But as they went downstairs and settled at the dining table, Hunter found his confidence quierking. He picked at his food and felt his tongue suddenly tied. He felt a strange knot in his stomach as if he was about to ask for something incredibly audacious. It felt almost like he was stealing a daughter after marriage from her parents, a deeply ingrained cultural sentiment that made the request feel impossibly grand and, well, a little rude. He looked at Mrs. Harvey, then at Aiden's father, who was engrossed in his food and the words just wouldn't come out.
Aiden, sensing Hunter's hesitation and growing impatience with his boyfriend's sudden shyness, kicked him sharply under the table. Hunter winced but still, he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Finally fed up with Hunter's inexplicable paralysis. Aiden threw his napkin onto the table with a flourish and announced. "Mom! Dad! I'm moving out! Hunter and I are going to live together! I'm going to live with my boyfriend from now on!"
Mrs. Harvey and Aiden's father looked up from their plates completely unfazed. Mrs. Harvey simply raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Is that so? Well, eat your food before it gets cold."
"What? That's the best reaction you can give me!" Aiden gaped, utterly astonished by their nonchalant reaction. "Mom! I just said –"
"Aiden, eat your damn good," Her tone left no room for argument. Aiden, feeling deflated, sat down and began to eat while grumbling.
"Humph! Nobody takes me serious in this house."
Later, while helping Mrs. Harvey. Hunter found himself nervous. He cleared his throat and began scrubbing a plate with exaggerated vigor. Umm...Mrs. Harvey. About what Aiden said...about us moving out..."
She paused and turned to him with a smirk. "Yes, Hunter?"
Seeing the smirk he swallowed hard, his heart thumping. "I...I was wondering if it would be...okay? If Aiden could move out and live with me? I promise, I'll take such good care of him. I'll cook for him and make sure he studies on time. I swear I'll look after him like he's the most precious thing in the world. He won't want anything, I promise you, ma'am."
"Oh, Hunter, you silly boy." She laughed and reached out and patted his arm kindly. "I already agreed. Didn't you see me nod at Aiden when he was telling you his great plan earlier?"
Hunter blinked profusely. "But...but at the table, you told him to eat his food..."
She chuckled. "That's because I know my Aiden. If I had given him permission right there and then, he wouldn't have eaten a single bite. He would have jumped up from the table and run straight to his room to start packing his things immediately!"
Hunter stared at her and a wide grin spread across his face. Of course. It made perfect sense. He felt a wave of relief wash over him. Aiden's mother truly was the best.
Hunter walked back into Aiden's room with a big grin plastered on his face. Aiden, who was still sulking, looked up with a questioning gaze.
"Guess what, sleepyhead?" Hunter announced, unable to contain his excitement. "Your mom said yes!"
"Really?!" Aiden's eyes widened, a slow smile spreading across his face as the words registered. "She actually said yes?! We're moving in together?!"
He hurled himself off the bed with a joyful shriek, springing into Hunter's waiting arms.
Hunter caught him easily, laughing as Aiden wrapped his legs around his waist, pulling him into a fierce hug. "Yes, really! She was already on board, apparently. Just wanted you to finish your dinner first."
Aiden giggled, burying his face in Hunter's neck. "Oh my god, I love her! And I love you! You're the best, Hunter! I can't believe you convinced her!"
His hands tangled in Hunter's hair, pulling his head down for a kiss. Hunter's hands instinctively found Aiden's hips, holding him steady as Aiden's body pressed intimately against his. Aiden's fingers traced the line of Hunter's jaw, then moved to cup his cheeks and they kissed each other desperately and hungrily. Nibbling on Aiden's lower lip, Aiden opened his mouth to invite Hunter deeper. He moaned when their tongues met.
Hunter eased them both back onto the bed with
Aiden straddled his lap. However, just as their breaths grew irregular and their hearts pounded against each other, Hunter's phone buzzed insistently on the bedside table. He reluctantly broke the kiss.
"Who the fuck dared to interrupt?" Aiden pouted playfully, nudging his nose against Hunter's.
Hunter grabbed his phone and checked the screen. "It's Sam! He's saying that Cassen is out of the hospital!"
Aiden's eyes perked up immediately, forgetting his earlier desires. "Cassen's out?! Really?!"
"Yeah!" Hunter grinned and sat Aiden on the bed. "He wants us to come celebrate. Do you want to go?"
"Hell yeah!" Aiden yelled excitedly. "That's not even a question."
They quickly tidied themselves up and headed out. Sam had arranged everything at café that had a private back room, drinks and snacks. Cassen, looking a little paler but smiling widely, was sitting close to Sam. His bright eyes lit up adorably when he saw Aiden and Hunter entering.
"How are you?" Hunter asked causally.
"Good," Cassen smiled warmly.
"We bought you a gift!" Aiden pulled himself away from Hunter and ran over to Cassen who felt a bit overwhelmed by the high energy of Aiden but not uncomfortable. "Here! Open it, quick! Quick!"
Cassen's eyes widened when Aiden handed him the small wrapped box. His fingers trembled slightly as he opened it, revealing the bracelet that looked like a friendship band. A soft pink crept up his cheeks as he looked up at Aiden.
"Thank you," Cassen let out gratefully with a wide bright smile.
Aiden rubbed the back of his neck, his own face flushing under Cassen's gaze. "You like it?"
"Yeah," Cassen nodded quickly, clutching the gift close.
Off to the side, Hunter watched the quiet exchange with a knowing smile, amused and strangely fond as he saw the usually chaotic Aiden so openly flustered.
"See? Told you he'd bounce back," Sam wrapped his hand around Cassen and scooted him closer to him, making the blushing boy even more red. "He's tougher than he looks."
Cassen giggled and leaned into Sam's side. The easy affection between them was noticeable enough to guess what's their relationship was.
Hunter clapped Sam on the shoulder. "So, how are things going with your father? Figure anything out?"
Sam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, actually. I had a very productive conversation with him. I basically told them that if they want me to inherit the family business and want me to even stick around, then they better let Cassen be part of my life, without any more drama. Or else I'm moving out leaving everything and never looking back. They didn't like it but they know I'm serious. So, peace for now."
Aiden, meanwhile, had spotted a tray of colorful cocktails. "Ooh, Hunter, can I have a drink?!" he nagged and tried to grab one.
Hunter deftly intercepted his hand. "Nice try. You're still underage for anything beyond juice."
"Hey, I'm an adult!" Aiden grumbled in offense.
"I don't care. You're not drinking."
"Then you drink it."
"No, I'm not drinking either," Hunter rolled his eyes.
"But it's a celebration!" Aiden whined, trying to stretch past Hunter's arm. "Just one! Please? I want to see what you look like drunk!"
Hunter laughed, pulling him back and kissing his head. "Not happening, love."
Cassen, sitting by Sam's side let out a soft giggle finding their bickering endearing. Sam just laughed and shook his head. He and Hunter got back into talking serious stuff.
However, Aiden was already hatching a plan. He had never seen Hunter drunk, and the idea of his usually organized boyfriend being a clumsy, giggling mess was too tempting. While Hunter was engrossed in a conversation with Sam about what's Sam's next plan in life is. Aiden subtly began his mission. He sneakily grab a glass and under the guise of refilling Hunter's juice, replaced it with a drink that suspiciously looked like juice but carried a potent kick.
And since it was given by his boyfriend, Hunter didn't find anything suspicious and drank it.
Aiden smiled wickedly, watching him drink. I'm going to see you drunk tonight, no matter what.
◾◾◾
And it turned out Hunter couldn't handle alcohol at all.
Which is exactly why Aiden was giggling like a maniac, holding his phone as he took yet another video of his adorable, flushed, and very much drunk boyfriend sitting cross-legged on their bed with a pillow clutched in his hands.
"Hunter," Aiden whispered dramatically into the camera. "State your name for the people."
Hunter blinked slowly, brows furrowed like that was the most difficult question on earth.
"Hun…ter…" he said cautiously, as if he might get it wrong.
"And what are you?"
Hunter looked at him again and smiled. He cupped his face like how Aiden had taught him moments ago and chirped. "I'm pretty!"
"Oh my God. You're so full of yourself!" Aiden snorted, falling back onto the bed while laughing as if he wasn't the mastermind behind it.
Hunter blinked at him in confusion. "But you told me I'm pretty. I believe in your vision."
"Hahaha!" Aiden laughed even louder, rolling and kicking on the bed.
Sam had dropped them off an hour ago. The moment they got in, Aiden had all but thrown Hunter onto the bed, knowing very well his boyfriend was a giggly mess after even the lightest amount of alcohol. And sure enough, two hours of cuddling, filming, and endless confessions later, Aiden's phone gallery was flooded.
And honestly, Aiden was having the time of his life.
Hunter's cheeks were flushed a soft, rosy pink partly from the warmth in the room and partly from whatever dumb thing Aiden had just said. His lips were curled into an uncontrollable smile he kept trying to fight off, but it kept breaking through, lighting up his whole face.
Seeing Aiden laughing, Hunter giggled high-pitched and breathy, the kind of sound that made his shoulders scrunch and his nose wrinkle in the most endearing way. His eyes crinkled at the corners, lashes fluttering as he tried to blink away the laughter. He covered his face with both hands, muffling another laugh into his palms.
"Stooop," he whined between giggles, voice dragging dramatically as he kicked his feet against the bed like a sulky toddler. "You're so mean! Don't laugh at me!"
"Why nooot?" When Aiden teased him again, Hunter let out a tiny, exaggerated gasp. And then he giggled again, collapsing sideways into Aiden's lap with a soft "ugh!" as if the weight of his own embarrassment was too much to carry.
His lips pouted and grabbed Aiden's sleeve and tug on it gently, like he couldn't stay mad even if he wanted to.
"Don't laugh at me," he mumbled angrily, but the upward tug of his lips betrayed him again. Another helpless giggle escaped as he buried his burning face into Aiden's shirt. "You're so annoying…"
And Aiden, as always, melted on the spot seeing him acting so freaking adorable. Because nothing was cuter than Hunter, giggly and pink-faced, trying so hard to be serious while absolutely failing at it.
Aiden pressed his phone's record button again. He pointed the camera at Hunter, who was lying on his stomach with his legs in the air, swinging back and forth happily.
"Hey," Aiden asked with a mischievous grin. "Have you ever jerked off thinking about me?"
Hunter gasped loudly and puts a finger on his lips in horror.
"Shhhh!" he hissed, eyes darting left and right as if they were surrounded by government agents. "That's a secret! I can't tell anyone!"
Aiden burst out laughing and nearly dropped his phone. Though he don't know why his heart beats increased. "So that's a yes?"
Hunter slapped a hand over Aiden's mouth and whispered. "I can't tell you that. No!"
Aiden pulled his hand away and cackled. "Come on, tell me. I won't tell anyone. It's a secret between you and me."
Instead of answering, Hunter rubbed his eyes blinked at him, head tilting to the side. "You look like Aiden."
Aiden paused and answered. "Thats because I am Aiden, idiot."
Hunter smiled sweetly. "No, no. You're not. Aiden is…Aiden is so beautiful like…like stars."
Aiden's grin widened as he turned the camera on himself. "Okay, so apparently I'm not me anymore."
Hunter nodded, pleased with himself that he made the person in front of him understand. "You're some handsome stranger. But Aiden? He's got the cutest laugh and softest hair. And he makes me tea when I'm sick, and once he fought a kid twice his age for me. You know, that's when I fell in love with him."
"Awww…I love you too," Aiden cooed at the sultry boy in his lap.
"He's got these tiny little moles on his right ass too," Hunter added, closing his eyes dreamily.
"Way to ruin the mood," Aiden's face went red, and he quickly ended the recording, tossing the phone aside and flopping down beside him on the bed.
"You're so cute, I want to eat you up," he hummed, hiding his flustered smile.
Hunter turned his head up to look at him. They stared at each other, faces getting closer and the space between them filled with warmth and silent giggles. Hunter reached out and touched Aiden's lips with his finger.
"I wanna do it," he whispered, his eyes were filled with desires.
"Do what?" Aiden bit his lip, pretending not to understand what he meant.
"The thing.." Hunter moved forward to whisper in Aiden's ear. "You do with your lover…"
"You mean sex?" Aiden corrected him shamelessly.
Hunter nodded with a big grin. "That."
Aiden's heart stuttered and his cheeks flushed red. "Then let's do it."
Hunter smiled and reached for him only to pause and shake his head. "Nope. We can't."
Aiden frowned. "Why not?"
Hunter poked Aiden's own cheek with his finger. "Because I'm drunk. And if I do it drunk, I'll forget. And I don't wanna forget. I wanna remember everything when we do it. "I'm not going to rush. I want to take my time to learn every inch of you. Every twitch and every spot that makes you shiver." His breath brushed hot against Aiden's neck. "I want to remember the way your back arches when I slide in deep, the way you moan when I hit the right spot…I want to ruin you slow and nice. Burn you into my memory so I never forget a single fucking part of you."
Aiden's breath hitched at his words, his face flushing instantly, lips parting as if to say something but nothing came out except a soft broken sound. "You're drunk, but your moral compass is still strong."
Hunter nodded in agreement proudly. "Very strong."
Aiden laughed again and rolled onto his side and draped an arm across Hunter's back. "I love drunk you."
"You know…who I love?" Hunter's gaze became dizzier.
"Who?"
"Aiden," Hunter whispered with so much affection, it made Aiden's chest ache. "He's my favorite person in the world. And sometimes, when I'm alone, I look at pictures of him and it make me smile."
Aiden stared at him with biggest stupid grin. "You're literally talking to him."
"No, you're not him. You're the handsome version. The cool one." Hunter beamed, very pleased with his own logic.
Aiden laughed and leaned down to kiss his temple. "Alright, Mr. Cool Version's gonna help you change into pajamas, okay?"
Hunter whined. "But I don't wanna move. This bed feels like clouds, hehe."
Aiden shook his head and grabbed his phone again to take one last picture. Hunter curled into the blanket, cheeks flushed, hair messy, and a tiny smile still tugging at his lips.
Aiden saved it to his favourites folder titled: My idiot. My heart.
Hunter was asleep before Aiden even finished changing him into his pajamas, mumbling how cute and sexy his boyfriend is. Aiden snuggled in beside him, pulling the blanket over both of them, and whispered against his ear. "I love you too, idiot."
Hunter, still sleeping whispered back. "Tell…Aiden I said goodnight."
Aiden bit his lip to stop from laughing again and just hugged him tighter like two broken pieces that somehow fit perfectly in the dark.
They weren't supposed to fall in love.
Best friends weren't supposed to cross that line. Some people may say it would ruin everything. That they'd lose what they had.
But Aiden and Hunter didn't care.
They set their friendship on fire, burned through every expectation, every warning, every voice that told them to back away before it was too late. But they ignored them all and ran headfirst into the flames.
What started as friendship with silly arguments, inside jokes, and stupid dares, don't know when it began to turn into long looks, late-night confessions, hearts racing during hugs that lasted a second too long. They didn't fall in love overnight. It happened slowly, then all at once.
They didn't follow the rules of the friendship but made their own.
And somehow, through all the mess and chaos and fear, they found something honest. Something worth breaking everything else for.
They broke the norm.
And built a love that never asked them to be anything but who they already were.
Together.
=End=
Thank you so much for reading 😊. If you like it please leave a vote, comment and review.
And please wait for the epilogue and side stories.