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Theo walked into Barbour's household completely soaked. Todd greeted him warmly and started talking about his life and his future plans.
"Is that him?" Kitsey walked into the hall and soon she was hugging Theo, not caring about his wet clothes.
Theo watched her closely as she was talking. There was a lot of Mr Barbour in her appearance, but when he looked in her eyes he was struck by their the resemblance to Andy's. It was as if he was looking at Theo. Then he notices her parted lips, parted the exactly same way that Andy's had been.
"I was afraid you wouldn't come" confusion washed over Theo when Kitsey said that.
"It's not that bad out" he tried to joke.
"Yes, but I thought you hated us" she looked really guilty.
"Hated you? No" Theo said as quickly as he could.
"No?" Kitsey laughed and Theo was too focused on hers resemblance to Andy that he didn't know when he found himself in Mrs Barbour's quarters with three siblings and their mother.
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Theo watched Pippa and Everett talking. But in reality his eyes were focused only on the red-headed young woman. He was mostly aware that he probably latched onto her after his mother's death. But in his eyes they were so similar. Their way of being, their kindness and caring. And of course they were both incredibly beautiful. Theo was sure that Pippa could become a model if she only wanted to do so. He wanted for her to look at him just like she looks at Everett, with so much love. Theo did not notice how Pippa looked at him with love, but not the romantic one but more familiar.
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Theo straightened himself when he realised that his eyes lingered a little too long on Boris's lips. Boris was laughing about something with Pippa and Everett. Theo loves watching his friend's face light up. Every time he saw Boris happy he felt warm inside. Boris was his lifeline, the only reason that Theo was still alive, the only thing that made his truly happy.
Everett kissed Pippa on her cheek and suddenly Theo caught himself wishing to do the same. But to his suprise and horror not to the red-headed woman but to his longtime best friend.
Theo immediately stiffened. What the fuck?! How could he think something like that? He needed to get out.
Theo stood up and walked out of the room, telling others some excuse. He quickly went to bathroom and sat an the toilet. At first he did not notice tears streaming down his face. He gripped his arms and felt his nails digging into flesh. A few red drops fell to the ground. His breathing was shallow and uneven.
'No no no no. Why would I even think something so disgusting. I'm... I'm not... No... I'm normal... Right, of course. I was in love with Pippa and I was attracted to Kitsey. So I'm not... Not that...' Theo saw black spots because of lack of air. And soon he fainted.
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For next few months Theo was a ghost of himself. Always lost in his thoughts, flinching at every male touch. He got much thinner and got visible black circles around his eyes.
The state that Theo was in worried everyone but Boris and Hobie the most. Boris because he promised himself that he will keep Theo safe and happy. And Hobie because he was reminded of times after Vegas when Theo was a suicidal kid with drug addiction.
"Hi Theo" said Hobie coming into Theo's room. The man in question was laying lifelessly in his bed. When Hobie sat on the bed Theo flinched and then looked at his father figure (he would not admit that but it is the truth). "Please tell me what happened that made you so sad. I'm worried."
Theo sat up. He looked thoughtful.
"Hobie... Would you mind if I was, i don't know, gay maybe?"
Hobie snickered quietly. "Of course not. I'm gay so why would I mind you being one as well?"
"Oh..." Theo was silent for a moment. "So I'm gay. And I'm pretty sure I like Boris"
"That's amazing Theo!" Hobie hugged his pseudo-son.
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One year passed since Theo came out to Hobie. He slowly came to accept himself. He also told Pippa about his attraction to Boris. 'I knew it" she had said, making Theo blush. She immediately promoted herself to his wingman. Theo scoffed at her efforts to set him up with Boris. He admired how stubborn she was about getting them together.
But Theo felt that he did not deserve to even try being with Boris. 'Cause Boris was a sunshine, he was so full of energy, always smiling and making others happy. And Theo always gloomy and depressed would bring him down. Except of that Boris was married with children and he said many times that he loves his wife. Theo could not destroy it by confessing his feelings.
"Hello Potter! How are you doing on this fine Saturday evening?" Boris yelled while walking into the apartment.
"Well... I was wondering when could I finally meet your wife and kids, you know? I'm hearing so much about them and I've never met them. I guess I'm just curious." Boris's face fell a little at that. Theo immediately felt panic growing inside him at seeing Boris losing his always optimistic facade.
"Potter listen, please don't be angry at me. Am sorry, really. I lied... I do not have wife and children. I heard you was engaged and made them up. I not know why. Am really sorry Potter, don't be angry at me" Boris looked guilty. His eyes were focused on the floor, avoiding looking at Theo.
"Oh..." Theo had no idea what to say. The biggest factor stopping him from confessing was a lie."Please get out of here Boris. I need time to think. I... I'm not angry, I promise but I need to think."
Boris looked heartbroken but he nodded and walked out. When the door shut Theo took out his phone and called Pippa.
"Hey Theo! How are you?" She cheerfully greeted him.
"Boris lied. He doesn't have a wife. Or children." Theo was hiperventilating.
"Oh... Well that's great! You can now tell him you love him! It's gonna be amazing! I want to be your maid of honor" Pippa yelled something to Everett but Theo didn't catch it.
"No no... I can't. It would destroy our friendship." Theo panicked a little bit.
"Oh but you can" Pippa sang happily.
"No no no. I really can't" Theo stuttered a little bit.
"If you say so... But at least think about it, okey? Do it form me" she said, knowing that Theo would not disagree.
"I... Okey, I will think about it" Theo reluctantly agreed. He and Pippa talked for an hour after that and then said their goodbyes and ended their call. That night Theo laid awake on his bed thinking about all the possibilities of confessing.
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About one week later Theo finally made his choice. He took his phone and wrote to Boris.
Potter: Hey, can we meet up?
Borya: Sure! Our café in an hour?
Potter: Sure
Theo put his phone on table and started getting ready. He was a ball of nerves. He was jittery, his hands were twitching and he was rethinking his plan over and over again.
To Theo it felt as if millennias had passed before he got to the café. Boris was already waiting for him.
"Listen Potter, I'm really sorry" the man said.
"No it's okey. I actually want to tell you something" Theo started, already feeling stress eating him alive. He was having doubts. "I... Some time ago I realized that I might be gay..."
"Oh really! That's amazing! I'm bisexual. Now we are the gay friends!" Boris looked extra exited at the prospect and Theo almost fretted out of telling him his feelings.
"Y-yeah... Boris... I'm pretty sure that I'm gay for you" Theo avoided looking even near Boris. He felt like running away.
"Oh... Really?" Boris appeared hopeful. "I might like you as well..."
"So what now?" Asked Theo.
"I dunno... Maybe we could be boyfriends? If you want of course" Boris said nervously.
"Yeah... I'd like that"