It's Not the Same

Love?

Warnings: vague mention of chapter 6

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Mischa woke up. He was confused for a moment, wondering where he was. It took him a moment before the memories of the previous day came back. He blushed realising that he was in Noel's arms. This was not helping him with his thoughts. He knew what ibe was feeling now, and in a way, it made it worse. He move slightly, causing Noel to wake up.
"Misch?..." The poet mumbled.
"Poet! I am sorry for waking you up.." Mischa panicked.
"Misch, its fine"
"Are you sure?"
"yes, I'm sure. Are you feeling any better at all?"
"I do not know...my head hurts.."
"i can go get some painkillers for you?"
"No... Stay here... Please..."
Noel blushed and ran his hand through Mischa's hair,
"Okay.."
This time, Mischa blushed. He began to wrap his arms around Noel's waist, causing the poet to freeze up and move away.
Mischa frowned as he watched Noel sit up and he began to sit up himself.
"Poet? I'm sorry, did i-"
Mischa was cut off by Noel,
"No... Its not you..."
"What- What's wrong?"
Noel hesitated before explaining everything. All of it. What happened with Jacob, and about him being trans. By the time he stopped explaining, tears were rolling down his face. Mischa hesitantly hugged Noel and Noel hugged back, crying into Mischa's shoulder.
"Poet... I am so sorry that happened to you...you did not deserve that... I will be here for you if you need anyone at all..."
Mischa tried his best to comfort Noel.
"Thank you..." Noel mumbled, wiping his tears away.
"Of course Poet.... I care about you a lot... If anyone trys to hurt you, tell me and I will have a talk with them."
"You... You don't hate me?..."
"Поет, why would I hate you?.."
"Because I'm trans?.. Because of what happened?..."
"Poet, listen to me. I would never. Never. Hate you. Especially not because of those reasons. Your identity is none of my business and I will see you as a guy no matter what. And what happened was not your fault at all."
Noel nodded, "Okay..."
"Do you believe me?.." Mischa frowned.
"I believe you..."
"Thank you poet..."
Mischa was holding Noel by the waist again, Noel melting into the touch this time. He could trust Mischa. He did trust Mischa. Both of them could feel the tension growing, both wanting to act on it, neither of them having the confidence to. They were both looking into each others eyes. They got closer and closer. Mischa's eyes flicked down to Noel's lips for longer than he'd like to admit. Suddenly, Noel's phone went off. He ignored it, but it went off again. Noel moved away from Mischa, both frowning due to the loss of contact. Noel picked up his phone, typed a response and put it down again.
"What was that?" Mischa asked quietly.
"My mom, she was telling me she's at Ocean's, so we're here alone.." Noel responded.
He moved closer to Mischa again, wanting the comfort of the Ukrainian. He pulled himself onto Mischa's lap, despite it causing him to blush.
"Oh-" Mischa stuttered, he didn't complain though, he held Noel by his waist again, Noel blushing even more and put his head on Mischa's shoulder.
"Poet, are you okay?" Mischa whispered.
"Yeah... I'm fine..." Noel mumbled, his head reeling.
Him and Mischa had almost kissed. He remembered the first time that had happened. His mom interrupted them that time too. Although, he probably would've panicked and backed away anyway. He just sat, laying on Mischa's shoulder.
"Don't you need to go home today? 'Cus you know, school tomorrow."
"Yeah..." Mischa sighed, "You are not going?"
"No.. I won't be going for a while.. But I'll be going to choir practice.."
"Okay..."
"You'll really miss me that much?" Noel joked slightly.
"How could I not? Only reason I can tolerate some lessons is because you are there.. You make it better."
Noel was surprised by the Ukrainian's response.
"Oh!- uhm... Its sweet to know that you'd miss me that much, Misch"
"it will be torture without you, but it will give me reason to be excited about choir though!"
Noel smiled softly,
"I don't want you to leave..."
"I know, but you will see me tomorrow, poet. Think about that!"
Noel laughed softly, causing Mischa's heart to flutter. He hated how Noel could make him feel these things so easily. He wished he could tell him. He couldn't though. There was no way the poet even liked him back! He was hopeless. He thought about his feelings more and more, and his eyes widened with a realisation. This wasn't just a small crush.

He was in love.

With Noel Gruber.

He moved slightly, letting go of Noel and getting up.
"i- uhm- I will go now. Thank you for everything yesterday..."
Noel smiled sadly,
"Okay Misch, let me know once you're home safe, alright?"
"Okay." Mischa quickly rushed out and left Noel alone with his thoughts.