Can We Really Get Away

Chapter 1

Author's Note:  Thanks to spike7451 for the beta



***

Max couldn’t help but be amused watching Iago look around the large tent hospital in Mozambique. Médecins Sans Frontieres was a well-respected organization dedicated to servicing the health of those who would otherwise have no medical care. Max was proud of the work he was doing and couldn’t wait to share it with Iago. He’d even insisted they come straight to the medical facility from the airport, toting their duffels over their shoulders.

“It’s huge.” Iago gazed around the entire space. “When you said you worked in a tent, this is definitely not what I expected.”

“It’s a hospital really.”

Iago looked away. “I wish...”

Putting his bag down, Max approached Iago, threading their fingers. “What? Tell me.”

“I wish I had a career. Something important.” Iago shrugged. “Ah, forget it, it doesn’t matter. You do such extraordinary work. It’s part of what makes you so special.”

Max tried to contain his broad smile, but when Iago shared the depths of his feelings he couldn’t help but react outwardly. “Sometimes you say crazy things.”

“It’s not crazy. I can see some of the patients you help here. No wonder you wanted to get back. This would be hard for me to compete with.”

“There is no competition. You already know I would have stayed close if you decided to accept the prison sentence.” Max sighed. “But that’s not why you’re crazy. You don’t have any idea how important you are to me. It’s my fault for leaving you for so long. Now, I get the chance to fix things. I’m never leaving you again. I promise -- and you know how I feel about promises.”

Iago moved even closer to Max, but suddenly stopped, unsure if it would be acceptable to touch him in public.

Raising his hand to tuck a few stray hairs off Iago’s forehead, Max wrapped his other arm around his partner and pulled him close, pressing their lips together. “We made it. We can finally make a home together.”

“You’ve always been my home, Max. While you were gone I felt unsettled, like I was never on solid ground.”

“I’ve lived in many different places, but none of them ever truly felt like home, that is, until we met, fell in love, and made a shared life. My home is with you, is you, Iago.”

“You said that once to Beni a long time ago. I’m glad you still feel that way.”

“I love you, Iago. Nothing can ever change that.”

Iago wrapped his arms around Max. “I still can’t believe we’re here. No one, and nothing, can get in our way again. We can finally have the normal life we always wanted.”

Max and Iago couldn’t take their eyes off one another. Both men lost in each other until Max felt someone tapping his shoulder.

“Hey, buddy. We missed you like you can’t imagine here. How did things go back in Spain in your hometown?”

Max chuckled. “Hometown? Robert, I never really had a home in that town. I barely had anyone I could call family and now most of them are dead.”

Iago’s eyes widened. “Max!”

“We both know Clara wasn’t my real mother, and she and I didn’t have much of a relationship between her stay in prison, the drugs, and her attitude the past couple of years. And Quim, well let’s not go there. Talk about a roller coaster.”

“What about Beni?”

Max looked away, hiding his face from Iago, knowing how well his lover could read him, thus ensuring his emotions would remain hidden. He already missed Beni. He was the most supportive father a guy could ask for, despite his ridiculously quirky behavior.

“Well?”

“I’ll probably never see Beni again.” Max tried to keep his feelings in check so as not to alarm Iago.

“What? Why would you say that?”

“You know we won’t be heading back to Spain anytime soon.” Max hoped Iago would understand that he didn’t want to reveal too much in front of Robert. Iago’s escape from justice, aided and abetted by Max, guaranteed they could never return. “And Beni can’t afford to travel here.”

“Well, whatever brought you back to us, I’m glad you didn’t stay away too long.”

Iago eyed the third in their conversation. He was too handsome for comfort and wondered just how good a friend to Max this Robert was. “He almost stayed away for three years,” Iago mumbled, remembering Max’s commitment to stand by him if he decided to remain in Spain and fulfill his prison term.

Max snorted, realizing Iago was actually jealous of Robert. “Excuse my rudeness. Dr. Robert Sanders, this is my partner, Iago Vilches.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Iago. While Max didn’t talk much about friends or family, the little he let out all somehow revolved around you. I’m glad you joined him here, it’s nice to see a smile on his face. Maybe he’ll even venture out of his quarters from time to time now.”

Iago’s brow furrowed. “What does he mean?”

Tucking his hair behind his ear, Max lowered his head.

“You didn’t...”

“No friends, no... anything else, not really.”

Iago dropped the duffle bag that was still resting on his shoulder and grabbed Max, holding him tighter than was necessary. “I should have never lost faith in your love.”

“It was my fault.”

Max quickly nuzzled Iago’s neck and then pulled away, feeling awkward in front of his employer. “Doctor, did you ever encourage Max to go out?” Iago asked, clearly no longer jealous.

The doctor grinned. “My partner and I tried to get him to go out with us a number of times during the past several months. There are some gay-friendly dining and dancing spots around, run by the immigrant population. There’s even one gay beach.”

Iago looked from Max to the doctor.

“Don’t be so surprised. My partner’s a physician’s assistant, like Max. We came here about a year ago from the U.S. Both of us hoped we could help make a difference and help people who really appreciated our services.”

“They do. The people respect you so much -- Kevin too.”

“They respect you too, Max.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, Iago, what are you planning on doing while Max works here all day?”

Iago busied himself, picking up the duffle and pretending to adjust the shoulder strap.

“If you don’t have any specific plans, we could certainly use another orderly, especially one who might want to learn some minor medical technician skills, like taking blood pressure, checking pulses, changing bandages.”

Iago gripped the shoulder strap tightly and turned away.

Robert smiled. “This isn’t charity, before you get concerned. It’s a bona fide offer. We could use the help. Hell, we’re always desperate for more support.”

“Max?” Iago questioned.

Max placed his hand in Iago’s and squeezed. “It would be great to have you working here. I’d love to have you by my side -- if you want to. No pressure.”

“Are you kidding?” Iago’s shoulders were back as he stood tall. “Doctor Sanders, I would love to work for you.”

“Well, alright. But first things first. No one here, including the doctors, go by their last names. We reserve that for when we’re out fundraising. I’m Rob and my partner, who, as we speak, is running in to start his shift, is Kevin.”

Iago shook Rob’s hand and when Kevin approached and was introduced they shook hands as well.

Rob glanced from Iago to Max. “The two of you look exhausted. Why don’t you both take the rest of today and tomorrow to rest up? We’re not very busy now so we’ve got it covered.” He patted Max’s upper arm.

“Thank you, Rob. It means a lot to both of us to have some relaxing time together.”

“Someday, you’ll fill me in on the rest -- I detect there’s more to this story than a simple romance; but for now just enjoy yourselves.”

Duffle bags in hand, Max and Iago left the hospital tent to walk to the staff quarters. On the way, Max felt his phone vibrate. He fumbled to pull it out of his pocket.

“What is it?”

“It’s probably Beni. He learned to text and he keeps sending me foolish messages.”

Iago smirked, knowing Beni and his idiosyncrasies all too well, and yet being grateful to him for finally accepting him unconditionally into their little family. “Is it him?”

“Yep.”

“What did he write?”

“I think he missed some words, but it looks something like, e’s on the way, be there soon.

“How can Beni afford to come here? And so soon?”

“I have no idea, but let’s get home and get some alone time before he arrives.”

Iago paused, taking a deep breath.

“What was that about?” Max asked in a whisper.

“It was me feeling free, happy, and loved all at the same time.”

Putting his free arm around Iago’s waist, Max leaned on his lover’s shoulder as they walked to their new home. “And you tell me I can be too gay.”


[TBC]

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