Between Us

Chapter 17: A Friendly Interrogation

Babe was barely through the doors of the cafe when he spotted Nana sitting at a table by the window, waving enthusiastically. Even from a distance, he could see the mischievous glint in Nana's eyes—a clear sign that Babe was about to be grilled for details.

"Babe!" Nana called out, loud enough to draw the attention of a few nearby customers. "Come sit, we've got so much to catch up on!"

Babe sighed but smiled as he made his way over to the table. He should've known this was coming. The second Nana had caught wind of his confession to Billy, there was no way he'd let it slide without a thorough investigation.

Nana grinned as Babe sat down, barely giving him a chance to settle before launching into the interrogation. "So, you finally did it, huh? You told Billy everything? Spill. I need details. How did he react? Was there a dramatic moment? Tears? Confetti?"

Babe couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "No, no tears or confetti. It was actually pretty chill."

Nana raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with Babe's lack of drama. "Chill? You confessed your undying love to your best friend, and it was chill? Babe, this is the stuff romantic movies are made of, and you're telling me it was 'chill'?"

Babe rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "I mean, yeah, it was tense at first, but Billy was cool about it. He didn't freak out or anything."

Nana's eyes narrowed as if he were trying to decipher some hidden meaning in Babe's words. "So what did he say? Don't leave me hanging here!"

Babe hesitated for a moment, thinking back to Billy's reaction. "He just... he said I wasn't going to lose him, and that he's still here. That was pretty much it."

Nana blinked, staring at him as if waiting for more. When no further details came, he groaned dramatically. "Ugh, Babe, you're killing me with the lack of spice! Where's the tension? Where's the 'will they or won't they' moment?"

Babe chuckled, shaking his head. "Sorry to disappoint. But honestly, it felt good to just get it out there, you know? I've been holding it in for so long, and now that it's out... I don't know. I feel lighter."

Nana leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a thoughtful look on his face. "Well, that's good, I guess. But what happens now? Are you guys like... a thing now? Or are you still in limbo?"

Babe shrugged, feeling a twinge of uncertainty creep back in. "I don't know. We didn't really talk about what happens next. I think we're both just trying to figure things out."

Nana's expression softened slightly, and he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Well, as long as you're not freaking out about it. You seem... calmer than usual, so that's a good sign."

Babe smiled, feeling a warmth in his chest. It was true—he was calmer than he had been in weeks. The weight of keeping his feelings hidden had been lifted, and now, even though there was still uncertainty, it didn't feel as overwhelming.

"Yeah, I think I'm good," Babe said with a nod. "It's weird, but I'm not stressing as much as I thought I would."

Nana's grin returned, but this time, it was more playful than teasing. "Look at you, all grown up and handling your emotions like a pro. I'm proud."

Babe laughed, shaking his head. "Don't get too used to it."

The two of them spent the next few minutes chatting about everything and nothing—Nana gossiping about the latest campus drama, and Babe chiming in with sarcastic comments. The light-hearted banter was exactly what Babe needed to ease any lingering tension.

But just as Babe was starting to relax, Nana's mischievous grin returned. "So... have you kissed him yet?"

Babe nearly choked on his drink, coughing as Nana burst out laughing.

"I'll take that as a no," Nana said with a wink, leaning forward with a gleam in his eyes. "But seriously, now that everything's out in the open, it's only a matter of time, right?"

Babe felt his cheeks heat up, but he managed to play it cool. "I don't know, Nana. We're just... taking things slow."

Nana waved a hand dismissively. "Slow, shmo. You've been in love with him for how long? It's time to make a move!"

Babe groaned, covering his face with his hands. "You're impossible."

Nana cackled, clearly enjoying Babe's flustered state. "I'm just saying! You've waited long enough, and now the ball's in your court."

Babe lowered his hands, giving Nana a playful glare. "I hate that you're always right."

Nana grinned, tossing his hair over his shoulder dramatically. "I know, it's a curse."

Despite Nana's relentless teasing, Babe couldn't help but smile. It felt good to laugh, to joke about everything. For so long, he had been weighed down by fear and uncertainty, but now, things felt... lighter.

As they wrapped up their conversation and prepared to leave, Babe couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. Whatever happened next with Billy, he knew he wasn't facing it alone. He had Nana, Pete, and—most importantly—Billy. And for the first time in a long time, he wasn't scared.