Kevin found himself at a crossroads of emotions, grappling with the revelation of his feelings for Connor. It was a leap of faith, but facing them head-on felt like stepping into the light after a long night. As they lounged together on Connor's couch, the ambiance was cozy, yet there lingered an unspoken heaviness in the air.
They settled in to watch one of the Frozen movies, Kevin's heart not quite syncing with the animated tale unfolding on screen. His attention gravitated toward Connor, noticing the subtle furrow in his brow, a testament to the weight he carried. It had been a month since Kevin last heard Connor's laughter, a stark departure from the jovial spirit he once knew. Even the most trivial jokes failed to elicit even a hint of mirth from Connor.
"Hey, Elder McKinley," Kevin ventured, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "You haven't laughed in a while. Everything alright?"
Connor shrugged, a mere ripple in the sea of his despondency. "Just one of those phases, I guess. Not much to laugh about lately."
Kevin's heart sank at Connor's response. This wasn't the Connor he knew, the one who could find humor in the dumbest things. Determination flickered in Kevin's eyes as he resolved to bring back the laughter that had been absent for far too long.
As the movie played on, Kevin concocted a mischievous plan, a playful scheme to coax laughter from Connor's lips. With Connor engrossed in the film, Kevin seized the opportunity to set his plan in motion.
He extended his index finger, feigning innocence as he lightly poked Connor's side. The response was instantaneous, Connor flinched, a suppressed chuckle escaping his lips. Kevin feigned innocence, pretending to be preoccupied with adjusting his tie as Connor shot him a quizzical glance.
"What's up?" Kevin asked, his tone dripping with feigned innocence.
Connor shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thought I felt something, that's all."
Kevin grinned inwardly, noting Connor's ticklishness with amusement. With the first phase of his plan successful, Kevin moved to the next stage.
"Hey, Elder McKinley, can you do me a favor?" Kevin's voice was laced with an air of mischief.
Connor raised an eyebrow, a hint of suspicion coloring his expression. "Depends on the favor."
Kevin flashed a grin. "Just close your eyes and trust me."
After a moment of hesitation, Connor complied, closing his eyes and reclining on the couch. Kevin took the opportunity to position himself strategically, straddling Connor's waist as he awaited the perfect moment to unleash his surprise.
"Alright, open your eyes," Kevin declared, excitement bubbling beneath his playful facade.
Connor's eyes fluttered open, confusion evident in his expression as he beheld Kevin's unorthodox position. He couldn't help but blush a bit, the position wasn't unfamiliar, but now definitely wasn't the time for anything, and Kevin didn't seem to be in that sort of mood anyways. "What are you doing?"
Kevin's grin widened. "You'll see."
With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Kevin dove in, his fingers moving like playful emojis as they skittered across Connor's sides. Connor's laughter erupted, filling the room with its infectious energy.
Basking in the chorus of laughter, Kevin felt his heart swell with satisfaction. Ignoring Connor's feeble attempts to squirm away, he ramped up his tickle attack, exploring every inch of Connor's ticklish spots with gleeful abandon. Connor's protests melted into fits of laughter, his futile attempts to push Kevin away only adding to the hilarity of the moment.
"Kevin, I'm gonna kill you!" Connor managed between breathless giggles, his threat punctuated by peals of laughter.
Connor's laugh was so loud that they didn't hear Poptarts coming down the hallway. Connor's brother took one look at the two and suggested to Kevin, "Try under his knee," then walked away.
Connor looked at him with betrayal and yelled, "Poptarts!"
Kevin raised his voice above Connor's laughter, offering a quick thanks to Poptarts as he turned away from Connor. Aiming the spot Poptarts had indicated, he elicited even more laughter from Connor. After a while, satisfied with the abundance of laughter he'd garnered, Kevin ceased his tickling.
Their exchange continued, marked by bursts of laughter induced by tickling that filled the room with joy. Despite Connor's growing protests, Kevin persisted, intent on extracting every last giggle from his friend.
As the tickle session reached its peak, Kevin finally relented, granting Connor a moment to catch his breath amidst the laughter-filled atmosphere.
"Alright, I think that's enough for now," Kevin conceded, a triumphant grin adorning his features.
Connor gasped for air, his cheeks flushed from laughter as he shot Kevin a playful glare. "You're lucky I don't hold grudges."
Kevin chuckled, extending a hand to help Connor up from the couch. "Come on, let's go raid the kitchen."
Connor rolled his eyes, but the playful glint in his gaze betrayed his amusement. "Fine."
With laughter still lingering in the air, they ventured into the kitchen, the echoes of their playful banter serving as a reminder of the bond they shared. As they indulged in snacks and shared laughter, Kevin couldn't help but feel grateful for the decision that led him to this moment.
