Saliou's heart threatened to stop. For a moment he thought Saliou might not respond at all. Perhaps it wasn't the right setting for it. Yet he felt it with all his heart, and perhaps the alcohol and the veil of the evening have given him the courage to articulate his thoughts.
Saliou started to blush. He dropped his gaze as he crinkled his nose. "You're such a hopeless romantic, Wren Dumont." Once again, he pulled Wren to him and kissed him deeply, forcing the other's body back in a slight bend. Instinctively, Wren placed his arms around Saliou's waist and pulled him up into an intimate embrace.
"...Sal, don't you still believe we're a Fated Pair?" Wren asked before pulling Saliou into another heated kiss. "I know you've been a skeptic but... don't you believe in what we share? Look here, I'm the only one who recognizes your scent. Isn't that enough proof?"
Saliou felt him place his left hand under his shirt, slowly sliding across his bare skin. He closed his eyes and let out a sharp breath. "I don't know, Wren... It still sounds very much like a propaganda to me. But... does it even matter whether or not we're a Fated Pair?" He opened his eyes and stared right back at Wren. "One thing I'm sure of is that my feelings for you are real."
For now, Wren had no choice but to settle with his answer. It was more than enough. He continued kissing Saliou, his lips trailing down the other's jaw. His hand wandered further down Saliou's body.
"Wren, no..." Saliou reached down and stopped his hand before it reached the hollow of his spine.
Saliou's voice broke Wren from the trance. "I – I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," he muttered contritely.
For a moment it was quiet, and Wren stared blankly at Saliou, watching him as he tucked his shirt back into his pants. Later on the silence was broken when Saliou cleared his throat and said, "I'll be moving out with Milou to a studio apartment in Glapshire next month. It's much closer to where I'll be working."
"Glapshire? That's in the next state, isn't it?" Wren replied quickly, sounding relieved by the change in subject.
Saliou nodded. "It's just a bus ride away."
Wren rested his chin on Saliou's shoulder and whispered in his ear. "Good news for us, then. I can go and visit you any time without having to worry about anyone suddenly barging in on us."
"Hmm, why's that?" Saliou's forehead crinkled. "What are you planning to do, Mr. Dumont?"
Wren wasn't sure if the other was riding on his suggestive remark or was quite simply oblivious to it. He chortled as he shook his head faintly. "I'm looking forward to a fun housewarming party," he said, putting an end to that part of their conversation.
And then, another silence. Saliou kept staring at the rippling reflections in the pond, while Wren followed his gaze.
"How did you know I was here, anyway?" Saliou asked, keeping his gaze on the pond.
"Like I said, I traced your scent," Wren answered in a smooth tone.
Saliou slowly shifted his eyes to look at Wren. "Really...? Is it coming off too strong?"
"Mm-hmm... I guess your next cycle's drawing close."
Saliou sighed as he leaned to the side, his head coming to rest on Wren's shoulder.
"Sal?" Wren whispered.
"I'm... I'm worried it might clash with my internship," Saliou responded quietly.
Wren tipped Saliou's chin up so he could look in his eyes. "Hey, you'll be fine," he said, as if dismissing Saliou's concerns as foolish. "Just take the suppressants on time, and there won't be any problem. You'll see. You'll do great." He wanted to kiss Saliou again, but he wasn't giving off the right signal anymore. He settled for a tight embrace, rocking the other in his arms. "Look at you. You're one step closer to your dream now..."
The young couple stayed locked in each other's arms for a moment. Then Wren drew back. He inhaled and met Saliou's gaze, his blue-gray eyes resolute. "Where else are we going from here, Sal? Soon enough the idea of marriage will come up. Right?"
For a few seconds they just sat there, looking at each other. The question genuinely surprised Saliou, like he hadn't even thought about it. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat. "Are you perhaps... already planning to get married? Like, soon? I – I mean, I'm not saying I don't want to marry you. It's just that..." His voice trailed off.
Wren took his hands in his and tugged gently. "I wish I could marry you right here, right now. But I know you're not ready for such a big commitment. At least not yet. I know it's not at the top of your priorities right now, and I understand that. But you know what's a more immediate concern?" He gazed up at Saliou through hooded eyes. "I'm sorry to put the pressure on you this time but, it's about time we tell Milou about us."
This time, it was no longer a question nor a suggestion. It was a plea for action.
"How many years has it been, Sal? We've kept him in the dark too long. Far too long. We can't keep going like this."
Saliou lowered his head and bit his lips. "Aren't we... fine like this?"
Hearing the other's words, Wren felt flooded with disappointment, tinged with frustration. "No, it's not fine like this. Please allow me to love you freely. Allow me to show everyone you're mine." He let out a deep sigh as he leaned his forehead against Saliou's. "I've started to look at Milou like some rival for your affection. And I hate that I'm feeling this way."
Keeping his eyes downcast, Saliou muttered, "But if Milou finds out, he'll hate me..."
An involuntary grunt made its way to Wren's throat. "Think about how I feel about this situation, babe. I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. You won't want it to come to a point where he'll find out only when we're already engaged. That's absurd. Pure betrayal."
There was silence. Saliou wasn't sure how to respond and was fearful that, if he got it wrong, Wren would be even more disappointed.
"Milou isn't a kid anymore. It's about time he faced reality. Hell, he walks around all the time in such a cushioned-up life. It's no wonder he doesn't do anything like a real grownup. You've spoiled him too much." His hands cupped Saliou's face. "You have to let him know, Sal. Let him know right now."
"Save your breath."
Wren and Saliou turned their heads around in surprise. When they saw who it was, their hearts immediately turned cold.
It was Milou, standing by the entryway with a wine bottle in hand; indignation and contempt written all over his face.
"Is that how you've seen me as this whole time?" Milou's eyes shot toward Wren's face. "A nuisance? Someone who's getting in the way of your love?"
"M-Milou, listen here..." Saliou said shakily. He stood up, cautiously approaching his brother.
Milou gripped the wine bottle even more tightly, trying to control his temper. "How long have you been keeping this from me?" he asked between gritted teeth.
Wren stood up and pulled Saliou aside. "Six years," he replied resolutely. "We've been going out for six years."
At first Milou looked shocked, but soon enough a mocking smirk appeared on his face. "So you mean to tell me," he said getting in Wren's face, "that you two had me completely duped for six years?" His eyes were filled with pain and resentment. "Great. Really fucking great!"
Before Milou could turn and walk away, Wren grabbed his arm and brought him to a halt. "You can't be like this, Milou. You're being unfair."
"I'm being unfair?" The older twin scoffed. "Do you know how long you two have made me look like the biggest fool? Do you know what you've put me through?"
"What we've put you through...?" Saliou interjected. "Give me a break, Milou. We didn't do anything wrong."
"Like you didn't do anything wrong when you decided to keep me in the dark for years?!" asked Milou through bitter tears. "How could you betray me like this? You know I love Wren, for God's sake!"
"This is exactly what your brother's afraid of," Wren cut in. "Don't displace your anger on him, Milou. Go ahead and be angry with me."
Sniffling, Milou wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "How could I...? All this time, you know I love you. But you've just been playing with my feelings!"
"I did not," Wren opposed. "I made it as obvious to you as possible." He made a dramatic pause, before continuing, "You know I love you, Milou. I really do. But that love is different from the one I feel for Saliou. I love you as a friend, a brother. But to me Saliou is something more than that."
Milou kept crying, hiccupping as he tried to catch his breath. "I guess... I guess I knew all this time." He looked up at the other with a pained expression, a torrent of tears flowing from his bloodshot eyes. "I just... refused to see it. I wanted you... all to myself."
Wren approached Milou and placed his hands on his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Milou, I can't return your feelings. Someday, you'll understand. So please... can't you just be happy for us?"
"Wren Dumont, you're asking too much of me. I can't do that right now," Milou responded with utter bitterness. Then he said, voice gentle, almost pleading: "Why can't you love me the same way you love Saliou? Why can't you just love the both of us?" He was bawling uncontrollably. Wren reached out a hand to comfort him but he quickly pulled away.
Saliou tagged after his brother as he turned to walk away. "Milou, wait!" He caught up with him in the middle of the stone pathway, catching hold of his arm. "Please," he said breathlessly, "don't leave like this. Tell me what to do. Tell me how to make things better. Let's fix this." His eyes were pleading, begging even.
Milou's lips twisted in bitter resignation. Slowly he turned to his brother and said, "Sometimes I wish you don't exist."
Saliou did not expect his own brother to cause him pain as deep as this. With just a few words, his heart was shattered. "Stop it. You're breaking my heart," he said, voice trembling. He refused to let go of Milou's hand. "You're just saying that because you're angry."
"Yes, I am!" Milou yelled as he yanked his hand away. "I could care less if you're heartbroken! That makes the two of us!"
Silence fell between them, broken only by stifled sobs.
Finally Milou said, "But I guess we have no choice. I'm stuck with you, and you're stuck with me. We'll just have to live through it." He then raised the wine bottle to his lips, took a final big swig, then pushed it over to Saliou. "Well, what else can I say? You won this time. Congratulations."
Once again, he turned to walk away.
"No..." Saliou fell to his knees and began to sob. He was so devastated, he could hardly think or breathe.
Wren walked towards him, watched him with a saddened expression. The sight of Saliou on his knees as Milou walked away tore his heart. He'd seen the other cry before, but it was nothing compared to the agony he was feeling now.
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