Just Friends

Chapter Sixteen

"First of all I think we should tell my parents about the play". Mew had just walked through the door of Gulf's house after receiving his emergency text. On one hand he was glad that Gulf was finally taking the initiative and inviting him without making kooky excuses; on the other hand he was shocked to learn that Gulf's parents still had no idea about the play – considering it required most of their fre etime. "You haven't told them yet?". Gulf started torturing his hands, forcing a smile. "They know I'm in the play but...I may have left some of the specifics about my role...and your role...". Mew smiled at him slightly, finally understanding the underlying problem. "So you need some backup?". Gulf looked up, his not-so-innocent smile popping out again. "Well, you're really good at convincing people". Mew smirked and drew him closer by the hips. "Am I?". Gulf felt a rush of adrenaline running through his veins. He placed his hands on Mew's, intending to push them away only to found himself lingering. Mew smiled, taking his hands in his with decision. However they immediately push each other away when they heard a noise from the kitchen. "Oh, it's Mew! I thought I heard someone talking". Gulf's mom approached them, followed by Grace too. "It's when they don't talk that you should be worried...". Gulf stepped on his sister's foot while Mew was trying to hold back a laugh. "Should we start eating?"

If someone had seen them right now, they would have thought Mew was a regular guest at their house. "So, Mew, how's school? I hope tutoring Gulf doesn't take too much of your time". Mew threw a glance at Gulf, trying to hide how much he loved spending time with him, even studying. "It's all good and Gulf is starting to like Maths too". Gulf raised his eyebrow, a disgruntled expression on his face. "I wouldn't go that far. But...he's a great tutor". They smiled at each other, far too happy to only talk about studying. "And...you two are in the school play together, right?". Gulf's expression quickly changed, feeling the weight of what he had to reveal. "Yeah, about that...". Mew placed his hand above Gulf's under the table, coming to his aid. "Gulf's a great actor. He was so impressive that the drama teacher decided to give him the main role". Gulf's dad opened his eyes wide, genuinely surprised. He remembered all too well about his son's previous stage fright. "The main...what? Gulf, you're the lead? Why didn't you tell us?". Gulf cleared his throat, plucking up his courage. "Well, at first I thought I was just replacing someone else...". Mew joined again the conversation almost simultaneously. "Yeah, my initial partner got hurt on the 1st day of rehearsal...". Gulf's dad looked at Gulf first and then at Mew and then again at his son, more and more confused. "Wait, I don't think I'm following you two...". Grace sighed, taking matters into her hands. "Dad, what they're trying to tell you –very inarticulately – is that they're in this play together and they both play the main leads". Gulf didn't know if he wanted to kill his sister or thank her for settling things once and for all. "Oh...now I get it. That's cool". Gulf almost chocked on his food. "Cool?". Mew smiled, relaxing a little bit. "Yeah, all this fuss just to tell me this?". Gulf knew his dad could be very open-minded and unpredictable but this was a whole other level. "But I thought...". Grace raised her hand to high-five his dad. "That's what I told him too!". While Gulf's dad and sister were chit-chatting, Gulf's mom stood up, starting to clear up the table. "I'm gonna go wash the dishes". Gulf looked at his mother a little worried and decided they needed to talk in private. Mew gave him a silent nod. "Wait up, I'll help you".

After staring at his mother for what seemed like an eternity, Gulf decided to be the one to break the silence. "Are you okay?". His mom nodded while unloading the dishwasher. "Why wouldn't I be?". Gulf sighed, feeling under pressure. "I don't know, you didn't say anything after I...". She turned to look at his son, a gentle smile making its way onto her face. "You know your dad talks plenty for the both of us". Gulf chuckled, even if he was still feeling nervous."Yeah, I know. So...it's okay for you too?". His hands clammed up as if he was receiving his final judgement. "Sweetie, all I want is for you to be happy. I've never seen you as carefree as you are these days. And if it's him who makes you happy...". Gulf's mother didn't even blink while saying this, she was still his calm and compassionate mother. "It's...it's just for the play". Gulf didn't mean that but was still not ready to tell her all the truth. She looked at him pensive and then caressed his cheek as she often did. "Don't worry about me or your dad, okay? There's nothing you can do that can make us stop being proud of you". Gulf bit his lip, feeling emotional. Then she started washing the dishes but he hugged her from behind and they stayed like this for a minute. She gave him a peck on the cheek and smiled at him. "So are you going to help me or not?".

After dinner Gulf took Mew to his room so they could finally have some privacy. "It went pretty well. Your parents are cool". Gulf smiled, still in shock by the latest events. "Yes...more than expected". Mew pinched his belly to tease him a little. "That's because you assume the worst in people". Gulf pretended to be offended, pinching his chest too, regretting it immediately. "That's not true! I never thought a bad thing about you". Mew's grin appeared again and Gulf couldn't help but smile at their playful interaction. "Really?". Gulf giggled at Mew's genuine surprise. "Really. Well, I thought you were a little strange and I didn't understand why you wanted to talk to me so much...". Mew rolled his eyes, wandering around the room. "I wasn't strange, I was flirting". Gulf followed him around, drawn like a magnet to him. "After you agreed to just be friends". Mew turned to face him and Gulf did the same. "Well, I can be your friend, just not...only". Gulf laughed because it was so typical of Mew. "You're really...". Mew interrupted him, amused. "Great? Amazing? Incredible?". Gulf touched the tip of Mew's nose with his finger. "Cunning". Mew shrugged. "Mmh, that too".

They stared at each other for some time in silence. Then Gulf tried to keep himself occupied with something and that's when Mew stopped him and gave him a back hug. Gulf let him, smiling at his strong hands around his waist. "Gulf...I know you said you were still figuring out some things but...how do you feel about me? What do you feel when I do this?". Mew hugged him more tightly and then rested his cheek on Gulf's shoulder. "When I hold you?". Just like before, Gulf placed his hands on his, caressing the back of his hand with his thumb. "I feel...". Gulf turned his face a little bit, finding Mew's sweet and questioning eyes on him. "I don't know, you'll probably find it a little cringey and normally I don't say something like this but...I feel like home". Mew blinked twice, caught off-guard. "What...you...you can't say things like these". Gulf giggled, not used to having the upper hand. "Why not?". Mew slowly looked down on his mouth, unsure about what to do next. "Because you make me want to kiss you". Gulf came even closer, brushing his lips against his to tease him. "So kiss me".

The air sizzled and crackled between the two, just a second before Mew pressed his lips on his, moving them way too slowly. Patience wasn't Gulf's strongest quality so he moaned in protest, making Mew giggle. Mew's hands moved to his hips and travelled under his shirt, caressing his bare back while guiding him against the desk. Gulf quickly sat on it, spreading his legs only to wrap them around Mew's waist. "Gulf, you're playing with fire". Gulf closed his eyes, even more aroused because of Mew's husky voice against his ear. Mew moved his lips on Gulf's neck, kissing every stretch of exposed skin and running his hands up his thights. For the first time Gulf was feeling very frustrated by the layers between them. "You're one to talk". When their lips met again, moving hungrily against each other, Gulf felt a burning need to be touched and touch him in return. But he also knew his parents were just a door away. And with his luck... "I need to stop before it's too late. You're....wow. You don't even know". Gulf laughed at the way Mew was pulling more and more away from him. "Where are you even going?". Gulf tried to reach out but Mew stopped him. "Please don't get any closer". Gulf laughed again but didn't move like he asked him to. "Aren't you a little overdramatic?". Mew shook his head, looking at him like he still wanted to eat him. "Aren't you a little too handsome for your own sake?". Gulf smiled, blushing a little. "Let me at least walk you to the door".

Mew slowly put his leather jacket back and Gulf took this chance to check him out in peace. At least until Mew noticed it. "Still there?". He teased him and Gulf tried to hit him playfully on the chest. Instead, Mew took his hand and pushed him toward him. Well hidden behind the door, Mew kissed him again and Gulf let him, even if it was extremely stupid and dangerous with his parents wandering around the house. He didn't care as long as he could keep kissing him. What kind of spell did he cast on him? "Go, or we won't stop anymore. And you'll say it's my fault". Mew laughed, his hands still moving up and down Gulf's back. "It is kinda your fault. I think we can't stay in the same room without me wanting to kiss you all the time". Gulf blushed violently because Mew wasn't even joking. "You should really go". They laughed and kissed one last time. While going back to his room, Gulf bumped into his mother again, who was making some tea. "Mom?". She looked up hearing his voice from across the room. "Hmm?". Gulf took a deep breath. "...it's not just the play". His mom gave him the sweetest of her smiles. "Oh, I know sweetie".