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After a draining soirée held by one of Voller's acquaintance, they returned home, the weight of the night's revelry hanging in the air. The afterparty had left them in a state of merry inebriation, with Klaber particularly affected. Voller, resolute and composed, guided the unsteady Klaber to his waiting car.
Amidst the drive, Klaber's words took on a new hue, an unfamiliar cadence that caught Voller's attention. The cascade of compliments, a customary exchange, flowed effortlessly. Yet, as the conversation deepened, Klaber's emotional floodgates opened wide. Voller listened in quiet amazement as Klaber shared his innermost thoughts.
In a voice laced with vulnerability, Klaber murmured, "Boss, if I could change the world overnight, we'd get the chance we deserve." His fingers fiddled with his tie, loosening the fabric of restraint.
Voller's astonishment was palpable, his gaze shifting to Klaber in disbelief. "Could you repeat that?" he requested.
Klaber's voice, now softer, revealed his heart's truest desires. "I'd make a reality that we won't be two worlds apart, but right here in each other's arms."
Voller found himself in a loss of words. The ride continued in contemplative silence, a backdrop of pensive gazes and unspoken sentiments. Voller's apartment emerged as a sanctuary from the night's tumultuous emotions, with Klaber finding solace on the couch and Voller settling beside him, the ember of his cigar casting a warm glow.
Voller's voice carried a note of concern as he sought clarity. "Klaber, enlighten me. This isn't your usual demeanor."
Klaber's gaze evaded Voller's, his focus drawn to the rain-kissed windowpane, its teardrop patterns mirroring the storm within. "Herr Voller, I think I find myself inexplicably drawn to you."
Voller's response was measured, his composure unwavering as he inhaled from his cigar. He allowed the weight of the moment to linger before inquiring further. "In what manner does this attraction manifest, Klaber?" His question hung delicately in the air.
Tears glistened on Klaber's cheek, a testament to his internal struggle, quickly wiped away as he suppressed his vulnerability. "I apologize, but I cannot continue down this path. It doesn't feel right."
Voller's gaze held steady, his free hand tenderly ruffling Klaber's hair, offering an unexpected comfort that belied his stern exterior. "Do any of these feel right to you, Klaber?" His touch elicited a subtle squirm from the younger man.
Amidst trembling breaths, Klaber found the courage to speak. "No... None of this feels right, mein Herr."
"Have any of us felt right from the very beginning?" Voller's words resonated softly, a plea for candid introspection.
Choked words escaped Klaber's lips, a raw admission of truth. "Boss..."
"Answer me honestly."
"No... It has never truly felt right," Klaber confessed, his grip on Voller's hand growing tighter.
Voller's response was gentle yet resolute. "And yet, it has never felt entirely wrong."
The truth hung between them, a fragile thread woven from shared experiences and a connection that defied easy categorization. Voller's past, riddled with triumphs and disappointments, had found a unique resonance with Klaber's presence.
"But now, I'm bothering you, and it's bothering me," Klaber wept, his vulnerability stark. Voller's handkerchief brushed away the tears, a silent gesture of understanding and empathy.
Struggling to regain his composure, Klaber implored, "What course of action should I take, Boss? Please, guide me."
Voller's tone turned bitter, his words tinged with resignation. "We occupy our days with fantasies and hypotheticals. Love, in my experience, remains an elusive mirage."
Klaber countered, his voice soft yet defiant. "Isn't it a matter of who you share it with?"
"Klaber..." Voller's touch was tender as he soothed, his hand tracing a gentle path over the younger man's head. He inhaled from his cigar, a gesture of contemplation. "My life comprises a mosaic of victories, defeats, and regrets. Love, too, has been one of my unfulfilled pursuits."
The bitterness in Voller's voice was tinged with self-doubt. "Someone like me doesn't inspire affection."
A heavy silence settled, punctuated only by the steady rhythm of the ticking clock. Slowly, Klaber rose from the couch, his arms enveloping Voller in a hug, a gesture unanticipated yet oddly fitting.
"Klaber?"
"Boss, never let anyone convince you that you are undeserving of love."
Voller's gaze met Klaber's, capturing a fleeting moment of shared understanding. It was a silent exchange of reassurance that transcended words.
Tenderly, their lips brushed against each other, bridging the gap that had once separated them. In that delicate moment, Voller could feel the warmth of Klaber's breath and the softness of his touch. A lone tear, like a heartfelt confession, caressed Klaber's cheek before being gently caught in the embrace of their shared kiss.
Klaber might forget this in the morning, but Voller definitely won't.