Our Fragile Hearts (A Short BL Story)

Chapter 10

Galen

After the formal break-up with Maya, I find myself alone on a park bench, the sun sinking lower in the sky, casting an orange glow over the surroundings. The atmosphere matches the weight on my shoulders, and I can't help but feel a tinge of regret. I should have told Maya the truth, that it was Andrei all along. But the fear of how it would affect the group, our friendships, held me back.

Graduation looms ahead, and with each passing day, the pressure mounts. Breaking up with Maya felt like the right course of action, giving me the space I need to sort through my emotions. But uncertainty still gnaws at me. Am I straight? Can I deny the feelings I have for Andrei?

Returning home, I find my dad absent from his usual spot. I make my way to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water, before heading to my room. The sight that greets me sends a shock through my system—my dad standing beside my bedside table, holding the polaroid photo from my prom night, where I was crowned the prom king. The crown and sash are displayed as well, reminding me of that surreal moment.

Silence hangs heavy in the air until my dad breaks it with a surprised remark, "So you were prom king?" His tone carries a touch of astonishment, but it's devoid of the usual aggression.

I let out a weary sigh, my mind a jumble of conflicting thoughts and emotions. "Yeah, it's not a big deal," I reply, my words tinged with awkwardness.

To my surprise, my dad chuckles, and I'm frozen in place. "You could've told me, you know," he says, his voice softer than I remember. It's a moment I never expected.

I'm taken aback as he starts to open up, sharing a glimpse of his own past. His voice trembles with a mix of regret and vulnerability as he confesses, "You know, son, back in my day, I almost became the prom king myself. Can you believe that?" There's a hint of a wistful smile on his face.

I raise an eyebrow, surprised by this revelation. "Really? I never knew."

He chuckles softly, a touch of sadness in his eyes. "Yeah, it's true. But things didn't go as planned. Life took a different turn for me." He pauses, his gaze fixed on the polaroid photo in his hands, before continuing. "I guess that's why seeing you crowned as prom king... it stirred up some old memories."

I listen intently, unsure of what to make of his words. His voice grows more serious, laced with remorse. "Son, I need you to know that I'm proud of you. You achieved something that I never could. You deserve that crown, that recognition." He takes a deep breath, his next words tinged with regret. "I haven't been the father you needed. I haven't given you the support you deserved."

My throat tightens, and I find it hard to swallow. His admission catches me off guard, emotions swirling within me. He continues, his voice filled with genuine remorse, "And I'm sorry... I'm sorry for all the hurtful things I've said and done. Blaming you for your mother's death, pushing you away... I was wrong, and I can never take back those words."

Tears well up in my eyes as I watch him, my father, vulnerable and raw before me. The weight of his words hangs heavy in the air, filled with a longing for redemption. "Dad," I manage to choke out, my voice trembling with emotion. "I... I didn't expect this."

I know that it's not all about me being crowned as the prom king. He's just using it as an honest excuse to open up this conversation between me and him. But to be honest, I'm kinda loving it.

He reaches out, placing a hand gently on my shoulder. "I know, son. I know I can't change the past. But I want you to know that I see the person you've become, the strength you've shown. And I am proud of you, more than words can express."

I nod, tears streaming down my face, a mixture of pain and relief. In this tender moment, a flicker of hope ignites within me. Perhaps, just perhaps, there's a chance for healing, for rebuilding what was broken.

Tears welled up in his eyes, and his voice became a whisper, raw with emotion. "I love you, son. And I'm ready to change, to make things right. If you'll let me, I want to be a part of your life again, to mend what's been broken between us."

I was speechless, my heart aching with a mixture of pain and hope. For the first time in a long time, I saw a flicker of the father I had always longed for—a man capable of growth and redemption.

In that moment, I realized that forgiveness wasn't an easy path, but it held the promise of healing and reconciliation.

*****

A surge of gratitude and relief washes over me, piercing through the chaos that has consumed my life. In this moment, I am reminded that even in the midst of uncertainty and turmoil, there are still precious pockets of redemption and connection. I find solace in these glimpses of light, cherishing the blessings that have emerged along the way. It's as if the universe is offering me a respite, reminding me that despite the challenges I face, there is still goodness to be found. So, I sit here quietly, counting my blessings in silence, acknowledging the silver linings that have emerged from the depths of my journey.

After that, I took a moment to gather my thoughts, staring into the depths of my dad's eyes. "Dad," I begin, my voice trembling with vulnerability, considering that this is maybe the first time Im gonna talk to my dad like this. "Dad, how do you know if you love someone? I mean, really, really love them,"

He pauses, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. He takes a deep breath, his voice laced with wisdom. "Son, love is a tricky thing. It's not something you can always explain or define. But when it's real, it's like a force that can't be ignored. It's overwhelming, consuming, and it changes everything."

"Son, love is a complex thing. It's not always easy to put into words or define. But when you love someone, truly love them, it's a feeling that goes beyond logic and reason. It's something you can't ignore or suppress. It consumes you, in the best possible way." He added.

His words strike a chord within me, resonating with the whirlwind of emotions I've been experiencing. It's as if he knows exactly what I'm going through, as if he understands the turmoil that Andrei has stirred within me.

Summoning my courage, I lean in closer, my voice barely above a whisper. "Dad, it's Andrei," I confess, my heart pounding in my chest. "I think... I think I might be in love with him. But I don't even know if it's real. I've always been straight, always been into girls. This is all so confusing."

My dad's eyes widen, processing the weight of my confession. The silence between us hangs heavy, pregnant with the weight of my revelation. Then, his face softens, and he reaches out, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Galen," he says, his voice filled with compassion and understanding, "love doesn't conform to expectations or labels. It's a force that defies logic and transcends boundaries. What matters is what's in your heart, how someone makes you feel. Don't be afraid to explore these feelings, to embrace them and see where they lead."

I absorb his words, a mix of emotions swirling within me. In this intimate moment with my dad, surrounded by the fading light in my room, I find solace and acceptance. It's a small glimmer of hope, a flicker of clarity amidst the confusion that has consumed me.

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sky, I realize that love is a journey of self-discovery and courage. It's about embracing who I am and following my heart, even if it takes me into uncharted territory. And in this moment, with my dad by my side, I feel a newfound sense of strength and determination to navigate the complexities of my heart.