swagger

III

Nick Mendez and Y/N had been best friends for years, their bond unbreakable and their banter legendary. They were always flirting and being touchy with each other, much to the amusement of their friends, but they both vehemently denied having any romantic feelings.

"I can't stand him," Y/N would often say with a playful eye roll whenever someone teased about their closeness.

Nick would respond in kind, "She's the most annoying little puta I know. I tolerate her because she's my best friend."

"Alright now boy don't get slapped"

Their words contradicted their actions, though. They would steal glances when they thought the other wasn't looking, their touches lingered a second longer than necessary, and their inside jokes had a hint of intimacy that only they understood.

One evening, while hanging out at Nick's place, they found themselves in a playful wrestling match over the TV remote. Laughter filled the air as they rolled around on the couch, each trying to gain control.

"You're such a sore loser, Nick," Y/N teased, pinning him down with a triumphant grin.

Nick chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Only because you cheat, Y/N."

Their faces were inches apart, breaths mingling, and in that moment, something shifted between them. It was a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken desires they had been burying beneath their friendship.

"I hate that I love you," Nick whispered, his tone soft yet filled with longing.

Y/N's heart skipped a beat, her gaze locking with his. "I hate that I love you too," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Their lips met in a tender kiss, a culmination of years of suppressed feelings finally breaking free. It was a kiss filled with passion, love, and the realization that they were meant to be more than just friends.

Nick and Y/N sat on the couch just admiring one another. "You know," Y/N began, looking at Nick with a fond smile, "everyone used to say that we should have confessed our feelings ages ago."

Nick chuckled, kicking his feet lightly. "Yeah, they weren't exactly subtle about it. But we were in denial, weren't we? We convinced ourselves that we were just best friends who happened to flirt a lot."

Y/N nodded, swinging gently back and forth. "It's funny how we were the last ones to see what was so obvious to everyone else. I guess love really does have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it."

Nick reached for Y/N's hand, intertwining their fingers. "I'm just grateful that we finally figured it out. Being with you feels like coming home, and I wouldn't trade that for anything."

Y/N leaned her head on Nick's shoulder, smiling contently. "Me too, Nick. Sometimes, the best things in life are worth the wait, even if we were a bit stubborn about it." They sat in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's presence, knowing that their journey from denial to love had only made their bond stronger.

Nick turned to Y/N once more , a curious glint in his eyes. "Hey, Y/N," he began, his voice soft yet filled with curiosity, "when did you first start having stronger feelings towards me?"

Y/N's cheeks flushed slightly as she looked into Nick's eyes, her heart fluttering at the question. "I think it was during that summer we spent at the gym 24/7 cus you wanted to keep your shots up," she admitted, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips. "We were sitting on the bench, and I remember feeling this overwhelming sense of happiness and warmth being with you. That's when I realized that what I felt for you was more than just friendship."

Nick's gaze softened as he listened, a smile playing on his lips. "I remember that day too," he said, his voice filled with affection. "It was like everything fell into place, and I knew then that you meant more to me than anyone else."

They sat in comfortable silence, the warmth of the fire mirroring the warmth in their hearts as they reflected on the journey of their feelings, from friendship to love, knowing that every moment had led them to this beautiful connection they shared.

Y/N took a deep breath, her gaze meeting Nick's with sincerity. "Nick, I have to admit something and don't judge me okay ," she started, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "I was always a bit jealous of your ex-girlfriend, Angela. I saw how happy you were with her, and I couldn't help but wish I was the one making you smile like that."

Nick's expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I had no idea you felt that way," he murmured, reaching for Y/N's hand comfortingly. "But you should know, Y/N, that what I feel for you is unlike anything I've ever felt before. Angela was a part of my past, but you're my present and my future. I'm glad you told me because it just makes me cherish what we have even more."

Y/N's heart swelled with warmth at Nick's words, grateful for his understanding and reassurance. "I'm glad too, Nick," she whispered, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on his cheek. "You mean everything to me."

From that day on, Nick and Y/N embraced their love openly, no longer hiding behind the façade of friendship. Their playful banter and touchy moments took on a new meaning, infused with the depth of their romantic connection.

As they walked hand in hand, their friends couldn't help but smile, knowing that sometimes, the best love stories are the ones that start with playful denial and end in undeniable love.