Third Person POV

Joss badly wanted to ask Bas just what Godt was to him. Was he just a friend or was he in a committed relationship with him. Joss decided to contain his curiosity and wait for Bas to confide in him.

When they reached Joss' condo unit, the delicious smell of the chop suey that Joss had cooked earlier met them and made both Joss and Bas feel hungry.

"Make yourself at home while I reheat the food," said Joss.

"Can I have a bottle of beer?" aske Bas.

Joss hesitated. "I wouldn't recommend it right now," he said.

Joss looked intently at Bas before saying, "Alcohol is not really a good way to nurse an aching heart. The best way is to find a good friend on whom you can pour your sorrows."

"And are you a good friend?" Bas asked with a hesitant smile.

"I was hoping you would consider me that," Joss replied as he took out the food from the microwave and set it on the table.

"For now, let's enjoy this chop suey dish that I cooked for you. Let me know if you like it."

"I can tell by the smell alone that I'm going to like it," said Bas as he sat down on the chair that Joss motioned for him to sit.

After lunch, Joss asked if Bas wanted to see his old photos from when he first started to work as a model.

As Bas went through each photo, his attraction towards Joss got stronger and stronger. In all the photos Joss looked so gorgeous. Bas was inclined to think that Joss had lots of women who would drop anything they were doing just to be with him.

There were some funny photos as well which made him laugh out loud. Joss was happy to see that Bas was starting to forget his earlier sadness.

After Bas looked at the last photo, the sadness started to appear on his face again.

"Do you miss him so much?" Bas got startled by Joss' direct question.

He looked away, unable to answer Joss' question. It was Joss' turn to look sad.

"I guess you do," said Joss trying to reconcile with the fact that he was just someone who could fill the void in Bas' heart only when Godt was not around.

Was Joss willing to play second banana or was it best to avoid future heartache by cutting Bas' friendship now?

Joss hated himself for his false optimism that he would eventually be able to win Bas' heart if he just tried hard enough.

He took Bas' hand and held it, caressing the top of Bas' hand with his thumb.

"Bas," he said, "look at me. I don't know exactly what Godt's status is with you, and I don't want to know. I respect your privacy. But rest assured, that whenever you need a friend, I will always be at your side. All you have to do is text me. Or call me. I will make myself available for you."

Bas looked down, his tears starting to fall.

"Why are you so good to me, P'Joss? I don't deserve your kindness."

"You don't just deserve my kindness, Bas," said Joss, cupping Bas' tearful face in his hands, "you also deserve my love."

Bas looked up to see Joss' face slowly descending to claim his lips.

At that exact same moment, Bas' phone started to ring. He pulled out his phone from his pants' pocket.

It was Godt. Godt was video calling him.

Bas felt Joss hand on his.

"Please don't take it," Joss pleaded. "Let's enjoy our moment, here and now."