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It had been a great day. The sun had set peacefully over the cityscape, orange and reddish hues casting a beautiful tint over Chuck and Taylor’s shared apartment. They did what they loved to do most—play video games and drink cheap beer, after they’d come home from work and eaten dinner.
Taylor was particularly happy, having been able to spend time with his roommate, his friend.
Yes, today had been a good day, he thought. He smiled softly to himself as they sat on the floor of their living room, right in front of the couch, as some dumb tv show flashed on the screen in front of him.
He wasn’t focused on the television, though. No, his mind was set on Chucks head on his shoulder, his spiky, gelled hair brushing against his neck. They were both considerably tipsy, having drunk quite a few beers, so he doubted Chuck was thinking about it as much as he did.
But he was thinking about it a lot. About him a lot. He couldn’t help the flush that found his cheeks when he roommate smiled at him, offering him a wide, gap-toothed grin. Or when he made a joke, or shoved his shoulder, or taunted him after he’d beat him in a video game. That freckled face, skin tanned from the sun. The way his eyes would light up, and he’d look at Taylor like he was the greatest thing in the world, the best man he’d ever met.
But he seriously doubted that Chuck felt the same. He definitely didn’t think about other men this way. A guy like him would totally be into girls, right? So, he decided he would enjoy this moment, though he wouldn’t get his hopes up. He would savor the rare intimacy that the situation offered. He wouldn’t reach to intertwine their fingers, he wouldn’t lean down to press a kiss against Chuck’s forehead, and he definitely wouldn’t spoil it all by saying something stupid like-
“I love you.”
Taylor’s thoughts halted and he moved his gaze downward to find Chuck looking up at him, his downward-casting eyelashes providing a shadow over his eyes. His cheeks were flushed a bright red, with either drunkenness or fondness, Taylor couldn’t tell. Did he say what he think he said? Maybe he’d misspoke. Maybe he’d been joking. But Chuck didn’t offer him his usual grin.
“..I love you.” He repeated again, slightly slurred, blinking slowly before casting his gaze towards the screen again, shifting his head against his shoulder.
Taylor took a long moment to process what he’d said. His thoughts ran wild, his mouth went dry.
Taylor was silent for a long while. By the time he’d come up with a response, Chuck had long since dozed off, eyes closed, his mouth slightly agape, snoring softly. But Taylor said it anyways, his voice soft, barely audible over the quiet sound of the television.
“I love you.”