10

It's been a week since Gio returned to Berlin leaving Gabriel in Aussie, to take care of Alvin who had an accident in the construction area while helping monitor his father's company project.. If Alvin didn't need him, maybe Gio would never have left Gabriel alone in Aussie.

It's been three days since Aleric always see him, whether at the hospital or at his home. Gio doesn't deny that Aleric's persistence melted his heart a little, but Gio was still very disappointed in his best friend.

"Sorry dear. Because of me, you were forced to leave Gabriel there alone." Alvin said regretfully.

"It's okay, Alvin, Gabriel is there accompanied by Jordan." Gio said while peeling an apple for Alvin.

"Is Gabriel okay?" Alvin asked.

"Yes, now he's not sad anymore when he remembers Aleric." Gio answered feeding Alvin a peeled apple.

"Thankfully if it's getting better, I was worried that Gabriel would have a hard time forgetting that incident." Alvin said looking back where Gabriel's time had fallen. "Then when are you going back to Aussie?"

"Maybe after you come home from the hospital I will return to Aussie." Gio said.

"You can come back to Aussie asap, Gio. I'm feeling better already." Alvin said, knowing that his boyfriend was worried about his younger brother.

"Um, if you're allowed to go home." Gio said, stroking Alvin's cheek.

Alvin looked at Gio intensely, there was a bit of doubt in Alvin's eyes to ask his boyfriend.

"What's wrong, hm?" Gio asked knowing there was something his boyfriend wanted to ask.

"Gio, haven't you forgiven Aleric until now?" Alvin asked doubtfully.

Gio was still looking at Alvin, but he just kept quiet without saying a word.

"I know, the betrayal that Aleric committed in the past cannot be justified. But, during these six months I saw that Aleric was really sorry, Gio." Alvin continued his words to Gio. "He's suffered enough, baby. Give Aleric a chance to meet Gabriel."

So far, Alvin has always monitored Aleric's activities. After all, Aleric was still his best friend. And during these six months Alvin learned that Aleric was not living well. Alvin felt sorry for Aleric, and felt that six months of Gabriel's absence was enough to punish Aleric. Even during these six months, Aleric didn't take good care of himself.

"No, I'm not going to let Aleric meet Gabriel. Let him try on his own if he really wants to meet Gabriel." Said someone who entered Alvin's ward.

"But Aleric has suffered enough so far, Van. Don't you feel sorry for him?" Alvin said, looking at Evan who had just come to his ward. "Have you still not forgiven Aleric until now?"?"

Evan just sat quietly on the couch without answering Alvin's question.

"Evan, you've also seen for yourself how Aleric's efforts have been to find Gabriel. Even how he lived his life during these six months." Alvin continued to stare at Evan alternately with Gio who had been silent since he started discussing Aleric.

Alvin sighed tiredly, then looked at the two young men who kept silent.

When everyone was silent with their own thoughts, they heard someone enter Alvin's room. "Hey, why are you all silent? What do you guys think?" Ask someone who just came.

"I asked my lover and also your stubborn lover to allow Aleric to meet Gabriel." Alvin replied tiredly.

David walked over to Evan who was still sitting quietly on the couch. "Van, Gio, what Alvin said is true. Maybe it's time you let Aleric meet Gabriel. I'm not defending Aleric, but I'm sad enough to see Aleric's life so far. Even now the career and business that he built with his own efforts are not cared for at all. Aleric even sold the photo studio to look for Gabriel." David said, looking at Evan and Gio in turn. "Look at Aleric's sincerity, his love is so great for your little brother. He was willing to sacrifice everything so he could know Gabriel's whereabouts."

Silence, no answer from Evan and Gio. They remain silent.

"Come on, give Aleric a chance. At least let Aleric meet Gabriel, just once is fine too." Added David was still persuading the two cousins who were just as stubborn.

Evan heard a sigh. "I'm still very disappointed with Aleric." Evan said, leaning his head against the back of the sofa.

"I know Aleric's mistakes are hard for both of you to forgive. But I beg you once again, give Aleric one chance to meet Gabriel." David said, still trying to persuade Evan and Gio.

"Gio." Called Alvin touched Gio's hand and held it. "Just give Aleric one chance. Let him meet Gabriel. After Aleric meets, let Gabriel decide whether to forgive Aleric or not." Alvin said, still trying to persuade his boyfriend.

"But what if Gabriel will be sad again." Gio said, looking at Alvin doubtfully. "I've taken great pains to make Gabriel return to how he used to be."

"Don't you trust your brother? Even the last time I was there, he already looked like when I first met him. I'm sure Gabriel is fine, honey." Alvin said.

Evan and Gio looked at each other silently, as if they were talking to each other through their eyes. Until a few minutes the room was silent, even though there were four people in the room. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts, until without realizing it the sun had been replaced by the moon. Oh, they had been sitting in silence for quite a while.

"It's late, I'll go home first. Tomorrow morning I will come here again." Gio said, interrupting the three of them from their thoughts. "Sorry Alvin, I can't accompany you tonight." Gio said, looking at Alvin.

"Yes, that's fine. Rest at home, you haven't had a good rest this week." Alvin said, smiling at Gio.

Alvin knew that maybe his boyfriend needed time to think. Alvin hoped that Gio would give Aleric a chance, even if only once.

"I'm going home too." Evan said, getting up from his seat.

"I'll take you." David said, standing up too.

"No need, I'll just go home with Gio. You brought a car, right Gio?" Evan said, looking at Gio.

"Yes, I brought it." Gio replied then took his bag. "I'm home, sleep well. Good night." Gio said kissing Alvin's forehead and walked away from Alvin's room with Evan.

"Are they going to let Aleric meet Gabriel?" David asked, doubtful in his words.

"I don't know, you know how stubborn they both are when it comes to Gabriel." Alvin replied, looking at David with the same doubt.

Alvin and David hoped that the two cousins would soften up a bit with Aleric.

To be continued...