Arin's POV
"I'm glad you could come over again," I told him; he had accepted my invitation to visit me. I didn't want the night to end.
"Hah, yeah, me too," Jon smiled, "Reminds me of the old times."
"Yeah, definitely! Good times. Just you and me," I felt my eyes grow misty at the overwhelming nostalgia.
"I wish those good times would last," Jon's statement hurt my heart, "But work got in the way, and now... Arin?"
"Hm?" I blink back the tears, furthering the inevitable; I knew I was going to cry that night when Jon had to leave, anyways.
"You okay? Buddy?" Jon asked for my attention.
"I just- I don't want you to leave. It's been so fun. So much fun," I gritted my teeth, taking a deep inhale, but letting it out in a near-sob.
"Look, this isn't easy for me, either!" Jon's eyes swam with tears at my own pain.
"I know, I know, I-," deep breaths, Arin, "I can't keep it together."
"I'm sorry I have to leave."
"Y-you have a channel to take care of, with fans, and- and I shouldn't weigh you down."
"I can't help myself. Thinking of the old times can just be so nostalgic, and so... Painful."
"Sometimes, I wish we had never met, just so we didn't have to go through things like this now," I admitted, seeing how hurt Jon was at that statement.
"Well, I'm glad we met. It was a fun ride. We both had a great time."
"I never want it to end."
"Me either, but we had fun. We both know at this point that it's near impossible to go back on or word, so why be sad about it?" Jon was still clearly upset, despite his words.
"Because it is near impossible to go back, Jon! Because it is! There is no way we can change what we've done! Nothing, no one! No one can change what happened! The past is irreversible!" I was screaming now.
"I know, that's why I tried to stop thinking about you for a while."
"What?" His words cut into my heart like a dagger. He didn't want me in his life.
"I'm sorry, okay?" Jon was crying now; he had given up on holding it all back, which I was doing right now.
"We can't change the past," I accept his apology, no mater how much I was hurt emotionally.
"I know, I just wish we could..."
"I need to be close to you forever. We can change the future, and you can stay with me."
"But... Arin. You know I can't."
"I know," my voice became a bit more hoarse, reflecting how I was feeling.
"I could always move, once I get enough money, that is," Jon pointed out, wiping away his tears.
"You could always stay here with me. You'd definitely be close by," I fake a laugh, but ultimately break down into a sobbing pile on the floor, muttering what must've seemed like gibberish to Jon.
"I'd love to, now, Arin, shhh... You have no idea how precious you are," Jon scooped me up, holding my crying, limp body in his arms.
"Stay... Please stay. Everyone would be- everybody will be happy."
"I'll stay, on one condition."
"Anything!" I managed to sputter out.
"Give me a hug and a kiss."
"Did I hear that right?" I ask, trying ineffectively to take deep breaths, to calm down.
"Hug and kiss, Arin!" Jon smiled his usual, cheerful grin.
I hug him, holding onto him with my arms and legs. I feel myself being lifted up to his head height. I found myself excited, my heart beating wildly. I accept the kiss; Jon expected a short, nervous kiss, but no. I was pulled in deeper by Jon, but I eventually had to escape to breathe.
"Wow..." Jon sighed, as if he was in a dream. I felt the same. This couldn't be real.
"I-" I gasp while searching for the correct words, "I-"
"I love you, too, mister stutters," Jon hugged me as tightly as he could without hurting me.
"Can we go to bed now?" I beg, tired from the events of today.
"Yeah. We could snuggle," Jon suggested.
"That sounds wonderful."
