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Theo walked up to the door with his hand held up and ready to knock, but he stopped short upon hearing muffled crying followed by the faint sound of Gale’s voice.
He wasn’t planning on eavesdropping that much, but his heart ached to hear his friend crying like this. He looked around to make sure he was alone, then made up his mind to lean in to press his ear against the door.
…the most wonderful, brilliant, gorgeous man in the world. The whole island and it had to be him. What am I going to do, Fluff.
Theo felt a pang in his chest as the crying resumed, the muffled sound likely indicating that the man was crying into the beloved creature he was talking to. Oh. Someone Gale was interested in. He knew that feeling all too well, but it was centered squarely on the man in question, his closest friend and the absolute light of his life.
He had wanted to tell him, so many times. But he was always too scared of losing him, too scared of losing the only person he trusted enough to open up to aside from his family. He had never felt such a deep connection with anyone before. He and Gale had shared things he would never dare tell anyone else. Shown himself to the man in ways he’d never thought he’d be able to. Gale accepted him, all of it.
Look at me, a plain farmer, pining after one of the guys everyone has a crush on.
They’d said ‘I love you’ more times than Theo could count, but it was always platonic. Well, maybe not for Theo – but Gale had far better options, as evidenced by whomever he was currently crying over.
Still, Theo couldn’t help letting his mind wander to how beautiful Gale was when his eyes crinkled with joy. How handsome he was last time they went on a beach walk, wavy hair falling just so to perfectly frame his gorgeous face in the twilight glow.
How lucky was he, to have formed such a dear connection? And how much it pained him so, to hold back from pursing it further?
Why did I have to fall in love with the man whose literal profession is making people fall in love with him. He’s perfect, Fluff.
He felt another pang in his chest. You’re perfect. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he told himself that he should leave, that he shouldn’t hear this. But his curiosity won out, and he found himself unable to move.
Maybe this would give him closure, he thought. Maybe he could finally accept the inevitable.
He’s gorgeous and witty and the absolute sweetest man alive. Not to mention incredibly comfy.
Theo frowned at the last bit. What? How close was he to this guy, that he knew he was comfy and yet was still crying over him on a weekday night?
Ugh, Theo, why can’t I just tell you?
His heart stopped. He said my name.
I really do love him, Fluff. I just don’t know how to tell him.
Another second passed before Theo’s heart started beating with a vengeance.
Gale said his name.
He heard a heavy sigh, followed by a series of joyful chirping sounds.
Gale said his name.
He heard a small laugh, followed by cooing sounds directed toward what could only be his beloved ball of fluff.
Gale said his name.
His heart pounded in his chest. He could leave. Could pretend that he hadn’t heard any of that, and slowly win him over. He could even pretend to gain a sudden inexplicable burst of courage tomorrow and ask Gale out properly. He could do that, couldn’t he?
But the pain in his voice, the defeat when he called himself a plain farmer. How on Earth could such an incredible man think himself plain?
His best friend was in pain, and Theo longed to do nothing more than to hold him close and tell him none of that was true. That he was loved and valued. That the whole island saw him as a shining ray of light, a bright star to light their once dim lives. Gale had brought hope to the island, and he spent his nights in pain because of him?
He took a step back and knocked on the door.
He heard a cabinet door slam shut, followed by a quick curse that he vaguely recognized. He froze just as it seemed the man inside had. The only noises came from crickets and the vague babbling of the river.
His heart jumped as he heard footsteps drawing closer. He shuffled nervously for a brief moment before he heard the lock click on the door. Theo held his breath for a brief second before sighing with relief when he saw the handle turn. The door opened a little too slowly.
“Theo?” Gale’s voice was quiet, still trembling slightly from crying.
He blinked, all courage sapped the moment he saw Gale in such a vulnerable state. He longed to reach out, to hold him close and wipe away the tears.
“Hey, Gale.” His voice came out far softer than he meant it to.
After Gale took a deep breath, his voice was even shakier than before. “How much of that did you hear?”
Theo swallowed. “Enough. I…”
Gale started to raise his hands, then pulled his fingers back and pinched his lips for a moment. “You what?” His voice was soft, almost pleading. “Please, just tell me. Even if-”
Theo immediately took his hands. The pain edging back into Gale’s voice sent a protective surge through him mixed with the wild, desperate hope of knowing he was finally, finally doing this.
“Gale, I have been smitten with you from the moment you gave me the most radiant smile I have ever seen in my life.” He brought a hand up to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear, then brought it back down to his hand. “Getting to know you has been one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I want to know more, Gale. How such a brilliant, gorgeous, loving, passionate man such as you could fall for a humble small town songwriting fisherman like me, I have no idea. But I can’t tell you how happy it would make me to call you my boyfriend.”
He felt his heart jump into his throat, suddenly aware of how wide Gale’s eyes were and how firmly he held onto his hands. His lips were parted slightly, almost in awe.
He took a deep breath. “Will you be my boyfriend?”
Time stood still until the most beautiful smile spread across Gale’s face. He squeezed Theo’s hands and pursed his lips together while nodding before he finally found his words.
“Yes, Theo,” he whispered. He cleared his throat with a slight laugh. “I would love…” He trailed off, tears now threatening to return. Theo removed his hands and brought his arms up around Gale loosely in an invitation. The other man immediately accepted and melted into his embrace.
Theo wrapped his arms around him as he felt Gale smile into his neck. “I would love to be your boyfriend.”
"My boyfriend." He nestled his face against Gale’s silky hair. “I’ve wanted to say that for so long.”
“So have I,” Gale whispered.
They held each other in silence for a spell before Gale pulled back slightly. “I don’t suppose you’d like to stay for a while?”
“No, but I would love to stay for a while.” Theo grinned as Gale rolled his eyes. “Did you have any plans for tonight?”
Gale raised an eyebrow. “You mean aside from crying my eyes out over my unrequited crush?”
Theo giggled. “Something tells me you’ll want some new plans.”
Gale hummed. “What about a movie night?”
“That sounds like a wonderful plan.”
“Did you already eat? I just had dinner, but if you want anything…”
He gestured toward the kitchen before Theo shook his head. “That’s ok, dad made ramen tonight. I’ll be full until tomorrow night.”
Gale nodded and started walking toward the living room. Theo took his shoes off before following him. He waited for a moment as Gale stood in front of the sofa for a little too long. Theo raised his eyebrow and was about to ask if everything was ok when Gale turned and opened his mouth.
Upon seeing his expression, Gale furrowed his brows with a half-smile, half-frown. “Wait, is something wrong?”
Theo laughed. “No, no, sorry, I was about to ask you the same thing.”
Gale shook his head with a nervous laugh. “No! Uh, I mean, nothing’s wrong. I just…” He rubbed his neck. “I know we’ve sort of cuddled before, but, I was kind of hoping I could…” he squeezed his eyes shut. “Lay on you? Goddess, why was that so hard to say?” He shook his head as a blush flooded his cheeks.
Theo smiled and brought his hands up to take his again. “Lucky for you, I love cuddling.” He tilted his head and willed his voice to remain steady. “And I meant what I said about getting to know you. I want to be close to you.”
That beautiful smile returned as the nerves melted off of his boyfriend’s face. Theo’s own smile widened with the thought – my boyfriend. He had been so sure this would never happen. So sure that the most gorgeous, popular man on the island would be more interested in someone else. Someone smarter, more successful, more attractive.
But here he was, absolutely glowing as Theo poured out his soul, let the words he had been desperately aching to say tumble out in a rush of affection.
Theo set the comfiest pillow against the arm of the sofa and laid back on it. He drew a laugh from Gale as he patted his chest. The other man slid onto the couch with him, resting his head on his chest and bringing his arms up around his neck.
Theo hummed as he felt Gale’s warm body sink on top of his. He closed his eyes and let himself get lost in the moment, the feeling of Gale’s pulse against his skin, the weight of him real and comforting against him.
Gale let out a content sigh. “You know, I could forget movie night and just fall asleep like this.”
Theo ran his fingers lightly through his hair. “I wouldn’t say no to that.”
Gale nuzzled against his chest. “You really are comfy, you know.”
He laughed softly. “So are you. You make a good blanket.”
“Mmm. You make a good pillow. I think you'd make a good blanket too."
“Guess we’ll have to test that out another night.”
His boyfriend smiled against his chest. “I’d like that.” He felt Gale’s arms tighten a bit around his neck before relaxing again. He spoke softly, almost to himself. “This feels like a dream.”
Theo held him a little closer. “It’s not a dream, baby.”
Gale raised his head from his chest, smile still in place. “That’s a new one.”
Theo bit his lip, suddenly realizing he had taken this a step further without asking him. Before he could formulate an apology-slash-question, Gale slid a hand along his jaw to cup his face. “I like it.”
Theo relaxed and let himself melt into his touch as Gale did the same. They held each other in silence for a few minutes before Gale finally spoke again.
“I meant it, you know.” He cleared his throat. “Every time I said, ‘I love you.’ I’ve… felt like that for a long time. Felt… close to you, for a long time.”
Theo felt the man in his arms tense up, as if waiting for backlash, for recoil that would never, ever come from him. He rubbed his hand against Gale’s back. “Me too, baby. I’ve never… felt this close to anyone.” He smiled against his hair. “That sounds so cheesy, but it’s true. I trust you, Gale. I love you.”
He held him just a little closer on that last line. He meant it, all of it. The years of getting to know each other, of slowly opening up. Of seeing past the bright sunny personas and letting each other see the broken fragments underneath. Of accepting each other and loving the other through the pain. No one had ever touched Theo quite as deeply as he had, ever seen into his soul and held him with the gentlest love imaginable.
He let out a happy sigh. “I am gonna write so many cheesy songs about you.”
Gale giggled against his chest. “I can’t wait to hear them.”
“Oh you’re gonna do more than hear. We’re absolutely going to be that annoying duet couple.”
Gale hummed against his chest. “Yes please, I love singing with you.”
Theo nuzzled against his hair. “You have such a beautiful voice, baby.”
Another sleepy hum. “All for you, love.”
Theo’s breath hitched. “That’s a new one too.”
“Mhm. You like it?”
“I love it, baby.”
~
Me: Not coming home tonight, spending the night at Gale’s :)
Lils: WOOOOHOOOO!!!! finally
Big Tuna: I hope you brought protection.
Me: DAD we’re having a MOVIE NIGHT wtf
Lils: lololol
Lils: “movie night” ;)
Big Tuna: Have fun.
Me: You guys suck