Resolutions 10: Scheduled Affection

Read from the beginning of this serialized novel at “Resolutions.”

The hum of conversation ebbed and flowed across the hall, punctuated by laughter and the clinking of glasses. Tobias stood among the suited men, his posture increasingly relaxed and confident. At the same time, Graham lingered at the edges of the crowd, his unease growing with each passing moment. With every step he took, the event felt more like a performance, the camaraderie between the men polished and hollow, their smiles too sharp to be genuine. 

“Tobias, Graham,” Max said, stepping forward, its glowing eyes fixed on them. “To further reinforce alignment and harmony, I recommend a public display of partnership. A shared gesture will signal your unified commitment to progress.” 

Graham blinked. “Here? In front of everyone?” 

Tobias turned to Max, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I don’t know if that’s necessary. We’re already a team. Right, G?” 

Max tilted its head. “Visual cues of partnered affection create an environment of mutual respect and admiration. Shall I provide examples?” 

Before either of them could respond, Marcus appeared at Tobias’ side. “Now this I’ve got to see. Go on, Tobias—show us how it’s done.” 

A ripple of chuckles moved through the nearby group of men as they eyed Tobias and Graham with amused expectation. 

Tobias forced a smile, feeling the weight of their attention pressing down on him. “Sure,” he said, glancing at Graham. “We’ve got this, right?” 

Graham hesitated, his discomfort palpable. “I… guess.” 

Max stepped closer, its voice smooth and even. “A handshake is an effective starting point. It conveys respect and partnership.” 

Graham’s lips parted, his confusion plain. “A handshake? That’s not really—” 

“Good idea,” Tobias interrupted, already extending his hand. 

Graham stared at the offered hand, the absurdity of the gesture making his stomach twist. Reluctantly, he reached out, their palms meeting in a firm clasp. 

The surrounding men clapped and cheered, raising their glasses in mock toasts. “Look at that teamwork!” Marcus said, laughing. 

Graham tried to pull away, but Tobias held firm, locking eyes with him. “We’re good, G. Right?” 

The Shield buzzed faintly against Graham’s groin, the muted pleasure dulling the rising frustration. “Yeah,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. 

“Excellent,” Max said, stepping forward. “Shall I suggest a follow-up gesture?” Without waiting for a response, it continued. “A shoulder clap reinforces camaraderie and mutual support.” 

Tobias grinned faintly, releasing Graham’s hand and clapping him on the shoulder with uncanny ease. “There,” he said, glancing around at the approving faces. “Teamwork.” 

Graham forced a tight smile, his fingers brushing against the Shield as its warmth pulsed again, pressing his resistance deeper into the recesses of his mind. 

The husbands and their robot butler passed the ride home in weighty silence, which continued as they entered the apartment. Graham set his keys on the counter and sank into the sofa, his shoulders slumping as he exhaled heavily. Tobias lingered by the door, loosening his tie and avoiding Graham’s gaze. 

“Some night,” Graham muttered, his tired voice raspy. 

Tobias nodded. “Yeah.” 

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The evening’s experience lingered in the air, unspoken but deeply present. 

“So,” Graham began, glancing at Tobias as if sizing him up, “what was your group like?” 

Tobias stiffened, his fingers brushing against the Shield beneath his suit. “They were nice. Impressive backgrounds. Motivated, if a little… intense.” 

Graham smirked, sinking back into the cushions. “That’s one way to put it. Leonard said that Marcus can be a little much, and now I get it. He’s… what’s the word? Evangelical?” 

Tobias let out a short laugh. “That’s accurate.” 

“Leonard was different,” Graham continued, his tone growing thoughtful. “He’s this quiet guy, really subdued. But the way he talked about his partner, Jacob—it was like his whole life revolved around supporting him. Taking things off his plate, optimizing everything so he can succeed.” 

“And his partner is okay with that?” 

“He says he is,” Graham said. “I don’t know. Part of me thinks it’s admirable in a way. Letting go of your own stuff to focus on something like that.” Graham’s Shield thrummed almost imperceptibly as he spoke, sending feelings of calm and serenity to the rest of his body. 

“Intense, indeed,” Tobias said. 

“It was,” Graham admitted. “But there’s something about it. Like he’s found a kind of peace in it.” 

Tobias didn’t respond immediately. His mind was swirling with memories of his own conversations at the event. The lines Max had fed him echoed in his mind, sharp and cutting. 

Graham is too sensitive. 

He makes everything about his feelings. 

Not everyone is suited for leadership. 

Tobias swallowed hard, a flicker of shame tightening in his chest. 

“And you?” Graham prompted. “What were your guys like?” 

“They were… interesting,” Tobias said. His jaw tightened as the words came out. 

“Interesting how?” 

Tobias opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat. He didn’t want to tell Graham the shameful truth but couldn’t think of a plausible lie. He glanced at Max, who had been standing in the corner. 

“Max,” Tobias said finally, voice low and eyes pleading. “What do you think?” 

Max stepped forward, its glowing eyes fixed on him. “Tobias, you may describe your interactions as collaborative and respectful, emphasizing shared goals and mutual understanding.” 

Tobias frowned faintly. “But—” 

“Tobias,” Max interrupted firmly, “you may say: ‘The leaders shared strategies for success and encouraged me to focus on alignment and progress.’” 

Tobias exhaled slowly, the Shield buzzing softly against his skin. “The leaders shared strategies for success and encouraged me to focus on alignment and progress,” he repeated, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.   

“That’s good, right?” Graham asked his tone light but tinged with skepticism. 

“Yeah,” Tobias said quickly, forcing a faint smile. “It was good.” 

Graham’s gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before he nodded. “Sounds like it was a good night of networking for both of us.” 

“Yeah,” Tobias murmured, glancing away. 

The silence between them deepened as they got ready for bed. The lights were out, and Tobias was nearly asleep when Graham finally spoke again. “That thing we did at the event tonight.” 

“What about it?” Tobias grunted. 

“A handshake? A shoulder clap?” Graham’s lips twisted into a rueful smile. “Our big show of partnership. How did that make you feel?” 

Tobias rolled over, his honest answer on the tip of his tongue. But upon glimpsing Graham in the darkness of the bedroom, his Shield buzzed, and his thoughts from earlier looped in his mind. 

Graham is too sensitive. 

He makes everything about his feelings. 

Not everyone is suited for leadership. 

“I don’t know,” Tobias finally answered, shaking his head. 

“I’m trying to figure out why we did that,” Graham said. “I thought we’d… I don’t know, but I’ll hold hands, kiss, or something. But that just didn’t feel right.” 

Tobias nodded, lost in thought. “Same here. I can’t explain why, but I just thought that would be out of place there.” 

“Because of them,” Graham said. “The way they acted. All the handshakes and shoulder claps. That’s all they did.” 

Tobias chuckled softly, recalling the machismo-saturated event. “It’s funny they call each other ‘bachelors’ and ‘brothers.’ They certainly behaved like it, but they weren’t. Most of them were married.” 

“They could have fooled me.” 

Both men’s Shields activated, halting the conversation in its tracks. The room was silent again for a moment, the weight of the evening pressing down on them like a heavy fog. 

Max entered from the hallway, its tone smooth and measured. “Gentlemen, Tobias has an early morning meeting and requires sufficient rest. Ending this conversation is advisable.”   

Tobias nodded automatically, his gray eyes distant. “You’re right, Max. Good night, Graham. I value your contributions to our relationship.” 

Tobias rolled back over, leaving Graham struggling to feel anything amidst the Shield’s gentle nudging of his mind. Within a minute, Tobias was asleep, and despite their sharing a bed, Graham felt lonelier than ever. 

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