Chapter 851 - Broken Man (1/2)

Take responsibility?! For making him fall in love??

Lance was startled.

”What??” Lance shouted, putting his hand on Gareth's c.h.e.s.t to push him away.

However, Gareth didn't budge, and held onto Lance's arms.

He looked at Lance seriously, asking, ”I don't disgust you, did I? You actually returned my kisses, didn't you?”

”This, and what you said earlier are two separate things!” Lance protested, ”We're practically strangers! This is only our second time meeting so what is with this love business?!”

”You tell me!” Gareth said in exasperation, ”What kind of spell did you put me under? Are you some sort of warlock?!”

Lance looked at him incredulously, and saw that he was actually serious!

”What nonsense are you spouting!” Lance shouted, ”Do you even hear yourself?”

”I can't help it!” Gareth practically wailed, ”I've never felt this way before. Well, no, that's not true. I did fall in love before but it was nothing like this. You just hit me out of the blue. And you're a guy!”

Lance looked offended and he managed to smack Gareth's hands away, ”Yes, I am a guy. So what?! I'm not the one that kissed you!”

Gareth, with his face pleading, reached out for him again but Lance avoided it.

”That's not what I meant! This is all new to me. I … I …” Gareth started, his arms hanging down by his side.

Gareth sighed loudly, as he looked away. Gathering his thoughts, he looked back at Lance seriously, ”I have never been attracted to a guy before. I have had just one serious girlfriend that I loved with all my heart, so you can imagine my surprise to find that I … I just can't forget about you.”

Gareth took one small step towards Lance, his eyes serious and sincere, ”I tried forgetting you but I couldn't. Just the thought of not seeing you again tore me apart. It was even worse then when I broke up with my girlfriend then.”

Lance stood there in shock.

Hearing such a heartfelt love confession from this man hit him deeply.

Who wouldn't feel touched?

Lance could see the internal struggle Gareth had been under, discovering that he was attracted to someone of the same gender. He, who had probably been ignoring or denying that part of him.

If Gareth had been gay from the start, like him, this confession wouldn't have been as powerful as it was. Finding out, or realising that you're attracted to the same gender really affects a person.

Despite the fact that Country Tz is rather open and allows same-s.e.x marriages, it's not completely perfect. There is still that social stigma, or fear.

For someone who just discovered this part of his s.e.x.u.a.lity, and for him to still go forth and embrace it, couldn't have been easy.

Lance was moved.

Moved very deeply.

He couldn't deny that he felt comfortable with Gareth.

And heck, this man could kiss very well.

”Gareth, I'm honoured, really I am,” Lance began, ”But I don't think ..”

”NO!” Gareth shouted suddenly, putting his hand on Lance's mouth, ”Don't say it. Please, don't say it. Just answer my questions, okay?”

Lance blinked and nodded dumbly.

Why couldn't he just ignore this man?

Why couldn't he just push him away and walk away?

Perhaps it was due to this man's sincere actions, that Lance didn't have the heart to be heartless.

”Do you hate me?” Gareth asked, taking his hand off Lance's luscious lips.

”No,” Lance replied honestly.

Gareth let out a breath of relief.

”Does the thought of me, a man, liking you, disgust you?” Gareth asked softly, his eyes sad.

”No!” Lance nearly shouted, appalled. Did Gareth not know that he, Lance, was gay? Did he think that he was disgusted with Gareth for liking a man?

Without thinking, Lance put his hand on Gareth's cheek, saying softly, ”There's nothing wrong with you at all. Your feelings are pure and true. That is never wrong.”

”Really?”

”Yes, really,” Lance said, ”Anyway, I'm gay. Don't I disgust you?”

Gareth looked horrified then he realised what he said could be taken both ways as well. Then, he was happy because one of the things he was worried about was Lance being straight … then again, didn't Lance return his kisses?

He was a damn good kisser, too …

Gareth thought about what they had shared earlier and the tips of his ears got red.

He had never been so bold before and right now, he just couldn't believe he had done what he did.

In public, too!

”So, if you don't hate me and I don't disgust you, why ..” Gareth began hesitatingly.

”Because my heart is still healing,” Lance said, answering the unspoken question, ”I don't feel I could do you justice to your sincere feelings. I don't want to lead you on.”

Gareth grabbed him again, ”It doesn't matter. I'll take the risk!”

”No, Gareth,” Lance said, ”It wouldn't be fair on you.”

”Yes it would!” Gareth said, ”How is it not fair on me? Look, like I said, all of this is new to me. But I know that your reason is not a reason at all. It's just an excuse! The best way to get over a broken heart is to be in another relationship.”

”That's a rebound!” Lance hissed, ”That's a horrible way to start a relationship!”