"You're so lucky, you know," said Sebastian, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken words. Julian looked up from his book, his eyes meeting Sebastian's in a brief moment of understanding before returning to the pages. The two of them sat in the quiet of Julian's room, the only sound the occasional rustle of paper and the distant hum of the city outside the window.
"What do you mean?" Julian asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and caution. He could feel the tension building, a familiar tightness in his chest that grew stronger each time Sebastian spoke lately.
Sebastian took a deep breath, his eyes drifting to the floor. "You have everything, Julian. Friends, family, a future that's as bright as it is clear." He paused, his gaze returning to meet Julian's. "And yet, you don't see how incredible you are. You don't realize what you mean to me."
Julian closed his book, placing it gently on the bedside table. He leaned back against the headboard, studying Sebastian with a furrowed brow. "What are you trying to say?"
Sebastian's eyes searched the room as if seeking an escape from his own thoughts. He took a moment to gather himself before speaking. "I just... I don't know how to put it into words without sounding like an idiot."
"Then put it in action." Julian suggested gently, his eyes never leaving Sebastian's. His voice was calm, but the air was thick with the anticipation of what was to come.
Sebastian's heart hammered in his chest. He had never been good at expressing his feelings, preferring the safety of his thoughts and the comfort of his sketches. But the words had been building up inside him for too long, and he knew he had to get them out. He moved closer to Julian, his hand trembling slightly as he reached out to touch Julian's arm.
"I've never felt like this before," Sebastian began, his voice a whisper. "Every time I see you, every time we laugh together, or even just sit in silence like this... it feels like home." Julian's eyes widened, his breath hitching in his throat. He didn't pull away, but instead looked at Sebastian with an intensity that seemed to pierce right through him.
Sebastian moved closer and kissed him, his heart racing faster than ever before. Julian froze for a moment, then relaxed into the kiss, his hand coming to rest on the back of Sebastian's neck, pulling him closer. It was a kiss filled with years of hidden longing and unspoken truths, and it left them both breathless. They broke apart slowly, their eyes searching each other's for any sign of rejection or misunderstanding.
Julian's cheeks were flushed, and he looked surprised but not unhappy. He took Sebastian's hand, threading their fingers together, and spoke in a gentle tone. "You don't know how long I've hoped for this. I thought I was the only one feeling like this."
Sebastian felt a warmth spread through him, a mix of relief and excitement. "Really?"
Julian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. I've had feelings for you since we were kids. But I was always too scared to say anything. I didn't want to ruin our friendship."
Sebastian's eyes searched Julian's face, trying to read the emotions that danced across it. "You never gave me any indication."
"I didn't know if you were into guys." Julian's voice was barely audible. He looked down at their joined hands, his thumb tracing circles on Sebastian's skin. "And even if you were, I didn't want to make things awkward between us."
He kissed him again, this time Julian moved and turned so he was on top of Sebastian, their chests pressed together, their hearts beating in sync. Julian's hands roamed over Sebastian's body, exploring the contours and curves he had longed to touch. Sebastian responded with equal passion, his hands in Julian's hair, feeling the softness and warmth of it, his thumbs tracing the outline of Julian's ears.
