Set Me Free {Dyle}

Darkness

(Dan's POV)
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Darkness.

    All I see is darkness when I open my eyes and then close them again. I cough and cough and cough again, feeling the salty water spill out of my lungs and mouth

Cold.

    I feel cold hands press up against my face and chest. I open my eyes once more and see him. The man I love, tears streaming down his face as he holds me close to him. My clothes are wet and my hair is laying in a tangled mess atop my head, but I don't care because I'm in his arms. My best friend. He has no clue I love him unless he read it. The note.

    "Kyle?" I say, my voice almost nothing, the taste of salt spilling into me.

    "Dan!" He says as he pulls me closer into a cold, wet hug.

    "Ky, you're all wet." I say with a concerned look. I didn't think he'd jump in to get me, but apparently he did.

    "You are too." He says with a grin. I try to sit up but my body won't let me.

    I breathe in and out, ignoring the burning pain of my raw lungs. Kyle helps me sit up then stand and walk back to my parent's house. He helps me out of my wet clothes because it's not like we haven't seen each other shirtless before. I walk into the bathroom and turn on the shower, peeling off the remainder my soaked clothes and stepping in. I hear a soft knock at the door and allow the person to enter.

    "Dan what was that? I was so scared I lost my best friend tonight! You were dead for an entire MINUTE! A WHOLE GOD DAMN MINUTE!" Kyle shouts, tears running down his hollow cheeks. He places his face in his hands and quietly sobs. I feel a tear run down my cheek and begin to feel the guilt rising up inside me. He has put on one of my t-shirts and a pair of shorts I never wear anymore. I turn off the shower, wrap a towel around my waist and pull him into a hug. I wrap my arms around him and place my head on his chest. I know these are only hugs of friendship, but deep down, I wish they were more.

    "I'm so sorry Kyle." I whisper, assuming he hadn't read the note and I'm ok with it. I pull on a stupid shirt and some stupid pajama bottoms then, we lay down on my small and crowded bed and cover ourselves in the blanket. He places his arm around me as usual, we no longer question the simple actions like this, and lay there for what seems like eternity, simply laying there in each others arms. I place my head on the pillow and shut my eyes. I feel his warmth shift and wrap around me and I wish I could have him forever and ever, but I know he's not even gay.

    'What am I thinking? He'll never like me like I do him.' Oh well, I can still dream. I say to myself as I shut my eyes, letting sleep consume me, but before I fall deep away, I focus on the feeling of his warm breath on my neck. I tense up then, melt back into his grip. I close my eyes and pull the blankets further up over my head, allowing my pain to consume me, pulling me into a dark, restless sleep.