When Bright spoke the word "Go," Levis stared, confusion clouding the exhaustion in his eyes. His voice cracked, weak from trauma and blood loss. "Bright... What... what are you saying?"
Bright took a step toward him, his own face wet with tears that mirrored the sudden, heavy rain beginning to fall. "Enough, Levis! Enough!" His voice was ragged with self-inflicted pain. "Stop hiding your feelings. Stop fooling yourself just for the sake of others! No matter what, if you love someone, chase them! Go!"
Levis felt a massive weight lift from his soul. The pressure of years—the promise, the fear of hurting Bright, the denial of Robert—vanished in that single act of surrender. With a sob of profound gratitude, Levis lunged forward and hugged Bright tightly, burying his face into his friend's shoulder.
"Thank you, Bright! Thank you so much!" Levis's voice was full of overflowing emotion, an aching farewell to their shared history.
