The relationship between Lucas and Sergio grew closer, but new tensions began to surface. Their kisses continued, and the freckled man allowed his friend to approach him, to touch him, responding to his affection with growing confidence. Yet, deep down, he knew he had to confront the shadows of his past. The professor had noticed his scars —marks Sergio could no longer hide. The time had come to share the truth, no matter how much it frightened him.  

He lived with the constant fear that his revelations might push him away. But as their relationship became more serious, the weight of his secrets felt heavier. It was time to let go of the shame and allow Lucas to truly see him.  

Living together in Lucas’s apartment, though new, felt surprisingly natural. Sergio had started learning Lucas’s morning exercise routines, though he struggled to keep up with the professor’s energy. He also became more mindful of keeping his belongings organized. The professor, in turn, adjusted to Sergio’s quirks —like insisting on keeping the small bathroom window open, even if he didn’t fully understand why. He also accepted that Sundays were still workdays for Sergio, who never complained about the extra hours at the university.  

Still, Lucas found himself unsettled by a lingering anxiety. He didn’t want Sergio —his boyfriend— to consider leaving. He was beginning to imagine a future together, but he wasn’t sure how to express his feelings without sounding overbearing. He wanted him to stay, to continue building a shared life, but finding the right words seemed impossible.  

The custodian, for his part, had adjusted significantly since moving in. He had agreed to sleep in Lucas’s room, though he insisted on using a comfortable mattress on the floor beside the bed. They lived like an "almost-couple", navigating new levels of intimacy and setting boundaries as they figured out how to coexist.  

Despite the challenges, Sergio found himself thriving. His routine at the university remained the same, but life felt brighter now. He had a home to return to, a sense of purpose, and a growing determination to pursue his dreams of studying and making a living through his art.  

**  

On one particularly cold morning, something stirred within Sergio —a deep need to open up. Over the past few weeks, he had noticed Lucas slipping out of bed in the middle of the night. The professor would either take sleeping pills or sit by the bedroom window for hours, gazing silently at the street below. Sometimes, he moved to the couch in the living room, where he’d pour his thoughts into his black notebook.

He could see it clearly. Lucas was a tormented man, haunted by his own struggles. But Sergio didn’t know how to help him while he, too, wrestled with his inner demons.  

At breakfast, with Sergio taking his turn to cook, Lucas sat at the dining table, writing in his notebook. The custodian, accustomed to these quiet moments, patiently waited for him to finish. Though Sergio respected the professor’s privacy, he often wondered what thoughts filled those pages, hoping one day he might gather the courage to ask. But to his surprise, it was Lucas who broke the silence, closing the notebook and sliding it across the table.  

“Here. It’s yours,” he said in his usual serious tone.  

Sergio accepted it with a smile, but that smile quickly faded as he glanced at one of the first pages.  

Lucas sighed and leaned back. “I’ve written a lot in there —about my life, my parents, and how they mistreated me. How, for a time, hurting others made me feel better. I’ve also written about us. I don’t know what you’ll think, and I know this isn’t something people usually do… but it helps me, and…” He hesitated, his voice softening. “When you have time, I’d like you to read it.”  

Sergio studied him for a long moment before nodding. He held the notebook tightly and, with it, found the courage to speak.  

“There’s something I need to tell you too, Lucas,” he began, taking a deep breath, his voice steady but measured.

Lucas’s brow furrowed with concern, but he met Sergio’s gaze and said gently, “You can tell me anything.”  

The custodian nodded, a faint sense of calm returning to his expression. “We’ve both had hard lives. There are things we’ve kept to ourselves, things we haven’t shared… but I think it’s time to be honest, now that we’re adults. Thank you for trusting me with your notebook. I promise I’ll read it.”  

He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to serve breakfast first, but instead, he turned off the stove. This wasn’t something he could say while they ate. He decided to sit on the couch and motioned for Lucas to join him. The professor followed, his expression serious.

“After losing my parents, I was raised by my grandmother, who wasn’t, well… she mistreated me, hit me because, according to her, I wasn’t a 'good boy', you know. The fact that… I used my left hand —as strange as it sounds— bothered her. When I did something 'wrong', she’d lock me in a small room. And, to be honest, I still fear tight spaces,” he admitted, glancing toward the bathroom. “When she died, I ended up with my uncle, who… did things he shouldn’t have. I don’t know if you understand what I mean —things an adult should never do to a child.”  

Sergio closed his eyes, holding back tears and clenching his fists as tightly as he could. “I escaped and… lived on the streets. Then... I worked in various places in exchange for food. I ended up in prison because of someone else... what I told you the other day. I survived as best as I could. It wasn't easy.”  

Lucas reached out, taking Sergio’s hands in his. His grip was firm. “I’m so sorry, Sergio… I can’t imagine what you’ve been through,” he said, pulling him into an embrace.  

The freckled man allowed himself to lean into the warmth, whispering, “Thank you for listening. I’m glad I’m here with you.”  

Lucas pulled back slightly, his hands still holding Sergio's. “I know it might be a lot to ask, but…” he hesitated before continuing. “I’d like you to stay here... with me. If you want. Anyway, this is your home.”

Sergio’s eyes widened in surprise. For the first time in years, he felt safe, truly safe, as he let a few tears slip down his cheeks. It was okay to cry sometimes; it wasn’t a sign of weakness.  

After a moment, he found his voice again. “I want you to understand why I’ve lived this way. I’ve always been afraid of disappointing others. I’m tired of feeling like I’m not enough,” he admitted, biting his lip.

Then, with a deep breath, he confessed. “For years, I thought I didn’t deserve to be close to someone like you. But Lucas… you were my motivation. When I thought I couldn’t keep going, I held onto the hope of seeing you again.”  

Lucas’s heart ached at the vulnerability in Sergio’s words. He reached out, cupping his face gently. “You’re more than enough. You’re more than my friend, and I admire you so much, too.”