TWO WEEKS LATER

Lucas POV

Living with Kyle had become a new rhythm for Lucas, balancing his studies with their shared routines. Kyle's love for coffee was slightly corny and unexpected, and Lucas amused him as he took pleasure in preparing it. In return, Kyle often brought home sandwiches from work, a gesture Lucas cherished.

After long days, Lucas would arrive home to the comforting aroma of food and find Kyle engrossed in a book by the window, occasionally with a cigarette, always mindful of Lucas's preferences.

Amid these tranquil days, Lucas's calm apartment environment allowed him to reflect on his past with Jacob. His grief from the betrayal had turned into anger and nostalgia for a sweeter time. Despite the pain, memories of their travels through Spain, swimming in the Mediterranean, and enjoying croissants in Paris remained bittersweet.

Yet, sometimes, Lucas's pain resurfaced through minimal, inconsequential things. Lucas and Kyle often had evening conversations that contrasted with Lucas' final days with Jacob—moments of silence, neglect, and unresolved arguments. The memory of Jacob's emotional distance still stung, driving Lucas to retreat to his room one night, leaving Kyle puzzled yet supportive.

The next evening, Lucas confronted Kyle. "I left abruptly yesterday. Aren't you upset with me?"

Kyle shook his head gently. "I understand heartbreak. I once loved deeply, only to see her marry someone else. I buried myself in work afterward. I know the need for solitude."

Locking eyes with Lucas, Kyle continued in a reassuring tone. "You're healing. It takes time. If you want to talk, I'm here."

Lucas nodded gratefully, their bond deepening subtly over the following days. He started noticing changes in himself—moments of comparison between Kyle's supportive gestures and Jacob's self-centered actions. Where Kyle offered walks in the park or visits to cultural spots, Jacob would demand attention or withdraw emotionally.

Gradually, Lucas realized Jacob's gestures were about validation, not genuine connection. The realization weighed on him, prompting a hesitant decision to confront Jacob after weeks of deliberation.

They arranged to meet at a Romanian bakery near Plaza Mayor, a location resonant with memories of happier times. Lucas felt tightness in his chest and dread before meeting Jacob, but he decided it was best to face him already.

The gray and black cobblestones of the plaza evoked nostalgia, reminding Lucas of their first Christmas together. Nestled discreetly near one of the plaza's entrances, the bakery's facade boasted ornate carvings and wrought iron fixtures reminiscent of Transylvanian architecture. 

Approaching the bakery, a palpable sense of intrigue mingled with the inviting aroma of freshly baked pastries and a subtle hint of something darker, adding to the mystique.

"That's right," Lucas recalled, thoughts drifting to their shared memories. "We came here on Christmas, both of us with colds, seeking warmth and chocolate. I remember it vividly—our first big argument."

Jacob's hand on his back brought a comforting presence. "No, the first was two days earlier. You wanted the festive Madrid atmosphere, but I had to visit my mentor. I was too caught up in my world to see what you needed."

Lucas was sharper, cutting through the nostalgia. "You were always caught up in your world, Jacob. Even when I was failing and needed you, you were thinking about what you wanted. It was always about what you needed."

The words hung between them as Jacob gestured towards a quiet corner inside. "Let's sit down and talk."

Entering the bakery, Lucas and Jacob were greeted by shelves adorned with tempting pastries, their golden hues shimmering under soft candlelight. A tall, elegant man at the counter supervised the pastry-making, accompanied by a striking girl with raven-black hair. The air was rich with the aroma of crimson-stained croissants, the house specialty.

They ordered croissants and espresso and settled into a corner of the shop. Lucas gestured hesitantly, attempting to grasp the weight of their shared past. "I felt drained after that day, and things spiraled down afterward."

"Winter does those things, especially at the beginning," Jacob acknowledged, his voice tinged with regret. "I know I was selfish. I thought our love could survive anything, but I didn't realize how much I was taking from you. I should have recognized your depression, but instead, I kept pushing."

Lucas sighed, taking a bite of his croissant to calm his senses, yet his voice came bitter.  "Those were tough times. Failing my master's exams hit me hard. And then you pushed me away. You didn't want to face what we had anymore."

Jacob sighed, his expression pained. "I hated seeing you suffer. I should have supported you more."

Sipping his drink, Lucas continued, voice laden with unresolved emotion. "You should have, but you did the opposite. When spring came, things deteriorated further. You started distancing yourself. You put videos about open relationships on the computer. I had those weird feelings sometimes. I should have guessed."

Jacob nodded slowly; his voice was nearly pleading. "I considered... polyamory. I thought it might help, that it could be the answer. But I didn't think about how it would make you feel. I was wrong, Lucas, about so much."

Lucas was taken aback. He leaned in, his voice sharp. "You didn't want to think about it. You wanted to avoid the reality that you were no longer happy and pulling away. You left me to pick up the pieces while you sought validation elsewhere."

Jacob's face was plagued by guilt, and his voice quivered. "I... I was lost, Lucas. I didn't know what I wanted, and I hurt you because of it. I'll never forgive myself for that."

Lucas's voice was tight, and he held back his tears. "You should have supported me when I needed you, but instead, you... you chose to run."

Lucas lowered his gaze, "You've always run from anything that threatened to get real."

Silence fell, Jacob avoiding Lucas's gaze. The girl returned with chocolate truffles, offering them with a knowing wink. "Compliments of the house."

They savored the truffles, each bite soothing their shared pain.

Their once intense and passionate relationship proved ultimately unsustainable. Jacob spoke first: "I'll gather your belongings from Segovia and send them to your new place in Madrid. I'll cover the divorce costs, too... it's the least I can do."

Lucas nodded, "It's not enough, Jacob. But it's all you have left to give." The weight of their history was still heavy, but at least he had been able to voice it.

After settling their bill, they parted ways. Lucas lingered longer in the bakery, lost in thoughts of childhood memories of baking with his grandmother, imagining a future where he might run a quaint bakery. His main reason for studying endocrinology was to honor his grandma's memory, who could make food that made people feel better. When she was no longer with them, he wanted to learn the scientific aspect of her skills.

As Lucas exited, Plaza Mayor's festive ambiance enveloped him again, memories of their first Christmas and subsequent struggles lingering in his mind.

Three days later, they arranged to meet in the late afternoon to transfer Lucas's belongings to his new apartment in Arguelles.

"I'm sorry. It was all my fault; I wasn't prepared for the commitment. I felt this strong connection to you and didn't want to let you go; I didn't know how to handle it when you were sad," Jacob confessed as he delivered the last box to Ferraz Street.

Lucas shook his head, having had time to reflect on what went wrong in their marriage. "Not all of it. It was also my fault for not understanding how different life could be in another country. Leaving family and friends behind without a job was a bad plan. Perhaps it wasn't the right time for us, maybe in another life."

As Jacob prepared to leave, Lucas was overwhelmed by melancholy. "Will this be our last memory together? After so much love?"

"Hey, would you like to have a drink one day?" he offered tentatively.

"Perhaps later," Jacob replied, waving goodbye and retreating down the stairs.

Closing the door behind him, Lucas sank onto the couch in the living room, surrounded by three boxes containing his most cherished belongings; Jacob would bring the rest later.

Still processing the recent events, Lucas's thoughts echoed in the room's silence. "Goodbye, Jacob. Part of me will always love you, but we can't be together." 

Tears welled up, streaming down his cheeks as he allowed the room to darken around him. "Why am I still sad? Shouldn't I at least feel at least relieved that my stuff is back?" Lucas wondered. Memories of happy times, tenderness, and warmth assaulted him as the finality of their goodbye finally settled in. Lucas let the tears flow freely.

When his body felt tired from crying, Lucas closed his eyes and took deep breaths; the bustling sounds of Madrid's streets—cars passing, distant conversations, a solitary bird chirping—filtered through the closed windows. Inside, the fridge's hum and faint TV noise from a neighboring apartment formed a comforting backdrop.

"I'm still alive," Lucas murmured into the room's quietness.

Remembering his grandmother's wisdom about finding balance, Lucas felt a flicker of hope. Madrid was now the canvas for the next chapter of his life, brimming with new promises and possibilities. Perhaps one day, someone new would fill the void Jacob had left or, better yet, carve out their place in Lucas's heart.

Sorting through his life packed into five cardboard boxes in his new Arguelles apartment, Lucas was interrupted by Kyle's return, who seemed taken aback by the disorder.

"What's with all the boxes, man?" Kyle asked, his curiosity evident.

"Just some things I brought over. Finally starting to settle in," Lucas replied, though his voice lacked its usual vigor.

Kyle smiled sympathetically. "That's great."

Lucas barely acknowledged him, his gaze still fixed on the boxes. Concerned, Kyle noticed the solemn expression etched on his roommate's face. "Hey, what's with the long face?"

Lucas sighed heavily. "I never imagined starting over like this in Spain."

Patting Lucas on the shoulder, Kyle offered reassurance. "It's tough, but I know you can handle it."

Lucas nodded silently, his thoughts still preoccupied with the weight of recent changes.

Sensing his friend's need for distraction, Kyle said, "How about we get some fresh air and grab a few cold ones? It might help lift your spirits." He handed Lucas a coat and led the way out of the apartment.

They made their way through the metro. "Sometimes, I like to get lost in a different world. I think I know the perfect place for this occasion: a fascinating bar with live music and an exciting clientele," Kyle said, leading Lucas through the vibrant streets of Madrid.

Madrid's nightlife boasted a cosmopolitan flair, offering everything from salsa discotheques to trance music festivals and Irish pubs. Tucked away on a cobblestone street in the city's heart, the pub Kyle and Lucas chose exuded a warm glow and lively atmosphere. As they stepped inside, raucous laughter and the merry strains of fiddles and tin whistles enveloped them.

"Look at this place," Lucas remarked, taking in the rustic charm of overhead wooden beams and cozy nooks in corners. Vintage Guinness posters and framed photographs showcasing Irish landscapes adorned the walls, adding to its old-world allure.

Behind the bar, a group of redheaded men in emerald green waistcoats and buckled shoes caught sight of Kyle and Lucas entering. Excitedly, they waved, their joyous shouts drowned out by the pub's lively ambiance.

Curious, Lucas leaned towards Kyle. "They seem happy to see you. Friends of yours?"

Kyle nodded knowingly. They were immigrants who had made a home here. Then Kyle grabbed beers at the bar and ordered aromatic empanadas, filling the cozy pub air.

Settling into a snug booth, Kyle sighed contentedly, followed by a quiet burp. His gaze wandered up to the ceiling, lost in memories. "You know, some days change everything. I still remember the day I stood up to my father's wishes. It feels like ages ago, yet it's still fresh in my mind."

Lucas, nursing his beer, looked up with interest. "What happened?"

"I disagreed with his business practices and voiced my concerns. He didn't take it well and kicked me out. Most of my brothers sided with him and cut ties," Kyle recounted, his tone tinged with resignation.

"No one supported you?" Lucas leaned in, incredulous at the thought of Kyle being so harshly rejected.

"One brother did visit a few weeks ago, coincidentally when we first met," Kyle added. "But he had to leave abruptly due to some business our father threw at him."

Lucas nodded, recalling the encounter. "The man I saw with you at the metro station?"

Kyle's eyes widened slightly in surprise, focusing intently on Lucas. "You saw him? Sharp eyes. Yes, that was my brother. He was unusually talkative that day, sharing some juicy family gossip. My ex-business partner is planning a big merger and expansion."

Raising an eyebrow, Lucas probed further. "You had your own business before?"

Kyle shrugged wistfully. "After parting ways with my father, I struck out alone. Things went well for a while, but my partners started making decisions behind me. I got fed up and walked away."

"Sounds tough," Lucas sympathized.

Kyle nodded, his gaze drifting to the merry band of redheads behind the bar. "I did some of everything afterward—traveled, studied, explored. Eventually, I found my passion in organizational behavior, which brought me here."

Lucas nodded thoughtfully, taking another sip of his Guinness. "So, we both have our stories of starting over."

"Yeah," Kyle agreed with a nod. "And sometimes, those fresh starts bring unexpected opportunities and friendships."

The live band in the pub launched into a lively Irish tune, prompting a few patrons to start dancing, their laughter echoing through the air. Despite his worries, Lucas was smiling, caught up in the infectious atmosphere.

Kyle leaned closer, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "There's something liberating about being in a place where no one knows your past. It's like a blank canvas, a chance to reinvent yourself."

Lucas mulled over Kyle's words, the lively chatter blending seamlessly with the music. "You're right. That's exactly what I need—a fresh start, new experiences, new friends."

"To new beginnings and the adventures ahead," Kyle toasted, raising his glass.

Lucas clinked his glass against Kyle's, feeling a surge of optimism wash over him. As they continued to drink and talk, the weight of uncertainty seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and possibility.

Lucas wanted to share everything with Kyle, so he took a deep gulp of his beer before continuing the conversation. "I also don't get along with my father and brothers for a different reason."

Kyle narrowed his eyebrows. "What happened?"

Lucas looked to the floor as if trying to catch something he had lost. "Males have a different way of showing affection; they bully each other to shape them to be accepted by society, or at least that's what I think happens. My dad and brothers criticized my hobbies, especially cooking, because they thought it was a female chore."

Lucas gazed at the patrons, whose laughter and chat brought him fond memories. "I finally dropped the idea of becoming a chef and studied to become a doctor. The good news is it gave me a reason to move out of my hometown and go to the capital. I made some good friends there."

"And did you come back?" Kyle asked curiously.

Lucas nodded. "I went during holidays, Christmas, and stuff, but the town was too small for me afterward."

Lucas wanted to tell Kyle everything and share his most intimate secrets, but he wasn't ready. "Will he understand? Or will he judge me like the others? If I start with the surface, I can see how he reacts."

He tested the waters. "I made many friends in the city. They became my family of sorts. I fell in love quite often, but most of the time, it didn't work out."

"What happened?" Kyle asked.

"It was just physical attraction, no real emotional connection," Lucas said, glancing at Kyle, his golden eyes slightly darkened."Did he just look at me with a hint of desire?" Lucas wondered. Or was that just the beer playing tricks on me?"

Lucas felt emotions stirring within him, long forgotten. "I had a friend. I thought she loved me because she tagged along everywhere I went. One rainy afternoon, we went for a cappuccino, and she disclosed her heartache for a girl named Emilia."

Kyle chuckled. "Life makes fascinating twists on its own."

Lucas nodded, and the two continued drinking for a while. The conversation turned deeper, more personal. He thought, "Am I opening up to him? Why does it feel so easy?"

Kyle steered the conversation back, casually broaching the topic again. "I get it. Sometimes, queer people feel the need to hide who they love, even from family, out of fear. But love is love."

Kyle paused, his gaze shifting to the Irish landscapes on the wall before settling on Lucas, his eyes warm with understanding. "I don't mind it, honestly."

Lucas felt a rush of emotions, warmth spreading through him. "Kyle understands," he realized, feeling a profound connection. The bustling pub seemed to fade away, leaving only them in their world.

As they eventually left the pub, the cool night air greeted them, the city's nocturnal pulse slowing with the passing hour. Lucas walked with a newfound lightness in his step, a renewed determination to embrace this new chapter of his life.

Back at their apartment, Lucas collapsed onto his bed with a contented smile. The night's events had lifted his spirits, leaving him more at ease than he had felt in weeks. His gaze wandered to the scattered boxes, reminders of the past he was determined to leave behind.

"It's time to move on. The past can't hold me back anymore," Lucas murmured.

Despite the ache of recent separation, his resolve to continue his studies in endocrinology burned strong. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself to confront the challenges ahead with courage and optimism.

"I can't afford to give up now. I've come too far," he affirmed, his voice steady.

Foremost among his concerns was financial stability, knowing his funds were dwindling and tuition fees loomed ahead. "I'll find a way. I always do."

Finding a friend in Kyle had been unexpected yet comforting. As sleep claimed him, Lucas dreamt not of the past but of a future brimming with endless possibilities and new adventures.

In his dream, Lucas was at a barbecue with Kyle and his friends. Laughter and the sizzle of grilling meat filled the air when, suddenly, a distant rumble of thunder startled him. Kyle vanished from his side, leaving Lucas to follow the sound through the woods behind the house. The sky above was clear, yet the ominous sound grew louder, drawing Lucas deeper into the forest until he stood at the edge of a yawning cavern.

The air was thick with the scent of earth and an ancient magic that sent shivers down his spine. Recalling his grandmother's words about such places, Lucas hesitated, torn between fascination and caution. But then, bathed in an ethereal glow, Kyle appeared before a massive stone slab blocking the cavern's entrance.

Mesmerized, Lucas watched as Kyle summoned dark tendrils of energy, weaving intricate patterns across the stone's surface. Drawn closer, Lucas glimpsed an ancient symbol etched upon the slab—a circle surrounded by three marks 𒁺—a word of unimaginable power, its meaning resonating deep within him.

"Eternity," Lucas whispered, stunned by the revelation. Kyle, engrossed in his task, seemed oblivious to Lucas's presence. The symbol pulsed faintly with each movement of Kyle's fingers, responding to an ancient call from the depths.

With a final flourish, Kyle uttered a single word, the cavern trembling as the stone slab slowly sealed shut with a resounding thud. Lucas watched in awe as access to the cavern's secrets was barred again, a sense of foreboding lingering in the air.

Before the dream could fully unravel, Lucas caught a glimpse of movement within the depths—a flicker of eyes glowing with malevolent intent fixed on the barrier that separated them from the world above.

Abruptly, like shards of shattered glass, the dream fragmented, leaving Lucas grasping at fading echoes and a lingering unease even as sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the room.

Lucas rose from the bed with a dizzy head and a sense of clumsiness, feeling he had dreamt something significant about Kyle, though he had no idea what it was. He shuffled into the kitchen, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, baked eggs, and bread greeted him alongside a neatly folded note from Kyle on the counter.

"It was a rough night, huh? I hope this breakfast cheers you up. Catch you later tonight!"

After a hearty meal, Lucas left the apartment with renewed optimism. He was grateful for the friendship he had found in Kyle and determined to navigate the challenges ahead.

word count 3128

Cover: Plaza mayor