For a moment, silence hung between them. Theo's smile didn't disappear, but it changed—becoming more testing, almost challenging.

  "You can ask anything you want," he replied, pouring himself more champagne.

  There was no hint of mockery in his voice, but Mir didn't rush.

  "Do you often drink like this alone?"

  Theo lifted his glass, watching the bubbles swirl in the light.

  "Well... I don't really talk to that many people," he drawled, taking a sip. "Actually... right now it's just you."

  Mir let the pause linger. He wanted to ask a direct question so badly, but the closeness between them was both pleasant and painfully nerve-racking.

  "And how do you like... our conversations?"

  "I like them," Theo answered, looking at him with disarming directness—a strange mix of his usual lightness and something left unsaid. "I feel good with you," he added, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

  Mir smirked at how easily he said those words. He had heard them from him before.

  Only Theo, of course, didn't remember that moment. Nor the words he had said back then—just as lightly, just as carelessly—without realizing how much they might mean.

  It had been about a year ago.

  That day Theo had come to their office after a shoot that had taken place a couple of stations away from his mother's workplace. It was late evening. In the spacious open-plan office only the glow of Miroslav's monitor remained. Theo's mother had shut herself in her office, dealing with some urgent issue with the construction crew on the phone—something that couldn't wait until morning.

  Theo had taken a seat at the desk next to Mir's and settled in to wait for her.

  "Why are you working alone so late?" he asked, absentmindedly playing with the metal clasp of his hoodie, producing a faint clicking sound.

  "When everyone goes home, it's easier to focus in the evening silence," Mir replied, throwing him a brief glance.

  Theo took the remark personally and immediately stopped fiddling with the clasp.

  "I hope I'm not bothering you too much."

  "Not at all," Mir answered quickly.

  He looked away from the monitor, leaned back in his chair, and studied the young man sitting half a meter away from him.

  "You look very tired. Working a lot?" Mir noted.

  "I haven't been sleeping much these past few weeks," Theo admitted.

  He straightened up and stretched with all his strength, as if trying to shake off the weight of the day. For a moment he froze in that position, then relaxed with a weary exhale.

  "I have to get up at six," he added, rubbing his tired eyes. "My thesis is due soon. There's a lot to do... everything kind of piled up."

  "What time do you go to bed?"

  "Around two. Earlier doesn't really work."

  Mir frowned slightly.

  "Theo, sleep is important. Take care of yourself."

  "Yeah... I probably should," the boy replied with a yawn, resting his head on his hand. "It's almost a shame I don't work here. I'd stay late too."

  He paused for a second, then smiled peacefully.

  "You know... it feels really good here with you."

  After that he didn't say another word. He closed his eyes, lost in his own thoughts, never suspecting that someone nearby was thinking only about him.

  "Why does it feel good for you to be with me?" Mir finally asked the question he had wanted to ask even back then, a year ago.

  Theo looked at him attentively. There was something almost evaluating in that look.

  "We're very different," he said thoughtfully. "Maybe that's why."

  He tilted his head slightly, still looking straight at him without the slightest embarrassment, and added:

  "What I'm more curious about is—why me?"

  "Well, I don't get bored with you," Mir smirked, glancing at the boy who was already quite drunk. His movements had become slower, fluid, and his gaze slightly unfocused—though still intent.

  Judging by how Theo reached for his glass again, he had no intention of stopping.

  "You know..." he said again thoughtfully, looking somewhere past Mir. "When I first saw you, I could never have imagined we'd end up sitting like this, face to face."

  Those words seemed to help him focus again, and his wandering gaze returned to Mir's face.

  "I wonder... what was your first impression of me?"

  Mir leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table and closing the distance between them to something almost provocative—their knees nearly touching. The lamplight fell unevenly across his face, emphasizing the seriousness with which he was about to answer.

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  "Carefree," he said slowly and clearly.

  "What?! That's completely not me," Theo protested indignantly, giving him a light shove on the shoulder.

  "So you're violent too," Mir complained, leaning back dramatically. "Fine. That was later. My first impression..."

  He paused—not because he didn't know what to say, but because he wanted to tease this boy a little, the same way Theo teased him so effortlessly.

  "I remember," he continued, "once you smiled shyly when our girls started paying attention to you. And honestly, I was surprised how someone with your looks could be that modest."

  Mir let his gaze linger on Theo just a little longer than necessary, trying to catch the smallest change in his expression.

  "Though lately I notice that quality in you less and less," he added with a hint of irony.

  "I just got used to you," Theo replied, that same smile appearing on his face.

  Got used to me, Mir thought.

  "At first, though, I actually felt a little awkward around you," Theo admitted, drifting into his memories.

  Mir raised his eyebrows slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

  "Why?"

  Theo couldn't help smiling.

  "I can hardly remember a single time you smiled at me during those short conversations in the office," he said honestly. "You seemed strict. Very reserved... not the kind of person you could just start chatting with. Let alone become friends with."

  Mir frowned faintly, realizing it might have looked that way, though it had never been his intention.

  "I was probably just trying to keep several things in my head at once..."

  "Yeah," Theo agreed. "You always seemed like a person who has work, tasks, goals... and nothing extra that could distract him."

  He took another sip without taking his eyes off Mir.

  "And honestly, I was really surprised when I saw you following me on Instagram," Theo continued. A blush played on his cheeks, and a mischievous smile curved his well-shaped lips. "By the way... how long have you been following me?"

  Mir put on a casual smile, trying to hide his surprise at the question.

  "You said I could ask anything I want," he replied calmly. "But so far you're the one asking most of the questions."

  "Well then—your turn," Theo conceded easily.

  "As you wish..." Mir drawled with mock agreement. "I actually have a question."

  Theo perked up immediately.

  "Then why do you want to know?" Mir asked.

  "I'm just curious," Theo replied evasively, shrugging.

  That was Theo in a nutshell. He could ask any question without hesitation—but was curiosity really the only thing driving him? Mir wondered.

  He leaned back in his chair thoughtfully.

  "You know, I've noticed something. You like leaving things unsaid."

  Theo leaned back too, almost mirroring his posture.

  "You know, I've noticed the same about you."

  Mir smiled faintly.

  "So we do have something in common after all."

  "Looks like we do," Theo agreed, breaking into a grin. "That's worth a drink!"

  He reached to pour more champagne, but the burning mixture of rum in his system had already weakened his coordination. With an awkward movement he knocked the glass over. Champagne spilled across the table and poured straight onto his white T-shirt.

  "Damn," Theo cursed.

  He stood up abruptly but immediately swayed—the room seemed to shift for a moment. He grabbed the edge of the table to steady himself. Mir jumped to his feet.

  "It's fine, I'll be right back..." Theo said, carefully articulating his words before heading unevenly toward the bathroom.

  Fifteen minutes passed. Finally, unable to wait any longer, Mir decided to check on him.

  The bathroom door was slightly open. Mir knocked quietly and peeked inside.

  Theo was sitting on the floor, leaning back against the bathtub.

  Mir stopped in the doorway, crossing his arms.

  "How are you?"

  Theo slowly turned his head toward him and gave him that same serene smile.

  "I'm fine. I'll just rest here for a bit."

  But he looked completely drunk. A short rest clearly wouldn't help.

  For someone, tonight's drinking was definitely over.

  "You shouldn't sit on the cold floor," Mir said firmly, stepping inside. "Come on. I'll help you take off the wet shirt and you can go to bed."

  "Did I ever tell you you're very caring?"

  Mir approached and crouched beside him.

  "You're just very drunk."

  "Well... let's blame it on that," Theo murmured and obediently raised his arms.

  Mir took the edge of the soaked shirt and pulled it off.

  And suddenly froze.

  Theo was looking straight at him.

  His gaze was completely clear and determined—far too aware for someone who had barely been able to stand a minute ago, as if he had sobered up in an instant.

  Mir slowly leaned toward him.

  Theo didn't move away. He kept looking straight at him, as if he had always known what was about to happen.

  And once they were that close, all of Mir's doubts vanished along with the distance between them.

  Everything suddenly felt right. Obvious.

  He gently touched Theo's lips. They were warm, tasting faintly of alcohol, and they yielded easily.

  The kiss was soft at first, cautious.

  But soon Mir wrapped his hand firmly around the back of Theo's neck and pulled him closer, abandoning any restraint as he kissed him boldly, sliding his tongue against his. Theo answered again—and for a moment Mir felt his mind lose its footing, every thought dissolving as if it were no longer needed.

  Everything that had connected them to reality disappeared.

  Only their lips remained. Their warm breath. The uneven rhythm of their heartbeats.

  And Theo's half-bare body, mercilessly close, its heat seeping through the fabric of Mir's shirt.

  The kiss grew deeper, bolder.

  And stopping became harder and harder.

  But he had to.

  It took a serious effort for Mir to pull away from those desired lips, remembering the state Theo was in.

  He leaned back, bracing a hand on the edge of the bathtub, trying to regain control.

  Theo tilted his head back. His gaze drifted again, lashes trembling.

  Mir gently touched his cheek.

  Theo smiled peacefully, closed his eyes, and pressed his face into his hand like a kitten.

  "What am I going to do with you, Theo..." Mir whispered quietly.

  For a while he remained sitting there, listening to his uneven breathing.

  Eventually Mir helped him stand. It wasn't easy. Theo could barely stay on his feet, constantly leaning against the wall or against Mir's shoulder.

  With effort, almost supporting his full weight, Mir guided him to the bedroom—which, surprisingly, was almost perfectly tidy this time compared to the last.

  Theo collapsed onto the bed as soon as he reached it.

  Already barely aware of anything, he mumbled something unintelligible—and seemed to fall asleep instantly.

  Mir sat down on the edge of the bed and watched him quietly: the relaxed posture, the tousled hair, the slightly parted lips.

  Staying was another kind of torture.

  Leaving was too.

  Tomorrow one important thing would have to be clarified.

  But right now he wanted to stop time, just for a moment—keep the sweet taste of his lips and remain in this painful uncertainty a little longer.

  Eventually it became completely clear that the owner of the apartment would not be returning to the evening's fun, conversations, or any participation in what had been happening.

  Mir quietly stood up and left.

  After leaving the residential complex, Miroslav wandered off in the opposite direction from his home.

  He walked slowly through the streets wrapped in light fog, under the blurred glow of street lamps. The city felt strangely quiet and unfamiliar.

  He had no destination.

  He simply walked.

  Eventually he reached a lively alley lined with small bars and cafés with outdoor terraces still full of people despite the late hour. He took a seat at one of them and ordered black coffee without sugar.

  The waiter nodded and soon brought the cup.

  Somewhere nearby soft live music played. The air was filled with unfamiliar smells. People around him chatted cheerfully, sipping wine.

  Mir sat alone, drinking strong coffee on a strange street in a café in the middle of the night.

  And suddenly he realized something with unexpected clarity.

  He could no longer imagine his life the way it had been before.

  A life in which He had not existed.