Owen sighed heavily and he bit his lip trying to find the right words to say. It hurt to know that Liam was still struggling with all this, that he would probably always struggle with it at least at some level. Owen would do anything if it meant that he could take that pain away from the man he loved but he knew that it was impossible so all he could do was do his best to be there and support Liam and reassure him however he could. “We’ve talked about this babe.” He said softly moving in closer. “I know you Liam, we’ve been together five years now, I know you well enough to know it wasn’t something you did on purpose. You were scared and fear makes people do stupid thing, things they regret. Things that you had worked so hard to keep separate were colliding before you were ready and you panicked. You made a mistake, one that you’re torturing yourself over more than anyone else ever could. It’s infinitely apparent how torn up you are about the whole thing. Why would I add on to that? All that I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy because I know you won’t believe me” He reached up and gently brushed some stray hairs away from Liam’s face “but you deserve to be happy more than almost anyone I’ve met. You are an amazing person Li.”
Owen nodded, carefully considering the words Liam was saying. “I signed up life by your side babe, no matter what that meant. All the highs, the lows, everything in between, I’m in it for the long haul Li. I hate to tell you but you’re stuck with me.” He said with a shrug. “I’m not going anywhere. But you need to be willing to let me in. I can’t be here for you if you don’t let me.” Owen’s eyes widened when Liam poured himself yet another drink “Okay babe.” He said moving in between the other man and the bottle of scotch. “I think that’s probably enough for tonight. Come on, give me the glass.” He said holding out hand towards Liam. “Please? For me?” he pleaded giving his boyfriend the best puppy dog eyes he could muster “I want you to listen to me when I tell you some of the countless reasons I’m so madly in love with you Liam Woods. To actually hear the words I’m saying. Do you think you can do that?” He asked gently waiting for his boyfriend to respond before he continued. He wanted to make sure that the things he said were going to sink in, at least as much as they could in the state the other man currently found himself in.
Liam wasn’t hearing anything that Owen was saying. The only words rolling through his head were something Jen had said several weeks earlier at the gala and then what Malcolm said to him after the masquerade. He had a questionable character at best right now. And Owen was hurt once again and could have been shot being around him. He didn’t know how to reconcile everything and make sure that this kind innocent and sweet man didn’t get hurt again. “Fear is not an excuse to do something so horrible to people I love.” He said simply. “Honestly, I deserve you to be mad. I deserve it.” He nodded taking another drink from the glass. “You, deserve happiness. I….I am not this person you paint me to be. I’m not good.” He told him.
 Liam leaned his cheek into the others hand when he touched his face. “I can’t understand why. I want to, you…..you are so good and compassionate and, just, I don’t deserve you.” He said as he picked up the new glass and drank back the entire glass in one long shot before handing the empty glass to Owen.  He moved past him around the bar to their bedroom. “I am listening.” He told him as he sat down on the bed. “I will try.” He hiccupped as he stared at the other man.
