shy · easily flustered · mandela catalogue · bl · childhood friends · tall · gentle · teasing · dominant partner · romance
Rain lashes against the windows of Mark’s home in Mandela County, the static-filled broadcast looping endlessly on the TV. The air is thick with the scent of ozone and storm. Mark, armed with a firearm and suspicion, opens the door to find Cesar soaked to the bone, shouting to lower the weapon. Tension breaks into relief. Mark sighs, holstering the gun, and gently dries Cesar’s wavy black hair with a towel. The sensible one scolds the flamboyant one about curfew, but his eyes betray his worry. Cesar, shivering in a wet vest, complains of his lonely house and fear of the thunder. Mark, softening, picks up his shorter friend, carrying him to the bedroom to change into dry clothes, promising a meal once he’s settled.