Slow burn (mxm) [SB]

Chapter 3

"I have always found being a bouncer entertaining... and it was a tad bit comforting having one near my home that is also directed to gay people" Simon slightly nodded. "Ah...makes sense... why have you found it entertaining?" Simon slightly tilted his head. "My uncle was one for 5 years" Simon slightly smiled. "Cool! if you don't mind me asking... why did he stop?"

"He died" Simon was taken aback by Tinka casually saying that his uncle died while Tinka was internally fighting himself not to cry or look like he is going to since his uncle is about his only soft spot. "I-I'm sorry to hear that..." Tinka slightly smiled. "It's alright... happened 10 years ago..." Simon nodded. "Ah..." Simon didn't know what to say at this point. "What about you? reason for working here" 

"Oh! mine sounds kinda stupid or something compared to yours... but because it's a gay place..." Simon looked away. "That's alright. I don't like to assume these kind of things but are you gay?" Simon looked at Tinka. "I'm poly- you?" Simon slightly tilted his head. "Just gay" Simon nodded and people started showing up to enter so they had to stop talking and get to work.

After they are done it's 3 am and Tinka is fairly tired but tries not to show it. "Tinka, how far is your place?" Tinka looked at Simon. "About a mile, why?..." Simon kinda nodded. "I can drive you, it seems like you walked here and it would be easier for you if I drove you..." Tinka nodded. "Alright. I'll tell you where to drive" Simon nodded and Tinka followed Simon to his truck. 

"I don't know if you'll necessarily fit... you can adjust the seat if you want or need to..." Tinka shrugged. "I don't mind, not that far of a drive" Simon nodded and got into the driver's side while Tinka got in the passenger side. Tinka moved the seat so he could kinda fit in the seat.

Tinka told Simon where to go and is now walking into his apartment while Simon leaves. Tinka locked his door and went into his bedroom. he had decided during the drive that he would sleep without clothes so he took off his shirt and pants then grabbed his pillow and blanket, he moved them onto the floor and laid down, he instantly fell asleep.

*******

It has now been a month, Tinka and Simon have gotten closer and will sometimes talk outside of work by texting. Leo has also been talking to Tinka more. Tinka and Simon are meeting up today to walk in the forest Tinka kinda walked in before, he is currently outside his apartment waiting for Simon near the parking lot. Tinka recognized Simon's truck and kinda walked over. Simon parked his truck and got out, he walked over to Tinka. "Hi"

"Hey, we going to the forest now?..." Tinka kinda nodded. "Yeah, follow me. I know where it is" Simon nodded and followed Tinka towards where the forest was. "You put your hair up, you typically don't" Tinka is looking at Simon. "Oh! I do... we just haven't really hung out outside of work where I have it down most of the  time..." Tinka nodded.

"Alright. also... there is a waterfa-" Simon cut Tinka off. "Waterfall!! we have to see it! I love waterfalls!!" Simon looked at Tinka. "I wasn't done speaking... Simon" Simon got a bit scared. "So-sorry... you can continue" Tinka kinda nodded. "Thanks... and this will probably disappoint you due to what you said. but we aren't going to the waterfall... or at least I'm not, you may go see it but I won't be going anywhere near it.."

Simon did get a bit disappointed and kinda confused. "Why?... they're so pretty!" Tinka looked at Simon. "Simon... I said I won't be. no further questions" Simon got a chill down his spine and understood why Tinka is feared. I feel like if I make him even a bit angry he will snap my body in half... physically or with his words... that British accent makes it either worse or better... They get to the forest and Tinka stops so Simon also does. 

"A fair warning... if I hear the sound of running water. like a waterfall, I will run... I run fast... I can run the distance from my apartment and our work in under 3 minutes..." Simon nodded. "Okay... What do I do if you run?..." Tinka turned to face Simon so Simon turned to Tinka. "Do not follow. wait for me to return... got it?" Simon got more scared due to how Tinka said that.

"Y-yes... what about a lake or pond?..." Simon slightly tilted his head. "Same thing... expecially with a lake..." Simon nodded. "Come on... and you may ask questions..." They started walking down the trail Tinka took before and Simon walked next to Tinka. "Are you scared of water?..."

"Only large bodies of water and storms" Simon kinda nodded. "Can I ask why?..." Simon slightly tilted his head. "Story or quick explanation?" Simon was surprised. "Oh! uh... which do you want to do?..." Simon slightly tilted his head. "The story would allow you to understand why more while the quick explanation would most likely leave you confused" 

That is not what I asked- I asked what he wanted to do not what I would know- They passed the map. "Story-?" Tinka kinda nodded. "Okay..." Simon glanced at Tinka and noticed that he seemed to push every emotion away to tell the story, it made Simon a bit worried but he didn't say anything.

"So, me and my uncle, the dead one. were at his cabin which would be about an hour and a half north of us currently... we were going out on the lake near his cabin on his boat that he had... all was okay for the first hour we were out on the lake... a big storm suddenly appeared and it started raining like crazy... my uncle started going back to shore as fast and carefully as he could... we were almost to shore when a really big wave hit us and tipped us over... I was able to get out from under the boat and to the surface fairly quickly... I waited about 3 minutes for my uncle to come to the surface...he didn't so I went under to find him and I did... he was unconscious so I tried to pick him up but I couldn't... I went up for air then went back down to try again... but having to stay above water for 3 minutes took too much of my strength so I couldn't pick him up... I tried many times... i eventually gave up and went up to shore and just sat there crying knowing that he would die there all becuase I wasn't strong enough to get him out of the water..."

Tinka was trying his best not to cry while telling the story and Simon was mostly shocked but also felt sorry for Tinka. "I'm so sorry that happened..." Tinka kinda nodded. "He was more than an uncle... he was my best friend... we told each other everything and anything..." Tinka kinda started to cry. "It's okay Tinka... he is making sure you are okay right now by watching over you... okay? I bet he's extremely proud of you" Tinka smiled and just let himself cry.

"I-I don't believe i-in heaven or hell but th-thank you... I like t-to think that h-he is st-still with me... my nec-necklace was his... h-he gave it t-to me" Simon smiled a bit. "I also don't but then he is still with you... that necklace is him since he gave it to you... you always have him with you"

Tinka started laughing a bit. "Ever thought ab-about being a th-therapist?" Simon smiled. "Briefly" Tinka smiled a bit and stopped himself from crying, Simon was surprised at how fast Tinka could stop himself. Tinka kinda shook his head and continued walked with Simon.