inches : j&d

12

aouboom .

the days after their playful exchanges felt like something out of a dream for aou. he found himself wanting to spend more and more time with boom, lingering in the art studio, sitting on the floor next to him, watching the way boom's hands worked effortlessly with paint or pencil, creating something that left aou speechless.

each day, their connection seemed to grow deeper, even if boom hadn't fully acknowledged it. the teasing had turned into light touches, quiet moments where their gazes would meet and linger just a moment longer than necessary. aou had stopped pretending it was just fun; it was more than that now. it was something that tugged at his chest, something that he couldn't ignore any longer.

so when he found himself sitting across from boom one evening, the smell of fresh paint lingering in the air and the soft glow of the studio lights casting shadows around them, aou knew he couldn't wait anymore.

"boom," he said, his voice unusually quiet, "can we talk?"

boom looked up from the canvas he was working on, his eyes tired but still bright. "what's up?" he asked, his voice light, though there was a hint of curiosity.

aou hesitated for a moment, his fingers tapping nervously on his knees. it wasn't like him to second-guess himself, but something about this felt different.

"i've been thinking," aou started, his heart pounding in his chest. "and i can't keep pretending this is nothing. you... you mean something to me, boom."

boom froze, his eyes widening just slightly. he set down his paintbrush, giving aou his full attention now, though his expression was one of confusion. "wait, what are you saying?"

aou took a deep breath, forcing himself to meet boom's gaze. "i'm saying... i'm saying that i like you. more than just 'you're fun to hang out with.'" he laughed softly, but it didn't cover the nervousness in his voice. "i've liked you for a while now. maybe even since i saw you painting for the first time. it's like... everything just clicked."

boom blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. he ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to process what aou had just said. "aou, hold on. this is-this is a lot. we've barely known each other that long."

"i know," aou replied quickly, his tone earnest. "but it doesn't feel fast to me. it feels right. like i've been waiting for this, waiting for you, even before i realized it. when i saw you that first time, completely lost in your art... it was like nothing else mattered in that moment. i knew i wanted to be a part of it. be a part of you."

boom didn't answer immediately. he looked at aou for a long moment, his expression unreadable, his hands still gripping his paintbrush. the silence stretched on, thick and heavy, until boom finally spoke.

"i'm just-i'm confused, aou. i don't know if i'm ready for all this. it feels so sudden. we've been hanging out, yeah, but i didn't think... i didn't think it was going to get this serious."

aou's heart sank, but he didn't back down. "it doesn't have to be serious right away. i'm not asking you to be anything you're not. i'm just telling you how i feel. i've never been this sure of anything in my life, boom."

boom ran his hand through his hair again, his eyes darting away from aou's gaze. "i don't know if i can keep up with this... not right now. i don't want to hurt you, aou. i don't want to mess things up."

aou reached out slowly, placing his hand over boom's, his fingers warm against boom's cool skin. "i'm not scared, boom. i'm not asking for perfection. i just... i want you. all of you. even if it's messy, even if it's slow."

there was a long pause before boom met his eyes again, and this time, his expression was softer, though still hesitant. "you really mean that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

aou smiled, a mix of relief and affection flooding through him. "yes, boom. i mean it."

boom exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, a small, uncertain smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "well... i guess if you've been waiting that long... maybe i can try."

"so, you'll give us a chance?" aou's heart skipped a beat.

boom's smile grew a little, though it was still a bit tentative. "yeah. but don't expect me to be all... romantic right away."

aou chuckled, feeling the weight lift off his shoulders. "i wouldn't want it any other way."

with a soft laugh, boom shook his head. "you're impossible, aou."

aou grinned, his heart full of joy as he pulled boom into a hug. "impossible or not, i'm yours."

boom didn't pull away. instead, he let himself relax into aou's arms, the two of them sharing a moment of quiet contentment, like they were finally in sync after all the teasing and uncertainty.

for the first time in a long time, aou felt at peace, knowing that what they had started wasn't rushed, but real. and whatever happened next, he was ready for it.