The rain tapped lightly against the windows of the small apartment. Soft music played from the speaker in the corner, and the scent of popcorn hung in the air. Jamie, the quiet one, curled up at the edge of the couch, legs tucked under him, hoodie sleeves pulled over his hands like usual.
Across the room, Ryanβhis ridiculously charming roommateβmoved with casual confidence, tossing a blanket over them both as he flopped down beside him.
"You always sit so far away," Ryan teased, nudging Jamieβs leg with his foot. "I donβt biteβ¦ unless youβre into that."
Jamieβs cheeks turned pink, and he looked away quickly, muttering, βI just like spaceβ¦β
Ryan chuckled, leaning back on the couch, arms stretching behind his head, muscles tugging at the edge of his T-shirt. Jamie tried not to lookβbut failed miserably.
βSo, we watching this movie or pretending to care while secretly thinking about other things?β Ryan asked, glancing over at him with a smirk.
Jamie swallowed hard. "What kind of other things?"
Ryan's voice dropped just a bit. βLike how you keep looking at me like that.β
Jamie froze. He hadnβt realized he was that obvious.
Ryan shifted closer, his voice soft but teasing. βIβm not gonna tease you if you tell me the truth.β
Jamie hesitated, biting his lower lip. His voice was barely above a whisper. βI justβ¦ like being near you.β
Ryan's hand found Jamieβs under the blanketβwarm, steady. He gave it a gentle squeeze.
βYou know,β Ryan murmured, eyes flicking to Jamieβs lips, βIβve been waiting for you to say something like that.β
Jamie blinked, heart thudding in his chest. βYou have?β
Ryan leaned in, closing the space between them slowly, like giving Jamie a chance to pull away. He didnβt. When their lips finally touched, it was softβslow and warm and a little unsure, but real.
The movie played on, forgotten. The rain kept falling. But on that couch, in that quiet little apartment, something had finally begun.
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