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Cater Diamond wasn't exactly the type to get caught off guard. He was NRC's social butterfly, always aware of trends, effortlessly charming, and quick with a camera. But lately, something unexpected was happening, and it all started with one person: Y/N.
It began with little things he hadn't even noticed at first. Normally, Cater was the one calling the shots on where he wanted to be or who he wanted to hang out with. Yet, without thinking, he started gravitating towards wherever Y/N was. He told himself it was purely for convenience, nothing more. "They're just fun to be around," he'd say to himself, "Good vibes, right?"
But soon enough, Cater found himself lingering by Heartslabyul's gates, glancing over his shoulder for glimpses of Y/N in the hallways, or hoping they'd join in at Unbirthday parties. And his excuses were running thin.
One day, he was showing off a photo he'd taken of the campus to Y/N, hoping for some praise. To his surprise, they tilted their head thoughtfully, then pointed to a small detail he hadn't noticed.
"Look," they said, smiling. "You captured a butterfly landing on one of the roses. It's such a cute touch."
Cater blinked. He had never noticed the butterfly, too focused on the broader shot. For the first time in a while, he found himself speechless. Y/N's attention to detail had caught him off guard. And the warmth of their genuine smile had done something strange to his heart.
After that, Cater found himself drawn to their reactions. Every joke he made seemed to hold more weight, every little expression Y/N made felt like the most important part of his day. And every photo he took now seemed just a little incomplete if Y/N wasn't in it.
One afternoon, he tried to brush it off by taking a selfie with them in the background. He figured he'd keep it in his gallery and laugh about it later. But when he looked at the picture, he realized the only part of the photo that truly mattered to him was Y/N's unassuming smile.
That's when it hit him.
This feeling—this undeniable flutter in his chest and the urge to be near Y/N every second—was more than a passing fascination. He was falling for them, and he hadn't even realized it until now.
Later that day, he scrolled through his Magicam feed, contemplating the dozens of cute, edited photos he'd shared. Each one showcased the perfect angle, the perfect filter, and yet... they all felt somehow hollow. Not a single one of them held the same warmth as that silly, spur-of-the-moment photo with Y/N. It was in that moment that Cater, NRC's cheerful, easygoing, never-serious Cater, found himself caring less about how things looked to the world, and more about what it felt like... to be next to Y/N.
Cater had a plan. Well, as much of a plan as Cater could manage, anyway. He wasn't usually the "confession type"—he preferred to flirt casually and keep things light. But with Y/N, things felt different. He couldn't just let it stay as a passing crush; he wanted them to know.
He decided on the perfect spot: a quiet garden on NRC's campus, tucked away and rarely visited by anyone else. There were flowers everywhere, and as the sun was setting, Cater thought it would make the moment even more perfect.
Cater sent a quick message to Y/N to meet him there, trying his best to sound casual even though his heart was racing. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He could feel his usual mask slipping, revealing a nervousness he hadn't felt in years. He was excited and terrified all at once.
When Y/N arrived, Cater waved, grinning as usual. "Hey, Y/N! Glad you could make it!"
They smiled back, eyes bright, making his heart skip a beat. They started talking about their day, the usual casual banter, but Cater barely heard a word. All he could think about was how he was going to say it. Should he just come out with it? Make a joke? Maybe he could take a selfie and drop a hint?
Finally, he cleared his throat, gathering his courage. "So, Y/N... there's actually something I wanted to tell you," he started, rubbing the back of his neck.
But before he could say another word, Y/N took a deep breath and blurted out, "Cater, I think I'm in love with you."
For the first time in a long time, Cater was speechless. He blinked, trying to process the words. It was so unlike Y/N to interrupt, but the look on their face was so sincere, a little embarrassed and so full of hope.
"I... wow," he stammered, a smile breaking out on his face. "You just... you beat me to it! I was literally about to say the same thing!"
Y/N's face lit up with relief and a little laugh. "I just couldn't keep it in anymore. I thought you might feel the same, but I didn't want to wait. I couldn't stand wondering if maybe..."
Cater took a step closer, grinning. "You mean, you're saying we were *both* being shy about this? Us? That's too cute."
Y/N laughed again, cheeks flushed, and Cater found himself leaning in without even thinking about it. He reached out, taking Y/N's hand in his, feeling his heart race faster than ever.
"Sooo... if I kissed you right now, would you think that's, like, too bold?" Cater whispered, his voice softer than usual, all his teasing replaced with something real.
Y/N squeezed his hand, smiling, and took a small step closer. "Not at all."
With that, Cater leaned in, closing the last bit of distance between them. The kiss was soft and sweet, lingering like the feeling of warmth on a sunny day. When they pulled back, both of them were smiling, cheeks flushed, eyes bright.
Cater laughed softly, almost in disbelief. "Y/N, I can't believe it. You confessed to me. I'll never let you live this down, you know."
"Fine by me," Y/N replied, chuckling. "As long as I get to stay by your side."
"Deal," Cater grinned, pulling them into another hug, feeling happier than he ever thought he could be.
