(M) Unspoken Affection - MilkLove Fan Fic - Completed

9. It's time to go, please don't go

Milk PoV :

"You're sure about this, little sister?" Ciize asked softly, her voice laced with concern as we sat in the dimly lit living room. Love was asleep in her own apartment nearby, unaware of the heavy conversation taking place.

I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of my decision pressing down on me like a mountain. "I have no choice, Ciize. I can't bear to see her hurt because of me. She loves Gun so deeply, and I... I love her too. But it hurts so much to be in this limbo, knowing she finds solace in me while she's with him. We both need time apart to grow, to mature. I hope that in two years, we'll both be clearer about our feelings."

Ciize's eyes filled with understanding, though sadness lingered in their depths. She reached out and squeezed my hand gently. "I know, Milk. This is hard for you. But you're doing what you think is best for both of you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. "Please promise me, Ciize. Promise me you won't tell her where I've gone, no matter how much she begs. And keep my letter safe. I poured my heart into it, everything I've kept hidden for all these years. She needs to know, but I can't face her when she reads it. It's too painful."

Ciize nodded solemnly, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling around us. "I promise, Milk. I'll take care of her and the shop. Our dream will stay intact, and I'll make sure she smiles every day she spends there."

Relief washed over me knowing Ciize understood and would protect Love in my absence. "Thank you, Ciize. You've always been my rock. Please take care of Tu too, and let her stay in the apartment. It's better for the shop, and she'll be closer."

Ciize smiled sadly, brushing a tear from my cheek. "I'll take care of everything, Milk. You just focus on finding your peace."

I nodded, forcing a smile through the pain. "I will. It's only two years. It'll pass quickly, right?"

"Right," Ciize agreed softly, pulling me into a tight embrace. "You're my tough little sister. You'll get through this."

As we parted, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the journey ahead. Two years apart seemed like an eternity, but it was a necessary step. Deep in my heart, I hoped Love would remember me, would miss me as much as I knew I would miss her. If she found happiness with Gun, I would return gracefully, accepting that she wasn't meant to be mine.

"I hope she remembers," I whispered to myself as I prepared to leave. "And if she doesn't... if she finds her happiness elsewhere, I'll be okay. I'll find my own path, my own happiness."

With one last look back at the place I called home, where Love and I had shared so many memories, I walked away. The weight of my decision settled heavily on my shoulders, but somewhere in the depth of my soul, I found a flicker of hope. Two years apart might just be the beginning of something new, for both of us.

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Love PoV

The gallery was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. Love sat alone at one of the pottery workstations, her fingers trembling as she unfolded the letter Ciize had handed her moments ago. The envelope, with Milk's familiar handwriting, felt heavy in her hands, each crease a testament to the weight of its contents.

"Hey Ciize, what are you doing here?" Love's voice trembled slightly as she tried to steady herself, her eyes still fixed on the unopened letter.

Ciize took a seat beside Love, her expression gentle yet tinged with concern. "Can we talk somewhere private, Love?" Her voice was soft, carrying an understanding that went beyond words.

Nodding silently, Love followed Ciize to a secluded corner of the gallery. Her heart raced with apprehension, unsure of what lay ahead but bracing for the emotional onslaught she knew was coming.

"What is it, Ciize? Why isn't Milk here?" Love's voice wavered, a mix of worry and confusion.

"Nothing's wrong with Milk, Love," Ciize began carefully, her gaze unwavering as she handed over the letter. "She asked me to give this to you."

Love took the letter with trembling hands, her breath catching in her throat as she recognized Milk's familiar handwriting. Her eyes scanned the first few lines, and tears began to blur her vision before she even finished the first paragraph.

"Hey Love,

It's me, Milk. By the time you read this letter, I might not be around anymore. I hope you're not angry with me, Love, and I apologize for not facing you in person. You know I couldn't do it if I had to look at you, right?

Please don't hate me for this. It was never my intention to make you sad or to leave you, but I had to. Remember when I met Gun when you guys had a fight? That's when I realized I can't be in between the two of you. Maybe Gun was right; maybe this is all my fault.

Love, from the moment I first laid eyes on you, I've loved you. Even knowing you had Gun in your life, I couldn't stop myself. I kept hoping, even though I knew it was wrong. I stayed by your side, happy to see you smile, even though it hurt. But as time passed, it only got harder, and what Gun said about being in the way... Maybe he was right. I'm sorry for loving you, Love. But please believe me, I never regretted it. I still love you, and I always will. I just can't be the reason you fight with Gun anymore. I can't make you feel awkward or torn.

You know, Love, sometimes I wished you looked at me the way you look at Gun. With that same love and longing. But don't blame yourself, Love. It's all on me. You made it clear from the start that you had Gun, and I should have respected that. But I couldn't help hoping you might feel something for me too.

Please don't cry, Love. I'll come back someday, when we're both wiser and stronger. I'll be someone who can accept that we're not meant to be. I love you, Love, with all my heart. Please don't doubt my love, even if you only saw me as a sister. What we had was special, and I'll cherish it always. Let's take this time apart to think and grow. I trust your judgment, Love, and I'll always respect you.

Until we meet again, please be happy. And remember, I'll be with you, always, in your heart.

With all my love,

Milk"

Love's tears fell freely as she read Milk's heartfelt words. Each sentence resonated deeply within her, stirring emotions she had long kept buried. Her heart ached with a mixture of sorrow, guilt, and a profound sense of loss.

"Milk..." Love whispered, her voice choked with tears. "She... she loved me all this time."

Ciize wrapped her arms around Love, offering silent comfort as she let her grief pour out. "I'm so sorry, Love," Ciize murmured softly, her own eyes moist with unshed tears. "Milk wanted you to understand, to have this space to think and feel without her."

"Why didn't she tell me sooner?" Love's voice cracked, filled with anguish and regret.

"She didn't want to burden you, Love," Ciize explained gently, her voice steady despite the emotion. "She thought she was doing what was best for both of you. She loved you too much to see you hurt."

Love clutched the letter to her chest, the weight of Milk's love and sacrifice sinking in. "I never knew... I never realized..."

"It's not your fault, Love," Ciize assured her, holding her close. "Milk wouldn't want you to blame yourself. She just wants you to be happy."

"But how can I be happy now, knowing she's gone?" Love's voice trembled with sorrow, her heart feeling as though it had shattered into countless pieces.

Ciize held her tighter, offering solace in the midst of overwhelming grief. "Give yourself time, Love. It's okay to feel lost right now. Milk believed in you, and she'll be waiting for you, whenever you're ready."

Love nodded silently, her tears staining the letter in her hands. As she held onto Milk's words, she realized that their journey was far from over. A journey of healing, of understanding, and perhaps, of rediscovering the love that had always been there, quietly waiting to be acknowledged.

And as Love clung to that fragile hope, she knew that someday, their paths would cross again, and she would be ready to face whatever the future held, with Milk's love guiding her every step of the way.