𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣'𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙣

𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓

Saturn
• • •

On January 3rd, Calvin vanished without saying goodbye. He did not send a single letter over the six days he was gone. He did not bring me a rose beforehand as a promise of his return. His disappearance was so sudden, that I hadn't even begun to process it by the time he came back. Even when he returned on the 9th, he was utterly unrecognizable.

I was laying in his bed holding one of his sweatshirts when the door opened. Expecting to see Tom or Darius, I looked up at the newcomer expressionlessly.

"Saturn?" Calvin looked shocked to see me.

His appearance shocked me more. There was a dark purple ring around his eye where he'd clearly been hit. My relief in seeing him again vanished in an instant.

"What happened to you?" I asked as he sat down on the bed next to me. Calvin looked beyond hesitant. He looked as though he wished I weren't there.

"Did you get into a fight?" I persisted, brushing his curls out of his face so I could see the bruise more clearly.

"Yes, Saturn," Calvin replied softly. His expression was grave and regretful. This couldn't be about my brother, could it be?

I finally worked up the courage to speak again through the deafening silence. "Did you fight Jupiter, Calvin?"

He merely shook his head slowly.

"You need to tell me how this happened to you," I demanded, not giving this up. I couldn't just go on pretending that Calvin's behaviour was normal, and this had set it over the edge.

"I had a small altercation with someone during my time away," he said, "it doesn't concern you, I promise. It has nothing to do with Jupiter."

"That may be true, but it does concern me if you are hurt," I said, "plus, I deserve an explanation for everything you've put me through this week. How could you just leave me like that, Calvin?"

I could tell Calvin was cursing on the inside. I was cursing on the inside. Why was he being so secretive?

"Look, Saturn," he said softly, resting his head on his hand, "I've already told you that it doesn't concern you. It is my business that I am taking care of in my own time. I am here with you now, and I am okay. That's what matters."

I nodded. For now, I would have to be satisfied with Calvin's half-assed replies. He wasn't going to give me anything else. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to know what he was doing during his time away. If it was important, it would come out in due time.

"I'm happy you're home," I said softly, "but you should know by now that I don't appreciate it when people leave me without saying goodbye."

Calvin was guilt-stricken. He gently kissed my jawline, trying not to push my limits but also showing me he felt for me. "I am so sorry, my darling," He murmured, "that must have been really hard on you. It won't happen again."

I offered him a forgiving smile. "I know." I gently fingered his bruise, wishing that I could take his pain away.

"It's a few days old now," Calvin murmured, reading my concern, "it doesn't hurt much anymore. It just looks bad."

"It makes you look tough," I said, trying to brighten his mood in any way I could. It worked. A familiar smirk crept over his lips.

"You are the tough one, Saturn," he said softly, "how is it that you still put up with me after I keep doing this to you?"

I paused. I knew why the thought of giving up on Calvin had never even crossed my mind. Not after he continued to conceal the truth from me. Not after he so brutally reminded me of traumas from my past. It was because I loved him. But saying it out loud was impossible, although I had never been more sure about anything in my life.

"Because I..." I began, not having the strength to finish the phrase.

"Do you love me, Saturn?" Calvin asked, forcing me to acknowledge the fact that he already knew what I was trying to get across.

I nodded slightly, feeling embarrassed.

"Well," Calvin said, turning to face me, "I love you, Saturn. You have a hard time with those words, don't you?"

I nodded again. He was too good at reading me, it was frightening.

"Say it, love," Calvin urged me, "unless it is not true."

"No, it's true..." I mumbled, looking away from him. He pulled my chin sharply back to face him. I relaxed slightly. You can do this, Saturn.

"I love you, Calvin."