Edited by: Kuro and Lille
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When Grey got back from the first world, Azul's friend also came back from an S-ranked world. For some reason, he looked really familiar, but Grey could not put his finger on it.
Azul happily introduced his money-loving friend who now hoarded points and pretty items from each world he got. This friend went by the name of Aylward because his favorite time was when he was an interstellar pirate with loads of money. He hoped to be able to do that again someday.
When Grey was introduced to Aylward, he instantly knew who this person was. To think he also followed Azul around, especially when Azul was filthy rich and could give him money. He felt it was a pretty strange dynamic but Azul didn't seem to mind it.
Plus, Aylward was a nice man if you could overlook his money-hoarding and money-grubbing tendencies.
He didn't have a lover who could join him in UniOrb city, but he did like to flock around Kyle who he had married a couple of times. Kyle did his best to keep him at arm's length because he knew getting with Aylward would be messy and that was something he didn't want to deal with…
"They have been like this for thousands of years. They bicker and fight, make up, and start the messy cycle all over again." Azul couldn't help but roll his eyes as he watched Aylward flirting with Kyle but Kyle was ignoring him.
"Last I heard, Aylward really pissed off Kyle, and Kyle refuses to forgive him. Kyle is shockingly holding this grudge because what Aylward did was unforgivable. As for what he did, I'm not sure. The two of them don't want to tell me…"
Grey watched Kyle organize his System Space using an interactive screen while Aylward talked his head off. Kyle seemed unbothered. Actually, he looked like he was used to it. It was completely different from how Kyle was with him.
Now he was curious as to what happened while he was sleeping. He hoped it wasn't something terrible like cheating or the r-word…
If it was, he would never let Aylward know peace…
When Aylward finally left Kyle alone, Grey took Kyle to his and Azul's apartment. Azul already knew that Grey wanted to ask Kyle what was going on, so he left the two alone in the living room and went to the kitchen to get some drinks and make some snacks for them.
Kyle sat on the couch with a deflated look. Almost like a sad puppy, but didn't want to whine.
Grey handed Kyle a couch pillow because he knew Kyle liked to hug things when he was stressed and worried.
"Kyle… Though I brought you here because I wanted to ask you about your conflict with Aylward, if you don't want to tell me right now, that's okay too."
Kyle shook his head. "No, I don't mind telling you. I just don't know where to begin. It's a long story."
"Take your time. I will listen to everything you've got to say."
Plus, they had plenty of time to talk.
Kyle took a deep breath and then began his long story about his disputes with Aylward, but also about their passion and love.
"During your time in those 13 worlds, there were a few times when I ended up with Aylward. He didn't remember anything in each world, and neither did I, but I loved the time we spent together."
"Even if there were times when he was obsessed with money, it didn't get in the way of his romantic relationships. It didn't get in the way of his love for me, but at the same time, I couldn't help but feel that his love for me was not as deep as Azul's love for you. I also had lifelong romantic relationships outside of Aylward, so I couldn't even be upset with him. I loved everyone I spent my life with…
"I love you as my best friend and I admire and appreciate Azul for his dedication and love for you. I wanted a bit of that in Aylward after I regained all of my memories but I knew deep down, I would never have that from him. His obsession with money and resources came from a soul-based fear of not having anything. A person's soul is, as System 225 has taught us, influenced by the first world they go into. That's when a person's soul personality is shaped and molded and it would carry on to the next life and every life after that.
"Of course, people can change, but there are some parts of them that are set in stone. For example, you are so kind-hearted but you become conflicted when it comes to taking someone's life. You know you have to, but you still feel guilt and shame for doing so. You know you can't change it and I'm sure you have seen that first hand for yourself."
Kyle tilted his head up toward the ceiling and closed his eyes. It was like he was trying to see everything he wanted to say at that moment and was trying to organize his thoughts.
"For him, he has to hoard money or any kind of resources due to his first life's financial struggles. He struggled his whole life and ended up starving to death because he couldn't feed himself.
"Now, with that deep-rooted fear from his first life, it has carried over to every life after that. When we both came here with all of our memories intact, to curb my loneliness of waiting for you, I confided in him. Eventually, we got into an exclusive romantic relationship. However, some time ago, he said to me that points, the UniOrb's currency, would always be more important to him, even more important than his feelings for me. He would always put these points first and I would always be second."
Tears flowed from his closed eyes. He didn't wipe them off though. He just put his hands on his face and hid himself and his feelings like he was ashamed of them.
"I couldn't understand why he would say that to me when all I wanted was to spend a little more time with him. He barely spent time with me between worlds. He always pushed himself to go from world to world, obsessed with getting more points. When he did stay in the UniCity, he was obsessed with managing his finances, occasionally remembering that I exist.
"I… I can't do this anymore. I don't want to live like this anymore. I want someone who wants to spend time with me. Who enjoys being with me. Who, like Azul and you, will put me first too. I give and I give but I get nothing from him. I don't even want much, I just want his company and a little bit of his time. I can't even have that."
Kyle gritted his teeth after wiping some of the tears off of his hands. He gave Grey a heartbroken look. "And he has the gall to flirt with me when he comes back, acting as if he didn't break my heart into a million pieces when he told me I would always be second to points."
"That's when I realized we were never meant to be in a relationship. He is better off finding more short-term relationships to curb his loneliness. While I deserve someone who will give me the same energy that I give to them."
After a long silence, Kyle finally gave a tired smile. "Even if I love him, it's better for the both of us if I let him go."
Grey and Azul allowed Kyle to tell his whole story, never interrupting him. Still, Grey was heartbroken for his best friend. He was sad to have left him and Azul for so long, contributing to their loneliness, but also upset that Kyle could not receive the love that he deserved and wanted.
"From what you have told us, I can see why you have decided to end your relationship with Aylward." Grey brought Kyle into a strong and long hug. "I do not blame you for that and I support your decision."
"You deserve love just like everyone else. Take your time to process all of your feelings. Let yourself grieve. This was a love that you can no longer hold on to and have to let go. For your sake especially. It will be hard and painful, but just know, Azul and I will always be here for you."
Kyle hugged Grey back, crying into Grey's shoulder. "Thank you… Grey… I love and appreciate you. Thank you for being my friend."
The two held each other for a very long time, but it was something that Kyle needed. Azul didn't mind and cleaned up the snacks and drinks that they went through while Kyle was talking.
Azul whispered into Grey's ear that he would be having a talk with Aylward. Grey nodded at him and told him to come back soon.
After that, Azul left their apartment, ready to have a long talk with his close friend…
*****
Azul and Aylward met up at a coffee shop. The only way Azul was able to get him to come was by offering to pay the bill. He didn't mind as this was quite typical for his friend. He would pay this time and Aylward would pay the next time. It was how their hangouts went.
Aylward was already at the coffee shop with a cup of espresso. He also ordered himself a vanilla cake to go with it. As for Azul, he ordered an iced coffee and a breakfast sandwich and sat down across from his friend.
"I heard you wanted to speak to me." Aylward started the convo the moment Azul's order arrived at the table. "Did you want to talk to me about Kyle?"
"So you know?" Azul asked and then took a sip of his coffee. It was good. Not too sweet and not too bitter, just the way he liked it.
"Of course I do. I saw your husband take Kyle to your shared apartment. Kyle probably told you both about our relationship."
"Well, more like why he ended the relationship. Now, you are both acquaintances."
Aylward was a bit shocked, but he was not that surprised. He figured that out with how cold Kyle had been treating him after he told Kyle about putting points first and him second.
"Is it wrong to put him second? He knows why I can't get over my obsession for points. How it's etched into my soul and it's something I can't get rid of. But no one else could ever replace him in my eyes. If we took money out of the equation and did it based solely on living creatures, he would be first, no?"
Azul finally realized Aylward's thought process between his obsession and his love for Kyle, but…
"Kyle wouldn't be able to understand that from what you told him. Even if he did understand, you have already told him that money would always come before he does. In the overall ranking in your mind, he will always be second. He knows you are like that, that's why he decided it was best to let you go even if he loved you."
Azul wasn't there to yell and scream at Aylward for hurting his friend and his love's best friend. He was there to see if Aylward understood why Kyle decided to end their relationship and his thoughts on the matter.
"Aylward, I also think it's best for your relationship to end. I can't help but agree with Kyle that maybe you are best suited for short-term relationships. You can get what you want, and they get what they want in the relationship and then you can part ways. Points will always be your top priority and there will be nobody to compete for that number one spot in your soul."
Azul finished his coffee and then picked up his breakfast sandwich.
"Nobody is asking you to change. Kyle knew that he could not change you and he didn't want to change you. But he knows what he wants. What he wants is for someone to have him as number one. He has the right to seek that, just like how you have the right to continue with how you are."
"I hope from now on, you will stop flirting with him and let him go. He deserves more than what you have been giving him."
Aylward was taken aback that his closest friend would say this to him. "Are you saying this as my friend or Kyle's friend?"
"I'm saying this as both." Azul was serious. He didn't and refused to choose a side. "I cherish you both as my closest friends. That's why, I want what's best for you both. I have come to the conclusion that this is what's best."
Aylward gripped his pants while listening to Azul's reply. He knew that Azul was right, but he truly loved Kyle, and that's why, even if money was his top priority, Kyle would always be his second. Heck, even Azul was third at most. His ranking did have a nonliving being in it, but so what?
Points, money, all of that was important to live and breathe. Without it…
"Hey, I'm not saying you need answers to what I told you right now. I just want you to think about it. It breaks my heart to see my two friends like this. Think about what I've said. If you truly love Kyle, it may be best to let him go."
After that, Azul stood up and went to the counter to pay the bill. Then he said goodbye to Aylward and let him think about it by himself.
He didn't know what Aylward would do, but he hoped that he would think about Kyle first this time and do what was best for him, not what was best for himself.
Regardless of whether Aylward and Kyle were together or apart, he hoped that his friends would be happy, just like how he was happy with Grey… Now and forever.