The Heart of Politics

Debates part I

Hellooooo! I got sick with covid so that's fun. Also midterms have been crazy. Please enjoy this chapter and I'll do my best to update more this week since...I can't...go anywhere. Anyways enjoyyyy 😘😘😘😘

Nothing had really changed per se. Rob still laughed, and made jokes. He asked if Jesse wanted four spoons of sugar in his coffee. He still opened the passenger door for Jesse when they drove in his car. And at night, he whispered the sweetest things, and broke all the control Jesse had. And when it was his turn to be underneath he always reacted in a beautiful way. And yet. Ever since that day at lunch, something shifted.

Jesse watched as Rob hummed and ate his breakfast.

"We start the debates today."

Rob's demeanour barely changed but his shoulders stiffened just a bit. But it was enough for Jesse to notice.

"I don't think I'll be able to attend a couple of them. Adrie will be representing for now."

"You...won't...be...attending...debates?"

"I'm sorry Jesse, I know how weird it sound. But I can't. Rutte has asked me to take care of other things."

"Oh, no. It's okay. I understand. Plus it's not like I need you there for support." Jesse turned to put his dishes in the sink.

Rob swallowed the knot in his throat. He doesn't need me.

Jesse eyed the kettle. What could be so important that he won't be there?

Jesse took a silent deep breath, turned around, walking over to Rob and kissing him gently.

"It's alright. I understand. Rutte is the prime minister after all, what he says must go."

"It doesn't sound like much of a democracy to me." Rob grumbled looking at his lap.

Jesse laughed and squished Rob's cheeks together and brought his face up again.

"That's because we live in a representative democracy. Not an actual one."

"Yeah, yeah whatever. People are stupid."

"No people are hungry for power, which makes them behave stupidly."

"Let me be a grumpy pants."

"Not around my favourite tea kettle? You'll ruin its magic."

"Okay fine, only because we need the good vibes." Rob rolled his eyes.

"I think we've been watching too many tiktoks."

"Well they're the ones who made the app addictive. It's their problem." Rob shrugged.

"Oh my god." Jesse rolled his eyes but planted a kiss on Rob's nose.

Once they'd gone their separate ways at work, Rob headed directly for his office. He even took the emergency stairwell to avoid any interactions.

But once he neared his door, he started turning around.

"Ah Rob! I've been waiting for you!" A voice sneered.

Rob closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He turned to face, a man with white hair walking towards him.

"Geert."

"I hear you won't be attending most of the debates. Are you too afraid to keep things professional?"

"I'm being selfish." Rob whispered to himself.

"Sorry what was that?"

Rob remained silent.

"Ha, you really are something you know? It's funny I would have never thought you to be a coward."