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Having crushes on people is normal. Almost everyone has had a crush on someone at some point. Some crushes like you back, others don’t. The only way you can find out is by asking them.
Asking is a little harder when that crush is your best friend.
Bruno has had a crush on Leone since seventh grade. In his six years of crushing on him, he had always dreamed of a “happily ever after.” Bruno confesses, Leone likes him back, they get married after college and adopt five kids. Of course that’s never what happens, not normally anyways. It was even less likely that he’d like Bruno back considering they were both boys, and Leone was probably straight. There was no possible way he’d like him back, therefore no point in telling him.
Bruno had seen it before. One friend confesses to the other, the friend is weirded out and never talks to them again. He couldn’t afford to lose his closest friend.
Leone flopped onto the bed and checked his phone. Staying the night yet again. That seemed to happen quite often lately. “Risotto’s hanging out with Melone again. Melone keeps sending me pictures and I really want to know what makes him think I care.”
“Because you and Risotto are friends?” Bruno replied.
“Yeah, but I don’t give a shit about his relationship.” Leone sighed. “Makes me feel horribly single anyways.”
You don’t have to be, Bruno thought, I’m right here.
“Enough about my shitty love life. What do you wanna do?” They had already seen a shitty Netflix Original movie and fucked around outside, and they had been sitting in silence for the past fifteen minutes.
“Uhh… I don’t really know.” Bruno scratched the back of his neck.
“Hmm.. wanna play truth or dare?”
“Doesn't that require three players?”
“Not unless you’re a pussy.”
“Alright.” Bruno sat adjacent to Leone while he tried to get into an upright position. Once Leone sat down, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees and chin in his hands.
“Truth or dare?” Leone asked. Bruno had played truth or dare countless times before. Most of the dares he’d been given were really stupid or embarassing, like calling someone daddy or yelling “PENIS” out the window. He decided he’d keep his dignity, and chose truth.
He had forgotten the kinds of truths he’d been asked, though.
“Who’s your crush, if you have one.”
Shit.
“DARE!” Bruno yelled. Leone gave him an odd look.
“You can’t switch, dumbass.”
“Yes I can, dare.”
Leone sighed. “Fine. Dare you to tell me who your crush is.”
“Fuck you.”
“Just tell me! I’m not gonna tell them!”
“Telling them isn’t the problem.”
Leone pouted. Bruno wasn’t normally this red, was he? He flicked Bruno’s forehead. “I’m not gonna stop bothering you until you tell me.”
Bruno remained silent for a moment. “It’s you.”
“...What? Are you serious?” Bruno nodded. God, he wanted to cry. Or throw up. Or scream. Or all three.
This is it. Bruno thought. He’s gonna leave, block my number, and never talk to me again. He probably thinks I’m weird, fuck, he thinks I’m a freak. I can’t show my face in public ever again. I'm gonna d
“I do too.” Leone whispered.
“Huh?”
“I like you too, Bruno. A lot.”
“Really?”
“No, I was being sarcastic.” Bruno looked like he was about to cry. “Fuck, of course I like you. You’re smart and funny and handsome, you’re an amazing person. I’ve been thinking about it for the past few months, and honestly I didn’t even know if you’d like me back.”
Bruno sat in silence. He likes me back? He thought I wouldn’t like him back? The fuck is going on? Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
“Well, seems as though we have mutual feelings for each other…” Leone grabbed one of Bruno’s hands and took it in both of his, ever the charmer. “Would you do me the honor... of going on a date with me?”
Bruno smiled wide and chuckled. “Of course.”