Dave texted Edward

-Hey Edward, we've been trying to reach Lazlo for camping and hiking, it was quite fun the last times but he stopped replying do you know if he changed his phone number?

-No I don't know, he doesn't reply to me either

-Ah you two still talk to one another? I always wondered what happened to the two of you

-well not much

-But at least you talk, at the time Lazlo told me you didn't even see each other as friends anymore.

-You mean before you set us up?

-haha that's not how I would call it

-What did he tell you at the time I was wondering?

-Not much, just that you two break up, and that it was his fault, cheating and stuff.

-What else

-Edward this is weird if you want to know ask him

-well he doesn't reply to me anymore anyway

-You think something happened?

-No, I'm just wondering what you guys talked about because after he completely stopped coming to my place and didn't want to meet anymore

-Well obviously you're not together anymore … wait …you guys still met after you broke up he told me you weren't?

Dave looked at Lazlo's text again, ''do you still see each other as friends …'' '' no not really''

-Well we would hook up sometimes

Dave couldn't believe what he just read. He was about to type what he thought about this but decided to call him instead, the call got declined. Edward texted him

-I'm at work what's the matter?

-Edward you heartless prick! I swear if something happened to Lazlo I'll never forgive you

Edward called him back

-What is going on?!

-We can't reach him and it's been weeks, how does that sound to you

-He wouldn't do something like that, he doesn't have any reason to

-Any reason too? He just got out of an horrible break up, feels responsible, still loves the guy, who uses him for sex and don't pretend like it's just sex, you know he's not like that

-Why do you even care so much! Did he hook up with you too?

-Edward shut the fuck up? You egoistical asshole! You know it wasn't like that, he told me everything and that you would even consider that cheating is beyond reasoning so stop your whiney bitch victim speech and tell me where I can find him NOW

-I don't know

Dave hung up, he tried to call Lazlo, he didn't pick up. Called Patsy, she went to see him a couple of times, got the address. She told him he was doing okay, that he just didn't want to see Edward anymore. So he told Patsy too, she's becoming his friend it seems, well he needs it. Knowing he was okay he calmed down, should he text Edward …no

He finally got to the place, they were closing for the day Lazlo invited him to his place, it was small but comfy single room studio, and they talked a bit. He was doing okay, he was moving on it seemed. Lazlo said he would answer his texts more often now, that he's happy he can trust him like that, that it wasn't easy…

-You still love him …

-I don't know

Lazlo looked broken, he still didn't move on, just mentioning Edward seemed like it hurt. Why would he still like him after all he's done, he feels guilty?

-Do you still feel like it was your fault? Because Edward is a jerk you know

-Well, yes obviously, not that Edward is a jerk, but it is my fault… I try not to think about it too much… I just miss being with him of all things, haha, I know this is ridiculous but, I like the jerk he is

He then smiled, he looked in a lot of pain, he said he would get over it and, that is was nothing, that he didn't want to worry him, and that he just needed time…

Dave eventually left, thinking of how of a nice guy Lazlo is …and that he doesn't deserve to be treated like this, even after what happened. He opened his phone, he had 5 missed call from Edward and a couple of text messages

-IS HE OKAY?!

-I'm calling you …

-Answer me I'm really worried!

-DAVE FOR CHRIST SAKE AT LEAST TELL ME WHERE I CAN FIND HIM!

Dave sent the address with a ''he's okay'', didn't think too much about it, if Edward can still worry that much then … they should be okay.

Edward looked at his phone, Dave had finally answered him, and in the end he managed to find the address himself with the name of the place, which Lazlo had told him a while ago. But the address wasn't the only thing Dave sent

-He's okay, and he's over you so don't go bother him again.

Edward just brushed it off… He wanted to be sure everything was okay and, he thought about what Dave told him. Was he using him? No he wasn't calling him just for sex … They would just happen to have sex when he wanted to talk to him, and they never got to talk in the end …that's all.

Well, maybe he was using sex as an excuse to see him, but he never intended it to look like he didn't care about him. Besides, Lazlo wouldn't let him do that, would he?

Edward was at the door, he tried to call Lazlo but he didn't answer. He climbed the stairs, Lazlo said something about being on the second floor. Dave sent him the door number which prevented him from having to ask at the desk on the first floor. He didn't want to attract any attention after all, he just wanted to check on him. He just wanted to see him, he needed to. He knocked once. Lazlo didn't answer the door, maybe it wasn't the right number he checked again. No it was. He was about to knock again but Lazlo opened the door.

He looked very surprised. They stare at each other for a while. Lazlo broke the silence

-Why are you here?

-I just wanted to check on you, you weren't answering so …

Lazlo checked his phone.

-Ah the batteries are dead! sorry!

-…

-Hem, do you want to come inside?

-no I don't want to bother you I …

-But you came all the way, are you by train or car?

-By car

-Then you don't have to worry about the last train, come in

And he smiled at him and invited him in. Lazlo thought to himself, as Edward was getting in 'Lazlo, what hell are you doing you just said you were over him! You want to make it worse!?' 'But at least it's not like you went to see him… why is he here anyway?' Since the place was pretty small, Lazlo made Edward sit at his desk and himself sat on the bed. There was only one room and a bathroom, small kitchen space for a small fridge and a kettle.

Edward looked around, the place looked so much like Lazlo, unlike the first apartment he lived in. Despite being small it looked very comfortable. He didn't seem to use the main light of the room, but maybe this was because it was late at night. There were two night lights, dimer than normal house lights on each side of the room. There were dried flowers and weird looking objects on the walls, a little plant on the side of the window, and a metal statue in a corner. The place had a particular smell too, like old books or old people's house, maybe it was the lack of ventilation and the plants, the window was open after all. It was pretty well kept. There was pile of paper on his desk, some technical drawings of things Edward didn't understand and forests and nature sketches.

-What is this?

-I used to want to go in medical illustrations haha

-Really?

-Yeah but I gave up, it's a bit too academic for me I think… so, I just draw random stuff in my spare time

-You're pretty good at it

-Ah eh, thank you

Lazlo looked a bit embarrassed that Edward was seeing all these things, he wanted to learn to draw and write stories, but didn't really believe in himself, it was just a hobby, what he would do with his spare time. There was a long silence, not uncomfortable but quit long. Edward was just looking around. Lazlo wondering what they should talk about.

-Do you want coffee? I can make some down stairs.

-hem, okay, do I wait here?

-No you can come there's no one there.

They went downstairs where there was a real kitchen, an employee cafeteria. Lazlo pulled out some coffee and simply said

-You look great

It took Edward by surprise, what should he say?

-Hem, thank you, you too, I mean, you look more like yourself

-Thanks? What is that supposed to mean?

Lazlo chuckled and served two cups of coffee and sat across from him. They talked about what they did in the last couple of months, Lazlo asked about the other guys, and

-Are you seeing someone?

-No, I was thinking of taking a break from relationships altogether … are you?

-No …

-…

-Did, Dave sent you?

-why would he do that?

-I don't know I never really understand what he does

-You saw him today?

-Yes he looked really worried I don't know why

-He thought you might have committed suicide

Lazlo looked at him without reacting, completely frozen, like he was processing it

-I would never do that

-That's what I said! But he yelled at me and, I got worried too, I mean, I didn't hear from you in a while and, you started ignoring me and… (Edward was talking fast and blabbering)

-I'm not ignoring you

-…

-I just, don't think seeing each other like we did was healthy and…

-did Dave tell you that?

-What? About what?

-Did he tell you you should stop seeing me

Lazlo hesitated, Edward looked frustrated, something probably happened between him and Dave.

-No, I chose that.

There was another long silence. It was getting awkward. Lazlo was worried about Edward. Why was he even there to begin with? Why would he care about not seeing him again? It's not like he wanted to maintain a friendship when they broke up, or give him another chance. The only thing Edward would want from him …

-We should go back upstairs

Lazlo said. Edward followed him, there were so much things he wanted to ask him. Why he brought him to the amusement park that night, why he didn't follow him. Edward always thought Lazlo was trying to get him back but he just stopped at some point. Of course he didn't want Lazlo to chase him or something, but it felt strange that he would just give up at that particular moment, he wanted to know what made him change his mind. Lazlo closed the door behind them.

-Lazlo there's something want to ask you

He didn't let him finish he pressed his lips against the other and kissed him. Edward didn't move an inch, petrified. 'He just wants sex. He's just here for sex, he doesn't care about me.' Lazlo thought. He took Edward by the hips, closed the lights and placed him on his bed. Edward didn't know what to do. This felt really strange to him. Lazlo started slipping his hands under his clothes.

-Lazlo, what are you doing?

-this what you wanted right?

Edward looked agitated, but Lazlo didn't quite get it, why would he be nervous that's what he wants right? They've done this tons of times before. And so he pushed him in bed while kissing his neck and placing his hand between Edward's legs. He was now terrified he pushed Lazlo away, starting to panic. Lazlo just stood there, not fully understanding what just happened. Edward got away from the bed, messily readjusted his clothes and said

-I'm leaving

-Edward I'm sorry I didn't think …

Edward interrupted him, he sounded very distant while saying that

-No it's okay, I just need to leave …now …it was nice seeing you

And Edward left as quickly as he could closing the door behind him 'don't follow me' he thought to himself 'don't follow me' he didn't look behind him, took his car and drove back home. Why is he always running away like this? He knew Lazlo would never hurt him but this was just too strange. Dave was right about him …