My Dorky Angel: A Michael Demiurgos Story

Three Words Till You Leave

It startled Michael when the words first came out of Arin's mouth. Not just because he didn't expect them, but because he didn't expect them to be said at such an odd time. Arin and him were cleaning up one of the escape rooms at his business one night, and it just came out of nowhere. 

"I love you." 

That was the night Michael stopped to think about how much he loved the man standing next to him. About how happy he was to say those words back. And it certainly wasn't the last time those words were said. 

The day Arin proposed, despite how nervous he was and how stupid he thought he was for asking an immortal to marry him. "I love you." 

Shortly before their wedding, with their backs turned to each other. "I love you." 

At the altar, when the angel couldn't get his vows out due his nervousness. (And his twin poking fun at him from over his shoulder.) "I love you." 

After their first truly big fight, when he thought he'd lost Arin forever. "I love you..."

The day they brought their little girl home from the adoption agency, and they watched as she cried happy tears. "I love you."

Every anniversary throughout the years. "I love you." 

After every fight or depressive episode. "I love you..."

In the hospital waiting room, when they were given the news their daughter didn't make it through the surgery. "I-I lo-ove y-y-you- *hic*" 

Squeezing each other's hands tightly at the funeral, watching their angel just barely seventeen being laid to rest. "I... love... you..." 

Every family function they attended, watching both sides share smiles and laughs with their children. Sitting beside the others in the family that had a loss. It was after Amenendial explained how Linda passed that Arin had turned to Michael, squeezing his arm like he had been for the past three years. "I love you."

Every single birthday and death anniversary, those three words were said. Every holiday. Every night before they held each other close. Every hair of Arin's that turned grey. 

The last time Michael heard those words from his husband was not a sad occasion. They both knew the end of the road was coming for the smaller man, but they also knew Michael could follow easily. He could go home, this time with the love of his life. 

So it was bittersweet tears that fell from his face when Arin's last breath whispered, 

"I love you."