A Good Trip

by NMLS

You must stop deciding on how you will feel in the future, because you can never know. You must make decisions now, based on the feelings and information you have now. Not based on the feelings and information you may have later.

- Thank you for your help. -

Snake sighed as he said that to the workers who had unloaded his belongings.

The big things like the refrigerator and the sofa are already in place, and it's best to arrange your own clothes and household items to your own liking.

He regurgitated the money from the wallet, and the workers left.

He never thought he would come back to this town after he left because he was tired of living here.

He turned around and found Lux sitting on the stairs leading to the second floor.

The olive colored cobra, has a tough outer skin, similar to keratinous armor, but when you look at him closely, he has an indescribable charm.

Its eyes were expressionless and moved emotionlessly.

- Do you like your new room? After school we're going to buy the paint and those led lights you said. -

She smiles and speaks confidently to inspire the younger one.

- It's smaller but it will look great when I decorate it, Thank you. -

He said it rather fondly, but after trying to lift the corner of his mouth, Snake realized that Lux couldn't smile.

The elder looked at him, the corners of his mouth still turned up in a smile, but his eyes had turned cold:

- I wanted to keep it as a surprise, but. . . . Mr. Wolf will take you to school tomorrow. -

- Really?! -

He exclaimed excitedly.

He is really impressed by the bright eyes of the younger one, but smiles amused at the overreaction.

- Really, you'll get that autograph you've always wanted, and maybe you'll get to touch his face. -

Lux jumped on his chest in a hug.

- Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

After confirming the child's happiness, tears of joy filled Snake's eyes.

- Go and unpack your things, you must get ready to meet him. -

Lux thanks him again, he was so excited that he ended up twisting his cobra body like a spring and jumped to the top of the stairs to go to his new room expressing his happiness.

He was relieved to see her so full of energy, that's the way it should always be.

Snake's full smile becomes a lonely smile.

He was left alone and started tidying things up in the kitchen.

The face he could only see on a screen, after so many years, will be lined up in front of him again.

When they finished tidying up and cleaning the new house, he checked the time on the clock on the wall and discovered that it was already past nine o'clock at night.

At dinner, sitting next to Lux, he jokingly asked:

- This is the first night we spend in the new house, do you want to sleep with me? -

The younger one looked up, looked at him deeply and meaningfully, then shook his head vigorously and concentrated on continuing to eat the scrambled eggs.

When he finished he went up to his alcove, lay down and pulled a blanket over himself to try to get some sleep, but he was too... anxious to sleep.

He closed his eyes in an attempt to get sleep, after a while, he felt a weight next to the bed.

He opened his eyes and saw Lux lying face down next to his body.

That helped him sleep tonight.

.

The first night back in this city ended when he heard the alarm sound.

He felt hopeful and anxious that he wouldn't have to see Wolf again when he woke up, but all he could understand was the impending encounter.

Other than that, he slept well without dreaming, so waking up wasn't bad.

It was something he cherished.

He sank into the work of making breakfast, hoping to relieve some of the discomfort in his chest that he couldn't put into words.

When Lux took a seat in the dining room.

He rubbed his eyes sleepily, then, with a big yawn, threw his head on the table and lay down to sleep.

As soon as Snake put the food on the table, he greeted cheerfully:

- Good morning. -

He was a little annoyed that the teenager only lifted his tail slightly and wagged it.

He couldn't help but sigh resignedly, mornings were never easy with that boy.

He patted Lux's head, and said:

- If you fall asleep I'm not going to wake you up when Mr. Wolf arrives. -

That seemed to take all the sleep out of him and he began to devour his breakfast.

As he seemed to be in a better mood, the elder lay down on the couch to relax a bit.

After a few minutes a brief honking sound came from outside.

He saw a black car pass a few meters in front of the living room window and stopped in front of the house.

Snake didn't turn around but Lux ''ran'' to kiss the window pane with his face.

It's Wolf's Maybach.

She didn't even need to hear the sound of his voice or see his furry face.

She knew just by feeling his presence.

Her sixth sense was confirmed when her eardrums were shaken by the cobra's shriek, just by seeing the car seat window roll down, and Wolf's head pop out of it.

- It's here! It's here! -

He jumps like a spring to get his backpack and keeps hopping around the room until he stops at the door, waiting for him, now shy to meet his hero.

He hesitates, even though he's the person he's been waiting for, the pressure of talking to Wolf is overwhelming.

But there was no time for hesitation.

When he opened the door and Mr. Wolf saw him, he was a little startled, it felt strange to cross the imaginary line that divided their worlds.

- Hi Snake, how was your trip? -

He's wearing his iconic attire of a white suit with elegant angles, consisting of a button-down shirt, with the first two unbuttoned, a belt along with pants that fit him well, and leather shoes.

His light brown hair was finely combed.

His face, slightly more mature with age, made him look much more settled and calm than in the past.

Snake couldn't tell what his feelings were at that moment when he heard the voice that is always happy to see him.

- Hello, Yes, it was a very good trip. -

Those are his heartfelt words.

There were a number of inconveniences that were different from what he went through with The Nice Guys, but he can proudly say that his days were satisfying even with those inconveniences.

Something is tugging at his clothes, I look down to see the little boy looking up at him with anticipation.

Secretly he was relieved that he wasn't the only one feeling overwhelmed.

- He is Lux, my son, he is a very smart boy and he admires you a lot. -

The best thing about the situation is dodging bullets and hitting him in the ego before he realized it.

- Hello, Mr... Hello Mr... . Mr. Wolf. -

Greeting almost hyperventilating.

Snake smiled amused and was grateful that the boy would lighten the mood.

Wolf threw a smile and asks:

- Do you know my work? -

- I'm his fan since you turned into a giant to fight in your underwear against Professor Marmalade's robot. -

Wolf, who was smiling, frowned.

Laughing out loud, Snake stroked his son's head and wished them both a safe trip.

- You're coming with us. -

Wolf declared.

Snake hadn't expected such a confident statement as that, and let out a shrill grunt of assent on instinct.

But then he realized what he had agreed to and quickly backed away.

- No!

His son exclaimed, stepping forward before he could say anything.

- Why, are you ashamed to be seen with your old man? -

asked the brown man, suppressing his laughter and bowing his head to be at the younger man's level.

- You haven't seen him, he has embarrassed me publicly on many occasions. -

As he spoke, Mr. Wolf raised his head, puzzled by Snake's smiling face.

- If he misbehaves I sing him syrupy songs of how much I love him at the school gate. -

Added the python with a sinister smile.

Wolf's eyes widened at the sudden revelation, soon his mouth slowly opened . ... and laughter burst from the deepest part of his throat.

Snake also laughed along with Wolf, while Lux's lips tightened and he squirmed in embarrassment.

A mischievous look that matched Mr. Wolf's golden eyes was on his face as he said:

- I want to hear one of those songs. -

- Perhaps when the Report Card arrives. -

Wolf, rolled his eyes at Snake's response, stood erect and let out a sigh with a smile on his face and then said:

- Let's go. -

Finally the wolf walked towards the car, being followed by a very enthusiastic Lux.

Snake knew he couldn't escape when he saw that they stopped to wait for him, without getting into the car.

He took a deep breath, smiled and climbed into the car, accompanying his son in the back seat.

The car started quickly.

And a long conversation began between the cobra and the wolf with great fanfare about the great adventures and accomplishments he has had as a Good Guy.

Snake just smiles at the relaxing atmosphere they created.

He also took a long, analytical look at Mr. Wolf's new luxury car.

It has been moving smoothly.

The engine sound is slow and the comfort was not bad.

He could understand why the wolf loves cars.

It has become almost a tradition that the wolf's cars end up blowing up after a big adventure.

Often having to change cars, becoming the dealers' favorite buyer, it is sure to help pay for college for many of the dealers' children.

Within minutes, the car next to them started crashing into them.

He grabbed his son and literally strapped him into the seat belt to keep him still.

- Didn't you say that they had locked up all the criminals! -

- Sometimes they escape! -

Wolf exclaimed stepping on the accelerator, driving away, but then another sturdy car pulled in the direction of the road.

- Either they have henchmen, or they are new criminals. -

He adds shouting loudly above the sound of the collision and the sound of the engine.

If you hurt them directly, GAME OVER, so you must get rid of them quickly.

In the past, the attacks came without warning, but this time, the opponents knew what they are capable of, and attack in different ways.

It would not be surprising if they attacked late at night or early in the morning to catch them off guard.

The sound of the collision shook the body of the car as if they were about to go flying.

Wolf's line of sight meets Snake's through the rearview mirror.

It's one of those looks that tells you he's got it under control.

He adjusts the rearview mirror, looking at the car that was chasing them from behind seriously.

He pulls out a control screen hidden in the car's dashboard.

He presses a button.

It activates some vents that appear in the back of the car, which expel a snowstorm in the range that overlaps with the car following them.

The car, in a blizzard of snow, applies the brakes, and is now spinning on the frozen ground.

Through the side mirror they watched as the car slid onto the sidewalk, unable to move because of the ice as police sirens wailed.

Wolf and Snake were laughing at the hilarious situation.

Especially Snake, seeing Wolf's dream of owning a Spy Car come true.

- How?! -

the one in the fishing hat asked.

- Agent Doom made it for my birthday. -

Answers the canine giving a moment of drama; putting his index finger on another button but not pressing it.

Now the only car left is the one blocking the road in front of them.

Mr. Wolf makes the speed gradually slow down.

The car in front of them also slowed down.

Golden eyes stare at the tires and he nods heavily when he finds the timing.

He makes sure there are no cars visible in the opposite lane or pedestrians, and. . . .

Suddenly the wolf turns to the right, the car's body shakes heavily jumping into the opposite lane as it is pulled to the side.

Lux screams as he tightly embraces Snake's body.

As soon as the wolf pressed the button, he opened another hatch on the hood of the car, a shot from the futuristic gun and the rear tire of that car exploded, and began to shake heavily.

As they passed by the car, the old friends waved their hand and tail as they smiled, looking at the distorted and regretful face of the New Bad Guy.

This brought back many memories for two.

Lux who was hugging his father tightly, now glued to the back window watching the officers arrest the bad guys.

Snake was relieved to see his son smiling in a funny way about this whole situation.

- You're a very brave boy. -

Praised the wolf looking at him from the rearview mirror.

That started another lively conversation in which Lux explained how amazing what happened a few minutes ago was in great detail.

Snake for his part smiled losing all his strength, leaving all his weight on the car seat while he listened to his son.

Then the door of the school came into view.

The moment the Maybach was parked, the stares of the youngsters and the few adults around them stabbed them.

Until yesterday, Snake and his son had no presence, but when they went to school with Wolf, their presences suddenly appeared.

When Mr. Wolf and Lux got out of the car, the road to the school is blocked.

The crowd of onlookers, with their eyes fixed on the figure of the wolf, captivated by his charms and incredible feats, especially the girls, who sighed constantly.

- Hello everyone! -

Mr. Wolf spoke at that moment, his whole body emitting a calm and serene attitude.

- Don't worry about me, I just came to drop off my nephew. -

He easily caught Lux in his hands, presenting him to the crowd with his blushing face as he was being carried by his hero.

Everyone erupted in shouts that seemed a mixture of surprise and excitement.

Throughout the greetings, barrages of questions and conversations, the wolf did his best to lend support to Lux.

His goal is to make it seem as natural as possible for her to integrate into a new school and make friends easily.

Snake, hiding in the car, saw how everyone was animated, asking for autographs, meeting Lux, and giving their phone numbers to Wolf.

Unlike him and his son, who are not good at socializing; Mr. Wolf made an effort and was very skilled at it.

You can tell that Wolf has a talent for capturing people's hearts.

His pleasing words are like honey that attracts prey.

Lux will surely end up being interviewed at every break, due to the fact that he went to school alongside Fantastic Mr. Wolf.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that his quiet high school life was lost today.

If this continues every day, and it starts to bother Lux, he might consider changing schools, his goal was to bring him happiness and he has fulfilled it.

Sweetness surged permeated her heart when she saw her son enter the building surrounded by children wanting to meet him, she hopes he can make a new friend.

As if he had received a massage, he felt light and airy.

He's fine as long as Lux was safe and sound.

After saying goodbye to the fans, Wolf got into the black car and started.

Snake said enthusiastically:

- Thank you very much for coming here and helping him. -

- . . . are you really thanking me. -

The snake could no longer feel the same emotion as before.

His heart felt stifled, sensing that there was something wrong, so he quickly responded:

- Of course. why wouldn't I be? -

- You are free to stay away for ten years but that implies that, when you have problems you must take care of them yourself.

I don't mind you asking me for help because I assume you want to be my friend again.

But you meddling in my life and my time to get free help is another story.

I've run into a lot of nasty people who think they can stay away from everyone without contributing or helping others.

But that they have the right to have others stop and help them. -

He has a keen eye and an inquisitive tone.

It is difficult to predict the great changes wrought in the world.

Things change over time, along with people.

If you didn't know about him, you would walk away thinking he was a jerk, but in your eyes he is still Mr. Wolf, trustworthy and protective of those he loves.

But now; Mr. Wolf has experienced a lifetime of changes.

- . . . You're right, but what should I. . . . -

- I invite you to my house for dinner. We have a lot of catching up to do and I'd like to get to know your son better. -

.

---

.

- I know my words are the most trite thing in the world, but I really hope we can remain friends. -

It's late at night and we sit on the couch in our shared apartment.

Mr. Wolf has just broken up with him.

In other words, I've essentially been dumped.

Wolf keeps talking:

- I still love you, you're my best friend, you've supported me in my worst moments and I can trust you with my life. -

- Is it Diane? -

- It's a lot of things. -

Snake is silent when he doesn't deny it, the chestnut stuck the proverbial knife deeper into his heart.

He knows his relationship with the vulpine better than anyone.

No matter how I splice it, the world predicted this would happen.

Of course he knew she's much better.

But trusting Wolf was his only course of action when he felt cornered in the stability of their relationship.

They have been friends for years when they formed their Bad Guys team.

There's no way Mr. Wolf would easily accept the breakup of their relationship, so she pinned all her hopes on him.

But the hopes quickly faded.

- Snake, I'm sorry, but we've been in limbo for a long time. -

The appointee is completely horrified.

You've been a team for so long and were supposed to stand up for each other through thick and thin, and now, when it's no longer convenient, you treat him like yesterday's trash.

- We are no longer compatible and can no longer keep up in each other's lives. -

With his words, Wolf plunges his heart into the darkness of the abyss.

- I think it's best we part ways, you're someone I can trust with my life, and I don't want to ruin the best thing I've ever had. -

He sugar coated his final goodbye, but still, Snake could feel tears coming from his eyes.

- If it's some kind of joke, it's not a joke I can laugh at. -

They've been partners for years... There's no way that... I'd let it go after all they've been through.

All that effort was for nothing.

- I'm not kidding. . . . This is a painful decision for both of us, but it's for the best. . . . It just won't work, I'm tired of hiding. -

Despite the incredible years they spent together, she abandons him.

They must have been considering it beforehand, even if he tried to defend himself, he would gain nothing.

- I warned you when YOU proposed, and you stated multiple times that this would be fine, I would never have agreed if it wasn't for that. -

I expel the feelings he has been repressing, as Wolf is going back on his word.

He's always been a grump.

But for the first time in years of living with Wolf; he's never felt as angry as he does now.

- I'm sorry . . . That's what he sincerely felt. . . But I'm not the same wolf who wants to hide anymore. -

The brown-haired man bows his head in apology.

In Snake's eyes, he appears to be deeply remorseful, but he's sure they don't feel such remorse inside.

That's because they will be able to be with the best woman in the world.

He will easily sell his soul to be with the love of his life even if it means eliminating dead weight.

He can see no other way forward.

He has no choice but to accept his fate.

The wolf saw a lamp flying towards him.

Snake swiftly slid down and hit Wolf, who had just avoided being hit by the lamp, in the face.

Mr. Wolf growled and not hesitating to follow suit, began to fight Mr. Snake.

They hit each other several times and then let each other go.

They knew they were not that weak.

They probably held back at that moment because they didn't want to do real harm to themselves or they felt guilty.

Snake picked himself up off the floor and went back to his room to pack up his things, feeling that he had lowered himself to a truly shameful position.

The years he devoted to Wolf now meant shit.

He cursed himself for everything.

He gathered up the most important things and put them in the overnight bag, they had made quite a stir in the room, Wolf made a point of cleaning it up and glanced in his direction as he headed for the door.

He didn't want to meet the golden eyes, he felt humiliated and left quickly without looking back.

Even though Wolf was the benefactor who gave him a place to belong, he dared not impose himself on someone who no longer loved him.

His heart was dead as ashes.

He just wanted to walk away with dignity.

The last thing he saw was the picture of his last birthday as Bad Guy as he walked out of the place he considered home.

Until that moment Mr. Wolf was still inside the house, he grabbed a cushion and proceeded to scream.

He pressed his face into the fabric and continued to cry.

He cried.

When she realized, the cushion is soaked with tears, saliva and mucus.

Those were the most tears he had ever shed in his entire life.

He wanted to throw something.

I wanted to break something.

But everything is already shattered.

In the end, he dug his claws into his skin.

He screamed so loud his throat was raw.

.

---

.

The next morning.

He was completely exhausted from his encounter with Wolf and slept like a log.

The cell phone that had been placed inside his stomach began to ring loudly.

He answered the phone hurriedly and heard the voice of a stranger:

- Mr. Snake? -

- Yes. Who is this? -

- This is Roger. I'm the Administrator of the Salon B2 Parents chat room. -

- Oh! - Mr. Wolf gave me your number when I told him which room my son is in.

- Mr. Wolf gave me your number when I told him which room my son is in. -

- . . . Oh. -

- I went crazy when Mr. Wolf showed up, but when I found out that the Great Mr. Snake was taking his son to the same school my son goes to, I almost fainted! You are such an inspiration. -

- You know my work? -

- How could I not? You saved us more than a dozen times. Have you turned on the TV yet? -

- Is something wrong? -

I asked Roger cautiously.

- You're quite a celebrity! -

Understanding what was going on, he turned on the television in the living room.

At that moment, the entertainment news began to play.

The introduction of the Hero's nephew; Mr. Wolf, from yesterday and the return of Mr. Snake, had become a hot topic.

After doing a quick search, he discovered that it is also trending at the top of social media, with numerous posts from enthusiastic people.

He began sweating profusely, feeling overwhelmed.

It had been several years since he left his post at The Nice Guys and, until yesterday, he had never been recognized.

Because the world has a short-term memory, and he had been forgotten.

But now, both on TV and on social media, all he hears are voices that wished he would return to The Nice Guys, but all he wants is to take care of his son.

It's not about him shining.

It's about fulfilling Lux's dreams of meeting her hero and bringing him joy.

That was the irreplaceable assistance she wanted to provide.

- Snake, are you still there? -

Roger asked on the other end of the phone.

- Yes. Yes, I'm here. I'm here. -

- I'm organizing a baseball tournament for the kids. Would Lux like to join the team? -

- It fits us like a glove. -

- What?! -

- I mean; like a ring on a finger. Do you understand? Since we don't have fingers... -

- Oh. . . . Oooh, I get it. Great! They start next week. -

While happily expressing his joy, Snake let out a sigh.

- We parents also get together on Saturday nights for a drink. Do you want to come? -

Roger, on the other end of the phone, remained silent, waiting for his answer.

He didn't have particularly sincere friends where he lived before.

That kind of relationship was mainly based on drinking and hanging out continuously.

People like him who had no enthusiasm for meeting people hardly had stable relationships, even with those ''friends.''

But increasing the number of people who could help would be good, especially for his son.

It seems that Mr. Wolf felt the same way, and he is still the one who helps him the most. While he still hasn't been able to do anything for him. After all, he is still the one who only knows how to receive...

Therefore, he did exactly what he had to do.

- Sounds like fun, I'll go. -

There's nothing better than having several people to rely on.

Because throughout life you are faced with problems that are impossible to solve on your own.

And by becoming parents, people enter a new world that they know nothing about, and so they are prone to make countless mistakes.

So growing up is something that becomes as much about the parents as it is about the children.

So increasing the number of people who can help is good, especially for your child.

After saying goodbye and getting all the facts for the baseball game and departure, it started with breakfast.

- Lux! -

He calls from the stairs after serving the food.

- Did you fall asleep!? -

- I'm just putting my homework away! -

Spoke the younger one as he rummaged through the mountains of correspondence.

As soon as he was mentioned as Mr. Wolf's nephew, and Mr. Snake's son, various students from all over the school sent invitations for birthdays, sleepovers, and so on.

As a result, all kinds of paper piled up on his desk.

- You should have had that ready since yesterday! -

- I'm sorry! I'll find it! -

Snake sighs, goes to the dining room and with one bite eats his breakfast, then sits down on the couch and turns on the TV.

Some kind of prime time variety show is being broadcast.

The news segments that appear between programs do not reach his interest at all.

He does, however, see a flash of a certain headline.

- Here Tiffany Fluffit your Channel 6 anchor with election coverage, the presidential candidate; Diane Foxington enlarged her lead with her plan to cut property taxes in half in three years. -

Snake was not thrilled to see the recording of the debate.

As expected, Diane showed her nonchalant but elegant expression and her beautiful mannerisms keep the audience's eyes on her throughout the debate.

With her lustrous hair and perfectly groomed appearance, she had a slender and well-defined figure.

Despite her seemingly stern expression, glimpses of her gentle smile could be seen.

Her every feature is perfectly groomed, her captivating eyes have a charm that conveys a strong will, projecting an image of strength, and her words reveal intelligence, making her one of the most competitive contenders on the scene today.

He is completely engrossed in the screen, until the loud impact of the school bus horn.

- Lux! -

- Throw me breakfast! -

Exclaims the teenager with his body in a circle, rolling like a tire down the stairs.

A leap into the kitchen and a perfect Frisbee-like toss of the Pancakes; the little snake managed to get on the bus with a full stomach.

Now that the child is gone, it's off to the grocery store to shop.

Bringing a gift is appropriate behavior, especially when you are invited to dinner.

The problem is that she doesn't know what Mr. Wolf likes now.

The Wolf you met the other day, kept his essence but is a completely different person.

That friend whose emotions were written all over his face was nowhere to be seen anymore.

But if he remembers well, what he liked. . . .

Certainly, it was the charm and predilection of a good wine.

He kept the wine in the shopping cart, along with some fresh vegetables.

She looked for the cheapest detergent while calculating what to make for lunch, how much rice was left and other basic necessities.

When he got home, he went to the kitchen to prepare the food.

He had no cleaning services so he did most of the housework himself.

He turned off the extractor hood and cleaned the table.

He was still wearing an apron when he sat down to eat, then he lay down on the sofa and found a quiet movie to watch, under the sound of the dialogue his whole body relaxed and slowly fell asleep.

Mr. Snake woke up when Lux shook him.

He just woke up, so his voice became hoarse when he asked:

- What day is today? -

- It's Tuesday. Get up, Mr. Wolf will pick us up in a moment. Or are you going like this? -

He notices she's still wearing her frilly apron.

- I might as well ask the same thing. -

The little snake is wearing a tuxedo.

- Is it too much? -

- No need for a bow tie and top hat. -

For his part he'll just wear a white button-down shirt.

He went downstairs after changing when the doorbell rang.

Lux was already waiting for him with a smile, he walked over to open the door and the cold wind blew in their faces.

They raised their eyes to look at Mr. Wolf putting his hands in his coat pockets.

He looked back at them and smiled slightly with a friendly wave.

He turned around to invite them into the car so they slid forward following him.

Snake leaned against the back seat and smiled lazily listening to his son and Mr. Wolf's conversation:

- How would you like to join The Nice Guys? You could get training to be a hero like me. -

- No thanks, I don't have his suicidal instinct. -

Mr. Wolf turns his head with an expression of disbelief, and a burst of laughter escapes Snake's throat.

- But I do want to see the building! -

The lights and shadows outside the car window flew over their faces, and there was a song playing on the radio: STOP, DROP, ROLL.

Snake suddenly felt a little homesick.

His lips moved, and following the rhythm Wolf and Lux sang along, completely out of tune:

So jump aboard, yeah this train is free.

The conductor, let me toot my whistle.

The instructor, of the funky uncle fizzle.

We be dancing on a lake when it ain't froze over.

We be walking on water while you're sinking your rover.

If you step any closer you'll be eatin' some teeth.

So please step back, I entreat.

I dish deep like, deep dish supreme.

Step large walk walk hard on a two man team ¡yup!

Gangsta lean, I'm Kitchen clean.

We gettin' clout like a carnivore gots gout.

So shout out loud. . .

They slowly made their way through the streets, it's a bit old, after all, it's the neighborhood where they lived in hiding as The Bad Guys for a long time, but it's homey somehow.

After reaching the house, Snake stood in front of the elevator door and reminisced for a few minutes.

Mr. Wolf stood in the doorway beside him as Lux glided all over the place.

Politely he said:

- All the ingredients have been prepared. I thought I'd start cooking once they arrived, to keep the food from getting cold. -

The snake spits out two bottles of wine to then reply:

- Let me help you. -

- Lux. You can watch TV or play video games; maybe you can help me, I'm stuck with the second boss. -

Offered the wolf while walking towards the kitchen.

The cobra turned around and finally asked a question:

- Will it just be the three of us? -

Snake took the opportunity to explain to Wolf before he said anything:

- I was hoping to meet your girlfriend, that singer. -

- I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we broke up a while ago. -

- Then you're going back to Diane! -

Mr. Snake didn't dare to look at Wolf's face, because he is mortified by that unreasonable statement of his son. So he shouted:

- LUX! -

- But he still has his wedding pictures. -

He points to the wall full of framed pictures.

- I'll have to disappoint you again; but Diane and I, we don't plan to go back. -

Wolf answers very steady and serious when he said those words; Lux seemed to catch a different energy emanating from his body, he probably got a little scared and jumped up to sit on the couch quietly.

They started to move forward together again towards the kitchen.

And they began to keep silent and, shoulder to ''shoulder'', concentrated on work.

In the past, it would never be awkward between the two of them, because they always spoke proactively.

But now that Snake didn't speak, Wolf didn't seem to want to react.

So they were both silent at the same time.

They don't know how long they stayed like that, but finally, while washing the vegetables in the sink, Snake said:

- Sorry Wolf.

I should have warned you that Lux is one of those fans who think you and Diane are ''Fated Souls'', or something like that, and profess that you'll eventually get back together.

I also should have warned Lux to be careful what he said. -

- It's okay. It's okay. He's actually not the first one to say it, I'm just pretty exhausted of the same thing. . . . -

After cutting the beef into a breast and then putting it in the pot, the wolf continued:

- I guess you also want to know how we ended up divorced. -

- I know. -

- You do?! -

- They interviewed them endlessly when it happened; And they always said they are not compatible. I got the message. -

The slight smile playing on Wolf's lips gradually grew bigger and bigger, until it finally turned into a curve bright enough to light up a stadium and he said:

- Were you surprised to come back here? -

- I thought they abandoned it after they moved the Good Guys Organization to that new building. -

- I kept it, and I'm glad, being famous is exhausting. -

A life like that may seem full of happiness, but in reality it lacks a lot of human warmth.

- Plus the Bad Guys kept destroying my house. -

- I think it was a bad idea to come back. -

- Don't worry, I asked Agent Doom to put security around the perimeters of your house. And you should go visit her, she was very worried when you left. . . . Also Shark, Webs, Piranha and all the others. -

- . . . I will. -

Promises the snake picking up the fish, opening its belly and pulling out all the insides.

When dinner was ready, Lux stood up happily, helping to arrange the table.

- Where does he keep the wine glasses? -

Asks the cobra clumsily carrying the bottle of red wine brought by her father, which is almost her size.

- I don't know where they are. I haven't drunk wine in years, let's use the Brandy glasses. -

Wolf answered, preparing a couple of glasses, while Snake sat in a chair in silence.

Once the wine was poured, Mr. Wolf smiled at the rich aroma that tickled his nose.

Apparently, he liked it and Mr. Snake sighed in relief.

He sat there watching Wolf serving the dishes and filling Lux with a glass of orange juice.

During the meal, they engaged in conversation, trying to keep up with each other's lives.

- So what party are you going to? -

- None, I don't like birthday parties. -

- My God! You really are Snake's son! -

Mr. Snake chose to ignore that and changed the subject:

- I signed you up for baseball. -

- What?! No! I don't want to! -

- You can quit in a month, but you have to pick another sport because I'm not going to let you sit in the dark all day watching gameplays. -

- I'm not going. -

- I can go watch your games. -

Wolf offered.

- Then I will go! -

Is it a child's privilege to change behavior quickly?

Mr. Snake rolls his eyes and asks again:

- What about the cat, is he still on his week-long walks? -

He's missed that little ball of fur.

- He passed away a long time ago, from heart disease due to old age. -

. . . After they finished eating, they helped to tidy up the table and clean up the leftovers.

Mr. Wolf happily passed them cups of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert.

Lux's expression changed, her eyes widened, her smile widened and she began to eat the ice cream with absolute joy.

- I have something special for you. -

The wolf said with a smile, then pulled out a Push Pop from his back.

Mr. Snake politely had to refuse it.

Wolf looked at him, surprised, and said in a mocking tone:

- Are you sick? -

- That's precisely what I want to avoid, the Doctor said I should watch out for the sugar. -

- I'm sorry, I didn't know. -

- It's okay, you had no way of. . . . To know. -

A silence settles in the room, each time noticing the great distance between them.

- I'll eat it! -

As always, it is Lux who breaks the awkwardness.

Later they thank him for the meal, and as they prepare to leave, Snake takes one last look at the photo wall.

The framed wedding photo exudes a significantly special moment.

Mr. Wolf smiling at the camera with his arms around Diane, her back against his chest, looking in the same direction, laughing.

They both looked happy, intimate and carefree, with the sunset horizon behind them, where the sun meets the water and colors the sea like crystallized honey.

It's a great picture of them.

.

---

.

The initial attraction when he saw it on television was shocking.

He was astonished as if he had been struck by lightning.

When they were face to face, time stands still, as if an indescribable sense of connection spread inside.

She was even more dazzling in her beautiful fuchsia dress when they met.

Yet he has never seen her, and she has never seen him before.

As if magic drew them together, his heart and hers, beat to the same rhythm.

He had swindled many respectable women before, but he had never come across a woman who was so dazzling, cunning and exquisite.

Then their identities, the idea of life and his family, separated them.

But the eyes of both of them, from beginning to end, are deeply entangled within their hearts.

Snake at that time, saw how his soul was hooked in an instant.

Because he never knew that the expression inside her golden eyes betrayed him.

It was at that moment that he understood the word called: Jealousy.

He was jealous of Diane, jealous of the way she was able to make him fall in love.

He was envious of that woman, but after that feeling of envy came pity.

More and more their affection for each other grew.

Let's just be ''friends''.

Such a convenient line.

While she felt hurt, spending time with him as if she was trying to make it so nothing would happen.

Yet, she didn't have a single complaint against this relationship conveniently labeled as ''friendship'' .

Even when she let out a smile, she still felt a tinge of sadness.

For Wolf is full of evidence that his love for her was genuine.

Sadness enveloped her again.

She wished she didn't know.

It would have been better if the three of them hadn't known.

The two maintained a close but distant relationship.

Understanding boundaries, most of the time they held back.

He wasn't one to pursue pointlessly.

She just wanted to be someone there during special moments, getting involved to augment her existence in The Nice Guys' lives.

Being that friend where you ask for advice.

Her conscience.

The Moral Lighthouse.

The Devil's Advocate.

Or the Deus Ex Machina when things go from bad to worse.

Yet in every little moment between Wolf and her.

The blood inside the body pumps.

The conversations created by their voices take them to heights they've never tasted before.

Moving their bodies to work as a team against the Bad Guy on duty, never felt so passionate.

They wanted to feel it more, more, and more.

They wanted to feel these moments forever.

It's as if they knew everything about each other, and stimulated all their senses.

They felt their emotions grow with each other's presence.

An emotional high they had never experienced before.

However, as they finished, the affection within her golden eyes could not be hidden as she stared at Snake.

People in love always form their own world, even if it's just by looking at each other.

They could feel the special bond between them.

The special bond was also evident to a select few.

Snake's patience and Wolf's initiative had an indescribable tenderness in their eyes when they looked at each other, as if keeping a secret.

She wasn't sad, or angry, or jealous.

Only a coldness had sunk its claws into her heart.

And Mr. Snake looking at her, staring at her, as if he had already seen right through her.

In that split second she had a guilty conscience.

She was afraid she had exposed something that had caused him to hate her, for standing there secretly cooking up an affair.

If Diane were Snake in that situation, she would be eager to punch the person in front of her.

This later sounds rather annoying, come to think of it, they both openly declared to be Best Friends.

Her heart slowly falters, and she can't help her stomach from twisting.

Eventually, under a conflicted and compressed heart, I ask.

Just Best Friends, were the answers.

And the comfort that came from a relieved heart, knowing there was hope that love was like a seed sprouting between Wolf and her.

They weren't perfect, but every look, every smile, every phrase, every word, made it all so special.

But Wolf couldn't hide the hidden love inside his heart for this other person.

Every time he asked, his answers didn't seem to be in line with his heart.

Diane was actually fed up with it all.

She is not a person who likes to hide things and she doesn't like to make misunderstandings to be pretentious and convoluted.

Although the possibility of misunderstanding in this matter is quite difficult to define, she still wants to set the record straight, so that she would not have to give up, or have regrets in the future.

And if only Wolf didn't act as if there was a lingering love for her, then she wouldn't be so indecisive.

She's never been so thirsty for someone, and she's never had a struggle like this either.

Doesn't she realize he's putting her through heaven and hell?

Alternating her in hopes and intense torments.

Instead of standing there staring at Snake, he would have been better off leaning on her.

But what was thought was still going to be thoughts.

He has his own limits.

Though she dares not say that all her decisions were made after careful deliberations.

She has always been willing to take on board the results she has produced.

She had many opportunities to give him a kiss.

With the tips of their noses almost touching, all he had to do was lean forward slightly. . .

At that moment he described the feeling in his heart: like chewing on a bitter lemon.

Wolf did not belong to Diane; and Diane did not belong to Wolf.

Since they did not belong to each other, and to see each other's eyes again with a clear conscience; they could not touch each other.

However, they put all their heart and soul into that little friendship.

They were just doing their best to share moments they considered wonderful, with the person they considered important.

Even when they realized it was only a small self-gratification, they still wanted to send a small portion of their hearts.

.

---

.

The weather is beautiful; The sun is shining and the wind is blowing through the leaves.

He closed the door and Lux put on his baseball cap, walked forward without looking back and got into Wolf's car.

The team's activities consisted mainly of general practices on Saturdays and a game with local teams.

In addition to that, they had an occasional game in a tournament.

And they were going to have a practice game this week.

I could hear the enthusiastic shouts of the baseball players on the field.

They heard the echoing high-pitched sound of the metal bat hitting the ball.

And they saw Lux's lanky body being pushed back instead of the ball.

The people around them let out chuckles.

Snake and Mr. Wolf; disguised as Mr. Poodelton, tried to cheer over the laughter.

When he recovered, he tried to slide into first base as they retrieved the ball, but didn't get there in time.

On the pitching mound, Lux's balls flew one after another over the batter's head.

There were a few that hit the wire fence, but many of the balls went from left to right, or straight to the ground.

The opposing team's pitching threw ruthless pitches at lightning speed to try to strike out the opposing batter.

Or so it seemed; Lux now as the catcher was hit mercilessly by every ball that threw his body backwards.

- I'll stop recording. -

Said Mr. Snake lowering the video camera.

- It's only his first day, it'll be a good time to remember. -

Wolf says, pulling up his sunglasses.

- And if he becomes a famous baseball player, he'll be good material for a documentary. -

- What happened to your eyes? -

the reptile asked.

- I cut onions for an omelet. -

The opposing team went to bat.

In the end they put him in as a center fielder, as it is too difficult for Lux to be sent to the infield.

The batted ball went almost over the head in the direction of center field.

It looked like he might catch it, but there was force on the hit.

Lux lost sight of it for an instant and ate it up.

His mouth was open.

It went down his throat.

It landed in his stomach.

- Spit it out! Spit it out! -

Wolf yells from the bleachers.

- Why doesn't he spit it out?! -

- He's no good at regurgitating! -

Snake yelled at him.

While he was retching, the right fielder, who is also on the track team, caught it and threw it.

But because he was slow to reach the ''ball,'' the player managed to run quickly to first base with seconds to spare.

Cheers erupted from the stands.

They continued with the play, the ball flying through the air as a sound of a ball hitting a bat echoed.

Returning to center field, Lux slid back to try to catch the ball, but it went over his head and the first two bases were loaded.

- Maybe Baseball is too hard - how about swimming? -

suggested the wolf.

- He hasn't been in a pool since he learned that they pee in the water. -

Lux got three strikes after failing in his second at bat.

- And how did the parents' outing go? -

Wolf asked with his eyes still on the kill.

- I couldn't learn all the names but it was fun; Ethan kept laughing at my jokes. -

- Is he gay and single? -

- Yes. -

- He likes you. -

- Please, he just has a really good sense of humor. -

- Whatever you say, but if you decide to get back on track, my boyfriend and I would love to double date. -

- You're dating so fast already? -

- With this face you think I stay single? -

Mr. Wolf bowed brazenly, aware of his attractive appearance.

Snake had no choice but to admit it.

Anyone's heart would flutter at Wolf's handsome appearance.

On top of that, he is the Director and founder of The Nice Guys, he has a sweet but playful personality.

He's a good person, has good looks, is gentle and intelligent, and genuinely loves.

The number of people who hit on him can no longer be counted on either hands or feet.

His love life has been rich, he never lacked a girlfriend/boyfriend, and each period of singleness does not exceed three months.

- I just thought you would take some time off after the singer. -

- Oh, you heard her? -

- You mean the song that says you still want to fuck your ex-wife? I think I heard it on the radio, on TV, on the bus and in the supermarket. -

- I'll give you a tip; Never date a singer, they'll make you the villain in their stories. -

- I'll keep that in mind. -

- But seriously, I bet $20 she likes you. -

I could tell he already knows how to read people.

He can't remember how many people had flirted with him, and having developed a sixth sense about these things, he could tell what the intentions were behind those requests or attitudes.

- Anyway it's also okay if you don't want to go out again. I'm not pressuring you. -

Snake just nods his head, whatever he's thinking no one knew.

The opposing team had accumulated points efficiently.

In the last inning they got on base in four, but thanks to their second base and short stop they managed to get through safely.

They had finished the practice game between the baseball teams, with the opposing team winning.

Later they took Lux to a pizza place in town to celebrate.

- It's my treat come. -

Said Snake toasting with a pizza box.

- Thank you. -

Lux apathetically took a slice and started eating, looking like he played a fierce game of Rugby.

- It's okay, you don't have to go back to Beisboll. -

- YES! -

- But you must find another activity. -

Lux makes a noise of disgust.

- It can be one of video games. -

suggested the wolf, pouring him a glass of soda.

- I've embarrassed myself enough. -

Mr. Wolf asks Snake with his eyes because of the boy's answer.

- He sucks at video games. -

The lupine laughs and pats Lux's head like a big brother.

- You have a long way to go to find what you're good at. -

.

---

.

While she was resting inside the soft rings of a snake, she had a long and beautiful dream.

She dreamed of marrying Snake.

The idea of making him her husband, creating her family with a few children, was a wonderful idea.

And when she finally becomes an unrecognizable old man, she will still be the snake with the wrinkled face holding her hands.

Love makes people full of fantasies; it was really very nice.

I had even tried to make it come true.

Every time the subject came up, Snake's expression darkened.

It seemed as if a trauma was awakening for him.

- Why do you keep insisting!? -

When he pulled away the hand that held him, it was not Wolf but Snake who was most surprised.

The one who had always been frustrated at not being able to treat him with the affection he deserved, was the first to shake Wolf's touch.

At that moment the golden pupils looking up at him were filled with a glistening wetness and within them there was also a hint of being hurt.

Although he knew he was having a hard time accepting that he didn't want to ''Get Out of the Closet'', Snake didn't bother talking about the situation.

One of the reasons for this was his familiarity that he would Understand anything, and also because he didn't want to bring up another argument with him on the same topic.

At the time Snake thought it would be fine, he believed there was nothing wrong with the love they had cultivated over time.

If you could just be together as you are now, you wouldn't need to get married, as long as your love remains complete, that would be enough.

Because the moment you think you might be wrong somewhere in your heart, you gather your excuses and justify one by one, in such a way that you brainwash yourself the more you talk to yourself.

So it's scary to change because you don't want to acknowledge that your whole life so far has been a failure.

But this was a situation that can hurt others.

Gradually they refrained from mentioning it.

Without his knowledge, a constant sadness had shaken him.

Emotions are similar to a hunter, they were so subtle and silent that even the person himself was unaware of their presence.

They crept slowly from head to toe, remaining oblivious, their world unaffected.

The Wolf became the Prey.

Realizing it, he could not wipe away the footprints that had already stained him, marked on his weary heart, pushing him into suffering and tormenting him.

An inexplicable sensation made his throat suddenly close.

His thoughts spiraled endlessly, he felt like he was going mad.

He turned Snake's words over and over in his head.

Nothing will change.

It will always be the same.

Hiding from the gaze of others and living in seclusion in the category: Best Friends.

Trapped in the imaginary closet, unable to breathe as he would like, unable to confidently enjoy the sunshine with the one he loves.

He felt as if something inside him was boiling.

Overwhelmed by the sheer sense of injustice.

She couldn't take her eyes off Snake even when she was finishing with him.

Just looking at that face, her heart beat erratically with a surge of loving emotions welling up uncontrollably.

He was always the kind of snake that doesn't move unless he wants to.

And he only decides to act because he doesn't like the situation he lives in day in and day out.

But time is finite and you must use it wisely.

I knew he also appreciated the diverse and beautifully defined meaning of marriage and freedom.

How could he be so sure?

He's not just any wolf who can't tell the difference between what's true and what's not.

He is his best friend and boyfriend, who has been watching and accompanying him for years.

He can find out about everything good and bad that happens in her life.

They knew each other so well because they had spent so much time together.

And because they knew each other so well, there were also many things they easily avoided or overlooked.

Thinking they would understand in time, as they always had.

- It's our routine; You throw and I answer. It's what brings us together! -

Not this time. . . .

It was an incredibly foolish and meaningless choice.

I just wanted to give him a push.

Let him see that if his fears decide for him.

He would regret it more, than choosing his own path and failing.

It's important to respect the past, but in the end, make your own decisions.

But he was consumed by the means and lost sight of the goal.

He made an irreversible mistake in the foolish belief that eventually he would understand another.

He drank straight from the bottle.

When he raised his head, his eyes were slightly closed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

A trickle of beer flowed out of the corner of his mouth, following his neck and into his plush chest.

He used to think of himself as a smart wolf.

He was wrong.

He reached out and wiped the residue of the drink from his mouth.

At the same time, tears began to flow from the corners of his eyes.

From the depths of his heart he always wanted to be by her side, but the heart and the body have different cares.

She felt against a rock and a hard place wanting to love him on one side and wanting to live the life she wanted on the other.

She wanted to talk it out but for the first time she felt she couldn't get through to Snake, and she knew he would react badly.

She knows that when she feels that everything is coming at her, she reacts by running away.

And that's what he did! He left the city!

Slowly they moved forward and the satisfaction of what they had achieved faded away as if they had never taken a step.

He drank half a bottle in one gulp, then gasped great gulps of air.

He continued to drink with his eyes red.

Remembering Snake's soft, gentle kisses landed on that snake's face and finally on his lips.

Watching him socialize skillfully, and laugh skillfully.

Suddenly a wave of sadness and frustration invaded his entire chest.

Feelings are such a contradictory creature.

She didn't want him to feel depressed and heartbroken over their breakup but after seeing him as normal as ever, without many ups and downs in his expression, she also felt sad.

He had just been desperately trying to get his '''wisdom''' into other people.

Just like a silly, childish adult who forgot to grow up.

The look on Webs face when he found him at the Bar had been enough of a sign to tell him that he had hit rock bottom.

On the way back in Diane's car, she hugged Shark, leaning on his shoulders and wept tragically.

They might think it was a pitiful thing to do but at that moment, the only thing left to do was to get in and move on.

She realized that things and people in this world cannot follow her intentions, and that she did not have the right to make decisions for everyone.

.

Snake, Wolf's best friend, and also her ex-boyfriend.

It's so clear now.

At first she thought hearing all that would have made her feel incredibly angry and jealous, but she didn't feel that way.

Her reason for having the seed of hope sprouting inside her, for the most part, was probably because she thought she had a chance even if it was a small one.

Blossoming so much that she believed Wolf finally . . .

But then, he had chosen Snake of his own free will long ago.

She had become too self-absorbed that she didn't realize it.

And now, because of her stupidity.

Not only did he fight a losing battle, he had also been the Good Guys' show all this time.

Whether they couldn't tell her or not.

She hates them for leaving her adrift in this situation.

The consideration and respect that are essential between friends vanished.

Merging with her growing hopelessness and shame.

All those moments together, but only doing these acts to remind her of their existence.

Were we never friends?

Or why did they keep including her in their group?

Did they refuse to tell her anything when they saw that she was in love with Wolf?

I thought it was some kind of sick joke.

She didn't want to believe it.

She couldn't control her own feelings, it was hard enough to hold back the tears.

She wondered what...

What thing made her enjoy being with them so much.

Shark.

Webs.

Piranha.

Wolf.

Snake.

He started helping them do more than just The Bad Guys.

She enjoyed their outings together.

Being part of the team made her happy.

She loved working as a team with The Good Guys.

But before she knew it, she had become a burden.

Having been alone for years, she had hoped to finally have a family, but instead, she realized her own loneliness.

Diane's complicated feelings were in a constant state of vacillation.

All this time, she had been alone.

Of course, there were those who supported her.

However, she never allowed herself to depend on them.

After all, she was a leader, she had to lead everyone.

Then the tears kept flowing, Diane cried and revealed her true feelings.

The four embraced her as they continued to spiral down into the depths of unbearable pain and loneliness, feverishly begging for forgiveness.

It was probably the words filled with honest affect that made Diane finally realize that The Nice Guys had become her family long ago.

The limits of all kinds of love lie in the ability to endure, to endure the fact that the people you love the most will also be the ones who hurt you the most.

Still, she had a careless, impulsive, yearning desire to give herself to love.

It was as if she had regressed to being a teenager with those selfish, childish feelings.

She channeled her impulse to send them to hell and her anger into a reckless gamble, a gamble without hesitation.

.

To say there were no ups and downs in moving on is a lie.

Snake is gone.

How can you completely forget the person you've loved for years in a few days?

Feelings are not objects where you can buy and then vote.

It's not simple, it's like when you keep a necklace in a jewelry box, over time, it gets tangled around your body and in every aspect of your life; they can only be untangled little by little.

When she was cooking she realized that she was preparing about eleven dishes, due to Snake's big appetite, she would make big meals that could fill a snake's stomach.

And unconsciously she would go to the opposite side of the bed, because early in the morning, she used to kiss Snake's forehead to wake him up.

Or when her cat ran and curled up in a little fluffy ball on her side of the bed, hunching her head under the quilt to catch Snake's scent.

At every moment, she lay motionless, meeting cruel reality.

Feeling a sense of emptiness, unpleasant and unsettling.

He remembered the moment when Snake loved him and it saddened him even more.

He felt as if remnants of the past, preserved in memories, were haunting his heart.

His friends, they could not say any words to him that could have helped him to be strong, because in this kind of situation, who can really be strong?

Before leaving the apartment where they lived together, he turned around briefly.

Perhaps because it contained years of time, numerous memories with Snake passed like a shooting star.

She held back the welling tears and finally the door closed with a thud.

My time, which had stood still, began to move.

As much as I felt I had lost something important after being together for so long, I would eventually accept it.

.

That day she took a large apple pie and went to visit him at his new apartment.

When they had the party at his new home, he wasn't there that day; he had a meeting for most of the day.

After the meeting was over, he still had to prepare for a business trip he had the next day so they didn't see each other for a week.

He greeted her politely as Diane took this opportunity to talk to him.

Wolf's pet Cat wagged her tail hurriedly and came over to meet him.

He jumped up to get on her lap for some petting before he fell down and then just sat there on the floor, he continued to wag his tail looking in the direction of the door.

He's waiting for Snake.

Probably because he hadn't seen him for so long, this time he was persistent.

Wolf lowered his ears and was silent for a moment.

Diane looked at his long eyelashes; her heart was scratched.

According to logic, knowing that her rival in love was gone should have made her feel happy, but she could only feel heaviness.

She saw many times Wolf resist her habit of dialing Snake's phone number from memory, just to tell him how her day went or when she was going to be late home.

She just felt sad, maybe because she now thought her love for Wolf would not bear fruit, so she just longed for him to be okay.

Realizing that only once Snake was well, Wolf would feel a little better.

She had many assumptions about Wolf, and inspects him.

She wanted to kiss him, but it was mere desire; The most important lesson in life is self-control.

Only she knew how much she wanted to take him in her arms and kiss his tears, but she cannot.

She could only assume the role of a friend and stay with him.

She could only listen to him lose his voice because of the one he loved.

She had always made self-control her credo, keeping her distance from that moment on was the best thing for both of them.

She holds back, doesn't think about him, doesn't look at him, doesn't care about him. . .

On the one hand, she was trying to restrain herself from thinking about Wolf, on the other, she uncontrollably wanted to know how he was doing.

So she cares for him as a true friend would.

However, a turning point presented itself before them both.

Wolf found himself simply following her with his eyes.

He really likes Diane's voice; it was able to relax his nerves more than any kind of music.

He stands in awe of her strong, spunky personality.

Seriously, how deeply is she going to captivate him before she is satisfied?

He felt as if she was healing his hopes for life.

After Snake left, he didn't feel like doing anything, but he wanted to try to match her determination.

For this matter he was secretly delighted in his heart.

He had really worked hard to better himself and after working hard so far, he should give her an explanation.

One evening they sat and talked for a long time about the situation.

Bowing his head shyly, he kissed her on the cheek, and began to truly adore her.

Diane paused briefly, before smiling softly as she leaned closer.

Once she started, she couldn't stop.

Their kisses gradually deepened.

They both wished the moment would last forever.

And as the world moved forward at a breakneck pace.

They had been together for quite some time.

In that time, they had faced many adversities.

From the fierce attacks of The Bad Guys, to the prying eyes of the world around them.

At the end of the arduous road they had traveled, subsequently, the two discussed the future.

The wedding of the two took place on a day brimming with warm light and gentle breezes.

The wedding party was with only a limited number of guests.

Most of those who attended were close to the bride and groom.

There was only one empty seat.

Even so, the party was filled with joy, surrounded by kind friends who sincerely wished the two happiness.

And with heaven as their witness, the newlyweds were deeply passionate and their attractions were mutual:

Diane would often work on the computer late at night.

Wolf would give her a hot latte and sit beside her quietly playing on the cell phone.

Forcing himself to stay awake, pretending he wasn't sleepy, and since he refused to go to sleep, Diane would reluctantly agree to go to sleep just so he could rest.

When she returned to her room after a tiring day at the governorship, she would discover a vase on the table filled with small flowers.

If Wolf spoke up or showed interest in something, the next day Diane would give him the ornament she saw in the display case, some movie tickets or invite him to eat at that restaurant she mentioned.

Sometimes, the two of them would walk and unconsciously hold hands on a whim.

Their hearts were always racing.

But they would also argue over trivial things.

Like when Diane over-seasoned her food and burned Wolf's mouth.

A Vulpina upset because her husband left the air conditioner on when she was freezing.

Wolf forgetting to tell the restaurant not to put mayonnaise on Diane's Burger when she ordered takeout.

Or when they would leave the phone on silent mode and the other party would get frustrated by not answering their calls.

The most difficult test.

Politicians' professional lives and personal lives constantly intermingle.

Wolf reached a point where he was forced to attend public events to improve his image, and show the world that they are a normal couple.

The first few times were fun, the middle times a duty, and the last few times a job.

The worst part, is that if he said or did anything stupid, or that he considered inappropriate, Diane would end up being known as the biggest idiot for marrying someone so dumb.

That happened more than they ever imagined.

And being hated with a passion by the opposite political party.

They would always get over it, making great efforts to live their lives well, but eventually all their hopes and efforts come to nothing.

How can this happen?

How can you not feel any emotion?

Years of love, friendship, companionship, intimacy, jokes, memories, plans for our future are gone, just like that and without looking back.

Before this, he felt a stubborn, subtle estrangement slowly forming in Diane that he didn't know and didn't let himself know.

It just settled in, warmed up and gradually became a hidden problem as it accumulated over the years.

Until it exploded.

Wolf is so good, and it was precisely because he is so good that she had never met anyone like him before.

It was her first relationship that went anywhere, and ironically, the one that taught her the difference between thinking about having children, and wanting children.

She always thought she would have them eventually.

But when the opportunity came for her to have them. . . .

She couldn't, she felt torn, she was afraid that someday they would both get hurt.

However, she was also afraid that she wouldn't be able to get over it if they were really separated.

She fell into denial, she lied to herself that she wasn't ready yet.

Each person, in their own way, laments that the world mocks them.

But the bittersweet days persisted.

And she knew Wolf could feel it.

He had to tell him.

No matter how things would turn out, Wolf wouldn't be able to leave her.

She believed that the love they had built together could overcome anything.

Because breaking up would be like denying and discarding that whole period of time.

The smile that had been on Wolf's face a moment ago faded as quickly as a wilting flower.

She had quickly realized that the glow of their relationship was waning, and misery was knocking at the door.

Diane still remembers all the promises she had made to him.

Wolf has never forgotten them.

He vowed that Diane would be the only woman he would ever love.

The vows he made then were sincere.

So they were also heartless.

They should not have been treated as a vow for eternity.

People often think things are set in stone.

And when the truth stood in front of them, like mountain everest, it was inevitable that they would feel sad.

Happiness derived from interpersonal relationships unexpectedly turned out to be very fragile.

Sometimes, just because of a small trigger, it could easily end it.

Ultimately, they were two people going their separate ways.

And somewhere along their paths was an intersection, which caused them to travel together.

But they had to keep moving forward on their own journeys;

Wolf could not change his course and go Diane's way, and Diane, could not force him to go with her, nor go with him.

At that moment Wolf had no one but her to fulfill that dream he wanted so badly.

However, she did not take into account what she felt, and instead of taking her role as his only ally, she ended up being his worst enemy.

Depriving him of an existence more precious and irreplaceable than any treasure.

A family of three that he was supposed to live together with the woman who promised him to share that life.

Guilt seeped into his conscience.

If someone else is miserable because of you, you will carry that burden for the rest of your life.

In anxiety and fear, I had acted recklessly and now. . . . When it was too late . What a fool I had been.

Perhaps it would have been better if it happened a little sooner.

Before she had time to get used to the years they had spent together.

But what could not be denied, was that the time had finally come for their end.

It's sad, but it's okay.

He has decided not to run away from reality anymore.

He will be watching from afar again, wishing Mr. Wolf happiness.

Then Wolf burst into tears from his big eyes.

It's not fair to cry.

Diane has been holding back all this time so she wouldn't cry...

They both covered each other in an embrace.

Perhaps, if there is a creator who drew and molded them so that their destinies would be together.

Wolf and Diane were determined to be entangled all this life, and ironically, life itself made them too different and drove them apart.

His voices are choked with crying and he could not speak very well.

In this life, they both remained indebted to each other.

They vowed that in the next life, they would settle that account.

After a while, as if finding comfort somewhere in their hearts, they cried a little and smiled softly.

The last face they saw as husband and wife, they seemed to be crying and laughing.

And so, Wolf's life became a complete downward spiral for the second time.

Now, after years of marriage, the memories of every day spent with Diane are deeply ingrained in his mind.

Even if he wants to forget, he can't.

Piranha found him vomiting in an alley outside the bar where he had been drinking.

Slowly, she began to believe the words her father had once said: When you love, you lose.

And he, too, had already lost.

He had an epiphany of sorts after the punch he got from his friend, who yelled in his face:

- Drowning comes from knowing how to swim! You know how to love! Will you give up without kicking!? -

Those lines seemed quite appropriate for his current situation.

Misfortune and happiness coexist and depend on each other; misfortune gives rise to happiness, while within happiness is misfortune.

He finally realized that he hadn't quite grasped the reality of breakups.

They had been together for years.

In the time they shared, nothing was in vain.

His love for Diane and Snake are alive and perfectly rooted in those years.

The memories were proof of that.

Their heart overflowed with genuine love, and there is a long way to go to reach their destination, so let's take it as an adventurous journey.

It is the path you chose; you will keep walking and never stop.

There may be many days in the future when you will regret your decisions.

But still, you want to be proud of yourself for choosing the life you truly want to live.

It's okay to go slow, it's okay to get lost, it's okay to take a wrong turn, but you will never stop moving forward even on a dark path, because you will always find a way to find a great view at the end of the road.

.

---

.

In the morning, Snake woke up, went to wash and change his clothes.

Lux woke up slowly and looked at his cell phone.

He got out of bed, rubbed his eyes and went downstairs.

Snake put down his bowl of cereal and warmed up the bread for him to eat for breakfast.

When the school bus arrived, they both said goodbye with an I love you.

While Lux is at school.

Heavy Heavy Metal music with the thrill of magnificent electric instruments flows in the house.

On the television over the counter, a recorded rendition of a band from the 1980s was playing.

Intoxicated by the music tickling his ears, Snake gently closed his eyes and savored the melody.

His head nodded and his lips perked up.

At that moment he heard several shouts of pedestrians and neighbors passing by his house interrupting his amusement.

They were voices fleeing from the New Bad Guy attacking the city who was to be defeated by The Good Guys, turned over to the police and subject to further investigation.

He turned up the sound more.

Someone's screams blended nicely with the louder music.

Snake, who was wagging his tail and singing as if he were the vocalist, somehow heard the doorbell and went to check it out.

A singed and smoking Wolf greeted him:

- May I come in? I need to rest and wait for them to bring the tow truck for my car. -

Next, he slumped down on the couch.

Before closing the door, he checked the neighborhood situation, and admits the great efficiency of Agent Doom's security.

He closed his eyes again and immersed himself in the music.

Looks like Wolf will be staying for lunch.

When the lupine opened his eyes, Snake was finishing his meal.

- Good thing you woke up, I was going to call an ambulance if you kept this up. -

He heard an unusual silence on the other side of the room for a while.

He turned his head to see Wolf from the kitchen staring at the living room wall full of pictures:

A roller coaster ride with Rhonda.

Webs celebrating Lux's tenth birthday.

Joy joining them at a school event.

A New Year's Eve with Piranha.

Picnic day with Emmylou.

A very excited Lux hugging a Shark dressed as Santa Claus.

Pam and the family of three snakes enjoying a day at the beach.

And many more photos until we end up at the old photo of Snake's last birthday as Bad Guy.

- Oh. . . . Wolf. . . . We resumed friendship a few years ago, don't be mad at them, I asked them not to say anything to you and Diane. -

- . . . That's a good thing, I'm happy for you. -

Said Mr. Wolf giving him a friendly smile while being aware of his facial muscles.

Hoping Snake didn't see any unnatural smiles on his face.

- This must have been your husband. -

He points to a photo of the two snakes, smiling as they hold their marriage certificate in the courthouse, and whose eyes are filled with infinite tenderness and love.

- May I ask questions? -

Okay, Snake take a deep breath, I knew this would eventually happen.

- Go ahead. -

He said with an uncomfortable complacency.

- Was he an undocumented immigrant? -

. . . If that's an icebreaker question; it worked.

- His parents were, but he was born in the country. -

- Here's the one you've been waiting for; did he die of a congenital disease, or a condition from years ago? -

. . . How specific.

- He was in perfect health. It was a ruptured brain aneurysm, he just died in his sleep. -

- That's all there is to it. -

- Really? No more questions? -

- What's the hurry? Better to get to know him little by little. -

That made Snake smile as he took a breath from his aching heart.

They sat across from each other at the rectangular table and began eating with small talk.

- I was hoping you'd come out to help. -

Wolf began.

- I had a whole plan that you would show up in a surprise attack, and I had to improvise when that wasn't the case. -

The lupine is still in a scorched state.

- I'm sorry, but now I have to think about Lux, I can't take that kind of risk, I'm all he's got. -

Everything is different now.

He has unfinished business and many things to do.

Besides, there are people waiting for him and they need him.

After working and taking care of himself so much, he can't be so dishonest as to throw himself into everything and fight The Bad Guys.

The place he must fight for is none other than next to Lux, maybe fight for the world he will grow up in but nothing that will threaten his physical integrity.

Because the Snake that had been running away decided not to anymore.

Wolf looked at him with a big smile on his face and said:

- You get cooler every year. -

- That's the cross I must bear. -

They burst out laughing.

- But seriously. -

Snake says wiping away a tear from laughing.

- I was talking to Ethan and he wants to meet Sunday night. -

- That's great! -

- I wanted to ask you; if you can watch Lux that night. -

- Pizza for dinner. -

- Do it, I'll also leave you some money to buy ice cream. -

Wolf nods satisfied with that deal.

- All I ask is that you don't say anything to Lux, I'll talk to him if things get serious. -

.

---

.

Mr. Wolf was always a familiar place.

Whether they parted ways, they came back, and it always felt safe, and unchanged.

And Snake would always wait for him, hold him, and take care of him in that safe haven that belonged to both of them.

That was the familiar and comforting life of the two.

Their hearts and attitudes remained always devoted to each other.

No matter what they did, even if they acted selfishly, they had the belief that they would always wait for each other.

Over time they instilled habits and routines.

When he woke up in the morning, he instinctively slid into the empty space, a gesture of embracing Wolf who used to lie next to him.

But all he found was the cold sheet.

Each time he felt empty and with a chilling sensation that squeezed his heart.

He still listened to the weather forecast and the traffic situation, to warn Wolf about the routes.

He would startle for a moment and turn off the radio.

He doesn't know exactly when he became dependent on his food.

Realizing the need to turn on his phone and take a look when Wolf didn't text or call him for a long period of time.

Or when he bought cat food by mistake.

And coming back to the apartment and seeing it empty, it was as if his mind went blank, feeling uneasy.

He recalled the past, which he dismissed as trivial things and let slip away, suddenly invading his mind.

The atmosphere when those words were spoken, and Wolf's expression vividly resurfacing as if it happened yesterday.

He did not hear how important those words were to Wolf.

In the end his stubbornness dominated his mind, believing he would understand, with the idea that Wolf would be by his side deeply ingrained in his mind.

If only there was something else that could have saved this love.

They would get it somehow.

But they were too busy looking for the right answer.

Both too busy worrying about themselves.

He felt discontent, but no longer questioning why, he knew that answer, even if he pretended not to understand.

He couldn't stop crying.

His chest felt like it was going to burst.

Until a few days ago, she could laugh.

Ever since she started dating Wolf, she had always been happy.

Every day was filled with an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

There were times when he was filled with jealousy, anger and unpleasant feelings, but he could always enjoy the spices of love.

However, they broke up.

He thought they would be together for better or worse.

He can't say anything, he has no choice but to accept it.

She has found someone else and her feelings will no longer return.

She was planning to always be with Wolf, even if they never got married.

Her mind and heart are a mess.

The tears kept flowing, crying out loud.

She can't forget him easily.

Every day was depressing.

He can't calm down.

He has no appetite.

He gets angry over silly things.

He can't sleep at night.

He felt more and more melancholy.

He really feels like he is going crazy.

He doesn't want to be in pain anymore.

If he was going to go through so much suffering.

Better they had never known love.

He just wanted to disappear.

Of course, the will to see Wolf and talk to him was growing.

If his love held firm, he wouldn't be so shaken and wouldn't hesitate so much.

But when Wolf's affection wavered, it also made him anxious and insecure.

And when he becomes too quiet, and begins to drown in his thoughts, he needs to distract himself.

He started smoking along the way, using that destructive pastime to try to restore his racing mind to a former semblance of peace that he knew to be false.

Suddenly, his gaze froze on a Stand-Up advertisement.

Specifically; on the image of the snake that would be performing that night.

He had seen countless people, but he had always been struck by the sight of another snake.

As he passed by the entrance, he clearly saw its appearance, shiny scales, straight nose and mature facial features, a look truly befitting of general confidence.

The green-scaled anaconda calmly slithered to the center of the small stage.

He took the microphone in front of the stage and looked out at the audience.

She calmly opened her mouth and her clear voice carried throughout the venue.

They had been silent for a long time, and then the hall erupted in a barrage of laughter.

Mr. Snake was already laughing in shock.

Until now he had been influenced by negativity, but now it was the opposite.

Every night, when he had a really bad day, he always liked to go and watch him dominate the stage.

And so, he slithered up to the entrance, and was greeted by the snake he had been watching for the past few nights.

Even if Snake is focused on his self-suffering; he wasn't so engrossed that he didn't notice that he was constantly being watched as well.

Especially since that snake was looking at him boldly and without any attempt at concealment.

As soon as he arrived on stage, its eyes constantly scanned his face.

He alluded to the fact that he recognized him as one of the founders of The Nice Guys.

They drank in silence for a while.

When they opened the second bottle, they became more talkative.

Gilbert.

A relatively successful comedian just starting his career at the age of fifty.

Leaving a traditional, stable career that was not for him.

Now performing on radio stations, writing in some magazines and small newspapers, as well as doing his own social media material.

He's waiting to be called to do TV comedy specials or be a screenwriter.

It's a hard life, but he's always been able to laugh, and hopes to pass that joy on to those who will listen.

Snake, eagerly told him that he does, in fact, have that kind of ability.

In his dark world, he painted and shared his light, which helped him to be calm and serene.

They began to grow closer.

Simply sitting together at the dinner table or attending evening shows became enjoyable experiences for both of them.

As they got to know each other more, they had outings to see the city, to the movies, restaurants and parks.

Gilbert always listens to him with a smile on his face.

Snake also listens to Gilbert's daily problems and activities.

Then, the two of them would eat ice cream while laughing.

He had been thinking about the green snake before going to bed, which made him dream about Gilbert, looking at him with tenderness that was reserved only for him.

He couldn't resist and kissed him.

Before he could continue, however, the alarm clock went off and woke him up.

After waking up, he felt neither guilt nor panic.

He just stared at the alarm clock irritated, wishing he had had ten minutes to finish the kiss.

And feeling curious what it would be like to actually kiss him.

From his objective perspective, this kind of ''love'' is just the curiosity and longing that arises when one physical body meets another physical body.

''Love'' at this moment is just the curiosity and longing that arises when you are in a vulnerable state.

Probably because he had been experiencing loneliness for the past few days, he unexpectedly turned around and latched on to the first one who gave him affection.

He just has a soft spot for The Nice Guys.

If Gilbert were completely covered in cuts and bruises, he would still want to give a kind look to someone else who had suffered.

The expression he has when he looks at Snake is enough to make him secretly happy for a good period of time, because he was full of care and concern for him.

Maybe it's a little pathetic

Having to use this kind of method to get some affection.

But if someone were to ask Mr. Snake if he regrets it, he'd answer no.

After that dream, she saw him again for many more days.

As usual, they were watching TV in the apartment.

A journalistic event for The Nice Guys who kept explaining his absence as a vacation, and wishing him to come back soon.

I missed them very much.

- Do you know why Diane and Mr. Wolf aren't together? It's super obvious that they love each other. Is there something stopping them? -

Snake realized once again, that people can really torment others, like Gilbert who asked an innocent question; But it was as if he took a dagger and cut his heart without knowing it.

He felt so much pain that his whole body trembled, but he still had to pretend to be relaxed and say:

- I don't know. -

But tears flowed and sobs overflowed in his throat.

His mind buzzed like the sound of rain, casting shadows.

He has to accept the one truth that is cruel to him.

He wanted to be by her side, and he cried every day because his thoughts were so clouded he couldn't see.

Gilbert looked at him.

Snake shuddered, his throat choked and only the sound of sobbing could be heard, the anaconda gently patted the yellow snake's back, caressing him, as if this could soothe all his sadness.

The room was warm, she took him to bed so he could rest, but he did not sleep peacefully.

Snake spun around and around, low moans coming out of his mouth.

Frowning and tightening his body into a spiral.

Gilbert couldn't bear to witness this, so he clutched his tails to let her know he was there.

He didn't know if it was because he felt her heat, but somehow he gradually calmed down and returned to a peaceful sleep.

Gilbert just rested his upper body on the bed and looked at him, not letting go.

At that moment Snake felt as if his desolate heart had been released.

He had surrendered, that was all.

Memories swirled in his mind, his moment with Wolf was a long one, temporarily freeing him from the reality that he had lost him completely.

But one must always look forward, and even dreamers must wake up someday.

He fell asleep as he listened to the gears of his life change.

As for what happened that night, the two tacitly did not mention it.

Gilbert, concerned, took the initiative to see him more often.

And with quiet frankness, he showed that he was pursuing it, and the efforts were noticed and appreciated by Snake.

He didn't like flowers and didn't care for such things.

But the vibrant colorful flowers, held by Gilbert as he smiled for his birthday.

It made the room sparkle when he arrived. Still she told him not to buy her any more flowers.

He returned her thanks by unpacking a box of cake and singing happy birthday to her on her day.

They loved to watch each other eat the breakfast, lunch or dinner they painstakingly prepared, with a sense of fullness always making them feel in their hearts when they finished the whole plate.

They could spend an afternoon together, even without speaking, and only once in a while they would look up to give each other a smile.

They could share every day without getting tired of each other.

Feeling that their hearts could be filled for a long time, just for that feeling that the other had given them.

From those moments on, they would casually chat about emotions.

Hiding in the room, they would talk as they sat across from each other and acted as if they saw nothing.

It was this kind of mutual understanding that allowed them to get to know each other better.

As soon as he entered the school, he would get many curious, or disgruntled, looks.

Most people would stare at Snake while whispering among themselves, casting scornful glances.

Feeling uncomfortable with these stares.

No matter where he went, no matter which way he turned his head, there were always people looking at him.

Those stares seemed to want to undress him, feeling like an animal in a zoo being watched.

The din of screams echoing in his ears, cries and insults.

The words and looks became needles that pricked his life, causing him pain and leaving him isolated.

Every day hearing conversations calling him a monster.

People enjoying making fun of Snake, and coming up to hit him.

He could only grit his teeth; no one would defend him.

They would just watch indifferently, as emotionless bystanders.

Not making eye contact.

No response when he spoke.

Everyone in the class completely ignoring him.

The teachers who saw him, pretended they didn't see, and would punish him when he stood up for himself.

He would walk into the teacher's lounge, getting slapped by the teacher.

Something still common in 1.96X.

With each slap, the other teachers, sat at their desks, arms crossed, eyes closed, going about their work and remaining silent.

He learned to put up with it. . . . I mean, it was still better than being hit by a rake.

But it escalated, they tore up his books, painted his locker with hurtful words, threw his backpack in the trash.

He began to suffer from insomnia, to doubt himself, to occasionally despise himself, wondering if he was so disgusting and disappointing.

With so much on his mind, he always resisted his own sexuality.

Because he has long been aware of his surroundings.

And then he got scared.

Honestly speaking, all kinds of feelings welled up in his heart, which he liked, but still made him feel very difficult.

The family, the children, they were all restrictions.

But then, a young man with the same interests had chosen his feelings of his own free will.

That was probably the very moment when the seed of hope sprouted inside Snake.

Then, it blossomed so much that he thought;

Truly extraordinary.

It was then that he realized that he was the kind of person he wanted to be.

He wanted to do his best to achieve it.

He had become too self-absorbed that he didn't realize it.

That this young man was a worldly person and would never be allowed to go against the rule.

It seemed to have become an implicit rule, so they punished the rule breaker.

In a river was where he ended up.

If the perception of the outside world did not exist, perhaps he would have been able to live peacefully.

But they were trapped in the mentality that homosexuality was on par with drugs, cults, and crime.

In a society where people considered homosexuality monstrous and disgusting, they were despised and shunned.

When everyone else tried to blend in with the masses, being different became an aberration and they were considered patients.

Feelings of frustration and revulsion were more than memories and affection for that thing called love.

And it was not by Snake and Gilbert's own volition to find themselves living in terror of this ''new'' disease that supposedly cleansed all citizens who represented a danger or disease to morals.

Now in the present, everyone else wants them to move on and forget.

Because the ''normal'' thing is for them to be cured after a few years, as if nothing had happened.

But they couldn't.

Escaping from hell does not really mean liberation.

The paralysis, the unconscious tremors and the irregular heartbeat reminded them that they were marked and could never escape.

The scars carved into his bones made him unable to control himself, so he could only retreat and avoid.

They were the marks left by the devil.

In the end, living as an outcast is even easier to accept than being gay.

Gilbert's parents urged him to hurry up and find a girlfriend.

He was afraid to speak out and make them uncomfortable or even upset.

He couldn't say anything.

They are very traditional.

So he found a suitable wife to settle down with.

His reason for getting married, for the most part, was probably because he thought at the time it was a social norm that he had to comply with.

At the time, the word he was most afraid of was "abnormal."

Because he himself thought that maybe he really was.

Even if he didn't like it that way, once they lived together for a long time, they eventually cultivated some genuine feelings.

But cuddling and kissing at night, the emptiness and loneliness would only increase for both of them.

Hearts are complex and need to consider things constantly.

The two were stuck in this uncomfortable stalemate.

Time is powerful, it eventually wore everything down to nothing.

Whether joy or tragedy, it all eventually ended with goodbye.

Gilbert was the one who didn't love her, it has nothing to do with her, getting to today's point was purely his fault.

Much later, he began to miss her less and less.

With his eyes full of mixed emotions, Gilbert realized that he could now control her life and her death.

That strange emotion had come suddenly, fiercely and violently, unable to be repressed.

To some extent, he could ignore the ''norms'' of society.

After visiting his parents' graves and thanking them for everything, he stopped by his office and resigned.

He rented a place outside his small town to live his second chance.

Thus, many new things began.

Snake and Gilbert had no affectionate actions in public, when they ran into co-workers or friends on the street, they would just say:

- He's my Best Friend. -

They had to hide carefully and cautiously from the world.

It had been stubborn for half their lives and they couldn't change it just like that.

Being showered with screams and curses, as well as strange looks.

They are hyper aware that the world has shadows that will never find the light, and that no one will be able to dispel the prejudices and rumors that are so deeply rooted.

They simply could not get drunk in the inclusive and friendly light that existed now.

But there were times when the world ceased to exist and it was just the two of them.

It was one night in early autumn, each bout of autumn rain came with bouts of cold.

Gilbert and Snake are on the side of the road.

Next to the bus stop.

Snake holding an umbrella and Gilbert holding him.

They looked like a very affectionate couple.

During that moment they didn't know that Mr. Wolf was nearby driving his new car.

As he passed them, jealousy rose unexpectedly in her heart.

He was far enough away, but her eyes were still glued to the rearview mirror, watching as they ended up in a kiss.

But the passage of time changes everything, it's like the waves that will inevitably crash against the shore, how can you go against nature? The waters will not go in the direction you want them to go.

Without realizing it, they began to wear colors, eat foods and do things they didn't like before, but as the days went by, they really began to like it.

Don't ask him how, but one day, Snake understood the importance and beauty of the theme of love and commitment to a partner for the value of a life.

As he had completely closed himself off in his own world, this new epiphany was like a shot in the heart.

Perhaps because of the experience with Wolf, or because he has been living by the opinions of others for years, following the ''rules'' and bearing the heavy burden of a life that no longer satisfies him.

Now he has something precious to him and he wants to keep it.

Thinking about the future and how maybe Gilbert and he would live like this for many more years was scary and hurt him.

It was as clear as day.

But what about Gilbert? Would he agree?

It would have been nice if the relationship would continue as it was.

But the truth is, it didn't really happen.

He wonders what kind of karma he got to deserve this.

He feels like he's about to lose something important for the second time.

That would drive anyone crazy, and for Snake, who had a habit of resisting and keeping everything inside, he couldn't avoid this madness.

It was as if a knife had been plunged into the softest part of his heart.

They had been together for a long time, and that long period of time could change or be destroyed.

This pain cannot compare to what Wolf must have experienced.

He must have felt even more intense suffering and despair from Mr. Snake who treated him with indifference.

Wolf had no strength to win for the two of them, he wanted me to help him.

Now he understood, after losing him.

This throbbing, nagging pain in his heart.

It was sharp and completely shattered all feelings, dominating and leaving a strong aftertaste at the thought of losing Gilbert.

How many times did Wolf experience this pain?

At this point, he doesn't blame Wolf for leaving him.

Sometimes he felt like he was falling into an abyss, sometimes he felt like he was wandering without purpose, and sometimes even talking felt like an ordeal.

He wonders how long he will have to deal with these feelings.

Life doesn't always go smoothly.

We are mortal, complicated and imperfect.

And like everyone else, we have arguments, we have each other's backs, we console each other, we take care of each other.

Regardless of what happens, as long as you are determined to try, you will dare to keep moving forward.

And if on this path is to choose that their relationship cannot be openly acknowledged, Snake chose for the first time to follow his own heart when faced with the opposition of his own mind.

As a result of his confrontation, Gilberte who had the power to decide for his life asked him for some time to think about it.

Both Snake's breathing and heart almost stopped completely.

He could not say anything and just stood there.

I could not express his endless sadness, nor did anyone know of the bitter pain in his heart when he saw Gilbert leave the apartment.

She guessed that was the distance between their hearts.

Their bodies were full of wounds and their hearts could hardly bear it.

It could not be helped that Gilbert had not forgotten.

Mr. Snake now understands.

No matter what kind of despair or painful grief one experiences, one eventually has to accept what happened and move on.

Those who managed to muster the strength to overcome such problems are the ones who achieve the greatest happiness.

He never had the right to take away Wolf's opportunity to overcome.

Sometimes we have to untie what binds us and go where we need to go.

While he was very depressed at the time, he was now glad he had done it, his day to day life had changed.

When he returned to the apartment, the two embraced tightly, a new kind of spark igniting between them as they renewed their love for each other.

They cherished and cared for each other, as spouses this time.

Her marriage to Gilbert was not glamorous or idyllic, but it was warm and comforting, like a ray of sunshine.

Some time later, she received the wedding invitation from Wolf and Diane, only then did she know they were getting married.

In the photo on the invitation they were smiling in the shot.

The heads of the vulpine and the wolf were slightly tilted very intimately as they looked into each other's eyes.

It was the same in real life.

Never looking away from each other.

They are really in love.

Snake suddenly smiles, as if his feelings of so many years were gone.

It had finally come to an end.

Snake, deeply in love with Gilbert, claims that their married life was happy, and losing him had drained all the color out of her life for a whole year.

His soul was separated from his body and transported to heaven.

As if asleep, the anaconda in its rings died silently.

It no longer wakes up.

It has stopped talking.

It no longer moves.

After thinking about it a million times.

Why did it die?

What did he do?

She called him again and again, but there was no answer.

His breathless body was already cold and stiff when he woke up this morning.

No matter how much he cried and screamed this time, he could not bring back the person who dried his tears and shared his burdens.

The snake that was by his side at all times, encouraging and protecting him, passed away.

His mind was completely dominated by Gilbert.

Like a broken projector, he tirelessly replayed the scenes of their life together over and over again.

She could not control the memory in which she told him:

- I love you. -

These words should have been the sweetest words to remember.

However, they only brought him incomparable agony.

The pain in his heart felt like it was shattering.

I don't understand.

I don't understand.

The bundle of emotions was tearing him apart.

That kind of feeling really wasn't good.

He was trapped, feeling really anxious.

Breathing started to feel harder.

His breaths were shallow and rapid.

He had to open the window, letting the cold air into his lungs to help him steady himself.

He began to produce a mental outline of what he wanted to say for when he had to talk to Lux.

She had to comfort him.

And no matter what, he had to arrange a decent funeral for Gilbert.

Nothing ostentatious.

Just something small and intimate.

On the day of the funeral, all his friends came.

They said goodbye to his remains.

At the front was Snake and Lux.

The youngest snake mourned beyond recognition.

Snake supported him in a hug.

Gilbert was sent to the burial.

Staring at his loved one sinking into that hole of earth, he felt a sense of melancholy.

And a taste of bitter loneliness.

He heard Lux's howls of weeping, her cries spread far and wide.

Mr. Snake was there consoling him.

He was thinking of the immense suffering his son must be enduring.

Only after Gilbert was buried.

Snake helped Lux into Shark's car to rest, and in his present state, he didn't get a chance to say goodbye to his daddy for the last time.

The little snake cried until he felt like fainting.

Webs told Snake that he would be taken care of.

Snake looked at her with red, puffy eyes, she can't stand it and said thank you before returning to her husband's grave at full speed.

He caressed the tombstone which was icy cold.

He stood in front of the grave, silent as if he were a statue.

After leaving the funeral home that day, the friends they made in town immediately left.

Webs, Shark and Piranha stayed with the snakes for a few days to take care of them.

Eventually they had to leave.

Lux and Snake accompanied them to say goodbye and thank them for their care.

They hugged them and tried to reassure them that they would be okay.

Shark assured them that if anything happened they could call them, that the four of them would always be there for the two of them.

It was hard living in that house.

Not long ago, there were still three people living together in that house.

Curled up watching movies together, fighting over who got to eat the last Pancake and when the night was cold, they would snuggle under the blankets and cuddle up to sleep.

Now, it was just the two of them .

.

---

.

After Lux left for school, Snake went back to sleep all morning.

Her sleep has become irregular since what happened with her husband.

He no longer has nightmares, but he still wakes at irregular hours to check on his son to make sure he is still breathing.

A ringing woke him up.

It's Wolf's ringtone, sleepily, he picked up his cell phone and turned it on.

The notification bar began to display the various notifications that came in.

He stared at the screen for several seconds before pressing the answer button and before he could speak he froze on the spot with what he heard.

After staring for what seemed like an eternity at the road from the porch of his house, the next moment a new car pulled up, finally Wolf and Lux got out of the car.

- Lux! -

Snake in one leap wraps him in a hug.

- Get out of town! What the hell were you thinking! -

Suddenly he is pushed and the younger snake slithered into the house.

- Lux! -

The answer was a slamming door.

- Wolf, what the hell happened?! -

- Joy's security sent out a warning signal as Lux left the school property. -

- But why did she do it?! Mind control?! -

- All she told me was if I knew about Ethan. -

- . . . Oh, shit. -

- Good thing you already know how he feels when he runs away. -

- ARE YOU SERIOUS, WOLF?! THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR YOU TO CLAIM HIM FOR ME! -

- No! No! No! No!

I mean, you of all people can know the feelings that can lead you to that. . .

What I am trying to say is; How about talking to him, as you would have liked to be talked to and listened to. -

The midday sun illuminated Mr. Wolf's face, causing his sad eyes to curve downward and his mouth to split into a supportive smile.

A shiver ran down Snake's back - as a father, he never wants his son to feel something like that.

Without hesitation, he turned around and took off ''running'' towards the stairs.

The memories came flooding back like a broken dam.

The one who called himself Dad; Abandoned him at five.

More woman than mother; She left him in the park and never came back.

The orphanage; Exiled him from the rest of the children for being a poisonous snake.

Adoption services; They threw him to the first family of snakes that came along.

If all the life you have had ends with you being hated, left out and isolated without even knowing the reason. . .

Then becoming close to others and loving becomes something terribly frightening.

Then he found two snakes who are willing to take the role of his parents.

In which Lux could feel safe, that they would love him and he could trust them.

Becoming the only ones who ''understand'' him and dependence emerged.

A year ago; he lost one of his parents, and his world collapsed for the third time.

And when he saw his family of two being happy once again after so long. . . .

Snake opened the door.

The first thing he saw was the little snake coiled in the middle of the bed.

- Can we talk? -

He asked standing in the doorway.

- . . . I know it was wrong and you can go out with whoever you want, but. . . .

What about Dad Gilbert? Will you replace him just like that? -

- No one can replace Gilbert.

I will never find someone who can give me the same love he gave me and made me feel for him. . . . But I can keep looking for new ways to keep loving and be loved.

And I know it may feel unfair. . . . But the hard reality . . . . is that I'm single, I haven't done anything wrong. -

- . . . Mom was also sneaking around with someone before she dumped me. -

Then I cry.

- It's just that. . . . There are times when I feel scared. . . . . Like you're going to die too. . . . Like you're going to leave me. . . . -

- So you decided to take control of the situation, to leave me first; so I wouldn't get hurt. -

Snake said knowing that feeling.

He silently sat next to Lux, then hugged him.

The feeling of suffering from the painful loss or abandonment of a loved one is like tearing the skin off your body.

- Sorry. -

The younger one repeated over and over again.

- Shhh, it's okay, remember what we always tell you. -

Snake hugged him, caressing his back and feeling his heartbeat.

- Feelings are something no one can control.

But time heals everything.

Right now you are going through a lot of pain.

And one day you will get over it.

But that doesn't mean that you can say ''Everything is fine'', in a way that wouldn't have happened.

What you must do is get better, so you can move forward. -

- I'm sorry, I know you're not like Mom. -

He kept begging for forgiveness regardless of what he said.

Snake's heart clenched, the pain he can see is far from what Lux really feels.

The words of comfort he had thought were too weak, everything that could have been said seemed superfluous.

Lux descended into darkness and is terrified that he might abandon him for telling her how he feels.

The fear of being a nuisance or ungrateful in Mr. Snake's eyes has made him worship him almost like a cult.

After all, feelings of inferiority and impatience consist with love.

They hugged there amid sobs, their heads down the whole time.

When she saw that she calmed down.

Snake spit out some papers.

- Look, these are the papers from when I adopted you.

I know that in some people's eyes we're not a real family, that I came into your life a few years ago, and we both know we don't share the same blood.

But in my heart you are my son, and I know that circumstances can make your heart doubt my true feelings about you. -

Maybe it's nothing special, just a few words exchanged, but Mr. Snake's eyes were warm.

But, of course, he won't cry in front of Lux.

- . . . I know how hard it is to trust someone. . . . And the fear that you feel when unknown things or situations come up. . . -

She extends the papers to her son.

- That's why I thought you could have the adoption papers, to give a physical form to my feelings for you.

It is the symbolic representation that I love you, you are my son, my family, and you will never stop being my son, no matter what. -

Lux ended up crying, hugging the adoption papers until he fell asleep.

Somehow the older one managed to hold back the tears.

Snake accompanied him for a few minutes, did this work, he doesn't know, the mind and feelings are complicated.

All you know, is that he must keep working at Lux's pace.

It's still in that innocent cap where love is selfish.

Something that makes you want to give and receive affection, or something that makes you want to give him everything the other party wants.

You need to prepare yourself when at some point you are faced with the possibility that the other party wants something the other doesn't.

In this case, Snake will give in and stop seeing Ethan, but make it clear to him that in the future he will not ask for permission when he wants to meet someone.

He gave her a kiss on the forehead and went downstairs to the living room.

Wolf got up from the couch when he saw him return.

The strength left Snake's body.

They progressed slowly for so long, fell down and got up, over and over again, finally, they learned to move forward.

But suddenly he realized that there were more unknown things ahead, waiting for him to explore and understand them alone.

Wolf had to catch him and help him settle on the couch.

- Is everything all right, do you need anything? I can leave you alone if you want, but I'll be back tomorrow with a fruit basket. -

- I don't know what to do Wolf, we slowly moved forward to make it better, and in the blink of an eye all the work and effort vanished as if it never existed, and everything started all over again. -

Tears even sprang from the corners of Snake's eyes until his vision became blurry.

- Hey, no, that work and effort still exists, he just needs to be reminded of it. -

The snake's tears just wouldn't stop.

- How do you do it? -

With blurred vision, I look at Wolf.

- How can you always get better? -

- . . . Snake. . . . I've been that Creepy Guy many times, and I have restraining orders. -

- WHAT! Why?! -

- This is a long story, brace yourself;

On a beach vacation, I met a funny guy, I asked him for his phone number and he seemed interested in talking to me further, he wrote down his number but when I tried to call him he went straight to a pizza place.

At that moment, my egocentric brain, thought it was just a mistake, maybe because he was a famous guy who saved the world and was loved by millions of people, he didn't process the idea that someone wasn't interested.

So it must have been a typo!

I looked up his first and last name on the internet in the city he mentioned he lived in.

I don't remember how many profiles I checked to find him, but right after I asked him if he remembered me, he blocked me.

On the second occasion:

I saw a pretty girl walking on the street, at that time the traffic light turned green and I couldn't talk to her.

But I could see that she came out of a coffee shop, so for the time of almost a month I went to that coffee shop, until I saw her again and asked her out.

I really liked her and wanted to make it work, so I found her social networks, her and her family's, I found out what college she went to, her previous boyfriends, her favorite foods, likes, sports, where she worked, what she didn't like, etc, etc, etc.

This way I was able to strike up a friendship with all of her family and friends, and she and I became incredibly close because I started dabbling in all the hobbies she liked.

Eventually she talked about how we met at that coffee shop and that it was like in those romance stories. . . I corrected her without any problem and told her everything. . . . She pretended to laugh with me, and the next day the police knocked on my door.

The third time was online dating:

We talked by message for a long time, until we finally brought up the subject of meeting in person.

I felt confident because he wanted to meet me, so I thought I'd surprise him, earlier he sent me a picture of him in his room; behind it was a window.

I researched the locations and buildings, I could see a hotel and a branch, I researched the hotel chain and narrowed it down to those near the branch.

Reviewing the maps, I ruled out the possible locations one by one.

In the photo; the hotel was on the right and the branch on the left, with the position of the sun in the photo I found the coincidence on the map because both hotels were on the north side and the branch on the south.

So I was able to find in which direction his house was, in the photo it was a small high rise apartment building.

I researched all the rental properties in that area on the internet, and found him, I knew his house must be further away from the hotel because I could see the roof of the building, but relatively close so I couldn't see the ones in the apartment.

When I checked the hotel, from the branch, the angle was the same as the apartments, so I was able to narrow the location down to a 50 meter radius.

After that I was able to go confirm it in person, I found the house because the room was on a second floor, as the angle was looking down on the red roof of a single story house, plus a light pole.

. . . He was not happy to see me, even though I texted him to let him know I had a surprise.

And there are still many other examples. -

Snake's mouth is hanging open.

I mean. . . . This is not foreign to him, as a Bad Guy; Wolf needed to do that kind of research for the robbery to be successful.

He even looked up to him as if he were a real-life super spy.

But. . . . With Wolf's observational skills, he must have sensed that something was wrong.

Unfortunately, it is all too common that when analyzing information, evidence is sometimes overlooked because it is decided that it is unnecessary detail.

Many of the world's mistakes are created precisely because of that.

And that is Mr. Wolf's Achilles heel.

- I know when you look at me, you think I'm doing great, while you're lagging behind. -

continued the lupine.

- But the truth is, each of us has to deal with the demons of years of neglect in our heads.

I'm not trying to justify what I did, I'm ashamed and I deserve the restraining order.

But if we're being realistic, you can't expect a person who no one taught them to act in society conveniently to know how to do it.

Didn't you ever learn that when you went to school and interacted with the other kids?

No.

No parent wants to send their children to a school where the Big Bad Wolf is studying, let alone befriending him.

I was rejected by all the schools, I had to study at home, I never had any social contact other than hate and fear, all I know about the world was through TV and movies.

So excuse me!

I'm very sorry that my sense of reality is distorted and that I based my personality on the main characters of the movies I watched.

No one gave me a chance, I could never get a job.

I had to learn that no one would want me unless I disguised myself as someone else.

You can get an idea of what that did to a teenager's mind. -

- Do you want to talk about it again? -

Snake asked worriedly.

- No. . . . Yes, I do. . . . Some other time.

What I mean is that we won't magically become fully integrated guys in the world, maybe we'll have to deal with this crap for our whole lives.

I myself have to think twice before I do anything.

That not everything is going to conveniently work out in my favor.

Just because I do the right thing doesn't mean I will receive a fair contribution.

And I'm in a constant fight with the protagonist syndrome. -

With his golden eyes he stares into Snake's eyes.

- I am simply in a long process of detachment from habits that I acquired to help me cope with the most difficult moments of my life.

But which are no longer compatible for the new life I want to live.

And believe me when I tell you that Lux is also going through the same thing, and he will overcome it, because he is a strong boy and he has you. -

The tears wouldn't stop, which made Wolf uneasy.

Snake smiled at him and tried to make him feel better.

- I'm fine, I just wish I could help him a little more. -

He tries to stay positive when he thinks about Lux.

- I always feel like I can do more for him, and it's frustrating to have to let him fight his own battles. -

He hadn't seen him in a few years, and thought Snake didn't look much different from the old days, but he was wrong.

He's become a much more active and wonderful adult.

- Are you still acting like the creepy guy? -

- I'm getting better, I set small goals, like breaking a record for each week without scaring people, a few days ago I was about to break it but my idiot side came out to say hello. -

- Hehehehe. What happened? -

- Remember my eyes at the baseball game, I got pepper sprayed for chasing a guy in the middle of the night. -

- Because you were chasing a guy in the middle of the night? -

- His suit was fabulous, it glowed in the dark. -

- How? With light bulbs? -

- No. The fabric glowed like those neon lights, I needed to know where she got those clothes. -

Snake guffaws, actually if he can imagine Wolf chasing that poor scared guy down several streets in the dark.

After catching his breath, he asked the question that needed confirmation.

- Tell me something; did you go creepy and hide that picture in my house a few years ago? -

He points to the framed photograph of his last birthday as Bad Guy.

- Oh. . . . Yes, I'm so sorry about that. -

- It's okay, I guess it was one of your plans to convince me to come back. -

- Yes. . . . I'm not proud of it, but at the time it seemed more effective than talking to you. -

- ...do you want to talk about what happened? -

The two of them talked.

It was the first time they had openly discussed their feelings after a long time.

.

---

.

Afraid of his father.

He was still young when Wolf left home, so he could only survive by stealing.

Like father, like son.

Blood will tell.

In a sense, this is his pedigree.

At that time, he met a snake who also stole.

He was a loner, while Wolf was lively and cheerful.

Snake and Wolf were complete opposites.

Snake never expected to get involved with Wolf, but perhaps the Heavens saw that his life was too boring and brought in Mr. Wolf.

He continued to stick to his side, saying it was better to have a partner around.

Even if we are criminals, we can't do without a partner, he said.

He told him he was destined to bring bad luck.

So Snake kept trying to distance himself, to get away from Wolf.

Then he said; I have bad luck too.

They couldn't fit in with the ordinary people.

And they got kicked out.

They both got that strength from the bottom of their hearts when they wanted to give up.

With a big smile on his face, he approached Snake; Making him feel warm again.

When they both thought they had lost everything, and all that was left in the world was despair.

A big-hearted idiot who couldn't even take care of himself decided to take care of Snake, and a grump who also didn't know how to take care of himself decided to take care of Wolf.

Supporting each other when they had given up hope.

So the two of us ended up as buddies after all.

Spending their days quite happily.

It was a bittersweet happiness.

Looking back now, it was probably because they spent so much time together that they became dependent on each other.

They were born without experiencing a life with many options, from the moment they became intertwined, they had no choice.

Perón found what was happiness.

Even if someone called them selfish, they could not hide that true intention.

A solid relationship that would never change.

Leaving everything behind and becoming the only ship to navigate the stormy sea of life was not only satisfying, but also pleasurable for both of them.

They would be able to give each other that unconditional support that matched what they wanted.

That relationship was something they had both dreamed of.

Thus began their exchange.

It was a twisted first friendship.

But it didn't really matter.

Things didn't have to be proper.

Even if it sounded horrible.

Acting right 24/7 is asking too much.

They can't do it.

It sucks, that kind of tediousness.

They don't want to act prim and proper when they're not even considered part of society.

They're tired of it all.

Being seen as an obstacle, and waiting to see them disappear.

No one here is interested in Mr. Wolf or Mr. Snake.

Two pests that will surely be wiped out someday just for being a wolf and a snake.

How pitiful.

No one wants them.

Thinking about it that way; why did they need to do things right when their existences are unwanted?

If people want to tell them to live right and build a healthy relationship, why didn't they think of giving them a right life first when they were children.

The two are supposed to be constantly obligated to be unreasonably correct and concerned about the comfort of those who are full members of society.

Bullshit.

That's why they got together.

If they are no longer part of the world, they can be included in their insignificant lives.

That way, they'll never let anyone touch them.

As friends, they don't have to act right, they don't need to worry about what people will say.

They like to spend time together because it is relaxing.

Without any limitations and supposedly right considerations.

That's all they want.

To feel that they can be so much happier being themselves.

That's all that matters to them.

The more they got to know each other, the more they met their eyes with admiration.

Sometimes it was just a few sentences when they talked.

Sometimes a whole page.

Still, every word brimmed with an indescribable and wonderful feeling.

Snake in over 20 years, had never met someone who matched his way of thinking so well.

Of course, the things they liked were different, and sometimes they argued.

However, even when they fought, they conceded that the other had valid points and tried to understand the other's way of thinking.

So even an argument was a wonderfully disastrous thing.

The younger one knew many things that Snake did not.

One particularly memorable day they robbed the city's largest bank, an art gallery, and the museum's jewelry.

All on the same day with Wolf's detailed and ingenious plan to fool the police.

They both cry at romantic movies and preferred the heist genre, found it very stimulating, and liked to eat while watching them.

They also disliked interrupting movies, so they don't talk during any scenes, only discussing the movie after it was over.

The more he delves into the details of his genius, the more outstanding he thought of Wolf.

She is someone who respects others, enjoyed doing nonsensical things as a child, as well as being boastful of herself but completely justified.

She became extremely close to her partner.

And since she learned of Wolf's childhood experiences with his father, she felt that they had suffered enough.

The first half of her life had already been so difficult, but she was strong enough that the second half of her life wasn't painful.

The more she interacted with Snake, the more she felt that he is a lively, vivid and interesting person.

That his distorted face of indifference, and burning sparks of contempt in his eyes.

They are because of the fact that he ended up giving up everything after crawling into despair.

Do you hate everyone around you, or are you miserable for having that kind of heart?

Wolf felt that Snake is amazing.

In so many years, living alone.

He was brave enough to open his heart to accept someone new.

Subsequently, they helped each other, and comforted each other through their struggles.

In the snows of loneliness, from an early age, the two had already been alone.

On their own, they doubted they could make much progress, but with each other's help, the door of opportunity seemed to have opened.

The more they got to know each other, the more they began to trust each other.

Until they formed this family together with Shark, Piranha and Webs.

And before they knew it, they fell in love, with the simple desire to want to give each other the best, to help each other achieve their dreams, to accompany each other and to see each other smile.

With their lips that had longed for each other, the moment came when they no longer needed to look at each other from afar.

Wolf was silent after the euphoria of escaping from the police.

The ambiguity in the air became palpable and he could hear the sound of his heartbeat.

His feelings are growing wildly in his chest.

Suddenly he grabbed Snake and turned him around to face him.

Without warning, she leaned forward and kissed him.

Then Snake felt a warm sensation on his lips at that moment, his mind snapped and his body stiffened.

His mouth opened slightly, giving the enemy a chance.

It tasted minty and had a hint of warmth.

A small bolt of electricity coursed down his back.

He woke up suddenly and pushed Wolf.

He just wanted to find a way out quickly.

Something became clear at that moment; that uncontrollable feeling scared him.

He instinctively avoided facing it and felt that what had just happened was absurd in the extreme.

He wanted to escape... many things had already gone too far.

He had long felt his heart enter a period of turmoil.

The way Wolf moved, how he combed his hair back, the slight upward tilt of his eyes when he smiled, those eyes shining like gold, his fingers lightly fiddling with things and the insignificant conversations they shared.

Inside she longs for him in every way, but at the same time she rejects him at all costs.

Eventually he succumbed to delusions and found himself bowing to love, his stubbornness that once ruled him unable to even voice his opinion in the face of his uncontrollable heart.

In his many years of life, he was always a mainly self-serving person; the only thing he was willing to do was to make himself happy.

But now I can't help but accept reality and admit that no one is capable of following only his heart's desires as long as he lives.

That's why when he first realized that he liked Wolf, his innermost self resisted it.

Because for Snake, to become selflessly devoted only in the name of love is foolish.

And Snake did not want to make a fool of me, who would go through melancholy and suffering because of love.

But Wolf had no obstacle, he was always part of the most unrestrained and reckless people who did not care about the consequences.

Wolf got what he wanted, and he only knew how to get it, he never considered the possibility of losing them.

He did not even know that behind every situation there was already a price, that getting something, inevitably meant losing something.

Snake as a prey already detected by the hunter was pursued.

Wolf is willing to continue to teach him the joys of living step by step.

Each time he learns one of the positive aspects of life, Snake is less afraid of love.

And a thought went through his heart.

He just wanted to be loved.

That was all.

He wants to be loved.

He wants to see Wolf.

For some inexplicable reason he wants to love.

He wanted to cherish every moment.

I didn't want Wolf to cry.

He wanted him to smile, if possible he wanted you to be happy for what he does for him.

He had given up on being loved once, but if it was with Wolf, he felt he could go anywhere.

Even though he didn't feel sad, tears began to well up in his eyes, and before he knew it, he asked Wolf for a promise.

He accepted.

Their love was a mutual secret.

Wolf described Snake as his own secret treasure.

Her boyfriend is amazing, why would you want the world to know?

As long as they were happy together, they didn't need the envy of others.

After that, their attitudes didn't change significantly.

But there was no doubt that something was growing inside them and they gave themselves full attention using their eyes and actions.

And thoughts filling their heads like:

Do you want to do that?

If I do this, will you be happy?

Is this fun for you?

Maybe it's weird, maybe it's not, however, that doesn't change the fact that they love each other.

Wolf looks at Snake, feeling an illusion.

He wants these days to go on forever.

Next to Snake there is peace and warmth that does not remind him of the cold desert he experienced with his father.

In the beginning they were like two unfortunate souls brought together by bad luck.

Although they could not find joy in their misfortune, they are grateful to have met.

Snake once described their relationship as Café Moka, first the taste of coffee bitterness, then came the sweetness of chocolate.

Yes, he is happy.

Snake is kind.

Snake is sexy when he plays the Bass.

Snake taught him love.

Snake appreciates and gives beautiful meanings to the things he loves.

If they could continue to live together, what kind of happiness would await them?

With that illusion as a starting point, his imagination went wild.

If only those days could come true, he thought again.

But as it turned out, it didn't follow.

There are always various reasons why two lovers don't walk down the aisle together.

The love was still there, but fate had cut them short.

Still, they are satisfied.

They live with a sense of pride as the first love they left behind.

Although the ending is painful, it will be best to close it properly.

.

---

.

END

Thank you for reading.

I hope you liked it.

.

---

.

Informative fact:

Characters from THE BAD GUYS books

Joy (Agent Doom)

Emmylou (Agent Hogwild)

Rhonda (Agent Shortfuse)

Pam (Agent Kitty Kat)