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Alexander and Elias were enjoying their day in Brussels, as Alexander had invited him back to go to his uncles' and mostly walk around the city
That day, everything seemed perfect until a familiar silhouette appeared in Alexander's vision.
"Alexander!" exclaimed a voice that Alexander would have recognized even in the middle of a crowd.
Elias looked up just in time to see the man walking towards them as if he were parading on a catwalk. Tall, elegant, and with a smile that was too perfect: Arthur [Author's note: for Elias, no introduction was needed. Alexander's sudden awkwardness was enough to guess who he was.
"Arthur!" Alexander replied, with a tense smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Arthur, ignoring the tension, extended his arms as if he expected a hug that Alexander didn't give him. Instead, he moved a little closer to Elias and said:
"It's nice to see you, Alexander." And… is this your friend?
Alexander took Elias’ hand, squeezing it tightly.
“No, he’s my boyfriend. Elias.”
Arthur looked at him with a calculating look, as if he were evaluating him, before smiling triumphantly.
“Oh, sure. Nice to meet you, Elias,” he said, extending his hand.
Elias squeezed back, albeit with a defiant smile.
“The pleasure is yours, I suppose.”
The answer made Arthur let out a short, condescending laugh. He turned back to Alexander.
“I never thought I’d see you again. Although, well, it’s hard not to run into someone when the world seems so small.”
“I didn’t know you were still in town,” Alexander replied, visibly uncomfortable.
“Oh, I was gone for a while, you know, new opportunities, new beginnings… Although some things from the past never lose their place in our memory, do they?” Arthur said, looking at Alexander in a way that made Elias grit his teeth.
“I guess some things are, some aren’t,” Alexander replied, clearly wanting to end the conversation.
But Arthur didn’t seem ready to leave just yet.
“So how’s everything with you? I mean, after our chapter, I thought it would be hard for you to find something… better.”
Elias couldn’t help but chime in.
“Well, from what I see, better isn’t exactly a high standard after you.”
Arthur looked at him with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
“Wow, you have a boyfriend with character, Alex. Now that’s new.”
Alexander, tired of the condescending tone, decided to confront him once and for all.
“Arthur, what are you doing here?”
Arthur feigned surprise.
“I was just passing by. Although, if I’m honest, I was always curious to know how you were. You know, after… well, our thing.”
Elias crossed his arms, sensing that there was something more behind Arthur’s words.
“Our thing?” he asked, looking at Alexander.
Alexander sighed and, after a moment, turned to Elias.
“Arthur and I dated for a year, before I left Brussels but we broke up because… well, because his ego was always above everything else.”
Arthur feigned indignation.
“Ego? That was it? Come on, Alex, you know it was more complicated than that.”
“Complicated?” Alexander repeated, losing his patience. “Arthur, you tricked me with your sexuality, made me believe you were gay, then left me for a woman, is that complicated?”
Elias raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.
“So charm comes with a high price? Interesting.”
Alexander took a deep breath, wanting to keep things from getting out of hand.
“Arthur, what we shared is over. A long time ago. I’m with Elias now, and I’m happy.”
Arthur seemed surprised by the firmness in Alexander’s tone. After a few seconds, he smiled triumphantly, as if he still had the last word.
“Well, Alex, if it makes you happy… I guess that’s all that matters. I’ll always be around though, just in case you decide you deserve more.”
Arthur was silent for a moment, his expression seemingly torn between anger and amusement. Finally, he shrugged.
“I guess I have nothing more to say. It was nice seeing you, Alexander. And… nice meeting you, Elias. Good luck. You’re going to need it.”
With one last haughty look, Arthur turned and disappeared into the streets, leaving behind a cloud of awkwardness and tension.
Elias exhaled, releasing the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.
“Was that your ex? Now I understand why you only told me his name.”
Alexander plopped down into a nearby chair, relieved that the confrontation was over.
“Yeah.” And I'm sorry, Elias shouldn't have lied to you about the fact that falling in love was the best feeling in the world, the truth is that it was, but when I realized the person Arthur was I stopped loving him.
Elias knelt in front of Alexander, taking his hands.
—You don't have to apologize for anything. If he shows up again, believe me, I'll be more than ready to put him in his place.
Alexander smiled, feeling lighter. He knew that Elías would always be by his side, and with him, any meeting with Arthur would simply be another anecdote in their history together.