(PRESENT) FOUR YEARS LATER
An alarm rang. Persistent. BZZZZ. BZZZZ. BZZZZ. A hand lazily swiped at the sound, missing the snooze button. BZZZZ. BZZZZ. BZZZZ. Another try… and miss. BZZZZ. BZZZZ. BZZZZ.
“Cam…” a voice groaned, “turn it off.”
“Trying.”
Cameron managed to slam the phone screen, flipping it off the side table and onto carpet. The alarm stopped. He had no idea how long for; he didn’t care. An arm slid around his body, pulling him closer. He felt warm breath and lips on the back of his neck.
“Teo,” he flinched, “that tickles…”
Mateo continued kissing the back of his neck. “I know.”
Somehow, Cameron managed to turn around in Mateo’s grip, kissing his nose. “Meanie.”
“Payback for the excessive alarm ringing.” Mateo nuzzled their noses together. “I don’t even have lectures today.”
“Lucky you.”
“Oh, hush.” Mateo kissed him. “You love it.”
Cameron kissed him back, his heart singing. He felt so damn lucky. “Love you more.”
Reluctantly, Mateo pulled away. “You’ll be late. I don’t want to be responsible.”
“Won’t be late if I don’t go at all,” Cameron countered sleepily.
Mateo shook his head, smiling. “You’re logic astounds me sometimes.”
Cameron leaned in for another kiss; Mateo tried, and failed, to resist. When Cameron’s hands wandered down his back, Mateo pushed back.
“Seriously, go on. Shoo.”
“Ugh, fine.” Cameron dragged himself out of bed, stretching. “Guess I’ll go make breakfast as an apology for the alarm.”
“So long as you don’t burn the place down.”
“Hey, I’ve never done that…” Cameron coughed, “here.”
Mateo chuckled, watching him leave the bedroom. “Every arsonist has to start somewhere.”
Yawning, Cameron stumbled out of the room. He scanned the small flat, shuffling towards the kitchen. Still bigger than he was used to. Opening cupboards and the fridge, he gathered pancake ingredients. He turned the leftmost stove top ring on. Greasing and heating a pan, he mixed everything together.
The first pancake was always a flop. Cameron had come to accept that. He poured another batch of batter. Hands wrapped around his waist; a subtle weight pressed into his back.
“So, what’s for breakfast?”
“Pancakes,” Cameron answered.
Mateo peered around his torso. “Those had better be Fabian’s secret recipe.”
“Would I do any other kind?”
“Hope not.”
“You know,” Cameron held the spatula at an awkward angle, “it’s hard flipping them when you’re doing that.”
“Think of it as a challenge.”
“Mmm, yes.” Cameron grabbed the pan handle. “A challenge that’ll end up with our breakfast on the floor.”
“You can do it.” Mateo snuggled into his back. “I believe in you, Cam.”
Cameron sighed, managing to flip the pancake he was working on.
“See, told you.” Mateo let him go. “I’m always right.”
“Thought that was just with maths stuff.”
“Flipping pancakes is maths,” Mateo stated confidently. “You can figure out optimal flipping and success rates with equations.”
“Maybe you can.” Cameron placed the first successful pancake on a plate. “I would totally burn this place down before I worked it out.”
Before long, they had a stack of pancakes. Ready to be eaten. Mateo slathered syrup on his; Cameron squeezed lemon juice and sprinkled sugar. While eating, Cameron checked his phone. He still had half an hour. He smiled at his current background, an old picture of him and Mateo, taken a year after their first fateful meeting.
It felt so long ago.
“We were so young there.” Mateo smiled, staring at the picture too. “Our first date at the park.”
“Don’t know if that one counted.”
“Of course it did!” Mateo slammed his hand on the table, over-enthusiastic. “We just didn’t know it yet.”
Cameron stabbed a piece of pancake with his fork. “Shame we were too chicken to admit it, huh.”
“It’s something we can laugh about now.” Mateo reached over, placing a hand over Cameron’s. “Besides, most teenagers are insecure.”
“Especially when it comes to gay dating.”
“Oh, yes.” Teo counted each reason on his fingers. “Wondering if the person you like is gay too. The fear that they are but won’t like you back. Even if they do, hoping they want something more long term. Praying their family is accepting. Then, all the usual dating conundrums.”
“A mighty list,” Cameron agreed.
“I’d say we had it relatively easy.” Teo shoveled pancake into his mouth. “All things considered.”
Cameron nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“Speaking of,” Mateo beamed, “we should go on a date.”
“Today?”
“When else, silly? It’s been tooooo long.”
As much as Cameron wanted to, he also felt obligated to tease Mateo a little. “I have a lecture, remember.”
“Did you say that?” Mateo asked innocently.
“You are,” Cameron sighed, “infuriating.”
After breakfast, Mateo and Cameron left their flat. The lecture could wait. They walked hand in hand down the street. Mateo hummed, gently swinging their arms. In the distance, they spotted a familiar face.
Jerry Adler.
When he noticed, he waved them down. “Fancy seeing you guys here.”
“Hey, J,” Cameron greeted.
“It’s been so long!” Mateo exclaimed, waving back.
“Yeah,” Jerry rolled his shoulders, “was away on business.”
“Sounds mysterious.”
“Ha,” Jerry chuckled, “probably not as exciting as you would expect.”
Cameron could barely recognise the man stood before them. Not the same Jerry Adler from their constant school fights. They both calmed down significantly since; surrounding themselves with support and therapy helped. They needed it.
“So,” Cameron squeezed Mateo’s hand, “you’re not playing in the top leagues yet.”
“Not quite.” Jerry shrugged. “Local team will have to do, for now.”
“You always were ambitious.”
“You know, when you say it like that, it sounds like another word for jerk. And you wouldn’t be wrong.” Jerry’s phone buzzed. “Ah, one moment. Hey. Yeah. Mhm. Oh, that’s wonderful! I knew you could do it. I’m taking you to that new ice cream parlour later. My treat. Yup. Funnily enough, I've crossed paths with them. Just now. Of course. Alright, speak to you soon.”
Mateo tilted his head, curious. “What was that about?”
Jerry’s smile could eclipse the sun, filled with pride. “Elise’s work was finally accepted to one of the galleries.”
“About goddamn time,” Cameron said.
“I know. You don’t have to tell me.” Jerry rubbed his chin, contemplating his friend’s imminent celebration. “Guess I have to go find a cake. As soon as she knows the details, she'll send you guys some exhibition tickets.”
“She better,” Mateo said.
“Got to dash.” Jerry waved as he continued down the street. “Speak soon!”
Mateo watched him leave, then turned to Cameron. “He really is like a different person, huh.”
“Personal growth is a strange,” Cameron sighed, “sometimes scary, thing.”
“Lots can change in four years,” Mateo said as they started walking towards the park again.
“Damn, has it really been that long already?”
“Yes. Not sick of me already,” Mateo looked up at Cameron, “are you?”
Cameron brought Mateo’s hand to his lips, kissing it. “Never.”
Smiling, Mateo reached up and kissed his cheek. “Who would’ve thought that brash and brazen boy I met all those years ago could be so sweet.”
They continued until they reached the local park. Finding a good bench, they sat down. Mateo rested his head against Cameron’s shoulder, still holding hands.
“You know, I was thinking. If it wasn’t for Jerry, we probably would’ve never spoken.”
“A weird thought, isn’t it? A bully inadvertently being helpful.”
“No kidding.” Cameron took out his phone, moving his head closer. “I think it’s time we updated my background, don’t you?”
“You know me,” not skipping a beat, Mateo leaned in, “always ready for the paparazzi.”
At the last moment, Mateo pulled a silly face. Cameron shook his head, changing the picture anyway. That was one thing he really loved about Mateo, his ability to brighten the world. Even if it was at his own expense.
-------------------------------
Personal growth for everyone. Might explore the deats more later.
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