Mid Level: Second World, Zanthus's Apology

Lionel looked at the couple. Lionel and his husbands were at Aurel's and Julien's wedding. Julien was gazing at Aurel and his gaze was overfilled with endearing love. Aurel looked back with the same gaze. When they were about to put on their rings, the doors were rudely pushed open.

"I won't allow it!"

"I don't care, Zanthus. How many times are you going to bother me? I told you I don't like you!"

Aurel and Zanthus bicker back and forth for a while.

'I can see that Julien is getting insecure.'

'It's normal. Julien feels like he isn't enough for Aurel. Because Aurel had lived longer, had more experiences, and good talent with his skills. He wants to be good enough to be his partner. It's mainly Zanthus's words getting in his head. Otherwise, the two would have gotten together sooner. Aurel had to work hard to convince Julien to move in with him when they became friends.'

'Living beings sure are complex. A young system like me can't understand you all.'

Lionel leaned back on Kazimir. He was sitting on his lap, watching this whole ordeal happen. Kellam and Kyln were seated next to each other, beside Lionel.

"Zanthus. I didn't know you were like this."

Zanthus was about to say something back to Aurel when Kazimir spoke up.

"Uncle?! Why are you here? And who is in your arms?"

"My lover. I'm so disappointed with you. I thought your parents and I taught you better than this."

"N-no, uncle. I-."

"Go back and reflect on your actions. You have harmed an innocent man's feelings and also bothered someone that doesn't love you."

"Yes, uncle."

Zanthus left quietly. Julien was silent. Aurel looked at Aurel depressed and upset. 

"Julien. Are you thinking of leaving me?"

"...no. I just…need some time to think."

"...fine. I'll keep my distance from you. Let's go home."

Aurel released a sigh and they apologized to everyone that came to their wedding. After everyone left, Aurel and Julien returned home. Lionel watched them the whole time, with his husbands beside him.

'System, give them a part of their memories from the original plotline.'

'Which part?'

'Show them the ending.'

'The memories of the original plot are just that. A plot that was supposed to happen. They won't feel what their original self feels during that time. It's like a vision and movie of themselves as actors within.'

'Believe me. It'll be enough to change them. Just knowing and seeing it happen. Will do so much, you can't even imagine the change.'

'Alright. I have sent them the scene of Julien dying. And what happened afterwards. They'll see the vision within a blink of their eyes.'

Zanthus was in the car, the driver was taking his home. Zanthus blinked and jolted after.

"What the…"

Zanthus looked at the new memories that suddenly appeared inside his mind. What he thought was love was actually fascination. He realized he didn't love Aurel like that. And that his uncle's words were right. He was a nuisance to Auren and had hurted Julien's feelings with his horrible words. 

"Ah, fuck!"

Zanthus asked the driver to drive back to the wedding venue. When he arrived, it was empty. No one was there. Then he rushed to Aurel's home. He wanted to apologize. Even if there was a high chance that the two men would not forgive him. At least he tried to fix things.

Julien was in his bedroom, sulking and depressed. He blinked and jolted just like Zanthus did when he received the memories. He didn't feel anything about seeing himself look at Zanthus with love. But he saw the pain in Aurel's eyes. And that hurted him deeply. Then he was forced to watch Aurel spend the rest of his life alone and in heartbreak. Tears rolled down his eyes. The next moment, Aurel barged through the door. He was in an extremely panicked state. Julien rushed to Aurel and gave him a tight hug. They clung to each other.

"You're fine. Thank god. You did leave me."

"No, I didn't die. I'm right here. It's okay. Calm down."

"You won't leave me, right?"

Aurel looked at Julien with fear and anxiety. 

"Of course not. I thought I wasn't enough for you. Since I got to know you, I have found so many amazing things about you. But I was just some plain and average human. I was jealous that Zanthus had known you longer. And also had more skills and talents than me. I wanted to be your equal."

"Oh, love. Zanthus and I grew up to develop these skills. After we do the mating bond ritual, you would be able to learn and experience more with your extended life. And I'll be right there, next to you. Watching you become a better and stronger person. Loving you more, caring for you more, and sharing more things together."

Julien sobbed in relief. After they both calmed down, they decided to move Julien's stuff into the main bedroom where Aurel slept. They were chatting and laughing at whatever they could talk about. Soon, the doorbell rang. Julien went to open the door and saw a haggard Zanthus.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know how much of a bastard I was being. Please forgive me."

Julien was going to chase away Zanthus but was interrupted by his apology.

"...I forgive you. But the main person you should apologize to is Aurel."

"I know and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to have his forgiveness. Also, I don't have feelings for Aurel. I won't try to separate you two anymore."

"Well. Even if you did try. It wouldn't go anywhere. Julien loves me just as much as I love him."

Aurel came forward and confronted Zanthus. Zanthus nodded and apologized again. Aurel just told him to leave. He didn't hate him like in the memories. But he still had some dislikes from being bothered so much before.

'You know, Aurel doesn't look like a bottom. Why did Zanthus think that he would be the one to push Aurel down?'

'That's what you're thinking about right now?'

'Yeah. Julien is only 75% similar to Aurel. But Julien has a softer build. Unlike Aurel's gray hair and eyes. Julien has black hair and brown eyes. I wonder if when they do it, Aurel would think he's fucking a younger twin with different eye and hair color.'

'Lionel! Get out of the gutter! Anyways, you better not directly ask them. That's their privacy on what they do behind doors.'

'Obviously, I won't ask that! I'm a closeted pervert.'

'...'