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The two sat on the rooftop of Jeremy’s place, gazing at the stars overhead. Michael was resting his head in Jeremy’s lap, closing his eyes and humming as the other tangled his fingers in his hair. There are peaceful moments like this in every person’s life that are remembered fondly for a lifetime. Michael was at peace, finally able to experience the kind of happiness someone like him deserved. Then, Jeremy’s movements ceased, only for a moment. Just enough for Michael to notice.
“Jeremy?” Michael asked, cracking an eye open and peering up at him. He saw Jeremy looking down, away from Michael. “What’s wrong?”
“What are we, Mike?” Jeremy said, his voice clearly strained. Michael sat up and turned to face Jeremy fully.
“We’re friends,” Michael said. He felt confused by the question. Michael had always thought of the two as close friends, even best friends. They spent all their time together, whether that be at work or after.
Jeremy winced at that, seemingly upset by Michael’s answer.
“…Are we not friends?” Michael asked, panicking. Had he misread everything? Did Jeremy dislike him?
“It’s not that! It’s just…” Jeremy said, scratching the back of his head. “Shouldn’t we be more than friends? I mean, I don’t think people who are just friends act like… this.”
“I wouldn’t really know. I thought that was just how friends acted,” Michael said. This conversation was so confusing.
Jeremy smiled at that. It was the kind of smile that showed realization and empathy.
“Mike, friends don’t usually kiss. They don’t usually give each other hickeys. I also don’t think they spend all their time alone hanging off of each other like we do,” Jeremy said, shaking his head.
Michael was floored. He had never had a friendship like this before, he never questioned what they did. He never questioned the way Jeremy mad him feel, either. He assumed all friends felt their hearts stop when they looked at each other, that all people felt butterflies whenever they saw their friend smile or laugh at something they said.
“Then, if we aren’t friends… what are we?” Michael asked. His heart was going to beat right out of his chest. He almost thought it would run away from him at any moment, just to get closer to Jeremy.
“Well, we could be partners? Boyfriends,” Jeremy said, leaning ever closer to Michael. Michael’s face felt hot, so hot.
“Boyfriends,” Michael repeated in a small voice.
“Yeah, but only if you like me. I know I like you,” Jeremy proclaimed with a lopsided smile. It was as if he knew Michael’s answer. He just wanted to hear Michael say it.
“I like you,” Michael said, unable to meet Jeremy’s eyes. His eyes were full of adoration, too much for Michael to handle. Jeremy surged forward, wrapping his arms around Michael and resting his head on his shoulder. Michael felt Jeremy’s own warm face against his body as a wave of relief washed over him. He wasn’t alone.