The Posting
P.S.A
The themes discussed in this work are unsuitable for readers under the age of 16. This story contains graphic scenes, excessive violence and adult content. Reader discretion is advised.
July 2025, 4:00 a.m. — Budapest
There was a heaviness pressing down on him.
He shifted his body, struggling to lift the mass, but it would not budge. Even the simple act of drawing breath was becoming difficult. He opened his mouth wide, trying to suck in as much air as possible in order not to suffocate.
Ding. Ding.
A siren sounded in the distance, and the mass atop him grunted in displeasure. It seemed to sprout limbs in every direction; shadowy tendrils that coiled against his throat and rocked him back and forth.
“Jo,” the mass whispered. In his dazed stupor, he reckoned the voice sounded a tad bit familiar.
Ding, ding, ding.
“Johan, wake up!” Ren whined, shaking him. “Your blasted phone is ringing.”
Jo opened his eyes groggily, the nearby roaring sharpening in his ears. He reached out to mute it and glanced at the time, his eyes darting to the +961 code on the caller ID.
It was four in the morning in Budapest, which meant it was already five a.m. in Beirut.
He slipped out of bed, tucking in Ren properly before heading out. Jo grabbed his cigarettes and lighter out of habit, and walked to the balcony on the other side of the house, shutting the sliding door behind him.
He took a deep breath before finally answering the incessant caller.
A woman’s voice echoed through the speaker. “HQ to Junior,” she said in a monotone.
“Junior speaking,” Jo responded. His heart began to pound, and the operator on the other end took her sweet time before resuming.
“I have a posting for Junior. No sender appointed,” the operator finally stated.
Of course you have a posting; why else would you be ringing me at this time? Johan thought, but he gritted his teeth and kept his temper in check. “Please proceed,” he said.
“Alright,” the operator echoed, her lethargy grating on his nerves. “The memo states: She’s back.”
She’s back.
The operator paused waiting for Jo to comprehend her meaning. His nerves frayed, and he sucked in a sharp breath. That was her cue to continue. “Second line reads: Your presence is required for the apprehension process. Coordinates have been sent to your line.”
The operator finished relaying the message, and Jo heard the grinding sound of a paper shredder in the background.
He hung up before she could utter another word.
Fuck.
The pack of cigarettes crumpled in his grip . He really wanted to light one up right then; however, if he did, he wouldn’t be able to go back and lie in bed with Ren. The musty smell bothered him.
His shoulders slumped and he lit one anyway. He would be out of here before Ren even woke up.
July 2025, 10:00 a.m. — Budapest
Ren stretched out in bed, his hands instinctively reaching to the side where Jo usually slept. Beneath his fingertips the sheet was cool to the touch and unoccupied.
He lazily pushed himself up, his hair sticking in every direction. A day when that asshole wakes up before me has actually come, huh?
He got out of bed and walked slowly to the kitchen, scanning the empty space for any sign of his partner. The coffee machine had already been turned on and left to heat up; a task Ren usually handled begrudgingly.
On the table sat the club sandwiches Jo had prepared for him along with a folded note. A satisfied smile spread across his face as he picked up the message Jo had left behind.
But the moment his husband’s squiggly handwriting came into view, the smile on Ren's face froze.
“I’m not coming back. Let’s divorce.”
Author’s Note:
Below, you’ll find a few songs I listen to while writing, or whenever I’m trying to get into the headspace of Ren and Johan.
♫ J/R PLAYLIST:
Sick Thoughts/Lou Bliss
Дежавю/Artem Pivovarov
Darkside/Grandson
Cradles/Sub Urban
Teeth/5SOS
Killing Butterflies/Lou Bliss
Fake/The Tech Thieves
Figure 8/Ellie Goulding
Unholy/Shane Orok, Curserino, Ali Orok
Fire/Buddha Bless
Animals/Maroon 5
Hell in Heaven/Twice
Everything Black/Unlike Pluto, Mike Taylor, UpxMt
My Demons/STARSET
Hate Me/Nico Collins
Minor/Miyagi & Andy Panda
Добеги/MONATIK ft. Lida Lee
