"So..." August bit his lip."...You've been busy? With family and stuff?"
"Yes. I had to go back for a few days."
"Oh? So you weren't here?"
"Nope."
August waited, waited for him to say something. To give further explanation, tell him about the boy he met up with. He looked expectantly at Edward , waiting for him to clarify and say that the boy is just a friend, but no such explanation came. And why would it? A normal person doesn't explain such things to a 'friend'.
"Should we go watch a movie or something? Been a while since we did that, huh?" August asked.
Edward thought for some time before nodding, "Let's do that. I have something to tell senior too."
They rode in silence the entire way.
"Two tickets for XXX please."
August was surprised and asked, "Isn't that a romance movie though? You usually watch action or thriller, right?"
Edward laughed, "Senior knows me too well. Well, I usually like those, but I heard this one is quite good. Besides, I'm in the mood for something sweet today." Edward paused before asking, "Does senior not like it? Should we watch something else?"
August shook his head, "No, no. Everything's fine with me."
The movie wasn't bad. The plot was fairly intriguing and the characters visually appealing. It was nearing its end as the leads were about to kiss in the last scene.
August glanced sideways at Edward. He was looking carefully at the screen, focused.
They looked kind of odd among all the couples here. Almost all the other people in the theater were kissing or hugging their respective partners as the ending song played, showing the characters kissing happily in the sunlight.
August knew he shouldn't but found his hand creeping forward, nearing Edward's. He nervously bit his lip as he watched the distance between their hand's decrease, wanting to stop but unable to do so at the same time.
This...should be alright, right? Friends hold hands all the time, right?
His hand was almost beside Edward's now. Just a bit more-
"Senior! Let's go."
August was startled and instinctively drew back his hand. "W-What?"
Edward repeated, "I said, let's go. The movie's over."
"Oh...'' August silently stood up, not daring to look at Edward. He was afraid that someday, Edward would notice the look in his eyes, see just how his eyes curve when he looks at him and call him out for it. He was afraid of the confrontation bound to come one day.
August hesitantly glanced at restaurants on that floor, attempting to break the ice. He offered, "Should we eat something? How about-"
"Senior," Edward cut him off. His tone was firm and definite as he continued, "-Come with me for a minute."
August looked at him questioningly as Edward took his hand and led him to an alley outside the mall.
The alley was empty. There wasn't a definite light source there and it looked dark.
"August," For the first time, Edward called him by his first name. But there was no tenderness in it, just indifference.
If it was the previous August, he would've noticed it straight away, but now, he promptly ignored it. He pretended to be blind to all those things that didn't add up, deluding himself that his friendship and relationship with Edward is completely alright, even though he full well knew it wasn't.
"I like you. Would you like to date me?"
Silence fell. Both of them just stared at each other for some time, neither of them breaking the silence.
August was shocked, to say the least. This was what he always wanted...But for some reason, it didn't feel happy at all.
No, he didn't feel glad, lucky or even excited when Edward asked him out. All he felt was a strange sense of foreboding, like he was about to do something he'll regret.
"-Yes."
It's not that he didn't notice the red flags, he just chose to ignore them. He knew lying to himself like this wasn't okay and someday his bubble would burst, but he couldn't care less. All he knew was he wanted the person in front of him, even if only for a moment. To be able to be the only thing on his mind, the only person Edward cares for even for one second, August was willing to trade his all. He was willing to risk it all for a bet he knew was hopeless from the start.
"Edward! I'm going to the store. You want something?"
No reply came from the other room.
August called again, "Edward! Are you there?!"
"..." Still, no reply.
He removed his shoes before going back in to check. "Edward?"
He searched the rooms, only to find him on the couch. "So you were sleeping."
August thought for a moment before going over to him and saying softly. "Hey, Edward? Wake up, it's almost 7 pm. Edward? Aren't you hungry?"
"..." No response. He shook him lightly, earning a frown from the sleeping man.
Edward groaned, "No...5 more minutes…"
August couldn't help but laugh at that. "So cute. Just like a child."
Edward's sleeping face looked so peaceful, chest heaving up and down lightly. August sat cross legged beside the couch, just silently watching him sleep.
He didn't know how much time passed. He just sat there, wondering how such a beautiful person could be his. To be honest, even after one month, August still couldn't believe him and Edward were really in a relationship. He couldn't believe that a person like Edward could ever like someone like him.
Not much changed since that day, their relationship almost the same as before. They were just like friends....who occasionally kissed.
But August was satisfied with it. He knew he had enough and couldn't be greedy. He already has Edward...so why would things like other's recognition matter? Even if August is the only one who knows it, Edward is his. He was all August ever wanted...he couldn't possibly wish for anything else.
Edward moved, waking up. Still half awake, he glanced at the person beside him.
His expression suddenly turned aggressive and he smacked August's hand on the couch. "-You! Get away from me!" He shrank back on the couch, putting as much distance between them as possible. There was coldness and hatred in his eyes as he gazed at the surprised boy.
"Ed...Edward? What- What are you saying?" August could feel his heartbeat rising. Why was he acting like that? Wasn't everything perfect before? Just...what happened?
"I-It's me, August. Your boyfriend-" August shuddered at his icy glare and stopped himself. He took a deep breath and barely managed to speak without stuttering. "Y-your friend. What happened, Edward? Why...Why are you being like this?
Realization dawned on his eyes. In almost an instant, Edward changed his expression and smiled, "I'm sorry, senior. I- It was just a nightmare. I mistook you for someone else. Those words weren't for you."
Although Edward said the words before weren't for him, it felt the opposite. It seemed that the words after that were the ones not for him.
Love really does make people blind. Blind enough not to notice the lies, the circumstances or the obvious red flags.