Liam: nervously shifting his weight I-I know it's been a long time, but can we talk? It's important!
squints, crossing arms How important? Important enough to ditch out for three years? With no explanation?
takes a deep breath, trying to maintain eye contact Yes, Cole, it is important. I went away to find myself, to figure things out.
raises an eyebrow And leave me in the dark? In case you forgot, we had plans, Liam. Big ones.
fidgets, hands trembling I know, Cole, and I'm sorry. I should have communicated better. I got caught up in my own thoughts and emotions...
swallows hard, eyes welling up So you just... decided to up and disappear without a word? That's your grand plan for fixing things?
drops to their level, voice quivering No, Cole, it wasn't my plan. I never wanted to hurt you. I thought leaving would give me the clarity to come back and make things right.
voice cracking slightly Right? By running away like a coward?
reaches out, gently touching Cole's arm I understand why you're angry, Cole. I am too.
backs away from Liam's touch Don't you dare act like you understand what I'm feeling, Liam. Not after everything.
drops to their knees, pleading Cole, please! I know I messed up, but I'm begging you to understand why I had to go.
eyes narrowing, voice cold Understand? You left without a word, Liam. Without any fucking explanation. How am I supposed to understand that?
takes a deep breath, tears welling up in their eyes Cole, I was scared. Scared that if I stayed, if I told you how lost I was, you'd leave me.
bitter laugh Lost? Is that your excuse, Liam? That you were scared?
leans forward, voice breaking No, Cole, it's not an excuse. I was overwhelmed by my own insecurities. I didn't know how to face them, so I ran.
scoffs Insecurities? That's all this is about?
grabs Cole's hands, pleading desperately Cole, please, you have to believe me. I've been working through my issues on my own, trying to become the person I was before all of this happened.
glares at Liam, voice dripping with skepticism Working through your issues alone? That's supposed to make everything okay now?
takes a shaky breath, their voice filled with determination No, Cole, it's not that I've fixed everything. But I promise you, I'm committed to making things right.
gives a bitter laugh Committed, huh? That's rich, Liam. What makes you think you can just waltz back into my life and fix everything with a few empty promises?
stands up, wiping away their tears Cole, I understand your skepticism, but I want to prove to you that I've changed. Let me show you.
looks at Liam, anger fading slightly And how do you plan on doing that, huh? Running off again? Leaving me hanging once more?
steps closer to Cole, looking directly into their eyes No, Cole. No more running. From now on, I promise to face my fears head-on and work through them with you.
stares at Liam, voice softening Work through them... with me? That's a tall order, Liam. How do I know you won't run again?
takes a step back, reaching into their bag Cole, I understand your doubts, but I promise you, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to earn your trust.
notices the edge in Liam's voice Whatever it takes? That's a pretty bold claim, Liam. What's in the bag?
opens the bag, revealing a stack of plane tickets and hotel reservations These, Cole, are the tickets and reservations I made during my year of self-discovery.
chuckles darkly Self-discovery, huh? You expect me to believe that's why you really disappeared?
nods, tears streaming down their face Yes, Cole, I did go on a journey of self-discovery. But it wasn't just about me.
scoffs Great, so I was just an afterthought in your grand adventure, huh?
drops to their knees, grabbing Cole's hands tightly No, Cole, you were never an afterthought. You were the reason I went on this journey.
looks away, voice softening The reason? For real, Liam? Then why'd you lie about it?
takes a deep breath, voice trembling Cole, I was afraid of what you'd think of me if you knew the truth. I didn't want you to see me as weak, as broken.
softens, voice barely above a whisper Weak, broken... is that how you see yourself, Liam?
wipes away their tears, looking determined No, Cole. I don't see myself as weak or broken anymore. I see myself as someone who loves you deeply and is willing to fight for our relationship.
softens, reaches out to touch Liam's hand I... I guess I just want to understand, Liam. To know why you'd choose to walk away when things got tough.
squeezes Cole's hand, voice filled with emotion I know, Cole. I know it's not okay to run away from our problems.
studies Liam's face, voice softening "Our" problems... that's a first, Liam. But talk, we need to talk. Properly. Not like this.
stands up, determination in their eyes Cole, I agree. We need to talk, to work through this together. No more running, no more hiding.
smiles sadly Together... yeah, I like the sound of that, Liam. Let's start talking then.
takes Cole's hand and leads them to a nearby park bench Cole, I want to be honest with you. It was hard for me to leave like that, to disappear without any explanation.
nods slowly Yeah, I can imagine. Hard to just up and leave. But you did, Liam. You left me.
takes a deep breath, looking Cole in the eye Cole, I know I hurt you by leaving without saying goodbye. It was the last thing I ever wanted to do.