As Milo's words lingered in the air, a sudden tension swept through the room, thick and electric. Victor's gaze drifted away, his usual composure slipping as a rare flush of color spread across his cheeks. He could feel his heart pounding, a steady rhythm he hadn't experienced in a long time. Meanwhile, Milo's own face grew warm with the realization of what he'd just confessed.
For a few moments, they both sat in silence, glancing at each other and then quickly looking away, awkwardly trapped in the unexpected intimacy of the moment. Milo scrambled to find words to cover up his slip.
"Well, you know… it's, um… I mean, I didn't really mean… exactly like that," he stammered, his voice growing softer. "Just… you know… just an example, I guess."
Victor finally managed a small, slightly nervous smile. "Yeah, I get it," he replied, his voice a bit lower than usual. He could feel his face heating up again, so he quickly cleared his throat. "It's late anyway. You should probably get some rest."
"Right, yeah… rest," Milo mumbled, nodding fervently. "Good idea."
Victor stood, feeling the weight of the moment still hanging between them. He hesitated for just a second before giving Milo a quick nod and heading toward his own bedroom. As he closed the door behind him, he released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, resting his back against the door for a moment. Milo's words repeated in his mind, sparking a rush of thoughts and emotions that kept him wide awake.
Meanwhile, Milo was left sitting on the edge of the bed, his face hot as he buried his hands in his hands, groaning softly. "What did I just say? Oh god, that sounded so… intense." He mumbled to himself, kicking his legs anxiously as he replayed the moment, each memory making his blush deepen.
He flopped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling, trying to will himself to forget the entire thing. "He probably thinks I'm ridiculous now," he muttered. "What was I even thinking?"
Victor, on the other hand, lay in his own bed, staring at the ceiling as well. He couldn't shake the image of Milo's shy smile, the way his voice had softened when he'd said those words. The idea that Milo might see him in such a light—warm and real for him alone—made his chest feel tight in a way he hadn't felt in years.
Both of them tossed and turned, struggling to find sleep. Their minds raced, hearts still pounding with the thought of each other. They lay in the quiet of the night, aware that something unspoken had sparked between them, something that neither of them could deny yet neither was quite ready to face.
And as dawn approached, it was clear—this was going to be a long day, with memories of the night before making it impossible to pretend that nothing had changed.
***