champagne problems (ao3)
He said no. He can't-
He begged on both knees, and he said no.
He said no.
For @magnus-the-maqnificent happy belated birthday, sorry for being an angsty emo nightmare in your dms, and thank you for being an absolute treasure of a friend. I love you and appreciate you and you're amazing 💙💙💙
--------------
He said no.
‘No’.
‘No’ — he can’t.
‘No’ — he won’t.
‘No’ — it’s not what they are going to have.
No no no no
No.
The Dom Perignon in his hands makes itself known as he tries to catch the subway rail, and opening it with his teeth. The cork is lost somewhere down the subway platform, and he can’t bring himself to care. The first swig hits his throat like fucking velvet, and he tries to swallow the bubbles burning his esophagus on their way up. The old woman sitting two seats ahead gives him a barely concealed dirty look. There’s something in the back of his head about public intoxication, but there’s no fucks left in his body to give.
He said no.
He asked him. Dinner, cake, candlelights, down on one knee. Then on both. Asked him. Begged him.
He said no.
His phone is ringing in his pocket, the caller ID illegible through the tears burning his eyes. He blinks it away, then turns on ‘do not disturb’. His family is going to worry, he knows he should let them know, but there is nothing in his power to do right now except sit in this night train and think, but—
He said no. Didn’t even give a reason. Just a no.
The phone screen brightens for a few seconds to tell him about the battery running low, the lock screen crushing the already broken pieces of his heart. It’s the last day the two of them ever spent in their old dorm room. He once joked how it was made for the two of them, both the madhouse full of their colourful friends and the quiet loving blanket of safety at once.
His car is still in the hotel parking, and he hopes Magnus brought his copy of the keys to the chevy. Not exactly the car of a hotshot lawyer, but Alec couldn’t bring himself to exchange it for a Mercedes or an Audi, or whatever it is that his colleagues drive. It’s the car the love of his life saved up painstakingly to buy him, working all the way through college. It’s the testament of their love.
The love currently wilting like the bouquet of roses in the restaurant garbage can.
He said no.
The handkerchief is still in his jacket pocket, he remembers suddenly. His fingers brush over a solid shape as he reaches for it, and he gets a clear jolt of memory at the familiar velvet box.
He left the ring in the champagne glass back at the table.
He can see the headlines tomorrow so clearly— America’s sweethearts no longer, scandal or publicity stunt? A senetor to be rejected by the most beloved face on public television, what a story.
Which again reminds him— he said no.
What a fucking shitshow.
Alec downs the rest of the Dom Perignon in one go, trying to swallow his destined share of champagne problems.
Fuck him. Fuck his life. Fuck Magnus. Fuck this.
40 notes
·
View notes