the progress project [3]

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aidan

"what?" a bite of a plain bagel with cream cheese practically falls out of his mouth. this cannot be happening again.

everett takes too long of a sip from his beverage, crumpling his garbage in the paper bag. his eyes connect with aidan's, and the latter can sense that everett isn't kidding. "i love you."

"i love you, too," aidan murmurs, but it sounds like a goodbye.

"you deserve the world," everett says, moving from his spot to kneel in front of the other boy. "the entire world. but i can't give it to you, no matter how much i want to. you were my first of many things. my first boyfriend, the first person i could feel myself with, the first person that accepted me as me, the first person i fell in love with."

aidan swallows the lump in his throat, attempting to prepare himself for the blow that's about to strike.

"but your first love isn't always your last," everett breathes, standing. his face contorts at the sight of aidan's, holding back tears.

"everett, please—"

"i should've said goodbye a long time ago instead of hurting you more. i'm sorry."

"wait—"

"i love you," everett kisses his forehead. "and i have to let you go."