Looking Toward the Future

Promise

Florida Man was paralyzed from shock for some time before Ellis laid a hand on his shoulder.

"You okay there?" Ellis asks in concern.

"I'm.....just gonna go to my room." Florida Man says quietly. His shoulders slumped as he walked to his room. He opens the door, going to the bed. He lays there, staring at the wall.

So many emotions ran through his mind, yet he still felt numb. He just stared at the wall, letting what happened sink in. His eyes burned from the tears. He chokes on a sob, his body shaking from sadness. His heart felt like it had been ripped in his chest. He curled up into a ball, wrapping blankets around himself.

Soon Beth walked in, sitting next to him. He sat up, crying into the blanket.

"Do you want a hug?" She asks.

Florida Man nods and in pulled into an embrace. He cries, shuddering. His throat burns more, but he can't stop.

"You're going to be alright." Beth soothed.

"But, will A-Aussie be alright? I-" He sobs, unable to continue talking.

"You're afraid he will leave you, aren't you?" Beth observes.

Florida Man went silent and nodded. He cleared his throat and cringed. He curled up in the blanket again as he shivered.

"He'll be back soon, I promise. Do you want me to call him?" Beth asked, wanting him to feel better.

"Please?" Florida Man said hoarse from illness and crying.

Beth says nothing back and opens up her phone. The phone rings a few times before she gets an answer.

"Hello." Australian Man growled.

"Flor wants to know if you're okay. He's worried as hell about you." Beth said.

"Will you hand the phone over to him?" Australian Man asked, anger leaving his voice.

"Of course." Beth says, handing the phone over to Florida Man.

"Hi, Aussie." Florida quietly says, voice wavering slightly.

"You've been crying, haven't you?" Australian Man asks in concern, all traces of anger gone. He hears a sniff on the other line, answering his question. "...I'll be back in five minutes."

Florida Man said "Okay, I love you. "

"Love you too."

Australian Man hangs up the phone and a weight is lifted off of Florida Man's shoulders. A look of relief crosses his features. He wipes the tears off his face and takes a deep breath.

Meanwhile, Ellis was cooking some more soup. She hears the door open and unaware of the state Australian Man was in. His eyes, rimmed and red. His face, wet with tears and red from anger.

"I can tell you are stressed, Aus. Take a deep breath or two." Ellis said as the chicken noodle soup came to a simmer.

He followed her advice, calming down from the previous blinding rage. He wiped the tears of fury. He relaxed slightly.

"I'm going to head up the stairs." He said.

Ellis nods, and goes back to humming her song.

Australian Man walked up the stairs, feeling unprepared to face Florida Man. He pulled open the door. Florida Man's eyes flickered with joy. His genuine smile, the beam of light it is, showed.

Beth nods at Australian Man and takes that as her cue to leave the room.

Australian Man sat on the bed next to him. He is wrapped in a hug and he grins. The moment of silence between the two relaxed them, and Florida Man leaned his head on Australian Man's shoulder. Australian Man rests his head on Florida Man's.

Australian Man takes a breath and said "Look, I'm sorry. There was no excuse for me to explode on you like that, and I apologize."

"I accept your apology, Aussie. I understand you were stressed." Florida Man says, showing forgiveness.

"Still, there was absolutely no excuse." Australian Man says firmly.

Things go quiet between the two of them once again.

"I was afraid you were going to leave..." Florida Man mumbled.

"I wasn't, I promise you. In fact, I won't leave you.  I promise." Australian Man said in a soothing tone.

Florida Man started to feel unbearably hot and groaned, "Let me go please, it's so hot in here." He kicked off the blanket.

Australian Man let go and asked "Since I know you like to be touched, would you rather me play with you hair."

"Mhm." Florida Man nodded, laying on Australian Man's lap. Australian Man ran his hands through Florida Man's hair. Florida Man smiled in delight. Australian Man grinned at the soft smile of his boyfriend.

After around 30 minutes, Florida Man fell asleep in Australian Man's lap. He snored softly, looking peaceful. Australian Man cooed at the precious sight. He continued playing with Florida Man's soft hair.

Australian Man decided to browse Netflix, looking for an animal documentary. He finds one and puts it on. A few hours later Ellis quietly walked in, checking on them.

Australian Man gestured to the sleeping Florida Man, putting a finger to his lips.

"I see. You should get some sleep, it's bordering on midnight!" Ellis whispered loudly.

"I will." Australian Man yawned.

"Beth is already asleep, and she is adorable! I love her so much." Ellis gushed.

"Ha, that's kind of gay." Australian Man snickered.

"Not gayer than you." Ellis retorted smugly.

"I'm bi, but yeah it's true" He laughed, shrugging it off. He kissed Florida Man's forehead tenderly and played with his hair.

"Welp, Imma go cuddle with my girlfriend now." Ellis said, making her way back to her and Beth's room.

"Goodn- Oh you left already." Australian Man said. He eventually slumped over, falling asleep watching animal documentaries.