Sometimes we are so busy with thoughts, work, and stress that we don't even realize that we didn't have a heartfelt laugh today. Sometimes, we don't even remember the last joke that made us fall to the floor and clutch our stomachs with pain.In our whole lives, we are living and dying at the same time. Breathing and living for our loved ones. We're dying because we feel there's nobody for us to understand.Why don't we make, or rather fool, our hearts that all is well, bro? We can do it. We shall step over people's unwanted prejudices and fucked-up thoughts and watch the beautiful sky with wide arms."Did you notice Dean is always sitting with Roman?""Yeah? What about it?""Roman is also always around Dean. They are very close.""Yeah, Dean is Ayan's teacher after all."The first lady makes a sound of disapproval and looks around, hoping nobody is hearing her gossip."Dean is gay," she whispered.The other lady gasped. "What?""Did you forget that? Those models are gay.""What! Does that mean Freya is also into girls?"The first lady shook her head. "She is a great model and a wonderful lady. She isn't!"The second lady frowns. "As long as I remember, the manager required an LGBTQ supporter, not a gay."The first lady moves closer, wishing nobody was listening. However, someone passing by stopped when he heard his brother's name."I saw Dean hugging Roman tightly yesterday. Ayan was feeling suffocated between them." The first lady whispered while stepping back.The second lady looked confused. "What's wrong with a hug?"The first lady rolled her eyes. "You are an idiot; that's why you're not understanding. I'm telling you, Dean is gay and seducing Roman."Ethan gasped audibly, gaining the attention of those two ladies as they instantly scrambled. Avoiding the gaze of the man.Ethan hugged the photocopies as he was there to take print. However, his eyes focus on the floor with a frown. He walked towards the finance department.These ladies don't know about Dean. They don't know what Dean has been through. They didn't see the sleepless nights of the boy. They didn't see the guilt, sadness, and loathing in Dean. Did they see a seductive Dean?"Hey, where are the papers?" Roman asked, standing in front of Ethan's seat as he was waiting for the man.Ethan widened his eyes as he looked at his empty hands. He looked behind him and gasped as all the papers were on the floor and a person was collecting them together."I'm so sorry," Ethan yells as he kneels on the floor, collecting the papers in a hurry."I'm sorry," Ethan whispered again as the man in front of him gave the papers and locked his gaze."It's alright. Don't stress about anything." The stranger replied while standing up.The stranger gave a smile and walked away."Ethan," Roman calls gaining the attention of frozen Ethan."Ye-yes, sir." Ethan quickly marched towards his senior.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇As soon as the door of the classroom opened. A chorus of "Teacher Dream!" could be heard even in the corridor.Daniel gave a soft smile to his class, who looked out of the window with curiosity as though they could see the kids shouting.He whispered, "Their teacher dream is back."Dean chuckled at his class, who was radiating happiness. He looks at each of them and keeps his textbooks on the desk. "My god, I missed you all so much.""We missed you so much,"
"Teacher, we missed you."
"I missed you."
Dean smiled at his giggling students, who looked so happy with wide smiles plastered over their faces.He walks over to the table with crossed arms. He can't get enough of their smiles."You guys are truly my source of happiness."A child stood up from his tiny, saffron-coloured chair. "But you are leaving us."The class's wide smile wiped out from their faces. They looked back at their teacher with shocked, wide, and confused eyes."Is the teacher going?""Is the teacher leaving us?"
"Is our teacher not going to teach us?"
Dean looks at the students with a wide mouth. He doesn't know what to say now or how to control the class. The chaos can be heard in the corridors too; the principal heard it.The man frowns as he stands in front of the open door. The class immediately quiets down."What is happening here, Mr. Dean?" The principal asked, stepping inside, and the students stood up from their seats.Dean looks at the students and the principal with panicked eyes. "Sir, they got to know that I'm leaving the school."The principal blinks and nods while looking at the class."Do you guys want to study in high school?" The principal asked, looking at each face."Yes, sir. My mama said I'll go to a big school." A student replied with a wide, proud grin.The principal nodded. "Very good." He looked at the girl and asked. "Why?"Watching the confused gaze of the girl, the principal elaborated. "Why do you want to go to the big school? Don't you like our kindergarten school?"She gave a confused gaze. "I don't know, sir."The principal smiled. "It's because, after you learn something, you must enhance it." He paused and added. "Just like a game. You pass one level; you go to the next one. Then another and another."Many students looked at him with wide eyes as they understood. "Did you notice that with each level, the game gets harder and more difficult?"The kids nodded their heads."But you find joy when you clear them, right?"The kids gave a beaming smile and gave a chorus reply of yes."Same way, the teacher is taking it to the next level." The principal looks at Dean, who gives a smile. "We should encourage our teacher, right?"The kids widen their eyes and understand what their principal is saying."All the best, teacher!""Do your best and beat all the monsters!"
"Our teacher will get a high score!"
Dean's shoulders felt light with those words. He gave a grateful smile to the principal, who nodded and stepped out of the classroom."Teacher, I saw your photo." A boy said this while raising his hand."Because my teacher is famous," Ayan replied while crossing his arms and showing a bright smile to his teacher."No, Ayan I'm not. Let's forget about it and get back to studying." Dean quickly said that and turned around to clean the clear board again.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇A knock was placed on the mahogany door. After gaining approval, the secretary walks inside."Sir, I brought them." The secretary placed it on a glass table.Nathan looks away from his laptop. He gazed at the brown envelope and hummed, indicating the secretary to leave.He carefully picks up the envelope and leans back on his chair. His eyes filled with fondness when he saw the photos. As he pulled out the photos slowly, he could see Dean's eyes and his lips stretching as he pulled them out fully.A daisy crown was on Dean's head as the model held the daisy fragrance, holding a soft gaze with a tender smile."My pretty angel." Nathan smiles and flips to see the next one. However, they were snatched from his grasp.Nathan gasped, immediately standing in shock. "Bro-brother,"A man clad in a fine grey suit held the photos in the air with a smirk on his thin lips. He smirked at the photo. He ignites the lighter, earning a gasp from Nathan."No, brother. Please." His plea is ignored by a 6-foot man, who drops the burning photos on the floor.Nathan hastily runs towards his brother and pours the glass of drinking water on it, which is more on the carpet than in the photos.His feet were instinctively raised to extinguish the fire. However, he stopped himself, knowing it was Dean's photo.
Nathan falls to the floor and taps on the fire with his palm. His teary eyes are trying to protect the wet pictures, which are almost eaten by the fire. He continues to press his palm on the pictures and push more towards the spread water. For a second, he regretted getting so many pictures of Dean."Don't make me regret getting you out of that place. Dad believes you have forgotten about your affairs with a low-class man." The man spoke with a clear voice."Dean is my love, not an affair." Nathan spat with gritted teeth. His hand is burning with redness.The man disregarded his words and said. "Don't disappoint, Dad. Ask your secretary to clear this mess."The man stepped out of the cabin and called his father."Dad, you are right. Those were pictures of his lover."[Hmm, did you destroy them?]"Yes, Dad. I turned them into ashes. How could Nathan disobey you?" He stepped into an elevator.[That's why my elder son is my best son.]"Thank you, father. I listen to you because you're full of wisdom."[Alright, get back to work.]"Ok, Dad. Please take care of yourself too."The elder son ends the call with a long sigh.He calls a number while sitting inside his car."Don't say my name. Just keep nodding as though talking with a client."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Nathan fisted his burned hand and swirled his chair to look at the wide sky."What more?"He heard his brother heaving a sigh.[Nathan, listen to me carefully. I think Dad has installed spy cameras in your office. He is keeping a close eye on your every action.]Nathan chuckled and whispered. "I would be shocked if he didn't do anything as such."[Try to understand that you are out of prison on my words. I had a hard time assuring our dad. Please do not take hasty steps and ruin your chance with Dean.]On the mention of his name, Nathan sat upright. "What's the guarantee that the product will be good in my hand?"[Because I gave you this phone, and I made sure it's difficult to keep tapping on your phone.]Nathan smiles. "Can you give me the assurance that yours is the best?"[I keep this phone specifically to talk with you. Nobody knows about this number except you.]Thinking in silence, Nathan agreed.[Dean's photo is in the drawer of your restroom. Dad can keep cameras everywhere. But he wouldn't like to see his son without clothes.]Nathan chuckled."I will think and discuss it with you later."[Nathan I want you to be happy. I was late to take you out of the dungeon. But I will not repeat the same mistake.]Nathan kept silent, knowing his brother was not at fault.[I'll be the biggest supporter of your love. I will protect you.]He ended the call. However, he got a text from his brother.[Message]I told you back then to be careful of Dad, and I'm saying it again. Be careful. Please don't repeat your mistakes.If only that night, Dad didn't see you both. Things would have been different.Nathan kept the phone down and gazed at the sky. His mind took him back to that faithful night, which caused the disaster from which he was still suffering,.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇[PAST]"These swings and seesaws bring back my childhood," Dean said while sitting on a swing. His warm breath created fog on the cold winter night.The time has ticked around eight. However, none are ready to go home.Just a little more time together.A bit more watching his face.
A pinch of a second to see his smile.
"Why are you staring at me?" Dean asked while looking away. Those strong gazes hold so much adoration that they're visible in Nathan's eyes.Nathan blinks and clears his throat. "I was," he says, pointing at the seesaw. "I was looking at them. They're so tiny, right?"Dean nodded, looking at the red seesaw and smiling, remembering his childhood with his brother. He's always been so protective that he'll sit behind Dean and hold him tightly. While his friends sit on the other side.He looked back at Nathan and asked. "Shall we live through our childhood?"Watching Nathan's frozen face. Dean quickly sits on the side of the seesaw. He gestured for Nathan to quickly sit on the other side.Nathan compiles with an embarrassing smile. He looks around, hoping nobody is watching them.Dean sits down with full force, catching the other boy off-guard, who is holding the handle."It's for kids," Nathan whined with red ears as he sat down with force, allowing Dean to swing upward, who giggled."It's not written on this," Dean says while swinging downward.Nathan shook his head with a smile as followed the rhythm. Until Dean smirks mischievously and suddenly leaves the seat as Nathan falls with a yelp.Dean laughs, looking at Nathan, who is rubbing his rear with pain. Hearing the laughter, Nathan stood up and chased the boy around the whole playground. Dean continued laughing and dodging Nathan whenever he tried to catch him.Nathan quickly caught Dean's wrist, and both tumbled over a sand castle.Dean looked at the half-broken castle and chuckled. "Kids will be sad tomorrow." He looks ahead at Nathan.Just then, he realized their position. Nathan was on top of him while the boy continued reading his face. As though craving everything in his heart."You're staring again," Dean whispers, feeling his cheeks burning as he tries to sit up. But Nathan didn't move."Nathan," Dean said, pushing his shoulder. "Move aside, you're too heavy.""But you hold this heavy person's heart," Nathan whispered, feeling his heart beating fast. He could feel it beating against his ribcage.He held Dean's hand delicately. His eyes were filled with fondness. "I love you," whispering over Dean's lips.Dean looks at Nathan with a hitched breath. His eyes filled with tears, noticing the shining love in them. Just for him. He held Nathan's cheek with his other hand.Nathan closed his eyes, feeling the fingers touching his face. The way it's gliding over his cheek. Just then he realized that, unconsciously, his eyes were filled with content tears."I have everything now," Nathan whispered. "You mean everything to me."Dean bites his lips, feeling speechless. He wants to say many things. However, except for tears, nothing else shows his emotions. He carefully wipes Nathan's eyes.Does love always feel so overwhelming? No wonder; love is most powerful.Nathan smiles and asks tenderly. "Can I kiss your hand?""How much more can you make me love you? How many times should I fall for you?" Dean asked, feeling Nathan pulling him up.They sit next to each other as Nathan whispers. "If you are falling into my arms, it would be my honour."Dean bites his lips as he nods his head. His eyes filled with tears yet again."My pretty angel," Nathan whispered while bringing Dean's hand closer to his lips.Dean darted his eyes downward when he felt the warm breath hit the back of his right hand as fervent lips pressed on his skin softly.Nathan kissed the second knuckle and glanced at Dean, who was burning red with shyness. The constant nibbling on lips when Nathan placed a kiss on his palm."My prettiest angel," Nathan whispered, kissing Dean's wrist.Dean smiles feeling a tingling sensation running in his veins and giving goosebumps over his arms.This moment was being witnessed by a man sitting in a luxurious car. He slides the tinted glass upwards and looks at his driver."Tomorrow, don't pick Nathan up from his university."The driver quickly nods and drives away from them shortly.Surely that day Nathan reached somewhere far where Dean was nowhere in sight.