A chance?

A chance?
Chapter Seventy-Four

Lucian turned around and walked to Artemis. The boy remained on the spot, though surprise momentarily flashed in his features. Lucian cupped Artemis’s face with both hands and kissed him deeply. 
He poured in every emotion he felt inside into the kiss. The hurt, heartbreak, disappointment, everything. Artemis was a stunned for the first couple of seconds.
Lucian was kissing him. 
That was all his brain processed. The familiar warmth made his heart flutter and for a second—just one second, he almost gave in but the mental image of Lucian standing next to his father, laughing and bragging about how easy playing Artemis was, clouded his mind and his hands moved on instinct. 
Lucian blinked as Artemis shoved him aggressively and wiped his mouth like he was the most disgusting thing ever. Lucian had never felt as filthy as he did right now. 
“I'm sorry,” he apologized, even though his insides were ripping apart. “I… I shouldn’t have…”
“Damn right, you shouldn’t,” Artemis spat and Lucian’s heart sueezed. “Don’t ever touch me without my permission. I don’t want you anymore. How hard is it for you to understand that? Was last night not enough?”
Lucian couldn’t speak. It was too painful to even consider letting Artemis go. It was not an option, not for him. 
“Just tell me what I have to do,” those ocean blue eyes held his fragile heart. “Anything to win you back and I will do it.”
Artemis’ expression remained blank. “I dunno, maybe disappear and let me live my life without you in it?”
He turned and walked back to his room without glancing back. Lucian’s shoulders sagged. His legs began moving, following Artemis at a safe distance. The boy didn’t look back once and just slammed his bedroom door shut behind him. 
Lucian stood outside there for almost three minutes, just staring at the door. His phone rang in his pocket and when he saw the caller ID, his mood brightened. It was the company he’d preordered some items from.
After Laura's talk with him that night, hed spent the following days sorting out things he was certain Artemis would like. He had to customize most of them so it took a couple of weeks and he’d almost forgotten about it but now it was ready, he could only hope it was worth the wait. 
He swiped the answer button. 
"Hello?"
"Good morning, Mr Meyers," the cheerful voice from the other end greeted. "We're calling regarding your custom order. Everything has been completed and is ready for collection. Since you requested priority service, we just wanted to confirm you're still available to pick it up today."
Lucian closed his eyes briefly.
"Yes."
"Wonderful. We'll have everything packaged before your arrival."
"I'll be there in two hours.”
The call ended.
For the first time that morning, something resembling hope flickered inside him. It wasn't much. Just a tiny spark.
Laura had told him to stop relying on words because Artemis no longer believed them. She'd said actions were louder, that if he truly wanted another chance, he had to prove he knew the younger man at all.
He'd put in so much thought into getting them and he hoped even if Artemis wanted nothing to do with him, he would still find them useful. He returned to his room to change into a more suitable outfit.

He didn't like going out with shorts so he settled for a white two-piece wear. He brushed his hair and took care of his face to look more alive before stepping out. Artemis’ door opened at the same time.
Unlike him, the boy was in shorts and a tank top. The keys to his bike hung lazily on his fingers. He was going out as well. Those steel grey eyes took in every inch of Lucian’s appearance. 
A small, almost missable frown touched the boy’s face but he turned away, ready to ignore it.
“I’m just going to pick a couple of things. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Lucian informed him. Artemis rolled his eyes.
“Do whatever you want.”
He made to leave but Lucina stopped him again. “Uhmm… are you free this evening?”
“No,” Artemis answered in a heartbeat. 
“What about tomorrow then? Or anytime this week?” Lucian asked. He tried to stay optimistic, hiding the hurt from the earlier rejection. 
“No, Lucian. I don’t have time to spare for you.”
That cut deeply and Lucian nodded slowly. He thought when he got back, he could take Artemis on a date. They could do something fun together for the first time but it was becoming even clearer that Artemis couldn't stand the mere sight of him. 
He didn’t mind paying for a solo date if that was what the boy wanted. He just wanted him to loosen up a little before he actually gave him the gifts. Not for any special reason but mostly to reduce the probability of Artemis dumping them without taking a look. 
“Friday,” Artemis said suddenly and Lucian’s eyes sparkled. 
“Huh?”
“I can spare an hour on Friday. Now stop bothering me, you look pathetic,” Artemis huffed and walked away.
A big smile broke out of Lucian's face for the first time in weeks. Did Artemis just give him a chance?