The Mystic Hearts Series

Chapter 63- Elio

The rest of the day passes in occupying my mind with the work at hand & staring at Briar occasionally, who doesn't leave me after that conversation. We find ourselves staring at each other often, & I take a break on occasion on the couch & he sits next to me sometimes. Holds my hand, thumb running over my palm. Leans toward me. Looks at me with his beautiful eyes.

&... I can't help... feeling this is unreal... I mean... a lot to process for sure... Both Briar's identity & our feelings for each other... I was almost kinda blind to it before... or maybe I was just in denial... But now that I think about it, we've been hella awkward around each other all this time, blushing randomly, thinking about each other, feeling so touched by the barest of compliments... Friends don't act this way...

I haven't really ever been in love... not like this... This feels like something permanent somehow... & that may be a bit scary... I don't even know what we are right now- boyfriends? Friends? It's undefined as of now, which is ok with me right now... The... feelings & words are still fresh... We have time to think about this... I just hope... that it works out... Him being a pop star & royalty & me just being... an ordinary person... We live such vastly different lives... But I know my feelings for him are true &... that's enough for now...

. . .

He clears his throat nervously at the end of the day, drawing my attention, meeting my gaze. "Um..." He looks down, then back up at me again, playing with his hands nervously. "I... really meant what I said earlier today... I really do... like you... &... if you want to... pursue some kind of relationship... romantic relationship..." He smiles slightly, seeming unsure of what to say next.

I nod, smiling slightly. "I... like you too... &... I'd love to be in a relationship with you..." I laugh nervously, feeling my face heat, a goofy grin on my face. "I think... we should take things slow... I'm sure of my feelings but... I don't want to move too fast or lose you..."

He nods understandingly. "I get that... Especially given how complicated everything is... Honestly I'm just glad you want to be my boyfriend at all. I honestly didn't think you'd ever feel that way about me... At least any time soon..." He chuckles nervously, face bright red & I reach up to touch his soft cheek gently, a crooked smile on my face. He leans into the touch slightly, seeming both embarrassed & relieved.

"Of course I like you... You're so kind & understanding to me... so adorable when you get embarrassed..." He chuckles nervously & I smile. "So beautiful too, even though you don't seem to realize it..."

He leans his forehead into mine, seeming too embarrassed to say anything or look me in the eyes, but affirming what I'm saying with a gesture that seems to comfort both of us. He sighs slowly for a few moments, seeming relieved.

"I... don't think you realize how much I liked you... I was honestly starting to think that my pop star persona was gonna have more of a chance with you than my royal 1... which I kinda had mixed feelings about..." He chuckles softly & I back my head away slowly, touching the spot where his ear meets his cheek slowly & absentmindedly. He smiles slightly, blushing.

I nod slowly, laughing slightly. "I honestly... probably wouldn't have noticed that I liked your royal 1 if you hadn't pointed it out by revealing yourself to me... I mean... I guess sometimes it's easier to pine for someone you don't think you'll ever have a chance with than someone you might..." I chuckle embarrassedly & he smiles.

"I'm really glad I did though... Tell you... If not... I couldn't have been able to get so close to you..." He smiles wistfully, face heating & I look into his bright eyes.

"It's a good thing you did then... boyfriend..."

Aww, they be so cute :3 <3