The Artist & The Dancer

V

"No Cadence. I'm done!" Dan spun around, reaching for the sharp wood that was cutting into his back. In one sure motion he snapped a branch and immediately swung towards Cadence, who, as if in slow motion, leant backwards, smacked the branch from Dan's hand and grabbed him by the shirt.  Dan's head banged against the tree with a force that shook leaves from the branches. Cadence's breath was heavy, his eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes were now filled with an anger that almost matched Dan's own. Dan could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead, yet they were being washed away by the rain. He tried to move, but the force that his companion was applying to his body seemed immovable. Cadence stepped closer until their noses touched and looked directly into Dan's wide eyes.
"Now you listen here Dan Taylor! You kissed me two months ago! You told me you loved me! What happened to all that? What changed during those two months?"
Dan felt his heart drop in pressure. An overwhelming stillness waved through his body until he was completely paralyzed. The rain began to let up, now only a little drizzle fell from the sky. Dan met Cadences angry eyes.
"I changed my mind. I want to live a normal life without all the drama. Plus, I thought you were gone forever. I had to find a way to move on so I could keep working and that's what I did."
Dan had completely lost his ability to think. Part of it made sense. He did move on from Cadence, although it was hard, he did it. But he knew it wasn't true. He hadn't lost all his feelings for the male ballet dancer. They were just tucked away somewhere deep in his heart where he couldn't find them.
"Come on Dan. You know that's not true." Cadence spat, as if he had read Dan's mind.
"How did you get back? I mean, you went into the portal. No one has ever come back from there." breathed Dan, changing the subject. He was still in shock from the dancer's sudden aggressive behavior, his brown eyes filled with worry and self doubt. Cadence's eyes softened slightly as Dan finished his question.
" That's why it took me so long to come back. I had to spend a full two moons on the other side before I could travel back through the portal again. But over there, Dan, it's so different. There's people like us! People who love someone of the same gender. That's why I was so determined to come back. So I could bring you with me! But, I guess it was all a waste now because you obviously don't..."
"Love you? Cadence I love you, with all my heart. But, it's just that I can't just forget those two months, they were so painful. I haven't necessarily healed yet."
"Let me help you then," whispered Cadence as he closed the distance between his and Dan's lips. Cadences grip dropped, Dan relaxed and stepped away from the tree. The memories he had tried to forget flooded back into Dan's brain as the kiss lingered. After what seemed like an eternity, Cadence broke away. He smiled at Dan and grabbed his hand in his own. They nodded to each other, then took off running until they reached the front doors of the castle, pushing the huge mahogany doors open with a force that almost knocked them off their hinges.
This was their only way out.