The weight of the secret had grown unbearable.

William stood at the edge of the Han River, the moonlight dancing on the rippling water. His breath came in shallow gasps, his body weak and trembling, each step feeling heavier than the last. The air was cold, biting through his thin jacket, but it wasn’t the chill that made him shiver—it was the knowledge that tonight, he would finally tell Julius everything.

He had no choice. Time was running out.

Behind him, footsteps crunched softly on the gravel path. William didn’t need to turn to know it was Julius. He felt the familiar presence, warm and steady, even before the artist came to stand beside him.

“You said you wanted to talk,” Julius said, his voice quiet but filled with an undercurrent of worry. “What’s going on, William?”

William glanced at him, his heart aching at the concern in Julius’s eyes. For a moment, he considered keeping the truth hidden, just a little longer. But then his chest tightened with the pain of the curse, a cruel reminder of the time he didn’t have.

“It’s not easy to explain,” William said softly, turning his gaze back to the river. “But you deserve to know the truth.”

He started slowly, his words hesitant as he wove a story that felt surreal even to him. “I’m not... who you think I am,” William began. “I’m not from here. I’m not even... human.”

Julius’s brows furrowed, confusion flashing across his face. “What are you talking about?”

William took a deep breath, his hands trembling as he continued. “I’m Eros,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “The god of love.”

Julius stared at him, his expression unreadable. “You’re... joking, right?”

William shook his head, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I wish I were. But it’s the truth. I’ve spent eternity weaving love stories for others, watching from the heavens, never feeling it myself.” He paused, his voice breaking. “Until I saw you.”

Julius’s lips parted in disbelief, his gaze searching William’s face for some hint of the man he thought he knew. “You’re serious,” he said finally, his voice tinged with shock. “You really believe this.”

“It’s not just a belief,” William said, desperation creeping into his tone. “It’s who I am. Or who I was, before Zeus punished me.”

Julius took a step back, shaking his head as if trying to process what he was hearing. “Punished you? Why?”

William swallowed hard, the weight of his actions pressing down on him. “Because I broke the rules. I used my power to try to make you fall in love with me. And when Zeus found out, he stripped me of my immortality and cursed me to live in this dying body.” He gestured to himself, his voice trembling. “I have three months to make you fall in love with me... naturally. Or I die, and I’m erased from existence.”

For a long moment, Julius said nothing. His expression was a mix of disbelief, confusion, and something darker—betrayal. “You... used your power on me?” he asked, his voice low and uneven.

William nodded, his chest tight with shame. “At first, yes. But it didn’t work. Zeus stopped the arrow before it could reach you.” He looked up, his eyes pleading. “Everything that happened after—our connection, our time together—it’s real. I swear.”

Julius’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists. “And you didn’t think to tell me? You let me fall for you without knowing any of this?”

“I was scared,” William admitted, his voice cracking. “I didn’t want to lose you. I didn’t want you to see me as a liar, or worse—as someone who only cared about saving himself. But I... I care about you, Julius. More than anything.”

Julius turned away, his shoulders tense as he stared out at the river. “This is insane,” he muttered, his voice barely audible. “Gods, curses, immortality... how am I supposed to believe any of this?”

“I don’t know,” William said softly, his chest aching. “But it’s the truth. And whether you believe me or not, I needed you to know. Because... I don’t have much time left.”

Julius’s breath hitched at those words, and he turned back to William, his expression conflicted. “How much time?” he asked, his voice trembling.

“A few weeks,” William said, his tears finally spilling over. “Maybe less. My body’s failing, and when it does...” He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Julius’s eyes softened, the anger in his gaze giving way to something else—grief, fear, and an almost unbearable sadness. “Why did you tell me now?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

“Because I love you,” William said, his voice steady despite the tears streaming down his face. “And I couldn’t keep lying to you, not when every moment we have left is so precious. I don’t care about Olympus anymore, or about saving myself. All I care about is you.”

Julius’s breath caught, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to process the flood of emotions washing over him. He took a hesitant step closer, his hand reaching out to brush against William’s cheek.

“You really mean that,” Julius said, his voice barely above a whisper.

William nodded, his gaze unwavering. “With everything I have left.”

For a long moment, they stood in silence, the only sound the gentle ripple of the river behind them. Then Julius let out a shaky breath, pulling William into his arms. “I don’t know if I can believe everything you’ve told me,” he said quietly, his voice muffled against William’s shoulder. “But I believe you love me. And that’s enough.”

William clung to him, his tears soaking into Julius’s jacket. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “For everything.”

Julius tightened his hold, his voice filled with quiet determination. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”

And in that moment, William felt a fragile glimmer of hope. Even with the weight of his curse pressing down on him, he knew that he would cherish every second they had left—because this love, fleeting and imperfect, was worth fighting for.