𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻.

I like sappy. I thought we’d determined that. Keep up with the program, slowpoke. 

Any time, huh? So, like, any time? I’ll remember that. Speaking of, we should go to the movies later. And the library. Let me take you to dinner. 😈

Patrick does have a great way of seducing people, we both know that. Very well. It’s pretty much his whole aesthetic. But…I don’t know. I want the Ander way of seducing, not the Patrick way of seducing. From you, anyway. 

At some point, sweetheart, we’re going to have to talk about that. I don’t want there to be any questions between us, we’ve had enough of that already. More than enough. We can make this easy on ourselves if we, you know, actually talk. Communicate. It’s a crazy concept, I know. We’ll take it slow, I’ll help you. 

[PM:] Likely, exactly. Absolutely likely. I’ve got a bunch more, don’t worry. 

Ander, you…Wow. You just love catching me off-guard, don’t you? I love you, Ander. I feel like I’ve waited forever to hear you say that, again. That I’m yours, officially. That’s all I’ve wanted, from the first time we met. I mean, for starters no one had ever thanked me for giving them drugs, it was quite romantic. 

I am, yeah. A real, full-blown conversation. I don’t mean to push things, I’m just tired of the back and forth. We’ve all contributed to it somehow in some way or another. And sure, the excitement was cool for a bit. The mystery. But…People got hurt, and no one had to. Not when all we wanted was each other in some capacity or another. You’re both special to me, in different ways and for different reasons. I just don’t want us to end up back in the same place, where we were. That’s what scares me the most, I think. Worrying if you’ll want him more than me, or if he’ll want you more than me or if he’ll get hurt and left out by our wanting each other. If we all want each other in some capacity, why not let that happen? Why complicate things? He’s…You know he feels like you and I will always trump everything. Like we’ll always be the golden couple. And yeah, part of me really likes that, you know? Like…It’s always been me and you. And the fact that we keep finding our way back to each other, it means something. But Patrick deserves happiness too. And he keeps finding his way back to us, and we do to him too. I don’t know- I’m rambling, I know but I’m…Do you get what I’m trying to say?

Right, of course. How could I forget? 

...You know what? Fuck it. You’re on. Take me wherever you want. 

The Ander way of seducing? I doubt it’s anywhere remotely near as impressive, but if that’s what you want... I guess I could try. For my boyfriend. 

Any chance we can try out this communicating thing while your hand is in my pants? Might help make me feel a little more... up for the conversation. 

[PM:] Hmmph. You’d better. 

Since we first met? Really? Gee, I guess it really doesn’t take much to seduce you. Oh, yeah - I love you too, dummy. Thanks again for... everything.

Sorry. I don’t mean to be too much, or anything. I just…Anyway, yes. It did work. 

You know…I don’t know if that says more about us, or you. Not that it matters, I guess. It got us here. For everything it has been, and as crazy as it has been, we’re still here. You could try it though, still. You know. Seducing us. Me. If you wanted. 

You have been lately, yeah. But still. I guess I still don’t want too push too many of the boundaries. Whatever they are. 

[PM:] Me? Smoke without you? Never. Maybe we did, but I- 

I’m sorry, boyfriends? Said boyfriends- that’s what you had said, yeah? I’m not hallucinating?

I….Ander, you know I want to be. I mean I’m yours, I’ve always been yours but I wasn’t sure…If you were back there yet. If we were back there yet. Or what it might mean. Or entail. Or…But I want to be. I hope we can be. I hope we are. And…And Patrick?

You’re not too much. You’re... just enough. Perfect. Fuck, that was sappy. 

Hey, I’m not complaining. Even though you have the coldest fucking hands on the planet... you can put them in my pants any time. 

Yeah? Maybe I will. I’ll have to ask Patrick for some tips. 

With you? I’m not sure I have any. ...Well, maybe a few things. But for the most part... I’m down for trying whatever you want to. 

[PM:] Hmm. Likely story. 

I did say boyfriends. And I meant boyfriends. 

Yeah? Cool. Good. I was hoping you’d agree. 

Oh you weren’t, huh? Well, that’s definitely not how it came across. You might think that, but I’d beg to differ. I’m pretty positive Patrick would too. Do you attempt to seduce people often, Ander? I think you’re plenty good at it. It’s me who feels like an awkward dote.

Might be? I’m offended. Grievance. 

[PM:] Really, though, all of it. I don’t know, babe. There’s just something about you. Just the image that goes with everything you’ve said. I can’t get it out of my head. I can’t get you out of my head. 

I wasn’t, but... I guess I’m glad it worked? 

Not really, no. I mean, I made a joke about you wanting to suck my dick, and the next thing I knew, we were making out under a bridge and you were trying to get your hand down my pants. With Patrick, he was checking me out in the shower. I’ve never really had to try too hard to seduce either of you. 

You say that like I’m not pretty much always 100% DTF when it comes to you. Especially lately, anyway. 

[PM:] ...Have you been smoking without me? Now I’m offended, I thought we agreed to share. That’s what boyfriends do - share pot together. Right? 

Don’t get me wrong, I definitely have a ton of things to say about…Well, everything you’ve just said. But, just very quickly, I have to ask- do you try to be this sexy? Or, is it something that just comes that naturally? Asking for a friend. Either way, I for one am in trouble. 

I... wasn’t trying to be, if that’s what you’re asking? I was just answering your questions. If anything, I’d guess that I’m less sexy when I’m attempting to... seduce someone, or whatever. I’m not really good at that kind of thing, especially if I’m thinking too hard about it. 

...What part of what I said was sexy to you, exactly? Might be good to know, for future reference. 

You tell me, handsome. 

You didn’t, huh? Sorry to disappoint then. Maybe I’ll have to change things up. Don’t test me, because I can think of plenty. Just…Not anything you’d go for, I’ll bet. Since you were so against the gold thong and all. 

Just for me, huh? Oh? Sounds like it’s becoming a kink. We should be careful…Or not. I’ll let Patrick know. 

I’d say that a treat from you might be worth a little trick. As long as you go easy on me. 

Look, tell you what. Whatever you pick out for me... I’ll wear it. Just... please don’t use this power for evil. 

I’m not too sure how I feel about the idea of you two scheming together. Next thing I know, I’ll end up dressed as... whatever dark fantasy you both share. But... as long as you guys are the ones taking it off me at the end of the night... I guess I’ll deal with it. 

Great, I’ll look forward to seeing you there. Will you be bringing a plus one? Not that it matters, I’m just very nosy. Oh? Do tell, I’m a lazy party planner.

Uh... maybe a plus two, actually. We’ll see how things go. 

His name’s Blaine, if I remember right. He was talking about maybe throwing something, so... if I were you, I’d go to him for any ideas. He seemed to be on top of it. 

Maybe I did. What’s it to you, Mr. I-Don’t-Have-Plans? And what if you have to get through the trick to get to the treat? What then? That’s a dilemma I’d say. Choose your answer wisely. 

Now there’s a blast from the past, and a great idea. I still don’t see what the problem with those shorts were. You looked great. So did your ass.

...Is that a trick question?

Hmm. Didn’t pick you to be the costume repeater type. What, you can’t think of anything else? 

Still... for you? Maybe I’d consider it. I wouldn’t necessarily mind seeing you in those fishnets again. 

Zero plans, huh? Man, don’t even give me a chance to ask first. I’m kidding. So, just to be clear though, you’re saying you aren’t interested in trick-or-treating this year? That’s a shame, your mom and I already cut the eye holes into a sheet for your costume.

Oh? Did you have something in mind this year? ...I could be interested in a treat, if you’re offering. Not too sure how I’d feel about being tricked, though. 

...You know what? I’ll take it. Beats a gold thong. 

No plans for Halloween? That just won’t do! There are so many fun things happening, I’m sure we can find you something. I’m not usually much of a party THROWER as I am a party GOER, but I could change those plans this year if need be. I haven’t heard of any other parties, either. We could co-host, if you’re into that. I’m Blaine Anderson. You’re Ander right?

Hey, if you want to set something up, go for it, dude. I’m not super into the idea of co-hosting, gonna be honest, but I can help out a little if you need it - pick up some snacks or beer, that kinda thing. Nice to meet you, Blaine. ...You know, your last name makes it sound like you’re my kid. Ander son. 

Cam laughed harder at the image in her head of Guzman trying to ignore his one companion in a foreign country. “I bet he did figure it out quickly, that sounds just like him. It does look like you two had a great time. And a much needed break, like you said before. Traveling is good for the soul, I’ve always believed that.” When Ander repeated her phrase she felt the color rising on her cheeks. Naturally, she’d put the cart before the horse, leaving out specifics deliberately but realized that hadn’t been the best of ideas. She took a deep breath, not able to look the man in the eyes. “Two years since I lost my wife.” The feeling in her chest was like a block of ice, and she could feel her fingertips tingling. “I don’t mean to be such a downer, this is supposed to be a celebration of your return.”

Ander nodded in agreement to Cammie’s sentiment, though the small smile on his face faded when hers did, as she further explained herself. Oh. Well, so much for their nice afternoon. Ander had never really been one to pry further, and he was now convinced more than ever that his previous method had been the way to go. “Fuck. I’m sorry.” He knew what it was like, losing a loved one - after all, he’d lost his best friend, and nearly lost his own life not that long ago - but he’d never lost Omar. Not to death, at least. Sure, maybe their relationship had come to an end, but he’d always held out hope that they’d get back together once again. Cammie didn’t have that. Her wife, the person she’d chosen to spend the rest of her life with... was gone forever. “That... blows.” God, he really wasn’t good at the comforting thing. It blows? The love of her life had died, she hadn’t dropped an ice cream cone. “What can I do to help you out?” 

I can understand that I guess. I kind of grew up in the country though so it doesn’t bother me any. I mean, there was a town but it was small, definitely way more country than people from the city. Maybe you have but I don’t personally see a problem with that. You did? 

Don’t quit. I know it’s frustrating but I’m sure you’ll get through it fine. So will I. We’ll be study buddies if we have to. I’m just not used to learning in French. Spanish was enough for me to grasp. Yeah, that’s true but it also puts more pressure on you to think that way. It’s hard not to though especially the older we get. 

Really? No offense or anything, I’m sure you enjoyed it, but... I don’t envy you. I get bored enough around here, as it is. I can’t imagine living in a place where there’s nothing to do. 

I did. By views around here, though, I was mostly referring to some of the people around here. My friends and family. Don’t get me wrong, Guzmán is great, he’s been one of my best friends since we were kids, but... he’s not the only person in my life that I care about. 

Study buddies, huh? I could be down for that. I used to be study buddies with my ex boyfriend, but we never really ended up getting all that much schoolwork done together. ...Not like that was really entirely his fault, but still. Point being that working with a straight guy would probably be a lot more productive. 

That makes sense. I grew up learning a little French here and there, so it wasn’t quite as hard when we started using it more in school, but I still struggle with it sometimes. Hopefully I’ll still be able to help you out, though. 

Yeah, I mean, for awhile there, I was pretty convinced a future wasn’t something I was even going to get to have, so... it’s pretty tricky. I guess I have some time to figure all that out, though. A little bit, anyway. 

Maybe not but there’s something cleansing about being out here sometimes. You don’t think the city gets to be too much? I’m still glad you got to see some, still. Yeah? I’m sure you enjoyed that view just as much. No complaints are good, at least things aren’t bad. Things are going. Just toughing it out. Football is good yeah, it keeps me occupied. Classes are kicking my ass. 

I don’t know, all the quiet is kind of eery to me. Especially at night. But maybe I’ve just watched too many scary movies. Oh, definitely. Even if I missed some of the views around here. 

Hey, I feel that. I’ve only been back in classes a couple weeks, and I’m already feeling ready to quit. But, as it turns out... I don’t really have any skills besides tennis, so... I should probably think about learning something, if I want to have a future and all that.