F̶o̶r̶b̶i̶d̶d̶e̶n̶ ̶l̶o̶v̶e̶

4.

With a blink of an eye, Fourth found himself holding his hard-earned diploma, a testament to years of dedication and hard work. Despite the challenges that law school presented, Fourth's determination, intelligence, and active nature pushed him through each obstacle.
But perhaps even more rewarding than the diploma itself was the circle of friends that Fourth had gained along the way. Unlike his high school years, where he had felt isolated and alone, Fourth now found himself surrounded by a supportive group of friends who shared his interests and passions.

Among them was his current boyfriend, a tall figure with undercut black hair, tattoos, piercings, and blue eyes. Despite Fourth's insistence that he quit smoking due to his distaste for the smell, their bond remained strong.
As time passed and Fourth and Noah's relationship deepened, Fourth couldn't shake the feeling that there was something Noah wasn't telling him. Despite their close bond, there seemed to be a lingering sense of secrecy between them.

One day, as they sat together in their shared apartment, Fourth finally brought up the subject that had been weighing on his mind.

"Noah, there's something I need to ask you," Fourth began, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Noah looked up, his expression guarded as he waited for Fourth to continue.

"I can't shake this feeling that there's something you're not telling me," Fourth continued, his gaze searching Noah's face for any sign of the truth.

Noah hesitated for a moment, his eyes betraying a hint of guilt before he finally spoke. "I... I didn't tell you the whole truth about why I first approached you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Fourth's heart sank as he realized that his suspicions had been correct all along. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

Noah took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to reveal. "My parents... they wanted me to marry at a young age and give them grandchildren," he confessed, his words heavy with regret. "They pressured me to find someone who could fulfill their expectations, and... that's why I approached you."

Fourth felt a surge of pain and betrayal wash over him as he processed Noah's words. He couldn't believe that their entire relationship had been built on a lie, organized by Noah's parents' selfish desires. Despite the hurt, Fourth couldn't bring himself to hate Noah. He knew that Noah had been trapped in a difficult situation, torn between his family's expectations and his desires.

As Fourth processed Noah's confession, a mix of emotions washed over him. Despite the hurt of Noah's initial deception, he couldn't ignore the overwhelming love he felt for him at that moment.
"Even though your parents wanted something else for you, you chose me," Fourth said softly, his voice filled with emotion. "You chose to love me, despite their expectations."

Noah nodded, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I love you, Fourth," he said, his voice unwavering. "And I don't care about what my parents want anymore. All I care about is us."

Tears welled up in Fourth's eyes as he reached out and took Noah's hand in his own. "I love you too, Noah," he replied, his voice choked with emotion. "I don't need anyone else's approval. All I need is you."

And so, with their hearts full of love and determination, Fourth and Noah decided to take the next step in their relationship. They would get engaged, not with their parents' consent, but with the unwavering support and love they found in each other.

As the months passed and Fourth and Noah's marriage progressed, Fourth couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Noah's behavior began to change, becoming increasingly unpredictable and tense. He would often come home late, reeking of alcohol, and would lash out at Fourth over the smallest of things.
At first, Fourth tried to brush off Noah's behavior, chalking it up to stress or temporary issues. But as Noah's drinking worsened and his temper became more unpredictable, Fourth couldn't ignore the signs any longer.
One night, after Noah had come home particularly drunk and angry, he lashed out at Fourth, throwing insults and accusations with reckless abandon. In his drunken rage, Noah's blows landed harder than ever before, leaving Fourth battered and bruised.