Sweet Rivalry : From Bitter Enemies To Sweet Lovers (BXB)

41- Silent Roads

Noah's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridor as he returned to the party. The scent of wine clung to him, a bittersweet reminder of the past hours. The guests chattered and laughed, oblivious to the turmoil within him.

Neo, stood near the grand oak doors, deep in conversation with Charles. Neo's eyes flickered toward Noah, concern etching lines on his forehead. Noah's exhaustion was palpable. His eyes bloodshot, shoulders slumped.

Neo knew the truth, the unspoken longing that had haunted Noah for years about his feelings for Adrien.

Adrien, who danced like a shadow across Noah's heart. The one who ignited Noah's life with stolen glances and whispered secrets. But Noah had never dared to bridge the gap, to cross the threshold from friendship to something more. Fear clung to him like cobwebs, binding his tongue.

Neo stepped forward, his voice a fragile thread.

Neo: Brother...

Noah grunted, acknowledging Neo's presence. His gaze shifted to Charles, who stood by Neo's side. Charles, the silent witness to their unspoken glances sensed something strange is happening. Neo said, his voice barely audible,

Neo: We're leaving.

Noah's eyes lingered on Charles. He reached out, a gentle pat on Charles's shoulder. And the brothers, bound by blood and secrets, were torn apart by words unexpressed.

Noah murmured to Charles, his voice a fragile whisper,

Noah: Drive safely.

And then, without looking back, Noah walked away. Away from Neo's searching eyes, away from the truth he couldn't face. The moonlight spilled through the arched windows, casting shadows on the marble floor. Noah's footsteps echoed, each step a confession of regret.

Neo watched him go with a heavy heart.

Noah didn't turn around but deep down he knew what he said to Neo in anger was wrong. He didn't mean any of those things he said. He had the desperate need to mend what was broken. But courage had abandoned Noah, leaving only guilt in its wake.

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The car glided through the night, its tires whispering secrets to the asphalt. Moonlight spilled through the windshield, casting a silver glow on Charles's hands gripping the steering wheel. The silence hung heavy, a companion that neither Neo nor Charles dared to break.

Neo's gaze remained fixed on the passing world outside. The city lights blurred into streaks of color. Charles, ever the observer, sensed the weight in the air. He glanced at Neo, his eyes searching for answers.

Charles finally asked, his voice a gentle ripple in the quietude.

Charles: What happened?

Neo's jaw tightened. He didn't turn to face Charles, but the moonlight etched lines of pain on his profile. His voice trembled as he recounted the events of the evening, the wine-soaked confessions, Noah's unspoken love for Adrien, and the words that had pierced Neo's heart like shards of glass.

He explained all those events to Charles with dim eyes. He was still anxious as he recalled the state of Noah during the party.

Charles's fingers found Neo's, a silent reassurance. He stole glances at Neo, navigating the winding road with practice ease. Charles ventured,

Charles: Maybe Noah didn't mean any of it. Sometimes words spill out, fueled by emotions couldn't be controlled.

Neo's grip tightened on Charles's hand he turned to look at Charles as he whispered,

Neo: I know, But it still hurts. Noah... he's suffocating, Charles. Living a life scripted by others, denying his own desires. It's tearing him apart.

Charles's gaze lingered on Neo's face.

Charles: Noah chose this path for himself. It's not like he is without options. I think he is living like this because he wants to be the one who follow societal norms. So that you can truly live your life. Maybe he thinks that it's his responsibility.

Neo shook his head.

Neo: That's not what I want. I do not want him to choke on unspoken words or to deny his actual needs and wants. To suppress those emotions within him.

Charles's voice held wisdom.

Charles: Elder siblings bear silent burdens, Even when others don't understand. We watch, we absorb, and we deal with matters quietly. It's our way of allowing others to navigate life with fewer obstacles. We do not want others to suffer as much as us. We do not want them to hold themselves back as we did.

The road stretched ahead, an uncharted path. Neo's heart ached for Noah, for Adrien, and for the love that remained unclaimed. The moonlight bathed them, casting shadows on their intertwined hands. Charles's touch was a lifeline, grounding Neo amidst the turmoil.

As the car hummed along, Neo tried to understand his brother's intentions more better. He didn't blame him much rather prayed for his happiness. He thought that if he had decided to step back from acquiring his love, he must've given it a thought.

Neo's heart fluttered like a delicate butterfly as he gazed into Charles' eyes. The soft hum of the engine faded into insignificance, drowned out by the symphony of their emotions.

Neo whispered, his voice barely audible, yet it carried the weight of a thousand sentiments,

Neo: Thank you Char.

Charles: For what?

Neo: Your presence is like a warm hug which melts away my worries.

Charles smiled as Neo unlocked his seatbelt. He was consfused at this gesture but then he leaned onto him. He felt Neo's warmth seeped through the fabric of his shirt. He had never been good with words, but actions spoke louder. Neo's lips brushed against his cheek, a silent affirmation. It was a peck that held the universe in its fleeting touch.

Unable to resist, Charles pulled the car over to the roadside.

The world outside blurred as he turned toward Neo, their knees brushing. Neo's eyes widened, surprise dancing in their depths. Charles didn't care about anything else. All that mattered was this moment.. their moment.

He held Neo close, fingers tracing the curve of his waist. Neo protested, a hint of mischief in his voice,

Neo: Hey, Someone will see.

Charles chuckled, his heart doing a clumsy pirouette.

Charles: No one is going to pass by. It's pitch dark anyway.

He lifted Neo's chin, their breaths mingling. The kiss that followed was more than a meeting of lips. The tongues shared the deep connection. Charles tongue traced the upper jaw and the bottom of Neo's mouth. The lips were sealed with the overwhelming desires bursting within.

Neo melted into the embrace, and time ceased to exist as their lips danced, Charles knew that this was the kind of magic that defied gravity.

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Author's Note

From now on the updates will become slow and only one episode will come out on Fridays.

Next episode contains a steamy scene or maybe two.. idk.. will see (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)