Arvin's hand still gripped Alrain's hands firmly like a vise, restraining the lethal attack from reaching Allen. However, even though the attack had been stopped, Alrain's anger had not subsided.
Alrain struggled wildly. His body writhed, trying to break free. When his physical strength wasn't enough, he started kicking Arvin's waist repeatedly with his leg.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
"Let me go!" screamed Alrain hysterically, tears of rage flowing freely down his cheeks. "Why did you stop me?! Move! I have to kill the person who made you suffer! I hate him! He doesn't deserve to live!"
Arvin didn't budge even though his back ached from being hit repeatedly. He looked at Alrain's chaotic face with a calm gaze.
"Calm down, Alrain! Listen to me first!" coaxed Arvin gently but firmly.
"How can I be calm?!" Alrain snapped back, his voice hoarse. "How can I be calm knowing you married the person who hated you! What do you think I am in your life, huh? Just a stupid, worthless pawn? Trash that can be thrown away and betrayed anytime? Answer me!"
Arvin's heart sank hearing that accusation. The guilt influenced by Arvin Vedegra's original character returned to haunt him.
"I never thought of you like that, Alrain." answered Arvin sincerely, his eyes staring deep into Alrain's wet green eyes. "You are someone very precious in my eyes. Before, now, and forever."
Alrain chuckled bitterly. "Liar! If I'm truly precious in your eyes, then why did you marry Allen? Why him? Why not someone else? Are you joking with me?!"
Seeing the situation heating up, Allen, who had been silent all along, finally tried to intervene. He stepped forward carefully.
"Alrain, please listen to the explanation fir—"
Thud!
Before Allen could finish his sentence, a very fast and hard side kick hit his stomach again.
"Ugh!"
Allen doubled over, clutching his stomach which was in intense pain. This kick was far more powerful than the last, as if Alrain channeled all his disappointment there.
"Shut up!" snapped Alrain fiercely. His gaze on Allen was bone-chillingly cold. "I refuse to hear your voice! Be grateful I only kicked your stomach and didn't smash that cute face of yours until it's shapeless, Bastard! Don't interfere in our business!"
The crowd witnessing the heated argument became even noisier. Whispers were heard everywhere. They didn't know the context of past history or reincarnation, so in their eyes, this was a very complicated romantic drama.
"Wow, this is truly a brutal love triangle..."
"But it's quite unique, huh. There are two handsome men fighting over another handsome man openly on the street."
Alrain didn't care about the people watching them. His focus was only on Arvin. He struggled again, this time more desperately.
"Lord Arvin Vedegra, you are truly outrageous! You bastard! You devil!" cursed Alrain while sobbing. "You heartless jerk! You are cruel! Let go of my hand! Let me go if you indeed chose him!"
"Please calm down, Alrain... I beg of you..." pleaded Arvin gently, not at all provoked by the insults.
Thud!
Alrain's foot flew again. This time not to the waist, but smashing into Arvin's face hard.
His head snapped to the side. Fresh blood dripped from the corner of his split lip. However, he just stayed silent and accepted the kick without trying to dodge or block it. He accepted it as punishment for Arvin's sins against the loyal teenage boy in front of him.
Arvin understood perfectly. Alrain wasn't angry because of hate, but because he was deeply disappointed, hurt, and frustrated. His world crumbled upon finding out the person he protected with his life ended up with the person who killed him.
Arvin wiped the blood on his lip with his thumb, then looked back at Alrain with a gaze full of regret.
"Alrain..." Arvin called him. "I apologize for what happened in the past. I know I was a bastard. But, please... can you forget that and let's open a new page in this life?"
"Open a new page you say?!" Alrain shouted in frustration, his voice cracking. "Is it that easy for you to say? Do you think about my feelings? Do you know how painful and agonizing it was for me to hold these feelings alone while being by your side back then?! And now you ask me to forget it?!"
"Alrain, I understand. I understand very well now." said Arvin, his voice starting to tremble. "That's why... I want to make up for all my mistakes. I don't want you to suffer anymore."
"Make up for mistakes you say? Nonsense!" exclaimed Alrain with a trembling voice full of disappointment. "You will never understand my suffering! You don't understand my true feelings!"
His frustrated screams grew louder, breaking the silence of the street.
Arvin took a deep breath, gathering the courage to say a sentence that might sound crazy but was the most appropriate.
"Are you willing to marry me?"
Alrain, who was preparing to shout again, suddenly stopped. His mouth was still half-open, about to spew insults, but no sound came out.
"You will never underst—"
....
....
The world seemed to stop spinning for Alrain.
Instantly, Alrain fell completely silent. His anger evaporated, replaced by total confusion. He stared at Arvin's handsome, bruised face with a blank look.
His brain tried to process the sentence that had just entered his ears.
...
Not long after, Alrain blinked his eyes repeatedly, trying to convince himself that he wasn't hallucinating due to stress.
"W-What... did you just say?" he asked to verify, his voice a small squeak, contrasting sharply with his earlier screaming.
Arvin smiled gently, ignoring the pain in his jaw. He looked at Alrain earnestly.
"Are you willing to marry me, Alrain?" repeated Arvin with very clear articulation.
Alrain's eyes rounded perfectly. His face turned beet red up to his ears.
"D-Did I not hear wrong?" he asked again as if disbelieving reality. "Marry? With me?"
"You didn't hear wrong, Alrain!" answered Arvin steadily. "I want to marry you! I want you to be a part of my life, not as a subordinate, but as my spouse!"
The wind and lightning elemental magic sword that had been active in Alrain's hand slowly faded, then vanished into particles of light. The killing intent enveloping him disappeared instantly.
Knowing that Alrain had calmed down and was no longer dangerous, Arvin slowly released his grip.
Alrain didn't run. Instead, he stepped forward, approaching Arvin hesitantly, then looked at that face from a very close distance, searching for lies there.
"You... you aren't joking to play with me again, are you?" asked Alrain softly, his eyes glassy with hope.
"Why would I joke about marriage?" Arvin shook his head slowly. He turned towards Allen who was standing behind Alrain holding his stomach. "Allen has allowed me to marry you too. In fact, he really wanted to meet you."
Alrain turned slowly to the back. There, Allen, the person he just kicked and wanted to kill, was smiling sincerely at him, as if holding no grudge whatsoever. Allen even nodded, giving his blessing.
Alrain looked back at Arvin.
"So, Alrain... are you willing to be my spouse?" asked Arvin once more.
Alrain's defenses collapsed. His tears broke, but this time they were not tears of anger.
"Uwaaa!!"
Alrain immediately lunged at Arvin, hugging his neck tightly, burying his face in the broad chest of the man he had loved for two lifetimes.
"Of course I'm willing! Stupid! I am very willing!" he cried amidst his sobs.
Tears of happiness flowed freely, wetting Arvin's uniform. The burden of waiting, the pain, and the longing he had buried for years, even across death, were finally paid off today.
"You know? This feels like a dream..." whispered Alrain hoarsely. "My long wait wasn't in vain. I am very happy, My Lord... ah, my Husband!"
Arvin returned the hug just as tightly. He rubbed Alrain's trembling back gently.
"I apologize for everything that happened back then, Alrain. I promise I won't waste you again. Now, let's open a new life and forget the bad events you experienced, and we start everything from the beginning."
"Yes!" answered Alrain happily.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Suddenly, loud applause broke their intimate moment. The sound came from all directions.
Arvin, Alrain, and Allen startled and looked around. It turned out the crowd that had been watching their argument was now clapping and cheering happily. They witnessed the happy ending of that street "drama".
"Great! You guys are great! What a shocking ending!"
"Congrats, Dude! You were so manly proposing in the middle of the street!"
"Although your three-way relationship is a bit strange and unusual, I can feel your happiness! Congratulations to you!"
"Wow! Love wins! Congrats!"
Arvin and Allen's faces turned beet red instantly. They just fully realized that they were currently in the middle of a busy public street in broad daylight. Shame crept in intensely for causing a commotion, fighting, shouting, and even proposing to someone in public.
Arvin looked down, hiding his blushing face. Allen pretended to be busy fixing his clothes. However, not for Alrain.
His happiness was overflowing too much, overcoming his embarrassment. He released his hug, then turned to face the crowd. With a face puffy from crying but adorned with a wide, shining smile, he waved his hand enthusiastically like a celebrity who just won an award.
"Thank you everyone!" exclaimed Alrain cheerfully while laughing and crying happily at the same time. "Thank you! Hahaha!"