Tango

Heart and Soul

After almost two weeks, out in the secluded estate, Alex and Thomas really began to feel at home, getting used to not having to work every day, and spending all their days together. Of course, not every day was a good day but they managed. Lately, Alexander found himself plagued with heartburn adding to his already tired and irritable mood, which would spoil his entire day. The couple argued over mundane things, that just happened to trigger the Caribbean's already short fuse. After one particularly, nasty dispute Hamilton locked himself away in one of the bedrooms, not wishing to see his partner's face. Nonplused, Jefferson decided not to push it, figuring the other would calm down eventually.

Preoccupied with a bit of gardening, Thomas hadn't realized how the day had gone, and he and Alex hadn't shared a single word since their morning quarrel. Come to think of it, he had no clue where the other man was. He had decided to take care of the front of the house, doing a little bit of landscaping, to take his mind off their disagreement. While it had worked a charm, he now felt he needed to make it up to his lover. He went inside and called out the other man's name, but was met with silence.

Fair enough.

Maybe Alex still wasn't willing to talk to him. So The Virginian decided to find him. He made his way around the mansion, first checking that morning's room, but the younger man was nowhere to be found aside from his smartphone on the nightstand. He wasn't in the living room, not in any of the bedrooms or bathrooms for that matter. He wasn't in the kitchen either, and none of his staff had seen him in at least two hours. He couldn't have possibly left, could he? Where would have he gone? And it's not like their argument was that serious. Thomas had yet to check outside. Alex didn't usually go much farther than the small terrace, but maybe he needed a walk.

Given it was the middle of summer, even though it was already seven in the afternoon, it was still bright outside. Thomas jogged along the walking path that lead around the estate, hoping to god he'd find him at some point. He jogged as far as he could, eventually slowing down not wanting to aggravate his ankle. He was a few yards away from the cemetery when he saw a silhouette from afar. Hurriedly, he ran inside to find Alex standing in front of his mother's grave.

"Jesus Christ, Alex. What are you doing here? I've been searching for you all over the place, I thought you had gone." He concluded, out of breath.

"You thought I'd gone? Where would I have gone, Thomas?" The brunet was surprised at the idea.

"I... I don't know. It's just- after this morning, I thought of the worst."

"Which is?"

"...You leaving me." He gave in.

"Aww, Sweatheart." Alex caressed the taller man's cheek. "Why would you ever think that? I'm so sorry. Let's not talk about this morning, it was stupid. I'm just really, tired and achy. It's not your fault."

Thomas grabbed the hand that was over his cheek, looking down into his partner's eyes. He relaxed and took a moment to look around. There was a bouquet, with flowers he recognized from the property, and candles lit on his mother's grave. He looked around and saw more flowers and candles on the other graves.

"What are you doing?" He asked again, confused by what he saw.

At first, Alexander was silent, not quite sure he should tell, embarrassed.

"Just... came over to clean up a bit... And pay my respects." He added shyly. "I'd clean the moss off of them, but I barely stood up after lighting all those lights." He sounded disappointed.

"Don't... They're not worth anyone's respect." He embraced his lover.

"Don't say that." Alex pushed away from his hold. "They're your parents."