Ian stayed there, with his head on Anthony's chest and the boy's arm around him. He could hear his heartbeat loud and clear, which calmed him down. He was still as tired, and he was falling asleep without even noticing. Anthony saw his friend's eyes close, instantly poking him on the side, followed by a quiet "Ian?"
"Yes?", he whispered without opening his eyes. He was so comfortable lying on his chest, he didn't ever want to move.
"Don't leave me", he said in the same tone as before, making Ian open his eyes and jolt awake in just a moment.
What was he talking about?
"Leave you?", he asked, his eyebrows furrowed. Anthony nodded, like he was embrassed of something, and then he realised what he meant.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just really tired and-...", he started, trying to apologize, but his friend shook his head vigorously.
"No, it's stupid, I know. But I'm scared and the last thing I want is you leaving me. In any kind of way." Anthony's gaze was fixed on his knees, and when Ian looked at him properly on the eye, he noticed the bags under his eyes, how messy his hair was and the way he talked so slowly. He guessed he probably didn't look any better, but the weird thing about it is that, to Ian, Anthony still looked as beautiful as ever. His eyes travelled all the way over to his lips, and he noticed they were still moving.
"... and maybe that's the gayest thing I've ever said but yeah."
Ian placed his chin on his chest, so he could look at him in the face without having to turn his head in a ridiculously awkward angle and smiled. And this time, it was a real smile. Because if he was going to die in here, at least he had his best friend by his side. But no, wait, that sounded wrong. He obviously didn't want him to die. If only one of them could get out of there alive, he prayed it was Anthony, but it still felt nice to have the boy beside him, knowing he was right there when he needed him the most, as selfish as it could be.
"Shut up, you're just being a good friend. There's nothing bad about that."
He felt (oh god, he could actually feel it, the numbness wasn't as bad) his friend tighten his grip around him and Ian adjusted himself, letting his chin fall a little down his chest. And he hated how sentimental he had gotten all of the sudden, but he coudn't help it. He just wanted to kiss him, in that exact same moment.
Anthony was in the same position as him. Why couldn't he just do it? It was a simple pressing of lips, that's all it took. Maybe Ian wouldn't feel the same and it'd make things awkward, but he would totally understand. He would never leave him, right?
Ian interrupted his thoughts by sighing, opening his mouth like he wanted to say something, but then closing. After about a minute, he opened it again and spoke.
"I always thought, being the idiot I am, that I'd crash my car while drunk or something along those lines. I never thought I'd freeze to death."
Those words made Anthony rethink of the situation they were in, and froze for a moment.
"Hey, we're not dead yet", he whispered.
They fell into a comfortable silence, and after a few minutes the taller boy looked down. Without even thinking, he started to lean in. What was there to lose? He didn't really care anymore. But it seemed like Ian had other plans, because he composed himself a little and talked.
"I just want you to..."
He couldn't finish it. It was like his mouth didn't want to move. His eyelids started getting heavy as he slowly opened his mouth again.
"I just... I want you to know how much...", he took a deep breath and his eyes closed.
"Don't you dare", Anthony muttered, but Ian couldn't even try to stay awake anymore. He was too tired, it was like his world was fading and he couldn't hear his friend really well by now.
Was this it?
"Don't you dare pass out on me", he said, shaking him roughly. This couldn't be happening, not right now. Ian couldn't-...No, scratch that, he wouldn't leave him. Anthony would never allow that. Now less than ever.
He stopped shaking him, his own body getting weak too. He officially couldn't feel anything, and he started feeling like he hadn't had sleep in about a week. Slowly, he also closed his eyes, and now shook his friend very softly, still trying to get him to wake up.
"Hey. Hey, Ian. Stay with me. Please, stay..."
There was a noise, and then Anthony's head dropped.
YOU ARE READING
One Damn Cold Night
Roman d'amour"I always thought, being the idiot I am, that I'd crash my car while drunk or something along those lines. I never thought I'd freeze to death."
