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Something was off about Lukas. No it wasn’t his crooked teeth, or his annoying curly hair that got into his eyes. It was his heart. It ached every time he passed by his friend. He wasn’t too sure why that was. Was it normal for a friend to feel this way?
He heard Aiden’s boots creek as he entered the house from taking in the trash. The lights were dim as Lukas grabbed the remote and clicked the guide channel. He had on a pink fleece onesie, which was usually embarrassing for him to wear outside of his house, but this was Aiden. He had known him for so long that nothing seemed to phase the man. Blankets were laid on the side of the gray couch. Stars and planets filled the blue fabric and it was soft to the touch.
Lukas’ blue eyes turned to Aiden when he heard his jacket clinking from all the pins on it. He wore really colorful outfits, something you would see a spunky character wear in a TV show. His friend sat down next to him. “So, what we watchin’?” He questioned.
Aiden shrugged. “Whatever.”
The male playfully rolled his eyes, “Be more specific.”
His yellow undertone gave way in the light when he laughed, shuffling around the cushion. “How ‘bout that new horror movie?”
Lukas quickly shook his head, “Nuh ah! That’s too scary for me right now!”
Aiden thought to himself for a second, “Then why don’t you pick Mr. scaredy pants.”
He gave an overexaggerated gasp and the two started to laugh. He gave a nod and then spoke into the remote.
The blond bet all his money that he wasn’t expecting images of 3D cartoon ponies to appear on the screen. He looked to Aiden for approval but he just chuckled and shrugged.
“Why not.” He laid back and rested his arm on the top of the couch. Aiden really was chill was anything, it was nice.
Lukas smiled and then clicked on the movie. Cheerful music started to play and beautiful scenery was displayed on the screen. He made sure he had subtitles on at the bottom since he had a hard time hearing. He finally let himself relax and he put the blanket over him and Aiden. There was still space between the two, but he found himself wanting to be closer. “I like your blue hair streak.”
“You’ve said that a million times by now!” He teased.
Lukas nodded, “I know, but it’s nice. It fits you.”
“What can I say? Blue’s a good color.” He broke eye contact for a moment then smiled at the blond. “Ever thought about dying your hair?”
Lukas suddenly became aware of the hair in his face and pushed it behind his ear. “I want to, but my job won't let me.”
“Eh. Do it anyway. We can find you a new job.”
“Do you want to get me in trouble?!” He teased.
“Maybe.” His bracelets rattled as he itched his stubble. “It’s just hair. It’s a dumb rule.”
The blond told him to shush and he obliqued. It wasn’t long before colorful ponies were running around on the screen and chatting. They nibbled on the cheddar popcorn in front of them and Lukas drank the hot tea he had made earlier. The steam made his glasses fog when he brought the cup toward his face which was a little annoying. But it was gone within a few seconds. Aiden had glasses too. He fiddled with them pretty often. His frames were black and thick which oddly went with his outfit well.
Funny enough they had some pony ornaments on the Christmas tree. And some other fun characters from their favorite movies and games. When Lukas' eyes weren't looking at the tree or the movie he looked at Aiden. Something about his face made him want to smile. It wasn't just one thing, but rather everything about his friend. He didn't even care that he was missing the movie, he got lost in his thoughts staring at Aiden.
The brunet turned to Lukas and stared back at him for a couple of seconds. The skin under his eyes wrinkled and he chuckled. "What? Whatcha lookin' at?"
Lukas froze and then stared back at the movie. "Nothing!" How could he let Aiden catch him like that?
Aiden huffed out an amused breath. "Okayyyy." He laid back and rested his arm on top of the couch. Lukas wished his arm laid on his shoulder instead. He continued to nibble on the popcorn until it was gone. He was nervous about eating again. His legs were starting to get restless from sitting down.
“You know what? I have a crazy idea but what if we did something else for a little bit?”
Aiden looked a little puzzled, “What were you thinking?”
Lukas paused the movie and kicked his legs. “I need to move around. Why don’t we bake some cookies? I have the ones you just pop in the oven so we don’t have to get our hands dirty.”
“Sure.”
The brunet didn’t look annoyed which was nice. The two got up and turned on the kitchen light. Lukas bent down and pulled out a box of doughy snowman cookies from the fridge.
“I always like eating them raw, but I’m forcing myself to cook them this year.” He crinkled and opened the package and the smell was appetizing.
Aiden pried a cookie off from the cardboard and bit into it. Lukas watched him chew, his eyes not leaving his lips. “I’ll preheat the oven. What do I set it at?”
His friend moved away, bringing Lukas back to reality. “Oh!” His hands frantically turned over the empty box but he didn’t up dropping it. Aiden looked back and smirked. “370 °F!”
He clicked some buttons on the stove and Aiden promptly walked over to grab a bottle of water. He chugged it down, leaving some water on his chin. “You got some…” Lukas wiped his thumb along Aiden’s skin.
Aiden’s eyes widened a little bit and Lukas took a step back. He wasn’t angry though, he just gave a small smile. “Thanks.”
Lukas nodded, his face going red. His eyes weren’t met for long with Aiden’s when he jumped due to the oven beeping on. His fingertips were hypersensitive from the touch and he just stood there for a minute. Aiden reached next to him in the cabinet for some parchment paper and their sides momentarily brushed against one another. Lukas snapped out of it and grabbed a tray to lay the cookies on. The two silently put the cookies on the paper and Aiden put it in the oven without using a mitten.
“You’re gonna burn yourself one day.” He half joked.
He shrugged, “Doesn’t bother me.”
“It will when you burn yourself.”
“What are you gonna do then? Kiss it all better?”
And just like that Lukas was red again. He felt like a deer in headlights but he knew he couldn’t linger on the question too long or he’d look suspicious. “Uh huh.” He gave a fake smile. Lukas’ heart was beating so fast, every time Aiden looked at him he didn’t know what to do.
“So... We gonna watch the movie?” He pointed with his thumb behind him, back to the living room.
“I wanna give you something first.” He walked ahead of Aiden to the Christmas tree. Underneath one of the gifts in snowflake wrapping paper was a pocket journal. He had purposely hidden it so his friend wouldn’t find out about it. He gave it to him silently and Aiden opened the first page.
“It’s just a little something… I didn’t feel like it was worth wrapping.”
Aiden didn’t say anything. Just continued to scan and flip through the pages. With each passing second his anxiety grew more. Maybe this was a mistake. His heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. Could he even call this a gift? It was just a bunch of stupid poetry he had written about Aiden over the past few months.
“Oh Louie… I love it.” He closed the book and hugged his friend.
Lukas accepted the tender hug and he was sure Aiden could feel his beating heart now. He closed his eyes and tried to steady his shaky breath for what he was about to say. “Aiden..?” The brunet tried to pull away but Lukas wouldn’t let go of his waist.
“Hm?”
The height difference between the two wasn’t huge at all. He felt his hands start to shake as he looked into Aiden’s eyes. “I um- I need to tell you something.”
Aiden looked a little concerned but more confused. “Yeah?”
“I… Think I…” He was hyperventilating. “N-no. Never mind I can’t-”
He let his hands fall loose from Aiden’s side but Aiden pulled him back even closer. “Just tell me, it’s okay.”
How could he say no to that voice? That damned beautiful voice. “I think I… Have a crush on you.” His voice almost went into a whisper. His skin was on fire and he was filled with regret. He ruined everything. His anxiety made him feel like he was going to fall over and pass out. He wished he didn’t exist right now.
Aiden’s hands gripped on Lukas’ side tighter. His fingers trailed up to his back and he blinked slowly at Lukas. He closed his eyes and pulled the blond in for a kiss. At first the male hesitated but quickly melted into Aiden’s love.
Lukas never would have thought he’d kiss his best friend. Let alone possibly date him? Was he ready for that? Everything inside his head told him no, but his heart was screaming yes. Lukas lightly tugged on Aiden’s hair as they breathed on each other and slightly groaned from how good it was feeling. If this moment could last forever, even with his ongoing anxiety he wouldn’t complain. This was the happiest he had felt in a long time.
They broke off the kiss. It was a loud peck but it was rather clean surprisingly. “Whoa…” Lukas whispered. Did that really just happen?
“I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”
Lukas went wide eyed. “Y-you have?”
Aiden nodded, “It’s obvious.”
He awkwardly played with his hair, “Oh. Haha. I didn’t know I was so obvious.”
The brunet pushed Lukas’ hand away and started playing with his curly hair. “Is there something else you wanted to tell me? Or should I say, ask me?”
Oh god. It was happening. Lukas opened his mouth but the words wouldn’t come out. He felt like a note that had gone flat. “You… Aiden… Will you… Hah… I feel like I’m gonna faint.”
Aiden chuckled, “Let me make it easy for you. Ask me when you’re ready okay?”
Lukas let out a sigh of relief. “Hah.. Okay. I think that’s good.” He grabbed onto the brunet's hand and then hugged him again.
The oven chimed and the two peeped their heads towards the kitchen. “Now, shall we continue watching our movie?”
Lukas nodded, this night had gone better than expected.