He was gone. Just like that, he was gone.
Ben had fought it, Ben had fought him that night and fought him until now, and Ari loved him for that – only Ben could be as stubborn, only Ben loved him far more than he deserved – but even Ben had his limits. And he had forgiven him so much over the years, again more than he deserved, but Ari knew from that hardened look there was no chance Ben could forgive him this.
It was what he had wanted; it was what he deserved. To break it beyond repair. Ben had listened to him, finally.
So Ari just stood there, staring senselessly at the wall and waiting for the relief to come. He didn’t know how long for; all he could taste was the blood in his mouth from biting his tongue. (And he couldn’t help but think there were easier ways to make himself hurt than like this – but never mind. It was done.)
Ben had fought it, Ben had fought him that night and fought him until now, and Ari loved him for that – only Ben could be as stubborn, only Ben loved him far more than he deserved – but even Ben had his limits. And he had forgiven him so much over the years, again more than he deserved, but Ari knew from that hardened look there was no chance Ben could forgive him this.
It was what he had wanted; it was what he deserved. To break it beyond repair. Ben had listened to him, finally.
So Ari just stood there, staring senselessly at the wall and waiting for the relief to come. He didn’t know how long for; all he could taste was the blood in his mouth from biting his tongue. (And he couldn’t help but think there were easier ways to make himself hurt than like this – but never mind. It was done.)
