Chapter Text
Varian suddenly leaned forward, and Hugo felt his heart stop. Soft lips pressed against his own. His brain short-circuited. Varian was kissing him. He stood dumbly as the young alchemist pulled away after a moment, blush lingering on his freckled cheeks and his perfect mouth drawn in a frown. “Hugo?” He said, voice cautious.
Hugo’s voice caught in his throat. “Wow,” he croaked.
Varian’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Is that...good?” He tried with a nervous chuckle. “You’re kind of leaving me hanging here.”
“Yes. Yes! That was good,” Hugo rushed, finally breaking free from his reverie. He reached over and grasped Varian’s gloved hands in his own. “I’m sorry, I’m not good at...this. Heartfelt things. Relationships.”
“That’s okay!” Varian assured him with a smile. God, his smile. Hugo felt like he would die staring at it for too long. “I’m not very good at it either.” Hugo didn’t believe him when he said that, knowing fully well that the Little Alchemist was better than he gave himself credit for, but he returned the smile anyways. Gingerly, he leaned forward to kiss Varian again, only to collide with his nose and skew his glasses. Hugo leapt back immediately and apologized profusely, but Varian broke into a fit of giggles.
Hugo glared at the younger boy. “You don’t have to laugh,” he muttered, feeling his face become warm.
The alchemist chuckled to himself, wiping the corners of his eyes. “Sorry, sorry,” he said with a large grin. “I just wasn’t expecting it. Maybe take your glasses off next time?”
Hugo wanted to be upset, but couldn’t help himself; Varian’s laugh was infectious. “Okay,” he chuckled, watching Varian fondly. “I wanna try it again.”
Varian nodded and composed himself, smiling as they intertwined their hands again. Hugo carefully removed his glasses, put them in his bag, then hesitated. His heart clenched. He’s been wanting this for so long now, could he make the first time perfect? Once again, he felt himself doubting his abilities, like Varian so often made him do. After a moment, he decided to just go for it, to shoot his shot. Hugo leaned in and tilted his head, and Varian leaned in to meet him. Their lips connected, and Hugo felt an explosion of butterflies in his stomach. He couldn’t believe his luck.