Pursuing from the Shore (Sun Rays #2)

Chapter 15

Entry: Redler's Archive

I want to know what love even feels like. I want to give it, get it... or whatever.

Is that still wrong?

And you, siren-eyed guy, which is more your thing? Care to share?

I just... I want to sneak into your thoughts. Not forever but enough to annoy you just like the way you are to me.

Maybe even enough to matter.

— aredgate

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Chapter 15

"You deserve my feelings too."

I bit my lower lip, my gaze drifting downward as warmth slowly crept across my cheeks. I didn't even realize I had said those words out loud.

Maybe... for someone like Davin, he deserved that much. A chance I hadn't even considered until now.

My heart pressed quietly against my chest, steady but heavier than usual, as if it was trying to remind me of something I kept setting aside.

I wasn't used to this.

Not this kind of feeling. It wasn't loud or overwhelming, but I could feel it was waiting for me to acknowledge it. And somehow, that made it harder to ignore.

I felt him shift beside me, his attention turning in my direction. At that moment, I knew he was already facing me.

It meant more than I thought it would—saying it out loud.

Even if it wasn't everything, even if it came out incomplete. I had kept it to myself for so long that it almost felt unfamiliar... like it wasn't mine to begin with.

But now that it's out there, hanging between us, I can't pretend I didn't mean it. And for once, I don't feel the need to take it back.

Davin didn't say much, because he didn't have to. The way he carefully looked at me, as if he was holding something fragile... it was enough.

And somehow, that was what made it harder. Because now, there's this quiet kind of hope settling in me. It wasn't loud and demanding, but more like willing to wait.

Just like him.

"R-Red?" Bakas sa tono ni Davin na hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. "May nararamdaman ka na rin para sa 'kin?"

My heart was racing so loud, and a flush spread across my cheeks as I pursed my lips. How did I end up here?

For so long, I fooled myself that my feelings for him were only platonic and only treating him as a friend. But right now, I am faced with terrible truths and realizations. It feels like I was drowning in my own feelings, yet somehow, I don't mind being bound by it.

As long as it's alongside him... I'm prepared to go further.

"I'm sorry it took a bit long," I started, looking up to meet his siren gaze. "I do... I have feelings for you too."

The surroundings seemed to hush as his eyes remained fixed on mine. The weight of his stare was making me weak. I noticed how he swallowed by the movement of his Adam's apple. And then, as if a switch that had been flipped, his eyes lit up with joy.

"Y-Yes!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm kaya nagulat ako. He even covered his mouth using his hand. "Gusto rin ako ni Red!" sabi niya at nagtatatalon.

I got embarrassed for no reason because of the term he used. "Dummy. You're too loud," suway ko sa kanya.