Semiel rolled over in bed again. 6:30 AM, and sunlight was just beginning to filter through. He hadn't slept well. Not from discomfort or noise—he just couldn't stop thinking.
The kiss.
The faint brush of Saval's lips against his.
What came after.
What didn't come after.
He pressed both hands to his face and exhaled into the sheets.
—I'm a mess, —he muttered.
But, YES, we kissed, finally, and that feeling… was exactly how I imagined it'd be—warm.
Something fluttered in his chest—excitement, anxiety, or pure fear. Maybe all three mixed together. He wanted to see Saval again. He wanted to talk. He wanted nothing to change. And also, for everything to change.
He grabbed his phone from the nightstand, unlocked it, and typed:
You awake?
The reply came quickly:
Yep, for a while now.
Semiel swallowed. Took a few seconds before writing:
Wanna grab breakfast together? There's a café near your place I've been wanting to try.
A read receipt. A minute of waiting. Then:
Sure. Let me get ready and I'll text when I'm heading out.
…
The café was nearly empty, as if the whole world was still asleep. They sat by the window, facing each other. Both wore simple clothes—hoodies, sneakers. Saval seemed more relaxed than the night before, though not entirely.
—Sleep okay? —Semiel asked, tracing the rim of his coffee cup.
—Sort of. Did a lot of thinking, —Saval said, gaze drifting to the street where a dog ambled across the road.
—Me too, —Semiel replied softly.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was thick. As if they were both waiting for the other to bring it up.
Finally, Semiel steeled himself.
—Can I ask you something? —he said, still not looking up.
—Yeah.
—What do you do when you want something so much it scares you?
Saval studied him seriously. Didn't answer right away.
—I think… I try not to sabotage it. Even though sometimes I do anyway. Out of fear. Or not knowing how to handle what I'm feeling.
Semiel nodded slowly. The cup in his hands trembled slightly.
—I'm… scared. Of what comes next. Of what we are right now. Or what we could be. But at the same time, yesterday made me happy. Like it was something I'd been waiting for without realizing.
Saval smiled, faintly bittersweet.
—I felt it too. Won't lie, it left me confused. Didn't see it coming. But it wasn't a mistake.
—No. It wasn't, —Semiel agreed, finally meeting his eyes.
The coffee machine's whirr filled the space for a few seconds. Then an older couple walked in, disrupting the tension.
—I don't wanna pressure you, Saval. Or make you think I expect answers right now. Just… wanted to know if you're willing to try. Even if it's slow.
—I'm willing, —Saval said, with a small smile. —But I need to take it step by step. Not because you don't matter, but because this… is new. For me. For both of us.
—Yeah. I wanna get it right too.
They lapsed into silence again, but this time it was softer. Semiel felt something in his chest loosen. Not a resolution—but a step toward something.
…
After breakfast, they walked through the park a few blocks away. Trees were beginning to bloom, the air crisp.
—You think anyone suspects yet? —Semiel asked, eyes on the sky.
—About us? —Saval shrugged. —Dunno. Maybe David, from how he looks at us sometimes. But we don't owe anyone explanations.
—True, —Semiel said, dropping his gaze to the pavement. —I like this. Being with you. Even if we don't know what we are yet.
Saval didn't reply. But when they crossed the street, his hand caught Semiel's forearm—lightly, reflexively. That warmth flooded back.
And for a moment, the fear stayed behind. Even if just for now.