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Rafael’s apartment felt unusually quiet without Wyatt's presence filling the space. After a week of having Wyatt around, it was jarring to suddenly be alone again. The silence pressed against him in a way he hadn’t expected. He glanced around, half-expecting to hear Wyatt humming in the kitchen. Instead, there was just the faint hum of the refrigerator and the ticking of the wall clock.
It wasn’t like he didn’t understand Wyatt’s reasoning. “I love you, babe, but this is still a pretty new relationship,” Wyatt had said, his tone gentle but firm. “We gotta give each other some space to breathe, or eventually, we’ll just wanna kill each other. And I just got you—I’m not about to lose you so soon.”
Rafael had laughed at the time, brushing it off as Wyatt being overcautious. But now, sitting alone in his quiet apartment, he realized Wyatt had a point. Still, it didn’t make the adjustment any easier. He missed the sound of Wyatt’s laugh, the comforting weight of his arm draped over his shoulders, and even the way Wyatt always stole the last bite of his food with a smug grin.
Before Wyatt left, he had made sure Rafael wouldn’t starve or revert to a diet of instant noodles and frozen dinners. The fridge was packed with neatly labeled containers of home-cooked meals, each one accompanied by an obnoxiously detailed note. Rafael opened the fridge and grabbed one of the containers, a smile tugging at his lips as he unfolded the attached sticky note.
“Let the sauce simmer for 25 minutes, and not a minute longer! I’ll know if it wasn’t!
XOXOXO
-Wyatt, aka your boyfriend, aka Top Chef.”
Rafael snorted, shaking his head. He could practically hear Wyatt’s voice in the words, equal parts bossy and affectionate. The note even had a little doodle of a chef’s hat above Wyatt’s name.
He glanced at the clock and figured now was as good a time as any to test out Wyatt’s reheating instructions. As he followed the overly specific directions, he found himself laughing at the absurdity of it all. He could practically see Wyatt standing over his shoulder, pointing at the stove with mock authority and wagging a finger if he so much as deviated from the instructions.
“Fine, fine, Chef Wyatt,” Rafael muttered under his breath, stirring the sauce dutifully. “I’ll simmer it exactly 25 minutes. But if it burns, I’m blaming you.”
By the time the meal was ready, the apartment didn’t feel quite as lonely anymore. Wyatt might not be physically there, but his presence lingered in the smallest ways—the notes, the meals, the memories of their week together. As Rafael sat down to eat, he sent Wyatt a quick text:
“Dinner was perfect, Top Chef. But I’m still counting down the hours until I can see you again.”
The reply came almost instantly:
“Glad you liked it! And don’t worry, babe—We'll see each other before you know it. Miss you already.”
Rafael smiled, his heart and stomach feeling just a little fuller.
***
The next morning, Rafael and Wyatt stood outside the sleek glass doors of their office building, the faint hum of the city waking up around them. Wyatt turned toward Rafael, a smile on his face as he adjusted Rafael’s tie and straightened the lapels of his suit jacket.
“Ready for our first day back?” Wyatt asked, his voice warm and encouraging.
Rafael grinned, the corner of his mouth quirking up in that way Wyatt loved. “Hell yeah,” he said, giving Wyatt a wink.
“That’s the spirit!” Wyatt said, his eyes sparkling. “Have a great day, baby.”
“You too, stud,” Rafael replied, pulling Wyatt in for a quick but meaningful kiss. Their lips met briefly, a reassuring spark passing between them. “And don’t forget—after work, I’ll meet you at your office so we can finally go on that date I promised you.”
“I can’t wait!” Wyatt said, sporting a goofy grin so wide that Rafael couldn’t help but laugh.
Wyatt kissed him once more, his hand lingering on Rafael’s shoulder for just a second longer before they both turned toward the revolving doors. Though they walked into work together, they separated at the lobby, agreeing to stagger their entrances. For the next several hours, they would cease being boyfriends—just colleagues. With finance not exactly being the most open-minded professions, they agreed that it would be best to keep it platonic and professional in the workplace for now.
Wyatt went in first, greeting a few coworkers on the way to his office. A few minutes later, Rafael followed. As he stepped into the building, he noticed something odd—every pair of eyes seemed to snap toward him, lingering just a second too long. Was he imagining things? He adjusted his bag and tried to ignore the attention, but the feeling persisted until his boss, Kelly, intercepted him with a bright smile.
“Rafael!” she said, her tone warm and cheerful. “Welcome back! Feeling better?”
“Thanks, Kelly. Yeah, I’m good,” Rafael replied, though the subtle scrutiny from his coworkers was beginning to make his neck itch.
“Great! Can we chat in my office for a minute?” she asked, gesturing toward her door.
“Uh, sure thing,” Rafael said, following her inside. She closed the door gently behind them and turned to face him.
“I’m so glad to see you back and doing well,” Kelly began. “I was a bit worried when Wyatt came in alone this morning, but you look great. And if I may say, you both seem a lot...happier.”
Rafael blinked. “Thanks, Kelly. We, uh...we reconciled last week.”
Kelly’s smile widened knowingly. “Oh, I can tell. That’s actually why I wanted to talk to you. I just wanted to remind you and Wyatt to fill out the necessary forms with HR.”
"I uh—Huh? What do you—" Rafael sputtered out, before Kelly continued.
"Workplace romances are perfectly fine, including same-sex ones, we just ask that they all be reported to HR for everyone's wellbeing. Congratulations, by the way. Personally, I always thought you two would make a cute couple!"
Rafael’s jaw dropped. “Wait, what? How...how did you know?”
Kelly laughed. “Really? We all knew!. When you two came back from that conference, you were both acting like lovesick puppies for the whole month. We weren't sure what happened, but after your injury, Wyatt followed you to the hospital and then took a week off from work, same as your sick leave. We basically put two and two together.”
Rafael groaned, his cheeks burning. “Well...thanks, I guess?” he managed before Kelly gently ushered him toward the door.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already called HR to let them know you’re on your way. Congrats again!” she said, waving him off.
Still blushing furiously, Rafael nodded and quickly left. He walked down the hall and knocked on Wyatt’s office door.
“Come in,” Wyatt called, his voice light. "Hey Raf!" The moment Rafael stepped inside and shut the door, Wyatt’s face lit up with a smile—until he saw the look on Rafael’s face. “What’s wrong, babe?”
“They know,” Rafael said, the words coming out in a rush. "They all do, I guess."
Wyatt blinked. “Wait...what?”
“Everyone. They all know, apparently,” Rafael continued, rubbing the back of his neck.
Wyatt’s mouth fell open. “How did they figure it out?”
“Kelly says we weren’t exactly subtle the past month avoiding each other. The phrase "lovesick puppies came up". And apparently, your dramatic drive to hospital following the ambulance and week-long absence during my sick leave kind of confirmed everyone’s suspicions.”
Wyatt’s face flushed as red as Rafael’s. “Oh,” he muttered sheepishly.
“Yeah. And HR is waiting for us now,” Rafael added with a sigh.
As they walked toward the HR office together, they couldn’t help but notice a few of their colleagues exchanging smirks—and even some subtle handoffs of cash. Rafael groaned. “Did they seriously bet on us?”
Wyatt laughed nervously. “Guess we’re not as low-key as we thought.”
Inside the HR office, they explained the nature of their relationship to the department head, both of them feeling oddly giddy despite the awkwardness of the situation. When it came time to fill out the forms, they exchanged a brief glance and grinned.
In the section asking them to describe the nature of the other's relationship to them, they both wrote the same word with absolute confidence: "boyfriend."
As they handed the forms back, Rafael leaned over and whispered, “Guess we’re official-official now, huh?”
Wyatt chuckled. “Guess so. But don’t think this means I’m going easy on you at work.”
Rafael smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it, babe.”
***
That evening, as the workday wound down, Rafael knocked on Wyatt’s office door. The familiar sound of Wyatt’s cheerful “Come in!” made Rafael smile as he stepped inside. Wyatt was packing up his desk, and when he spotted Rafael, his face lit up even more.
“Ready to go, Wyatt?” Rafael asked, his voice filled with excitement.
“Absolutely!” Wyatt replied, grabbing his work bag and slinging it over his shoulder. He walked around the desk to join Rafael, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
Together, they headed down to the parking garage and climbed into Rafael’s car. Wyatt raised an eyebrow as Rafael started the engine and grinned mischievously. “So, you still not gonna tell me where we’re going?” he asked. Rafael had insisted on planning the entire date, and wanted it to be a surprise.
“Nope,” Rafael said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “It’s my turn to surprise you, babe. You’ve been taking care of me all week; now it’s time for me to return the favor.”
Wyatt let out a dramatic sigh but couldn’t hide his grin. “Fine, I’ll play along. But it better be good.”
“Oh, it’s good,” Rafael assured him, pulling out of the garage.
As the city skyline blurred past the car windows, Wyatt kept guessing, tossing out ideas ranging from a fancy dinner to a comedy show. Rafael just shook his head at every suggestion, enjoying the suspense. After a short drive, they arrived at their destination, and Wyatt’s eyes widened.
“An arcade?” Wyatt asked, his grin spreading ear to ear. “Seriously?”
“Yup,” Rafael said proudly. “I figured we could start the night with a little friendly competition."
“Sweet! Winner picks dessert?” Wyatt suggested.
“You’re on,” Rafael said, practically bouncing out of the car.
Inside, the arcade was alive with flashing lights, retro music, and the sounds of games buzzing and dinging. The two of them dove right in, challenging each other to everything from air hockey to skee-ball. Rafael proved to be unexpectedly good at pinball, while Wyatt dominated in racing games, leaning so far into the turns that Rafael couldn’t stop laughing.
By the time they’d played their last round—an intense basketball-shooting contest—they were both breathless and grinning like kids. Wyatt managed to squeak out the win, earning him the right to choose dessert, though Rafael pretended to sulk.
"Well, a deal's a deal," Wyatt said. "Ready to go get dessert?"
“Patience, my good sir,” Rafael teased. “First, dinner. Then dessert. But I think you're gonna appreciate where we're going.”
Their next stop was The Cheesecake Factory. As they pulled into the restaurant's parking lot, the warm glow of the Cheesecake Factory's iconic façade greeted them. Wyatt's eyes lit up. “I haven’t been here in ages,” he admitted as they stepped out of the car. “Their portions are ridiculous—but totally worth it.”
“That’s exactly why I picked it,” Rafael said, grinning. “You can’t go wrong with comfort food and cheesecake.”
"Mmm, cheesecake..." Wyatt grinned, rubbing his stomach.
Inside, the ambiance was lively yet cozy, the dimmed lighting casting a golden hue over the eclectic décor of marble columns and murals. They were seated in a booth near the corner, offering them just the right amount of privacy without feeling tucked away. Wyatt slid into the seat across from Rafael, his eyes scanning the extensive menu.
“Good luck picking something,” Rafael teased, flipping through his own menu. “I think their menu is longer than some novels.”
Wyatt chuckled. “No kidding. I think they even have pages for desserts before the meal.”
After some deliberation—and a bit of mutual debating—they finally placed their orders. Rafael opted for his favorite pasta dish, while Wyatt couldn’t resist the allure of the signature bacon cheeseburger. They also ordered an appetizer to share: a plate of crispy avocado egg rolls, which they agreed might just be the perfect food.
When the egg rolls arrived, they scarfed them down. Wyatt playfully nudged Rafael’s hand as he reached for the last one. “Oh no, you’ve had your share,” he teased, pulling the plate toward himself.
Rafael smirked. “You’re really going to fight me over this? After I just treated you to an arcade date?”
“Absolutely,” Wyatt said, grinning as he popped the final bite into his mouth.
Rafael shook his head, laughing. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
Wyatt shrugged. "Actually, I think YOU'RE lucky I'm cute!"
After their entrees came and plates were finally cleared, the server brought over the dessert menu, and Wyatt’s grin widened. “Alright, we’ve reached the moment of truth,” he declared.
“I’ll let you pick,” Rafael said magnanimously, gesturing for Wyatt to take the lead. “But only because you earned it with your victory.”
Wyatt browsed the options like a kid in a candy store before settling on a classic: the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. “You can’t go wrong with this one,” he declared.
When the dessert arrived, it was a thing of beauty—rich, velvety chocolate layers topped with whipped cream and garnished with dark chocolate pieces. They grabbed their forks, each taking a bite, and both let out a contented sigh.
“Okay, you were right. This is the best choice,” Rafael admitted.
“Told you,” Wyatt said smugly, stealing another forkful.
***
Rafael pulled up to Wyatt’s apartment complex, the hum of the car engine fading into the quiet of the night. The glow from the streetlights bathed them in a soft golden light, making the moment feel even more intimate. Wyatt turned to Rafael, his eyes sparkling with happiness.
“Thank you, babe,” Wyatt said, leaning in to plant a kiss on Rafael’s lips. The kiss lingered, sweet and full of gratitude. When they pulled apart, Wyatt added with a grin, “This might’ve been the BEST first date I’ve ever been on.”
Rafael raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a teasing smirk. “Might?” he asked, the playful challenge evident in his tone.
Wyatt chuckled, leaning back slightly in his seat. “Okay, fine. It absolutely was! Happy now?”
“Much better,” Rafael replied, his grin widening. “I worked hard to plan this, you know. Didn’t even Google ‘how to impress your boyfriend on a first date.’ All me.”
Wyatt laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Well, you knocked it out of the park. The arcade? Genius. Cheesecake Factory? Perfect. You’ve set the bar ridiculously high for the second date.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Rafael said, leaning closer. “I’m already brainstorming. Date two is going to blow your mind.”
Wyatt’s grin softened into something more tender. “You’re really something else, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told,” Rafael quipped, but there was a hint of bashfulness in his smile. “But seriously, I’m glad you had fun. Tonight wasn’t just about impressing you—it was about spending time with you.”
Wyatt’s cheeks flushed, and he bit his lip, clearly touched. “You’re gonna make me fall for you even harder if you keep talking like that.”
“Good,” Rafael said softly, brushing a strand of Wyatt’s hair away from his forehead. “That’s the plan.”
They shared one last kiss, a lingering, tender moment that seemed to pause time. When they finally pulled apart, Wyatt opened the car door but hesitated before stepping out.
“I’m gonna miss you tonight,” he admitted, half-smiling. “I know we have work in the morning, but part of me really wants to invite you inside and fuck your brains out.”
Rafael moaned, his expression mirroring Wyatt’s. His hole quivered at the thought. “I know what you mean. But hey, we'll see each other tomorrow at work. And it’s not really goodbye. Just a temporary pause until date two.”
Wyatt grinned. “I like the sound of that.” He stepped out of the car, then leaned down to look back at Rafael. “Drive safe, okay? Text me when you get home.”
“Will do, babe,” Rafael promised. “Goodnight, Wyatt.”
“Goodnight, Raf.” Wyatt closed the door, his heart full as he watched Rafael drive away, the car’s taillights disappearing down the street.
