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“Promise we’ll see each other again ?”
“I can’t imagine being without you.”
“Please visit me when you can.”
All men are filthy liars, Karl has decided. The filthy liar in question being the gorgeous, tall, blond boy he had met on vacation. They spent the better part of those few weeks wrapped up in each other's arms, tongues in each other's mouths and whispered promises. Karl really thought they had something. Maybe to Dream, Karl was just a summer fling— someone to mess with over the break that will be long forgotten the moment school starts again.
No, that’s unlike him, Karl argued with himself. Dream was all smiles, kind words and loving gestures. The brunet glared down at the glowing screen like it had just taken away his last piece of gum. “Delivered 1 week ago.”
He’s texted the boy every day since they last saw each other. All of them left unseen. It was getting extremely pathetic at this point. He wants to just go back home, forget all of this ever happened and never bring this up again. He really did. But how can he forget when the taste of him still lingers on Karl’s lips ? When the oh-so affectionate words are still etched in his mind ? He throws his phone onto his bed in frustration, screaming into his pillow. At least it made him feel better. Kinda.
Until—
“Guess what ? We’re staying in California ! Your father and I have thought about it and we’ve decided that you were right, we should have a change in scenery and widen our horizon.”
Oh fuck.
Okay, maybe it wasn't such a fantastic idea to convince his parents to stay here. He was “blinded-by-love” as they say. Now he regrets it immensely. And his parents choose this time to listen to him.
“We've already rented out our house for the rest of the year, how amazing is that !” His mom gushed, showing Karl everything their parents had planned out. But he wasn't listening. His mind was hazy with the information he'd just received.
He was so fucked.
He had just thrown away his whole life in North Carolina for some guy that didn't even bother to respond or even read his messages.
The next few days were.. a mess. His mom went on and on about this “super-fancy-private-school” that they’d somehow signed him up for. Apparently, his parents are friends with the principal of the Institution of Florida, who with quite a bit of persuasion, accepted Karl.
All his things were packed into boxes and flown over to their new home in Orlando. It was a cozy mansionette, and just like the rest of the buildings on his street, painted a bright pastel yellow with white accents. Karl spent the next day or so unpacking and redecorating his bedroom based off of something he saw on pinterest. At least it took his mind off of, well, this whole situation. By the time he had stuck up posters, installed his LEDs, replaced his sheets, he finally laid down to process this whole situation. It’s been 2 weeks since he’s last seen Dream, 4 days since he’d sent him a last text, yet he’s on his mind 24/7.
You
Hey! My parents said we’re staying in Orlando :D
I can’t wait to see you soon <3
Delivered
Maybe he saw the text but forgot to reply ?
What if he meant to reply but his phone died (for 2 weeks) ?
Perhaps he dropped his phone on the floor and it broke ?
Karl’s head made up hundreds of excuses yet he himself wasn’t convinced in the slightest. Oh, how much he wanted to believe Dream got abducted by aliens or that his house got robbed and they only took his phone. The words “Delivered since 7 days ago” stared back at him, mocking him and taunting him to send another message. Karl squeezed his eyes shut, willing this all to be a horrible nightmare. That the hottie he met on vacation, the sweetest person he ever had the pleasure of meeting, just essentially ghosted him, like he didn’t take his dick down his throat just a few weeks back.
In less than 24 hours, he’d be whisked away to a world of strangers—possibly snobby rich kids that wipe their ass with hundred dollar bills and travel everywhere in a private jet or something. Karl had never been the most sociable person. You know that one kid who everyone seems to be friends with but always ends up sitting alone during lunch and has no one to be with for group projects ? Yea, sounds about right. At least he knew the people back home, now he had to start all over again.
“Karl, honey! Your uniform and books just arrived,” His mom’s voice was muffled by the floor beneath him.
Right.
Karl had to drag up the heavy cardboard box up the stairs to get it to his room. How heavy can words and paper be ? He set down the box by his bed with a huff, kicking it lightly with his foot.
Using a penknife, he slit the top open with the blade. Inside lay several thick textbooks, stacked upon each other, along with clothes wrapped in clear plastic. The plastic crinkles in his grip as he pulls it out from the box. He took out multiple sets of dark blue— almost black— blazers with a golden panther pinned to the fabric, a navy striped tie, plain white button ups and gray dress pants.
He shrugs off his hoodie and sweatpants to pull on his uniform. Pulling the blazer over his shoulders and tightening the tie around his neck, Karl looked at his reflection skeptically in the full length mirror. He looked like a sad businessman. This was ridiculous. Why couldn't he just go to a normal shitty public school where he could wear his ugly grandpa sweaters and baggy jeans ? This was homophobic.
That night, he procrastinated sleeping, doing anything but fall asleep, dreading the moment he’d wake up and have no choice but to go to school. He finally succumbed to the fatigue at around 2am. The second his eyes closed, they were jerked open yet again, the shrill alarm clock yanking him out of the wonderland in his head. The numbers “6:30” glowed red from his bedside table, a thin streak of orange sunlight peeked through the blinds and into the otherwise dark room.
He sat up, leaning up against the soft pillows behind him, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Why did school have to start at 7:30 in the morning ? Ever heard of “beauty sleep” ? It took him a few minutes before he finally crawled out of bed, reluctant to leave the comfort of his warm bed and thick covers.
He splashed his face with the icy water, brushing his teeth with the minty paste before being seemingly awake. Karl slid on his uniform, hands running over the fabric to smooth out the creases. His hair flopped messily onto his forehead, bouncing back into place when Karl tried to sweep them out of gray eyes. He frowned, deciding to just leave it as it is. He swung his book bag over his shoulder, dragging his feet over polished wood and down the staircase.
“My baby grows up so fast !” His mom enthused, snapping photo after photo to post on her facebook page. “It seems like yesterday when you were on your first day in elementary school.”
“Mom, I’m gonna be late,” Karl groaned, finishing up the buttered toast and scrambled eggs on his plate, shoving the last bit into his mouth. He fumbled to get out of his seat, with the plate in one hand and his book bag in the other.
“Oh yes, right. Have fun at school !”
Karl hummed in acknowledgement, muttering a short “goodbye” before rushing out the front door, hopping on one foot as he tried to pull on the shoe on the other foot.
The Institution of Florida was about a 12 minute walking distance from his house, 9 minutes if he does that awkward jog-walk thing. And wow. He’d seen this place in all those brochures his mom showed him a few days back but he didn’t realise the extent of luxurious. It looked like a castle, standing tall with many different buildings combined together, probably taking up the same amount of land as a small village. A whole crowd of students wearing the same royal blue uniforms streamed into the towering gates. It was slightly overwhelming. Okay, it was extremely overwhelming and suffocating. Everyone was chatting and laughing amongst each other, walking past him like he wasn’t there. Well, at least they weren’t laughing at him. Karl trailed along with everyone else, hoping he didn’t look like a lost puppy.
He walked on a patch of grassy plain, filled with oak trees providing shade to wooden tables and benches. Students threw frisbees and footballs to each other, others sat in small groups on the field talking casually. It’d be hard to fit into a place where everyone is friends, already chosen who they liked and who they didn’t, where did Karl fit in this complicated puzzle ? He didn't. He couldn't even figure out where his first class is. The brunet followed the group through the tall double doors and into the school. He tried to not look too shocked. The floors were swirls of blacks, whites and grays, an expensive smooth marble. The flooring alone probably cost more than his house. Thankfully, the office wasn’t too difficult to find (the sign that said “office was very helpful).
“Good morning, I’m new here and I need to collect my schedule.” It sounded more like a question than a statement, and he winced at how unsure he sounded.
The lady at the counter looked up from her computer screen, her auburn hair bobbing in the bun atop her head.
“Welcome ! Can I have your name please ?” Thin lips tweaked into a small smile. It made Karl feel a little less awkward.
“Karl Jacobs.”
“Ah yes. Jacobs…” She flipped through a few papers and files before pulling a sheet out of the pile, “Here ! Feel free to come to me if you ever need anything admin related.”
He did that half nod half bow thing, smiling politely as he took the piece of paper from her.
Karl skimmed over the time table of lessons— chemistry (bleh), english literature (bleh), math (mega bleh), music appreciation (yay) etc.
Locker number : 293
He squeezed past everyone else in the hallway, following the ascending numbers to number 293.
He didn’t think this place could possibly get any more boujee, yet it’s nothing but surprise after surprise. A fingerprint padlock. How often do you see those ? the answer is not very often at all. The screen lit up a neon teal when Karl pressed his thumb up against the sensor, scanning his fingerprint and locking the data in. The door of the locker unlatched soundlessly, revealing the cool metal inside.
“Hey ! I haven’t seen you around before,” a bright voice piped up from beside him.
Karl yelped, turning to the right at the unexpected greeting.
“Uhm yeah. I just moved here from North Carolina,” Karl uttered, messing with the sleeve of the blazer—rolling and unrolling it to keep his hands busy.
“That’s so cool ! Look we’re locker buddies,” Mr. Beanie’s eyes gleamed as he gestured to locker number 292 with a smile. Karl couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face at the other’s enthusiasm. “I’m Alex and welcome to the institution.”
“I’m Karl,” he said, returning his attention to sliding books he didn’t need that day into the locker neatly, making sure they didn’t fall over when he let go, “also aren’t beanies banned in this school ?”
“Yea, but I’m a badass bitch and I break the rules,” the shorter male puffed out his chest to look intimidating (it didn’t work but Karl didn’t have the heart to tell him that).
The brunet flashed him an amused expression, closing up his locker, beeping monotonously as it shuts.
“Alright. Where to first ?”
“What’s your first class ?”
Karl squinted down at his schedule. “Uhh English literature with.. Mrs. Martins ?”
His eyes grew impossibly brighter. “We have the same class ! She’s alright as long as you hand in your assignments on time,” Alex explained walking alongside Karl, leading him up a flight of grand stairs that you only see in those high class hotels.
“This place is so.. Wow.”
“Very wow,” the ravenette agreed, walking past winding hallways of lockers and classroom effortlessly, like he had the map engraved into his mind. Without him, Karl would’ve been lost in this place forever. He definitely owed Alex a coffee after this.
“We’re here ! Classroom 2E, it’s on the second level, just walk to your left and you should find it,” Alex pointed out.
Karl tried to not seem as nervous as he really was. He mustn't have been very good at hiding it though, because his new found friend was quick to comfort him with a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
“Loosen up ! Don’t worry about anything too much, you’ve got me !”
“What would I do without you ?”
“You would be struggling,” Alex added playfully, pushing open the classroom door.
“Good morning Mrs. M,” The shorter male greeted, taking his seat.
If Karl was nervous just now, he was much, much more nervous now. He could feel dozens and dozens of eyes on him, burning into his skull and judging every flaw on his body.
“H-hi, right, uh.. I’m Karl and I’m new,” he gulped down the insistent lump in his throat.
“Is that so ? Very well, take a seat,” Mrs. Martins gestured to the rows of tables, most of them taken by students. For the first time since he walked in, he turned to face the class. Many of them were disinterested— face in their palm as they clicked their pens against the table, the people who were actually listening were looking at him up and down and not in a “You’re hot, I’m checking you out” kind of way, but more like a “I hope you fall down the staircase and break your neck” kind of way. He did know how to feel about that.
He made a beeline for one of the empty seats at the back, keeping his head low and taking long strides, focusing on the off-white tiles.
Karl quickly sat down, hunching over his desk to appear smaller.
“Okay, everyone open up your textbooks to page 12.”
The rest of the lesson was basically what you’d expect of English literature. A snoozefest. His 5 hours of sleep last night did not help. At least it wasn’t hard to keep up with the class.
Karl followed Alex along when the bell rang, trying to keep up with the unusual spring his step (no idea why he’s so energized at 8:15 in the morning).
“This is our free period ! It’s different every day of the week, where you can do whatever you want as long as you stay without campus grounds,” Alex explained like he was made to be a professional tour guide.
Karl nodded as he was brought down to his locker again. With a convenient tap of his thumb against the surface, the locker unlocked and opened up.
“So, what have you been up to this summer ?” Karl asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
“I spent most of summer at the beach. It’s really nice, you should see it.”
“I know. It’s gorgeous. I spent my summer at a beach house nearby,” Karl mumbled bitterly, shoving his literature book into his locker, reminiscing all those hours he spent there with Dream and knowing he would never get to experience them ever again.
“Okay, I’ve known you for approximately 1 hour but I can tell something’s up. What’s wrong ?” Alex leaned up against the cool metal, arms crossed over his chest.
“It’s kinda pathetic,” he murmured, closing the door.
“This is a safe space.”
Karl hesitated. Was he really gonna tell his sob story to some guy he literally just met ?
Apparently his brain said yes.
“Well basically, over the summer me and my parents were vacationing here in Florida. While I was here.. I uh— I met someone,” Karl still couldn't get him out of his head.
“Oh ? Care to elaborate ?”
“We were.. Summer flings ? Friends with benefits ? I mean, we hooked up a couple of times. Are we even friends ? What even were we ? And like all of a sudden he just ghosts me ? Like I thought the relationship he had was special but it doesn’t seem like he cares very much—” Karl rambled on and on until the ravenette cut him off.
“Okok, slow down. First question, was he hot ?”
“That’s really your question ?”
“It’s important !”
“Fine, yea. He was so hot. And definitely out of my league, I don’t know what I was thinking,” he sighed, scrolling through his camera roll mindlessly, filled with goofy pictures they took together over the summer, trying on ridiculous filters on snapchat and doubling over laughing like it was the funniest thing yet.
“Wait— is that him ?” Alex peeked over his shoulder, eyes widening.
“Yeah... but maybe I should just forget about it. It’s not like I’m ever going to see him again,” Karl slumped his weight onto the surface behind him.
“Ka—”
He was interrupted by the loud squeaking of several pairs of shoes against the smooth flooring, boisterous voices echoing through the corridors. A group of guys, sporting lettermans with the same royal blue with yellow accents, a confident aura radiating from just the way they walk. Karl wished he could have even a fraction of that self-confidence. Then, he saw—
Him.
Karl had to blink twice. Yep, same dirty blond hair, same pretty pink lips that fell open as emerald green met gray sapphire. No. Way. Everything around them blurred away to just white noise, till it was just them. Just like it was a few weeks ago.
Karl could feel his mouth stretch into a smile at the sight of him. That smile, however, wasn’t reciprocated.
All colour drained from Dream’s face, like he’d just seen a ghost. His face was a picture of emotions, yet scared would be the best word to describe his expression. His eyes dropped to the blond’s arm, hooked snuggly over a girl’s shoulder. The brunet hadn’t even realised she was there, too focussed on the male next to her to even notice. Before Karl could even get a single word out, he scurried off, leaving Karl to stare at the blond’s name printed boldly into the back of his jacket and his arm over someone that wasn’t him. The previous feelings of joy were quickly replaced with hurt, disbelief and shock.
What just happened ?
Karl stared dumbly as Dream walked further and further till he disappeared into the ocean of blues. All his senses came back to him, hitting him like a bag of bricks. Everything was too loud, too overwhelming, too much.
“Can you bring me outside ?”
Alex just nodded simply, pushing off the locker and leading him back outside. The first breath of fresh air was pleasant, the smell of artificial air freshener replaced by the light, barely-there scent of grass and soil.
Karl sat down, legs bent against his chest, pressing his face against his knees and hands.
He didn’t own Dream. Dream wasn’t his to have, his to love, his to take. He just got the wrong idea—the idea that the blond wanted Karl as much as Karl wanted him. He almost laughed at how foolish he’d been, pining over someone who was already taken and obviously didn’t want anything to do with him anymore. And he really thought this whole situation couldn’t get any worse. They really just broke up even before they got together.
“Hey I’m sorry about.. that. I was gonna—”
“No no, don’t worry about it. Without you, today would’ve been a complete chaos. So thank you.” Karl willed himself not to cry, because being hurt is bad enough. He didn't need everyone on campus to know he’s hurt and make him feel even worse about it.
“I know we literally get met but, I’m here for you, when you’re ready to talk about it though. That was a lot for just your first day,” Alex pat his shoulder sympathetically.
“Tell me about them,” Karl stated laconically, throat still feeling dry.
“Well uhm, I’m sure you know Dream. He’s on the school’s varsity basketball team, popular, cool. And Aubree, that blondie next to him. She’s a cheerleader, one of the top students in our school and possibly the sweetest person I’ve ever met. They’ve been dating for about 6 months,” he explained.
6 months ? Almost 3 months before they met ? Why would Dream lead him on ? Make him think he even had the tiniest chance ?
He had so many questions left unanswered in his head. Filled to the brim with hurt, anger and confusion till he felt like he was drowning in emotions. He could feel the insistent lump rise in the back on his throat, refusing to go down no matter how hard he tried to swallow.
“I think you need this more than me,” the ravenette tapped him on the arm, handing him a chocolate bar.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, unwrapping the aluminium.
Karl spent the rest of the period sitting down, picking at grass and small flowers, enjoying the comforting presence of his new found friend.
With every new class and every awkward introduction, the end of the school day ticked closer and closer minute by minute. No sighting of Dream and his oh-so-amazing girlfriend just yet.
The last thing standing between him and going back home and crying himself to sleep— PE. Because of course it’s PE, the world despised him. He hated both “physical” and “education”, suddenly English literature sounded fun. The locker rooms were gross, damp and smells of sweat and rotten eggs, making him want to throw up his breakfast and that chocolate bar Alex offered him. They were instructed to change into their gym clothes, a navy blue t-shirt and these fucking tiny ass shorts that keep riding up Karl’s thighs.
“Since today is your first lesson, I’ll go easy on you guys. 2 miles, start whenever you’re done stretching,” Mr Smith said, a middle aged guy who thought wearing knee guards and a red bandana was okay. 40 laps around the gym. Great.
Not in the mood to complain, Karl started his run. He let his mind wander from what’s for lunch to Dream to naming as many countries as he can.
“Hey, you’re the new kid right ?” a voice interrupted his counting session, cursing at whoever it was to make him lose count.
“Uh yeah, that’s me,” he replied, turning to his side to see who it was.
“Nice to meet you ! I’m Aubree,” she jogged up next to Karl, her blonde ponytail swinging along behind her.
Oh.
“Hi. I’m Karl.”
“Well, Karl, if you ever need anything, feel free to come to me for help,” the smile on her face was bright, genuine and fully sincere that Karl couldn't help but smile right back at her.
“Of course I will. Thank you, it’s really nice here.”
Karl wanted to hate her. Wanted to hate Aubree for taking Dream away from him before he even had a chance. Trying to find a single flaw on her so he could have a reason to dislike her. Maybe her lipstick didn’t suit her ? Or her earrings were too big for her ears ? He hated to admit it but Aubree was perfect, not just on the outside, but on the inside as well. She was funny, sweet, full of positive energy, laughing at Karl’s somewhat mediocre jokes. No wonder Dream loved her. If Karl wasn’t extremely gay, he would’ve fallen for her too.
40 laps passed much quicker with companionship, but by the end of class, he had a thin layer of sweat, leaving a tacky feeling on his skin. Damp hair stuck to his forehead and he felt sticky.
Karl grabbed his book bag, swinging it over his shoulder as Aubree walked alongside him, currently in a heated debate over whether pancakes or waffles are better. (waffles is the correct answer).
“Bree, you ready to g—” the familiar voice made Karl freeze in his tracks.
Green eyes trailed over his body, tongue peeking out him pink lips.
“Dream ! This is Karl, he’s new here.”
The brunet stilled, waiting for his next move.
“Nice to meet you, Karl. I’m Dream,” the blond gave him a hesitant smile.
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” Karl said sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest.
Aubree looked between the pair as they stared each other down.
“Uh— well ! I have to meet the girls at the mall, so see you tomorrow ?”
Karl sent her a “please don’t leave me here all alone” look that was left unnoticed as the blonde skipped off into the crowd.
“I should get going,” Karl muttered, gripping at the strap of his bag.
“K. We need to talk.”
“Don’t ‘K’ me. We don’t have anything to talk about,” Karl averts eye contact as he started walking. He wasn't not sure where he was walking though, without the assistance of his raven friend. He just needed to get away.
Dream followed him around wordlessy while still keeping distance between them, like an obedient pet following its owner. The moment Karl stepped foot outside, a hand curled around his wrist as he was yanked around the side of the building and pressed up against the wall.
“You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you ?” Dream’s voice was low.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Your legs in these shorts…” callused hands ran over smooth skin, sending a shiver up his spine.
“Tell me you want this.”
Karl was blinded-by-love yet again, something he knew he would beat himself up over again. But Dream was a drug and the brunet was intoxicated— drunk off Dream, Dream, Dream. He was addicted, even if he wants to quit, he keeps wanting more and more each time.
“I want it.”
That’s all he needed to hear before lips collided in a messy clash of tongue and teeth. Large hands pressed against the expanse of his stomach, exploring all over his torso, reaching to the back of those stupid tight shorts. Karl had been craving this for the past 2 weeks, letting his lips fall open to allow the intrusion of the blond’s tongue into his mouth. Karl’s hands snaked up Dream’s neck, getting caught in golden strands as Dream licked into his mouth obscenely, over every bump and ridge, over ivory teeth. It felt so, so right.
Until it wasn’t.
He couldn't do that to Aubree, who’d be nothing but kind hearted to him. He can't even bear to imagine the hurt and betrayal on her face. It just made him feel like shit.
“Dream, Dream. Stop,” Karl untangled his hands from blonde hair, moving down to his chest to push him away. It wasn’t right.
“Are you okay ? What’s wrong ?” For a second Karl saw the sweet angel he’d met over the summer, the one who’d care and shower him in love.
“No. I’m not okay. None of this is okay. You have a girlfriend. You can ditch me, pretend you don’t know me. Don’t hurt her,” Karl's voice was shakier than he would've preferred, heart still beating rapidly inside his chest. Maybe it was adrenaline from the run, maybe it was the thrill of finally kissing Dream again. He continues at Dream’s lack of reply. “What even are we, Dream ? Please enlighten me because I’m not too sure.”
“Karl, I really, really like you and I want to be with you. But I’m scared okay ? I don't know what my friends and family are gonna think.”
“But you don't care what they think.”
“I don’t want to care what they think. Everyone already planned out my life for me. Get a scholarship, get into the best university in the country, find and marry a pretty girl and start a family and become a doctor or something. What are they gonna do when they find out their son is gay ?” Words came tumbling out, everything spilling out in a matter of seconds.
“And Aubree ?”
“She’s lesbian. We’re just covering for each other, basically.”
It was rare to not see Dream in his usual confident, bright state. At this moment, he looked vulnerable, like he just exposed his biggest secret and could be caught red-handed any time. The brunet couldn’t even stay mad at him for long. Karl took shaky hands into his own, running the tip of his fingers along the creases on the palm affectionately.
“It breaks my heart to see you trying to be something you’re not, you know that ?” Karl says gently, handling him with care like Dream was made of glass and would crack if he got too loud.
“I know.”
“And I’ll always be here for you, I’m sure you know that too, right ?”
“I do.”
“You should have the power to choose your own path in life. As cheesy as it sounds, you can be whatever your heart desires.”
Dream chuckles, letting Karl fiddle with his hands.
“I know it seems scary, but I’ll be there by your side every step of the way. Take your time, I know it’s difficult.”
Karl missed these heart to heart talks they had over the summer, when the sun said goodbye and the moon hung high up in the sky, when they would lie in the soft sand with only the quiet crashing of waves against the shore, hands grazing each other every so often, whispered confessions and quiet conversation for only the two of them to hear.
Karl brought the blond’s hand up to his face, pressing a featherlike kiss to the tip of each of his fingers and a final one on the back of his hand.
“Will you come to my game tomorrow ?” Dream blurted out.
Karl pretended to consider it as he tapped at his chin, while butterflies fluttered around in his gut, threatening to burst out.
“Of course I’ll be there.”
Time seemed to pass in slow motion the following day, classes seemed twice as boring and Karl seemed three times as nervous. As soon as the final bell rang out, Karl shoved his books into his bag and dragged Alex outside by the arm.
“Ow ow ow ! What the fuck is wrong with you ? I think you dislocated my shoulder, asshole,” he grumbled, letting himself be dragged along.
“Come with me to the game tonight, you need to help me figure out what to wear.”
“I wear a beanie every day, are you sure you want my help ?”
“I just need your opinion.”
“You know you’re going to see him at the game right ?”
“He actually asked me to go. It’s a long story.”
“Your relationship is so complicated.”
“You are single and have no right to complain.”
“I hate you”
“Come on, I live nearby.”
“Already taking me home ? Buy me a drink first jesus christ.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
Alex simply let himself be pulled around till they reached the house.
The ravenette sat on the bed with his legs crossed as Karl dug through his closet in a frenzy.
“Ok blue. I have lots of blue hoodies and sweaters. Is that too basic ? Thoughts on skirts ? I might have a few. Is that too much ? Yeah you're right, I'm crazy. Are button-ups too formal ? I'm not going to a wedding dinner, what was I thinking ? Alex please I'm a lost cause, we only have like a few hours oh my god—” he rambled, tugging random pieces out of his closet and posing in front of the mirror to see how it looks.
“Calm down. Just pick out a few first and we'll go from there,” Alex suggested, leaning back with his palms against the bed.
After 40 odd minutes of switching in and out of outfits, mixing and matching tops and bottoms, before finally settling on a deep blue band t-shirt, the design having mostly faded after many uses, and baggy jeans ripped at the knees. Simple.
Almost an hour later, he sat up in the bleachers, looking down into the court for a particular blond boy. It wasn’t hard, seeing that Dream was one of the tallest on the team, piercing emerald eyes scanning the stands before finally settling on him. Karl waved shyly, earning a wide grin in return.
In all honesty, Karl didn’t know much about basketball. Or any sport in general. Even over the summer, he would sit on the curb with a popsicle in hand while Dream shot hoops by himself, occasionally walking over to him and biting away a portion of the popsicle, earning him a playful slap on the shoulder.
There was always something so mesmerising about how Dream slid across the court, the squeaking of shoes against the polished wood floor, the concentration written across his face and the way strong hands flexed over the ball. It was like, really cool (and hot).
Karl was too busy focusing on how good Dream’s calves looked when he jumped and sprinted, almost missing the final, winning shot. Just as the ball fell through the hoop, the crowd rises from their set, cheering and chanting. He found himself squeezing his way down onto the court, pushing past the audience.
“Dream ! You played so well out today, you’re actually like really good.”
The blond’s face lit up at the sight of him.
Karl yelped when he was lifted off the ground, hands supporting him by the back of his thighs, instinctively wrapping his legs around his waist.
“We won ! I can’t believe it !” Dream cried out in ecstasy, spinning them around, Karl’s arms snaking around broad shoulders.
The brunet couldn’t help but throw his head back and laugh along at his enthusiasm.
“K.”
“Hm ?”
“Look at me.”
When their eyes met again, Dream’s lips were quick to press up against his own. Due to the new height difference, Karl had to tilt his head downwards to kiss him properly, hands cupping the blond’s jaw to pull him in impossibly closer.
It lasted no longer than a few seconds, yet it was everything Karl had ever wanted and had been waiting for since that summer.
When they parted, Karl was quick to lean back in, smothering him kiss after kiss, showing Dream just how much he loved him.
Karl was blinded by love,
But he was okay with it.