Work Text:
Gulf glared at the front door as it slammed shut, rattling the pictures on a nearby shelf. He gritted his teeth against the feelings trying to swallow him up. He drew in a shaky breath through his nose, attempting to force calm. But then his eyes drifted down to the frame that had fallen to the floor, cracking the glass. It was a photo of them, nearly a year ago when they had finally taken the leap to begin dating.
His nose flared and his eyes blurred with tears, no longer able to see their beloved picture on the floor. He couldn’t believe Mew had just walked out, that he had really left him. They were supposed to be together forever. Gulf just didn’t understand. He didn’t know what he had done that was so wrong. It wasn’t his fault that his coworker had a crush on him. It wasn’t his fault that the woman had tried seducing him. He had rejected her numerous times. He had even told her that he had a lover already. He had been blunt to the point of rudeness because he didn’t want her advances. But she hadn’t cared. And now the man he loved had just walked out on him, abandoning him.
Gulf covered his face as the sobs began, ripping out of his chest with a force that shook his entire body and left him crumpled on the floor. How could his Mew leave him? How could this be it? When he hadn’t even done anything wrong! He had even been honest and told Mew about the woman throwing herself at him and how uncomfortable it was for him because she was his senior. Mew wouldn’t even have known about it if Gulf hadn’t been that upfront with him. Mew had always said communication was important, that Gulf could tell him anything, that as long as they could talk about it, they could work it out. Gulf had believed him, he had trusted him. And the result? He accused Gulf of not being assertive enough, suggested that it was because he secretly liked her too. How could Gulf want anyone else when he had Mew!?
He had always thought people were being dramatic when they talked about heartache being a physical pain. He was so wrong, his chest hurt, like his heart was literally breaking in half. He didn’t deserve this! How could Mew do this to him? How could he care so little? How could he give up so easily? Was Mew the one that was actually interested in someone else, had this just been an excuse? Would he truly not come back? Was Gulf really alone now?
He could barely breathe through the tears and pain. Why was this happening? He didn’t want this! He wanted Mew! He wanted his arms to hold him and tell him it was all a mistake, that he would never leave Gulf, that they’d be together for the rest of their lives. He wanted it so badly, he could feel those phantom arms wrap around him. Feel the warm body pressed to his, firm and strong, but loving and kind. Hands stroked his hair, words of apology whispered into his ear. Tears sliding freely to join Gulf’s. Fingers gently stroked his cheeks, wiping away the tears, cupping Gulf’s cheeks, and urging him to look up.
“I’m sorry, Baby. I’m so sorry,” Mew apologized, agonized eyes meeting Gulf’s. “I shouldn’t have walked out like that. I just needed air. But I shouldn’t have done that. I should’ve at least explained. I should’ve said I was just walking up to the roof and back. I’m so sorry, Sweetheart. I wasn’t leaving you, I swear. Please forgive me, please.”
“Phi?” Gulf gasped through the tears, hardly believing his eyes and ears. “My phi?”
“I’m here, Baby. I’m so sorry.”
“You’re not leaving me?”
“I’m not leaving you. I’ll never leave you. I love you.” Mew promised.
Gulf blinked at him for a moment, still not sure he was really back, then threw himself into his arms. He squeezed Mew as tight as he could, burying his face in his neck. “I don’t want anyone else, Phi. It’s only you. It’s only ever been you.”
“I know,” Mew said softly, kissing his lover’s temple. “I know that. I’m just an insecure idiot. I saw her post and freaked out.”
“Post?”
“She posted a pic of you napping. She was so close, her face right next to yours. I know you were asleep, it’s not your fault. I was just so jealous I couldn’t stand it. And then you came home and told me how she had tried to kiss you and I couldn’t take it. My brain just went crazy and I started thinking all of these awful things about how she’s so pretty and closer to your age and female and I-”
“But none of that matters, Phi.”
“I know.” He sighed. “I know, but sometimes my brain just doesn’t listen to my heart.”
Gulf nodded, he knew that. He had seen it happen in other circumstances, ones that didn’t even involve him. Mew could be too logical for his own good when he was in a dark place. He tucked Mew’s face into his neck and stroked his hair, letting him feel the love that he had for him.
They held each other for a long time, long after their knees were burning and the tears had finally dried. Gulf took a deep breath and pressed a kiss to his lover’s cheek.
“This can’t happen again, Phi. You can be mad, we can fight, but can’t walk out like that again. I thought you were really gone. I thought you were ending us. That...I was breaking, Phi. It cannot happen again.”
“It won’t. I promise. If I need a break to make my brain shut up, I’ll tell you. I’ll... I can just go to the balcony. I’ll work it out, but here with you. In our home.”
“Together.”
Mew nodded. “Together.”