So, Casanova and Lysande are childhood friends. They met when they were eight years old and stuck with each other through the end of high school.
Around the first year of high school, Lysande realized that he was developing feelings for his best friend. He thought it was a little strange; he didn't know how it began. He did notice that Casa was getting taller each year, and became more attractive as he matured. He found himself glancing over at him a few times per shared class. His own hair was shoulder length back then and he had some bangs, so no one would notice his eyes study Casanova's studious face and the sharp features of his profile.
A few years later and after plenty of hard work, it was graduation and prom time. Lysande had convinced Casanova to come to the prom with him, not as a date but as friends. Casanova showed up in a stunning black tuxedo with coattails and shoes polished to a brilliant shine. Lysande was amazed with what he saw, and wishes that his outfit was a little better (he had on a tux too but Casa's looked more expensive). They went in and stayed for a while but Lysande noticed that Casa seemed a little bored being there, because he didn't know as many people as Lysande did. Lysande decided to leave early then, so Casa could have his freedom. However, he did have another reason in bring Casa outside, and it was because he had something important to tell him.
The pair walked to Highline Park, a high rise Manhattan park built on an abandoned train line on the West side of the city. The section they went in had a good view of the Hudson River and the moon was out, its reflection sparkled like spilled glitter. The lights of the city were behind them, since they were facing the side with the water. The wind was calm and warm that night. Lysande fidgeted slightly alongside his friend, who thought this action was a bit strange, since he had never seen Lysande so nervous before. Before Casanova could ask what was the matter, Lysande placed his hand on his friend's shoulder and broke some news to him without looking in his direction.
He was moving back to Iceland. Tomorrow.
Casa was surprised, but his face hardly showed it, save for the slight widening of his eyes. Lysande never mentioned this to him before; he was given the impression that Lysande would stay in the country and go to a school within the state. When he questioned about this change, Lysande replied that what he said before was a lie so Casa wouldn't think that he would be left behind. Though, now Lysande was reconsidering his actions and mentioned he should've came clean from the start. He started to worry when Casa didn't respond, but then Casa replied, saying that he understood. This relieved Lysande, but just slightly, because that wasn't the only piece of news we wanted to announce that night.
This could be his last chance to tell him, the one thing he kept secret for the past three or four years. He couldn't look Casanova in the eye once again, nor did he place his hand upon his shoulder again either. He kept his eyes upon the skyline of the neighboring state as he called his friend's name, then spoke those three little words.
I love you.
If Casa didn't show shock before, it was more apparent now. He stopped and stared at Lysande, not knowing what to think. The silence was thickening. Casa let out a deep sigh and shifted his focus upon the water in front of them. He replied back in a soft voice,
...I'm sorry.
Lysande made a small smile of defeat. He had a feeling things wouldn't go his way, but he was glad to have these things off his chest. Still, he felt so dissatisfied, but it was a broad feeling, not pinpointed to any singular event that just happened. He tried to express his thoughts, sayings things like he knew it would come to this and such, but he stammered through it, not gathering his thoughts completely. Casa was observing this weak display and it was at that moment he decided to hug his friend, and told him, don't cry. Hearing this though made Lysande's eyes water. At that moment, he couldn't help but cry.
After a few moments Lysande calmed down a bit, and offered to take Casa home, in which Casa complied. They spent their seemingly last moments together in silence, and once they reached Casa's apartment they hugged each other one seemingly last time, before Casa went through the glass doors and Lysande watched from outside until Casa went in the elevators and the doors were shut.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
Fast forward ten years. This is the month of October.
Lysande and his construction crew appeared before a small astronomy lab / observatory, hoping that this one would be THE one. The head of this lab wanted an extra building built alongside the current one, and they wanted a foreign company to do it, for some reasons unexplained. Lysande had taken orders from other labs within the past few years but none of them had that person always on his mind. He kept a small hope that this one is it.
After meeting with the lab head and discussing details and after days of planning, Lysande's crew was going to start the building. Lysande had some free time one day and noticed one of the scientists standing around. He took this chance to go ask him if the person he wanted was here. He was expecting a weird look and a no, but he got the opposite. His pulse quickened, he asked quickly, where was he now? After being inquired of his whereabouts, which was on a hill not far from the back if the main building next to a tree, Lysande rushed towards him.
The man he found there had red hair instead of the brown hair he was used to, but he didn't care question it, for the height and the build of the man gave it away. He called out to him, repeating that special name:
Casanova?
To his delight the man turned towards him, and Lysande recognized his face right away. He smiled and ran towards him. Casanova had a look of shock, he couldn't believe he was seeing him again. Save for the new weird hairstyle, Lysande looked like the same outgoing guy he's known for years, but with more muscle. Overwhelmed with emotion Casa hugged his friend back tight.
A few days more after their first meeting, Casa and Lysande went and had lunch together. They went by the same place that they met near that tree on the hill. They were talking about this and that, and how busy they both were after graduation. They sat in a silence for a while, until Lysande mentioned something that brought back old feelings.
That even after all these years of being apart, he still loved him.
Lysande glanced over at Casa and saw that he was making the same expression as he did ten years ago, but this time it changed...to a look of uncertainty and...sadness. Lysande was about to ask what was the matter, but then he heard someone else approach.
Another guy appeared, and he looked just a bit younger than them. He had a cute aura around him. The other guy noticed Casa and went up to him and started chatting with him casually, only briefly looking over at Lysande and shyly saying hi. This guy was short in comparison to the both of them, and had brown waves framing his face and his big brown eyes shone while speaking to Casa. He had this forever cheerful look on his face as he spoke, then as he turned to go back to the building, he waved goodbye. Lysande turned back to talk to Casa again but froze.
He realized why Casa looked uncertain before. Why he seemed sad.
Casa was looking back at the retreating guy...with the same look in his eye that Lysande would see Casa with, over ten years ago.
His blood felt cold.
Casanova...was in love with someone else.
Lysande turned to look at the ground. His heart hurt. He tried to hold back any negative expression that might show up on his face. However, Casa had a good perception of the situation that unfolded. But he didn't know what to say. In the end, he just said,
It's true.
And Lysande knew what he meant by those words. He looked up at Casa to see that look of uncertainty appear again on his face. Holding back his real emotions Lysande tried to lighten the mood, saying that it was unexpected, and that the other guy seemed really cute and stuff. But that didn't work out. They sat in silence again, one that felt as heavy as the one ten years ago.
Suddenly Lysande got an idea. One that he hoped he wouldn't regret,
Casa, will you be happy, if that guy was your lover?
He noticed a slight blush formed on his friend's cheeks, so the answer was given through that. Lysande proposed that he would help him get together with the other guy. And so within the next couple months Lysande, with the help of one of another scientist who ship the same couple, did his best to get Casa and the other guy (who he then learned the name of; Helix) together. They manage to succeed over the winter holiday, where some scientists stayed to work during then and also wanted to see the two get together. Casa and Helix confessed their feelings to each other on the night of new years eve, just before the turn of the year, and the two shared a kiss just as the fireworks started to burst. Lysande was a distance away from them, hiding behind a bush with the scientist who helped him, watching this from afar. He didn't want to look away, he wanted to see his best friend happy. And that's what he got, despite his own broken heart.
...and thus is a tale of an unrequited love. ;;