"Between friends, unspoken feelings can feel like a fragile thread pulled taut; one denies its existence while the other hides behind its delicate weave, both yearning for the courage to unravel what lies beneath."
Ian and Julian, long-time best fri...
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The icy prickles running down my back jolted me awake as effectively as any alarm. Brrr! Somebody must have left the window open last night I started to think. I burrowed myself deeper under the cozy blankets with a disgruntled groan, not ready to face the frigid morning air.
Against will, my consciousness slowly surfaced, I became aware of a pair of amused eyes watching me closely. Propped up on one elbow was Julian, barely containing his chuckle at my sleepy grumpiness. With that small infuriatingly serene smile played on his lips, and I felt a strange flutter in the pit of my stomach as our eyes locked. It was the kind of smile that seemed to belong to a different time—a time that felt so unnervingly familiar it might have been part of a dream.
"What the—Julian, why are you just staring at me like that?"
Julian grins wider. "Good morning to you too, sunshine. I was just admiring how peaceful you look... until you woke up and ruined it."
"Creepy and condescending. You're really nailing it this morning."
He chuckles softly. "Please, like that's news to anyone. Besides, you're obsessed with it."
"Oh, totally. Because nothing says 'good morning' like waking up to someone staring at you like a total psycho."
"Ouch, harsh. But if I were a psycho, you'd definitely be my favorite victim."
I deadpan, "Comforting."
He smiles all sweetly like he's over the moon. I raise an eyebrow and just stare at him.
"Why are you being such a creep this morning? Smiling like... that."
"I can't help it if you look adorable when you're all grumpy and confused."
"Keep telling yourself that. Next time, try waking me up like a normal person."
"And miss the chance to see that look on your face? Not happening. I just wanted to make sure you start your day with a bit of luxury—like my presence."
"Next time, bring coffee. Less creepy, more effective."
He chuckles. "Noted. But the staring? Yeah, that's staying. Watching you squirm is pure entertainment."
"You're lucky I have no motivation to push you off the bed right now."
"Lucky indeed."
It was a familiar feeling by now, this bizarre cocktail of comfort and unease that seemed to accompany every moment we shared.
Outside, the world was wrapped in a muted, early gray light, the kind that makes you yearn to snuggle deeper under the covers and drift back into the comfort of sleep.
