Episode 60: A rushed farewell.

"Lemme type the code."

Teo dialed some digits on a small pad at the side of the door, soon a small beep came along with the sliding door opening on its own.

"Follow me"

He said, leading Josh inside the comfortable studio.

"He has a sofa bed here?"

Josh commented as Teo locked the door from inside.

"Yeah, sometimes he sleeps here, especially when he's working overtime."

"Cool! I want one when I get my own house"

He said without so much thought as Teo nodded, not really sure if commenting on it or keeping them to himself.

Josh fetched his device from the pocket in his jacket.

"So you were looking for it?"

Teo asked ashamed of himself for getting the wrong idea because his boyfriend's actions misled him a while ago in the kitchen, the male just nodded innocently as confirmation.

"Yup. Just give me a minute"

He quickly scrolled through the device once Teo hummed, giving him green light to do what he planned to.

The dark-haired male opened the messages app as his boyfriend sat in front of him.

Josh's eyes almost burst out as he read the message his lawyer and friend sent him, eyebrows knitted instantly.

"Did anything happen?" Teo asked, noticing his boyfriend's petrified reaction causing his device to almost slip off his fingers.

However, the blonde's fast reactions got him catching the mobile on time.

Out of instinct the young man flipped up so he could watch the screen, there he spotted a message he wished he wouldn't have seen.

It read: "Your mother cancelled your cards this morning and she proceeded with the lawsuit against Mr. Robbins. Call me, we need to talk urgently before it gets out of hand."

Josh took his phone back from Teo's hands who just stared at the spot where it was perplexed, his heart dropping as he felt betrayed.

"Boo, listen. I need you to go and talk to your brother to assure him you're fine."

The older spoke gently, eyes on the boy's which were dull and glossy, gripping his hands to bring him out of his daze.

"Your mom sued my brother? Why?"

Teo squeaked in pain, feeling his throat tightening, lips trembling as a tear rolled down his cheek.

Josh kept his gentle tone trying to defend the impossible, "She is… a bit impulsive…"

Teo snapped, his glossy eyes shifting to a fierce gaze as he let go of his hold, "A bit? She just sued my brother for God knows what!?"

"Yeah, I get that. But trust me, she won't do more"

Josh tried to reason with the younger who just got back on his feet turning his back on him.

"My brother has nothing but his cruise."

Rage marred in the younger's cold voice, yet Josh's tone didn't change.

"I know… I just need to let her know I'm fine"

Teo whipped his head so fast it made Josh flinch as he was making his way towards the younger.

"You haven't told her yet?"

"I have my reasons… I told my dad and thought he'd stop her but it seems she acted on her own…"

"She's your mother. Do you have any idea how worried she could be?"

"I said it once and I'll say it again. I'm a business tool for her, most likely the reason she got married to my father. I don't hate her but she surely finds ways to make me doubt her love towards me."

Teo looked down, uncertain.

"She's going to throw my brother in jail because of you"

"No, she won't if she doesn't have a reason to. I'm alive so she can accuse him of negligence or a premeditated incident."

"Then call her. Tell her you're fine."

"I will, personally. I just need to call my lawyer and my dad to make sure she's not plotting something else."

"Then do it"

"Yeah, honey bear. But I don't wanna go seeing you sad. Your smile gives me that boost I need to face that demon."

Teo pouted when the older ruffled his hair

"I can't smile… I'm down"

Josh pulled his lovely boyfriend into his arms, who buried his head on his shoulder, his arms soon latching around his thick neck.

Josh whispered, hoping to sooth Teo's worries, "It's ok, just want you to promise me you'd take care of yourself whilst I fix this."

Teo lifted his head off his shoulder, frowning yet his pout remained making him look huggable, "I don't need anyone to babysit me. I'm a tiger, not a baby"

Josh lifted an eyebrow, teasing the younger, "You said you weren't an animal"

Teo stomped his feet on the ground, barely missing Josh's from being smashed, "Would you take it without throwing back my words against me?"

Josh pecked the mole on his boyfriend's pointy nose, "Ok, tiger. Slash at them if they try to harm you"

Teo smiled without realizing it, "I will"

Josh pecked his lips as rewards for reassuring him he will be ok, "That's my boy"

Teo hesitated to word out his thoughts yet he wanted a clear answer, "So when I'm done talking with him you won't be here… right?", although he was trying to hide him from his brother that didn't mean he was ready to bid farewell yet.

Josh let out a big sigh along with his answer, "No…", yet seeing Teo looking down he tried to cheer him up, so he continued in a more lively tone, "So we'll have to wait until the next familiar meeting to announce I'm officially yours"

Teos face flared up at that blunt declaration, "Hey! No yet! Give me some time..", he really needed time to make sure his brother wouldn't scare him off.

"Right we will wait until I propose you~"

Josh joked whilst a sullen crimson-cheeked Teo hit his chest in response.

"Stop messing with my head, dude. It's serious, man"

Josh squeezed his waist just smiling, "Let's not think far ahead. Just make sure to keep your device with yourself."

Teo hummed as his boyfriend let go of him, putting some distance between themselves, keeping his emotions to himself.

"I'll show you the door"

Teo said quietly, turning on his heels, not giving Josh time to protest, not like was going to, taking his time with each step as he admired the gorgeous goldilocks boy walking ahead.

When they reached the door Teo opened it using the button on the intercom, Josh walked past him as he had to call his lawyer to fix the chaos his mother caused.

"Do you have money for the fuel?"

Teo spoke his mind, concerned if the older one could at least afford that.

"Yeah, I got some cash just in case. I'll get your donut pillow when I see you again. For now just rest up."

Teo pouted whilst Josh's expression remained calm, however his eyes reflected the storm of his emotions within him.

"You don't have to play strong. Rely on me if you need to, I can get you some–"

Josh hushed him with a peck on his lips, as gentle as sea breeze caressing his delicate strawberry lips, speaking next to reassure him, "I said it's ok. I'll call you later to tell you how things are moving.."

Teo pressed his lips together as he nodded vigorously, trying to hide how much he missed the older already, wondering if it was normal to do so if he was still within reach.

The young golden haired man stood at the door, gripping the handle tightly as he saw Joseph retreat down the corridor until he reached the lift.

The dark-haired looked back just to find his boyfriend's glossy ocean eyes flooding with unshed tears glistening under the sunlight, breaking his heart at the sight alone as his protective instinct flourished filling him with conviction to fight back his mother or anyone who dares to cause those tears in those crystal eyes, even if the one causing them was himself.

So he sent him a flying kiss from the distance as the sliding door opened, Teo smiled weakly as he saw how cute and silly his beloved one acted, however it didn't last long due his heart clutched within their cage the moment Josh stepped inside the lift which would take him far away from him for who knows how long.

He awaited silently seeing how the sliding door of the lift closed, taking away his inspiration, closing his eyes right after as the tears trapped inside his brimming eyes found their escape route running down his puffy cheeks until they met the cold hard ground.

"Why does it hurt… it's not like I'm not going to see him again… just why?"

He pondered that question to himself trying to find a logical answer, yet an unexpected reply to his enquiries got his blood draining to his feet and his heart almost stopping instantly for a brief couple of seconds

"Who ain't you gon' see again?"