Tadeus manages to calm him down a little. He never imagined that seeing him so upset would amuse him; not in a mocking way, but it does give him a certain satisfaction to know that he takes things more seriously than he seems. — We have to go — Alexander says with his forehead still pressed against Tadeus'. The man breaks the embrace to grab a suitcase from the room and heads out. Tadeus follows him without another word. Both remain silent as Alexander drives for hours on the highway until — Why isn't the driver taking us this time?
— Don't you like how I drive? — Alexander says, keeping his eyes on the road.
— Well, it's just that you always have someone behind you. A security guard and your driver.
— I think it'll be fun to spend some time alone outside a room, like our dates used to be in the beginning — Alexander says. Tadeus remembers how upset he was that time in the hotel lobby and smiles to himself at this response.
— I don't remember the last time I saw you smile outside of the sheets — Tadeus remarks. To which Alexander responds with an ear-to-ear smile just to please him. The passenger immediately leans in to kiss him on the cheek and settles back into his seat, resting his head on his arm against the window. — So where are we going?
— It's a house in the mountains, near the artificial lake — Alexander replies. — We'll be there this weekend.
— Great — Tadeus replies, thinking about those plane tickets.
It's quite late at night by the time they arrive at the house. Tadeus is surprised to see that it's bigger than he thought, with a small pond next to the entrance. It's a brick house with two large windows on either side of the main entrance and a spacious garage. The second floor has only four large windows with climbing plants on the outside.
— Com'on in— says Alexander from the front steps, suitcase in hand.
— Aren't you going to park the car in the garage?
— It's full of stuff; you can't use it — replies Alexander, opening the front door.
Once the door's open, the first thing seen is a long hallway that leads through a doorway to another room at the far end, but the light doesn't reach that far. To the right are the stairs leading to the second floor; following this wall is the wide doorway to what can be made out as a living room in front of a fireplace. — Come on up — says Alexander once he takes off his coat and hangs it on the coat rack. Tadeus follows him down the hallway to the right until they reach a room with a bed on a huge rug featuring antique abstract botanical patterns, situated between two windows covered by curtains. To his right is a wardrobe, followed by the entrance to the bathroom. — Make yourself comfortable — Alexander says as he unbuttons his shirt in front of the bed. — There are some clothes you can wear in the second drawer of the wardrobe.
Tadeus nods and sees a large pajama nightgown, so he decides to put it on. — No, not that one — Alexander says. He reaches deeper into the drawer and hands him a blue cotton pajama set with white stripes made of tiny dots. — This one will surely fit you.
Tadeus says nothing and keeps his thoughts to himself to discuss in the morning. They get into bed, Alexander pulls him into his arms, and they fall asleep almost instantly.
In the morning, the light streaming through the curtains and flooding the room, along with the sound of birds, wakes Tadeus, who is alone in bed. He decides to walk over and look at the large framed photo above the headboard, which shows a couple. The man is blond, with a slightly square face and a long nose, similar to Alexander's. He's wearing a black suit with a white rose in his jacket pocket. The black-haired woman has a big smile that reminds him of Alexander and the way her cheeks form dimples. She's wearing a white dress with a fairly full skirt and is holding a huge cascading bouquet that covers part of her torso. — She was pregnant when they painted that picture — Alexander's voice says behind him. Tadeus startles slightly, slumping back onto the pillows, and watches him approach with a wooden tray in his hands. — They were secretly dating for several years until her pregnancy was discovered and they were forced to marry. Though, it was really a celebration for them. They could finally be together in front of their families.
— Quite a romantic story — Tadeus remarks as he takes the tray on the bed — thanks, it looks delicious.
— Yeah, they loved each other so much — Alexander says with a faint smile, thinking back to his childhood.
— What a surprise, huh. I never thought you'd bring me to your parents' house.
— Well, I've met your family. I thought it was about time — Alexander says, cupping Tadeus' face in his hands — It's not the same, but I wanted you to know how much you mean to me. I've never shown this part of my life to anyone else.
Tadeus nods, and they kiss tenderly for several seconds until they realize that the food is still on the tray on the bed.
After breakfast, they decide to take a dip in the small pond with an artificial waterfall decorated with stones, located in the backyard of the house. Alexander takes off all his clothes and jumps into the water. — Is it too deep?
Tadeus asks after counting the seconds it takes him to surface.
— Get in, the water is wonderful! — Alexander smiles. Tadeus decides to listen to him, but first sits on the edge — Don't be afraid — Alexander takes him by the waist, luring him where the water reaches his navel and kisses the tip of his nose, then pulls him by the hand until they finish descending the stone steps underwater.
Tadeus is completely submerged and pushes himself toward the surface with his arms. He's about to get out, but Alexander pulls his hand back down to the deepest part. — Calm down, remember to breathe — he says.
— Why are you doing this to me, when you know I don't like deep waters?
— You'll never learn if you don't try — says Alexander — Remember to fill your lungs with air. Most of your body will be underwater, but only a few inches below the surface.
— Okay — he says, letting the water carry him until his arms and legs are outstretched. He takes a deep breath and holds it, keeping his face and part of his chest above the water.
— You're doing great. Now stay like that, and don't panic.
Tadeus nods, and at that moment Alexander lets go of him. He stays afloat for several seconds until he can no longer hold his breath, so he exhales and begins to sink, but he stays calm as he looks up at the sky through the water.
He reaches the point where he is so deep in the pool that he can no longer make out anything until he sees Alexander's hands and face in front of him. He takes a breath through his mouth, but decides to waste it on a kiss.
When they get out of the water, Tadeus seeks out his lips and kisses him tenderly until Alexander pulls away to splash water playfully.
They swim, play in the water, and even run around in the yard until they get hungry and decide to go inside.
— Are these your father's clothes? — Tadeus asks when he sees Alexander leave a shirt and a pair of pants on the bed.
— They're mine. I was living here two years ago. I wanted to get away from the city life for a while and take care of my father. He had to sleep downstairs because it was hard for him to climb the stairs, so I slept here.
— I know what that's like — Tadeus states — it's exhausting to watch their lives become moments just before they die, and with every passing day, you feel more afraid.
— I was afraid of being completely alone, despite…
— Despite what?
— Despite how distant we'd become before his illness — says Alexander with a somber expression. — He was quite… too cold; I still find it hard to remember him as a loving father.
— You don't have to tell me.