Our Forced Love

𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓇𝓉𝓎

Kai

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the quiet park where we had agreed to meet. It felt like our little secret, a world away from the chaos of our lives. I leaned against a gnarled tree trunk, my heart racing as I watched Guido approach. The fading light highlighted the angles of his face, and I couldn't help but smile. He was stunning, even when he looked uncertain.

"Hey," he said, his voice casual, but I could see the flicker of something deeper in his eyes. That familiar tension hung between us, making the air feel electric.

"Hey," I replied, pushing off the tree and stepping closer. "You made it."

"Yeah, I was just... caught up in my head," he admitted, running a hand through his hair, a nervous habit I knew all too well. "It's nice to get away from everything for a bit."

"Just us," I said softly, emphasizing the intimacy of the moment. I felt the familiar pull of attraction, the warmth that spread through me whenever he was near. But the unease in his expression made it hard to enjoy it fully.

We stood in silence for what felt like an eternity. I could see the conflict brewing in his gaze—a mix of desire and doubt. I wanted to bridge that gap, to pull him closer, but I also sensed his hesitation.

"Do you ever think about... us?" I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, I feared I had crossed a line. "I mean, yeah. But... it's complicated, you know? I've never felt this way about a guy before," he said, his words rushing out in a jumble.

My heart sank, but I held my ground. "I get it. I just—being with you feels different. Like, really different. And I don't want to hide it anymore."

He shifted his weight, looking down at the ground as if it held the answers he was searching for. "But what if it doesn't work out? What if it changes everything?"

"Maybe it already has," I replied, my voice steady despite the knot forming in my stomach. "Maybe it's time to stop worrying about what could go wrong and focus on what feels right."

The silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the air charged with unspoken words. I reached out, brushing my fingers against his arm, desperate to make him understand. "Let's just take a chance," I urged. "We can figure it out together."

He hesitated, and my heart dropped. I could see the internal struggle written all over his face. He wanted to say yes, I could feel it, but the weight of his fear held him back. "Kai, I—"

"Please," I interrupted, my voice softer now, pleading. "I don't want to lose you to what-ifs. I want to explore this—whatever it is—together."

Guido looked away, his brow furrowed in thought. I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way he clenched his fists at his sides. It was like he was caught in a storm of confusion, and I desperately wanted to pull him out.

Finally, he met my gaze again, uncertainty clouding his eyes. "I just... I don't know if I'm ready for this."

My heart sank further, but I couldn't give up. "You don't have to be ready to figure everything out right now. Just take a step with me. That's all I'm asking."

As I stood there, feeling the weight of his hesitation, I realized this was more than just about us. It was about him finding his way, and I wanted to be there for him—no matter how long it took.

~

Aurora

"Girl, I missed you too much!" Kylie exclaimed, her laughter ringing through the house like music. I felt a rush of warmth at the sound, but it quickly faded as the weight of my reality pressed down on me. "How was your vacation?"