He is Enchanted

When He Collapses With The World

But unfortunately, there was nothing Ethan could do but stare blankly at the crumbling world in front of him. 

Isn't it like this? It's confusing. All the problems, in the end, can only be silent, as if staring at a tangled thread. 

"You want to go home?"

There is a feeling of anger mixed with sadness, disapproval, doubt.

Ethan could have given him something much better than what she had given him.

"Guys."

Everyone could see Ethan's shaking back. Dante, beside him, put his hand on Ethan's shoulder.

Why is all this happening?

Why is she having an affair?

What's wrong with Roman? He was so perfect, and Ethan, who had only felt his presence in his life in a few days, knew it.

Ethan lifted his head, tears welling up in his eyes. He turned his gaze towards Soren.

Before finally, Ethan fell into his arms.

Everyone fell silent, letting the joyful sound of music fill the void between them.

***

"I'll be home then. Is it okay, Ethan?"

Duke got up from his chair while Ethan, leaning his head on Dante's shoulder, just nodded his head weakly.

When the Duke got up, Ethan could now see Mrs. drunken Pearson; her face was red, her laughter was loud, she looked different.

She looks more unrestrained; she seems like herself.

A young girl who is not bound by anything.

But what Ethan saw next made him sit up straight, made the Duke stop in his tracks, while the others turned their gazes to Mrs. Pearson.

A man who kissed her earlier now wrapped his arms around Mrs. Pearson.

Ethan and the others knew that this stranger would do something terrible to Mrs. Drunk Pearson from the look on the man's face.

The man slowly dragged Mrs. Pearson moved away from his desk.

Ethan got up; he tried to approach them.

But Ethan's steps stopped when someone held his hand, Ethan turned his gaze, and he smiled when he found Soren there.

"What do you want to do?"

"Help him."

Soren shook his head, then slowly he pulled Ethan's arm, but Ethan held it firmly.

"He-he's the person Mr. Pearson loves; surely that annoying old man wouldn't want anything bad to happen to him."

"But that's none of your business. Why did you have to do it? Leave it alone; it's his own fault."

Ethan gently tugged on Soren's arm. At first, Soren held him back, but when Soren looked him straight in the eye, Soren gave up and immediately let go of his hand.

"Because I love him, I love Mr. Pearson. So I have to help him."

Ethan took a deep breath, then he took vast strides and caught up with Mrs. Pearson and the stranger. Ethan immediately grabbed Mrs. Pearson, making Mrs. Pearson stop walking as the stranger looked back.

Ethan was greeted by the sly smile of the stranger in front of him.

"Hello, nice to meet you," said the old man, with a smug face.

Ethan found it strange because he didn't seem surprised to see Ethan; he didn't even loosen his grip on Mrs. Pearson. 

Behind him, Ethan could hear the calls of his friend Mrs. Pearson. Ethan was even more confused because they were exclaiming as they enjoyed what was happening before them.

A foreign man who was a few years older than Ethan bowed his head. "Egbert seamus," he said.

Then Egbert thrust his free right arm in front of Ethan. While Ethan looked at Egbert, his gaze drifted to his stern face, then back to his hands.

He kept doing it until it made Egbert laugh.

Honestly, if not in a situation like this. Ethan would have complimented the way Egbert laughed; it was an absolute pleasure, his deep voice sounded very friendly.

"First time being a cougar hunter?"

Ethan didn't know what the old man meant, but whatever it was, Ethan had a strong feeling that the term must have a negative meaning, so Ethan spontaneously shook his head.

The laughter that seemed to have magical powers was heard again by Ethan.

"So mate, listen to your big brother. I know you've felt angry seeing her with anyone else, but this is life, man, have fun! Don't worry too much about it."

Ethan glanced sharply at Egbert's hand, lightly tapping his shoulder as he pulled Mrs. Pearson towards him.

Egbert smiled. Ethan thought he would pull Mrs. Pearson toward him. Ethan had even tightened his grip on Mrs. Pearson and strengthened his footing.

But unexpectedly, Egbert pulled Ethan closer to him. He even brought his lips to Ethan's ear. He was a few inches taller than Ethan, so he had to look down.

"I don't mind sharing her with you."

His breath hitched. Ethan froze in place.

"Or I'll just let it go, so it's just the two of us."

Ethan shook his head, he glanced down. Ethan saw Egbert start to let go of his hand.

"You're a bottom, right?"

Ethan roughly pulled Mrs. Pearson to approach him, and finally, Ethan managed to grab Mrs. Personnel from Egbert. 

Then he shook Egbert's hand roughly, causing the surprised Egbert to release his grip from Ethan's.

Ethan hurried away, pulling Mrs. Pearson. Ethan took as wide a stride as possible. Even though Mrs. Pearson had difficulty keeping up with Ethan's, he didn't care.

Ethan was worried that Egbert would catch up, but it looks like Ethan's worries won't come true.

"Oh, come on! Can at let me know your name?" complained Egbert.

Ethan even walked past his friends.

"Playing hard to get, huh?"

Ethan couldn't hold it in anymore as a single tear fell from his eye.

***

Ethan was in front of his car. He was still in the parking lot of the bar.

While Mrs. Pearson is in Ethan's car, now he is fast asleep by making Ethan's coat a blanket.

Duke, Dante, and Isaac decide to go home. While Soren was still there with Ethan.

Ethan leaned against his car. He just stood there staring at the road below.

"What about him?" 

"Who knows."

Soren drew closer to Ethan, now he could clearly see that Ethan's hand was still shaking. Just a subtle quiver, which will probably dissipate in a moment. 

"Can I give you a huge?"

But it's hard to be sure that he's okay.

Ethan didn't say anything. However, he immediately hugged Soren tightly, buried his face into Soren's chest, trying to share the weight he had been carrying alone.

"The others and I will make sure that we never once set foot in this bar again, and the Duke has spoken to a bartender who happens to be his friend. He said the bartenders wouldn't tell the madman anything about you."

Ethan nodded his head while Soren's embrace tightened.

"It hurts to see you being treated like that."

Soren tilted his head towards the starless black night sky.

"Will you promise me not to do something like this again?"

Soren let go of his embrace. He saw Ethan, who lowered his head. "Promise you will let that woman accept whatever will happen to her."

"I'm fine, Soren, it's okay."

"No, Ethan, look at me."

Ethan hesitantly raised his gaze. He saw Soren smiling gently at him.

Those eyes, Soren seemed to be seeing the most precious thing for him.

"I promise."

Soren smiled, but instead, he shed tears.

"I'm sorry."

Soren closed his eyes, making the tears fall even more. "I should be the one apologizing Ethan, I shouldn't have taken my hand off you."

"No, I want to apologize for not being able to reply."

Soren laughed while turning his face away. Then the laughter disappeared, replaced by a sad smile.

"You want to know the truth?"

"Which are actually?"

Soren pushed Ethan's head gently against his forehead.

"It sucks to see you loved another man, Ethan."

Ethan bit his lip.

"When I first found out you liked Mr. Pearson. I envy him, seeing you always excited, seeing you who can't take your eyes off him, hearing all those stories. I hope I can do it with you too. I hope you love me just as much as you love Mr. Pearson."

"But Ethan, if you really are happy because you love him if you really aren't hurt because of your love like you just did. I'll bring this pain with me then."

Soren nodded his head. "So. It's okay."

"I wish I could love you."

Soren shook his head, then laughed.

"We're best friends. Nothing can't change that. Even these painful feelings."