Richard stepped into the elevator and stood with his head down for several seconds before remembering to push the button for his floor. As the elevator rose upward, he leaned back against the wall, head down. He knew he should feel happy that he’d been offered such a big promotion, but he couldn’t shake off his feelings of gloom.
First Seri will send me to a new office. Then he’ll start canceling dates. And then…
Richard sighed. He wanted to be by Seri’s side forever, and if that meant bringing him coffee every day, Richard would do it happily.
In the back of his mind, Richard wondered if he was jumping to conclusions. Taichi had hinted as much when Richard had shown up alone at The Banana Hammock, but right at that moment Richard just wanted to sink down into his melancholy thoughts. The elevator dinged and he stepped out into the hallway.
Richard wished he could go meet with Seri just like any other Friday evening, but he thought by now Seri was probably annoyed with the way he’d acted in the face of receiving such good news. He hadn’t even dreamed of rising that high when he’d first joined the company, and now here he was, upset over the news.
Why do I always ruin things just when they start going well?
Richard reached up to unlock his door and nearly bowled into Seri, who was blocking the door handle with a small smile on his face.
“I’ve been waiting for you. Gonna let me in?”
Richard stammered. “Seri, what… Why are you here?” He chanced a look at Seri’s face. Doesn’t look angry…
Seri guided his hand to turn the key in the lock, then opened the door himself. “C’mon, we need to talk.”
Richard numbly let himself be guided inside. Seri marched in, beckoning Richard over to the living room couch. Richard sat down, then gathered his courage and asked, “Seri are you not happy anymore?”
Seri stood in front of Richard, taking Richard’s hands in his own and looking down to meet his eyes. “Richard, I am the happiest I’ve been in my entire life. I love you. That’s the first thing I need you to know.” He kissed the back of Richard’s hand.
Richard felt tears spring up immediately. “Really?”
“Really. The second thing I need for you to know is that this is entirely your choice. You do not need to take this promotion. Private life aside, you’ll always have a spot on my team. Always.”
“R- Really?” Richard felt a tear slide down his cheek.
“Really. And the third thing I need you to know is that you’re incredibly talented. You can handle people better than anyone else I’ve ever seen. And while I’m selfish and want to keep you all to myself, all the time, I think that you’ll absolutely shine in this new position. No one can do it better than you. And that’s why I recommended you for this position. Not because I want to be rid of you.”
Seri moved forward and settled himself down on Richard’s lap and wiped away Richard’s tears with his thumb. “Understand?”
Richard closed his eyes, letting his happiness wash over him. He put his arms around Seri’s waist and pulled him closer, burying his face into Seri’s shirt. Seri laughed and put a comforting hand at the back of Richard’s head.
After a few minutes, Richard mumbled, “Seri, would you explain that first part again?”
Seri stopped combing his fingers through Richard’s hair and pulled back slightly so he could lean down to kiss his forehead after each word. “I.” “Love.” “You.” “Richard.”
“Maybe…one more time?”
Seri laughed and stood up. “Maybe I’d better say it differently. C’mon, stand up.”
Richard stood, puzzled. “Okay?”
“Now put your arms around my neck, I’m carrying you to bed.”
“Seri, I’m much too big!”
“How many times have you swept me off my feet? Now quit your protesting and let me do the same.”
Richard uncertainly put his arms around Seri’s neck and exclaimed as Seri bent and scooped his legs up. Richard held on at Seri’s shoulders, trying to distribute some of his weight.
“Now, let’s… go…” Seri took one step and then another. At the third step, his legs wobbled and folded beneath him, sending both of them thumping back down to the floor.
Richard could feel Seri shaking beneath him. He hurriedly got up, a stab of worry piercing his heart. “Seri, are you alright? I’m-”
Seri was laughing, tears rolling down his cheeks. He gasped for air, then clutched at his stomach as another gale of laughter hit him.
“Too… heavy… after all…” he managed, before curling back into a ball and continuing to laugh.
Richard laughed with him. “Seri, I love you so very much.” He scooped him up in his own arms.
“Showoff!” Seri accused, starting to laugh again.
Richard tossed Seri down onto his bed, then loosened his tie. “Now, I believe someone had promised me a detailed explanation.”
Seri beckoned. “Come here, and let me show you.”
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