want to deal with Mew right now. Mew looked at him, from time to time, wishing to hold his hand and tell him he was sorry. But Gulf didn't look at Mew's way, that was just even miserable. 

Some hours later, Mew saw Gulf coming out of an ancient store, something in his hand. A package maybe. Gulf then went to Pam handing her the package in her hand, whispering something in her ear. Mew was confused. 

As they walked out, There was a photo frame booth. Sam wanted a picture with everyone, Mew nodded. All of them adjusted in the wide cardboard frame, with colorful sea creatures and Mauritius written in funny bold font. Gulf was standing behind everyone as he was the tallest, Mew walked beside him. They looked at each other, Gulf evidently angry, looked away. Mew pouted and looked down in defeat. 

"Okay, Ready? Sir, can you step a little back ?" The photographer had a peek in the camera and asked Gulf. 

Gulf smiled and nodded, while he stepped back, he tripped on a rock, slipping. He absent-mindedly caught hold of Mew's arm for gaining balance. Mew held his waist, supporting him to stand straight.

They stared at each other, Mew looked apologetically, This was a chance! And he took it, "I'm sorry Gulf." 

Gulf looked at him, blushed, but stood back up in a second. 

"Okay, Ready ?" The photographer smiled, taking a second. 

Sam made a funny face, Gulf laughed looking at him. 

"Smile!" 

Gulf looked at the non-expression face of Mew, He felt bad, But how could he be angry at such a cutie. He loved him, more than he will ever know. He reached out for his hand and entwined his fingers, Mew looked at him, surprised. He smiled. Mew held it tighter, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. 

The photograph was captured, A beautiful one, while others smiled and Sam made his funny face. They looked at each other while Mew kissed their entwined hands.

Gulf smiled while looking at the picture, "I wanna have a copy of this. "

"Me too. " Mew replied. Gulf smiled as he held his hand and kissed his cheek and walked out with everyone, having to spend a bittersweet day with Mew and Family. 

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