And Sometimes The Door Just Opens

The truth was that Gupta did not want to say the wrong thing.

He never usually found himself with the impulse to talk. It was easy for him to spend the time thinking about what to say before saying it, never to interject his words in there before he was ready. Stepping out of the house, seeing anyone, suddenly he wanted to talk. He wanted to say something and he had not thought about it yet. Gupta did not know what to do. He did not want to say anything wrong to Heracles.

It had been a week. Certainly the glass was still on the ground as Gupta had not touched a single piece, but it had been a week. Gupta was calm. Calm until he opened the door and saw someone. He did not understand these feelings at all. Anger was just too alien to him and he had no idea how to deal with it.

Resting his head against the window, he recalled yesterday.

"You left the poor boy out here again?"

Gupta leaned against the other side of the door, wondering how exactly the other knew he was listening. Or maybe he was just making that gamble.

"Open the door. Just listen to him. You're a bigger person then that. Own up to your emotions, Gupta. You can't just ignore them. They are you. Don't ignore yourself."

Why did Marcus always make so much sense?

"Plus, I want you to be able to make it to the wedding! It's on Saturday! Do it for... for a friend, would you?"

Gupta wondered just what about Marcus made him show up at the most topsy-turvy times of Gupta's life.

Opening his eyes, he saw Heracles walking by again. Heracles' slow pace slowed up even more as he looked over at the house. Gupta pulled his face away from the window, closing the curtains. He stood there for an entire minute before he headed for the door, waiting to hear his voice. Was Heracles going to stop by again? How selfish was it possible for Gupta to be? Biting down at his trembling lower lip, he opened the door.

Heracles was walking away. Just away.

"Heracles!"

Heracles stopped, turning around to look at him. Gupta swallowed, trying to think. He was no good at talking normally. Talking was not necessary... normally. At least, not for him. He needed to say something now, though, but he had not thought of anything.

Despite his inability to do so, Heracles walked back over to him.

The words finally came out. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too."

His best friend hugged him and Gupta leaned into it. Maybe he had been thinking too hard about this. Maybe it was like his mother had said. "At the crux of all things, there really does not have to be words. Words are simply gifts. Be careful what you give."

A part of him still felt angry, but it did not whelm up and take over him like it had earlier. Heracles pressed a kiss to his temple. Gupta returned the favour, a kiss pressed to each cheek. Just like they had done ever since they were children.

Heracles suddenly engulfed him in another hug. There was still something wrong? Gupta pulled away enough so he could look up at him. Heracles hesitated and then shook his head. He rested his head on top of Gupta's and Gupta found himself staring into Heracles' chest.

Okay. That is okay. Inhaling his scent, Gupta wondered how he ever could have managed to throw him out. He would have to apologize to Sadiq too. Where was Sadiq staying? He knew Sadiq was certain Elizaveta would not let him in the inn... And he would have to thank Marcus. Gupta supposed even he himself could be rather thick when it came to something.

But it was okay now.


Notes:

Shaking your head (no) in Greece is an upward incline, while nodding (yes) is a downward incline of your head. It is the same in Turkey, but with the upward incline you hiss in air between your teeth. You have learned something today kids, now go out and have fun.