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When the filming for DMD Friendship: The Reality had started, First was already pretty sure of what the outcome would be for him. He thought he’d take some time to get to know people, make it look like he was really checking out his options, before choosing Latte as his screen partner. Him and Latte were friends, and they got along well, so it would be nice and simple… right?
But now there’s this guy called Tle, and he seems too good to be true. He’s perfect for First, at least from a career perspective. Tle likes singing and, as First has just learnt, he’s good at it.
First can’t believe Tle has just turned up and is doing so well on his first challenge, seeming entirely unfazed by the fact he’s now singing in front of a panel of judges. He seems completely at home behind the mic.
If First then tries a little harder when it’s his turn, pushing past the uncomfortable feeling of singing while sick, it’s definitely not with the hope of impressing Tle.
Things only get more complicated when they’re waiting to find out who’s second runner up and Tle holds his hand. First has held hands with plenty of the boys before, it’s a pretty normal thing for them – a good way to get comfortable with each other – but something about holding Tle’s hand is different.
Whenever he’s held Latte’s hand, there’s been the warmth of his palm and little else. It’s fine. It’s safe. But as Tle’s fingers intertwine with his? A spark, just for a fraction of a second, sizzles through his body.
First is so preoccupied with that, he knows he must be pulling a weird face, probably looking far too stoic for the situation. Hopefully, the audience will blame his nerves about the competition for his odd expression.
Once First is announced as the winner, he gravitates back to the safety of Latte’s side. And if it just so happens to mean he has a good view of Tle playing guitar – yet another thing he’s good at – well… that’s no one else’s business.
●○●○●○●○●○●
When Tle walks up to him for their little ‘date’ in the suite afterwards, First can’t stop smiling. Especially when Tle beams at him and asks, joyous and surprised, “You chose me?”
Of course, First wants to say. How could I not?
First really isn’t feeling like himself.
“He’s new, so I wanted to spend time with him,” he’d told the cameras, though he could feel his cheeks hurting with the urge to grin. Yes, that reason was true, but there was more to his decision than that. First couldn’t stop thinking about that little tingly sensation he’d felt when they’d held hands. He’d never experienced that before. He wants to experience it again.
Conversation comes more easily for the two of them than First expected, any initial nerves giving way as they joke with each other, quickly falling into an easy rhythm of merriment and laughter. Then they’re singing and it’s even more magical. First’s sore throat protests to so much use, but he won’t stop for anything. This moment is too good, too perfect, to not let their voices harmonise.
And then First puts his hand out foR A FREAKING HANDSHAKE.
First is internally screaming at himself. He can’t believe his own awkwardness, and is in too much shock to abort the move before Tle is grabbing his hand and shaking it.
What he’d wanted to do was ask to hold his hand, to test whether that spark was there again. But no. He’s gone in for a bro-ish handshake and Tle is being very kind in pretending that it’s not a really fucking weird thing to do.
“Let’s take a shower!” is First’s very coherent follow up to the uncomfortable handshake. He has no idea why he says that, and why he implies that they might shower together, but it’s a relief when Tle sends him on his way to shower first.
●○●○●○●○●○●
In all the excitement of the competition (and learning more about Tle), First hadn’t really considered the fact that they would be sharing a bed. He’s nervous as he climbs in, more nervous than he’s been this whole time.
What if I snore?
For some reason, that thought hadn’t ever really occurred when he’d been sharing a bed with the other boys. Maybe he just knew them better, so felt more comfortable around them. Or maybe… no, that must be the reason.
“Are you tired?” Tle asks, giving him the perfect out to avoid pillow talk. First is worried about what he might say if they talk much more right now, his brain jumbled from his cold and the events of the day.
“Yeah.”
First barely sleeps that night and chooses to blame it on being sick.
●○●○●○●○●○●
“I’m… I’m comfortable working with you,” Latte says the day they’re meant to be choosing their partners. He doesn’t even look First in the eye when he says it, instead looking out at the scenery around them. First has never really noticed his aloofness before, but now he can see the stark difference to how Tle is with him – the latter being straightforward, never afraid to look at him. He’s not sure which he prefers.
“I’m comfortable working with you, too,” is all he can really say in response. Anything more would feel like he’s leading him on. First doesn’t want to do that.
Somewhere in amongst whatever Latte is saying, he admits, “I know I have a lot of catching up to do.”
And that’s the conundrum, really. Does First pick Latte, his close friend who he’s comfortable with but would maybe need time to be his equal within the industry, or does he pick…
Speak of the devil.
Tle is scratching the back of his head and kicking his feet as he approaches, shyly looking at First.
“Can I talk to First for a minute?” Tle asks Latte before he asks First himself, mindful of the meal they’re sharing.
He’s well-mannered, too. Is there anything about this guy that isn’t perfect?
It’s surely no coincidence that they end up back on a windowsill, not dissimilar to the one where their ‘date’ was held. And it’s definitely no accident that Tle sits close to one end of it, leaving First to sit in the small gap between him and the edge of the window. There’s still enough space for him to sit comfortably, but they are close enough that it feels intimate. First would barely have to move his hand in order to take hold of Tle’s.
“You know that I’m choosing you, right?” Tle says.
Not waiting to lead Tle on either, First knows he needs to keep his reactions as neutral as possible. He fights to keep the smile from his lips, but can’t stop himself from stuttering, “I– I kinda guessed. But I also thought… th–that you might choose someone else.”
First hasn’t seen Tle this fidgety before, the man looking away and fixing his sweatshirt, then replying, “It’s you.”
Trying to keep his voice from betraying his emotions, First asks, “Really?”
Tle replies quickly. “Really.”
First stays silent after that, processing, while Tle continues, “I have a few reasons for choosing you, like my passion and future career path… I think about my future and I can picture myself working with you. We’d get to work the way I want to.”
“The way you want…” Something about that gives First pause for thought, and he’s not sure why. Maybe it’s the use of ‘I’ – ‘What I want’ – as if the decision is more about his solo career than what they could achieve as a pairing. On the other hand, it makes sense that Tle would be basing his decision on that kind of thing – they are looking for screen partners, after all, not faens. Plus, it’s not like Tle has been around him, or any of the others, long enough for his decision to be based on feelings. This is business to him. And maybe that’s what it should also be to First.
“When I sing with you, I feel like I can sing better.”
Is this still about his career or…?
Something in the way Tle looks at him as he says it makes it feel like more of a confession than it should be.
Whatever Tle says after that is slightly lost on him, those words echoing around his mind. Singing is what First wants to do – it’s what he joined Domundi to do – and it feels like this man… maybe… wants to stand by his side and help him achieve that dream…
He vaguely takes in Tle saying something about being sad if First doesn’t choose him, but that it’s fine if he’d rather be with Latte, that nothing has to be awkward or change between them. But something has already shifted. First can feel it.
●○●○●○●○●○●
He’s standing in front of the table, looking at the photos of his friends, and First doesn’t know what to do. He didn’t picture himself being in this position.
Do I…
First reaches for Latte’s photo, but he just can’t bring himself to make that choice.
His plans have been thrown completely out the window by Tle and now he’s completely stumped.
What do I do?
●○●○●○●○●○●
To Tle,
I’m sorry for not choosing you now. I want to get to know you better first. It’s been so fun doing things with you. You really took care of ‘us’. Thank you for choosing me.
From a handsome guy.
—
To Latte,
I’m sorry for not choosing you. We’ve known each other for a while. However, I want to get to know you better. In the future, we might become partners.
From someone handsome.
●○●○●○●○●○●
First sighs, flopping down face first on his bed when he’s finally home after filming.
In the end, First couldn’t choose. Not so soon, when he felt so torn. He needed time. And if First had learnt one thing about the entertainment industry so far, it was that time was a luxury, not a given. It’s not like he’d be able to stop Tle or Latte from finding themselves different partners if he couldn’t make his decision soon.
The show might be over, but the question remains: Tle or Latte?
●○●○●○●○●○●
“Do you know me yet?” Tle asks quietly, almost whispering it into his ear.
Maybe it’s First’s own fault for wording his letters in such a way, implying that he might be able to make a decision about his screen partner once he knew both guys better, but now Tle asks him that from time to time.
They’re currently lounging on Aof’s couch after having some dinner, the other boys busy talking or filming tiktoks around them, and Tle has his arm around him. It’s been there a while. And First thinks he likes it. It gives him a little fuzzy feeling that he thinks means he must, as a friend, like Tle. They’ve definitely gotten closer since filming for the show ended, but still…
“Not yet,” he replies, deciding now is a good time to take his and Tle’s plates to the kitchen to wash up.
First still isn’t sure.
Not yet.
For some reason, Latte follows him to the kitchen.
Good. Maybe we can talk.
“Hey.” Latte stays a little ways away from him. First doesn’t know how to feel about that, his brain helpfully supplying, Tle would get closer.
“Hey,” First replies, busying himself with washing the dishes.
Despite the fact they’re alone, as alone as they can be in this house, no further words are said. First doesn’t know how to start this conversation, and it seems neither does Latte.
First looks at Latte from time to time, waiting, but nope. Nothing. Although they’ve hung out a bit since the show ended, this perfectly summarises their progress. Neither ever acknowledge the elephant in the room.
First leaves the kitchen. Latte doesn't stop him.
●○●○●○●○●○●
It next comes up when they’re all at the airport, about to fly out to Japan. Tle approaches him, gently grabbing his elbow and asking if they can talk. And First isn’t blushing – he doesn’t ever blush – except… maybe he does when he’s around Tle.
“S–Sure…” He lets Tle guide him slightly away from the other boys, not far enough that they’ll lose them but far enough that they don’t have to worry too much about being overheard.
First thinks he’s regained his composure until Tle moves to hold his hands, cradling them in his own. No one treats him as sweetly as Tle. It’s nice strange. And there’s that feeling again, stronger than before and not fading away as the seconds pass.
“Do you know me yet?”
“Um…” First knows he should have his answer by now – it’s been so long since they wrapped on the reality show – but something funny happens inside him whenever Tle asks. His heart starts racing and there’s a tingly feeling running up his spine, almost like an electric shock. He’s not sure if that’s a good sign or not, so… “I just need a little more time.”
Looking into Tle’s eyes, it’s like he sees them lose their shine for a second, and it has First rushing to comfort him. “I’m sorry.” He squeezes Tle’s hands. “I really…” like you, he almost finds himself saying. The thought is enough to shock him into silence, not sure where it came from. It wasn’t what he’d been planning to say.
Acting partner, not faen, he reminds himself.
“You really…?” Tle prompts.
First clears his throat. “I really can see us working together. I like spending time with you, you’re fun to be around, just…”
“Not yet?” Tle finishes, a sad smile on his lips.
First nods. “If you don’t mind waiting a tiny bit longer.”
With a hum, Tle nods back. “Okay. But don’t leave me waiting too long, alright?”
Before First can really say anything more in response – though he has no idea what he even would say to that – Tle walks back over to the others and the conversation is over.
●○●○●○●○●○●
It must be the adrenaline from the concert. That’s the only explanation for why they’re kissing, hiding behind some boxes backstage, his tongue in Tle’s mouth and a hand messing up his hair. First can’t really remember how they got here other than that he was the one pulling Tle along by the hand, barely making sure they were alone before he’d…
Tle takes control of the kiss, hands circling his waist, and it’s perfect. It’s somehow sweet, almost unbearably so, despite the edge of passion threatening to further their frenzy.
One of First’s hands ends up under Tle’s shirt and Tle startles. Or… Or maybe ‘startles’ isn’t the right word. They’ve stopped kissing, but Tle’s not pulling away. He’s looking at First, his gaze dancing between First’s features.
“I want to be your partner,” Tle blurts. “When I’m with you, I feel like I– we can do anything. Both in work and outside of it. We’re good together. So please…”
We.
Tle licks his lips and First is helpless to do anything but watch the action, wanting to follow Tle’s tongue with his own. “Do you know me yet?”
Those words feel different when they’re breathed against First’s lips.
First, as always, answers as honestly as he can: “Almost.”
●○●○●○●○●○●
“Almost,” First repeats to himself, fingertips pressed against his lips as he looks at himself in the bathroom mirror the next morning. “What sort of an answer is ‘almost’?”
It’s odd to see himself like this. It feels almost like he’s face to face with a version of himself from another universe, someone who is so nearly him but not quite the same. The man he sees in the mirror is soft-hearted… maybe even a sucker for romance. It’s not the kind of person he ever thought he was. He thought he was… cool… sexy… aloof. Now he’s apparently reduced to blushing.
He looks towards the bathroom door, knowing that Latte is asleep on the other side. They’d agreed to share a room as soon as the trip was brought up. It had seemed like a good idea, they were good friends after all, but it had been awkward when they’d gotten back here last night. First hadn’t been able to bring himself to tell Latte what had happened.
Do I even need to tell him?
First grimaces, both at the thought of telling him, and the equally unappealing thought of hiding it from him.
With as much conviction as he can muster, he opens the bathroom door, heading over to where Latte is still curled up fast asleep on his side. He doesn’t want this conversation to be interrupted by any of the other boys coming over to wake them (he’s actually surprised they haven’t already), so he needs to make this quick.
“‘Te…” he calls gently, sitting on the edge of his bed.
“Mmrrph?” Latte grumbles, trying to pull his blanket over his face.
“Latte, we need to talk.”
That does the trick. Two curious eyes pop open. “About what?”
Before he can even think about bringing up the kiss, he needs to know where they stand.
“Why do you want to be paired with me?”
Tle’s answer to that question has changed since the show. He wants to know if Latte’s has changed, too.
Latte blinks. Maybe ambushing him when he’s half asleep isn’t a good idea. But also, maybe it’s exactly what he needs to do. Maybe it’s good that he’s talking to him at a time when Latte can’t create a perfect, calculated response. First wants to know how Latte truly feels, not what Latte thinks he wants to hear.
“You’re good at stuff,” Latte says. “And I’m comfortable around you.”
“And?” First asks.
Eyebrows knitting together, Latte flops onto his back to get a better look at First. “And what?”
“How do you feel about me? About us? You never… You’ve not spoken to me about it since the show.” Once upon a time, not all that long ago, that’s exactly what First thought he wanted in a screen partner – someone who would give him all the time and space he could possibly ask for. But now it feels like the lack of communication has left a void between them.
“I feel fine,” is Latte’s response.
First gawks. “That’s it? You feel ‘fine’ about things between us?”
Not seeing the problem with his answer, Latte shrugs. “Yeah? Don’t you?”
“I…”
How do I feel?
It had felt so easy to almost say ‘I like you’ to Tle. But with Latte?
First looks at him. Really looks at him.
Do I want to kiss him? …Not really. But I could.
Do I want to kiss Tle?
First feels his pulse pick up and sitting still suddenly feels impossible.
“I’m going out.”
Needing to know whether the kiss yesterday was just a result of the high from performing, he quickly heads back into the bathroom to change out of his pjs, and then he’s storming to Tle’s room. What starts as a swift walk becomes a jog, and then becomes a run. It’s like his feet can’t carry him fast enough, and his mind can’t keep up with the pace of his thoughts. He needs to see him – to know.
“Tle.” He knocks on the door, trying not to be too loud. It’s hard to really tell what volume everything’s happening at when his heart is beating so hard in his chest. He knows it’s not just from running the short distance to Tle’s room. “Tle, can you open the door please? I need to talk to you, it’s–”
The door swings open and he’s right there, in his pyjamas, hair a mess, marks on his cheek from where his face must have been pressed against a pillow, and…
First whines, “Why do I still want to kiss you?” He’s not used to feeling like this at all.
Tle’s eyes widen, before softening with a chuckle. “I can’t answer that for you.”
Not paying that much mind, First continues asking questions: “Do you want to kiss me, too? Not just for work things?”
“Yes.” It’s a simple answer, as it often is with Tle, but it’s everything he needs. First steps forward, crowding into Tle’s space, hands almost cupping his cheeks to kiss–
“Wha’s going on?” First looks behind Tle and spots Gems, Tle’s roommate for the trip, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“Uh…” In the heat of the moment, First had forgotten that they wouldn’t really be alone. “Nothing!” he squeaks.
As if knowing not to push it, Tle just laughs, briefly reaching out to squeeze First’s shoulder as he moves to leave. “We’ll talk later today, okay? When we can be alone.”
●○●○●○●○●○●
It turns out that trying to find a moment to be alone when you’re on a trip with over twenty guys is about as difficult as it sounds. They’re barely able to do more than exchange glances all day while sightseeing, and then they’re off to their separate bedrooms once again, and now it’s morning and they’re heading to the FREAKING MOUNTAINS! It’s incredible and breath-taking and First can hardly believe this is a work trip.
Mostly, he just wishes he could actually enjoy it. But instead, his mind is still stuck on that unfinished conversation.
First thinks Tle might like him as something more than a potential screen partner...
Or maybe he just likes kissing his friends, I don't know.
With a groan, First buries his head in his hands.
He won't know the truth until they have time to talk.
●○●○●○●○●○●
NuNew is tottering out onto the ice, arms outstretched and floundering, and it’s only natural that First goes over to help him. Net is busy laughing at Zee, who seems to have lost what little coordination he had the second the skates were put on his feet, so First is pretty sure he’s the next most competent skater for the job.
“NuNew, would you like–” First holds out his hand for NuNew to take just as he notices someone else skate up to him to help – someone who skates well enough that they approach with speed, their blades kicking up ice as they come to a stop.
“Do you need some…” Tle trails off as he catches First’s eye, also standing there with his hand out to NuNew.
Before either can back down, NuNew grabs both their hands with a screeched, “YES! I’m so nervous, please hold my hands!”
Eyes still locked with Tle, First can’t help but smile, and his heart melts when Tle smiles back. The moment could only be improved if it was Tle’s hand he was holding instead of NuNew’s, but he’ll take what he can get.
Snapping himself out of it, First refocuses on NuNew. “It’s okay, we’ll help you. Won’t we, Tle?”
Tle is already moving to be beside NuNew, attempting to start fixing his posture so he’s not so far hunched forward. “Of course! Come on, New! You’ll be a star figure skater in no time!” There’s a wonderful spark in Tle’s eyes when he looks across at him, past the nervous newbie between them, that seems brighter than any of the lights around them.
It feels so different to their usual dynamic – now being experts (comparatively) and having to teach NuNew. But it’s fun. It feels like it’s bringing all three of them closer, taking away any last thoughts of idolisation First still maintained about NuNew. Of course, he’ll always look up to him, but he sees it now; NuNew is just a normal (and very cute and talented) guy.
“Like that!” Tle praises when NuNew takes a step forward, allowing the blade of his skates to glide over the ice for a moment before he’s putting his other foot down.
“You’re really getting it, NuNew!” First joins in, making sure to not let NuNew fall when his skate hits a particularly deep divot in the ice, causing him to wobble.
As NuNew’s confidence grows, so does the frequency of the not so subtle glances First and Tle keep throwing in each other’s direction, no longer having to keep such a close eye on their student. Every time First looks over at Tle, it seems Tle’s either got his eyes on him or he’s hurriedly looking away so as to not be caught again.
There’s something in the looks they share. Something warm and fuzzy that makes First’s cheeks, already reddened from the cold, grow even more rosy. Even Tle’s cheeks carry a vibrant tint, which is only accentuated further by how he keeps smiling. It’s so distracting that First doesn’t hear the first time NuNew speaks, only tuning in when he hears his name.
“First?” NuNew giggles. “Earth to FirstOne?”
“Ah, sorry. What is it, New?” It’s only now that First also realises they’ve stopped skating.
“I said I think I’m going to take a break,” NuNew says, tilting his head towards the rink exit they’ve stopped by. “I’m getting tired.”
“Oh. Sure.” First was kind of hoping he’d get to keep holding NuNew’s hand all evening, Tle holding his other one like they were somehow indirectly holding hands themselves.
Seriously, what have I become? Indirect hand-holding????
Kla and Aof make their way over to rescue NuNew. Tle lets go of NuNew first when Kla rushes to grab NuNew’s arm, protective as always, while First hangs on that little bit longer to ensure his balance hasn’t been thrown off by the quick change. Just as he’s about to let go, NuNew looks around briefly and then squeezes his hand.
“Go get him!” NuNew whispers, lips pulled into a dazzling smile as he winks at him.
Huh?
First feels like he’s about to spontaneously combust.
Is it that obvious?
“Mm… Mmm,” he hums back – neither in agreement or dismissal.
Turning back onto the ice, First is relieved to see that Tle has kept on skating without him. It gives him some time to compose himself, matching Tle’s pace, following far behind him and watching the confidence in his skating. In almost everything Tle does, he has that undeniable surety. The only times he’s ever seen him uncertain are… Well, it’s when he asks First that question. That’s when First sees his vulnerability.
At first, he’d not been sure whether they’d actually be good as a pairing. Hearing Tle’s initial reasons for wanting to be paired with him – seemingly only for the sake of his future career goals – had slightly rubbed him the wrong way. But he gets it now. Not only was Tle in the difficult position of having to pick a partner after only being around Gen3 for a couple of days, but he knows Tle well enough now to know he didn’t mean it like that. Yes, Tle was thinking of himself and his goals, but there was also a thought of who would be there beside him. And maybe it had started out purely about work, but now…
First smiles thinking about it. Not only were their goals compatible, but it seemed they were compatible, as people. Everything First liked, Tle either liked or seemed interested to learn about, and the same was true of Tle’s likes and First. They clicked in a way he’d never been expecting, could laugh with each other like they’d been friends for years. They made sense. On screen and off.
Then it hits First.
I think I know him well enough now.
“Boo!”
First shrieks, stumbling on the ice before strong arms are wrapping around him from behind, keeping him steady. He doesn’t even remember seeing Tle speed up to lap him, he’d been so lost in his thoughts.
“Tle!” First slaps Tle’s hand where it’s currently wrapped around his waist, half-heartedly trying to get him to let go.
After releasing him, Tle moves to skate beside him, giggling like a naughty schoolboy at First’s expression. He knows he must look like a toddler about to throw a tantrum, so annoyed at being caught off guard.
“You having fun?” Tle asks, catching First’s hand in his as he swings his arms. First doesn’t try to resist the hold. He never has and he never will.
“Y–Yeah. Are you?”
“Yes,” Tle replies. “Especially now I’m skating with you.”
First looks away for a moment, trying to hide his face as he watches his skates cut through the ice beneath them. He’s still not used to all this… This flirting stuff. And actually being affected by it. He just hopes it’s real – that these words are not being said as practice for fanservice or something equally as hollow.
There’s only one way to know for sure.
“Do you mean that?” First asks, daring himself to look up at Tle.
Tle is smiling as he replies, “Yes.”
“So you like me?”
The smile only gets wider. “Yes.”
“In more than a friend way?”
“Yes.”
First’s heart is doing that funny thing again where it feels like it’s trying to jump out of his chest, but he wills himself not to run away from it. Instead, he tries to embrace it – to accept it – and really understand why he’s feeling this way.
It doesn’t take him more than a few seconds to come to his conclusion:
I really like Tle. I really, really like him.
"And you still want to be partnered with me? Despite..." If they were to date and break up, that wouldn't be good for their careers. He finds himself looking down to his feet once more. "Despite how you feel."
Tle answers him like it's the most obvious thing in the world: "Yes. Of course."
First stops skating.
Tle stops in front of him, turning to face him.
“Ask me that question again,” First says. He’s not quite gotten the courage to look at Tle’s face at the moment, but he’s looking at Tle’s skates now and gradually making his way up his legs. He’s getting there.
“What question?” There’s an odd strain to Tle’s voice, like he’s trying not to get his hopes up.
“You know what question.” He meets his eye in an instant, keeping his gaze sharp. Yes, there are times when, somehow, this man reduces him to a pile of lovey-dovey goop. But equally, this is him. Strong and stubborn. He won’t back down.
First isn’t sure when Tle skated closer, but he must have, their noses now brushing as he asks, “Do you know me yet?”
“Yes.” Relief floods First’s body as he’s able to give that answer, at last.
They’re both leaning in, lips a hairsbreadth apart, and then–
“WOOOOP! WOOWOOWOOOOO!!”
They spring apart at the sound of their friends hollering, heads whipping around to see where several of them have gathered, cheering and shouting in their direction. It doesn’t escape First’s attention that Net has his phone out… pointed at them.
“Hey, Net!” Tle shouts, humour evident in his voice, “I thought you were a captain of ZonZons! What are you doing filming us, hah?”
Net seems unfazed, busy laughing and making kissy faces behind his phone.
Tle turns to First, squeezing a hand tightly in his and smiling brightly. “Come on, let’s get him.”
“Huh? Wah!” First has barely any time to prepare himself before Tle takes off skating towards Net, dragging First with him.
Net’s screech as he realises they’re heading for him is priceless, the man scrambling to skate away as fast as he can, phone still directed at them.
“If me and my faen catch you then it’s all over!”
Faen.
It won’t be until later tonight that First will have the chance to talk to Tle about that – to confirm that that is what they are to each other.
It will be a while longer before he feels confident to say the word himself. Especially around the rest of the boys.
They still need to learn how to work together, as a team. But it’s okay. First knows Tle now. He knows him well enough to make this choice. And he can’t wait to get to know him more.