5. the truth #3
As Aaron sits and talks with his friends, he realises that he wants even something petty like this.
He wants Rion to be jealous of seeing him with someone else, too, and he wants to be able to freely feel the same about him.
This brings a horrible thought to Aaron’s mind: is Rion seeing other people?
The thought makes his heart sink. No right?
If he was seeing someone else, then he would not have introduced Aaron to his colleagues.
No, Riko said that Rion told her that he was seeing someone. That has to mean something, right?
This is frustrating, and Aaron wants to see Rion as soon as possible.
*
Aaron goes to visit Rion at his house that evening.
He is dressed casually, as if he’s going on a regular date, and as if he’s not dying of nervousness.
He cannot believe that he is actually thinking about doing this, confessing his feelings and potentially messing up his and Rion’s relationship.
Still, he does not want to wallow in misery anymore.
For so long, he has lived his life with infinite regrets, but now he wants to go after what he wants.
"Hey," Aaron says with a smile when he finds Rion waiting for him at the door. It is the first time he’s seen Rion in this state of just chilling at home in jeans and a t-shirt, and damn, he looks good in everything. He hugs him instantly; it has only been a day since he saw him, but already he’s been missing him terribly.
"Hey, come on in," Rion says with a stiff smile after kissing him on the forehead. "I thought we could have a cosy date inside today, so I ordered food, and you can pick any movie you want, okay?"
Aaron nods and follows him inside. For some reason, he thinks that Rion seems kind of anxious about something, and Aaron can’t figure out what it is.
Rion gives Aaron the pizza that he’d ordered and a beer, while Aaron tries to decide what kind of movie they should watch together.
He bites into the pizza as he scrolls through the titles of movies on Rion’s wide-screen TV, unsure if he should choose an action movie or if a romance movie would be best, to ease them in the direction Aaron wants to go.
In the end, Aaron picks a movie called Me Before You, since it seems romantic enough.
Rion turns off the lights in the sitting room, lighting some colourful candles around the room, giving it a cosy, romantic feel.
He brings a blanket, and the two of them cuddle on the sofa to watch the movie.
Hopefully, Aaron thinks, and he sits next to Rion, the movie will put him in a romantic mood, and he will be more receptive to his feelings.
Boy, is he wrong.
By the time the movie ends, Aaron is being held in Rion’s arms, eyes wet, and having run through so many tissues. He cries into Rion’s chest as he tries to get his bearings back. What a sad movie.
"So why’d you choose this movie if it was going to upset you so much?" Rion asks gently, handing him another tissue.
"I…I thought it would have a happy ending!
" He wipes his tears and then finally detaches himself from Rion.
Aargh, why did this movie have to end like that?
Now he is once more reminded of what his father did to him, his mother and his brother.
This is just great; his plan is completely ruined.
His eyes are red, and he pouts. How is he supposed to confess his feelings looking like this?
Whatever, he will just go for it. "Rion," he says seriously, looking him in the eye. "There’s something I have to tell you. When I met with Riko today, she and I spoke about you. I realised something, and-"
In the dim light of the candles, Aaron can’t see Rion’s face all that well, but he feels Rion tense next to him, and then he stands up abruptly. "Let’s talk about that later. I have something that will cheer you up. I got you a gift," he says, holding out his hand.
A gift? Wait, why is Rion cutting him off at such an important time? But a gift does sound nice. Okay, Aaron will take the gift and then confess his feelings. He takes Rion’s hand.
"Close your eyes, and follow me," Rion says. Aaron does as he is told, holding Rion’s hand and following him blindly. They walk for a bit, and he thinks that they might be outside, but then they walk some more, and they are back inside.
Rion’s hand tightens on Aaron’s, and he says, "We’re here. Open your eyes, love."
So Aaron does. Then his face goes completely white when he sees the gift from Rion. His mouth is agape and his eyes are fully open in both shock and astonishment. They are in the garage, and in front of him, with a bow tied at its front, is a beautiful fucking McLaren Coupe.
"What the hell, Rion?" Aaron gasps, looking at the beautiful sleek exterior of the luxury car.
Rion is still holding his hand, and it feels sweaty in his.
"If you don’t like the colour, I can get you a different one.
So, listen, there’s still a lot I can do for you.
I know that you and Riko are friends, and you have to consider it if she told you to end things with me, but there’s still so much that I can do for you.
You still need me, right?" There is a panicked anxiety in the grey eyes that look up at Aaron, and a desperation in that voice.
Aaron can’t understand it. "Rion, I can’t accept this. You don’t even drive a McLaren. If you want to buy me a car, get me a Kia or something," he says gently.
Rion looks down, then lets go of Aaron’s hand. He sighs and walks over to sit on the front, on top of the car’s bonnet. "It’s too much, isn’t it?" he asks, looking down.
"Yes," Aaron says, following him again. He doesn’t understand why Rion is acting like this. "Riko didn’t tell me to leave you."
"No?" Rion looks up at him hopefully.
"No."
"Oh, she’s very overprotective sometimes, so I was worried… I don’t want to lose you, Aaron," Rion says, face still anxious. "I like what we have."
It makes Aaron's heart beat faster, hearing Rion say that, and damn, he wants to hear him say it even more. At that moment, Aaron makes his decision. He stands between Rion’s legs, as he sits nonchalantly on top of the bonnet of that very expensive car, and speaks. "I don’t like what we have."
Rion’s eyes go wide, and he once more looks like he’s been dumped, but Aaron continues talking.
"Yes, this is great, and being with you like this is freeing, but I want more, Rion. Ever since my dad took his own life, I have shouldered so much responsibility. But you let me be free, you hold me, you take away all of my control, and you take care of me, always. I don’t want to be just your sugar baby anymore. "
There is confusion and uncertainty on Rion’s face as Aaron says those words. "What are you saying, Aaron?"
Aaron takes a deep breath, and then he takes both of Rion’s hands in his and bites his lip, looking down at him. "I want you to be mine, Rion. I’m in love with you."