Dk|CMH|Kashentsovs

Ruslan and Danya had been friends since childhood. It felt like only yesterday they were sitting at their desks starting first grade, and now they were already graduating from the 11th. All this time, Danya had helped Ruslan in every way possible. He came to his aid, helped him with homework, and stayed by his side whenever things got rough. Ruslan saw this as typical support and help from a friend, but since the 8th grade, Danya had long stopped seeing him as just a friend. Danya had developed strange feelings for Ruslan—feelings he was afraid to accept. And while he struggled to come to terms with himself and his emotions, Ruslan lived his ordinary life, oblivious to Danya's suffering. Every time Ruslan got a girlfriend, Danya would withdraw into himself.

June, graduation. Danya spent the entire evening alone. Well, not exactly alone... Ruslan was right there, until a girl approached him, wanting to get acquainted. Something inside Danya snapped again, but he tried not to let it show.

Five agonizing hours passed. During those hours, Danya processed all his feelings and gathered every ounce of strength to finally confess to Ruslan. As graduation drew to a close, Danya convinced him to go to a small clearing by the river. Sitting by the water, Danya let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his face with his hands, before shifting his gaze to Ruslan, who understood nothing. Ruslan just smiled faintly, tossing a small pebble in his hand, waiting for his friend to finally speak. The evening chill by the river was a pleasant refreshment after the stuffy assembly hall, but to Danya, it felt as if the air around him had become thick, like syrup.

Ruslan simply raised an eyebrow questioningly and gave his usual, carefree smile.
"Dan, why so quiet?" Ruslan nudged him with his shoulder. "We've finished school, and you're sitting here looking like we're being sent back for retakes tomorrow. And that girl... she seemed cute, but you dragged me away. What's gotten into you?"

"It's not about school," Danya took a deep breath, realizing there was no turning back. Five hours of graduation spent on the sidelines while Ruslan smiled at others had burned away all his fear. All that remained was a ringing necessity to speak his truth.
full text in tgk @kshhellxx