Confliction ; Joetrick

eight; of good proof and a little bit more

Patrick realised Joe wasn't set on taking them to a particular location, and he was just walking silently with Patrick tagging along behind him; having let go of his arm by now.

"So," Joe spoke up after about a five minute silence of just walking, and he slowed his pace significantly so it was easier to hold a conversation, "What did you want to talk about?"

There was so much swirling around in Patrick's mind right then, it was hard to pick a topic. But he chose the question that bore into his mind the most. He moved to walk beside Joe, but looking straight ahead as he spoke. "Why did you leave early? And then, just ignore me for a week?" He ignored the flicker of hurt in his voice.

Joe sighed, glancing down at the man beside him. Patrick pretended not to notice, wanting to make absolutely no eye contact as they spoke. "I could ask you the same thing."

Indeed, Patrick had been ignoring Joe before, but now he was more confident in how he felt towards Joe. Before, he wanted to hide from his feelings; now, he just accepted that he really liked Joe.

"Look, that was in the past. I'm asking you, now." Patrick abruptly stopped walking, causing Joe to walk several paces ahead before faltering and turning back with a sigh. He wanted a proper, face to face conversation.

"Okay. You want the truth, Patrick? I'll give you the truth." Patrick barely got to nod his head as Joe continued. "You made a mistake. I made a mistake. We both made a mistake. Us, we were a mistake. We shouldn't have happened."

Patrick didn't know what to expect, but Joe looked ready to continue, so he stood stock still in front of him.

"I should've never gotten in the way of your marriage, I should know my boundaries when a man is married. But you? Don't lead a guy on. Don't cheat. I know all this now; and do you wanna know what made me realise this?"

Patrick nodded solemnly while Joe looked like he was trying his hardest to keep calm. Which was understandable.

"I made a mistake pointing out that mistletoe. We nearly kissed, which I know we both wanted -- I know. But that would've been the worst thing to do, especially in your own house! You have a wife. I know that I shouldn't even try to get in her way, because I will never be her. You love her, and you basically hate me. I'm sorry, Patrick, but I can't do this anymore. You clearly can't handle cheating."

Joe gave Patrick one last sorry look, before turning to walk away. Patrick could barely think, his ears still taking in all that was just said; his head still processing it.

Joe was leaving him because he thought Patrick didn't want to like him.

He could imagine how much Joe was hurting, but Patrick was also hurt. Because it wasn't true. It would've been true before, but now, Patrick was ready for the burden of an affair, and he was too late.

He had come to terms with his feelings for Joe, thanks to that week of being ignored, so he didn't want to let it go that easily, he couldn't.

"Joe, wait!" He called down the street, Joe still in earshot. He bounced nervously on the balls of his feet, praying Joe would at least stop.

When Joe slowed to a stop, halfway down the street, Patrick smiled. There was still a sliver of hope. Joe stood, not moving, probably expecting Patrick to catch up to him. So he did. If he would cheat on his wife for Joe, he'd happily run down a street for Joe, even if he couldn't run and regularly refuses to.

He stood himself in front of Joe, to block him from walking any further even though Joe wasn't moving.

"I like you, okay? And I want to like you, so please, let me like you." Patrick stared up at Joe, cursing the fact that this man was six inches taller than him. He wanted to see Joe's expression from as close as possible.