#miaatask

“You just want an excuse to keep on doing nothing with your life, how long do you think you can stretch your High School for, hm?“ The man pointed at him accusingly “In the real world people won’t care if you’re popular, Eric, they won’t care about your pretty pictures if you don’t show them results. Numbers.“

“I wasn’t- If you just look-” he said, trying to show the man the first of the handful of leaflets he got from school, about the photography programs in the best universities in the country. The man gave it no attention, raising his voice.

“I will NOT waste my hard earned money on one of your HOBBIES, Eric! That is ridiculous. You want to take pictures, you do that on your spare time like a normal person, you get a job and you be thankful I will not make you pay for your own tuition.“

“But-“

“ENOUGH! You’re not going to study photography, Eric, that’s not even a proper major! You can chose one of the business courses, I’ll get you into any college in the country. I’ll pay your tuition and give you money to live, and then you’ll work for the company, that is our plan, remember? That’s still our agreement.“

“I never agreed to that.“

“Ben, he is the one. I… don’t know if I’m coming back.“ he could feel his heart shrinking in his chest and he curled on the couch, Ten laying down and whinning at the sight “Listen, I… I have to go. I really hope there was another way to do… this, but… you understand, don’t you, baby? It’s… it’s love.“

“I really don’t. You… you said you loved me. Yesterday.“ Another sigh.

“I should have told you about him sooner, bab- Benjamin, he… It’s just… I hope you feel the way I’m feeling some day. You’ll understand then. It’s too good to pass. I’ll ask George to grab my things later this week, alright? You can discuss when you won’t be home with him… I’m really sorry.“

He was sobbing by now “No, you’re not”

“Ben…“ another sigh. If Julian had told him he loved him as much as he sighed at the things Ben said, things would have ended quite differently “I’ll see you around.“

By his third shot he saw Alex and the man decided to join him and the night. Well, it didn’t get better, but it got close to decent. They drank, talked about their past, Ben rambled about his feelings, Alex expertedly evaded every single question, it was quite the night.

When the night ended Alex was the one to help him stand still, to help him home. Alex called a cab which they shared, mostly in silence. Ben remember being upset back then, having just found about Alex driving motorcycle, but halfway through the trip his heart had already calmed, even if his mind was still dizzy.

He was thankful for the company, for the friendly shoulder he leaned his head on while the car drove by, for the steady breathing he was able to mimic while he focused intently on not throwing up. With a sigh he patted Alex’s knee a couple of times, putting his hand away, wordlessly thanking him for the comfort, hoping someday to be able to repay him in the same kindness.

Much as they would in Winter, while covered in wool to keep them warm, in Spring his hands still looked for contact with Josh’s, reaching out as they walked side by side, now from a distance safe enough that it’d be improbable for someone from the institute to spot them. His fingers tangled with Josh’s with almost practiced ease now and he smiled as the boy finished talking, raising their joined hands up to press a kiss to the boy’s knuckles.

“It sounds delicious, kid, I’m sure Kwan is going to be impressed“ he said with a smile, watching the tell tale blush fade away as Josh’s endearing smile appeared. “If you need any taste testers, you know where to find me“ Wolf chuckled, running his thumb along Josh’s skin. 

“But Italy is right there, Wolfie“ she whinned, pointing at the map and showing it to him, he laughed “Think of the Pizza Tower. And Rome. And all the beautiful architecture you can capture over there.“

“Lily, this piece is about nature, you know that.“ He said amused while she pouted “And come on, we haven’t gone to Norway or Iceland before, it’s going to be an adventure!“

“We also haven’t gone to the South of Italy, we could be missing out on some really pretty pictures over there.“ Wolf laughed, rolling his eyes.

“Compromise? We spend a week, maybe a little more on this and then we go wherever you want. We can even go to Greece like you wanted to. Deal?“

She giggled, proud of winning yet another argument, and leaned in to kiss his lips “Yes, you got yourself a deal, baby!” To which Wolf laughed, playfully going on a zig zag with the car.