Heartbreak & Honeysuckle

-01- Take Back Your Memories

CHAPTER ONE

"Now, you'll never see what you've done to me. You can take back your memories, they're no good to me. And here's all your lies, you can look me in the eyes with the sad, sad look that you wear so well."
~The All-American Rejects, 'Gives You Hell'

~~~

"Hey, have you had a chance to watch the film I sent you?" Myles's voice crackles over video chat, sounding slightly distorted due to a combination of their long-distance, and August's cheap WiFi. Juice from the peach he's currently eating drips down his chin, and he absentmindedly wipes it away.

"Shit," August curses, slapping his hand over his forehead. "No, I'm sorry, I completely forgot. I'll watch it as soon as we finish talking, I swear."

Instead of getting upset, Myles smiles warmly.

"It's okay, babe," Myles reassures the blonde. "You've had a lot on your mind recently, yeah?"

"Yes," August says with a sigh, feeling grateful that his boyfriend is so understanding. "My boss pushed up the deadline for the reviews from the past three performances I attended. I know I wanted more responsibility at work, but damn, I didn't think that would involve attending twice as many shows per month. In fact, there's another show I'm scheduled to see tomorrow! Babe. I'm exhausted."

Myles chuckles. "I bet, but... I wasn't talking about work."

That familiar feeling of dread and heartache knots itself together in August's gut. He drops his gaze to where his hands are folded in his lap, and chews on the inner part of his cheek.

"I know," August murmurs. Of course, he knows. Even though it's still a month away, this date looms over his head like a shadow year after year, never letting up its weight.

"Do you want me to visit her grave with you?" Myles offers, making August look up in surprise. "I can talk to the guys about sneaking away for a week or two."

August's heart melts a little at his boyfriend's offer, but he shakes his head. "No, you shouldn't risk leaving. This is your first international film! What would happen if their director suddenly left?"

"You make it sounds like it's a bigger deal than it is," Myles huffs. "We're a low-budget, self-run film company shooting an indie movie in Bosnia. This is hardly the major leagues."

"Hey, don't sell yourself short," August scolds him. "I've heard of plenty of indie movies that got nominated for prestigious awards. After all, it's all about the storyline, acting, and directing. Who cares if you don't have a lot of money? Besides, you're... well, you. Anything you create will be awesome, I know it."

Myles lets out a low whistle, tilting his face up to the sunny sky before looking back at August through the screen. "Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you?"

"Yes, but you can say it again," August says with a grin, earning a hearty laugh from his boyfriend.

"Well, I appreciate you a lot," Myles reiterates. He yawns, stretching his toned arms over his head. August takes the chance to shamelessly check him out, ogling at those tattoos covering both muscular arms.

"And I appreciate you."

"Me, or my body? Yeah, don't think I didn't see you checking me out."

Blushing, August says, "Can't I appreciate both?"

His cheekiness earns another laugh from Myles, causing August's smile to widen until his cheeks hurt. He loves making his boyfriend happy, even from 5000 miles away.