You know the feeling of sleeping over, waking up and you wonder if you’ve teleported to another universe. The whiteness of the walls and comfort of the apartment got Spence intrigued with who he slept with. His suit and tie still smelt of the club and casino. Very lucky he wasn’t taken advantage of. Hungover, he grasped the water that a gentleman poured on his bedside that morning. He looked up. The big man in his lounge clothes, enjoying the view. “Hell- o.” “Hm? Good afternoon.” Spencer realised for the second time who he was talking to. “I-... I know I’m pathetic. I can’t get up, I’m sorry Diego.” “Who said you had to get up? You’re hungover.” Spencer looked the other way in embarrassment, “Thanks for letting me know.” He closed his eyes. “No, I’ll leave you be, I’m sorry for being a nuisance.” “No, Spencer… rest first, and leave when you feel good.” “Diego, I don’t deserve your help… I fucked up recently and-” Diego interrupted assuring he’s not burdening him, shortly after he fell back asleep. Later that night he awoke. It was dark out. He awoke from his day nap. The balcony light was switched on, just light enough for him to see. “He’s being way too nice to me, I have nothing to pay him back with.” There was a note, a glass of water, and clothes folded on the chair. “Feel free to have my food. If you have a home or place to go to, go ahead. You can return the clothes when we meet up next time. ### ### ### <- (my new phone no) Keep in touch! You’re welcome here as well.” Tears streamed down his face. He is so many people’s dream man, if this is how he treats a distant friend, how lucky would his partner be? Spencer got up, dressed, took a granola bar and took a hike. It was night, he was tired. This was a good opportunity to clear his head. The fresh air broke the past few days of staleness. Peace for once. He pondered on the next step. Work leave with no pay, his intention at the club became a reality as he has a place to go to, but he couldn’t just take it as a vacation, he needed something to keep his mind active. Volunteering would keep him from feeling useless, but what about money? He thought he might as well get a part time job, hopefully one before the end of his leave. It seemed as though his stuff in his rented apartment would have to be transported out. By the end of his walk, it was concluded that he shall go back to living with Diego. Living with him in a dire situation would bring them back to old times. He rang the door bell of his to-be roommate Diego. The sexy Columbian opened the door. “Hm? Spencer!” The green one went greener. “Hey. I’m… a trainwreck. Can I explain in the morning?” They both went to bed. The next morning Spencer got up early. He didn’t sleep all that well next to the finest man in the world, he woke from a light sleep turned to him, he was still facing the other way. He brewed the kettle and made some toast. Diego awoke. He was asked if he wanted tea or coffee. Normal tea to warm one's heart, green to calm the other down. Spencer explained everything from his gambling and financial problems, how he got laid off, to his lack of trust in his own family. Diego listened and offered him to stay. Afterwards they caught up. Both had flings since their season, and both found it easy to move on quickly. Their lovely conversation was much needed for both of them. Later that day, Spencer got his eviction notice, so he rushed back to his rental to retrieve his stuff with Diego's help.

Monday came, Diego got up at 6am for his zoo guide. Spencer woke up confused at first because of his absence. He hopped on his computer, he had forgotten to connect to the flat’s wi-fi. After a minute he was on, job seeking or finding volunteer work. He found work as a back of house sorter at an op-shop. He even did something his 21 year old self wouldn’t be caught dead doing, applying for unemployment benefits. Days whizzed by, and the connection between the two grew closer. Diego taught Spencer how to cook Colombian cuisine. Although this strayed from Spencer’s English taste, he caught on… with a few instances of getting technique wrong, such as to summon the Colombian in his home. “Nonononono, you’re doing it wrong.” The Englishman cooked every night for them. A weekend rolled around. Spencer had befriended some other fellow volunteers at the op-shop and had started hanging out with them outside of shifts. Diego had a similar relationship with his co-workers. Diego’s co-workers went out to visit family members who flew from Colombia to visit that weekend, so Spencer invited him to meet the lovely people he befriended. After talking some intelligent shit, someone asked the roommates. “Are you two in a relationship? You two must spend a lot of time together.” She was older, so such questions weren’t as intrusive in her era. “Mandy! Sorry guys, you two just bounce off each other really well.” After some further mindless chatting, they had the bright idea to have a browse at the op-shop. Volunteering there meant they naturally had VIP membership cards. Spencer had some money to spend, he hadn’t blown any money gambling since he met up with Diego because he didn’t want to waste any while living under someone else's roof. “So, are you gonna buy any new clothes?” Diego smiled at his little lady. Spencer chuckled. “I don’t think Op-shop is considered new. Yet, I do need some new staples.” They were both in the men's section. Old man pants, stuffy blazers, dad polos, dull colours. Red, orange, blue or most egregiously green if any. Spencer picked up the nicest looking thing he saw, spacing out entirely. With true instinct, he picked up the clothing of the nicest quality. A dull green jacket, very functional, looked comfortable to wear. “I still don’t understand how you wore so much green when your favourite colour is lavender.” Spencer looked down in shame. “Oh, sorry! I didn’t know I crossed a line. I just… had to state my opinion.” His head jolted up again. He couldn’t lead his mate to believe he offended him. “Oh! No, don’t be! Reminds me of Jade more than anything…” Diego warmly started walking toward the woman’s clothes. Spencer naturally followed, thinking they were walking to the exit. He looked at him encouraging him to venture into more lavender clothes. Spencer picked out a few things to try on. A knit sweater, blazer, and the most daring thing; baggy jeans. All three different shades of lavender. Spencer walked out in his pants, the other co-workers were on the other side of the store. They were a lower rise, but not low enough to shave, quite comfortable. “You look most fabulous in that, mi amigo!” Spencer looked at the guy he was shopping with. Why did he wear the tight tan shorts? Why did he have to sit down, he looked like he was admiring him on a runway. His eyes weren’t checking out the fit either, his eyes were at his face. “Well, I suppose you’d like to see me take it off tonight, hm?” The inexperienced flirter said that with the straightest face. “Are you gonna buy it then?” Diego chuckled. Spencer blushed, is he out of touch with love to say something as ridiculous as that in public? They bid farewell to Mandy and the others, with more clothes in their bag. To the apartment they crashed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what I was thinking at that moment.” Diego chuckled. “So, my feelings from team red years ago are finally being reciprocated?” The two had the most open conversation after that. Both laid in bed, no longer on the edges opposite each other, but now a tiny bit closer to the middle, not touching but facing together like a renaissance painting. They concluded that they needed to spend as much time together as possible before their time was out. The following morning, Spence awoke the same time Diego did. Usually he’d hate a 6am start, but for the man of his life, he was very willing. They got dressed and Spencer joined him on his commute to work. Once there, he waited in a nearby library to warm up and wait for the zoo to open. It felt very wrong spending a day with a friend on a weekday, but he joined the tour. The kids loved him because Spencer was telling them wildlife facts. “I feel like I shouldn’t be here with you when you’re supposed to be working." He whispered to him on his lunch break. “I told you, it’s fine. You’re not coming here every day.” At the end of the shift, Diego finished up his work after the Zoo closed up while Spencer sat in the park, scrolling. It was 6:30pm. They chatted out the day as they walked from the trolley home, especially the young adults who seemed to have it on for Diego. “I hope those girls didn’t make you jealous.” “Haha, you wish. I already know you’re mine.” “Hm… you really like flirting now, do you Spencer?” “Uhm. Well you brought it up.” His tone went defensive as he folded his shoulders and turned his head away. “I suppose I did. Well, now that we’ve spent… the past month or so together, I’d love to… get to know you better.” “So it’s a date.” “Well, only if you don’t vote me off this island over it.” “Pft… no, I’m not making that mistake again.” They walk home together. That night, most of the bed was vacant, but it couldn't fit another person on either side. If you wondered who the big spoon was, take a solid guess before you die or go.

Their first date was at a pub. Talking about their week, goals and what they’ve heard from their friends. They walked the route home that was most picturesque. London’s lights shining on the Thames. “Last person I talked to was Ted. He’s actually competent in the casino… kinda regret getting so confident with my gambling skills.” “Well, I’ve talked to Logan. He’s worried when you went quiet on socials a few years ago.” “Yeah… you know… I don’t remember much of him if I’m being honest.” “Except that kiss hmm? I bet he’d taste pretty sweet” “That’s another one of my regrets… but yes, you can find out how he tastes.” Spencer turned to Diego “Really?” Diego replied. “You can also find out how my first boyfriend tasted.” He grasped his hands. “My lovers after that.” Looked deep into his eyes. “My vaseline.” He turned his head to think. “I’ve brushed and flossed a few times there.” Diego put his hand on Spencer’s face. “Maybe that steak I just had as well while I’m at it." He leaned in and took it. Finally, both to the side in a public place, connected. Diego tasted as sweet as you could imagine, Spencer tasted salty, but some salt came out. Diego chose wisely to not have the shrimp. “Logan tastes nice indeed.” Date nights became frequent after that, same with making out in bed. Alas, clothes were still on but no amount of fabric could conceal a pair of boners.

“And that’s how I met your Father.”

This story is not A.I, but it's so gnarly, it may as well be. Stay strong out there, artists and authors!