“Enjoying the party I see.” You heard Chris joke, finally finding you after looking everywhere for you.
“I just needed some fresh air.” You turned to look at him, shrugged and then turned to look back outside again. “I love the sound of rain.” You commented standing at the door watching the droplets fall diagonally to the floor.
“I know you do.” Chris commented approaching you from behind. His coat’s soft fabric carefully embracing your shoulders.
The two of you had been friends for a while now. You had worked with Scott, and met Chris through him at one of his birthday parties -like the one you were in at the moment-. You barely knew anyone at the party and Chris had been more than happy to keep you company during the night. After that day the two of you became great friends.
Each opportunity he had, Chris used it to spend time with you. Whether it was working with him, for him, or simply visiting him, he would come up with or arrange something to make it happen. Slowly you became inseparable.
Over your years of friendship you had noticed some small things Chris would usually do for you. From holding doors open for you, to giving you his jacket whenever he noticed you were cold. Or bringing you food whenever you were packed with work because he knew otherwise you wouldn’t eat anything.
Sometimes Chris would even go out of his way to do things he knew would make you happy. Simply because he loved to watch the sparkle in your eyes whenever you did something that excited you.
“Chris!” You whined, throwing your head back.
"Don't be stubborn, take my coat!" He told you, his arm wrapped around your shoulders stopping you from taking it off.
“Fine.” You said reluctantly putting your arms into the sleeves.
Resting your head on Chris’ shoulder you stood like that for some time. Just the two of you. In silence, enjoying each other’s company. Watching the rain fall.
“Come.” Chris suddenly said taking his arms off of your shoulders and offering you his hand. “Dance with me.”
“In the rain?” You asked raising one eyebrow at him.
“It’s just some drizzle.” He stated. “C’mon, it’ll be fun!” He said taking your hand and leading you out into the terrace. A light chuckle escaping from your lips.
"Only YOU could convince me to do something like this!" You told him as you ran towards the middle of the rooftop’s garden.
“You’re welcome.” He said coming to a stop and turning to wrap his free arm under his coat and around your waist.
Slowly, you began to move to the rhythm of the song he was quietly humming. Swinging from side to side and eventually turning around in circles.
After a couple minutes, what started like a playful choreography became a slow dance in the rain. Your head was now resting on his shoulder. Your cold nose and warm breath caressing his neck at the same time sending shivers down his spine. His lips softly pressed against your head, making you forget about everything else.
“I love you.” He mumbled, his thumb nervously drawing circles over your dress’ soft fabric on your lower back. It was something he would normally absentmindedly and that you had grown accustomed to.
“I love you too.” You replied without moving, not even to open your eyes. You were enjoying every bit of the moment, cause you didn’t know how much longer it could last.
You felt Chris slowly shake his head. And with one hand on each side of your hips, he pulled back for a moment so that you could stare at each other’s eyes. He shook his head one more time.
“I’m in love with you.” He explained, marking the difference. He knew you loved him as a friend, but he loved you as something more. You shared a breathy laugh while lightly shaking your head.
“You’re drunk.” You said dismissing his words and turning around. “Let’s get back inside. We’re gonna catch a cold if we remain under the rain. And I think the birthday boy might be looking for us.” You added starting to walk back to the venue, making him huff.
“You’re so fucking blind.” Chris yelled grabbing your hand a tugging you back towards him. His other hand reaching up, his fingers intertwining with the hair at the nape of your neck bringing your face unbearably closer to his. All signs of coldness leaving your body as a fire started to spread from your head to you toes. “Can’t you see that I love you?” He added in what felt like a whisper.
“You do?” You asked speechlessly and he nodded. His words, the proximity, his piercing blue eyes fixed on you, the smell of his perfume activated by the falling rain. Every bit of him had left you breathless. It always did.
"You have no idea how hard I tried not to,” He admitted. “It scared me to think I could lose your friendship because of how I felt. But... I can't stop myself from falling in love with you.” He said. "Nobody's ever made me feel the way you do. The world just... feels right when you're with me."
“Chris…”
“Please, say you love me too.” He almost begged. “Cause I don’t think I can-”
“Chris…”
“I… I understand.” Chris said looking down. His hand slowly sliding off.
"Do you ever stop talking?" You questioned him placing your hand on top of his to prevent it’s touch from leaving your face. “I-”
“I’m sorry, I’m just a little anxious.” Chris said interrupting you before you could say anything else. “It’s okay if you don’t-“ He started saying but now it was you who interrupted him before he could keep talking. You knew that, when Chris was anxious, once he started talking he could ramble for hours. But you didn’t interrupt him with words. Instead, your reached up and pressed your lips on his. Your hand slowly reaching the nape of his neck bringing him closer.
Finally reacting, and before you could pull away, Chris’s hand moved back to it’s previous position deepening the kiss. His other arm snaking around your waist bringing your body impossibly closer to his. A quiet moan escaping your mouth, granting him access to it. His velvety tongue dancing along with yours. A smile playing on his lips as he pulled back for air for a moment.
“I love you too Chris.” You mumbled quietly. Your fingers absentmindedly playing with the damped hair at the nape of his neck. “I love you too.”
