Sorry, I Love You.

3.21

Fisher didn't visit Howl's home very often when he was living with his parents. It was the guilt. That was easy enough to realize. He didn't like going to another families home, behind his families back, and having so much fun with his boyfriend, who they surely didn't approve of. That guilt had faded some after he came out to them. He thought that guilt would grow and harm his relationship with Howl, but the terror that Fisher felt during his coming out only pushed him closer to Howl and his mother's.

Wyatt didn't mind that Fisher was spending so much more time with Howl. It was summer break, so Fisher was free to spend his days as he wished. Besides, they were brothers. Wyatt wasn't his parent. He didn't have to enforce any dumb rules or restrictions and he didn't want to. Fisher loved Howl and that meant he trusted him. As long as Fisher trusted and was safe with him, Wyatt would leave it be.

Fisher wasn't always doing the nasty when he was with Howl anyways, so there was no reason to feel guilty or worry about rules. They had gone out a couples times. They went out to eat, watch movies at the theater, ran errands together, and even skateboarded around Howl's neighborhood a few times. Even today, they were only laying around on their phones. Well, Fisher was on his phone and Howl was on his laptop.

Fisher laid on his back with his phone held above his face as he scrolled through TikTok and whatever social media would entertain him. Howl was laid on his stomach as he did some casual research on colleges he could potentially attend. They were both laid so close to one another that their legs tangled and Howl rest his arm across Fisher's chest, but they didn't talk much. It was one of those chill days where they could simply enjoy one another's company, without having the need to chitchat.

Howl would occasionally get distracted from his research and reach to play with Fisher's hair. That always put a smile on Fisher's face, and even though he could barely pull himself away from TikTok's endless entertain, he did so just to give Howl a smile. That adorable smile did something to Howl's heart. He loved it. Fisher was unbearably endearing. It helped that his hair was so soft that Howl could hardly stop himself once he started running his fingers through it.

Howl brushed Fisher's fluffy brown hair back to place a kiss on his forehead and was rewarded with an even warmer smile. Howl's heart melted into goo and he couldn't help but steal a real kiss this time. Fisher was happy to give him a real kiss. It felt so good and so right to kiss Howl. The confusion he felt every time he was cornered by Howl was long gone—as was the guilt that he felt from his parents conservative values. It was simple now. Fisher felt free and comfortable.

"University of Minnesota is still looking pretty good to me," Howl muttered against Fisher's lips.

Fisher opened his eyes to glare at Howl. "You're not moving to Minnesota. It's too far."

"Only ten hours."

"Only?!" Fisher shouted.

Howl jerked in surprise at Fisher's volume and cracked a smile at his outrage. As much as he hated the thought of being so far from Fisher, he really liked how possessive Fisher got when they talked about it. Howl was used to being the clingy one, but after they had somewhat repaired their relationship, Fisher was slowly taking over that role. Howl found it wildly adorable.

"Frankie went to the U of M. She really liked it. Not to mention, it has everything I want. If I can't find anything better—"

"You're not leaving me," Fisher declared. He said it confidently and even turned his eyes back to his phone, as if unbothered by this conversation.

Howl's smile broadened and he grabbed Fisher's chin to plant another kiss on his lips. He kissed him long and hard, caressing Fisher's tongue in a way that always made him moan. The sound was so satisfying. Howl should've known better though. That sound always turned him on and he couldn't stop himself from snaking his arm around Fisher's middle and pulling him in closer. Fisher abandoned his phone without hesitation and wrapped his arms around Howl's neck, welcoming his steamy embrace.