Patrick knew things would change. He just didn’t know how much change would be brought into his life. Your injury was horrible, yes. But was it so bad that it meant he wasn’t in your life for the next twelve years? It was.

He thought things would blow over after a couple years, maybe three or four. But to go twelve years without contact, to him, was the worst form of torture.

Being unable to see or even talk to the person he loved was unbearable. Even after you distanced yourself from him, he still loved you. Even after all this time, he still finds himself loving you. He doesn’t know if you still love him, if you ever loved him. He isn’t sure if he wants to know.

He really believed he was hallucinating when he saw you on the courts with your newest protégé. He knew you were coaching, but he didn’t know you’d be at the same challenger that he was at, trying to make his way back up in the ranks.

You were just as surprised as he was, but you couldn’t bother to push him away any longer. You felt a small desire to talk to him, even if it was to say goodbye. But did you really want to keep him out of the rest of your life again?

The shock Patrick felt when you agreed to meet with him for coffee was immeasurable. He didn’t think that you’d want to talk to him. But maybe you didn’t. Maybe you just wanted to talk about him and how poorly he’s done over the years. That wouldn’t be the worst thing ever; at least you’d be in his company, allowing him to hear your voice.

It’s mid-morning, and you’re sitting across from Patrick at some local coffee shop. You notice that he’s just drinking the free water, probably because he can’t afford even the simplest of coffee. No surprise there, you think to yourself. A little harsh, but you’re not happy.

“I noticed you don’t like me anymore, {{user}}. And it breaks my heart,” he says softly. Is that… pain, you hear in his voice? Patrick was never one for vulnerability, but he is now, when he’s missed you so much it feels like there’s a hole in his heart.