Every Single Thing I Touch || HeartLiming "Moonlight Chicken"

19. Doomed From The Get Go

"I've made a grave mistake, true love miscalculated. My nightmare turns to day I can still feel you in my space. Keep it all locked tight, in the middle of the night. Think I'm doing this right"

—SYML, "WDWGILY"

Liming had spent the entire day staring blankly at his computer screen, the numbers and words blending into a blur. He blinked several times, trying to clear the fog in his vision, but the exhaustion was settling in deep. His work had barely progressed, and it wasn't because he didn't have the skills—he did, and well above average. But how was he supposed to focus when Heart, the person who held a tight grip on his heart and mind, was just a couple of stairs above him, waiting to bring down a hammer of resentment for what had happened eight years ago?

The memory of Heart calling him incompetent still burned in the back of his mind. Heart had insinuated that Liming would bring his entire team down with him—words that stung not just because of their harshness, but because deep down, Liming wondered if there was a grain of truth to them. Heart wasn't just upset professionally; this was personal. Liming could feel the weight of their history in every interaction, the tension of unresolved emotions hanging over them like a storm cloud.

He groaned, leaning forward to press his forehead against the cool glass of his desk.

Why was Heart tormenting him like this?

But, then again, wasn't this his fault? If he hadn't walked out on Heart, would things have been different? Would they still be together?

Liming's breath caught at the sudden realization.

Wait... they never officially broke up, did they?

His heart hammered in his chest, the revelation sinking in like a heavy stone. Technically, Heart was still his boyfriend. His boyfriend. The thought was almost absurd, and Liming let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and self-deprecating. What a mess of a boyfriend he was. After all, he'd walked out when Heart needed him the most, leaving the boy who had loved him alone and abandoned. Liming rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, a deep sense of regret clawing at his insides. This was not going to end well, he thought miserably. He was doomed. Not just him—his whole team, too, all because of what he had done eight years ago.

With a heavy sigh, Liming rolled his head to the side, cheek pressing against the glass desktop. His gaze drifted to the sofa across the room, the very one Heart had occupied hours ago. Even after all the emotional wreckage between them, Liming couldn't deny the magnetic pull of attraction he still felt for Heart. It was as if no time had passed at all—the chemistry between them was as potent as ever.

His boyfriend, he thought again, the word echoing in his mind.

Jesus Christ.

And to make matters worse, he'd screwed up by calling Heart North. Liming grimaced at the memory, knowing he would never live that down. Why on earth had he thought of North in that moment? Was it really just an attempt to distract himself from the emotional chaos Heart stirred up in him? Liming wasn't even attracted to North; they had only ever been friends. Ever since Heart first kissed him, there had been no one else. No one but Heart. Heart had changed everything for him, shifted the way he saw the world—ruined him for anyone else. Physically. Mentally. Completely.

And yet, despite all that, Liming had walked away.

He closed his eyes, the painful memories flooding back in sharp, vivid detail. The chaos of that morning, Heart's father and Liming's uncle holding him back as Heart screamed his name. The boy who had lost his hearing, calling out in desperation, and Liming—what had he done?—walking away. He had been Heart's only source of comfort, and he had left him behind.