"Thanks again!"
Keyori smiled, slipping his pen back into his pocket as he watched the two girls walk out of the bar, the younger clutching her recently signed notebook. Nights at the bar were repetitive and simple- lounge, prepare drink, lounge, kick drunk asshole out of the building, lounge, sleep, repeat. A Diamond-Level League player by day, and a bartender by night, there wasn't much that could really make a boring night any less so. The visits from his friends were nice, but few and far in-between; with the exception of Jaynee, everyone else was off living their own lives, doing what they want to do, chasing their own dreams...
A smile graced the Brit's lips- he was living his own life, chasing his own dreams. After settling down with Jaynee, everything had become regular, repetitive... simple. Much like a night at the bar. He sighed, the reflection in the glass in his hand staring back at him.
"Is this... really what I want to do?"
How could he ask himself that? Of course this was what he wanted! He married the girl of his dreams, bought a house, had a fun and good-paying job- what more could he ask for?
But that was just it.
What more could he ask for?
Keyori knew what he could ask for, but... who would he ask? It was something he wanted oh so desperately that he couldn't even find the words to express it. He tried explaining it to his friends, but it came out sounding like a dream- a farce. It sounded... wrong. But was it really? It couldn't possibly be that bad... Could it?
He slammed his fist down onto the mahogany wood of the bar table, his eyes closed tight.
"I don't want to live like this...!" A single tear slid down his cheek as he gripped the edge of the bar, his aching hand being soothed by the cooled surface. "I... I can't live like this..."
There wasn't room for much more in his life... With all the things he had, he couldn't possibly ask for this. He had to make a decision- to find an answer before it was too late. The thunk of glass hitting wood could be heard among the few remaining patrons of the bar as Keyori grabbed a nearly-empty bottle, the liquid swishing around inside.
"Maybe just one more drink..."
"Keyori!"
Keyori's head shot upwards, a small gasp escaping his lips. He knew that voice well- very, very well. A grin came to his face as he watched a man walk into the bar, a certain emotion flowing through him that he could not find the words to describe.
"Uber!" He quickly hid the bottle, sliding his unused glass over to the sink as the man sat at the bar. "What're you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be gone until the end of the month?"
Uber's smile grew, a smile that Keyori had grown rather fond of.
"I just got back, actually. I would've been here sooner, but I had to go get something. So, how's it going?"
Keyori's heart fluttered, his mind wandering as he stared into Uber's eyes. Uber Danger- a fellow Diamond-Level League player and YouTube star- had gone on a trip to Denmark several weeks back. The leave was sudden, and it hurt Keyori to watch him go, but he respected the man's wishes and saw him off. They were inseparable, as best friends tend to be- but there was something more to them, more between them than just the term "best friends".
What would he call them? Well, there was only one way to put it- lovers. Ever since their chance encounter years ago, a relantionship had budded between them that flowered into friendship, and eventually grew to something more. But, they couldn't possibly be together now. Ever since Keyori had married Jaynee, he knew there was no way he could be with Uber.
But, then, why did he marry Jaynee?
When Keyori first discovered his feelings for Uber, he figured it was just a phase- he was simply curious, is all! There was no way he really loved Uber... Or so he thought. A month after he and Jaynee had married, Keyori was invited over to Uber's- to hang out, chill, play League together, the works. Everything had gone according to his expectations until after a particularly trying Ranked game. Uber had been on a winning streak as of late and was in his promos, one game away from completing them. If he won, he would be promoted to Master Tier, one step away from Challenger! The stakes were high and the stress was real, but they managed to pull through a close game. Keyori smiled as Uber nearly flipped out of his chair, cheering as the Diamond emblem on his victory screen morphed into a Master. Removing his headphones, Keyori stood up and grasped his empty beer can, enjoying his friend's great triumph- he would join him, soon enough. As Keyori turned to congratulate Uber, something unthinkable happened; he felt two arms wrap around his waist as he was pulled forward, and shortly after, two soft lips pressed against his.
Uber had kissed him.
Time seemed to stop as Keyori's mind raced, his heart pounding within his chest. He knew Uber was passionate about League, and that this was a big moment for him, but Uber wouldn't ever go this far... Would he?
He's probably just excited, Keyori thought. He's probably even a little drunk.
But... what if he isn't? The thought just couldn't escape his mind. What if Uber WASN'T drunk- what if this was some sort of impulse!? No, he has to be! There's no way Uber- He stopped as his eyes slowly trailed over to Uber's desk. A half-empty can of root beer sat alone in the corner. Keyori stared at Uber as the man pulled away, a blush on his face. They stared at each other for what seemed like ages until Uber finally spoke up.
"I... I'm sorry, Keyori. I don't know what I was-"
Silence filled the room as Keyori pulled him into his lips. Keyori's soft hands held Uber tight, the latter slowly carressing the blonde's cheek as he-
"Hey, Keyori? You okay?" Keyori gasped as he shook himself out of his stupor, finding himself back at the bar across from Uber. The taller, darker-haired male chuckled. "What're you thinking about that's got you so flustered?"
Keyori chuckled back, his already flushed cheeks getting redder.
"Oh, I was just... I was thinking about the first night we..."
Uber tilted his head to the side a bit, a smile on his face. A smile Keyori loved ever so much.
"Yeah, I remember that. You were good, for your first time with a guy."
Keyori gaped, looking around the bar to see if anyone had heard them. Luckily, everyone was too far away or too drunk to notice.
"U-Uber! Don't go saying things like that out of the blue!"
Uber laughed for a bit, resting his arm on the bar.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry, okay?" He raised an eyebrow, the smile fading from his face. "I still don't really get why you're so careful about people knowing." Uber... had a point. Why was he so scared of people knowing the truth? Well, what with being internet-famous, someone could recognize him- what if they told his friends? He was married! If there was anyone he didn't want to tell anyone, it was- "Have you told Jaynee yet?"
Keyori's face fell- Jaynee didn't know of his secret. How would he even tell her!? "Hey, Jaynee- turns out I'm in love with Uber and I'm leaving you for him- see you around"!? He knew he didn't really love her, but... he still cared for her. He couldn't just break her heart like that.
"No... I haven't told her..."
A look of worry came across Uber's face, his hand reaching over the bar and holding Keyori's.
"Barny..." Keyori flinched a bit at that; only Jaynee and Uber ever called him by that name nowadays. "I know this is hard for you... I just want you to know that I'll be with you every step of the way."
"Uber..."
"I want you to be happy, Barny. Just follow your heart."
Follow your heart... Could he really follow his heart and be happy? If he stayed with Jaynee, he COULD be happy... It was certainly a possibility, but there was no guarantee. Jaynee would be happy, and she'd never know about any of this. If he left her for Uber, he would definitely be happy, but he wouldn't be able to break Jaynee's heart like that.
Keyori sighed heavily, eyes glued to the bar.
"I... I need some time. I just need some time to think... To decide..."
Uber nodded in understanding.
"I get it. I'll see you later." He stood up from the bar, about to turn when he felt someone grab his hand. "Barny...?"
Keyori looked at Uber, a small smile on his face.
"Maybe, in the meantime... we could have one more night to outselves? Before I decide?"
Uber nodded, his features mimicking Keyori's.
"Sure."
An hour went by as the two walked around town, snow crunching under their feet. Uber found himself looking at the man next to him several times, each and every time finding him looking down at his feet, his mouth and neck wrapped in his blue and white scarf. This had to be hard for Keyori, and Uber wanted so badly to help, but he couldn't force Keyori to choose. Uber wrapped his arm around him, gently pulling the younger male to his side. Keyori looked up at him, giving him a sad and confused smile before delving back into his thoughts.
Now, the two sat on a bench in the park, snow slowly drifting down from the gray, cloudy skies. Keyori gazed up at the clouds, still finding himself deep within the inner sanctums of his conscious, his hands warmed by a hot cup of coffee.
"How's the coffee?"
Keyori looked to Uber, who looked back with a smile. He nodded back, his face stoic as he looked at the object in his hands.
"It's good. Thanks."
Starbucks. Not his first choice, but not his last, either. It was the only coffee shop still open, though, and it certainly got the job done when it came to making decent coffee. He took a sip, gulping before looking at his feet. Keyori was still on the fence about this whole ordeal. He had to decide soon- but that just made the decision all the more frustrating. He couldn't do this by himself... Could he?
Keyori slowly pulled his phone out of his pocket, slowly punching a number in before bringing it to his ear. He heard it ring a few times before someone picked up.
"... Hello?"
"Hey, Jaynee."
He figured if there was one person who could help him in his time of need (that wasn't Uber, anyway), it was Jaynee. He smiled as he heard her perk up.
"Oh, Barny! Gee, I thought you were gonna be home an hour ago! Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I-" Keyori stopped- better be as direct as possible. "No... I'm not okay. Jaynee, I need your help."
"Did something happen!? Do you need me to drive down and get you-"
"No, no, nothing like that. I just... have to ask you a question."
He could sense Jaynee calming down as she took a breath.
"A question?"
"Yeah. I need you to give me the best answer you can, alright?"
"Sure, Barny- I''ll try my best."
Keyori sighed, pausing for a second.
"... Can you tell me what it means... to 'Follow your heart'?"
He didn't hear anything for a few seconds. She must be mulling it over...
"... Well, I guess following your heart means doing what you love for who you love, regardless of the consequences. It means putting yourself beside them and showing them what you're really willing to do for them." She paused again. "... Does that help?"
Keyori blinked, looking down at the snow.
"'Regardless of the consequences'..." He turned to Uber, who smiled lightly, before looking up at the clouds. "... Yeah. Thanks, Jaynee."
"No problem, Barny. I'll see you soon!"
"Bye, Jaynee."
He hung up, looking silently at his phone's screen as it locked.
"Have you made up your mind?" Keyori turned back to Uber, who looked at him with a frown. He looked scared, but ready for the worst. Keyori nodded.
"Yeah... I think I have." He gulped, gripping his coffee as hard as he could without spilling it. "Uber... I-"
They both flinched as something fell. Something that sounded like... a plastic bag? And something breaking? Uber looked over the side of the bench, gasping.
"Oh, no! Damnit!" Keyori watched in confusion as Uber put the bag in his lap, looking into it before groaning is distress. "Oh, man... Damnit..."
"What is that, Uber?"
Uber frowned, shaking his head.
"It's..." He handed the bag to Keyori, not looking at him. "Here." Keyori looked inside, gasping at what he found. Slowly and carefully, Keyori pulled out several pieces a large porcelain dish, with a beautiful painting of him in a suit and Jaynee in a white dress, holding hands. It was broken beyond repair, and it looked wonderfully done. "It's a painting of you and Jaynee at your wedding. It, uh... It was, anyway."
"Uber... You made this?"
"Yeah, of course. I've been painting a lot in my free time, and... Well..." Uber turned to him with a sullen smile. "Happy birthday, Barny."
Keyori looked at the pieces of porcelain in disbelief, tears coming to his eyes. He cried for a few minutes, comforted by Uber's hand rubbing his back. After the tears ceased, Keyori's eyes drifted down at the snow beneath his feet.
"... All this time... I've spent all this time trying to figure out what I really want in life. But I have so much, that I... I can't have everything." He brushed a hand through his hair, staring off into the sky. "There just isn't enough room- isn't enough time to have everything that I want. So I asked myself... Do I want Uber, or do I want Jaynee? I can't have you both... As much as I want to, it just can't happen..."
Uber was silent, taking it all in. This was Keyori's big moment- it was Uber's time to help him. And the best thing he could do was to respect what Keyori wanted.
Nobody said anything for a while. Keyori simply stared at his coffee and Uber stared at the clouds, the latter unsure of what to do. However, it was getting late- Uber needed to go. He stood up, causing Keyori to look up at him.
"Where're you going?"
"Sorry, Barny... It's getting late, and I have to go if I'm gonna catch my train."
Keyori's eyes widened, his face falling.
"... Train?"
Uber fought back the urge to hug the younger male- to hold him tight and stroke his hair. He smiled at his friend; a sad smile, but it was as genuine as he could make it.
"I've gotta go back to Denmark. I've gotta catch the next train or I'm gonna miss my flight." Uber paused, his smile fading for a moment. "Don't worry- I'm sure you'll figure it out. You're a smart guy, Barny; you've got this."
Keyori gaped as Uber slowly turned and walked away, the agonizing sound of his footsteps causing his stomach to churn.
"Wait! Uber, please!" Uber didn't stop. He had somewhere he needed to be, and as much as he wanted to be there with Keyori, he couldn't wait any longer. He wasn't sure how much more his heart could take.
Keyori watched in fear as Uber took step after agonizing step, slowly moving away from him. Keyori suddenly found himself bringing himself to his feet, pulling air into his lungs, and shouting-
"I WANT YOU, UBER!"
Uber stopped, his mouth agape. He couldn't believe his ears- did Keyori... Did Keyori just choose him over Jaynee!? He turned around, eyes widening as he felt two arms wrap around his waist and he was pulled forward, and shortly after, two soft lips pressed against his.
Keyori had kissed him.
No... It was more than that...
Keyori had chosen him. He was willing to throw away everything he had- his home, his job, even his life with Jaynee- just to be with Uber.
Keyori pulled away from Uber, a smile plastered on his face. He couldn't believe that it had been this easy- this SIMPLE to say those words. He was so scared of what Jaynee, Complex, Dunder- everyone would say that he refused to think he could choose one over the other. But he knew now that this was what he wanted, this was the dream he wanted to chase, the life he wanted to live.
"Regardless of the consequences..."
Uber smiled, tears pouring down his cheeks as he pulled Keyori into a warm, loving hug.
"... I love you, Keyori..."
"I love you too, Uber..."