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It’s Friday night and Enkidu and Thomas are sitting on the couch in their apartment’s living room watching a movie. It’s practically tradition now. They've been doing it every Friday night since shortly after dating…which was quite a while ago.
College life is going really well. Better than he expected actually. They’ve both chosen fields they’re passionate about. Enkidu studies history and archeology while Thomas is majoring in geography and cartography science. Double majoring keeps them incredibly busy, but they’ve managed to keep their relationship going throughout the years. It helps that they’re both in finally a good place mentally. Enkidu is grateful for that.
Enkidu had a hell of a start to his new life, quite literally in many senses of the word. But…he’s happy now. They both are, and that’s what is important.
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” A quote from George Santayana keeps popping into his mind. They discussed it in class this week. Though its original wording is, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Enkidu frowns. It reminds him a little of his own situation with the amulet that threatened to eat his memories. There’s events in history and in life that match the statement, but in other cases, things repeat themselves even in the presence of learning and growth.
He looks over at Thomas, who is watching the movie intently. He’s grown so much since they first met in high school. He’s happy. Thomas deserves the world, not to be held down by his past relationship and broken mind. He hasn’t had a suicidal thoughts in over a year. It makes Enkidu rest easy knowing that he doesn’t have to worry about his love so much anymore. Enkidu wishes that he could say the same about himself. He’s made progress, but nothing nearly as impressive as that.
Thomas pauses the movie. “Is everything okay, luv?”
Enkidu blinks, “...Mostly, why?”
“Because you have that… look, like you’re about to do something that’s going to hurt again.” Thomas turns his full attention to his boyfriend. He takes the hand that Enlodu doesn’t realize was digging into the more recent scars on his arm.
“I was…just thinking how much you’ve grown since we met. I didn’t think it was possible to love you more now than I ever have in the past.”
Thomas hums, kissing his partner’s wrist and the scars trailing up the arm. “That’s not all though is it? You’ve grown too Enkidu. You just don’t see it.”
“Have I? I don’t feel any different,” his voice is barely a whisper.
Thomas moves closer to his boyfriend so that he can cup his cheek. “Your actions have always spoken louder than your words. You’re quick to come to my defense or help your friends or even strangers. But you’re a better communicator now. You say what’s on your mind more now, even if I won’t like it. You don’t dance around topics or hide how you feel because you’re afraid of how I’ll react. You’re more confident, without being too prideful.”
“And you no longer cry at the drop of a hat. You can talk about things that make you sad or hurt you without getting upset…usually,” He smiles. “I don’t worry about you nearly as much as I used to.”
“So much of that is because of me, and I’m sorry for that. And for not checking in with you nearly as much as I should have. It was selfish.” He nozzles against Enkidu’s neck.
“We were both struggling and both trying to stay afloat. Especially in high school. But we made it through, alive and in one piece. And we’re still together.”
“Oh god, high school,” Thomas groans, “But I should have been more supportive when you went to the Underworld and why wanted to in the first place…”
“It’s in the past,” Enkidu sighs, though it does still sting, “And I do think any time we spent apart, even the couple of times we broke up, that we’re better for it. We grew because of it. You’re more attentive now, and I’m so glad about that.”
Thomas smiles brightly, “My turn to worry about my beautiful boyfriend.”
Enkidu blushes, “And you’re doing a great job.”
“...I agree with you, you know. I don’t think I’ve loved you more than I have now. I think I’m finally seeing the real you, the you that you were in your home.”
“That means a lot, thank you,” Enkidu whispers, leaning down to give him a kiss.
Enkkidu continues to watch the movie, hoping that despite not remembering his past, that he hasn’t sacrificed too much of himself to be happy. For now, he decides to embrace it. After all, it’s all he knows.