𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℂ𝕒𝕓𝕚𝕟

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝔽𝕠𝕦𝕣 | ᴅɪꜱᴄᴏᴠᴇʀʏ

Julian had no previous experience with animals, and it probably showed as they stood in the garage with their brooms, hoping to shoo the wild critter out through the side door. This was going to work, right?

"On the count of three," Julian said, trying to sound confident.

"No!" Owen was freaking out-Julian thought it was hilarious. "I'm so freaking scared, Julian."

Julian bit his lip to keep from laughing. "Owen... Just do it."

"...Okay."

"Ready?"

"...No."

Julian laughed, and so did Owen, though his eyebrows remained furrowed in worry when their eyes met. Owen's soft, light brown hair fell across his forehead, and his bottom lip was red from biting it in anxiety. His cheeks were still pink from blushing, which Julian now realized was because Owen seemed to turn red over every little thing Julian did. He was pretty.

Julian grinned.

"On the count of three..."

Owen gripped his broom so tightly his knuckles turned white. He looked really cute in Julian's old high school hoodie. Julian couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled so much-ever since Owen arrived at the cabin two hours ago, he hadn't stopped.

Shit, Owen was adorable. Julian couldn't stop thinking about how adorable he was. His heart raced with excitement; he was having so much fun with him.

The vibe at the cabin was night and day compared to when Julian had been there alone. Owen was like a light in the darkness, the unexpected laugh that made you forget you were crying, the lingering childlike curiosity that made you forget you'd grown into a boring adult.

Owen was a lot of things.

Julian was eager to show him all the work he'd done and to have his help on the roof. Owen made everything more enjoyable.

Julian couldn't stop smiling. He couldn't stop looking at Owen, and he never wanted Owen to take that stupid hoodie off.

His heart raced faster, and then he realized he had been staring into Owen's eyes for probably way too long.

Shit. How long had they been staring at each other like this?!

Where was Julian's head at?

He wasn't even paying attention to the task at hand, and he was supposed to be leading this whole operation.

"One..."

Owen's eyes widened, still locked on Julian's. Julian thought Owen's eyes were absolutely beautiful.

"Three."

Owen's mouth dropped open.

"JULIAN! What the hell, dude?! Now you can't count to three?!"

Julian laughed hysterically as he dashed up and down the side of the garage, waving his broom above his head. Owen mirrored his actions on the other side, both of them creating as much noise as possible in the cleared space. The side door was wide open, and Julian hoped the commotion would coax the critter out.

To their surprise, a loud rustling noise came from under the furniture they'd pushed to the center of the room, and it seemed to be heading straight for Owen.

"Oh my God, Julian! It's coming right at me!" Owen jumped up and down, visibly fighting the urge to run as the noise grew louder and closer to his side of the garage.

"It's targeting me! Julian! What if it's one of those goddamn coyotes—"

Julian laughed again, though his stomach hurt from so much laughter.