"do you want company?" i ask with a smile. our friends have gone out, so it's just the two of us.
"yeah, that'd be nice", you reply - so I grab my laptop and settle on the couch next to you. we parallel play for a little, the silence is comfortable and this is a dream come true. after some time, i'm not keeping track you get up and ask if i want anything to drink
"maybe get a bottle of water for the table? that way you don't have to keep getting up?"
you laugh and agree and i tell you to bring over some of the timtams i left in the kitchen too
when you return, water bottle placed on the table along with the plate of snacks you sit back down and say "hey"
i save my work and look over at you "what's up?" i reply with a smile, you smile back. "i actually got you a gift too"
"oh my god you did not have to do that, seeing you is a gift. truly."
"well i did. you declare firmly though your voice is filled with amusement go on, open it"
i open the smallish jewellery box and lose my breath. i look at you all the swirling emotions written on my face.
"you know, there's some conversations we've had that stick with me," i say and you hum, wordlessly asking my to continue. "this one was one of them." i'm surprised you remembered it though that I don't say.
"It was one for me as well," you tell me, quiet and honest, "i thought you deserved something in return for everything you've done for us."
"your friendship has been all i ever needed." i reply.
"do you like them?"
The earrings glint against the dark material they sit on and i nod, wordless.
I glance back up at you,"if it's not overstepping" (i'm always wanting to be respectful of your boundaries) "will you help me put them on?"
"it's not." you reply and move so that you're straddling my lap, hands ever so careful as you replace the earrings i have in with your gift.
it's a strangely intimate moment and i can feel the heat in my cheeks as you tilt my face up to yours, admiring the way your gift glitters. "they suit you." you say and i give a little half nod
'thankyou"
you lean in and we kiss for the first time. it's everything and beyond all description - a warm understanding, a deep abiding care for the other, a love we don't usually bother to name, and a promise that there would be more kisses.