Candy Crush

Wagashi

Just as Cooper had suggested to go out to lunch more often, the two young men did just that. Lavender got better rather quickly, and was more than happy to be bouncing back on her feet. So as soon as Oliver got the chance to leave the shop and her in safe hands, he spent his time with Cooper.

For days they would spend either their evenings or afternoons together, enjoying every minute of it. Cooper couldn't remember the last time he had felt so refreshed and jovial after being around someone. Oliver was like a delicious mug of hot chocolate on a chilly rainy morning.

He went on feeling like this for the longest time, oblivious to just how exactly he felt until Eclair commented on how 'starry eyed' he looked.

He had just finished working out and was cooling off in the kitchen with fresh coconut water. Not surprisingly, his mind was on Oliver and the last dinner they had where they were both talking about annoying clients or customers.

"What do you mean?" He had asked.

Eclair smiled in a knowing way."The way you space out and smile in the laughing kind of way. You've been enjoying yourself lately."

"Well I have, but I can tell that's not what you're getting at."

"Ma chérie, tu es amoureux."

Cooper spit out his coconut water and Eclair handed him a towel."Not you too Eclair!"

"Has someone else told you this?"

"Yes! Father's new girlfriend, Erika, said so,"he glared at the floor.

Eclair sat next to him."I suppose you didn't like that then."

"No, I didn't. She has no idea what she's talking about, I haven't had a girlfriend for a while."

"Then,"Eclair put a hand on his shoulder,"What's making you so happy?"

What's making me happy?

He paused. Realizing, for once, that Oliver made him happy. Oliver made him feel like he was walking on clouds. There was no way this was a friendly feeling. He recognized this feeling. From long ago when he could say he actually loved someone.

This wasn't love though. No, it was way too soon for that. Not only that, but Oliver was a man. He wasn't a woman. How could Cooper possibly feel this way about another guy?

What do I do? What the hell does this mean? Am I not straight?

He looked at Eclair."I'm not sure yet Eclair...I'm just confused. But...is it bad to keep wanting this happiness...even if I don't know? Isn't that selfish of me?"

She looked away from him and thought for a moment."If something or someone makes you genuinely happy...and makes you a better person, I don't think it's bad to keep chasing it,"she looked at him and smiled,"But remember that you also have to give back what you take, it's only selfish if all you do is take if you take advantage of the happiness you're given."

Give back...does this mean I should keep trying to make ways to make him happy too?

Maybe that was it, but about his weird feelings...what was he supposed to do about that? What if he accidentally did something not friend-like because of his confusion? What if he made Oliver uncomfortable?

He liked Oliver in a way not related to that of a friend. That was an absolute now, whether he liked it or not, but now that he knew that, would it be like taking advantage of Oliver just to satisfy his own happiness? Even if Oliver just saw him as another friend?

I shouldn't tell him. Not yet. Not until I figure this out. It would be selfish and stupid to admit this to him and expect things to keep being normal.