Fluffy Oneshots

Best Friends

"Just tell me, how much should I admit that I love you?"

His voice breaks, raw and desperate. The words hang between us like a challenge. I swallow hard. The salt air is cold against my skin but I'm burning.

I can't look at him. God, I love him so much. Too much. More than he knows. But I can't admit it. I won't. We can't do this. He's my best friend. The person I trust most. And if I cross this line I ruin everything.

He steps closer, anger and longing clashing in his eyes.

"Hey! Talk to me! Don't fucking shut down on me now. Why can't you just say you love me too? Because I know you do."

His words stab at the walls I've built. He's trembling. He's always so confident, so put-together. Seeing him this vulnerable tears me apart.

He closes the gap between us. I instinctively take a step back. He won't let me. His hand catches my wrist, fingers shaking.

"Are you angry with me?"

I shake my head, blinking back tears.

"No. I'm not. I can't be, even if I tried. God... I want to hug you so badly."

His eyes soften for a heartbeat.

"Then do it."

I clench my jaw.

"No."

He scoffs. "Always running away. Always trying to get away from me. Why are you doing this? Can't you see it? I'm fucking dying here."

His voice cracks. That breaks me more than anything.

I bite my lip until it hurts.

"I know."

He lets go of my wrist, turns to face the ocean like he can't stand to look at me.

"Then why? Why can't we just try?"

"Because," I whisper, voice shaking, "you have to live a life that makes sense. In the real world. We can't do this. You know it."

He laughs, bitter and pained.

"What real world? The one where I pretend I don't want you? Where I have to watch you date someone else while I rip my heart out every damn day?"

I feel hot tears streak down my face.

"Stop. Don't say that."

He spins back around, fury and grief burning in his eyes.

"I've had enough of this. Enough of your nonsense. Enough of your sacrificing us. Can I have a kiss today? Just once. Please."

I can't even speak. I mouth the word.

"No."

His voice goes dangerously quiet.

"Do I have to remind you? We're not in love?"

I squeeze my eyes shut, my shoulders shaking.

"But I am."

Silence.

He lets out a strangled noise—half sob, half curse.

"Goddamn it."

He surges forward, but I push at his chest weakly.

"Can we just leave? Please. We've been on this beach for hours. You... begging. Being all cuddly. Making this harder."

"You know what I want."

"Yes," I whisper, breaking. "I know what you want. And I want to give it to you so badly. But this world—it's a mess. You know that."

He clenches his fists. "Say it. Say you want me."

I look up at him, voice raw.

"I want you. I've always wanted you. But I'm scared. Scared of what it'll mean. Scared of losing you."

He exhales, face twisting with pain.

"Please. For one last time. Confess to me. Just tell me. Tell me you're mine."

I'm sobbing now. "I'm yours. I'm yours, okay? But I can't... I can't do this."

He grabs my face in his hands.

"I want you to be steady, love. Please don't shiver. Because if you shiver too much—if you break in front of me—I'll end up kissing you so hard you'll forget every stupid reason you have for pushing me away."

My breath hitches. I want to say no. But I can't. Because I'm already leaning in.

Because I've never wanted anything more.