Work Text:
The finest commander / That the world had ever known / He died of a broken heart / 'Cause I told him that I loved you more
Heat prickled up the back of his neck, stomach threatening to turn inside out, as Noel took a deep breath. It was time to tell the truth. Ok, maybe not the actual truth. Not even the truth that he wished was the truth. But, the truth that had to be, because the actual God's honest truth gnawed at his guts and threatened to rip him apart.
just breathe just breathe just breathe
He let out a puff of air ... set his jaw ... clinched his fist open and closed ... let his vision go slightly out of focus .... Getting into character.
Their eyes locked.
"Because I-I love her more than you."
He quickly darted his eyes away.
Liam blinked, shaking his head rapidly.
"Nah, nah. More of your fucking lies."
"'s true."
A sharp shove against the side of his head.
"I'm in here, man. You know what I mean? Can't fucking lie to me. I know."
"You don't know shit. I lie to you all the fucking time."
"Exactly. Fucking exactly. Lying fucking ... liar."
Noel swallowed. An ache in his heart so great he wanted to claw it from his chest.
His eyes found Liam's again.
"Yeah? Maybe I didn't mean- Maybe I were lying every time I, uh, every time I-I told you that I loved you."
Pain exploded across his face. Stumbling backwards before he'd even realised Liam had struck him. Wiping tears from his eyes, he steadied himself. He wasn't in the mood to have a go, but would if that's what Liam wanted. Fight it out. Inevitably make up. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Instead, he was surprised to find that Liam had the decency to look horrified. No, not horrified. Heartbroken. Devastated.
"Noely, I-"
Noel slapped away the hand that reached out for him.
"I love you, Liam. Don't ever fucking forget that. But, I .... I love her more. And-and, so this thing has to stop. Now. Today."
The muscles in Liam's face twitched.
run flee leave go go go
Violence he could handle. Fight back or fuck off. But, if tears spilled down that pretty face, he was done for.
He closed his eyes before he turned - walking away as quickly as his wee feet would carry him. Flushed, nauseated, light-headed.
He told himself he was doing the right thing. The right thing for everyone.
and yet
His soul - their soul - felt like it was dying.