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David felt like he was about to pass out. Heat rushed to his head, almost felt dizzy. Exer had fallen asleep while watching their favourite movie, which was fine because it had been late. However, Exer slowly tilted his head to rest on David’s shoulder and he swore there was steam coming from his face. Slowly, Exer snaked his arms around David’s arm and he looked away in embarrassment. Something inside him told him to slowly take him off, to act like nothing ever happened. Save each other from embarrassment by never talking about it again. But he couldn’t, even though he knew the sleeping Exer didn’t think anything of this. It felt special, maybe even important, he couldn’t find himself moving even an inch, scared Exer would move unconsciously. Knowing he could deny it no longer, he looked down at the slouched Exer. His mouth slightly agar, he looked rather silly, but David couldn’t find it in himself to laugh, no matter how much he wanted to. He wanted to laugh, shake him until he woke up, and tease him for sleeping, but he only closed his eyes with Exer, sighing. His heart ached knowing this wouldn’t last. If his dad had decided to storm in, which he did often, he’d have to push Exer off and come up with some random excuse as to what they were doing, not to mention the hope that Exer would play it off. That thought didn’t matter right now, as emotion was taking over reason. He decided he would let himself enjoy this, for however long it would last. As the credits rolled down on the screen slowly, he let his vision go down to the other’s sleepy state, feeling more warmth rush to the top of his ears. The romantic music playing in the background from the movie credits was not at all helping him.
“Day? Day..?” He heard a soft whisper call for him, he held his breath as he realized he must have disturbed Exer’s sleep. “I didn’t mean it– I didn’t mean it–”
David felt his pulse quicken. “What are you–”
Exer interrupted. “I love you so much, Day, please don’t go.”
David swallowed the lump in his throat. “I-I’m not going anywhere,”
Exer mumbled something under his breath as squeezed tighter around David’s arm.
David sighed. “I love you too, Exer. Too much.” realizing Exer was only sleeping, he closed his eyes and sat back on the bed frame, letting the warmth of Exer take over him. “I mean, Ron figured me out before I figured it out myself.” He laughed, not entirely sure who he was talking to. “Which is funny because, how could he know more about me than me?” Exer groaned and David immediately felt himself shut up.
“Figured out what?” After a moment of silence, Exer looked up, and David felt himself missing the warmth. “Hm?” Exer mumbled again, rubbing his eyes awake.
“I didn’t say anything,” David mumbled despite himself.
“Oh, Sorry,” he whispered. “I’m still half asleep.” Exer laughed weakly.
“You were talking in your sleep.” David giggled, finally free to lie down.
“Did I?” Exer blushed, looking away. “What did I say?”
David shook his head. “You were mumbling, I didn't understand.” He lied, watching Exer’s face relax. “Do you remember what you were dreaming about?”
Exer laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. “It was more like a nightmare.” he sighed. “Actually, You were in it.” Exer laid down next to him.
“I’m not that scary.” David joked, looking over at him, he saw Exer laugh.
“I– I told you something and it didn’t go well.” Exer looked up. “Actually it was weird, after I said it you started yelling at me to go away, but then I said that I–” Exer pursed his lips. “I said something, and you weren’t mad anymore, you said you weren’t going anywhere. Then you hugged me.”
David blushed, looking away as he laughed nervously. “Funny how dreams work..” Exer nodded. “Well, what did you tell me?” When Exer stood quiet, David decided to not push further.
“In the dream, you said Ron figured you out.” Exer laughed sheepishly. The silence after was awkward, they sat quietly, not daring to look at eachother.
David held his breath. “I– I did hear what you said– sleep talking,” David admitted bashfully. “And I said those things. You must have heard me through your dream.”
Exer blushed. “You said you loved me?”
David blinked, blush creeping up to his head. He decided to tell the truth this time, he nodded sheepishly.
“Then– what did you mean? About Ron figuring you out? Did you really say that too?”
David sighed. He felt his eyes fill up with tears as he let out a sigh, his whole body becoming hot. “That I.. Love you.” David frowned looking down. "He found out that I love you."
“You mean..?” Exer whispered, David, nodded shamefully.
David stared up at the ceiling, feeling a wave of fear hit his body. “Ron said he knew I was in love with you, but I guess I didn't really realize until he told me that.” David shook his head, sitting up. “I’m sure you don’t want anything to do with me now, so..” David swung his legs to face the edge, standing up and looking anywhere but Exer.
“Wait–” Exer said, reaching his hand out.
David turned his head around to look at him, stopping in his tracks at the touch of Exer pulling him back. They were silent, as Exer saw David squint his eyes in suspicion and anger, he felt he could feel all of David’s emotions just by touching him. Anger and sadness, embarrassment and shame, he didn’t know what to feel and it made his chest hurt.
“What?” David said with an uncharacteristic coldness.
Exer felt himself leaning in, he moved his hand from David’s arm to hold the side of his cheeks, kissing him. David kissed back despite himself, Exer felt him smile weakly into the kiss.
“Do you forgive me?” Exer giggled watching David slowly nod.
“Oh man, my dad would kill me.” He laughed in response. He felt his heart ache, but he laughed along. The sadness quickly faded as he realized this was what he wanted all along, smiling. Distracted by pretty girls with their reciprocation and popularity, he didn’t see the one person who was here all along.
David looked down. “Did you—mean that?” David asked, close to a whisper.
“No, it was an accident.” David looked up, mouth slightly agar. Exer laughed as his head fell into David’s shoulder, wrapping his arms around his chest. “I’m kidding! Of course, I meant it, asshole.” He giggled again, hitting the side of David’s arm playfully. “Why would you think that?” Exer asked softly, his hand still holding onto David’s arm. “I mean, I love you too, Day.”
David’s eyes widened in surprise, his heart skipping a beat. “What?” he asked his voice barely above a whisper.
Exer smiled gently, his eyes warm and kind. “I love you, David. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to tell you, but I guess this is as good a time as any.”
David’s mind was reeling. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. All this time, he had been afraid to reveal his true feelings, and now, Exer was telling him that he felt the same way.
“I’ve been in love with you for so long,” Exer continued, “but I was too afraid to say anything. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship or make things awkward between us.”
David felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he said, his voice breaking. Exer chuckled softly. David felt a weight lifting off his shoulders as he looked into Exer’s eyes. For so long, he had been carrying this secret love for Exer, unsure if it would ever be reciprocated. But now, he knew that they had a chance at something special.
He leaned in, his heart pounding in his chest, and pressed his lips to Exer’s. It was a soft, gentle kiss, but it held so much meaning. They pulled back, both of them grinning from ear to ear.
“Does this mean that…?” Exer looked up to see David frowning slightly, looking away.
“I mean I don't really know how we’d make that work, but some part of me wants it to.” he sighed, scratching the back of his neck. “This has been so confusing, to be honest. Well– I guess not confusing. I’ve been in denial. I love you– I’ve always loved you– and trying to hide it is– I just can’t anymore. Now that I’ve accepted it for myself, It’s so hard trying to hide it.” Exer interrupted him with a kiss and took his hand.
“I think we can make it work,” Exer said with a shaky smile. “We always do, don't we?” David returned the smile, looking down at him.
“We do.” David sighed."I love you."
“I love you too,” Exer replied, heat rising to his cheek. David felt heat rush to his own, smiling and kissing his cheek.
“I can’t believe I get to call you my boyfriend now,” David said, his hand reaching out to take Exer’s.
Exer’s smile widened. “I like the sound of that,” he said, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of David’s hand. David felt a warmth spreading through his chest. As they cuddled up together, watching the sun rise outside their window, he knew that they were meant to be.