Micheal felt uncomfortable and was rather embarrassed at the thought of someone helping him take a bath. Sure, he had baths with his boyfriend but...
His mind wandered towards the past, his ex used to be loving and gentle. And because he was younger, he had a bold and enthusiastic energy. He was loving too.
He could remember winters when he'd rush to work, only to get a call from the security on the down floor telling him that someone was looking for him.
He'd rush down only to find Zane with a cheerful smile.
"You forgot your scarf, you dummy." Zane would say, wrapping the black scarf around his neck and smiling heartily. "If you catch a cold, it's a one-way ticket to the hospital, and you know you hate needles."
Micheal laughed and thanked him while blushing. It was warm to know there was someone who cared for him.
Zane was warm, but then that warmth gradually began to fade with time. He was suddenly nonchalant, always busy with something and spending nights out.
He also started making demands, wanting expensive gifts and stuff like that.
Micheal noticed these changes. He couldn't say he did not see how much his warm and caring Zane had transformed into a cold stranger.
So, he suggested getting a place for Zane so they could stay apart. Maybe they had been together for too long that he wanted to get his space.
If they were away from each other... He thought... Maybe their hearts would connect more and things would go back to how they were.
But... They never did.
And the end of it just had to be that cruel break-up. He didn't expect Zane to actually beat him up but... There was nothing a changed man wouldn't do.
'I struck first so I shouldn't complain.' Micheal thought, covering his face with his free hand.
He wished for those warm days where everything felt just right.
"Why are you zoning out?" Noah suddenly asked, startling him out of his thoughts.
Once again, Noah would not even let him dwell on his own sad thoughts, rudely interrupting his moment of sadness.
"You scared me." He pressed his hand to his beating heart. "What's your deal?"
"I've been standing here this whole time." Noah said. "You're the one who suddenly started spacing out and..." He stopped talking and shook his head. "Never mind, shall we go in then?"
They had been standing in front of the bathroom all along and Noah had silently waited for him to be done with his thoughts.
But it was getting late and if he stayed like that for any longer, he just might catch a cold.
"Sure, let's... Let's go in." Micheal said and walked in.
He sat on the bathtub slab and picked up his sponge.
"Let me." Noah said, taking the sponge from him but Micheal frowned.
Yes, he had one hand out of commission but he could still do this little on his own. Yet, he did not voice his thoughts and watched Noah dab some soap on his sponge, soaked it in water, and ruffled till it looked like a big ball of foam.
"Give it," Micheal said, stretching his hand. From this point, he would take care of the rest.
Noah silently stared at him and then ignored his command, going ahead to hold his outstretched hand and he started sponging him.
"Hey, what are you... I said I can do it myself. Just give me the goddamn sponge." Micheal violently roared, struggling to take his hand back but Noah's grip was firm.
"If you keep struggling, you might end up in another accident. And who knows how you'll get hurt." Noah said but his words did not bode well with Micheal.
"Might I remind you, it was your crazy persistence that got me in this mess in the first place?" He yelled at him. "If you had left me alone in my bath, I wouldn't have gotten hurt. And now, you're doing it again."
"No," Noah boldly said. "It was your stubbornness that caused it."
Micheal's eyes widened and his face contorted in annoyance.
"What did you say?"
"When a person offers you a helping hand, you shouldn't refuse. Especially when you can't do it on your own." He looked up at Micheal. "You were stubborn,"
Micheal got angry but his words... They were annoyingly true.
But he didn't need his help. He didn't even ask, so why did he think he was obligated to accept just because a hand was stretched towards him.
"Noah, I agree that I'm stubborn," he said. "But I don't see why I have to accept your help when you offer." He raised his head, glaring at him. "What makes you so arrogant?"
Noah went silent, looking at the maddened look in Micheal's eyes. Maybe he pushed too far, but...
He suddenly lifted Micheal to his feet, turned him around, and made him sit with his back facing him.
"I know." Noah said as he began to scrub his back. "It's not my place to be arrogant or shamelessly dictate what you should or shouldn't accept. I am just a freeloader. But it's because I'm a freeloader, accepting help from you, that is why I know I must offer my help to you in all matters. That is the only way to repay you for your kindness towards me."