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Elior stood on the balcony, the cold breeze running through his hair as the golden hue of the evening sun brushed against his skin. The city lights below blinked to life slowly, one by one, as if the world outside had no idea of the storm quietly settling inside him. His hands rested on the railing, gripping it gently, like he needed something to ground him before he flew away both literally and metaphorically.

Behind him, the sliding glass door opened quietly. Zayn stepped out, his presence silent but felt.

"Are you okay?" Zayn’s voice was gentle, cautious, as if afraid his words might cause the other man to shatter.

Elior didn’t look back, just nodded once. “Hmm... I’m okay.”

There was a pause. The kind that stretches between two people who used to mean everything to each other, and now... didn’t know what they meant anymore.

“I’m going tomorrow,” Elior finally said, his voice soft but clear.

Zayn inhaled sharply, like he had been waiting for those words dreading them and expecting them all at once.

Elior said managing a small smile. “I’m happy for you. I think Alex is... a really nice guy.”

Zayn turned his head slightly, enough to catch Elior's eyes. “You think so?”

Elior nodded. “Yeah.he looks at you like you’re the only person in the world who exists.”

A small laugh escaped zayn’s lips, the kind of laugh people use to hide the ache in their chest.

“You know, Zayn... I don’t even know if I ever loved you.”

Zayn blinked, stunned but he didn’t speak. He waited.

“Back then... at first, it was all for revenge,” Elior continued, his eyes returning to the horizon. “And later... it was about Ari. You know that. You’ve always known that.”

It was a lie a pure lie.

Zayn’s throat tightened. “I was just thinking the same thing, actually. Whether you ever loved me or not.”

Elior gave a bitter smile. “And do you know what answer I got?”

Zayn slowly shook his head.

“I don’t think I ever did. Not truly,” Elior said, his voice quiet but sure. “There was affection, yes. But love? No. Not the kind that makes your chest burn or makes you believe in something bigger than yourself.”

Zayn looked down at his hands, then said calmly, “I figured that out a long time ago. I think... you felt guilty. About everything. My condition. Ari. The lies. And you tried to fix it by staying, by pretending.”

Elior turned to face him fully now, guilt written all over his face. “I’m sorry, Zayn. For everything. For staying when I shouldn't have. For pretending. For not loving you the way you deserved.”

Zayn’s lips quivered as he looked at him. “I already forgave you... long ago.”

One tear escaped the corner of Zayn’s eye, sliding down his cheek. Elior, watching him, felt the burn in his own throat. Another tear followed. And before either of them could stop themselves, Elior walked over and hugged him.

It was the kind of hug that didn’t hold romance anymore only grief, regret, and quiet forgiveness.

Zayn clung to him tightly, shoulders trembling. “I hate you... I hate you...” he sobbed, over and over, voice breaking.

Elior buried his face into Zayn’s shoulder and whispered, “You can hate me as much as you want... I’ll take it.”

They stood there for a long while, embracing under the dimming sky as the wind rustled softly around them, carrying away the broken pieces of what they once had.

When Zayn finally pulled away, his face was red and wet. “You’re not staying for the wedding?”

Elior hesitated. “No,” he said quietly. “But... I’ll try to make it for the important part.”

Zayn nodded slowly, his heart already knowing the answer before he heard it. “Okay.”

They both sat on the small wooden bench on the balcony, shoulder to shoulder, staring into the fading sky.

"Do you remember the time when you was going to break someone's head" Elior said.

Zayn laughed through the leftover tears. “I was such a dramatic idiot.”

Elior grinned. “You still are.”

“Not as much as you,” Zayn retorted, nudging him.

There was a pause.

“Do you regret it?” Zayn asked suddenly. “Any of it? Us?”

Elior took his time before answering. “No. I regret hurting you. But I don’t regret the time. Even if it was complicated. Even if it wasn’t love... you were a part of my life that changed me. And... you gave me a chance to grow up.”

“I hope Alex loves you better than I ever could.”Elior said.

Zayn said softly, his  “And I hope... you find someone who truly loves you. Wholly.”

Elior sighed, leaning his head against the back wall. “It’ll take time.”

They sat there for an hour, talking about the past, about Ari’s first steps, their weirdest fights, and the time Zayn accidentally set the curtains on fire while trying to surprise Elior with candles.

It was easy, bittersweet, like flipping through a photo album of a life they both knew was over.

Finally, the sky turned deep blue. The stars came out, and the world quieted down.

Elior stood, brushing off his jeans. “I should go pack. Early flight.”

Zayn stood with him. “Yeah... okay.”

They stared at each other for a long moment.

“Take care of him,” Elior said. “Ari. He’s going to need you. And I trust you with him more than anyone.”

“I know,” Zayn whispered. “I’ll protect him with everything I’ve got.”

---

AT THE AIRPORT

“Uncle, when will you come back?” Ari asked softly, his small fingers clutching Elior’s hand tightly.

Elior bent down, scooping the little boy into his arms and holding him close. His arms wrapped protectively around Ari’s tiny frame, and he gave a soft smile despite the ache in his heart. “Very soon, baby. But don’t worry, okay? I’ll call you every day.”

Ari blinked at him, his big eyes shimmering. “Every day?” he asked again, seeking reassurance in his innocent voice.

“Every single day,” Elior promised, gently touching his forehead to Ari’s.

Ari wrapped his arms around Elior’s neck and hugged him tightly. “I’m going to miss you so much, uncle,” he whispered.

Elior’s chest tightened. He kissed Ari’s cheeks, lingering a second longer than usual. “I’m going to miss you too, champ.”

With great difficulty, he set Ari back down on the floor and ruffled his hair. The boy held onto his finger for a moment longer before letting go.

Elior turned toward Alex and extended his hand. “Take care of him,” he said, nodding slightly toward Zayn, who stood just a few steps behind.

Alex took his hand firmly, locking eyes with him. “I will. I promise.”

Elior gave a faint, approving nod and then turned to Zayn. He took a slow breath, trying to hide the emotion in his voice. “Goodbye, Zayn,” he said quietly. “I hope you find all the happiness in life you’ve been searching for.”

Zayn’s lips trembled slightly, but he nodded, his voice too choked to respond properly. Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Elior in a soft but emotional hug. He closed his eyes and whispered, “Bye, Elior.”

“Bye, Zayn,” Elior replied gently, pulling back.

The moment Elior turned away and began walking toward cheackin point Zayn’s carefully held tears slipped past his eyes. He didn’t make a sound at first just watched as Elior’s figure disappeared through the entrance, his chest rising and falling too quickly with every breath.

The moment he entered the door his body gave up trying to stay composed.

Zayn broke.

A sob tore from his throat as he collapsed forward into Alex’s chest, and Alex caught him instantly, pulling him close with arms that offered safety and warmth. “It’s okay… it’s okay, I’m right here,” Alex murmured, running his hand through Zayn’s soft hair, letting him cry, holding him tight as though he could protect him from every pain in the world.

Zayn buried his face deeper into Alex’s shirt, soaking it with tears. “It hurts,” he mumbled between hiccups.

Alex gently rocked him side to side like he would a child, pressing soft kisses to the top of his head. “Because you loved him,” he said. “And love doesn’t leave within a second.”

Ari, who had been standing quietly. walked up slowly, his tiny hand reaching up to tug at Alex’s shirt. His eyes were wide with worry. “Are you both crying?” he asked, voice trembling.

Alex and Zayn turned toward him at the same time, both blinking through tears.

“If you two cry, I’ll cry too,” Ari said earnestly.

That somehow made Zayn laugh through his sobs, his voice cracking as he tried to hold himself together. Alex smiled gently, wiping the tears from Zayn’s cheeks with his thumb.

“You hear that?” Alex whispered to Zayn. “We can’t have all three of us crying, now can we?”

Zayn nodded weakly.

Alex bent down and picked Ari up in his arms. The child instantly wrapped his arms around Alex’s neck, snuggling into the comfort he always found there. Zayn moved closer and rested his head gently on Alex’s shoulder, side-hugging him as though anchoring himself.

Zayn’s gaze shifted toward the entrance where Elior had just disappeared.

Alex followed Zayn’s gaze and tightened his hold on him. “Let it all out today,” he said gently, his voice filled with warmth and firmness. “Cry as much as you want. Let the pain burn through. But after today, I won’t let a single tear escape from those eyes again.”

Zayn’s eyes met his, surprised by the quiet intensity in Alex’s tone.

“Because if you cry like this tomorrow, I’ll cry too,” Alex said with a sad smile. “And trust me, I’m a very ugly crier.”

Zayn let out a small laugh, rubbing his eyes. “You’re stupid.”

“And you’re beautiful, even when you’re crying,” Alex replied.

There was a long pause before Zayn’s voice returned, barely a whisper, “Thank you… for being here.”

“I’ll always be here,” Alex replied simply.

Ari looked between the two and smiled as he reached one little hand out toward Zayn. “I’m here too,” he said proudly.

Zayn leaned in and kissed Ari’s forehead. “Thank you, my little sunshine.”

Then he hugged Alex watching Elior disappear through the gate.

The man he had loved.

The man who gave him a son.

And the man he was finally letting go.

---

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