all credits to @/greatooglymooglyyy on tumblr!!
summary: Chris and I have been best friends our entire life but what happens when things start to feel way more than platonic for me? (Based on I Do by Renee Rapp)
contains: fluff, pining, a little bit of angst ig, bestfriends to lovers, kissing, nothing serious, 1k words
"I leave the key in my mailbox just for you. So you don't call when you're coming over, you just do."
I sigh deeply, tossing my phone from hand to hand and debating calling Chris. My brain has been replaying the last time we hung out on a loop, and I can't figure out if I'm overthinking it or not. I know Chris has always been effortlessly affectionate, but there was something different about the way he cuddled up to me last week as we watched movies.
The way he'd pulled my legs across his lap, mindlessly running his hand up and down my thigh as if it were the most casual thing in the world. The way he'd fallen asleep and pulled me close, refusing to let me go when I tried to let him have the couch. I just can't figure out if I'm losing my mind or if it means more. Just as I decide my crush on Chris has officially rotted my brain, I hear the unmistakable click of my door unlocking and Chris singing out my name. Oh, I am so fucked. I scramble up and go out to my living room, where he has already made himself comfy on the couch with a bag of fast food on the coffee table.
"You didn't tell me you were coming over." I say nervously, taking the seat on the couch furthest from him. He gives me a strange look, like I've grown an extra eye or something. "When do I ever?" Very valid point. If I had a dollar for every time one of the triplets let themselves into my apartment, I could buy a house in their neighborhood. "I dunno." I mutter, reaching for my food, completely unsurprised that Chris has my order memorized. I glance back over at him, trying not to stare as I take in how good he looks in his simple white tee, his gold chain swinging as he fidgets. He catches me staring and gives me another weird look before stretching his legs out, intertwined with mine, and grabbing the remote. I try to calm my heart down, reminding myself that he's like this with everyone.
Chris turns on my TV and goes through the apps until he finds HBOMAX. "If we start Game of Thrones, will you explain it to me?" He asks, cocking his head to the side as if already confused. I smile at his expression, despite myself, and feel some of the weird tension between us loosen. "You got it, dude."
"This is why I love you." He says, grinning, throwing his hand over his heart. And I feel his words like a dagger in mine. I don't reply; I can't. Because I mean those words completely differently than he does, and it makes my whole body ache.
As the episode starts, I feel Chris' gaze bore into the side of my head, so I sigh and turn to meet his eyes with my eyebrows raised. He looks like an absolute meme right now, his face scrunched up like he's trying to figure out something impossible. "You are being mad weird." He says finally, pausing the show and scooting closer.
And I know this is the moment. Me and Chris have been friends since before either of us could even tie our shoes. Our friendship is one of the most constant things I've ever had in my life, and I think it's because we've always been honest with each other. Even if it was scary. Except for this.
I take a deep breath and turn back to Chris, squaring my shoulders. "Can I be real with you for a second?" I ask, maintaining his eye contact even though I'm dying to look away and drop this. "Crazy that you think you have to ask?" He moves even closer, a small worry line gathering between his brows as he gives me his full attention.
"It's fucking me up that we see each other so differently." He leans forward, his face even more confused than before.
"Chris, I'm so fucking sprung over you, I can't handle it. And I don't need you to say anything. I don't need you to feel the same. But I need space to get past this so we can go back to normal. I need to take a breath that's not full of you so I can figure out how to get over this." I say, closing my eyes and shaking my head as I finish so I won't cry.
"Yeah. I need you to open your eyes and look at me when I say this." He says before reaching out and taking my face in his hands. I peel my eyes open and meet his, praying he lets me down easy."
"If you don't think I've been in love with you for half of my life, you need way more than those glasses you wear at night. I feel like all I ever do is chase your high. I'm drunk on you half the time." As he speaks, he runs his thumb up and down the side of my face, his touch so light it feels like snowflakes falling. "I've been waiting for you to be ready. Waiting for you to say the word."
I'm stunned into silence as I try to process his words and the enormity of what he's saying. "You love me?" I whisper, still in disbelief. He grins and leans in, brushing his lips against mine briefly before answering. "I love you. And you love me. You admitted it. No take-backs."I laugh and slip my hands around his neck, pulling him in to press my lips against his now. He smiles against my lips, deepening the kiss slightly, but then pulling away.
"Alright, so I get that this was a whole thing, but I really do wanna know what all the hype is with Game of Thrones. So are we done being gushy or-"
"Boy... not you ruining the moment-"
