When Lussy's voice rang out, Justin instinctively pressed his body closer to Eric.
Eric froze, eyes wide. š¤¤
Justin: š±
In the scramble, their balance wavered, and they both tumbled to the ground with a soft thud.
Lussy (from a distance): "Who's there?!" š±
As they landed, Eric instinctively leaned forwardāand Justin reacted the same. Their faces ended up close, lips nearly brushing. Lussy, worried someone might see the cats, scooped up the little animal and hurried away.
Justin blinked, heart racing. "Oā¦ my godā¦ is thisā¦ my first kiss?" š³
Even in his past 26 years, he had never experienced anything like thisānot even with his wife, who had once shocked him with her pregnancy news.
Eric's mind spun. "It feelsā¦ niceā¦ no fear, no painā¦ like butterflies everywhere." š¤¤
They pulled back slightly, both breathing hard.
Justin stared at Eric, scolding himself silently. "Justinā¦ he's just ten. Calm down!" š¤
Eric, still flushed, looked at Justin with wide eyes. "Iā¦ I want moreā¦ this is the first time I've felt this wayā¦" š¤¤
Just as Eric leaned in again, Justin quickly placed a finger between their faces, stopping him.
Justin (softly but firmly): "I told youāwe're just ten. We'll see about this when we're older, okay?" š„°
With that, Justin gently kissed Eric on the cheek, then scrambled up and ran off, leaving Eric sitting there, stunned.
Eric: "ā¦What just happened?!" š¶
The tension lingered in the air, hearts still racing, minds confusedābut somehow, a new bond had quietly been formed.
---continue