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He couldn’t do this anymore. Every passing glance was like fire. Every light touch made his chest burn. Every conversation exchanged, every compliment, every moment spent with Gideon Coal…
It made Kremy feel insane.
And he couldn’t take it anymore.
Even at night, when Kremy lay nestled in Gideon’s arms, chin rested on his chest, feeling his heart pound and heat seep through his scales, the silent affection wasn’t enough. Kremy knew the words were hard to say, for both him and Gideon, but he needed to hear it.
“I love you.”
That’s all he needed. Those words would make everything worth it. But Kremy knew Gideon would never say it out loud. He wasn’t that kind of person. So despite the words feeling like poison in his throat, he’d have to force them from his own jaws.
“Gid…d- do you ever regret getting married?”
It was late at night. Kremy and Gideon were sitting outside, enjoying a smoke like they usually do. Gideon lifted his head in surprise and glanced at the alligator lizardfolk. “Huh? I mean…” he took a drag from his cigar, “…marrying those damn pixies was a mistake. Can’t believe I got myself in that mess.” He thought a moment,
“…You’re not talkin about the pixies though, are you?”
Kremy sighed and looked away, feeling his grow slightly red.
“N- No. I’m not.”
They sat in silence for a while, until Gideon took a deep breath, “I don’t regret marrying you, Kremy.”
Kremy glanced at Gideon, feeling his heart pound. “Thanks Gid…I don’t regret marrying you either,” he said quietly.
Kremy’s hands shook as he took a long drag from his cigarette and slowly exhaled. He looked down at his feet. The thought of saying it made his heart pound. It felt impossible. He clenched his jaw and shut his eyes tightly.
“Kremy?”
A warm hand on his shoulder pulled him to look at Gideon. He opened his mouth and sucked in a breath, “Listen- Gid, I-“
But something stopped him from speaking, like a force keeping the words down his throat. He stuttered for a moment, then took another puff from his cigarette, letting the smoke tendrils rise through his nose, “N- Never mind. It’s nothing important,” he muttered, feeling shame and disappointment in his chest. He looked away from Gideon and stood up, “It’s late. I’m goin to bed..”
Kremy felt his heart weigh heavy in his chest. Even after everything, he couldn’t do it. What if it changed everything? Certainly he’d regret it. It wasn’t worth it…
But then Gideon grabbed his arm and spun him around. His face was serious, his horns and hair lightly ablaze. Kremy was surprised at this sudden movement, but the look in Gideon’s eyes was one he was familiar with. It was concern, and trust. It was surprisingly gentle. The heat coming from Gideon was like the glow of embers after a bonfire. “Kremy…” his voice sent a chill up Kremy’s spine. He couldn’t hide anything from this man, could he? It was all he needed to loosen the words and have them spill out.
“I love you, Gid.”
The words were almost a whisper, but it was enough to cause Gideon’s hair and horns to completely burst into flames. His eyes glowed and his breaths became heavy. Kremy slowly lifted his hand to Gideon’s face and pressed it against his cheek, the edges of his claws resting against his temples. The silence was thick, but not uncomfortable, just processing, until eventually, Gideon shifted forward.
“I love you too, Kremy…”
And at that moment, everything was perfect. Kremy used his free hand to grip Gideon’s suspenders and pull him closer, just as Gideon had moved his hands around Kremy’s waist. They pressed their lips together, the warmth of the kiss spreading throughout Kremy’s body. His claws ran through Gideon’s hair, his tail curled around his leg.
And just as it started, it was over. Even though he pulled back, the taste of cigars still lingered. Kremy’s heart pounded. It felt like a weight had been lifted from him, and nothing else exists except him and Gideon.
“So…this still ironic?”
Kremy blinked
“W- Wh- Gideon Nathanial Coal!!”
Gideon held in laughter and held up his hands in defense, “I’m kidding I’m kidding!!”
“You better be kidding! I wouldn’t spend an entire evening stressing out over a love confession if it was still ironic.”
Kremy laced his fingers with Gideon’s, his heart feeling full. “How about we destress, then? Let’s get you some sleep,” Gideon began to lead Kremy back inside for a well needed rest. This time, as Kremy rested his chin against the fire genasi’s chest, he felt satisfied. Gideon planted a kiss on Kremy’s snout and they whispered their ‘I love you’s before drifting to sleep in each other’s arms.