Work Text:
“Let’s break up.” Morpheus says as he drinks his tea. Hob was abruptly put to a stop from talking for he didn’t know if what he heard was truly right. So he gathered his courage and asked the man again, “What?” Morpheus puts down his now empty cup and faces him.
“I said,” Morpheus begins, “Let’s break up.”
It has been approximately three years since he had last seen Morpheus. Why was he even still thinking about him? Hob slapped his cheek, gaining a few concerned looks from the bystanders as he waves them off politely. He made his way back to his flat but stopped by first at the mailboxes to check for mails.
He opens his mailbox and sees a black envelope slide down with a waxed seal. Hob picks it up from the floor and there it reads: To Robert Gadling. Hob flipped the envelope to the other side but there was no name of its sender. He tucks the envelope into his pocket and locks his mailbox. Hob made his way to his flat and unlocked the door, closing it immediately as soon as he got in.
He untied his shoes, leaving them near the doorway as he made his way to the kitchen. He took the envelope from his pocket and placed it into the island as he started to whip a simple salad.
After he was done, he took a bottle of wine and poured himself a glassful. Hob took his salad and transferred it into a plate. As he placed the plate down into the dining table, Hob noticed the black envelope resting on the kitchen island. He makes his way to the island and takes the envelope back to the dining table with him.
He sits down on one of the chairs and uses a knife to open the envelope. The envelope opened and from it came a letter written in ink. Hob took a bite of his salad and drank some of his wine before inspecting the envelope closer.
Upon closer inspection he notices the initials, M. E. on the wax seal. Hob groans to himself. What could his ex from years ago possibly ever want with him? He takes another bite of his salad and a sip of his wine as he unfolded the letter that came from the envelope.
Dear Hob Gadling,
Hob almost spat his salad. This is very awkward and it made Hob wince with embarrassment. He takes a deep breath and another sip of his wine before continuing reading.
Dear Hob Gadling,
I hope this letter finds you in good condition. If you are reading this then I take it that the letter has reached you in perfect condition. Nonetheless, I would like to extend my sincerest apologies of what happened that day. It was not an easy decision but I am sure that it has quite benefitted you.
Hob felt like throwing up. What did he mean by benefit? When his heart got broken that day did he mean it was a benefit? Hob rolled his eyes, taking another bite of the salad and a sip of his wine. He rubs his eyes before continuing on reading.
As you may not know, I was diagnosed with a disease long before we met. It was when I was 7, I was diagnosed with an illness that would kill me before reaching 10. My parents, especially my mother, were saddened with this news. So ever since that day, I underwent countless therapeutic means in order to prolong my life.
When I reached the age of 10, the day after my birthday, the doctors had confirmed that there was a miracle. And that miracle was that my illness was gone, and I am well and free. It was joyous news for both my parents and siblings alike. They threw a huge party for me that day, and even till to this day it was one of my most pleasant memories.
Hob stopped for a while. He finished his salad and drank all of his wine because he could not believe the audacity of that man to send him a fucking letter and tell him his fucking life story. He had no business in continuing this but there was something telling him to read the letter. So he refilled his wine glass and resumed his reading.
Ever since that day, I have lived my life as a normal person. No longer fearing that I may die at any moment. Fast forward to when I first met you, I was 24 and you were 25. We met at that pub near the University you taught. You were a professor while I was an author. I overheard the topic of your conversation and found your opinion to be interesting, so I approached you because I was feeling curious as to why you had that opinion.
We started as acquaintances that slowly turned into friendship. One thing I never did know was that this friendship would develop to something even more.
When you first confessed to me, I never thought it was real or genuine. Given that no one has really said ‘I love you’ to me, other than my family. So I didn’t know how to react, but you never did pressure me. In fact, you gave me time and understood me. And for that, I am truly and eternally grateful for that.
Hob felt his heart ache as he was reading this part. If Morpheus really did love him as much as he says here, so why…Why did he break up with him and sever his contacts with Hob? He puts that thought aside as he continues to read the contents of the letter.
After we had started dating, I received tragic news from my doctors that my illness has started to act up again. I was heartbroken with this fact because I knew that I won’t see a future together if my sickness were to come back. As our dates progressed, my illness grew stronger and harder to ignore. My older sister even recommended that I should go back to the hospital to be treated but I refused.
I refuse to burden you with such facts because I love you. I love you so much that I never want you to worry. I know that this illness of mine would consume me even before I reach 30. So before my final moments would come, I decided to spend them all with you.
It was a miracle how I managed to live for five more years before the doctors finally told me I had days left. I told them to keep this a secret, from my parents down to my siblings and even to people I knew. So they obliged.
I thought hard about this decision of mine. I know it would cause you pain but I know it is only for a short while and I am sure that you’ll find someone better than me. That’s why when that day came, I told you that we should break up. It pained me to see the expression you had that day, but I knew I had to do this. So that you’ll be spared from the pain. For you this might be a selfish act, but for me, this is mercy. I do hope you will understand why I did this.
Hob could not believe what he was reading. He rubbed his eyes and again and again as tears started to form. He tries to stop them but it just won’t as his eyes trail down to the next paragraph, his tears start to fall freely from his face.
Do not blame yourself for this, Hob Gadling. You are an excellent man and you are strong. I am sure that you will get through this. I just so wished that we had more time together to travel the world and see the sights we always wanted to see. But my time has reached its end. My time with you will always be one of my most treasured memories. From every little thing we used to do to the big things, I will always hold those precious memories dearly in my heart. It was enchanting to have met you.
Yours always,
Morpheus.
He could no longer stop the tears falling. Hob clutched the letter in his hand and brought it closer to his heart. It turned out that Morpheus did not hate him. Not even one bit. He spent all these years thinking how Morpheus must have resented him, that's why he went away. But the truth was, he was dying and to spare Hob from the pain, he broke up with him and went abroad and never came back.
Hob stared at the wine glass in front of him with wine still inside. He took it and drank it in one gulp. As soon as he finished his drink he noticed another paper folded and tucked away on the envelope. He takes it out and sees a picture… it was the both of them, together.
Him and Morpheus. Sitting on their usual spot at the pub, smiling at the camera.
He brings the picture closer to his chest as he mutters, “I was enchanted to meet you too.”