[DIABLO]

I walked down the pavement with slow strides. Lambert's house is just a few blocks away. Thinking over the fact that today was Valentine's day, my heart did that stupid jolt thing it did whenever I thought of Zeus. That reminds me, I still can't find an explanation to why I'm starting to feel this way about Lambert. Two weeks ago I probably wouldn't have thought of it, thought of the possibility—

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts as I approached the small staircase to his front door. Pressing the doorbell, I waited for an answer, fake roses in hand and a card tucked away neatly into a pocket of the oversize pale blue DC sweater I was wearing. My snug blue jeans clung to my shaky legs. Why was I suddenly nervous?

My ears perked up at the sound of chattering voices. Voices? That's not possible. Lambert's always alone.

"Hello?" I heard a small almost voice ask. Coming out of my daze, I stared at the person I front of me, and my eyes widened in confusion. It wasn't Lambert.

The person standing in front of me had dark Mexican skin with thick curly hair that was done in a bun atop his head; his brown eyes glittered brightly as he stared at me.

"Uh, hi," I said looking away from his intense stare. What's this person doing here, where's Lambert? I thought helplessly as I tried to look for an excuse to leave.

"¿Qué quieres aquí?" The clear Spanish hit me hard, and my eyes widened in wonder. I noticed how his eyes gauged me from head to toe his intense stare settling on the banquet of flowers I had in hand. I shifted nervously from side to side. What was he, Lambert's bodyguard?

"I'm here to see Lambert," I finally managed to mutter.

"Oh," he said as his full lips came together in a small 'o' shape. I scrawled a little. Wasn't he a little too petite for his age? Just looking at him I could guess he's about three to four inches shorter than me, and trust me, I'm not tall at all.

"Lamy!" I heard him scream into the building as he turned around lightly. Lamy? I thought, a little irritated by the pet name.

"Coming!" I heard someone yell from inside.

"Who is it...?" Lambert trailed as he came up behind the man. He looked as though he just rolled out of bed; his blonde was everywhere, his feet were bare, and his bare chest heaving from running.

"Diablo?" he called, cocking his head to the side in disbelief. Is he confused?

"Hi," I managed to murmur under my breath as my gaze traveled from Lambert to the small man. What's he doing here? I wondered to myself as my gaze settled on the man.

"Lamy?" the man said as his face got clouded with confusion.

"Miguel," Lambert murmured, looking down at the man, his eyes achieving a certain softness as his hand went around the man's shoulder, hugging him to himself. I could feel a lump in my throat forming. What was he doing?

"Um, hi Diablo," Lambert said. He seemed a bit nervous as he looked up at me. We all just stood there in silence. Lambert's arm was still wrapped firmly around the man — Miguel's —  and the man's hands were wrapped around Lambert's waist.

What's the deal? What are they trying to do together? I wondered. 

"His small petite form fits perfectly in my arms."

I remembered a line from Lambert's diary that sent me blushing. Was it possible he hadn't been referring to me? Never was?

"Brown eyes like chocolate. I could eat them."

I recalled again, my eyes settling on the big wide globes on Miguel's small face.

"Diablo," I heard Lambert call. My face warmed up as I snapped out of my thoughts.

"I made a mistake, I'm sorry." I shuttered heat flooding into my cheeks in embarrassment. What had I been thinking? Why would Lambert ever write about how attractive I was? Why would Lambert ever love me? I didn't give him a reason to. If anything I've pushed him away and trailed behind him like a pest. 

"A mistake?" Lambert asked. I could feel his eyes drilling me and demanding an answer.

"Don't worry about it. I — never mind," I stammered, turning away.

"Diablo..." I heard Lambert say before I broke into a full run. What's wrong with me? Why was I acting like a child?

You're a fool. A voice said in my head as the wind burned my eyes as I ran. I'm so stupid. So, so stupid. I thought, stopping at an empty bus stop. I slumped down on one of the eroding wooden benches. Sitting, I was able to calm down a bit — able to think. Brushing the petals on the fake red roses, I wondered why on earth I had entertained the thought that Lambert might be in love with me. I sighed, my hand still brushing over the flower petals. Even then, it didn't make sense that I was so hurt when I found out that I was wrong. Do — do I have feelings for Lambert? Or was I just craving affection?

[JULIAN]

Great. I thought as the third pencil this morning broke between my fingers. I brought my free hand to my forehead sighing; the donkey board resting on my laps edged my stomach uncomfortably. Grimacing I reached for my phone in my back pocket. He hasn't called. I sighed as I got up from the donkey bench. I leaned the drawing board beside the bench itself.

Is Zeus mad? Is he ignoring me? What on earth is going on? I asked myself running my hand through my hair in frustration. Shit, what in the world had Linda done?

Linda. I thought as a groan escaped my lips. She's the cause of my problems. Damn, she's confusing. What's suddenly gotten into her?

I paraded the Art room for a while taking in my previous works, most of them of Zeus. Walking towards my first ever painting of him, I ran my fingertips down the canvas admirably. He was beautiful. So, so beautiful. I sighed in content as I retrieved my hand. I had stopped hiding the paintings of Zeus a week ago. Rolling my eyes, I couldn't help but think that something was up with me, I had become cockier  — more confident.

It's all because of Zeus. I said to myself as I retreated to the door. Taking in a deep breath, I exhaled. I had to go to Zeus. I had to be with him. I finally admitted to myself before walking out of the room and heading out of the house.

Reaching the kitchen, I saw Linda catching up on some work. I rolled my eyes before proceeding to head out of the main door. I've been to his place so many times that the path was probably engraved into my brain. I smiled feeling dizzy from the anticipation of what I was about to do.

The day was still bright. It was barely three in the afternoon, which meant we still had the rest of the day together, alone, or probably in the park together.

Reaching his compound I walked through the neatly mowed lawn up to the glass front door. I brought my hand to the door to knock but shook my head deciding against it. I wanted to surprise him.

Knowing Zeus and his hopeless security skills, I checked under the brown leather welcome carpet to find the slender silver key. Unlocking the door I walked into the small receiving area, with washboard floors and vintage furniture. Zeus has an odd taste in design, usually ranging from the norm to the not so ordinary.

When I walked past the entrance and into the wide hallway that led into the adjoining living room, I noticed something odd. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I expected Zeus to be sobbing on the couch. It was just  — I at least expected to see someone. Zeus isn't a bedroom person except when — you know. 

I heard the clattering of plates and turned my attention to the kitchen door. Was he there? He did know how to cook.

Walking over to the kitchen door, I held the knob a bit uncertain. Shaking my head of contradictory thoughts I opened the door.

"Zeus, I told you it won't be ready until five... Who are you?" I heard a surprisingly familiar voice say in a rough French accent. Peeping into the room some more, I assumed it was probably one of the cleaners that called in regularly. Looking in I spotted a lean tallish man stare at me with confused brown eyes. He had a yellow apron over a blue pajama overall.

"And you are?" he asked, holding his waist with his gloved hands.

"I..." I trailed, pausing when I wasn't sure what to phrase my answer. Who was I talking to?

"Louis I couldn't... Julian?" I heard Zeus' confused voice say from the door. Turning over, I looked at a half-naked Zeus dressed only in snug black boxers.

"What are you doing here?" he asked as his gaze settled on me. I filched at how cold his tone was. He never spoke to me in that tone.

"I..." I trailed again, looking back over to the man who was now leaning on the white marble counter with his arms crossed over his chest.

"You said he had plans," the man said, his eyes glaring at Zeus accusingly.

"He did — he does," Zeus said, giving me a confused look. I just stared back, not really being able to piece together what they were talking about. 

"What's going on?" I finally managed, looking from the man to Zeus.

"You said you had to stay with Linda..." Zeus trailed, his voice raising a bit as he walked away from the door and past me. My eyes followed him to the man.

"So, I called Louis," Zeus continued pulling the man — Louis — to himself. I watched as Louis placed his head against Zeus' neck, and I watched how he wrapped his hand around his waist. My eyes clouded with jealousy. What did all this mean?

The jealousy and pain I was feeling motivated me to speak up, "But—" 

"We can still see each other," Zeus countered, still holding Louis. Louis' brown eyes stared at me with a blank look. It was as if he was just watching the chaos unravel before him. Feeling the burn of the first few tears run down my face, I turned my gaze to Zeus.

"Why?" I asked, not really understanding why he was doing this to me. What have I done?

"I'll show him to the door," I heard Louis say. My eyes adverted to him. He wouldn't dare—

"I'm staying," I said, standing my ground.

"Suit yourself," Zeus said, his voice coming off as cold. It sent chills through me. Why was Zeus being this way?

"You'll be in the guest room," Louis said, staring at me before turning his gaze to Zeus who gave him a weak smile.

"You heard him," Zeus cooed, placing his head atop of Louis'.

"Can you at least tell me why you're doing this?!" I lost my calm and started crying. 'Why is he here?' I thought, averting my gaze to the so-called Louis. Zeus' jaw suddenly set angrily.

"So what, I should send Louis all the way back to France? You know what? I can't, and it's your fault for miscalculating your little date with your wife. Besides, you said — you said," Zeus trailed before cursing under his breath. My heart began to beat faster, almost painfully. I said what? I said what?

"You said it was just an affair," Zeus concluded, hugging Louis closer.

My heart tightened, heavy with feelings. Why? Why is he using that of all things against me? I asked myself freely sobbing now. Zeus sighed in frustration before excusing himself and walking out of the room.

I could feel Louis' gaze on me. I should have guessed he had other lovers besides me. I was stupid to think that someone as beautiful as Zeus would sincerely want only me.

"Get used to it," Louis said brushing past me and out the door. Hearing the door slam behind me I stared into the kitchen. Looking around the kitchen, at the counters, at the varnished wooden table I cried, cried because I could remember all the things I had done with Zeus in this room, in this house, cried because he had probably done it with other people and suddenly, I didn't feel so special or cared for. I was stupid to ever think Zeus was just sit down and beg for me.