Epilogue
Paul stood under the shower, letting the hot water flow over his body. He didn't hear the front door open as Tim unlocked the door using the key that Paul had given him, and walked into the flat.
"Paul?"
Getting no response, Tim walked down the hall and headed into Paul's studio, expecting to find him there, but it was empty. He was about to leave when his attention was grabbed by a painting leaning up against the wall. He walked over and stood in front of the canvas.
Tim just stood there staring at the painting. It was beautiful. It was very abstract, but he knew exactly what it was, it was a painting of two men, a mixture of black and red. It was beautiful, that's the one word that came to mind when he looked at it. He wondered why he had never seen it before.
"Tim?"
He turned around to see Paul standing in the doorway of the studio. He was naked apart from a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair was wet.
"Paul, it's beautiful."
Paul turned his gaze to the painting and then back at Tim.
"It's for you."
"Paul, I don't know what to say."
Paul walked forward and stood in front of Tim. All the confusion that he had been feeling had been extinguished earlier with each stroke of that paintbrush, and washed away with the hot water of the shower. There was no confusion anymore.
"You don't have to say anything, Tim."
"Yes I do. I never told you that I was sorry Paul. I love you, and I trust you, and you know I'd never intentionally do anything to hurt you."
"I love you Tim. I love you so much. I'm sorry for everything.."
Tim stepped forward so that he was inches away from Paul. He placed his finger under Paul's chin and lifted his head so that their eyes met.
"Paul. Don't apologize. I love you, always and forever remember? Nothing will ever change that. We've both made mistakes in the past, you can't keep beating yourself up over things, I won't let you. I forgive you, I just hope that you'll forgive me."
"I forgive you Tim. I know we've both made mistakes, and I know there is no guarantee that something like this won't happen again. But I just want you to know that I love you too, always and forever."
Tim smiled at him. Paul wrapped his arms around Tim and pulled him close for a hug. They both pulled back, but kept their arms locked around each other's bodies. Paul slid his hand up into Tim's hair and pulled his head down for a kiss.
A few moments earlier Rich had entered Paul's apartment using his spare key. He stood in the doorway of the studio, looking at Paul and Tim standing there together in a loving embrace. His eyes fell to the painting on the wall, and he smiled as he realized that Paul and Tim were locked in the same position as the red and black figures of the painting.
THE END
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