Beautiful Dreamer

37. Stay

"Who were you talking to?"

"I didn't know you were awake; you startled me there for a minute." Putting his trousers on, Ari added, "I need to go home. Mun is unwell, so I'll run an errand for him and get him some meds on the way."

"Home?" Ned asked, displeased by the reference. "Which home?"

"My place," Ari replied, utterly oblivious to Ned's disapproving tone. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Turning to leave, he inquired if Ned was heading to work that day.

"I told you yesterday that I took a day off. I was hoping we'd sleep in."

"Oh yeah, you did mention that. Sorry, it slipped my mind."

"Do you really have to go?"

Ari took a moment to study Ned's withdrawn self. With his arms crossed across his chest, leaning on the bedroom door, and his expression tout, there was no doubt he was upset.

"My dear Ari, I love the little times we get to spend together and how it makes me feel; however, lately, I can't say much about those feelings. I'd expected more from us staying together. I come home, find you home, spend time with you at home, eat together... Turns out, you've never considered this place our home." Walking towards Ari, he stopped a few steps away and added, "Doesn't Mun have a secretary to help him with his so-called errands? Better yet, we can call an ambulance for him if he is unwell."

"Ned..."

"Ari," Ned interrupted, "I will ask you again. Do you really need to go?"

"Yes," Ari replied without hesitation.

"Can't you offer him guidance over the phone?"

"I would, but he is unwell. Besides, Mun is my friend. I've lived with him for as long as I can remember, so when he asks me for assistance, I know he really needs it."

"Have you ever had sex with him?"

"What?"

"If not, have you thought about it?"

"Ned, what has gotten into you today?"

"It's a simple question, my dear. After all, he is a man just like me."

"Mun is straight."

"So is Rey, or was."

"This is about him?"

"Of course it is. Who knows, you might run into him on your way to your 'home, as you've put it."

Ari sighed. He knew Ned had every right to be jealous, but to bring Mun into the discussion was uncalled for.

"Given everything that has happened between you and Rey whenever I'm away, why would you find it strange that I'd suspect your so-called best friend?"

"Why are you bothered by me going to see Mun? It didn't bother you before when I worked with him. You had me tailed for years, so you know there is nothing between Mun and me apart from a brotherly connection."

"I'm not convinced."

Ari let out another heavy sigh. "Look, Ned, what happened between me and Rey was a mistake. I take full responsibility for it. I had just lost the only people I could legally call my family, and still, I'm coming to terms with that. Rey was with me the entire time. In his own way, he supported me. It may not have been reassuring, but he still did. My judgement was compromised, and I made a mistake again, but I'm trying Ned. Mun and Rey happen to be always together sometimes because of work."

"Exactly my point! Why would you seek to meet with Mun when you know it would increase your chances of meeting up with Rey? I'm aware of my limitations when it comes to you, Ari! Even if you mention it won't happen for the third time, I know it will! After all, I did give you the go-ahead, but I can't help feeling inferior to him when I'm the one with the upper hand!"

Ari was baffled. Never once had he seen Ned this upset. He'd been trying to avoid this, changing people, but it appeared his past was following him. First, it was Rey, and now the charismatic Ned he'd grown accustomed to was becoming petty, insecure and paranoid. Indeed, Ari was upset, but he couldn't act on his anger. One of them had to take the high road. "Ned, I assure you there are no romantic feelings between Mun and me; therefore, you shouldn't have to feel insecure whenever I go to meet him. Secondly, I wish you wouldn't accuse me as such. You know I've not dated anyone for the past four years except you, neither have I been in a romantic relationship with anyone else, physical or otherwise."

"Until you met Rey."

"Why do you keep bringing his name up?

"You intentionally went to see your parents with him, knowing I'd disapprove of it! I could have employed someone to accompany you and bring your belongings! You didn't consider my thoughts on the matter and the consequences of how I'd feel if you left me out! Why didn't you go with your so-called friend Mun?"

"Because he had work!" Ari finally lost it. "I asked him, and that was the initial plan, but he... Damn it! Why do I have to explain myself? I get it, I messed up, and hurt you in the process! I'm deeply sorry, but you don't have to be so suspicious of me! Mun is unwell, and I will go to see him. This is just something you do to friends."

"Who's to say he won't develop feelings for you? It happened with Rey, did it not?"

"What the...? Rey has no regard for anyone's feelings nor himself! And Mun has been straight for as long as I've known him! Damn it, Ned! Why are you being like this? Please, leave Mun out of it. Your issue is with me."

"Then move in permanently with me."

"What?"

"Make this your only home. That rules out any opportunity for Rey and you to cross paths and the chance of Mun developing feelings for you."

"W-Why are you being so stubborn? You can't expect me to cut ties with Mun completely?"

"You did it with your family, did you not?

"Hey, Ned, listen. I feel that we will never reach an agreement on this, so let us agree to disagree for now. When I return, we can discuss this after both of us have calmed down." Ari said, then turned to leave. A thought struck him when he was about to reach for the doorknob: "If you want, you can come with me and observe everything for yourself. Mun is not the type to fall ill or ask for any help from me. In fact, I am the one who reaps more from his kindness most of the time."

Ned remained mum for a moment as if in deep thought, then began walking towards Ari. He circled his hands around him from behind but didn't say a word. They remained like that, each taking time to cool their heads.

"We've never fought like this before." Ari was the first to break the silence. "It is also understandable for you to be upset or speculate on some things incorrectly. I'd feel insecure if I were standing in your shoes, but still, you have nothing to be suspicious of whenever it concerns Mun. When it comes to Rey, you are not entirely wrong. I'm doing my best to move on. It is silly, really, to get stuck on someone who gives little regard to other people's feelings. As a matter of fact, I'm ashamed of myself for caving easy whenever it concerns him."

"I wish we could move, but your project is coming up."

"I agree. Moving out of this town would be the best action plan, but we have to put a hold on it until I settle on the first branch. Once we expand, I won't hesitate to change locations."

"I'm sorry for acting out. If anyone should understand you more, it should be me. I've been stuck on you for years, and you know how difficult it can be to move on. Still, that does not make it easy. On a lighter note, unlike you, at least I fell for someone gay."

"Are we showing off now?"

Ned chuckled after letting Ari go. "Wait there for me. I'll go change out of my loungewear before we head out."

"Thank you," Ari responded, relieved to have put an end to their unexpected tussle. "I really do not deserve you."

"Then treat me better from now on."