Light warning: hints of sexual themes without any explicit description
Everything happened extremely quickly. In an instant, the circle of light that had appeared on the ceiling, from which the masked man had fallen, made its way back to the floor beneath Brody, swallowing both of them.
The policemen were stunned, unable to comprehend how the boy could have vanished before their very eyes.
"What just happened?!" One officer asked his colleague, bewildered.
"I have no idea. Maybe we'd better report this to headquarter." commented the other policeman, kneeling near the spot where the last circle of light had disappeared and carefully running his fingers over the tiles of the cold floor.
~
"AHHH! Who are you!!!? Let me go! Help! Help!" Brody screamed in terror as Frank tried to hold him in his arms, taking several punches and kicks in the process.
"Brody...Brody...BRODY! It's me, Frank! Stop struggling, I can't let you go! We'd risk getting carried away by the time stream in two different places. We would be separated." Frank told him with a hint of irritation in his voice as he did his best not to let go of Brody.
Hearing the familiar voice, the man calmed down. But he still seemed rather confused.
"Frank? Is that you...?" He watched him for a few seconds with a raised eyebrow before bursting out laughing. "Hey, how come you're wearing that funny mask? Did you go to a Halloween party without inviting me? Meanie!"
"It's a long story. Brody, now you have to promise me that you will stay focused."
"Well, I admit the mask doesn't look bad on you. But tell me, you weren't at a work event, were you? Was it just an excuse to go partying?"
"Will you listen to me for a second? We're time traveling, in case you hadn't noticed." Frank nodded his head, tilting it to the side as if to emphasize the absurd scenario unfolding around them. They were falling headlong, hugging each other tightly, never seeing an end to the fall. Around them, they could only see bright colors that did not exist in their reality, abstract shapes, and sounds of an ethereal nature. "I have no idea where we are going to land, so we have to be careful."
"Well, I don't really care where we land, as long as you land on my dick." Brody commented with a chuckle, causing Frank's irritation and embarrassment.
"Does this seem like the time to be saying such obscenities?"
"Oh, come on, it's not my fault. I haven't seen you for two weeks, and suddenly you show up wearing a sexy mask and strangely looking even more toned than two weeks ago. How did you get those muscles in such a short time? Tell me your secret." Brody replied with a sly smile on his face, teasing Frank further by moving his hand to squeeze his butt. Brody knew how to tease Frank, who replied with a long sigh of indulgence.
"Why can you never take anything seriously?"
"Why do you always take everything so seriously?" the man replied curtly, making a mock grimace of despair. "How can I be serious? You don't really want me to believe that we're time traveling. Go ahead and tell me that you brought something home to 'spice up' the cake and that we're tripping. That's fine with me."
"No, Brody. This is real, this is not the effect of some drug. I'm from the future."
"Yeah, right. And I'm a jar of peanut butter. Come on, Frankie. Tell me the truth. It's true that I'm not a genius, but I'm not that stupid either."
"Look around you. Try to touch one of these shapes and tell me what you see. But never let go of my hand.
"No worries, I'd never let go of you, sweetheart." Brody winked at him and touched a small cloud filled with bright colors and a deafening scent.
An intense glow enveloped them, transporting them to a scene where they were the protagonists. They could only watch without interacting, like watching a movie, but it was still a rather peaceful and serene scene.
A younger version of Frank, without his mask, sat on their couch, his head resting on Brody's shoulder. They were watching a program on television while sharing a bowl of chips and a soft, warm blanket. Frank looked particularly tired, while Brody was very involved in the program, often commenting on the show and laughing. It was not long before Brody noticed that Frank was no longer responding to him. He turned slightly and finally noticed that his boyfriend's eyes were closed. Frank had fallen asleep peacefully against his shoulder. Brody smiled softly and looked at him for a few seconds, moving slightly to stroke Frank's hair. In response, Frank smiled slightly in his sleep. Brody gave him a kiss on the head and held him close, closing his eyes.
They suddenly found themselves back in that state of free fall, in a dimension of non-existence. Suspended between past, present and future, not dead but not fully alive either.
"Do you believe me now?" asked Frank in a softer tone. Perhaps this memory had awakened feelings in him that had long been forgotten.
"Fuck yes." Brody replied, much more serious and wide-eyed. He seemed almost frightened now. "Frank, what's going on? How did you get back from the future? Will we be able to get home?"
"Don't worry. Bruno has fully briefed me on all the risks of time travel and how to deal with any unforeseen events without getting completely lost."
"Who is Bruno?" asked Brody with a clearly hurt expression on his face. As soon as he asked the question, he almost regretted asking it, afraid of the answer. Fortunately, Frank's version calmed him down.
"A very smart kid who helped me a lot, and it is also thanks to him that I am here now. I can guess what you're thinking, but I assure you it's not what you're afraid of. First of all, Bruno is a minor, so I could never be interested in him. Besides, I have spent these years without ever letting you out of my mind." Frank paused a little, unsure if he could fully express what he was thinking. "By mistake, I closed my eyes too often when I thought of you. I'm not really the kind of person who looks for anyone but you." He finally admitted.
"Aww, Frankie, that's... so special to me." Brody seemed sincere, staring at Frank with a look of pure adoration, his eyes glazed over. "But what happened? Am I dead?"
"It's not clear what happened to you. I came home one day and you were gone. I really think you died because you were registered in the AI server with only the data of dead people."
"But what could have happened?" asked Brody with a worried and pensive look on his face. He moved his leg a little, accidentally touching a different color.
"I'm telling you very clearly , Brody - if you cheat on me, I will kill you."
"I would never cheat on you, Frank!"
"I hope not, for your sake. I saw you looking at the waiter in the restaurant a little too long."
"Well, I still have eyes for admiring good-looking guys. But that in no way means I would cheat on you, my love. You know how I am, I look but don't touch."
"This still really irritates me. If it happens again, you will have no eyes to look at third parties with."
"Oh, Frankie! I love it when you're so jealous and possessive, you're adorable! But would you really kill me?"
"Sure. I wasn't joking. If you cheat on me, I will kill both you and the other person. So think twice before you disobey me."
"Heh heh... you make me blush, Frankie! I promise I'm only yours."
"That's right. You are mine. Don't forget that."
They found themselves back in the crossover dimension, hugging each other.
"Do you still mean what you said?" asked Brody with a grin. It was clear that even though he knew full well that Frank was not joking, he really liked the fact that Frank was threatening to get violent in order not to lose him. It made him feel loved and safe. If Frank was jealous, it meant he would not abandon him.
"Of course, and I'll always think that." Frank nodded, his tone sounded impassive.
"You needn't worry. You know my heart belongs to you, I couldn't live without you. Just the fact that you were gone for a week made me cry a lot, I missed you the way I would miss air if I were in a chokehold." Brody nodded, obviously serious.
"Hey, I'm starting to get the hang of it. Let's see another memory, come on. Maybe a nice one." he said before tapping another color with his finger.
Frank and Brody were lying in bed, embracing each other. Their naked bodies were hidden by the blankets. Frank had a lost look on his face, as if he was deep in thought. Brody looked serene and content, continuing to cuddle Frank as if he had not a care in the world. A device played 70s and 80s songs in the background, giving the room a cozy atmosphere.
"Are you okay? Are you sure you liked it?" asked Brody in a soft tone. "If there is anything that made you feel uncomfortable, be sure to tell me without any trouble. Also, do you like the music? It's pretty old but I love it."
"Yeah, don't worry about it. I like the music too." Frank told him, still looking lost in thought, though his voice was calm. "I'm not - I'm still not used to this, I have to admit."
"Not used to intimacy?" Brody asked him curiously.
"That, too. But to a lot of things. But since I've been with you, I feel different. I feel like the world has always been gray and you brought color into my life."
"Oh, Frank! What a nice thing to say!" exclaimed Brody, clearly delighted. He gave him a kiss on the hair before Frank continued.
"I'm serious, Brody. You probably can't understand how I feel because you are even overly emotional. But I have always lived in total indifference. With you, I feel different. I feel alive, and that's something that scares me, honestly. Now I feel like I need you, and I don't like it."
"Why don't you like it? It's a beautiful thing to trust someone and discover a side of yourself that you didn't know before!"
"Because it forces me to trust. I am forced to be vulnerable, physically and psychologically. I hate being weak."
"Of course, but slowly we are getting closer. I'm not just talking about this intimate moment, but all the moments we spend together help us discover ourselves and each other. It makes you stronger, more than weak! Are you afraid of suffering?"
"I don't think so. I guess I'm just not used to being ... so alive. Sorry, I know I'm being repetitive, but I don't know how else to explain this feeling."
Brody chuckled softly. "You talk like a robot! How serious can you be?"
"It's the truth, Brody. I feel different with you. It's probably easier for you because you've had other men before me. But for me, this is all new."
"Then I promise to guide you through this experience. I will do my best, I want your first love to be a love that warms this icy heart and makes spring bloom in you. I love you, Frank."
"What does it mean to love someone?"
"It's different for everyone. But I assure you, you will find out for yourself, at your own pace. Don't force yourself to feel what you think you should feel. But in the meantime, enjoy the good things, because unfortunately, we never know when it might all end."
Brody had a nostalgic look on his face as he gazed tenderly at Frank after reviewing this memory together. "Our first time - you were really lovely, Frankie. You still are, but at that moment I wanted to hug you even tighter than I already was."
Frank did not respond, his eyes avoiding Brody.
"Listen...do you think we are dead now?"
"No, I think we are in a state of suspended existence." Replied Frank in a calm tone.
"I see. Who knows, maybe this is where all the souls waiting for reincarnation go." Brody said, letting his hazel eyes roam that odd dimension.
"Not being a Buddhist like you, I can't give you my opinion on that, you know, Brody."
"I know, I know. But I also think you feel that way in this life. I think when our time comes, you will understand." The man nodded with an enigmatic tone. "I will always be waiting for you, though."
"What do you mean?"
"If I die before you, as I might, always remember that I will always be waiting for you. I will not leave you alone. We will be reborn together and our souls will continue their journey together. As has happened in so many past lives."
"Although I don't think so, I thank you for the thought." Frank nodded slowly.
"We are similar souls. We both seek love and acceptance, though we express it in very different ways." Brody commented with a smile, caressing the cold metal cheek of the mask. "I, for example, use humor to mask my sadness. You use indifference to mask your soul. But I fear that now, in addition to an emotional mask, with my death you have closed yourself off even more with this physical mask. You gave in to violence, hatred and rage. Right?"
Frank didn't know what to say. Instinctively, he moved his head to better meet Brody's gentle hand. "It hasn't been easy going on without you. But I assure you, I did everything I could to make them pay."
"Make who pay?"
"The policemen. Society." Frank said, accidentally bumping a cloud with the tip of his mask's rabbit ear.
"Frank! Help meeee, how come the mouse cursor is moving by itself?" Brody sat in front of the computer, looking desperate, while Frank stood next to him, typing commands to the machine.
Donnie the white rabbit sniffed at the computer keys, fascinated by the quick and elegant movements of Frank's fingers on the keyboard.
"Calm down. I'm working on it," Frank told him in a cold tone. "Please keep your voice down."
"But is it a virus?"
"Yes, it looks like a computer virus. But don't worry, I think I caught it in time before the infection spread." Frank nodded, clicking on some windows with the mouse.
"But how could this happen?"
"Have you been clicking on any suspicious links lately?" Frank glanced at him before looking back at the screen.
"No...wait...let me think. Well, I had clicked on a strange message I got from my cousin."
"What message?"
"A message that said, 'Look who's dead, Brody,' with a link next to the message. But when I clicked on it, it sent me to a page that wouldn't load."
Frank sighed, frowning but still maintaining his composure. "Brody, I've told you a thousand times not to fall into these traps. I also told you to ask me when in doubt."
"But I always ask you too much! I asked you how to do taxes, how to fill out the house papers, how to install the Internet connection! I don't want to bother you too much."
"You're not bothering me, I'd rather you ask me one more question than end up with your cybersecurity compromised." Frank replied, finally turning off the computer.
"Did you solve it?"
"Yes, I neutralized the virus. But please be more careful next time. Sometimes you act like a big baby. I know some things don't interest you, but you still have to pay attention to them. Like any adult."
"Thank you Frank! Thank you, thank you!" Brody hugged him enthusiastically before nodding absentmindedly. "Yeah, yeah, you're right. Come on, I'm going to make you a special lunch now. What would you like to eat? We can also eat your beloved Kimchi, if you want. Even if it stinks." He chuckled.
Brody laughed softly and shook his head. "You've gotten me out of trouble so many times. Maybe it's true that I'm a bit of a kid sometimes."
Frank did not answer, but continued to stare at him.
"Anyway, what did you mean about the cops?" asked Brody, looking clearly confused.
"I assume they found out about us and were going to arrest you, right?"
"They were going to arrest me?" Brody looked increasingly surprised. "How do you know that? Did you see me in jail somewhere?"
"No...I assumed they killed you." Frank's voice was as tense as his body. He began to sense that something was wrong. "I came home, you were gone, and Donnie had starved to death."
"Did Donnie starve to death?!" Brody suddenly shouted, his voice cracking. "But how? But what happened?"
"There was probably no one to take care of him without you. Add to that the fact that I was days late getting home because of a subway breakdown that caused me to miss several trains home."
"But Frank..." Brody was clearly upset. "They weren't trying to arrest me. They were just asking me for information about something that had happened to our neighbors. They knew absolutely nothing about our relationship."
"What? So you mean..."
Their fall was suddenly interrupted by a deep plunge into a large pool of water. A bright light completely blinded them.
~
The sensation of floating was pleasant and comforting, the waves gently rocking him like a baby in his mother's arms. Only muffled sounds reached his ears, while a deep inner peace enveloped his troubled soul.
The sun warmed his face strongly and powerfully, although it was still protected by his mask.
Frank slowly opened his eyes and was blinded by the sun's rays, which hit him with power and energy. He sat up, suddenly realizing that he was immersed in salt water and that his legs were resting on a blanket of sand, soft as a pillow. The landscape around them was vaguely desert-like, and although the water had a wonderful crystal clear color, it did not seem like there was a tropical island around them. It looked like an environment similar to a Greek island.
At first glance, Frank jumped and rose to his feet. As soon as he realized that he was immersed in seawater, he feared that the toxic components in the water would corrode his skin. But he quickly calmed down when he realized that this was the ancient sea, from generations before his own. When the sea still stood for life and connection to nature. Aside from a slight burning sensation caused by the salt, the waves were playful and welcoming as they crashed against his body.
"Did you see how beautiful it is?" a familiar voice asked from behind him. Brody was staring at him with a huge smile on his face, as if he had found himself in heaven. "You said I was just a dreamer, but instead I fulfilled my promise. I could finally take you to the sea. What do you think now, do you like it?"
Frank did not answer. She stared at him for a few seconds. But from his rigid posture and the slight trembling of his hands, Brody sensed that something was wrong.
"Hey. Frank. Are you okay?" His boyfriend asked him with a more serious expression and a hint of concern in his voice.
"Yes." Frank replied, but his voice sounded oddly way too dark and cold.
"Are you sure? Is something wrong?"
"No."
"...Do you want a hug?"
"..." After a moment's hesitation, Frank nodded slightly. "Yes." His voice was shaking.
Brody walked over and hugged him tightly. Frank returned the hug, and as he rested his chin on Brody's shoulder, tears began to flow silently, seeping under his mask and falling into the seawater below.
"Oh, honey. Why are you crying?" Brody asked him, gently stroking Frank's back. It was the first time he had ever seen him cry and it worried him a little.
"..." after a long pause, Frank's chest jerked as he tried in vain to hide his sobs. "I killed Donnie."
"What? What do you mean?"
"Yes. And I indirectly 'killed' you, too. When I came back from that trip, I never found you again... because I, myself made you disappear by looking for you in the past."
"Are you saying ... that you created a time loop? A paradox?"
Frank nodded. "I dedicated years to a non-existent revenge, not knowing that I was the author of my own misery. Through it all, Donnie died in a horrible way." he said before exhaling slowly.
"Oh, Frankie. Damn, yeah, you really messed up. But you didn't do it on purpose. You wanted to help me, you risked your life to come and get me in the past. You couldn't have known. Maybe the police really would have arrested me, maybe the neighbors' excuse was just a way to get into the house and attack me. You know they do that sometimes."
"I don't know." Frank admitted, his voice cracking.
"Hey. Look at me." Brody whispered in a affectionate way. "How would you like to take off this mask that looks so good on you, but keeps me from seeing your beautiful eyes?" He smiled.
After a moment's hesitation, Frank placed his hands on the sides of the mask, triggering a mechanism that pulled it away from his face. The mask fell into the water before floating next to their legs, bobbing merrily in the waves.
Brody observed his face for a long time, gently wiping away the tears streaming down Frank's cheeks. "You look like you've been through a lot." he told him in a motherly tone, without judgment. "I'm so sorry you had to lose me. I'm so sorry you felt so alone." He murmured before closing his eyes and moving closer to Frank's face, welcoming his lips in a tender kiss.
Frank closed his eyes, surrendering to the kiss and holding Brody close.
"I love you, Frank."
"I love you, Brody."
The sound of the waves crashing on the shore made all their thoughts slip away.
