20.

DANIEL.

To say that everything is okay would be a lie, but I am comfortable where we are now.

I've been meeting up with my father often, perhaps trying to mend the gap of not talking for many years. I've learned that he and mum fought badly after I left the house. He said that mum was the one who couldn't accept who I was, while he was struggling to choose between the two of us.

In the end, he left mum because he hated the fact that he couldn't see me anymore. The family was torn apart, as he would say.

Dad remarried, which is not surprising, considering the fact that Xander showed up and decided to blabber about who he was. Other than him being my senior, I am still at a loss as to how he found out who I was, much less who Theo was. I'm still guessing it was my dad who told him everything.

Regarding Xander, I didn't know why I was so afraid of Theo finding out who he was in the first place. I gave it some thought and concluded that it was because I was overthinking things. There was nothing wrong with my dad remarrying and all that shit. I probably just didn't want to let Theo know now I had a crazy-annoying stepbrother who came out of nowhere.

As for my stepmom, Xander has shown me a picture of her before so I do know how she looks like. I asked him why she seemed so familiar. I've met her before when we were still schooling. "She was a proud volunteer for the school's events. Big or small, she would be there! It's no wonder that you find her familiar!" Xander proudly said.

However, dad said I wouldn't be seeing her just yet. She's currently having her 'long deserved holiday', as he would call it. She booked so many tours around and flights around the world that my dad is clueless about how and where she got the money from. I guess I'll see her when I see her.

Oh, another update. Ever since that day, Dad has been asking me more and more about Theo. To be honest, I'm not so sure about how much I should share. The fact that I held on to him for so long, the part where he still followed me around even though he had no idea who I was in the first place, or the fact where he is still chasing me even AFTER finding out about all that happened.

The story sounded so complicated and insane when I tried to process whatever happened that I instantly just gave up trying to explain.

"We're not together," was the answer I gave because it was true. Up till now, I still have yet to accept his advances.

Dad was surprised because he thought we would be out in the open without any restrictions by now. Whatever he said next, however, definitely caught me off guard.

"If this is about the things that happened in the past, you probably should learn to let it go. To be very honest with you, I can't 100% say that I am okay with whatever is going on because I am, until now, trying to process this. But I want to let you know that you are you. You are my son. I am not going to let your sexuality change that fact ever again. I'd rather gain a son than lose one at this point. Let me know how it goes between the two of you."

And now here we are. Theo sitting across me at the dining table in his apartment, head propped onto his left hand while he held a stack of papers on his right. He had his eyebrows furrowed together, most likely irritated at the fact that he was reading his student's work.

I recall meeting him when it was marking season and he had a pile of papers on the table. It was his god-knows-what-number marking season now. Time has passed since we first met face-to-face. Back then he didn't know who I was, even though I remembered clearly who he is. I was thrilled to see him again but was at a loss because I was torn between being with him and sticking to my initial plan of leaving.

My heart and my brain were not on the same page here.

I looked at the man that had just picked up another stack of papers to mark. He was muttering on about how the students would just pluck in some theory into their assignment and try to make it work. I briefly wondered what in the world did I do to deserve this person.

He remembered me and stuck by me even if I was being insecure and indecisive. He gave me strength and encouragement when I was faced with a choice of reuniting with my dad. Different obstacles were being put our way but not once did he mutter a word of annoyance.

Every day we would talk and text and if time allowed it, we would eat out together. On the days where my shift ends late, he would pick me up and he would send me home. Sometimes, he would crash at my house if it was a weekend the next day and if he did, breakfast was always waiting for me the next morning.

He silently stayed by my side without complaint. We didn't exactly define our relationship, yet he was always there.

"You know, I know I'm good looking but could you stop staring? Your eyes are gonna burn a hole in my heart and I need to keep it pumping for you." Oh, I was caught looking at him.

"What in the world are you saying?" I quickly tried to advert my eyes from his gaze because there was heat building up in my cheeks.

"My heart beats for you, didn't you know?"

"Oh no no no. Stop it with the pickup lines. I'm getting goosebumps."

Theo laughed. "Then tell me. What's running your train of thought? It has to be good since you were looking at me for quite some time now."

I bit my lip, quickly considering if I should let him know my thoughts or not. "I was just thinking.. you know.."

"What do I know? Come on," he placed the papers down, folded his arms, and leaned onto the table. "Tell me. I'm all ears."

"About us. Everything."

Daniel tilted his head a little and I swear, my heart skipped a beat there. "What about us?"

"Well, we've been through a lot from the time we met again until now and I was thinking about why you are still here. I'm not worth it, in my opinion."

"You're still being insecure, aren't you?" Theo sat back upright. "You know what Dan? Even after all this time, I still get flashbacks and dreams about the past. You know, before the accident."

I tensed up upon hearing that. What else did he remember? Was it something bad? Something that would make him hate me? Why didn't he tell me?

"Don't give me that look that you have on your face now," Theo pointed as he held a big grin on his face. "I know you're wondering what kinds of flashbacks I have been getting. There were some good ones. Like how you would tell me about your passion for making coffee and you would make me  a cup one day."

"I did. Vanilla latte."

He smiled real wide. "But nothing about us is vanilla. You know that." Okay, now he was just igniting my face on fire.

"Your face is burning red," he laughed. "But what can I say, loving you is red."

"God, stop it Theo with your damn pick up lines and tell me what else you dreamt about."

"Alright, I'll stop teasing." He leaned back into his chair and got comfortable. "I also saw the times where we would sit under the trees in the pack nearby and talk about anything. I also saw one where you said you hated studying but wanted to teach. Of course, I saw some not so good ones. Like how you would zone out when I was talking to you, or how we would end up fighting for something as stupid as choosing a place for lunch. Oh, there was one where you were crying but didn't tell me what happened."

"That was probably around the time my parents found out I was dating you."

Theo sighed. "You know, you could have told me your worries. I would have worked it out with you."

I stayed silent. It was because of me that all that wasn't supposed to happen, happened.

"But, it's all in the past," Theodore continued. "What matters now, is the present."

Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time for us to look ahead, for me to let go of the things that were binding me down from being happy with the person I choose.

"Anyways, I've been meaning to ask you. Do you believe in the red string of fate?" Theo asked as he dug out the necklace that he was wearing. "When two people are bounded by the red string, it means that they are meant to be. Now usually, this red string is 'predestined' and 'tied' on by the gods above, but I believe in making my own fate. That was why I gave you the necklace."

I looked at him as I fumbled on my own necklace. What was he trying to say to me?

"In one of my flashbacks, I said that you and I would always be together and nothing in the world would set us apart. I guess that's why even after all this time I never removed it, even if I couldn't remember why. It's because you were my missing puzzle piece to my life. I need you, Dan."

"But..." there were still so many things to consider. "Ow!" Theo just flicked my forward with his finger.

"Snap out of it. You're not going there," he warned. I wanted to argue but decided against it.

"You can make me forget ten times, twenty more times. In the end, I will still choose you. We are meant to be. You are my other half," he continued. This man was about to make me cry, and I am a grown-ass man that crossed the age of thirty.

"Red string of fate huh?" I asked.

"Yeah, I tied you down together with me for this life. I'll probably find you again if there is a next life," he said light-heartedly and that made me smile a little. "So what do you say? Be my boyfriend? Other half? Lover? Or whatever you want to call it."

I looked at the person in front of me. Someone tell me, how was I going to push him away twice? I'd be an idiot to do so, isn't it?

"Yes, I'll be your boyfriend/lover/other half. Call it what you want to."

---------------------

A/N: I can picture Theo screaming "FINALLY" 😂

Daniel finally came to a consensus with his feelings. I guess he would always feel insecure, but to be honest. Who doesn't? We all feel that way sometimes, don't we?

I think I'm about done and dusted with the story. For me, this should be a good place to finish their story.

How was this part for you?

Thank you for coming along the journey of Theo and Dan. They thank you with all their heart.

xoxo,

missdreamx