𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧

Beneath The Cork Sky

in which they both realised they aren't standing on the edge anymore— they had jumped. 

The evening air in Cork was crisp, carrying the faint scent of the River Lee as Orla Kennedy walked alongside Johnny Kavanagh. The city buzzed softly in the background, but here, on a quiet path near Fitzgerald's Park, the noise felt distant, like a memory rather than a reality.

Johnny, ever the casual presence, had his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his hoodie, his gait unhurried as if they had all the time in the world. Orla, on the other hand, was acutely aware of the proximity between them, the occasional brush of his arm against hers sending a nervous flutter through her stomach.

"It's weird seeing you so quiet," Johnny said, breaking the silence. "Usually, you're giving me grief for something or other."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe I'm enjoying the peace. Doesn't happen often around you."

He laughed, the sound warm and easy. "Fair. I do have a talent for keeping things interesting."

They reached a bench tucked beneath the shadow of an old oak tree, and Johnny nodded toward it. "Sit for a bit?"

Orla hesitated but eventually nodded, sinking onto the bench as he sat beside her. The park was quieter than she'd expected, the hum of Cork's streets muffled by the canopy of trees. The River Lee glimmered faintly through the gaps in the foliage, its soft ripple a soothing backdrop.

Johnny stretched out, his legs sprawled in front of him as he leaned back, his head tilted toward the sky. "See? Isn't this better than being cooped up in a classroom?"

"It's nice," she admitted, pulling her cardigan tighter around her. The air had turned cooler as the sun dipped lower, streaking the sky with shades of orange and pink.

"Cold?" he asked, already shrugging out of his hoodie.

"No, I'm fine—"

"Here," he said, handing it to her without waiting for her to finish.

She sighed but took it, the soft fabric still warm from him. As she pulled it over her head, the scent of him—soap and something faintly woodsy—enveloped her, making her heart beat a little faster.

"Thanks," she mumbled, keeping her gaze firmly on the ground.

"Don't mention it," he said, grinning. "Though you do look better in it than I do."

Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her head away, hoping the dim light would hide the color in her face.

They sat in companionable silence for a while, the sounds of the city blending with the rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of the river. Orla found herself relaxing despite the electric awareness of Johnny beside her.

Then, without warning, he leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees and glancing at her. "Alright, Kennedy. Out with it."

She blinked, startled. "Out with what?"

"You've been quiet all evening. What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Nothing," she said quickly, though the way he raised an eyebrow told her he didn't believe her.

"Liar," he said, his tone light but edged with curiosity. "Come on, you can tell me."

She shook her head, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "It's nothing, really. I'm just... thinking."

"About?"

Her gaze darted to him, her pulse quickening. *You.* The word sat unspoken on her lips, too dangerous to let slip.

"Stuff," she said vaguely, hoping he'd let it drop.

But Johnny wasn't one to let things go easily. He leaned closer, his face just inches from hers now, and her breath caught. "You're terrible at hiding things, you know that?"

Before she could respond, a breeze swept through the park, lifting her hair and tossing it across her face. She raised a hand to brush it back, but Johnny beat her to it.

His fingers were gentle as he tucked the wayward strands behind her ear, his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Her heart stopped, then started again in a frantic rhythm that left her dizzy.

"Sorry," he said softly, his voice lower now, as if the moment required quiet.

"It's fine," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

But it wasn't fine—not in the way she meant. The simple act, the tenderness of it, left her completely undone.

"Orla," he said, her name a question and a statement all at once.

She turned to him, her wide green eyes meeting his dark, searching gaze. The city's distant hum faded into nothing, leaving only the two of them and the tension that crackled like electricity in the air.

"What?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Johnny hesitated, his hand falling to his lap as he leaned back slightly, as if giving her space. "You ever feel like you're standing on the edge of something, and you don't know if you should jump or step back?"

Her breath hitched, and she nodded slowly. "Yeah. I think so."

He smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's how I feel right now."

Her stomach twisted, and she swallowed hard. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying..." He trailed off, running a hand through his messy hair. "I'm saying I don't think I can keep standing here, pretending I don't feel the way I do about you."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and full of meaning. Orla stared at him, her heart racing as she tried to process what he'd just said.

"You... feel something for me?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

"Feel something?" He laughed softly, shaking his head. "That's putting it mildly."

Her chest tightened, and for a moment, she couldn't breathe. "Johnny, I—"

"Don't say anything if you're not ready," he interrupted quickly, his cheeks flushing. "I just... I needed you to know."

The vulnerability in his voice, in the way he looked at her, was almost too much. She hesitated for only a moment before leaning closer, her hand brushing against his as she spoke.

"I'm ready," she said softly, her voice steady now. "I don't want to step back either."

His grin was slow, spreading across his face like sunlight breaking through clouds. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," she whispered, her lips curving into a smile of her own.

As the evening shadows deepened and the first stars appeared in the Cork sky, Johnny reached out again, tucking another strand of her hair behind her ear with a tenderness that made her heart ache.

Neither of them said another word, the silence between them filled with everything they didn't need to say.

COMMENT TO KEEP ME MOTIVATED!!