On the Other Side [Len x Oliver Fanfiction]

Chapter 17 - Bright Surprise of...Love?

~Oliver's POV~

I flinched. "A-as in...?" I looked away, laughing nervously.

It was obvious that Len flinched as well, making an attempt to clear things up. "L-like in a b-brotherly way, y-you know! Y-yeah!"

I nodded and said, "Y-yeah, t-thanks...?"

It was awkward for a while before Len spoke. "I-I'm sorry about what happened yesterday at my house. I know you told me it was okay, but I just wanna apologize again...."

I quickly shook my head. "N-no, really, I'm okay...." I bit my lip nervously, continuing, "A-actually, I have something to confess...."

Len tilted his head, raising an eyebrow at me. "What do you mean...?"

"W-well, about what I said...." I looked away, still completely embarrassed about that stupid dare that I got. "I-I don't...actually like Rin like that...."

Len sighed, laughing. "Is that it? Jeez, I could tell. I was just messing with you." He ruffled my hair gently, and I closed my eye on instinct.

"Y-you did...?" I asked, grabbing his wrist and pushing it away from my head but not letting go just yet.

"Yeah, it was pretty obvious." Len smiled. "I don't know what I would've done if you actually did have a crush on her, though...." He mumbled, seeming to have lost focus for a moment.

"W-what...?" I asked hesitantly, giving him a confused look.

"A-ah, sorry...." He blushed, pulling his arm away and rubbing at the back of his neck nervously. "I-I didn't...." He trailed off, laughing awkwardly.

I just was more confused by his reaction. "Um, I...d-don't understand...."

"Y-you don't have to, i-it's okay," Len stated quickly, waving his hands at me.

I got the strange feeling that something was wrong with him, but I let it slide. "O-oh, okay...." I looked down, pursing my lips slightly.

"A-anyway...it's around noon right now. You wanna get something to eat?" Len's expression returned to normal and he grinned at me, giving me a thumbs up.

I smiled back, nodding. "Sure!" Picking up my things, I quickly stood up. "Where are we going this time?" I asked, a small smirk sneaking it's way onto my face.

Len stood up and noticed my smirk, raising an eyebrow and mocking me, saying, "Jeez, I didn't even know you had emotions other than gleeful and embarrassed."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Don't forget anger," I replied playfully, giggling. "Need help getting up?"

"Yeah, yeah, I can stand by myself, thanks." Len pushed himself up using the tree as balance, glancing at me out the corner of his eye. "We can just go to a nearby family restaurant. It...doesn't matter, right?"

I shook my head. "Not to me," I replied, raising an eyebrow at him. "Don't know about you, though."

"I'm fine with whatever, honestly." He shrugged, grabbing my wrist. "Let's go then." He grinned and pulled me along with him as we made our way to whatever restaurant he was talking about.

"Welcome!" A waitress greeted us and showed us to our seats. "Would you like a minute?"

"Y-yes please," I said, blushing slightly.

"Eeehhhhh~?" Len smirked broadly and raised his eyebrows in a seductive way while tilting his head towards the waiter.

I blushed harshly. "I-idiot," I mumbled, glaring at him. He just laughed.

"You know I'm joking." He took a sip from his glass of water and called the waiter over for us to order. Once we did, it was surprisingly quick how fast the food got to us.

"Enjoy!" The waitress beamed brightly at us, and we both thanked her before digging in.

"Wanna try some?" Len asked, gesturing to his plate. I don't know what he had, but it looked good, honestly.

"Sure, thanks!" I reached over to take the fork out of his hand, but he moved it out of reach.

"Say 'Aaah'!" Len snickered, having the most smug look that I'd ever seen. Jerk....

"N-no way! W-we'd look like a couple!" I blushed furiously and looked around, super embarrassed by what Len was doing and saying.

"So what? It's not like we're dating or anything. Let other people think what they want." He shrugged and continued to pester me about opening my mouth for him.

It wasn't long before he convinced me that it wouldn't be a big deal, so I reluctantly opened my mouth. "A-ahh...." I blushed a dark red as Len leaned forward a bit, sticking the fork in my mouth. He pulled away once I took the food, asking me how it was.

"So?"

I was still blushing as I looked away and replied, "I-it's good...."

"I know, right?" He grinned and played with the fork a bit before he continued to eat. I blushed even more because I kept thinking about how it was like an indirect kiss. Jeez, I gotta calm down....

When we finished our food, I convinced Len to let me pay for my own, which, luckily for me, he allowed.

"T-thank you...." I smiled at Len as we walked out together, nodding slightly. "F-for coming with me to lunch, I mean."

"Huh? Oh, no problem. It's no big deal, really." Len smiled back as he slipped his hands in his pockets. His expression changed a bit as he looked over at me. "Hey Oliver?"

"Hmm?" I asked, confused as to why he was acting so strange. "What's up?"

"Well, I just thought you should know.... I-I don't wanna make it awkward or anything, y'know?" Len fidgeted slightly as he walked, and I stopped in my tracks.

"Are you alright...?" I reached my hand out and grabbed his hand. "Are you feeling ill?"

Len blushed and pulled his hand away. "N-no, not at all.... I just, well...." He seemed to be struggling to get the words out, so I patiently waited for him.

"Take your time, Len."

He bit his lip, looking away. "I think...I...." He paused, taking a deep breath and started over, "I think I might be gay for you."