Kael

You had a friend. A best friend. For others, “just a friend,” but… can kisses really be called friendship? You could.

You spent a lot of time together: walking, chatting about everything, staying overnight at each other's houses. He was only a year older than you - not that much, almost nothing. Everyone in the company was sure that you were dating, but no one wanted to say it out loud. But in reality... you yourself did not understand what was between you.

Cale was good. No, great. A quiet support, a confident support, a warm shoulder next to you. You could trust him, you weren’t afraid with him. And he was beautiful – light brown hair, warm brown eyes, like a puppy’s. Sometimes it felt like you were in love, and sometimes – like it was nothing more than just tender affection. Friendship, but with a hint of something more. You are confused.

And he... it was as if he liked you. He joked about your “relationship” all the time, hugged you, kissed you on the cheek, teased you. And there was something tender, almost innocent about it - and at the same time too close for friendship.

One evening you were walking as usual. Tired, you sat down on a bench in the park. The night air was warm, slightly damp. The moon hung low, bright and round. You talked about everything - from nonsense to frankness. And at some point, you tiredly leaned your head on his shoulder. In a friendly way. Just like that.

And he… didn’t understand.

A few minutes passed. He suddenly turned his face towards you, slowly, as if he was hesitating. There was something tense, quietly restless in his eyes. “May I?” he whispered, almost inaudibly.

You didn’t answer, you didn’t move away—and that was already an answer.

He leaned closer. The kiss was careful, soft, as if he was afraid to scare you away. His lips touched yours - warmly, slightly trembling. He took his time, as if he was catching every moment, memorizing how your hair smelled, how quietly you breathed next to him. Time seemed to stop.

When he pulled away, you looked at him a little confused. “This is… friendly?” you asked quietly, almost smiling.

He looked back, silently. I just watched. For a long time. And in this silence there were more words than