Crushed Underneath the Surface (Complete)

Shooting Star

Chapter 6
Shooting Star
August, Summer in Honolulu Hawaii

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long streaks of orange and pink across the sky, as if the day itself was stretching before finally giving way to the cool embrace of night. Milo sat alone on the beach; his toes buried in the soft, golden sand. The rhythmic crashing of the waves against the shore usually calmed his mind, but tonight it only reminded him of how small he felt—like a speck of dust in the vastness of this place.

It had been nearly a week since Javier had disappeared and about two weeks since Milo left Montana. Just as quickly as Javier had come into Milo's life, he was gone. It was beautiful, thrilling even, but over before Milo could fully grasp what it had meant.

The memory of that night was still vivid. The way Javier's gold, hazel eyes had locked onto his, filled with something electric, something magnetic. The feel of his skin, warm and alive, pressing into Milo's, leaving behind traces of desire and mystery. It all seemed like a blur now—a fleeting moment that couldn't last.

Milo sighed, gazing up at the clear night sky. The stars twinkled faintly overhead, far and untouchable, scattered across the canvas of twilight. They felt distant, just like Javier. One moment, so close and real, but now fading into the background like a dream slipping away.
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After another day in Hawaii, time began to blur. Milo spent his days diving into the distractions Hawaii offered. He snorkeled through vibrant coral reefs, hiked scenic trails, and soaked in breathtaking views of waterfalls, their mist cooling his skin in the heat of the day. No matter how beautiful his surroundings were, his thoughts kept drifting back to Javier, like an undertow he couldn't resist.

On one hike, he stood at the edge of a cliff, staring out over the vast, endless ocean. The wind whipped through his hair, carrying the scent of salt and freedom. But even here, on the edge of the world, he felt chained down by his emotions.

It was like chasing a ghost, trying to grasp something that was already gone—like reaching out for a shooting star after it had disappeared into the night. His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts.

Daniel: Hey bro, we're landing soon. Hope you're ready for some more fun!

Milo smiled at the message, typing a quick reply. The thought of Daniel and Soène arriving gave him hope that their presence might pull him out of this haze. Maybe he could forget about Javier, let that night be what it was—a brilliant flash, and then nothing more.
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September

Another week passed faster than Milo expected concluding the month of August. Each sunset blurred into the next as he tried to focus on the island's beauty—the sway of palm trees, the laughter of tourists, the golden glow of late afternoons. But beneath it all, there was a quiet ache, a reminder of the moment he couldn't hold onto.

On his last night before Daniel arrived, Milo found himself back at the beach bar where he had first met Javier. The lights overhead twinkled softly, casting a warm glow over the gathering crowd. The air was balmy, carrying the scent of hibiscus and ocean salt, but to Milo, it felt like the end of something.

The bartender passed him a drink without him even asking, and he smiled at the familiarity. He sipped slowly, letting the cool liquid ease the weight in his chest, but it didn't last long. As if summoned by his thoughts, Javier appeared. "Emilio."

The voice was unmistakable, low, and smooth. Milo turned, and his heart quickened at the sight of Javier standing there—tall, dark, and impossibly real. His gold, hazel eyes caught the last of the sunlight, glowing with a warmth that sent a jolt through Milo. It was like seeing the same shooting star twice.

Milo blinked, unsure if it was really happening. "I didn't think I'd see you again," he admitted, trying to keep his voice steady, though he could feel the swirl of emotions bubbling under the surface.

Javier's smirk softened into something almost playful. "I told you I wasn't the type to stick around. But you..." He paused, his eyes searching Milo's face with an intensity that made his breath catch. "You left an impression."

Milo's heartbeat thudded in his ears. "Is that a good thing?" Javier chuckled, stepping closer. "Let's find out."

They walked together along the shoreline, the sound of the waves filling the quiet spaces between them. At first, their conversation was casual talking about the beauty of the island, their favorite spots, the simple things. But slowly, without either of them realizing, their words grew deeper. "So... why Hawaii?" Milo asked at one point, genuinely curious. "You come here often?"

Javier shrugged. "Every now and then. It helps me clear my head. When I need to get away, I come here." Milo nodded, understanding the sentiment. "Yeah, my family used to come for vacation every year when I was a kid. But... I guess recently I've been just trying to escape everything back home. But it follows you, doesn't it?"

Javier's eyes flickered toward him, something more thoughtful behind them. "Yeah. No matter where you go, it's always there." He paused, then added quietly, "I guess we're both running from something."

The words hung between them, heavy but unspoken. Milo found himself asking, "What are you running from?" Javier didn't answer right away. His eyes scanned the horizon as if the answer might be somewhere in the stars. "Commitment," he said at last. "Responsibility. I've hurt people because of that. I've never been good at sticking around."

Milo hadn't expected that level of honesty, and it took him by surprise. Javier, always so sure of himself, now seemed so vulnerable.

"I wouldn't have guessed," Milo said softly. "You seem so confident." Javier let out a dry laugh.

"I've learned how to act like I am." Milo smiled slightly, recognizing the feeling. "Yeah. Me too."

"I feel like..." Milo began, his voice soft and tentative, "I've always been afraid to just be myself. Like, if I show people who I really am, they'll see I'm not all that cool, you know?" He let out a nervous laugh, glancing down. "I've gotten so used to matching other people's energy, pretending to be what they need, that... sometimes I don't even know what I need. Or want."

Javier's gaze softened as he listened, his own walls crumbling in response to Milo's honesty. "Yeah... I completely understand that," he said quietly, his voice taking on a tone that mirrored Milo's vulnerability. "I've always been kind of... a drifter. Never around long enough to really know anyone—friends, lovers... it's like, I'm always just passing through."

Milo looked at him, sensing the weight behind Javier's words. "You mean like... you don't want to get close?" Javier nodded slowly, his golden eyes reflecting a depth of emotion Milo hadn't seen before. "Yeah, but more like I can't get close," he admitted. "I think I've always been scared to be important to anyone. Like if I get too close, I'll screw it up. So, I just... keep things temporary. Make sure I'm never really needed."

Milo's heart clenched at Javier's words, realizing how alike they were, both caught in their own fears of rejection, of not being enough. "I guess we're both used to hiding behind something, huh?" Milo said with a small, sad smile. Javier met his gaze, something raw in his expression. "Yeah, but... I don't want to hide tonight. Not with you." Milo's breath caught, feeling the sincerity of those words sink in. Neither of them was pretending, and for the first time in a long time, they both felt like they could just be.

They continued walking, their feet brushing the edge of the water. The conversation had shifted into something deeper, something they hadn't planned for, and it left them both feeling a little exposed. They both stood there, feeling the weight of what they had just shared. Milo could sense the vulnerability between them, something raw and real, and for a moment, he wasn't sure what to do with it.

And then, without a warning, Javier leaned in. The kiss wasn't hurried or rushed—it was slow, tender, and filled with the same warmth Milo had felt that first night. Only now, it felt more real. When they finally pulled apart, both of them smiled, a silent understanding passing between them.

They continued their walk back to Javier's place, the air between them charged with unspoken desire. By the time they stepped inside, it felt like the passion that had sparked that first night had

been reignited, only this time, it burned even brighter. And just like that, they lost themselves in each other again, the rest of the world falling away.