You're Mine.

Time to go

THREE MONTHS AGO.

Link was absorbed staring the person sleeping next to him. The way its body raised and lowered softly to the rhythm of its breathing hypnotized him. Insomnia had taken over him again preventing him from falling asleep. Although he didn't want to admit it, he knew its causes. He had lost track of time until the first lights of sunrise filtered through the window and landed on his blue eyes. He came to and stared at the roof glancing every once in a while the blond man to his side, reflective. Suddenly his cell phone vibrated, he took it rapidly so it didn't wake his partner up.

The screen glowed on his face a few minutes. He looked once more to his side and gently caressed the forehead of the man he loved so deeply, then slowly sat on the end of the bed and trying to stay as quiet as possible he started to get dressed. He felt the sheets moving and realized the man, his best friend, had woken up.

-What are you doing?-. His friend asked him.

He didn't want to reply, he knew he wouldn't be able to lie to him, his intentions would be easily discovered, not being a good liar meant wasting time doing it with someone who knew him as well as Rhett. His voice would break as he spoke, but he had to do it no matter what. While he tied his shoe, he felt hands running through his back to land on his shoulders and there they started caressing his naked skin. His mind started tripping, he was trying so hard to maintain focused even when a sweet voice whispered in his ear.

-I gotta go-. Said Link seriously, avoiding his voice from breaking or sounding weak.

But he failed. When his voice left his mouth, all the hidden intentions of never coming back to that bed, to the arms of the man he loved, to be whom he really was, left with it. He got up at the time Rhett abruptly pulled his hands away from his soft skin and stared him right in the eyes, confused. Although that was something they always did, the way the connected, Link couldn't look him in the eyes, but he felt his stare like a knife stabbing him. He couldn't take it, if he look at him, he wouldn't be able to control the tears and he wouldn't end up in his friend's arm begging for comfort and that wasn't a possibility. He had to put an end to things even if that meant hurting himself or even worse, hurting him. One day he would thank him, that was the right thing to do, he knew it but it didn't feel like it. He took a deep breath, picked up his shirt from the floor and without lifting his gaze left the room.

Rhett's footsteps chased him while he walked towards the door as fast as he could.

-Link! Link! Wait! -.

He couldn't contained the tears that started welling from his eyes even if he wiped them continuously. He slowed down for a split of second to put on his shirt when a hand suddenly grasped tightly his forearm. This time their eyes find each other. The tension filled the room. Rhett tighten further even though Link was totally frozen. He didn't know how to react, he wasn't able to find the courage needed to face his friend, unexpectedly his cell phone rang again, his mind reacted and words came out of his mouth without noticing.

-I can't do this anymore Rhett. I'm lying to everyone, even to my wife, and you know I can't lie! The guilt is consuming me. Who do we fool saying that we stay late at work? That's the lamest more I'm-having-an-affair excuse! It's freaking sunrise Rhett, what we could possibly be working on at this hour? Tell me.

Silence. Rhett remained quiet without knowing how or what to respond.

-Even the Internet talks and fantasies about our hypothetical romantic relationship and you think that with these kind of excuses no one would suspect? I'm such and idiot, I was blinded, I should've though about what we were doing, how could I let this go this far?

Rhett let go of Link's hand slowly leaving a red mark were his hand was.

-Don't you love me? I have a wife too, I am part of the Internet as well but that doesn't keep me from choosing you above all. I don't wanna lose you because of that. – Rhett tried to sound calm but his voice betrayed him and just expressed worry.

-I do love you- Link said softly – but...

They just stared at each other in silence for a moment till he sighted and went for the door once again. Rhett run after him and close violently the door before his best friend walked out of his life. He put his arms next to his shoulders locking him up in sort of a cage, thus he wouldn't move and would force him to look at him when he talked. Rhett was so close to him that he could feel the warmth of his breathing.

-I need an explanation, you can't just go like that, you can't give up Link, after all we've accomplish together.

-I'm not giving up, this is not a matter of giving up, I'm being an adult Rhett! – Tears starting running down his face again – you were always the one caring about the rest and now you only thing about yourself when we are hurting everyone we love!

The situation was overcoming him. The rage took over him however he couldn't say if he was mad at himself for not being able to maintain the relationship he had always dreamed of or because the person he loved so deeply didn't understand that he was leaving him for his own good. He felt a hand holding his cheek gently and rising his face while wiping his tears.

-I want you Link, I chose you and I care about you. I don't care about anyone else.

Quietness reigned in the room. For a split of a second he felt good, happy and the heavy weight in his back seemed to go away but it all came back in a heartbeat. Why couldn't he be with the person que loved? Like an unrequested answer, his cellphone rang once more and this time was an incoming call. Enough. He abruptly removed Rhett's hand forced him to back off.

-My wife has been calling all morning. What am I supposed to tell her? That I spent the night with my best friend? The one that I've always deny to love despite everyone's suspicions. Does your wife believe your excuses Rhett?

Talking loudly and crossly Linked walked threatening towards Rhett making him back away. He didn't want to do that or say those things, that wasn't himself, but he left him no other choice, it was the only way to make him understand that things couldn't go on like that, they were gonna risk their relationship. Rhett was clearly surprised at his reaction and ashamed like a scolded dog walking backwards as he avoid tripping over until he felt in his back one of the room's walls.

-Tell me Rhett, do you believe that this is the right way? Lying and cheating everybody? Because I think nobody deserves what we're doing to them.

Only a few inches separated their faces. They were looking right at each other until he realized what he had just done, immediately pull away and headed the door this time with firm intention to leave but with tears in his eyes. Before closing the door behind him, he looked back at his best friend immobilized against the wall.

-Goodbye Rhett.

He closed the door slowly, regretting everything he'd done and said. He stood quietly a moment in the porch breathing in deeply the morning's cold air. He whispered to himself a promised he hoped he could keep.

-I'll come back.

He put on his t-shirt and walked to his car while he pulled out his phone to send a text message.