Chapter 1: Prologue
The flowers arrived in the nick of time. It's 25 minutes before Liam gets home and he needed to double-check every single thing. He'd just finished cooking his lover's favorite, Carbonara with Steak. He'd just set up the candle-lit table in the dining room. He had cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the house, cleaned the bedroom, the bathroom.
He stepped into the shower and took a quick bath. He put on a simple light blue shirt and put on his favorite perfume. He opened the bedside table's cabinet, and took out a velveteen blue box. He stared at it for a while, then clutched it to his chest.
Finally, everything was ready.
The day was July 28, 20XX.
Today was the day. Today was the day that he, James Luna, was going to propose to the love of his life, Liam Riley.
"Babe?"
He heard the door open and shut as said lover entered the apartment. He quickly pockets the box, and drew in a deep and calming breath. 'I can do this,' he thought to himself. James made his way down the stairs, palms sweating at the sheer thought that this was finally unfolding.
"Hey," he smiled up at Liam when he arrived down the steps. His love stood a few inches taller than he did, but he didn't mind it. Especially when he could be little spoon during their cuddles. "What's gotten you all smiley, darling?"
"Oh, well," James drew out a dreamy sigh, "just thought we'd celebrate our anniversary a little bit differently this year," he continued as he led Liam towards the dining room. Liam blinked rapidly, surprise filling his eyes. "You did all this," he said in more of a statement, amusedly lifting his brows. "Yeah," James replied excitedly as Liam looked around the room. The latter's eyes land on the table, and he sees a bouquet of his favorite flowers--bright orange Chrysanthemums with peach-colored Dahlias. "These are beautiful, sweetheart," he said, taking a whiff. "Only the best for you," James replied, inwardly cringing at how cheesy he sounded.
Liam simply smiled, but James noticed how...fake his lover's smile was. He frowned, suddenly thinking perhaps it really was too cheesy. "Sorry, I just--I," he stuttered and coughed a bit. "Um, shall we?"
Liam sighed as James took a seat, sending a questioning gaze towards his lover. "I... was it too much? I'm sorry," James clicked his tongue, sighing as he sadly stared at Liam. The other just shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "I know where this is going, but God, I hoped it wouldn't be this soon," he muttered, making James frown. "What do you mean?"
"I know about the ring, Jay," Liam replied, not daring to look at James. "I found it the other night when I was trying to look for my USB," the smaller man's eyes widened in surprise. "You... you saw it?"
Liam could only nod. "I knew you were going to propose, I just didn't know when. But I'm guessing it's tonight, right? I mean, come on... a candle-lit dinner, my favorite flowers, my favorite dish..."
James sighed. He knew he couldn't keep this a secret. But he didn't mind. He felt this would make it easier. He took out the velveteen box and opened it. "Since... since you know about it, I guess there's no reason for the whole surprise," he chuckled, cheeks burning in embarrassment.
But Liam could only stare. His eyes didn't shine with happiness, they didn't well up with tears. There was nothing. Just a blank, emotionless stare. He sighed and shook his head, as James could only watch, trying to read his lover's emotions.
"James, I'm sorry," Liam looked at James, the latter's heart shattered at his lover's words. "We won't work out that way," he continued, biting the corner of his lip. James could only frown. "What do you mean 'we won't work out that way'? We've been together since third year of University, we've moved into an apartment and lived together since our last semester and all the way through graduation until now--why won't we work?"
Liam shook his head once more. "We just won't, alright?"
"No," James stood from his seat, the other surprised at his lover's response. "No?"
"No, Liam," was the reply. "That can't be the only reason, that's not nearly even enough reason," James glared up at him. "I'll accept it, alright? I can take the rejection. But I need to know why," he continued, walking up to Liam. "Why do you need a reason?"
"Because that can't be it! That can't be the only reason for this—," James pointed back and forth between them, "to end just like that," he sighed. The room was silent. Nothing could be heard but the ticking of the wall clock.
A few minutes passed, and James was getting impatient. "Look, just tell—"
"I've been seeing someone else," Liam blurted out in one breath. James' eyes grew wider than saucers at what he had heard. "You've been seeing someone?"
Liam stayed silent. "How long?"
Silence.
"Damn it, Liam—how long? A week? A month?"
Liam sighed. "A year," he replied, staring dead-straight into James' eyes as the man's world came tumbling down and crumbled beneath his feet.
'What did I do wrong? Why wasn't I enough for you?'
He thought, clutching Liam's blue sweater in his hands. It had only been 35 minutes since Liam left the room, and 12 more since he left the apartment.
Everything was a blur after the sudden revelation—he couldn't even remember what happened, what was said. All he remembered was Liam taking his coat, taking an already-filled suitcase and walking out the door while James begged and cried for him to stay.
He wanted to say he did nothing wrong but to no avail. The darkness swallowed him as he thought of all the things he should have done differently. The scene unfolded before his eyes as he relived the shame and the heartbreak all over again.
Perhaps it was the flowers. He should have bought him a new phone, like Liam had always wanted. Or maybe it was the food? Liam never liked eating at home after all, even if it was his favorites. Or maybe he really was moving too fast? They'd just graduated college, perhaps it was too soon for him to propose, to live their life together.
But there wasn't anything he could do now. Liam had gone to "think things through", but did he really? Or did he run into his other lover's arms? He didn't know.
So James did what he always does best.
He waited.
He waited for the sun to set as he fought the tears that threatened to fall again. He waited for the calls the he knew will never come. He waited for the messages he knew he won't receive. He waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone