Chapter 453: The Restroom Negotiations
Micah shoved through the crowd, ignoring the shouts and curses that followed him. The airport was packed with travellers coming and going, making it impossible to pass through. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, drowning out the noise of rolling suitcases and intercom announcements. His eyes were locked on the figure ahead, the familiar, tall frame striding toward the exit.
He couldn’t lose him. If he had to beg to make Darcy stay, he would. He would do anything to have Darcy back, to keep their relationship like before.
"Darcy!" he shouted, voice cracking. "Wait!"
Darcy didn’t stop. His shoulders stiffened, but he kept walking, pulling his suitcase behind him. The sight tore through Micah’s chest like a knife. He lunged forward, nearly slipping, and managed to grab Darcy’s arm.
Darcy halted abruptly. The sudden stop made the suitcase tilt into its wheel with a clatter. He turned his head slightly, and irritation flickered in his eyes. But when he saw Micah’s face, red, breathless, desperate, the harsh words he wanted to utter got stuck in his throat.
Micah clung to his arm tightly, fingers trembling. His eyes filled with unshed tears. "Wait!" he pleaded.
Darcy tried to pull away, jaw tight, but Micah only tightened his grip more. "No!" he shouted.
Their struggle drew attention from nearby travellers. People slowed to watch, murmurs surrounding them.
"What’s going on?"
"Love quarrel?"
"Oh, the two are so handsome, look at them."
A vein throbbed at Darcy’s temple. "Let it go."
"No, I won’t. I can’t."
Then a few giggles rippled through the crowd. Several phones lifted into the air.
Darcy inhaled sharply, his patience cracking.
"Micah, I said, let go." Darcy’s voice was low, dangerously restrained.
Micah shook his head stubbornly. "No, anywhere you go, I’ll go too," he said shamelessly.
Darcy’s eyes darted around at the staring strangers. He gritted his teeth. Before Micah could react, Darcy tugged him forward, dragging him away from the gawking onlookers.
"Darcy!" Micah stumbled behind him.
"Shut up!" Darcy hissed. He pushed open the nearest restroom door and yanked Micah inside. The heavy door swung shut behind them.
Once inside, Dary released him abruptly. "Speak," he said sharply, his voice echoing slightly against the tiled walls. "What is the meaning of this? Didn’t I tell you to stay out of my life?"
Micah rubbed his reddened wrist, still catching his breath. "No. You told me, but I’ve never agreed."
Darcy’s eyes flared. "Micah! I am not joking right now. I can’t stand this pretentious kindness of yours. If you’re planning to..." Darcy’s voice died down. His throat worked soundlessly.
Micah’s tears began to fall. One after another. His lips trembled.
"Are you punishing me right now?" His breath hitched, stifling a sob. "Because it hurts like hell! Darcy... it really hurts."
Darcy’s expression shifted, and his shoulders sagged slightly. His hands clenched and unclenched, the veins on his forearms standing out. He looked away, exhaling through his nose. For a moment, the tension in his face softened.
"Fine," he said quietly, the word barely audible. "You won. You can do whatever you want."
Micah blinked, stunned. Slowly, he stepped forward until he was standing close enough to feel Darcy’s body heat. He reached out and gripped the front of Darcy’s shirt, tugging it lightly, afraid he might vanish if he didn’t hold on. "Promise?" he whispered.
Darcy’s fingers twitched at his sides. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Mmm," he hummed in acknowledgment, eyes flickering down to Micah’s trembling hands.
"Then... can I go to your place?" Micah’s voice was barely above a whisper.
"What about your family?"
"I’ll text them. They will understand." Micah said confidently.
Darcy’s lips stretched into a smirk. "Aren’t you afraid of losing their affection?"
"I’m more scared of losing you..." Micah mumbled under his breath, looking down.
The words hit Darcy like a blow. His pupils dilated before narrowing again. He let out a low, humourless laugh. "You are such a cunning person..."
"I know," Micah said quickly. "I know I am being unreasonable. I know I’m being selfish...But I can’t help it." His eyes shimmered with tears again, and his voice shook with every word. "My heart can’t take it...when you ignore me, it feels like my whole world just... stops. It’s only been two days since you... But it felt like an eternity to me. I can’t imagine what it would be like if you completely walked out of my life ..."
He took a shaky breath, his fingers twisting the fabric of Darcy’s shirt tighter. "So, I’ll do anything. No, I’m going to do everything I can to make you pleased. Content. Happy." He looked up, meeting Darcy’s stunned gaze.
Darcy stared at him for a long moment. The air seemed to vibrate with things unsaid. "Even if that means making yourself miserable?" he asked hoarsely.
"Would it be worse than these last two days?" Micah said, half-smiling, half-mocking. "Because I’ve already learned what that feels like. I don’t ever want to feel it again."
Something in Darcy’s chest cracked. He exhaled and lifted a hand to Micah’s cheek, his thumb brushing away the tears that had gathered there. "You look ugly when you cry."
Micah sniffled and made a face. "Who looks stunning when they cry?"
A brief laugh escaped Darcy, soft, unexpected, almost fond. He ruffled Micah’s hair roughly. "Right. So don’t cry."
Micah pouted and touched his hair.
Darcy sighed. "You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?"
"I know."
"You never listen. Never care about how pushy you are."
"I know that too."
Darcy’s mouth twitched, caught between annoyance and amusement. "They weren’t compliments..." he mumbled, reaching out and opening the door, stepping out of the restroom.
Micah raised his head, staring at Darcy’s back. He had promised himself he would do anything to protect Darcy. He knew he could never be happy living his life knowing Darcy was out there, surrounded by danger, used by those four men.
It was better to stick to Darcy.
The only downside... It was Clyde.
Would he understand him?
Nah. He would be heartbroken. Disappointed in him.
But he had this fear, this terrifying fear that if he let Darcy go, he would regret it for the rest of his life. Not just that. Something bad would also happen.