"That night," Aaron started, his voice soft and stuttery, each word dragging like he was peeling off a bandage,
"you didn't talk to me. You left me completely by myself, without a word or even a glance." His eyes were downcast,
and his hands fidgeted nervously with the hem of his shirt.
"I felt abandoned... like I was stuck in that cold, empty room where I had hoped for kindness and comfort."
Kris blinked, Wait, what? He was genuinely thrown off. He hadn't expected Aaron to get this real. It was like stepping into a conversation he didn't know he was having. Inside, his heart flipped like a pancake...sweet, warm, and unexpectedly soft.
Whoa, okay, Kris thought, the spark of happiness surprising him like finding money in an old jacket. He's actually opening up. For a second, Kris could picture a rainbow cutting through the earlier tension, leaving everything warmer and lighter. But it wasn't all good vibes
he could feel that ugly, creeping guilt clinging to his insides. Aaron was here, spilling his heart, and Kris knew he hadn't exactly been a shining example of honesty.
His face went pale as he remembered that night. Of course, he remembered. He just hadn't expected Aaron to remember it like that.
"Oh, I didn't mean to leave you alone. I really didn't," Kris said, words tumbling out too fast.
His voice cracked with regret, and the guilt started gnawing at him.
"Something urgent came up. Watson called me... it was some critical political stuff with my father."
Kris's mind raced as he dug the hole deeper. "I couldn't explain it at the time, and I'm sorry I didn't."
As he said it, Kris knew how hollow it sounded. Sure, maybe he could've been more honest,
but the past was the past, right? He hoped Aaron would buy the excuse. Though, let's be real, it sounds thin even to me.
Aaron's eyes trembled, processing the explanation like he wanted to believe it. "Oh… so that was it," Aaron whispered, his voice wavering.
The confusion was still there, hanging around like an awkward third wheel, but Aaron was trying to accept it.
And Kris, well, his internal monologue had hit a wall. What now, genius?
His introverted side kicked in hard, locking up any smooth-talking ability he thought he had.
Cool. Play it cool.
For once, Kris was thankful for how endearing Aaron's reactions always were. That little shy smile, the soft way Aaron leaned into every word...
Kris found it sweet, borderline intoxicating. The affection bubbling up inside him felt... new. Different.
But then, the silence stretched on. Aaron sat there, processing things,
while Kris stewed in the awkwardness. He watched, anxious, waiting for Aaron to say something...anything...so they could move forward.
The excitement in Kris grew, the urge to strengthen their bond pulsing like a low bass beat under the surface.
When Aaron finally spoke, his voice broke the quiet. "So… you don't hate me?" His eyes darted to Kris's. "You didn't leave me on purpose, did you?"
Kris winced. Damn, that stings.
"No," Kris replied, his voice soft and sincere. "It was never my intention to hurt you."
He mentally kicked himself, feeling like the world's biggest jerk for making Aaron question his worth. His heart ached with the weight of it.
The breeze from the window stirred Aaron's green hair, brushing it across his face in the softest,
most cinematic way possible. The whole scene felt dreamlike, like something out of a movie Kris didn't know he was starring in.
And Kris, well, he couldn't help himself. Reaching out,
he smoothed Aaron's hair back, tucking it behind his ear, exposing more of his face. The touch was instinctive, and Aaron's soft blush just made it all the better.
Kris grinned, feeling a small rush of pride at how flustered Aaron had become. Cute, he thought. He loved seeing Aaron vulnerable like this, loved being the one who got to witness it.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Kris asked, his voice almost a whisper now.
Aaron blinked, his long lashes fluttering like a nervous butterfly.
He avoided Kris's gaze, which only made Kris want to lean in closer, to keep this closeness between them.
Kris chuckled under his breath. "My love, don't avoid my gaze." He gently lifted Aaron's chin with a single finger, their eyes locking.
The connection was electric, pulling them deeper into the moment. Kris felt his heartbeat sync with Aaron's, like they were caught in this gravitational pull.
Aaron swallowed, his breath shaky. "I… felt strange. Awkward," he admitted, his voice barely audible as he nervously bit his lip. That little gesture made Kris's pulse quicken. Yeah, this guy's gonna be the death of me.
Kris was feeling things he couldn't quite explain...sensations bubbling under the surface, sensations he pushed aside for now. What mattered was the connection they were sharing, this moment that felt… right.
"Would you like me to stay?" Kris's voice was soft and chilled, like ice cream on a summer day, and the question hung between them, waiting for an answer.
Aaron didn't look away this time. His cheeks flushed pink,