The Coming Out

Winter Break

Winter break was coming up, and Ivan and Carson, who had been friends since they were eight years old, were planning to take a trip to Greece together. They had grown up together and had shared countless memories, but they both felt like this trip would bring them even closer.

"So, have you made a list of all the places we want to visit in Greece?" Ivan asked as they sat in Carson's living room, surrounded by brochures and travel guides.

Carson nodded, "I've done some research and we definitely have to see the Acropolis in Athens, the beaches in Santorini, and the Palace of Knossos in Crete."

Ivan's eyes lit up with excitement. "That sounds amazing! I can't wait to try all the Greek food and experience the culture."

As they finalized their plans, Ivan and Carson grew more and more excited for their trip. They talked about everything from what clothes to pack to what language they should learn before their departure.

Finally, the day of their trip arrived. As they boarded the plane to Greece, both Ivan and Carson couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline and excitement.

The first few days in Greece were filled with adventure and exploration. They hiked to the top of the Acropolis and explored the ancient ruins, they relaxed on the beaches of Santorini, and they learned about the history and mythology of Greece.

As they spent more time together, Ivan and Carson began to notice things about each other that they had never noticed before. Ivan noticed how Carson's eyes sparkled in the sunlight and how his laughter was infectious. Carson noticed how Ivan's smile lit up the room and how his presence made him feel calm and happy.

One evening, while sitting on a balcony overlooking the ocean, Carson turned to Ivan and said, "Ivan, I just want you to know how much this trip means to me. You've been my best friend for so long, and I feel like we've grown even closer on this trip."

Ivan smiled warmly at Carson. "I feel the same way, Car. It's like we've seen a whole new side of each other on this trip."

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, Ivan wanted to say something but he hesitated, he felt as if something was stopping him, Carson looked at him with one raised eyebrow and said

" Ivan? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah everything is fine." 

"Is it about Riley again?" said Carson.

Ivan widened his eyes a bit and said,

"No, Im okay with Riley now. We've been friends for these couple of days and Im glad I've fixed things with her. I felt like shit during our breakup but now i feel like myself again, even if i still have some bit of feelings for her, i want to keep our friendship stable and not toxic."

" Im glad you're finally happy again, I couldn't stand seeing you that way."

Ivan smiled.

For the rest of their trip, Ivan and Carson couldn't help but feel like they were seeing everything through new eyes. Every moment they spent together felt more special than ever before. They held hands as bros when they walked through the streets of Athens, watched the sunset together on the beach in Santorini, and whispered secrets to each other as they explored the Palace of Knossos.

When they returned home, Ivan and Carson both knew that their relationship had changed. They had come to a mutual conclusion that they had feelings for each other, but they didn't tell each other. They were scared of ruining their friendship and weren't sure what to do next.

Over time, Ivan and Carson continued to hang out as usual, but there was a new level of intimacy and connection between them. They didn't talk about their feelings, but they didn't need to. They could sense it in the way they looked at each other, the way they touched each other, and the way they smiled at each other.