As You Wished

The Memories That Shaped Love

Kael sat there looking at him, and Elior could see him searching for the right words. Outside their window, the sky was turning all these shades of pink and orange, making everything in the room feel warm and golden.

After what felt like forever, Kael smiled just a little. "In kindergarten, you used to protect me."

"Protect you?" Elior looked confused.

He remembered little Kael perfectly. Round cheeks, super pale skin, this tiny kid who looked like he might break if you hugged him too hard.

"Yeah." Kael's voice got quieter. "When kids made fun of me for being chubby and slow, you'd always get in front of me. You told them they'd have to go through you first."

Elior felt his heart do this little flip. Those memories felt like they belonged to completely different people, back when everything was simple.

"That's why you fell for me?" He was teasing, but his eyes were soft.

Kael didn't laugh. He got this serious look and stared down at his hands for a second.

"Not just that. I thought you hated me."

"What?" Elior's eyes went wide. "Why would you think that?"

"You never wanted to share my umbrella when it rained. Even when you forgot yours, you'd rather get completely soaked than walk with me." Kael took this shaky breath. "And I heard you crying once."

Elior went completely still.

"Your mom asked you to walk with me because it was pouring, and you just started crying and said no. I heard the whole thing through the door." Kael's voice cracked a little. "I figured you thought I was gross or annoying or something."

Elior felt like someone had punched him in the chest. He'd never known Kael heard that, never realized how wrong everything had gotten.

"Kael..."

"Then in high school, you didn't even recognize me. I knew it was you the second I saw you, but to you I was just some random new kid." Kael laughed, but it sounded bitter. "I kept using that yellow umbrella thinking maybe you'd remember the color, even if you forgot about me. Pretty pathetic, right?"

"Oh god, Kael." Elior could feel tears starting. "I never hated you. I cried because I was terrified of thunderstorms, not because of you. And I didn't recognize you because you'd changed so much. You went from this sweet little kid to this tall, gorgeous guy who looked like he belonged in magazines."

Kael stared at him like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"And about that stupid yellow umbrella," Elior started laughing even though he was crying, "I really do hate that color. But I kept your umbrella and I take it to every single shoot. Poor Theo has to hold it for me while wearing his ridiculous purple shirts. We look absolutely insane together, but I don't care."

Kael just stared at him, and Elior could see all these emotions crossing his face. There was this tiny smile starting at the corners of his mouth as he pictured that scene.

"You kept it?" Kael's voice was barely a whisper.

"Every day. Theo's always trying to get me to use something more stylish, but I tell him it's special." Elior wiped his eyes. "I never told him it belonged to the most important person in my life."

They just sat there looking at each other, and Elior could see all these emotions crossing Kael's face. Ten years of thinking he wasn't wanted, and it had all been one giant misunderstanding.

Kael reached out and touched his cheek, and his hand was so gentle. "I'm sorry I never just asked you."

"I'm sorry I made you feel like that." Elior leaned into his touch. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you."

The light in the room was getting softer, making everything look like they were inside some kind of dream. For the first time in forever, they both understood that this thing between them had been real from the very beginning, even when they were too young to have words for it.