Attraction (18+)

The Meet Up

Milo sat comfortably on the bench, his posture relaxed but thoughtful, a breeze ruffling his neatly combed brown hair. The mid-afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting soft shadows across his black, baggy jeans. His jeans had rips at the knees, worn in just the right places to make them look effortlessly cool, and they hung comfortably over chunky black sneakers. He tugged absentmindedly at the oversized Harley Davidson shirt that draped loosely over his lean frame, shifting slightly to adjust the binder beneath it. It hugged his chest, keeping him flat, grounded, and steady in a way that gave him an extra layer of confidence he still wasn't entirely used to.

He checked his phone again and sighed softly. George was running late. Milo kicked at a pebble near his foot, watching it skitter across the sidewalk. He wasn't sure how he felt about today—whether it was excitement, nervousness, or something else entirely. George always had a way of confusing him, making him feel both comfortable and off-balance at the same time.A voice broke through his thoughts.

"Sorry I'm late!" George called, jogging toward him with a warm, lopsided smile, his dark curls bouncing slightly as he moved. His white short-sleeved button-up shirt clung to his broad shoulders, with a loose black tie slung carelessly around his neck. The shirt was neatly tucked into slim black dress pants, giving him a casually professional look, like he'd come straight from work—which, as it turned out, he had.

"My boss kept piling on more papers to grade," George huffed, catching his breath. Despite the slight rush in his step, he looked genuinely happy to see Milo, his eyes crinkling with warmth. In one hand, George held a delicate purple flower, its soft petals catching the light.

Milo's gaze flickered down to the flower, his heart stuttering in surprise.

"You like flowers, right?" George asked, a hopeful note in his voice as he extended it toward Milo.

Milo blinked, caught off guard. "Uh—yeah. I do. But... is this—" He hesitated for a beat, brows knitting together. "Is this a date?"

George's grin widened, and he shrugged playfully. "I'd like it to be." He tilted his head slightly, the sunlight highlighting the mischievous glint in his eyes. "You're very handsome, you know." Milo's heart skipped, the unexpected compliment stirring a strange mix of nervousness and warmth inside him. He bit his lip, willing himself to stay calm, his fingers fidgeting slightly with the hem of his shirt.

"Thanks," he murmured, feeling his cheeks heat. But then he shifted, clearing his throat softly. "Is it... okay if we stay as friends first, George?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm. He needed to set boundaries, even if he wasn't entirely sure how George would take it.

George's expression faltered just a little, the easy confidence slipping as confusion crossed his features. "Friends? I thought you liked me too?" he asked, his tone still kind, though laced with uncertainty.

Milo exhaled slowly, choosing his words carefully. "I do. I mean... I think I like you. But I need time before it becomes... more." He shifted on the bench, trying to explain without overcomplicating things.

"So, you don't like me that  way?" George's brows furrowed slightly.

"Not yet," Milo admitted, looking down at his hands before glancing back up at George's face. "I need time to develop romantic attractions."

George's lips parted in mild confusion. "Wait—so you don't think I'm... hot or anything?" He tried to sound playful, but there was a hint of genuine curiosity in his voice.

Milo hesitated, feeling the familiar struggle of putting his feelings into words. "I see people the same, attractiveness-wise... until I develop feelings for them. It's not about how you look—it's more about how we connect emotionally."