chapter 5

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Henry POV

Henry couldn't quite grasp the reality of what had just happened. He was kissing Walter—his best friend—and, astonishingly, Walter was kissing him back. Did that mean Walter felt the same way? Did he see Henry as more than just a friend?

The kiss was electric and filled with a warmth that enveloped him completely. It felt so good—so right. In that moment, Henry realized he had never been this close to Walter before, and he understood now that this connection was what had been missing from his life. More than anything, Henry wanted to be with Walter.

Slowly, Henry pulled away from the kiss and leaned his head against Walter's chest, his eyes fluttering closed. Walter's heartbeat resonated in his ears, steady and comforting. He felt a hand on his back, gently drawing him closer.

"Thank you, Henry," Walter whispered, his voice a soft melody in the stillness.

Henry smiled, feeling a surge of warmth at Walter's words. "For what? You don't have to thank me for anything," he replied, a hint of confusion lacing his voice.

"Yes, I do," Walter insisted. "You know... I've liked you for a long time, but I didn't know how to tell you. I wasn't sure if you felt the same way."

Henry's heart raced as he met Walter's gaze. "For how long?" he asked, curiosity mingling with anticipation.

"Maybe two years, or three," Walter admitted, a slight blush creeping across his cheeks. "So, thank you for making the first step. And also for listening to me and being here."

A wave of relief washed over Henry, and he squeezed Walter's hand again. "I think I've liked you for a long time too," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... didn't understand what these feelings were. I always knew I liked you more than just as a best friend, but the word 'love' never crossed my mind. It wasn't until I heard about Wilhelm and Simon that I even questioned my sexuality. That was the first time I realized I might have a crush on you."

Henry looked deep into Walter's eyes, wanting him to understand the depth of his feelings. "I really... love you, Walter," he said, his heart pounding in his chest.

"I love you too, Henry," Walter replied, his voice filled with warmth as he leaned down to kiss Henry gently on the forehead.

The moment hung between them like a fragile thread of joy. They embraced again, holding each other tightly, savoring the warmth and intimacy that enveloped them. Henry felt a sense of disbelief at how everything had unfolded. He was proud of himself for opening up to Walter; vulnerability had always been challenging for him. Sharing his deeper thoughts with others had felt risky, but this felt different. With Walter, everything felt safe.

"Oh, it's almost midnight," Walter said reluctantly, breaking the silence. He began to rise, but Henry instinctively took his hand and pulled him back toward the bed.

"No, please don't go!" Henry exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. "You can stay overnight if you want."

Walter raised an eyebrow, a playful smile creeping onto his face. "You want me to sleep here?"

Henry nodded eagerly, making space on the bed for Walter to join him. "Well... yes, of course," he said, his cheeks flushing slightly at the thought.

They spent the next hour lying side by side, talking about everything and nothing at all. They exchanged gossip about the latest happenings at Hillerska, laughing and enjoying the comfort of each other's presence. Each shared laugh felt like a small step deeper into their evolving relationship.

"Can I sleep in your arms?" Walter asked hesitantly, his voice soft as he gazed at Henry with hopeful eyes. "Are you fine with that?"

Henry's heart raced at the request, filled with both excitement and a hint of nervousness. "Yes... of course! Come here," he replied, opening his arms wide to welcome Walter.

Henry's heart swelled with joy as they settled into each other's embrace. They were actually cuddling, and it felt so incredibly good. Walter's hair smelled divine—like a mix of fresh linen and something uniquely him. Henry breathed in deeply, allowing the scent to fill his senses.

"You smell good," Henry murmured, running his fingers gently through Walter's hair.

"You too," Walter replied with a sleepy smile, his eyes fluttering as he began to relax.

It didn't take long for Walter to drift off to sleep, his breathing steadying into a soft rhythm. Henry, however, lay wide awake, replaying the events of the day in his mind. Everything that had transpired felt surreal—he had just come out to his best friend, the one he had harbored feelings for, and he had told him he loved him. Even better, Walter had kissed him back, reciprocating those feelings.

But as he lay there, staring at the ceiling, Henry couldn't shake the question that gnawed at him: What did all of this mean now? They had confessed their feelings, shared a kiss, and were now cuddled together in bed. But what exactly were they? Did this mean they were boyfriends?

The thought sent butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Could they truly be something more? The possibilities raced through his mind—images of them together, holding hands, sharing secrets, and laughing. He could envision a future where they could explore this newfound love without fear or hesitation.

As he lay there, lost in thought, Henry felt a surge of affection for Walter. He cherished the trust and connection they shared, a bond that felt deeper than friendship. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of all the moments they would create together in the future. But that future still felt uncertain, and he found himself wishing for clarity.

With Walter's warmth beside him and the scent of him lingering in the air, Henry felt a sense of peace settle over him. Whatever happened next, he knew they would navigate it together. And for now, that was enough.

In the stillness of the room, he found comfort in the idea of being with Walter, of exploring this new territory together. As he closed his eyes, Henry finally allowed himself to drift off, embracing the hope and excitement that lay ahead. For the first time in a long while, everything felt right, and he was ready to face whatever came next.

Author's Note

I know this chapter is shorter than the other ones but I wanted this special and important Walty moment to be an extra chapter.

I recently asked you if you want me to write shorter chapters in the future that you don't have to wait so long or if you want me to keep writing longer chapters (1000-1500 words).
Let me know what you want me to write!

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