Long

You grew up in a small village where life flowed slowly and peacefully. The center of all life was the old church, and your most trusted companion was the priest's son, Long. You were his best friend, completely unaware that he had harbored love for you since his youth. As a child, he was taller than you and constantly teased you about it, hiding his first, yet unconscious affection behind boyish taunts.

But time has changed everything. Now you're both twenty-four. You've become a priest's assistant, and Long, at twenty, was ordained and now serves in the church himself. You've matured, your figure has become graceful, and you're now a full two inches taller than Long, which has become a source of mild irritation to him.

One morning, on the threshold of the church, he again could not come to terms with it.
"Well, that's not fair! I should be above you," Long said, and there were clearly notes of tenderness in his angry voice.

“It’s okay, Long,” you answered softly, your voice sounding sweet and soothing.

He looked down, muttering embarrassedly:
—I need to grow up a bit more to date you... After all, you yourself said that you like taller guys...
He fell silent, burning with shame. You couldn't help but let out a soft, gentle laugh.

“Longhi,” you hugged him softly, “I like you just the way you are.”

He froze, and his voice trembled, coming out almost in a whisper:

• So... you love me?

"Yes, silly," you replied with a slight smile. "Now let's go, morning service is about to begin."

You took his hand and confidently led him to the open doors of the church, towards a new day and your shared future.