You, Me, and Her

Verse 24: I Hate This Part

Aidan continued to walk with the oblivious Halwyn outside. There was a stylish garden in front of the venue, perfect for gathering and hiding away from visitors. He marched Hal around the area to get some fresh air, holding him up.

"This is so patronizing," Hal jested, trying to ease the awkward tension around them.

"Patronizing, how?"

"Because you broke my heart?"

Aidan's face paled, "Hal..."

"It's a joke!" Hal giggled at his reaction. "Seriously, you don't even care if I die."

"Sure, I do."

"You do?"

"Yes," Aidan was now beaming knowing that Hal was back to his old self. "Because then I have to start looking for people who actually like me."

"Like you could find one."

"See? Who needs their admiration when I can be with someone who hates me passionately."

Hal smiled, "My head is swimming! Let me sit down."

Aidan walked him over to the swingset and plopped him down in a swing and Hal moved his hands to hang onto the chains.

"You okay?" Aidan asked, his gaze never left his face.

Hal sat and looked at the man for a moment with a smile, recalling those times when Aidan would take care of him after he was out partying with Eurig and the rest. Then without a warning, he fell over backward.

"Jesus!" Aidan was swift and rushed to right him. "Don't ever drink again..."

Halwyn's answer to his reprimanding was a giggle and like in the past, it worked perfectly for Aidan who adored his laugh. He then started to push Hal on the swing to keep him entertained.

"Do you hate me?"

Not expecting to be asked the sullen question, Hal stiffened in the swing and couldn't find the right words to respond. "I can't hate you, Dan. I tried and it didn't help at all."

"I'm sorry, Hal---"

"If you don't want me to hate you then stop saying you're sorry."

Aidan drew a deep sigh and was feeling embarrassed. "I should've not brought her here."

There was a pause before Halwyn could speak again. "That's alright. I don't really care."

"You don't seem okay as well. Seeing her..."

"Well, yeah. I hate her."

Aidan was taken aback. "Why?"

"She broke your heart."

Something warm entered Aidan's heart and he couldn't help smiling as he sat down on the swing beside Hal. "You probably downed a whole bottle of gin to say something like that. You don't seem the type to hold a grudge against someone."

"You think so?"

"I believe so. You're kind, Hal. Too kind."

Hal was holding up a drunken head and replied, "You don't think I can be like everybody else? You don't think I can be laidback and chill?"

"No. I always regard you as someone above that."

The change in the atmosphere and the softness of the tone made Hal look at Aidan on a much more serious note. If this was just any ordinary day and Aidan was not yet aware of his feelings for him, Hal would've taken those words and the tenderness that comes with it as a sign of hope. But no, this was different now. He already confessed to Aidan and Aidan already gave him his answer.