Diego’s Dance with Death - 9. Two Brothers Making Plans

Sablo lay in the dark with his arms behind his head. His brother was snoring softly on the other bed, but there was no way he’d be able to sleep. The scene with Theo kept playing in his head, and he couldn’t think of anything he could do to salvage the situation.

Why hadn’t he realized Theo was different from most of the other Cupids he’d met? Dedicated and professional, in spite of joking about Ayil’s fondness for ‘proper protocol’ and arriving on time. His immediate recognition of Diego and Azrael’s compatibility showed Theo’s superior Cupid abilities, which he hadn’t appreciated properly in the five years they’d been together.

There had been no reply to the text Diego sent to Theo, and none to the multiple begging messages of his own, either. Apparently, Sablo would have come up with some other way of communicating his apology and love. But how? Flowers? Chocolate? Invitation to a romantic outing, like the ones Theo sprung on him at regular intervals? There was the picnic in a secluded spot in a forest where they made love afterwards. A walk along a deserted moon-lit beach on a warm summer night, with a quick dip in the sea after mutual blowjobs. The boat trip, which Sablo had almost ruined by being seasick, but Theo had brought him home and fussed over him for ages. Every single thing his lover did for him showed how much he cared.

What had he ever done in return? OK, he often picked Theo up at work for a quick lunch, or met him at CC after hours, so they could have a beer at the bar. But if Sablo was honest, he also did this because he enjoyed the reactions of other Cupids when they saw a Guardian, and even more when Theo jumped on him for a kiss and a cuddle. He invited his lover out for a meal on a regular basis, but mainly because he didn’t like to cook. He’d almost forgotten their fifth anniversary two months ago, and only Diego asking him whether he would get a chance to be with Theo on Valentine’s Day prevented a total disaster.

Sablo groaned. I’m fucking useless at romance and relationships. Theo was the one keeping us together and happy. I just went along for the ride without contributing much, except doing my best in bed. At least Theo had appreciated his attention and abilities in that area. Silver arrows seemed to initiate both love and lust, because Sablo had wanted to fuck his Cupid right after being hit, in spite of being furious. What if I never get to be with Theo again? Could I go back to random sex encounters? The idea made him feel sick. He might appreciate the sight of a hunky guy as much as ever, but only Theo made him horny now. Fuck, I’m totally screwed.

“Will you stop moaning and groaning, for fuck’s sake?” Diego’s complaint broke into Sablo’s depressed worrying.

“Sorry. I’m trying to work out how I can win Theo back, but I have no ideas.”

“What does he like?”

“You mean food or drink or what?”

“No, I meant what interests does he have, apart from his work and you?”

“Um, he likes to cook, try out new recipes. He tinkers with his bike a lot. He plays games on the computer and looks at funny cat pictures and videos. Well, I guess they make us both laugh. Oh, and he follows police shows like CSI, NCIS, The Bridge and Profilage, and asks annoying questions of me afterwards. What the Hell do I know about modern police work?”

“Has he asked you to go on bike trips with him?”

“Yeah, but we’re usually too busy, and I don’t have a bike.”

“You need to skip the excuses and make time. And the exercise would be good for you.”

“I go to the gym three times a week.”

“But Theo doesn’t, right?”

“Um… No.” Sablo waited but Diego didn’t say anything. “Oh. Right. Do things he likes, not what I want.”

“You’re getting there, bro.”

“OK. What else?”

“Buy a bicycle. Get a tattoo. Find him a kitten. Dress up in a sexy police outfit.”

“What?”

“Get a tattoo saying ‘I belong to Theo’ on your chest or across your butt.”

“Okaaay, I guess I can do that.”

“Buy the cutest kitten you can find. Does Theo have a favorite?”

“Something black and cuddly, I think.”

“Dress like a cop but with red roses instead of guns in your holsters. Stand in front of CC or Theo’s apartment with the kitten in your arms, the bike next to you, and a heart-shaped balloon floating on a string. That should get his attention.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“Nope. We’re going shopping tomorrow, and afterwards you can think about how to ask Theo to forgive you and take you back. Now turn off your phone and get some sleep.”

***

Inwardly preparing himself to port into an empty apartment, Theliel inhaled deeply. He really wished he’d taken his bicycle to CC. A wild night ride through the city would help him get rid of his anxiety.

“You could always take my bike.”

Theo stared at Ayil. “How do you know what I’m thinking?” and after a short pause, “Your bike? Since when do you ride a bike to work?”

“I did in the past. It should still be around here somewhere.”

They went to the room where Theliel parked his bike every morning. Ayil lifted a slightly dated, red bike from its hooks on the wall. “It’s a little dusty, and you need to inflate the tires.” He passed Theo the pump.

A few minutes later, he heard Ayil’s ‘Good luck’ through the closing elevator doors. Down in the lobby he pushed the bike to the entrance where the night porter stood stock-still glaring at him, instead of helping him with the doors. This was no Horace. Theo fumbled with the bike and the door. “Would you be so kind?” He squinted at the nametag. “Al?”

Outside, he dashed through narrow streets and around corners as fast he could, until he reached their apartment complex. One gaze on the dark windows of their place told him Sablo was probably gone. Inside, he parked Ayil’s bike beside his own and ran upstairs, taking two steps at once.

After pushing open the door, he immediately felt the emptiness. What did he expect? He’d told Sablo to move in with his brother. He’d thrown him out. Tentatively, he stepped inside. Looking around, Theo immediately noticed some of the pictures were missing. In the living room, he shrugged off his messenger bag and sank down on the coffee table.

Fishing out his phone, Theo tried to call Sablo, but he didn’t answer. After ten tries he gave up and buried his face in his hands, sobbing.

What have I done? Why did I humiliate him by throwing him out? Ayil is right about Guardians being proud and stubborn. Sablo probably regretted saying sorry ten minutes after sending those texts.

Theo sniffed and shook his head. How can we get back together if he doesn’t respect my work? Why can’t he see how important love is for the happiness of humans? And the flirting and other stuff too, which is always fun, mutual, and consensual when triggered by our arrows.

He made himself stand up and walk through every room in the apartment. Everywhere the absence of his lover was obvious, from spaces on the book shelves to empty drawers in the walk-in closet. But the unrumpled, newly-made bed was the final straw which made him curse and run back to the living room. Theo grabbed his phone to send a text, but his hands shook too much, and the screen was blurred.

He more felt than heard the smoothest ‘pop’ next to him. Full of hope, he turned around to find himself in Azrael’s arms. “What did you do, silly Cupid?”

“Fell in love with a Guardian? Threw him out for being an idiot?” Theo sniffled. “He took our pictures.”

“It’s a good sign.”

“You think?”

“Of course. He took them because he cares. Because he can’t live without you.”

“I…I don’t wanna live without him either.”

“I know. It will be OK. Come on, let’s sit down and talk. Do you want ice cream?”

“Bourbon.”

“You don’t drink.”

“Fuck it!”

“Having a hangover tomorrow will make you even more miserable.”

“I deserve it.”

“Don’t be silly. You didn’t do anything wrong. Well, except thinking you could get away with testing my aura without me noticing.”

Azrael raised an eyebrow at Theo, who blushed.

“Um…I…well…do you mind?”

“Of course not. It’s your job.”

“I shouldn’t tell you, but you and Diego are a perfect match. It’s the most beautiful aura mixing I’ve ever witnessed.”

“So I’ll be seeing you with silver arrows sometime soon?”

“Or Ayil.”

“If I have to be hit by a Cupid arrow, I’d prefer my best friend do it.”

“Your best friend? I don’t deserve to be called that. We’ve hardly seen each other since I got together with Sablo.”

“My only friend, then? At least among Cupids. And I’ve been busier than usual too, recently.”

“Oh, Azrael. What if Sablo won’t come back? Will we still be able to be friends?”

“I will always be your friend, but don't forget: It takes two to tango.”

“I wanted Sablo to take me dancing, but he always found an excuse. Did I nag him too much? Maybe Guardians are unable to commit to anything but their charges?”

“Now you’re being silly again. Let’s have that ice cream and discuss the pros and cons of Guardian Angels as partners.”

They did as Azrael suggested. They talked, cried in each other’s arms, and finally fell asleep on the couch.