Audoofy

Before Dennis, Titus had a routine for stressful and frustrating days. And he always handled it the same way. He drank. He spoke to Satan, speaking bitterly about how unfair life could be despite all the power and wealth he possessed. Then he would stumble into his massive bed and pass out alone. It had been that way for years.

Then Dennis entered his life.

Whenever Titus returned home after a difficult work day, Dennis would usually find him in one of the sitting rooms with a bottle already opened. Dennis, having developed a taste for any sorts of alcohol that cost more than an average Nebraska farm, rarely refused the invitation.

Titus stretched out across the sofa, his head resting heavily on Dennis’s lap while holding the wine bottle loosely in one hand. Meanwhile, Dennis sat comfortably with a champagne glass between his fingers, casually sipping the expensive wine, and his eyes already half-lidded.

Titus talked. And talked. And talked. And poured Dennis wine. And talked. Dennis only listened to about half of it. Maybe even less. At some point, all of his boyfriend's “grievances” blurred together into the same tired complaints. So Dennis responded the only way he knew how.. Softly petting his hair away while offering occasional encouragement.

A tired, "Yes, Titus, you're in the right."

A distracted, "Mhmm. They're definitely dumbasses."

Or a simple, "Yeah, I hear you."

Thankfully, Titus never seemed to notice Dennis wasn't fully listening or perhaps he did notice and simply didn't care. The older man relaxed under the absentminded affection regardless.

For all his intelligence, status, and frightening ruthlessness, sometimes all Titus wanted was someone to listen while he complained about his day. Someone to pour another glass of wine for. Someone whose lap he could rest his head on without fear of betrayal. Someone other than alcohol. He’d always melt under Dennis’s touch and the way his hands gently pet his hair. His tired eyes looked straight at him without fear. His snarky smile whenever he vented about a minor inconvenience.

It was painfully pathetic.

Dennis never outwardly pointed it out. Mostly because he enjoyed the wine nights they shared. And because, despite everything, he sort of understood. Residency life had taught him that some days simply burn a person out. Sometimes they just needed to let it out and drink the night away until the weight became somewhat manageable.

By the time the wine bottle emptied the couple would grow sleepy together. They’d placed the empty bottle on the table. Then, at some point during the night, they would stumble upstairs and pass out once they got into bed together. Titus finally had someone willing to listen to him ramble about every problem in his life. And Dennis had access to an endless supply of free alcohol

Strangely enough, they both considered this nightly arrangement a comforting success.

By morning, neither would acknowledge how much they had enjoyed the other's company.