drama queen.

          It’s rare for either of them to panic like this, but Hernando is quick to take action. His fingers come to grasp both sides of Lito’s face, giving a gentle pressure to the warm skin. “Lito, look at me. Look at me, please.” His words are calm –– even. His hold on the other man is a fast one, not allowing him to move his head to look around the room. “We are in this together, no matter what happened. What happens. Sí, baby?”

     Together.

In this together, Hernando says ----  

          ( ---- Lito wishes he could believe him. )

          “Text me and I will see you again soon.” Within the hour, really. And he thinks Lito will grow used to this, or at least hopes so. It is about an hour later that Hernando is buzzed into Lito’s apartment building, waiting patiently outside the man’s door to be let in.

     There’s a warm nervousness settling into Lito’s gut even after that first text message is sent. He’s never been good at this -- being someone else has always, always been easier than being himself. Still, Lito can’t help but remember Hernando’s charming smile, paired with a passion so fiery even the closeted actor cannot help but be drawn to the flame.

      Carefulness serves him well, even as his fingers press the ‘accept’ button on the box -- 

          ( --- But now Hernando is at his door and all caution seems moot. )

          “You are going to force him to go, right? I think you need him there.”

          “Yes, do that! I can help.” Already she’s on her phone, fingers tapping away on the screen. “He will love anything you do for him, though. You know that.”

          “You will not be hurting him. What you tell him will hurt, but it is not your fault.” It’s something he has to drill into Lito’s brain, put a stopper in so he never forgets that. “He deserves to know, you deserve to have somebody be there for you.” Of course he’s said all this already, but Lito needs to hear it again and again. “He needs to know and you need to let him be there for you.”

     “I am almost always refusing to let myself feel, Lito. It’s easier that way. This is nothing new.” She pauses, unsure of how to proceed from here. “Is Hernando accompanying you to the premiere?”

@multamusae​

     “It is, but unfortunately it’s not always possible.” People ask, they hint, things are found out, and someone is forced to come out before they’re ready. They’re thrust into a world of the unknown and have no idea what may come of it, the things they might lose for it. Victor’s been fortunate enough to have things go relatively smoothly for him during that process, and he’s only sorry this kind man didn’t have that opportunity. “I think you did what you knew you had to, even if it was difficult, for the person you love. Sometimes that’s all we need.” His smile is soft. “You should invite Hernando here.”

@multamusae

     It’s not something he thinks he can easily let go, because he may very well lose a friendship over his damn feelings and loose lips. He never should have told Lito that he had feelings and he should never have asked Lito to run lines in his home, especially those ones. “Just promise me you’ll do everything you can to stay in the movie. You’re perfect for this role, and it’s perfect for you.” Oliver will drop out before he lets Lito do it.

@multamusae

     “Lito, Lito. Baby, you are very impatient.” He’s laughing, trying to pour the fragrant liquid into the water, but with Lito undressing him it’s proving difficult. He gives up, setting the bottle on the edge of the tub and lets Lito finish undressing him. “You are a ridiculous man and I would never have you any other way.”

@multamusae

     He’ll worry no matter what, because that’s just what Oliver does –– he worries about things he knows he no longer has control over, and tends to make it worse for himself. Like with all of this, for instance. He opened his mouth, admitted the one thing he shouldn’t have, and now here they are. “Not that easy,” he says lightly, fingering the rim of his glass. “I’ve mucked things up either way.”

@multamusae

     Hernando’s smile is warm and bright. “I think I would love that very much, Lito.” He knows that Lito is particular about how this has to go, so he has to make sure they do this right. “Should I meet you there? You can give me your address.” He doesn’t want Lito to be uncomfortable with them going to the same place together at the same time.

@multamusae

     “It should totally be a surprise! You know what he loves.” Dani grabs her laptop and opens up a search engine. “Maybe there’s a special event going on soon, something he’d love to see. Has he talked about anything recently?”

@multamusae