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Hearts Collide (part four)

"Stop bouncing!" Pha whisper-yelled to Ming, who was acting like a kid about to go to an amusement park for the first time.

"I can't help it, I'm excited," Ming said, trying to settle down. "Why isn't Yo here yet?"

"I'm excited too," Pha held onto Ming's hand happily. "This past week has been like hell."

"I've missed Yo so much," Ming admitted. "We're never leaving him alone for so long again."

"I agree," Pha answered, "but this time was necessary. How are we supposed to surprise him when you can't keep a secret or tell a lie?"

"I can't help it," Ming shrugged. "I'm an honest person, but you love me anyway."

"Yes, I do love you," Pha said, putting his fingers under Ming's chin to tilt his lips up. Before they could kiss, Yo walked up to them and took the opposite seat.

"You're here!" Ming smiled, wanting to jump out of his chair. Pha gave him a warning look, trying to cool him down. They had a special meal prepared and they were going to wait until after dessert for the present.

"I'm sorry, I'm late," Yo said quietly. He sat on the edge of his seat, looking a little nervous.

"Are you hungry? We already ordered some ... ," Pha started to speak but Yo cut him off.

"I'm sorry, I'm not staying for dinner," Yo said, quiet but firm. "I just came to talk to you. I didn't think I should do this over the phone."

"Do what?" Ming asked, then looked more closely at Yo's stoic face. "What's wrong?"

"Don't worry, there's nothing wrong," Yo said, trying to smile bravely. "It just took me a long time to make this decision and I'm not really sure how to start."

"How to start what?" Pha asked, his eyebrows drawing together as he began to take in Yo's indifferent voice and stiff posture.

"I think we all know this isn't working," Yo said, looking down at his lap and taking a deep breath.

"What?" Ming's voice shook. He wasn't sure what was happening, but Pha was frozen beside him.

"I really wanted to try this because I loved you both so much, but now I realize it was a foolish idea," Yo said, trying to maintain his cold demeanor. He didn't want to hurt them, so he had to pretend that he wasn't hurt. "I realize now that if we keep doing this, we're going to end up hurting each other."

Neither Ming nor Pha spoke, too surprised to know what to say, so Yo continued, "I understand  that I'm not the right person for this relationship. So I'm letting you go, both of you."

"L-letting ... go?" Ming whispered, trying to understand.

"I wish you both the best," Yo said, standing quickly and turning away so they wouldn't see his face. "Be happy together."

Yo's control almost broke with the last words and he walked away as quickly as he could, trying to keep his head held high. His heart was still bleeding and he couldn't help but wonder how much one heart had to break before it would never be healed. He'd never had that much love to begin with, so why was he always losing everyone he cared about? He'd lost his mother and two of his grandparents in an accident when he was a child. He'd lost the other two grandparents a couple of years ago to age and illness. Now he'd lost the two people he loved most in one breath and one of them was his best friend. He sat quietly in Park's car, his arms wrapped around his body tightly, like he was holding himself together. Park watched him sadly from the driver's seat. He took his friend home, letting him cry.

In the small, private room of a restaurant, two men sat side by side staring at the last place they'd seen their lover before he walked away.

"Pha?" Ming asked, finally turning to see the other man leaning forward and clutching at his heart. "Yo broke up with us?"