#someone owe's g a drink ijs

[loveandleases]

G's version of this post.

"Hey boss. Listen, I know you've been sitting here all damn day. But you really, really want to come see this."

More like all night and day – not that G bothers to correct them. No one needs to know they’ve been toiling away the hours, trying to ignore what today is. Not that the ache in their chest lets them forget.

Maybe that’s for the better. Means they aren’t devoid of emotion, unlike some people they much prefer not to think about.

"Boss!" Ara yells again, louder this time.

"I'm coming!" G snaps back.

Their parents always warned them against hiring childhood friends, but honestly, it was nice having people around whom they could trust.

They’re half-tempted to grab their coat to look the part, but the weight pressing on their shoulders is already unbearable. Instead, they settle for a half-smile as they head into the lobby.

G reaches for their cup of tea resting on the receptionist’s desk, fingers curling around it. Their eyes flick to Ara, standing with an imperceptible smile on their face and G follows their gaze.

The moment their eyes land on you, their fingers go slack. The cup slips from their grasp. Porcelain shatters against the floor, the green tea seeping into the cracks between the marbled tiles.

The sound pulls your attention.

You. Here.

There's a sharp throb in their skull, a twisting in their gut. Nausea creeps up their throat. They tried so hard not to think about today, about you and...

Here you are.

Looking the same as you did then. Except this time, you’re wearing your wedding attire.

The realization feels like they’ve been punched, the air escaping their lungs. You’re wearing that, standing in their clinic, looking at them.

G quickly glances at Ara and Kai, motioning for them to make themselves scarce.

“But – “ Ara starts, only for Kai to wrap an arm around his fiancé and steer him toward a nearby door.

Ara grumbles under his breath, glaring as he’s pulled away. “You really need to get that stick out of your ass, G.”

Kai sighs, covering Ara’s mouth with his hand. “Please don’t start, and stop being so nosy.” 

The door clicks shut behind them.

Then silence. Just the two of you.

You, very overdressed.

G stands in a puddle of tea, pretending their hands aren’t shaking. That their eyes don’t sting. That their heart isn’t trying to claw its way out of their chest.

They crouch, moving to clean up the mess. You move too, reaching for a shard – only for G’s hand to wrap around your wrist, stopping you.

“You shouldn’t,” they murmur. Their grip tightens slightly, thumb brushing against your pulse. “You don’t want to cut your hand before… your wedding.”

“I-“

“I’m not sure if you were aware,” G interrupts, their voice unusually tight, “but we’re closing early today.”

They press paper towels against the spill, mopping up the liquid before carefully picking up the broken pieces. “So, unless you have an animal somewhere I need to-“

“I’m not getting married.”

G stills.

“What-shit!” They hiss a sharp sting along their finger. Blood begins to bead up.

“I’ll get some-“

“No.” G’s voice is firmer this time as they place a hand on your elbow.

“You’re kind of bleeding all over yourself right now. Let me-“

“No.”

Your gaze flickers from their hand on your arm to the slow drip of blood trailing down their skin. “You dislike me so much you don’t even want my help?”

“I- that’s not-“ G exhales sharply, their gaze hardening as their shoulders rise and fall. “Stop changing the subject.”

“When did I-“

“You’re not getting married. That’s what you said.”

You nod, gaze dropping as you use your sleeve to try and stem the bleeding. “That’s what I said.”

“Why?”

You shrug. “I… you weren’t there.”

G shakes their head, fingers tugging at the bloodstained fabric of your clothes as if needing proof this moment is real. “Why… why are you here?” Their voice wavers. “You’re supposed to be getting married, going on your honeymoon with Chris. But you’re not. You’re here. In my clinic. With me.” The words sound more like they’re speaking to themselves, trying to make sense of it.

You don’t think when you reach for them, fingertips brushing their cheek.

G flinches, but they don’t pull away. Their breath is unsteady, eyes flickering from yours to anywhere else. “Why?” they whisper, voice cracked.

“Because I couldn’t spend my life with Chris.” You inhale sharply. “I was standing there, saying my vows, and… I couldn’t. I couldn’t promise Chris forever.”

G releases a shaky breath. Their hand, bloodied and trembling, presses against your waist like they need something to hold onto.

“I-I didn’t want to promise Chris forever,” you continue, your voice softer now as they inch closer. “Not when I had already promised my forever to you.”

Their eyes widen, their mouth parting as a broken sound escapes them.

When they do finally speak, their voice is barely audible.

“What you’re saying… if I’m not utterly exhausted and having some weird dream… is that you’re not marrying Chris because of me?”

Your hands tighten into fists at your sides, forcing yourself to swallow. “I’m not marrying Chris because I love you.”

A breath. A pause. Then –

“I never stopped. Not then, not now. I’ve always loved-“

No matter how many things have changed, some remain the same. The way G stares at you, the color of their eyes nearly swallowed up by their pupils. The way they shift your head, just a fraction. The look on their face, right before they kiss you. Just like they did then, just like that night before everything changed.

They kiss you like they’re drowning, like if they let go, they’ll sink beneath the weight of everything left unsaid. A single tear slips from their cheek to yours, their shoulders shaking as a quiet sob escapes them.

Their breath is warm against your skin when they whisper, voice raw and unsteady—

"I never stopped either."