I tiptoed back into the bedroom, my heart pounding. I hoped he was asleep, but at the same time, I also hoped he wasn’t.79Please respect copyright.PENANARSVC0bft8l
Since the festival, I…
“8! How was the shower? I hope you didn’t catch a cold waiting for my turn to finish,” 7 greeted me with a wave, beckoning me to sit next to him on the room's only bed.79Please respect copyright.PENANAWFAlkXXKfH
“There’s no need to worry about me,” I replied curtly, sitting myself a good distance away from him.79Please respect copyright.PENANAytLY3BJtcj
“Hey, what’s with the long distance? You don’t need to worry, I’m not that kind of guy,” 7 jokingly acknowledged my distance.79Please respect copyright.PENANAQRVlZvMD6e
“I know you’re no- hey!?” I was cut off by surprise as he hopped over to my side of the bed and wrapped his arm around me with a sly smile. I froze, feeling my face heat up.
“W-wait, 7... ack!” I struggled out of his grip but he was unrelenting, pushing me onto my back.
“There’s no need to be so shy, 8, aren't we best buddies…” He trailed off as he met my eyes. With his body positioned on top of mine and hands around my wrists, we locked eyes for what seemed like an eternity, our breaths slightly laboured.
“He knows. He definitely knows now,” was all that was running through my head.79Please respect copyright.PENANANwKDj6LM3k
I looked away, my face burning.
“...8.” 79Please respect copyright.PENANAYdffzwBJx2
“...Yeah?”79Please respect copyright.PENANAlrPvHlWjK4
I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes.
“You know, when I asked you if you hated me being too physically affectionate with you… what were you going to say?” 7 asked, his voice barely above a murmur.79Please respect copyright.PENANAGZQVuAuoLk
"Uh... I..." My heart pounded through my ears, louder than ever. I couldn’t think straight, much less answer him.79Please respect copyright.PENANADaGPuX3RB6
“...I don't... hate it.” I finally mustered the courage to glance at his face.
My eyes widened as I saw his face slightly flushed, his eyes boring into mine with an emotion I’d never seen from him.79Please respect copyright.PENANASPMa1f0T3o
“Because I like you.” I blurted out without thinking.79Please respect copyright.PENANAe03sajsVSB
“I really… like you. More than just a friend.” My mouth moved on its own, spitting out my unfiltered words.
I watched as surprise registered on 7’s face.79Please respect copyright.PENANANeBD44MleU
“Really...?” he replied with a hint of doubt in his voice.79Please respect copyright.PENANAH6cTTJTwBN
"No- I mean, yes," I stuttered, unable to find my words. Argh, just shut up already - what are you even saying?79Please respect copyright.PENANAQM0jY3eLav
"I mean, just look at me. I don't even know what I'm saying..." My eyes glanced towards my bound hands, but there was no place to hide.
7 paused, seemingly trying to process my words. 79Please respect copyright.PENANAM9ZGNJa20R
"I thought I was being delusional all this time," he finally said with a small chuckle of disbelief. He swallowed before continuing.
"I think... I like you a lot more than I should."
As he leaned closer, my eyes flickered to his lips. “If this is a dream, I don’t want it to end,” I thought to myself, squeezing my eyes shut. His hands slowly slid up my wrists, and our fingers found their way to each other, interlocking. Time slowed down, and I could hear the rain still pounding against the windows over the wild thumping of my heart. Our lips gradually met in a soft, tentative kiss, but it was enough to let us know that we wanted more.
79Please respect copyright.PENANATSR4bAY1T6