“Arien..?” He said, a bit confused before remembering that he’d literally broken this man’s heart into a million pieces. “Can you let me explain please?” He asked gently, taking a step back to give Arien some space. “Elliot put a spell on me to make me hate you. He just now came to my apartment and undid the whole thing. I’m sorry that I said all those terrible things to you, you didn’t deserve to go through that…”
Arien wrapped his arms around himself, listening. His eyes widened, and he shook even more.
"E-Elliot…" Oh god. That made a lot of sense, and that just made it worse. Arien didn't know if it was true, or Rafael was just lying, but… He couldn't handle it. He stepped forward, burying his head in reading shoulder.
"I-I… I missed you…"
“I missed you too…” he murmured, gently wrapping his arms around Arien, almost aching with relief at having Arien forgive him. “And if you want to make sure I’m telling the truth…I’m pretty sure Elliot will own up to doing it..”
Arien couldn't help but cry softly into Rafael, the stress and hurt from the past few days washing over him all over again.
"I–" Arien sniffled a bit. "I b-believe you…"
Rafael smiled, rubbing the other’s back softly. “Thank you.” He whispered, kissing the top of Arien’s head.
Arien wrapped his arms tightly around Rafael, falling silent to just cry into him. He didn't want to leave Rafael's arms, not at all. Not ever again.
After a few minutes of silently holding Arien in his arms he spoke up. “Do you want to head back inside?” He asked, not letting go of Arien.
"Y-yeah…" Arien didn't pull away, still huddled close to Rafael as he led the other inside.
"I… I just…"
“I know, darling.” He said, closing the door behind them. He’d missed him so much. “I love you.”
"I- I love you too." Arien looked up at Rafael, finally working up the courage to kiss the man again. It had been so, so long…
He happily kissed the other back, holding him close. He’d almost lost all of this. He swore he’d never let it happen again.
Arien pushed against Rafael some, bringing them back over to the couch. Their spot. He laid down on Rafael, arms wrapped securely around the man's neck.
He held on tightly to the other, as if reassuring him that he wasn’t going anywhere. And he didn’t want to go anywhere ever again if Arien wouldn’t be there with him.
Arien buried his head in Rafael's chest.
"I… I love you…" Arien knew if anything else happened like that, he wouldn't be able to handle it. He hasn't been handling before, either.
“I’m sorry you were in so much pain from what happened.” He murmured, kissing the top of Arien’s head.
Arien nodded some, curling up closer to Rafael's chest.
"It- it w-wasn't your fault…"
“I know but I still feel awful.” He smiled softly. “You know, you have some really great friends.” He chuckled a bit.
Arien looked up at Rafael, sniffling some and rubbing his eyes.
"R-really? What did they do..?"
“Every last one of them came to my apartment and told me off for what I’d done. They were all understandingly very angry at me. But they still respected your wishes and didn’t hurt me.”
Arien let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad they didn't hurt you," Arien said softly. He nuzzled against Rafael some.
“I would’ve deserved it, but I’m glad they didn’t. Oh yeah you should probably tell them that they don’t need to hate my guts now…”
"Ah- yeah, that would make sense." Arien smiled weakly. He leaned up, lightly kissing Rafael's cheek.
"I love you…"
“I love you too.” He said, kissing Arien’s forehead. “I could barely sleep while I was gone.”
Arien leaned into the kiss, smiling just a touch.
"Get some sleep, then," he said softly. "I'll be right here…" He wasn't letting Rafael out of his sight, not ever again.
He smiled, pulling the other close. “Every night I dreamed of being back here with you… and every morning I woke up crying but I couldn’t remember why until now.”