Dangerous Desires

32

Arsenio stood with the older man, Tenebroso cradled in his arms. The baby cooed softly, seemingly unaware of the tension in the air between the two men. Arsenio's expression was a mixture of sadness and guilt. "She's taking it really hard," he murmured, his gaze flickering to where I was seated on the wall with Mark.

The older man nodded, his eyes reflecting the same concern for me. "She's strong, but this is a difficult situation for anyone to handle. She just needs time and support to get through this."

Arsenio let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I feel like crap for hurting her like this," he admitted. "But I can't deny that I'm also relieved, in a way. Is that wrong?"

The older man considered his words carefully, his expression understanding. "It's natural to feel conflicted in a situation like this," he said gently. "It doesn't make you a bad person to feel a sense of relief, as long as you're handling it with compassion and respect for her feelings."

Arsenio nodded, mulling over the older man's words. "I do care about her feelings," he said genuinely. "I want her to be happy, I just...I just can't be the one to make her happy right now."

The older man placed a comforting hand on Arsenio's shoulder. "Sometimes, the greatest act of love is letting go," he said quietly. "If you truly care about her happiness, you have to let her find it elsewhere."

Arsenio felt conflicted as he looked down at Tenebroso, his son's innocent face making his heartache. "I know," he acknowledged. "It's just hard to accept, you know? I've loved her for so long, it feels strange to imagine my life without her."

The understanding look in the older man's eyes softened, his voice gentle. "It's natural to feel that way, but love isn't always static. It can change and evolve, sometimes into something different than what it was before. And that's okay. Let go of the past and accept the change, for both her sake and yours."

Arsenio nodded slowly, the older man's words penetrating his thoughts. "I guess I just need time to adjust," he admitted, his voice quiet. "It'll be strange not having her as a part of my life like before."

The older man squeezed Arsenio's shoulder reassuringly. "Time heals all wounds," he said. "It might not feel like it now, but you'll both get through this. You'll grow and learn, and someday, you'll find happiness again in different forms."

Arsenio looked down at Tenebroso, the baby gazing up at him with an innocent smile. He forced a small smile of his own, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside him. "For now, I just gotta focus on being the best dad I can be," he said quietly.

The older man nodded in agreement. "That's a great mindset to have," he approved. "Being a good father should be your priority right now. And Indira will always be a part of your life because of Tenebroso. You'll find a new way to coexist and co-parent in the future."

Arsenio's expression softened, his mind shifting to the complexities of co-parenting after such an emotionally charged breakup. "It won't be easy," he admitted. "But I suppose I've got to figure out a way to balance my feelings with being a good father and dealing with her as a co-parent."

The older man smiled, a hint of fatherly advice in his eyes. "It won't be easy, but it's doable," he reassured him. "Just remember to communicate and be respectful of each other's boundaries. You're both in this together for your son, and that should always be the priority."

Arsenio nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility towards Tenebroso and Indira. "Yeah, you're right," he agreed. "I just gotta be mature and responsible about this, for the sake of my son."

The older man clapped him on the back, a sign of appreciation for his willingness to be responsible. "That's the spirit," he commended. "You're a good father, and I'm sure Indira will see that too. It'll just take some time for everything to settle."

Arsenio took a deep breath, the weight of his decisions and responsibilities slowly settling on his shoulders. "I hope she'll eventually forgive me," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "I've hurt her deeply, and I know it'll take a long time for her to trust me again, if ever."

"She already trusts you and she has forgiven you. She is crying because she has realised the whole concept. She put you first and now it's her time to be comforted. You may not be there for her, she has Mark to comfort her," the older man said.

Arsenio looked a bit surprised by the older man's words, but he slowly nodded in understanding. "I guess you're right," he mumbled. "She deserves someone who can be there for her, even if it's not me right now."

"I know it hurts, seeing another man comforting her. But if you are there, it will bring back feelings and might hurt the situation more," he said.

Arsenio's shoulders dropped slightly, admitting the truth in the older man's words. "Yeah, I know you're right," he said, sighing. "I just...I hate not being the one to comfort her and support her."

The older man's expression softened, his voice firm yet compassionate. "It's hard accepting that you can't be the one she looks to for comfort and support anymore," he acknowledged. "But it's a part of moving forward and letting her find her own happiness. Even if it hurts, you've got to let go and give her space to find her own path."

Arsenio nodded, albeit grudgingly. "I know," he murmured. "It's just hard to accept. But I guess I have no choice if I really want her to be happy, even if it's not with me."

"You both have agreed to have this breakup, Arsenio you told me that you haven't loved her for a few months. You fell out of love, it's time for you to move on and be happy yourself. But that doesn't mean you force yourself into a relationship, it means that you can heal and be there for your son. Co-parenting can be hard but it is special to know that you both are putting in these effects," he paused and then continued.

 "That means you both want to try to move on. Yes, it will be hard seeing one of your men who you were close to helping her. At least, she has someone, not being alone and scared. She is 21, still a young adult. You and Mark are both older. You both know this place in this world and especially this lifestyle. Indira doesn't so you are here to help her with Co-parenting and Mark is here to be a friend and comfort her," the older man said soothingly.