Ephemeral: Love, Pleasure and Hidden Pains

Eleven

TW// Rape. Abuse
Skip the last italic sentences if you want to avoid that part.

The next morning feels like a dream, he never felt this happy for years. His heart sings for the miracle he was having right now. Early in the morning he woke up with Dan soft sleeping feature facing him, the dimple was hidden from the lack of smile but the strong arm wrapping on his naked waist warmed his heart. Slowly he reluctantly unwrapped the limp arm, scooted away slowly from the blanket.

He takes his phone from the table, snatches Dan's t-shirt on the floor and walks into the kitchen. The mess Dan made to cook him a nice dinner was still left unclean. Instead of anger, Apo feels a wash of fondness. The image of them slow dancing before his stomach grumbles due to emptiness brings chuckles out of his mouth. The food was decent but the hard work instantly gave his boyfriend a full point.

With a big cheerful smile, Apo put his phone on the counter. He took the pink apron with a rainbow printed on it, which Dan left on the counter yesterday. He wore it and happily started to clean the mess Dan had made. The kitchen stove and area around it was splashed with spaghetti sauce, now it had stuck hard on it. Slowly and patiently, he scrubbed the dirty area. He stepped back to proudly look at his effort to clean, it is now squeaky clean. He then started to look for a glove to start washing the dishes. Time moved fast, it was already 7.30 in the morning as he finished the clean up. Dan miraculously still sleeps soundly after an hour of his loud cleaning. He then rummaged through their fridge, taking out the ingredients he could find to make some breakfast. The good mood makes him delighted to have a good morning breakfast with Dan. He had forgotten the last time they ate breakfast together.

He cooked some bacon with avocado and salad. On the side there is a sunny side up egg with a sprinkle of black pepper, he unconsciously sees it as if it shines like the sun. Mirroring his happy hopeful heart. After fully capturing the sight of a heartwarming dining table, Apo glanced at the clock, it was already 8.15 am. He needed to go to work. He had left his work unattended for five days. It just shocked Apo with how fast things happened in less than a week. Slowly he opened the bedroom door, trying to not make any sound. Dan slept on his stomach, broad back was out for view. With a heavy heart, Apo walks to the bed, softly threading Dan hairs that cover his eyes that squash on the pillow. He needs to wake him up, so they can have breakfast together.

"Dan, baby. Wake up," he softly whispered. Dan groaned, but his eyes fluttered open. The dark eyes meet his soft hazel one, even in the dark, Apo could see confusion in his face. He just chuckled, "I made breakfast," he whispered again. He did not wait for the older to reply, instead he walked into their bathroom, from the corner of his eyes, he could see Dan sitting dazely on the bed, it warmed his heart. His cheek almost hurt from too much smiling. Less than 15 minutes, Apo is done dressing in his new maroon turtleneck and black blazer. Undeniably his neck still tainted with faded bluish bruises, he did not wish for Tong to ask and staff to speculate. It is better this way until it fully recovers.

As he walked into their bedroom, Dan was nowhere to be seen, he frowned. His heart almost gets the breeze of sadness. With a heavy heart, he tried to push away any negative thoughts. Dan was nice yesterday, there was no point in leaving him.

Right?

With a hopeful heart, he walks into their living room, braces himself with sadness if Dan had truly left him. The thought instantly went away as the backside of his boyfriend looking at the city greeted him.

"—meet up tonight. Yes. I'm sure of my decisi—," his hushed voice talking to his phone. He stopped talking and whipped his head into Apo's direction, as he heard the door of their bedroom close. His eyes flash with fear but morph into a big smile as he sees Apo's genuine radiant smile. He dropped his phone, not before pressing the hang up button, then put his phone into his pocket. Fully abandon the other end of the line, his eyes focus on him. He tried to gauge the reaction out of the younger face, when he found nothing, he sighs in relief.