Archive of Our Own

“Seriously, there is nothing to do in this stupid apartment!” 

His face grimaced, opening his bottom bedside drawer, with nothing but pure junk inside. He has already played too many rounds of Super Smash Bros, and playing another would cause Leon to spontaneously combust from rage. He also tweaked out his own compositions with little guitar samples before immediately dipping out of a lack of motivation. Leon was too lazy to binge Chiikawa, or at least listen to music while busting whatever dance move he thinks of. Napping was useless too, since he had too much energy stored to nap the rest of the day.

What could he do? Was there really anything to do in this claustrophobic place called an apartment?

Leon’s head dropped, one hand clasped the edge of his wooden drawer. His boredom was winning this war he has been fighting the entire day. He had only stayed isolated inside because whether it’d be going to the arcade, laser tag, etc… They were all too expensive, and it’d be a waste of time doing it alone.

“AGHHHH!!!” He groaned, dropping on both of his knees. “There’s zero shit to do around here!!”

For a minute or two, Leon sat there with nothing but his boredom taunting him. Flashbacks zoomed through his mind like speeding cars: only lasting a second before dipping out. Memories of fun, non-boring, cool activities—

Oh, right.

Emil Styrsson… That guy exists. Not like that is inherently a bad thing because why would it be? 

How could he forget his own best friend? His own roommate?! Leon didn’t need to do anything alone. His beautiful—Uh, his meaningful best friend had his bedroom right beside his own. He felt like he received the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Most Biggest Idiot” award. It is his duty to dig a hole in the ground and hide himself forever. 

Perhaps he should remind himself of Emil’s existence with these recent days of how busy he is with assignments. Such reminders include the way his cheeks glowed with a saturated red every time he would tease him. That sole reaction alone was cherishable to Leon. It showed him that he wasn’t just “ice” all over and could really melt (pun intended). Or perhaps the way his indigo eyes would sparkle watching the Aurora Borealis dance at midnight? Maybe the little moments Leon would catch Emil sketching different types of flowers that he had no clue what their names were? They weren’t much, but it always reminded Leon of how unreal it felt being best friends with him.

In fact, he thought shooting his shot for Emil was an impossible half-court. A mere compliment back in high school, right in the midst of art class. Leon was charmed by Emil’s landscape painting, and maybe the painter himself. Someone that cold and reserved; to Leon, the closest they would probably be were acquaintences & nothing more. Being best friends with the one person he thought he wouldn’t be friends with was… How can he describe it?

The only way he could think of describing it is that one time where Emil… 

<3 🇮🇸 (*☻-☻*) 🇭🇰 <3

“Leon.” Emil mumbled. His gaze peered to the carpet flooring of the library.

Leon slid one side of his headphones off his ears, “Yeah, what’s up, Em?”

Right at this moment, they were chilling, sitting across from one another. However, they did not converse. The concept of needing to talk or having to do the same activity was foreign to Emil from what he had said earlier. So yes, while Leon stayed zoned out listening to music, Emil wrote whatever poems popped up in his head.

Emil took a deep breath, “I have something I’ve been wanting to say for a while…” His fingers fiddled around with his ballpoint pen.

Leon’s first thought was that Emil would say that he was very much in love with him and would want to become more. But the thought of him, the current Siu Chun “Leon” Wang being with someone as ethereal as Emil? In another universe, yeah. From the signs, Leon had zero chances.

He tilted his head, “Okay, go on.”

The platinum blond bit inside of his cheek, purple eyes finally meeting Leon’s brown ones. Silence already lingered in the library, but tension echoed between the two boys. Both had no clue if this was unusual platonic tension or something a little more romantic. Probably the first choice.

Leon caught onto the fact Emil needed time to prepare himself for whatever he wanted to confess. He didn’t tease; just resting his chin on his palm. Patience was key here, and one wrong move could cause a strain.

“I…”

“I like being around you.”

Leon blinked. “Wait, what?”

“I said I like being around you and I’m not saying this out of pity either.” He settled his pen down, palms flat on the table.

Maybe Leon is being stupid? Did he hear that right? “Like being around?” Really? That was… 

A weird tingle of hope fluttered his heart.

“R-Really?” Leon stuttered.

“Yes, really.”

The thump in his heart quickened and now his chest hurts. 

Okay, so Emil really meant that. Wow. Okay. He doesn’t say stuff like that out loud, mostly in poems. The place where Emil can be melancholic, sappy, and silly all at once. Hearing that soft tone say that to him? Out of anybody? Was that from the pure soul of Emil? Probably. Well, Leon needs to stop doubting his words soon.

It feels… How should Leon put it? He already mentioned a feeling of hope, but hope for what? A stronger friendship? 

Yeah. A stronger bond with Emil.

But maybe his chances…?

<3 🇮🇸 (*☻-☻*) 🇭🇰 <3

“Is he even home right now?” Leon stood up, sprinting (why are you sprinting?) his way out of his messy bedroom. 

Leon has a decent amount of friends he could call up. People like Hsiao-Mei, Wei, Yong-Soo… He had perfect contact with them on his phone and he could call them up. Yet he had decided not to because of pure consideration. They’re probably just as busy as Emil: planning their future career path or something. Well, maybe not Yong-Soo, but this isn’t about him.

Unlike Leon who had zero direction on what career or major to choose, Emil had already signed himself majoring in Journalism. It didn’t scrap the love for his other hobbies like photography or drawing, but it still had that creativity that Emil could implement. Any form of writing Emil could write, and so, journalism was an easy go-to. 

Once at the front of his bedroom door, Leon lifted his fist. His lips pressed into a straight line; his eyebrows furrowed.

“Okay, you can do this, Siu Chun! It’s just three taps on the door and maybe Emil will come out!” He nodded, but then dropped his hand to his side.

Leon bit his lip, turning his head away from the frame. “No, perhaps Emil is too busy working and that journalism major means a lot for his career path…” Leon sighed, arms now drooped by his side. He shook his head at the thought, straightening up his posture.

“No, if Emil wanted to be roommates with me, then perhaps that he’ll be okay with hanging out! Just lock in, Leon! L for Lock In!” Leon had his hands on his hips, a confident grin replacing his paranoid defeat.

Finally, he raised his fist to the door. Three subtle knocks. Nothing too loud to make Emil startled. Fuck, he could feel his entire body trembling. It isn’t really that serious, is it? This is just a request to hang out after a while. Again, Emil is his best friend (somehow), so why is it making Leon feel so shy…?

He heard a small screech of wood, then steps. The doorknob twisted and there.

Right there, stood Emil shadowing over him. 

Leon didn’t even realize that he had checked him out: grey baggy hoodie, black sweatpants, slim body, pale skin, twilight eyes, long lashes, silver hair, conventionally attractive overall with that adorable snowflake ahoge, and unusually plump lips. Wait, why is he looking at his lips!?

Leon gulped. “Hi.”

“Hi…?”

He is only 5’8 (173cm) and Emil is 5’11 (182cm)! For a height difference that Leon doesn’t care about half the time, this is intimidating? Why?! 

A very awesome awkward silence. They really stood there, staring at each other. Well, not stare for long before both of their gazes got interested in the walls.

“Do you need something?” The silver-haired asked.

Uh oh. He did not have anything to say. All he did was think of Emil and run to his bedroom without any sort of planned script. Guess Leon has to improvise now…

“Yeah…” He nodded. “Do you want to hang out? Because like, y’know, why not?”

“That sounded way too demanding.”

The tired look on Emil’s face seemed to soften up. His eyes had a shimmer, to which made Leon raise a brow.

“Hang out?”

“Mmhm, just… hanging out… outside or something, I have no clue.” Leon shrugged.

Emil looked away from him, analyzing his organized desk. Scattered pencils, nested pages, computer screen opened up to a dictionary; He realized that Emil was working hard, and that this offer was probably a waste of time.

“Where would we go though?” 

“I don’t know.”

“Good job Leon, you’re doing terrible.” Leon wanted to blast himself into space right now. He can feel the heat of his own cheeks teasing him too.

Emil squinted his eyes, and another wave of silence washed over them.

So it’s probably the fact that Emil is having a dilemma between his assignment and willing to hang out with him. Maybe Leon shouldn’t have asked for Emil’s sake because it just made sense. The feeling of perfection and also wanting it to be done ASAP was absolutely relatable. It had to be efficiently made. Is that what Emil is going through right now? To hang out with him is to scoff off that work of his.

And now Leon is experiencing a severe amount of guilt. 

Emil turned his gaze back around. “I don’t mind using a break right now.”

“WHAT THE FUCK?!”

“Oh, r-really?” Leon attempted a smirk. “I guess we’ll go now… but where do you wanna go?”

“I don’t care, we can just go.” The taller one nodded.

“Then… let’s go then.” He took a step back so Emil could leave. However, Emil didn’t move at first.

“Let me get something first.” 

Emil twirled his heel, running off to his nightstand.

<3 🇮🇸 (*☻-☻*) 🇭🇰 <3

Emil scrambled his drawers, purposely messing up his lined up essentials. He didn’t care about cleaning it up at all. Leon offered to hang out with him! Him! With how much contact he has with others, Leon chose him! 

Even if his assignment was due two days prior, Emil really couldn’t pass this up. He’s been in a state where nothing but his work took over his mind. Each word must be perfectly written or else his future would crumble. Then Emil wouldn’t know what to do with himself. 

These days, he’s been wanting to spend time with Leon again. He’s only been fantasizing about it because he couldn’t put his work off to the side. Who cares what they would do? Whatever that may be, Emil would cherish the moment. 

Underneath his pillow, he had felt a tingle of metal. A pocket-sized digital camera in platinum blue that Emil had always carried around with him. Photos were a way of keeping a memory fully intact, and that belief stuck with Emil. It is the sole reason he is bringing this.

Photography wasn’t a mere “take a picture and move on”. It was Emil’s first creative form he had found when he was a kid. Mr. Puffin had found a camera covered in grasses & weeds, and offered it to him. Through the lens, Emil saw the beauty of life. Each part of nature became something a part of Emil himself. He’d take pictures of whatever he felt resonated with; basically large landscape shots, close-ups of flowers, and animals if he could catch it. People were harder to take because Emil feels as although he must perfect it for their sake. Nature stood in place and Emil could take a shot. It’s much easier that way.

He snatched the camera, shoved it into his jacket pocket, and dashed out of his own room.

“Hope I didn’t take too long.” Emil shut the door behind him.

“No, you’re fine. Let’s go!” 

The brunette skipped his way to the front door, and Emil followed along with small steps out their apartment complex.

<3 🇮🇸 (*☻-☻*) 🇭🇰 <3

Through the halls, Emil kept his pace slower than Leon’s. He’d feel terrible if he went slightly ahead of him, mostly because Leon is significantly shorter. Leaving behind Leon is a thought Emil hates passionately, literally or metaphorically. Is that a weird statement to say? 

The two kept silent the entire walk outside. Usually, Leon would be yapping about whatever while Emil would nod along to his words, taking mental notes. Yet Leon isn’t doing any of that? Taking a glance in his direction, the brunette had his gaze on the floor with his arms drooped down. Did Leon think that this was a bother to him or something? Why would he think that?

“…You’re not talking as usual.” Emil stated, pressing the elevator buttons.

Leon bolted out of his thoughts, his head analyzing his surroundings. “Eh, ah, what?” 

Emil sighed. “You’d be talking by now, but you’re not.” He took a few steps inside, leaning his back on the railing.

“Oh, yeah, I’m just tired today.” The brunette followed along, chuckling it off. This made Emil raise a brow. Something about Leon seemed unusually off, but why?

“He’s lying…” Emil gave a side glare to his direction.

Being a photographer meant that you had to be observant of your surroundings, and Emil always took notice of subtle details. He watched Leon pick his shortened nails, peeling off hanging pieces. His gaze seemed off to the side in his own world. It doesn’t make this weird tension any better either. A weird, romantic-like tension both of them didn’t want to acknowledge. When they hung out, it didn’t feel as awkward as it does now.

Did Leon find Emil cute…? Is that it? But why would Leon think that?

He knew that he had a pretty and elegant look, but Emil never considered himself attractive enough for anyone to crush on him. Emil kept himself in the shadows anyway for anybody to really notice him properly. Well, besides Leon. That’s not the case here. What matters is that Leon is acting shy with Emil and he doesn’t know why. It was one or the other, because no way it would be both at once.

“If you’re tired, then we don’t have to do this. ” The doors slid open and the two boys went right out to the front.

Leon’s eyes enlarged. “No, it’s okay. I offered to be with you and I’m not going to waste it now.” His hands doing silly actions in panic made Emil’s lip turn slightly. Does Leon realize how admirable that is?

Emil chuckled, “If you say so.”

Once pushing the doors open, a night breeze flushed. Lampposts flickered the streets, twilight tucking the sunset in a blanket of darkness, silhouettes of varied trees and buildings throughout. The sidewalks stayed empty, with the occasional car passing by. Wasn’t this such a beautiful sight?

His eyes landed onto Leon, who shivered at the evening wind.

“I should’ve brought my own jacket, damn it.” The brunette crossed his arms, now suspended in place.

Emil tilted his head. “It’s not that cold.”

“You have a hoodie on! I only have a black t-shirt and Spider-Man pajama pants!” Leon exclaimed.

“Do you wanna wear my hoodie then?” He tugged at his hood’s collar.

“What?”

“Wanna wear it?”

“Wait, why?”

“…Because you’re cold.”

“But you’ll be cold too.”

“I am literally from Iceland.”

“…”

“…”

“Well then?”

“Fine, I’ll wear it.” Leon scratched the back of his head

Emil slipped off his hoodie and offered it out to Leon, to which Leon slid it right on.

“Maybe he’s just doing it because he’s being nice?”

“Damn, this is kinda comfy.” He did a twirl with the hoodie. The size seemed about equal to Leon’s, but it still hung as although it was oversized. “Can I keep this for a while?”

“Absolutely not.” Emil pinched his forehead. What a migraine. A good migraine.

“Aish, whatever man…”

The two started their scroll, walking side by side in silence. What were they supposed to talk about right now? Leon didn’t plan that far ahead…

“So, about your journalism classes… how is that going right now?” He asked

“It’s going pretty okay. Work is having a hard toll on me.” Emil adjusted his bangs so that they wouldn’t cover his view. “Otherwise, I’m having fun writing. I have an assignment due on Thursday and I’m like two thirds in.”

Leon felt a smile creep up his face. At least Emil wasn’t constantly burning himself out right now. He knew that Emil isolated himself while doing assignments, as that helps him focus. Even during breaks, Emil doesn’t talk to Leon or else his thoughts will fly away and the work becomes forgotten. 

“That’s good, I’m really happy you’re not burnt out right now.” He giggled, pressing the “wait” button on the traffic light pole to cross. Okay, this conversation is going super smoothly. Phew.

“Ah, what about you? How is working at that… the boba tea place you work at?” Emil nudged at his collar, fixing it up briefly.

Leon’s eyes widened. Oh, he didn’t expect that at all, really. He thought he’ll be the only one asking and Emil would be responding. Maybe he needs to start thinking of more possibilities ahead of him.

“ManiTea?” His gaze darted around. They were now across in a different part of the neighbourhood where nature seems to have dominated over the housing. 

“It’s still the same, honestly. My co-workers are pretty cool to hang out with. Lien, Ramiro, Elizabeta, Tolys, Rafael… yeah they’re all fine to be around. At least they get the job done.”

Emil’s eyebrow rose at the last name mentioned. “Wait, Rafael…?”

“Uhm, yeah. He’s my co-worker but works part-time because he goes to university.” He shrugged.

Emil squinted his eyes, glaring deep into Leon’s. Leon had no clue why he was being so unusually intimidating about him. Was Rafael familiar to him or something?

“Is he from Singapore?”

 “Yes… why?”

“Oh.” Emil froze. “I knew him then. He’s in most of my classes and we talk here and there.”

Leon followed along and stopped himself too. “So you and Rafael are friends?”

“Well, the way we met is an interesting story.” The blonde continued on with walking the block.

Leon’s interest seemed to have piqued. Emil had some people to talk to at university! Even if it was just Rafael Lau, it was still someone! The thought of Emil being with others made him feel like a proud mother, but also…

No, Emil should hang out with other people besides him. It’s okay if he has other friends.

He trailed by Emil’s side, his focus now on Emil only. “Okay, tell me about it.”

<3 🇮🇸 (*☻-☻*) 🇭🇰 <3

I sat at the usual bench I sit on, underneath a willow. Unpacking my lunch revealed my leftover Rúgbrauð that I had made yesterday. 

Journalism isn’t bad, but I feel like this should be an opportunity for me to open up. People are minding their own business, yeah, but when it’s lunchtime, even now they all clutter into their own friend groups. I wish Leon was here with me right now… I wonder what he was up to?

I took a bite out of the bread, watching students walk to wherever they may be. Some had friends they talked to, while others had earbuds blasting music. And I’m just here awkwardly, sitting all by myself…

For a while, all I did was eat and kept myself occupied with my thoughts. There is nothing to do when you’re sitting alone, chewing on rye bread. You can think about all of your life choices while doing that, but it’s not recommended. It will give you a mental breakdown. So I thought about how pretty the view is and how I should appreciate it.

One last bite but a presence slid right beside me, arm wrapped around my shoulder. Instinctively, I clenched my container with not much left to finish.

“Ahh, kamusta!” The boy cheered. 

When I turned my head to see who this was, I got startled. Brown eyes that seemed to shimmer in the sun, tanned complexion, and light brown hair that parted to the left. Who was this!? Not only did he shoulder hug me, but the sunshine guy had this suspicious large grin on his face. 

“H-Hi.” I blinked a few times, snapping myself into reality. 

“Why are you alone here? Ang pogi mo!! I expect at least someone to be with you!” He patted on my shoulder, the smile widening.

“What are you saying? What does that mean?” I furrowed my brows. He keeps speaking in a language I don’t recognize, which makes me suspicious. 

“Ah, my bad. I like to mix up my words in Tagalog and English, haha. I do it because it’s fun.” The sunshine boy laughed off, leaning closer. “You’re super handsome, but you’re alone! I can’t believe it!”

Handsome…?

I averted my eyes away from his, tucking a strand behind my ear. “Ehh, I know that I’m good-looking, but I’m not a smooth talker.”

“Ahh, you’re a shy type!” He unravelled his arm off my shoulder. “That’s okay! I’m Angelito, and I’m in my third year of majoring in Drama! You can call me Angie!” Angie outstretched his arm for a handshake.

“Oh, uh… My name is Emil and I’m a first year for Journalism.” I hesitantly reached for his hand before shaking it.

Angie did a small applause. Do his eyes always sparkle like that? 

“Ooh! Pretty name! Can I call you Pilak?” He had puppy eyes as he tilted his head.

“P-Pilak?” I raised a brow, closing off my container.

Angie laughed at my eyebrow raise. “It just means silver, like your hair!” His finger took a strand of my hair, twirling it around his finger.

“S-Sure?” I nodded, forcing a smile. I’m so confused with Angie’s intention, but he seems energetic and friendly. An open and inclusive guy.

“Okay! C’mon, you should meet with my other friends!” Angie snatched my hand, and I got dragged away from my usual bench. “I think Dirga will take a liking to you! Dunno about Mizan or Rafael.”

“Ah, uhm…” I tried to speak up, but I kept up with his pace while we ran together back into the building.

<3 🇮🇸 (*☻-☻*) 🇭🇰 <3

“…Then I got dragged to the cafeteria where I met Dirga, Rafael, and Mizan. Apparently Rafael & Mizan are brothers, but I don’t know about that. Anywho, Rafael and I recognized each other because we share classes and now we talk to each other here & there. The other three feel like they’re in a polyamorous relationship but I say hi to them here and there. They even made me try out their food one day, which all tasted great, actually.

“So… yeah. That’s how I met Rafael basically.” Emil brushed off his shoulder when a tiny fly flew nearby.

Leon’s lips shaped into an O. One of the few times where the roles were reversed; Emil started to rant about something while Leon listened, when it’s usually vice versa. His voice is so soothing to listen to that Leon took mental notes of each detail.

He didn’t know how to respond, so he just smiled and nodded. His heart pounded like crazy right now. Emil had people to be around, and he didn’t avoid their presence either. Leon could feel tears in his eyes from pure joy. 

Emil took notice of Leon’s proud admiration. “Why are you looking at me like that…?”

“Like what?” Leon immediately observes his surroundings (more like avoiding his gaze but okay, we get it Leon). The sunset looks great right now, doesn’t it?

“Like… oh nevermind.” Emil sighed. 

“Okay then…”

The two continued their stroll in silence, but it wasn’t as awkward as earlier. They caught up with each other’s lives, and now there wasn’t a topic to bring up properly. What was there to talk about anyways? Cats? The weather? How to do a backflip? If anything was mentioned, would it be okay to discuss? 

Leon didn’t take a single glance in Emil’s direction. That was too weird to do anyways. It’d come off romantic and Leon can’t ruin their friendship. Instead, he kept looking off to the side; trees, grass, passing cars, random littering on the concrete… Anything in the opposite direction.

Then his eye caught something.

He had forgotten that a playground had settled in their neighbourhood, and the last time he visited there was too long to even remember. 

Leon gasped, “Woah!” He then ran off to the structure painted hues of red, blue, and white. 

“Huh?” Emil locked his gaze on the bolting brunette. “Hey! Where are you going?!”

“Let’s play on the playground!” He pointed ahead, sprinting onto the ramp.

“We’re not kids anymore! We’re both 19 now!” 

“So? Doesn’t mean we can go on playgrounds!” Leon skipped his way up to the bridge, before climbing onto the railing.

Emil traced behind, but stopped himself once Leon went on the railings.

“Don’t do that! You’re gonna fall!” His fingers clasped the ledge of the bridge’s guardrail.

Leon placed his foot onto a stable that held the pyramid roof above. It had these arches on each side, so Leon could vault himself up and sit on the ledge.

“It’s not that bad, Em, I’m not going to fall.” He laughed off while shrugging.

“I don’t want to see you all bruised up again.” Emil crossed his arms, his head tilting upwards in Leon’s direction. 

Leon rolled his eyes, his foot sliding back to the rail. “Okay fine, I’ll get off. But next time we’re here I’m climbing on everything.” He then dropped himself back onto the bridge, twisting his heel to the staircase leading to the slide.

“Hey, we should go on the slide.” Leon took a glance at Emil with a smirk.

“I told you—“

“You need to loosen up that mature attitude! Come!” He snatched Emil’s hand and ran up the stairwell to the entrance of the slide. “You go first!”

Leon lightly nudged Emil closer to the slide with his shoulder, releasing his grip off his hand. 

Emil looked at the swirly slide in red, then back to Leon. “Why won’t you do it?”

“Because I’ll be lying down while doing mine and I want you to watch?” He scratched behind his head, posture casual.

Emil stood there, stuck in a dilemma. He had grown to not act childish because it felt as although Emil didn’t get his respect. They wouldn’t see that Emil had lots of potential and traits that deserved to be respected. This is why Emil stays so off-put during childish activities like these…

But could he really pass on Leon’s request? It wouldn’t hurt once to try.

“…Ugh, I’ll go—“ He sat himself down, but before he could push himself, Leon did that for him.

“Hey!” Emil’s body slid off in the motion of the slide. The speed from Leon’s push was unexpectedly quick, and he could feel the adrenaline in the wind. When’s the last time he even went on a slide? Or even a playground? Excluding the fact the two would just sit there and talk. They don’t usually play around here anyways.

His eyes widened, and a soft grin slithered onto his face. 

“Weee..~” He giggled to himself before landing on the rocky ground. Who knew being a child again was fun?

“It’s your turn, Leon.” Emil stood up, taking a few steps away.

Leon, meanwhile, had a further distance from the slide. With his foot steady, he bolted right through the opening and slid himself on his stomach. 

“Woaaahhh!!!” The speed that Leon had built up made his dopamine peak to levels that he never had reached. Swirling around on his stomach while sliding? He’s so doing this again and—

“Oomph!” Leon tumbled onto the rocks, laid flat. 

Emil’s lips parted, dashing and squatting down to Leon’s level. “Are you okay!?”

Leon tilted his head up with a smile and a thumbs up. “It didn’t hurt at all! I’ll do that again sometime!”

“Please don’t…” He gave out his hand. “Get up.”

The brunette intertwined his hand with Emil’s, and for a brief second his entire mind went blank.

“Holy shit I’m holding Emil’s hand.”

Once up on his feet, he forced his hand to be released from Emil’s grip. He took the time to look around at the tiny playground area… monkey bars, merry-go-round, seesaw, spiderweb…. and there seemed to be nothing that interested him.

Until Leon noticed the set of swings.

“Last one to the swings, wash all the dishes tomorrow!” He cackled, bolting off.

“W-What?” Emil blinked, before catching up to Leon’s pace. “You can’t just do that!”

Because Emil had longer legs, he took the opportunity to skip some steps and leap himself right on the seating of the swing.

“Hah!” Emil’s body now hung like an arch, his legs swinging himself lightly. “You have to do it all tomorrow!” 

“Wha—!?” Leon’s entire posture drooped. “Damn it, fine…”

Emil adjusted himself to sit right up on the swing, while Leon settled himself right beside him. 

“It feels nice to let go of everything and relax like this… When was the last time I did this? Why don’t I do this more often…?”

They both started to swing their legs back and forth; Emil leaned back each time he swung back to get himself height. Ironically, Leon swayed himself lightly, admiring how high Emil let himself be. He liked it when Emil relaxed and let go of the weight upon him. Seeing him smile that wide while on the swing… Leon wants to make him smile like that too. Or maybe he was already doing it but doesn’t realize it because he is an idiot in love.

“Do you really need to go that high, Emil?” Leon chuckled, his eyes following the taller silhouette.

He nodded. “It is absolutely necessary! I used to do this a lot with Lukas!” His speech was chopped due to the velocity of how fluctuated he is. Leon felt a few wooshes come by every now and there.

“Do you mean your big brother?”

“I’m not calling him that still!” The blonde shouted, lying down once high. What a trippy view when you keep yourself low.

Leon scaled his feet up onto the swing, now standing with both hands around the chains. He still did his light sway; his view only having Emil in the frame. The way his snowflake ahoge followed, the way Emil’s grin showed off his dimples, his indigo eyes, his softened body language, his lips that he desperately wanted to kiss— uh, give chapstick to… This is a precious treasure to Leon.

Leon giggled, “I’m telling him that.”

“Oh don’t you dare!”

“Just watch me run to his house then!” Leon jumped off the swing, fleeing away from the swing set.

Emil gritted his teeth before swinging himself to leap out of his swing. Luckily for him, he landed on his feet without losing balance. That gave him an opportunity to catch up and be on Leon’s tail.

However, Leon had gotten distracted by looking off to the side.

“No fucking way! Did I just hit the jackpot?!” Leon’s eyes sparkled in the direction of an oak tree in the corner of the empty playground. There, an abandoned skateboard leaned on the trunk. It seems that there were minor cracks on the edges, but otherwise the board was in good condition. 

Emil had finally caught up to him, but Leon had already had his hands on the board.

“Hey! That’s probably someone’s! Don’t— oh nevermind…” He rolled his eyes. The Hongkonger snatched the skateboard right up his fingers, eyes never sparing a single detail to not be seen.

As Emil now stood behind Leon, he observed the sparkle seen with that grin showing off his teeth. He wished that he’d be just as expressive as Leon could be. I mean, he was being silly on a swing, but that’s rare occassion. Just looking at him coo over a skateboard (was that a blizzard-themed with the Aurora Borealis pattern?) made Emil feel things. Things that he hates to acknowledge ever since he spat out “I like being around you” that one time in the library. Remove two words of that sentence and there in sight was the truth.

“This pattern is sick! Wonder who had this…” Leon’s pointer ran from one end to the other.

Emil grumbled, “It’d be better if you place it back down. Someone owns that and one day they’ll see you skating and—“

“Em, calm down.” He settled his gaze to Emil, hand on shoulder. “I promise I’ll put it back here once I’m done skating around with it.”

That tingle… Leon looked good with that softer expression. He barely sees Leon ever go softer and genuine, so every time Emil sees it, this tingle goes through his veins. Leon trusted Emil enough to drop his chaotic self and become honest with himself. The thought made his cheeks flush.

He shook his head. No, he can’t think like that to his best friend. If he ruined their friendship because of butterflies in his stomach being let free… What then?

“I’ll be reminding you then, idiot.” Emil bit the inside of his cheek.

Leon chuckled before dashing off (for the nth time, seriously…) to the sidewalk. Seriously, why does Leon have the urge to make Emil his babysitter today?! They’re both the same age!

The Icelandic groaned, following behind at the same pace. “Stop running off like this for goodness sake!”

Leon turned his head, still in his sprint. "I promise the reason I’m doing this is reasonable!” 

“Yeah right, Hvaða helvítis fáviti ertu?!”

“What does that mean, Em?” Leon came to a stop by a lamppost. He held himself up; elbow on the skateboard’s edge. How annoyingly daring.

Emil had to grab the post with one hand, the other drooped. 

He huffed,  “It doesn’t matter right now…! Stop running so much!” 

“It increases my stamina for skateboarding, actually.” Leon mimicked a nerdy-like voice, one hand pointed up.

“I can do this cool looking trick and you’re gonna be like “Wow, Leon is so good at skateboarding! He’s sooo cool!!”” The brunette dropped the board, stepped one foot on, and pushed himself away. He didn’t need to go so far, but Emil assumed it was for momentum.

He turned himself around so that he’d be facing in Emil’s direction. “You should totally record me! This trick is gonna be so cool!”

Emil crossed his arms. “Do I really need to?”

“Yes, yes! I’ll be on the cover of a magazine or something!”

“Fine… but only this once! I won’t do it again!” He dug in his pants pocket for his camera. Once in his hands, Emil held it up ready.

When Leon skated closer, Emil kept his feet steady. If he messed this up, then he’ll never try a shot riskier than this ever again. Emil will hide himself in the deep darks of the ocean and find Atlantis.

“Okay, okay, now now!” After his little tic-tac, Leon leaped off, the skateboard twirling 360. Damn, that was in fact impressive. Emil did want to say “Wow, you’re so good at skateboarding… you’re really cool.” He couldn’t even get on the board and balance himself properly.

“How can he do that?!” Emil thought, gripping his camera.

CLICK!

Oh.

Oh shit.

“Then I just—“ Leon’s thought got cut off by a large flash right in his face. Its light scattered, and for a moment Leon thought he had reached heaven with how white his vision was.

Before he knew it, Leon landed himself safely, but the tip of his right shoe held under his board, causing the brunette to trip himself forward. His head went in first, but lucky Leon that grass kept his head safe and not the concrete.

Emil, meanwhile, bit his lip. His breath quickened. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

“Shit shit shit shit SHIT!!!”

 This shot would’ve been “serious swag” in Leon’s eyes if he didn’t have the flash on. A while back, Emil had taken a picture of the cityscape on their apartment balcony with the flash on. He had only done that because Emil wanted to experiment with it. Fuck, Emil forgot he had it on. This was the first picture after a week of not taking photos since. How could he forget? Maybe he should’ve looked more thoroughly with the camera settings?! He made Leon trip up by flashbanging him by accident! 

The taller came right by Leon’s side, crouching to the now laid down skater boy. Why does he look like he’s passed out?! With how dispersed his limbs are and how eerily similar his position was to a dead body.. No, no, no. This can’t happen.

“Leon!” 

Dropping his camera, Emil grabbed both of his shoulders, dragging his upper body to their eye level.

The brunette’s head drooped off to the side, then one eye peeked out. Phew, at least Leon is alive and not unconscious.

Leon opened his other eye, then tilted his head back straight. “Yeah? What’s up?”

“What’s up!? You think you can just say that after you tripped like that when I just flashbanged you!?” Emil’s teeth clenched. 

“That’s what happened when I saw white?” 

“Yes! I forgot to turn off the flash from when I last took a photo, okay?! I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry, Leon.” He spun his head away from Leon’s gaze, grip on his shoulders less tense.

Sorry…? Oh, right. Emil is super apologetic because similarly, he is just as considerate with others like Leon. It was a mere mistake on Emil’s end, and by the time he fell, the photo would’ve been shot. Maybe the flash would’ve made it cooler or something. And plus, only his ankle minorly ached along with his head.

Leon raised a brow. “Why are you sorry right now?”

“Because I messed up the photo and I made you trip and that just… ugh…” Emil took his hands off, crossing them across his chest. 

“That makes you feel bad?”

“Mmhm…” Emil nodded.

Leon scrunched his brows. Okay, Emil is in a guilty state and this is an emergency to fix NOW!!! What could Leon do? A pat on the back? Stay silent? Hope for the best case scenario and it magically disappears? He’s so fucked.

They always have awkward silences, but it’s normal for them to have it. Tension from platonic love, probably. Yeah.

“…”

“…”

“Can I see the picture tho?” Leon asked, stretching his arm for the camera.

His purple eyes met with Leon’s after watching the grass blow with the breeze. “…Okay, here.”

Emil snagged his digital camera laid, and placed it right on Leon’s palm. 

Leon played around with the buttons until he had found the gallery section and… woah. Even if that flash made Leon tumble, the shot Emil had taken was insane. That flash may have made the photo stand out more. The angle, the timing, the composition… even his own pose and expression became the cherry on top for the picture! He knew of Emil’s photography skills, but didn’t know it’d naturally come off like this!?

Leon gasped. “What the heck!?” 

“W-What…?”

He showed off the photo, shoving the camera right in front of Emil’s face. “You could do pictures like this the whole time!?”

“I thought you knew that, Leon…” Emil felt his breath hitch at the sudden lean. How red were his cheeks right now? Could they melt Iceland? Get it? Haha?

“I mean, I did know you could do photography, but you barely do any with people involved. Seriously, you can expand your creative lens with this!” His dark brown eyes seemed to have sparkled like the amount of stars that were appearing in the night sky right now. All of this comes right from Leon’s heart; he wished that he would have talent like Emil because that boy has so much potential with his life. Unlike him, who doesn’t even have a university to go to yet and is just working to pay off bills. Only music, skateboarding, and his interest with real estate are his options as of now.

“I…” His breath hitched. “I don’t do people because it’s too much work to perfect out.”

“You already told me that a while back,” Leon giggled. 

He settled the camera right on his lap. “But I fell right here after the picture, didn’t I?”

“You did, yeah…”

“So that means that every shot you take doesn’t have to be perfect. I thought photography was just about taking pictures and keeping memories in store for you, no?” He tilted his head with this smirky pout.

“Leon, stop. That smirk pout thing you’re doing looks good on you,” is what Emil would’ve liked to say out loud, but he is not impulsive enough to do that. So he had said that right in the back of his mind.

“I guess, yeah…” Emil adjusted a chunk of his hair, ruffling his lightened strands briefly.

The shorter one suddenly laughed. “So take pictures whenever you want. Memories aren’t going to be perfected either. If you want, take pictures of me.” Leon gave a wink.

“If he does accept my offer, I wonder what pictures he’ll take…” Leon wondered. 

“Ah… Did you become a philosopher or something?” Emil tilted his head.

“Philosopher? Nah, I’m just speaking my truth.” He cackled, his eyes turning up like crescent moons. Leon is honest with his words most of the time. Back then, he used to hide it with teases and jokes, but because of Emil, Leon learnt to not hide away from true conversations like these.

The platinum blonde leaned himself closer with pressed brows. “You didn’t need to sound like a philosopher though.” 

Wait a minute, Leon can feel their unusual proximity. Was it really platonic tension between the two? And why is Emil so close? Why is he so close? Why is he so close? Why is he so close? There’s no doubt that Emil finds him as a best friend and nothing more. So why is he so close? Why is he so close? Why is he so close!? WHY IS. EMIL. SO. FUCKING CLOSE?!

“Are we about to kiss!?” Leon had thought he had said that in his head.

Emil pulled away from the close proximity, the closeness making Leon slightly disappointed.

“No!” He shouted. “That… that was… Pretend that didn’t happen!”

“Shit, I only leaned in because… because I was confused with his claim! I’m not that impulsive, right? I did it in a friendly way, not a romantic way…” Emil bit on his lip, getting onto his two feet.

His eyes went up to the now darkened sky, stars twinkling constellations with streetlights embracing their true brightness. Thankfully, they had agreed on going home by the time it got pitch black, and that was peeking right in.

“L-Let’s just go home, okay? It’s getting dark anyways. I have to go to class at 8:30am and I don’t want to wake up all grouchy and sleep is really important for the both of us too and let’s not acknowledge what I did there because that was out of platonic intention and not romantic and I have an assignment to to back to working on and uh… let’s go home!” Emil rambled, twirling his heel back to the playground. 

Leon nodded, standing up and following right behind Emil. He grabbed his skateboard, keeping it steady with one hand. The board had a fire-looking design and Leon couldn’t pass on putting it back to where he found it, so why not keep it? Leon had a skateboard for himself, but after attempting a whole bunch of wallrides a while back, that skateboard got shambled because of the amount of usage and fall damage. Lots of scars and bruises from that, but so worth learning.

The walk back home had the largest tension yet. They convinced themselves that it was purely just platonic vibes and nothing more. If they said something related to romance, it would ruin their friendship of four years. Keeping their crushes compressed was better than risking something so precious. It’s a safer option, and both ends don’t have to deal with a mess of emotions while having to do duties. It’ll just become a mess.

Plus, why would they feel the same way in the first place? Was there anything charming about themselves that the other had to like them back? Nothing but an average graduate. That’s all.

“It may have been a lean, and sure I did it too, but I don’t know how that slipped right out of my tongue and that probably caused a strain between us. Oh fuck me… oh I need to do something about that. Is it good to mention it now? No, not now. Maybe before we get close to our complex. I don’t want to take the risk, but I know that Emil is probably having an internal panic attack right now. Fuck, what do I do now…?”

“Why did I do that? Why did I do that? Why did I do that? Why did I do that? I’m so far gone. I didn’t mean to do that. I hope that didn’t make Leon uncomfortable at all. I’m going to kill myself now. Once we get to the apartment I’m running to the rooftop and jumping off. I just leaned in because… because I wanted to be close? Is that it? I don’t think I can lie to myself and say it’s all friendly shit. I’m so fucking in love with Leon—no, I’m so fucking in love with Siu-Chun. Siu -Chun Wang. I wish I blurted that out so we won’t have to walk like this, but… maybe Siu-Chun doesn’t feel the same way I do. Why…”

Once they had crossed the crosswalk, they continued their usual awkward stroll back home.

Emil stopped in his tracks.

“…You said your assignment was due two days prior from now and you’re only two thirds done, right? Why go with me today?” Leon blocked his way to walk further. 

“Why are you asking…?” Emil tucked a strand of his hair behind his ear.

“Because I’m curious, obviously.” 

“Well… that’s— how do I put it? 

“Because… y’know, being around you is fun and I like being with you… things.” He explained hesitantly.

The Hongkonger picked at his nails, peeling a section from his left pointer.

“Okay, cool, but can I just say something first?”

“Sure?”

“Holy shit I’m just going to say it loud and proud. I’m sacrificing four years of friendship and potentially my living space and then my old man is going to spank me HARD!!! I thought real hard after that little moment, and I may rushing myself, but I think it’s for the best.”

Leon inhaled his entire lung capacity before blurting it right out.

“EMILIMINLOVEWITHYOUANDTHEREASONISAIDTHATTHINGEARLIERWASBECAUSEIGOTNERVOUSANDITHOUGHTYOUWOULDKISSMEBUTIGUESSIMADEYOUUNCOMFORTABLEANDIMSOSORRYABOUTTHAT!!!”

Emil stood there.

“…I could only comprehend the first six words.” He blinked.

“What… Siu-Chun is in love with me? Why? Why me?!”

Leon scratched his nape. “My bad. I just said that I said the thing I said earlier because I got nervous and I thought we’d kiss but y’know I doubt you feel the same way as me…” 

A weird sighting with Leon not acting all goofy and silly. Right in front of Emil stood a loser. Specifically, a loser that Emil was so far gone for.

“Leon…” Emil muttered.

“Uh, yeah?”

“You like like me this whole time…?”

“Yes?”

“I thought…” He hesitated. “I thought you didn’t…”

Leon’s jaw dropped to the sidewalk. “YOU LIKE ME TOO!?”

“Of course I do! Why wouldn’t I!?” Emil put a hand in his hair, playing with his snowflake ahoge.

“Because I’m too silly?” Leon admitted.

Emil facepalmed at that. Too silly? There were… more flaws that Emil had noticed of him that he won’t ever nitpick unless truly necessary, but too silly? Leon being all hyper and goofy around him brightened his world. If Emil was the canvas, then Leon so happened to be the brush that painted his world with saturation. What once felt monochrome now had a spectrum of colour.

Emil rolled his eyes. “That’s an invalid reason, Siu-Chun.”

“No it is not— Siu-Chun…?” Leon’s eyes enlarged hearing his actual name from Emil’s lips. He usually went by Leon because it was easier to pronounce and more memorable. Only Yao, Hsiao-Mei, and Wei called him by his real name because it slides off the tongue for them easier. 

He even said it right.

And it sounded like a melody from his soft voice.

The silver-haired nodded with folded arms. “Yes, Siu-Chun. Can I call you that?”

“Sure but…” Leon had to process every thought coming through. “What are we doing now? If we both like each other then that means we have to date… but do we like do shit? Like what are we…”

Emil stopped listening to Leon’s words here and now.

If Leon could confess…

…

…

…

“And it won’t be like the—“

His voice got shut out by… the clashing of… EMIL’S LIPS ON HIS OWN!? It was out of character for someone like Emil. Was Emil high? Why did he just go for it and hope for the best? Even with the way that Emil snatched Leon’s chin before leaning in. Wait… did Leon even taste good at all? But like, that doesn’t matter right now. What matters is that…

“WE’RE KISSING WE ARE KISSING WHAT THE HELL WHAT THE HELL WHAT THE HELL THIS IS MY FIRST KISS EMIL ARE YOU OKAY HELLO WHATS GOING ON HELLO ARE YOU POSSESSED HELLO EMIL ARE YOU OKAY IS THIS A PRANK!?

His heart could explode right now. Holy shit Emil initiated the kiss and now he could feel how soft & gentle his lips were. He couldn’t close his eyes and appreciate the kiss (Leon wished he could), since they were wide open. There’s no way this is a dream. He needs Emil to pinch him NOW!! This is NOT REAL!!!

The taste of his lips were tangy, sweet, and somewhat floral in a way. It reminded him of blueberries (did Emil eat blueberries earlier or did he put on blueberry chapstick?); that was one of Leon’s favourite fruits, so it made the kiss addictive on his mouth. Perhaps this is reality. His nose on his cheek, his hand right on his chin, and the fact Emil leaned down to his level to do something like this… This is natural to collide lips with Emil.

“I did it! I said “fuck it” and I went in! Oh my fucking days, I can’t believe it. I’m really kissing Leon right now. I’m kissing Leon— Siu-Chun. I’m kissing Siu-Chun! I AM LITERALLY KISSING SIU-CHUN I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THE KISS I THOUGHT SIU-CHUN WOULD AHHHH!”

He had interrupted Leon’s words by leaning into their first ever kiss, eyes shut. Emil couldn’t believe that he would be the one initiating it, but here we are. Accidentally, Emil clashed his teeth with Leon’s but it only lasted millisecond. Well, they BOTH didn’t know how to kiss and in reality he just winged it and didn’t do a lot with his lips.

Still, he did it. He still fucking did it. That was a risk that Emil thought he’ll never do in his life. Yet when Leon had confessed his love, risking their whole friendship (if Emil didn’t reciprocate), that sparked something for him too. He confessed, so it is natural for him to give something back. And that was this kiss right now. Leon opened a page to a new chapter in their lives and Emil wrote the first sentence.

Milk tea lingered on his lips, and damn did it taste yummy. That Milk Tea addiction Leon had was even on his lips and it made Emil giggly internally. Milk tea, specifically when Leon makes it, is a drink that Emil would chug down if he was offered one million dollars to do so. This isn’t those cliche poems anymore that Emil had vividly imagined. Was it even a poem? Or were they secret prophecies for this moment? He didn’t know the answer.

All he knows is that he’s currently kissing Leon.

One…

Two seconds.

Emil pulled away, his eyes openly dazed. Fuck, those two seconds felt like two years somehow. He could feel drool sliding down his lip, but he was too shocked by what he did. Blush saturated so bright that the whole world could see its glow potentially.

Leon, once Emil retrieved back, got attacked by a pang of disappointment. That was… wow. Two seconds and that blew up fireworks in his heart… His breath became heavy, and his cheeks were painted the same red Emil had on his.

“W-What just happened?” Leon’s lips were still parted from earlier.

Emil fiddled around with his fingers, staring at the sidewalk’s cracks. “I think we just kissed.”

“I know that, but…” Leon paused. “But you…”

“Yes, I know I did it. I didn’t expect that either…” He stuttered, tucking his head away. His blush was making fun of him for how embarrassed he is right, along with the sweat on his palms. 

“Oi, don’t hide away after you just did that.” Leon cupped one hand on his jawline, forcing his gaze up. “That was a crazy move you did right there.”

“Uhh… yeah.” Emil nodded, before realizing where Leon's other hand was.

“I thought you would put that back.” He pointed towards the skateboard tucked underneath Leon.

Leon released his grip, grabbing both ends of the skateboard. “Oh this? I couldn’t resist keeping it. Plus my other one is trashed.”

Emil groaned, “If the original owner found out you stole it, it’s not my fault.”

“It’s called finder’s keepers for a reason!” The brunette cackled, tapping the board on Emil’s ahoge.

“Ow— Don’t do that!” 

“I won’t do it until you catch me! Bye bye!” Leon waved, dropping the board, spinning his heel, and skidding away.

“SIU-CHUN! YOU KÙKALABBI! STOP RUNNING AWAY FROM ME!” Emil bolted right after Leon, but this time Leon’s tic-tacking and skateboarding skills made him outrun Emil’s long legs.

Two stars beside one another twinkled in the evening sky. Two stars that seem to intertwine for the first time. They were brighter than the streetposts that Leon & Emil passed by. If anyone cared to look into a telescope, they were a binary star. Two stars that are bound to each other and in orbit for one another.