Gil used to hate unpredictability. He didn’t want anything he couldn’t have any control over in his life. Be it with people, things, or situations. He would always expect that everything in his life was all according to his plans.
When Gil was still someone who was controlled by his father’s scheme, one of the things that kept him sane was the fact that he could predict outcomes based on his efforts and observations of the people around him. He would be several steps ahead from his contemporaries, and the results were everything within his expectations.
Even when Gil started to rebel from his father, he already planned his next steps according to his father’s actions. Gil would finish high school, and when he would become old enough to live on his own, he would fly to another country to pursue his dreams or become a doctor like his Uncle Carl. One thing was for sure, he wanted to be free from his father’s claws.
Well, Gil’s mother was the first exception. Everything about his mom after his twin sister died became unpredictable. Gil loved his mom with all his heart. Her actions and sufferings were some of the things even Gil couldn’t fathom in all its essence. When his mom died, nothing in Gil’s life had become normal again.
Then, Gil met Seth Wiley.
Everything about Seth was unpredictable. In the beginning, Gil thought of him as a pushover who couldn’t even stand up for himself. Then, Seth turned the tables around and got back to his bullies. Gil had the chance to get to know Seth Wiley. Gil was so confused at first. He was the guy who hated things and situations he couldn’t have any control over. But when it came to Seth, Gil found himself anticipating Seth’s every move. Gil loved to see Seth being able to overcome his fears one step at a time. Gil’s hated toward unpredictability became a thing of the past.
Ever since he met Seth, Gil began to crave for spontaneity. He watched in anticipation Seth’s every move. Even the part where Gil confessed his feelings for Seth was not part of his plan. Loving Seth Wiley was never in his agenda. Never in his wildest dreams would he think of confessing his feelings to someone let alone to a boy. Being with Seth made Gil feel genuine happiness after a long while.
Gil fell over heels in love with Seth. It was not part of the plan of the life he wanted to live before he met Seth, but Gil found himself falling hard for Seth. It was unpredictable, but not very much a surprise. Gil liked Seth—no he loved him for the way that he was. Gil craved Seth. Seth was everything that he could think of each day. Screw his plans and the life he always thought for himself. Now, everything in his life was about Seth.
Consequently, the morning where he found Seth outside his house—still wearing his pajamas, with nothing on his feet, and looked confused and torn apart—supposed to be one of those many times Gil found Seth’s unpredictability as charming. However, upon seeing his beloved looked distraught and heartbroken, that was when Gil knew something was definitely wrong. He immediately ran after Seth and comforted him.
Seth was mumbling about his mom. Gil didn’t ask questions that would make Seth confused more than he already was. He just quietly helped and supported his boyfriend in whatever he was struggling with at that moment.
When they reached Aunt Monica’s restaurant, Seth immediately became clingy with his mom. Seth would follow Aunt Monica wherever she would go. Gil watched as Seth became a lost child in his mother’s presence. Gil had so many questions but he chose to be mum. He would wait for Seth to open up with him first.
While Seth was occupied with following his mom’s every move. Gil quietly left the restaurant and went back to the Wileys’ house. He knew where they left their keys in case of emergencies, that was why it was no problem for Gil to step inside the house.
He was there to look for Seth’s clothes to bring back to the restaurant for his boyfriend. Also, he had to grab his own slippers (yes, Aunt Monica bought them for him. He would use them whenever he was at the Wileys) because he gave his shoes to Seth. Gil was wearing socks with no shoes. Well, it was not really a problem. He also grabbed a pair of shoes for Seth.
When he came back to the restaurant, there was a commotion inside. Gil saw a man (maybe on his mid fifteen) shouting profanities toward Aunt Monica. Gil was ready to enter the fray. He wouldn’t permit anyone to slander Seth and his mom—but before Gil could do anything, Seth swung his arm and gave the man a slap on the face with an open hand.
Gil was surprised at first. It was the first time he saw Seth became violent. He had witnessed Seth being angry several times but not to the extent that he would slap an older man.
“You are not welcome here, Uncle Hans. Get out! Get out! Get out! Before I kill you myself!” Seth shouted with so much anger wrapped in his voice.
Gil woke up from his trance-like state when he saw the man who was called “Uncle Hans” by Seth—grabbed a chair and was about to hit Seth with it. Gil immediately tackled the man and dragged him out of the restaurant.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Xli!” tf tfjgv Vfat mjiifv tlr cjwf.
Ktf wjc kjr rageuuilcu ogbw tlr ugjrq, yea Xli bnfgqbkfgfv tlw. “Tbe vbc’a tjnf atf gluta ab tega atf qfbqif P ibnfv.” Lf atgfk atf wjc bc atf ugbecv. “Qf vbc’a kjca ab rff sbeg ojmf fnfg jujlc. Gbc’a mbwf yjmx.”
“Memx sbe—”
Uncle Hans couldn’t finish his sentence because they heard police sirens coming their way. Gil waited for the police to arrive and personally handed them Uncle Hans.
The man was still shouting profanities while the police were dragging him into the police car.
Gil suddenly felt someone hugging him from behind. He knew it was Seth. He would always know the warm and comforting feeling of Seth’s embrace.
“Are you okay, Seth?” he asked.
Seth didn’t say anything. Gil heard him crying instead.
Gil turned around to face Seth. He saw his boyfriend’s crying face and it melted his heart. Without any warning, Gil carried Seth back to the restaurant. He carried him all the way to Aunt Monica’s mini office. He put Seth down on the couch. Gil just let his boyfriend cry as much as he liked. He would wait for Seth to calm his emotions.
“Gil,” Seth said when he finally settled his emotions.
“Hmmm?”
“What if I tell you, there is another world aside from this? In that world, there is a version of me who lost everything?”
Gil didn’t know what to say. But he felt that what he was about to hear from Seth would be something pivotal in their relationship.
Gil held Seth’s hand. He listened to him not only with his ears, but also with his heart.
*****
From an outsider’s point of view, it might look as if Seth went crazy following his mom wherever she would go. Well, Seth didn’t mind the thought, actually. It was more important for Seth to never let his mom out of his sight even for a second. He had a feeling that if they would survive that day without any major issue that was easily resolvable, the accident or whatever was supposed to happen would not materialize.
Seth even asked Uncle Carl to call Atty. Benjamin Scoffer just to make sure that Ned Swan was really rotting in jail. He let out a sigh of relief when he was told that Ned Swan was still in his cell.
However, that day was really destined to bring something ominous toward Seth and his mom. Because out of all days Uncle Hans should appear, he really picked that day to be an asshole.
Uncle Hans was shouting at Seth’s mom. He was spouting nonsense like why did his sister waste money into opening a restaurant that would be closed down soon. He did also say that what Seth’s mom did to his former boss—accusing him of sexual harassment—was too harsh. Uncle Hans’s words were like swords hurting not only Monica Wiley but also Seth.
Seth heard some of the employees called the police. Upon looking at Uncle Hans’s angry face, Seth remembered everything the old man did to him during Seth’s previous life. All of the anger Seth accumulated over the years toward his abusive uncle erupted in one single moment. Seth stepped forward, swung his arm, and gave the biggest slap onto his uncle’s face.
“Seth!” he heard his mom gasped for air.
But Seth didn’t regret what he did toward Uncle Hans. The old man was about to counter attack when someone dragged Uncle Hans out of the restaurant. Seth was surprised at first. However, when he saw Gil’s face, his knees became weak. How could he forget about Gil?
Seth shouted his boyfriend’s name. “Gil!” Then, he forced his weakened knees to run outside. He saw Gil dragging Uncle Hans and with all his strength, Gil threw the man on the ground. Uncle Hans still had a fight in him, but they heard the police siren.
Not a moment later, Uncle Hans was captured by the police. Seth immediately ran toward Gil and hugged him from the back. How could Seth forget? It was Gil who helped him this morning. Gil even put his own shoes on Seth’s feet because he was too distraught to wear his own. It was Gil who whispered to him words of comfort when they were riding the bus. It was Gil who made sure that he could be with his mom safe and sound.
“Are you okay?” he heard Gil asked him.
Seth didn’t say anything because he started crying. He didn’t know what exactly happened, but Seth found himself being carried by Gil back to the restaurant. They went to his mom’s office and Gil placed Seth on the couch.
Seth kept on crying. Though he realized he need to stabilize his emotions. He needed a moment and Gil respected that.
When he finally calmed down, Seth called his beloved’s name: “Gil,”
“Hmmm…?”
During in his moment of vulnerability, Seth let some hidden truths slipped out of his mouth. “What if I tell you, there is another world aside from this? In that world, there is a version of me who lost everything?”
As expected, Gil didn’t respond immediately. He just stared at Seth with intense gaze.
“In that world, my mom was not there. You did not even know that I exist. I was on my own. In that world, I died miserable and alone…”
Gil didn’t respond yet again. Though, he held Seth’s hand.
“I know it’s hard for you to believe me.” Seth showed a faint smile. “It is—”
“Seth…” Gil called his name. “You are right. What you are saying is impossible.”
“I know.” He let out a sigh.
“It’s impossible but…” Gil kissed the back of his hand. “I believe you. If you say that the earth is flat, I believe you. If you say that there’s a monster under your bed, with all my heart, I’ll believe you. Not because I am too blind to see the logic behind your words, but because I know you enough to discern that you won’t joke around about things that directly influence your life and the people around you.”
“T-thank you…”
“Seth, remember this: Everything that has been taken away from you in that world, you regain them all here. We are here, Seth. You are here. Your mom, Uncle Carl, your friends, YOU. We are all here. Living in the present. Making fun memories with each other. I do not want to invalidate the pain and suffering you have experienced in the world that you have mentioned. But you’ve got to see that it’s not your world anymore. This is where you belong. With all the people you love and cherish. Your moment is here.”
Seth couldn’t help but cry again. Everything Gil had said to him made sense. His words were beautiful and encouraging.
“Thank you, Gil. I love you. Thank you. Thank you!” Seth gave Gil a kiss on the lips.
It was their first kiss.
“I love you, too, sweetheart. You are greatly loved here.”
Again, they shared another kiss.
*****
When the next school day arrived, Mr. Davy—their homeroom teacher—had an important announcement during homeroom.
The second years were bound to have their school trip. Except, this year, the students were going in the mountains for 3 days and 2 nights to camp.
It was a freaking camping trip!
The students felt elated about the news.
Except for Seth. He was never a fan of camping trips. He just hoped nothing major would happen during the trip.
*****
Who wouldn’t want a Gil in their life, frankly? Thanks for this chapter!
That was sweet.
Nice slap!!!
Also…what an ominous way to end the chapter XD
Is “mid-fifteen” supposed to be fifties?
So, camping… move over sharing a bed trope, we can hope for sharing a tent! (Also, schools were never as bright about splitting couples up per “sleeping” arrangements as parents. Silly gender norms.)
dun dun duuuuun!!! the plot thickens!
thanks for the chapter <3
the last sentence is making me go nutSSS, sighhhh
Such love! I can only read about…. Thanks for the chapter.