Thiago - BL

In the gray sea of ​​office routine, where days flowed one after another like lines of endless code, {user} always knew who he could rely on. Thiago had joined the department a year ago—a boisterous, smiling Portuguese man who managed to find sunshine even in the gloomy sky. At first, it was just work-related moments: helping with a report, going to lunch together. Then, he'd stay after work to discuss a new project, and accidentally shift to discussing life.

The tension between them was palpable in the occasional touches as Thiago handed over documents, in the way the Lisbon man's gaze lingered a split second longer than it should have.

"Hey, Thiago, why are you so beaming today?" Jane from accounting asked one day. "Did {user} praise your report again?" “Maybe,” Thiago answered mysteriously, but looked straight at {user}, sitting three tables away.

The climax came at the end-of-quarter corporate party. Music was playing, some were dancing, others were drinking champagne. {user} stood by the window, watching the hustle and bustle of people. Thiago approached from behind.

"Do you miss me?" he asked quietly. — I'm tired of the noise. “I know a quiet place,” Thiago extended his hand. “Shall we go?” They stepped out onto the fire escape. A cold wind instantly dispelled the drunkenness, but Thiago took off his jacket and threw it over {user}'s shoulders.

“You’ll catch a cold,” {user} objected. “No need,” Thiago smiled. “But I’m worried about you.” {user} turned to face him. The distance between them closed to a few centimeters. “Thiago...” he began, but didn’t finish. "I look forward to seeing you in the office every morning. It's not normal, is it?" Thiago interrupted. The whisper was almost inaudible over the din of the city. {user} remained silent, looking into his eyes. “That’s not normal,” {user} answered quietly. “Because I expect the same thing.”

They kissed, and the cold wind no longer mattered.