CHAPTER 49: LET ME IN EVEN IF YOU HATE ME..

It's raining.

Of course it is.

Because Pete's entire soul is drowning.

He's soaked, standing in front of Mek's door.

Fist hovering.

Knuckles trembling.

Then—

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Mek opens.

Eyes wide.

Heart screaming.

> "Pete—?!"

Pete's lip is bleeding — maybe from a bar fight, maybe from biting it too hard to keep from crying.

He doesn't wait.

He steps in. Slams the door shut.

And wraps his arms around Mek like he'll shatter without him.

> "You remember, don't you?"

"You've been pretending this whole time."

Mek doesn't speak.

Pete pulls back, grabs Mek's face in his palms, forehead pressed to Mek's.

His breath is ragged. Needy. Desperate.

> "I'm losing my mind, Mek. Every night, I sleep in your memories. Every morning, I wake up to a world without you."

Mek tries to turn away.

But Pete holds him tighter.

> "Don't. Don't run. Not again."

Their faces inches apart.

Pete's eyes flicker to Mek's lips.

> "Say it. Say you don't love me anymore. Lie to me, Mek. Look me in the eyes and lie."

Mek: "…Pete…"

And then Pete kisses him.

Hard.

Painful.

Raw.

Not to take.

But to remember.

To beg.

To plead.

Mek's hands push lightly against Pete's chest.

> "Stop… please."

Pete pulls back instantly. Eyes wide.

Chest heaving.

> "I—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to— I just—"

He falls to his knees.

Actually sinks to the floor.

Face buried in Mek's stomach.

> "I missed you so much, it's killing me."

Mek stands frozen.

Tears spill from Pete's eyes.

He looks up.

> "You don't have to love me.

Just… please.

Don't leave me behind."

Mek kneels with him.

Pulls Pete's face into his shoulder.

And finally… finally whispers:

> "I do love you, idiot."

Pete gasps.

Mek:

> "But love isn't enough if you don't listen."