What if's with Caleb

What if he was your type all along?

Your face burned as the realization sank in.

'Could it be...? Am I in love with Caleb?'

The thought sent a rush of panic through you, and you quickly shook your head as if that alone could dispel it.

No, you had always seen him as a brother, hadn't you? A lifelong companion, a person you could rely on without question. But was that really all he was to you? Had it ever been?

By the time you reached Caleb's home, your emotions were a tangled mess. Your hands trembled slightly as you pushed open the door, the scent of something warm and familiar greeting you.

Caleb was in the kitchen, stirring a pot with practiced ease. At the sound of your arrival, he glanced over his shoulder and grinned.

"You're back," he said, his voice easy and welcoming. "Perfect timing. Dinner's almost ready."

And just like that, the weight of your realization hit you all over again.

This wasn't just your best friend. This wasn't just your childhood companion.

This is the man you love.

The realization sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over you, a new fear creeping into your heart, if Caleb ever found out how you felt, what would happen? Would he pull away? Would you lose everything you had built together?

So you swallowed your feelings, forcing a smile as you stepped inside, pretending everything was just as it had always been. But deep down, you knew the truth. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Caleb barely glanced up from the stove as you stepped inside. The rich aroma of spices and slow cooked meat filled the kitchen, wrapping you in an intoxicating warmth. His violet eyes flickered to you for a moment before he gave you a lopsided grin.

"Go wash up before dinner," he instructed casually, his voice smooth, deep, and full of quiet authority.

You nodded, mumbling an affirmative before making your way toward the bathroom. Your mind was still a mess, tangled with the realization that had blindsided you only moments ago.

'I'm in love with Caleb.' **

That realization clung to you like a secret too heavy to hold, yet too terrifying to release. You turned on the faucet, letting the cool water run over your hands as you stared at your reflection in the mirror. Your pulse was erratic, your thoughts racing. You squeezed your eyes shut.

'Get it together.'

You did your best to hide your feelings. You really did. But why was it so hard?

Before you realized you loved him, Caleb's little acts of care had always been just that casual, familiar, effortless kindness. But now? Now, every single thing he did made your heart race like you had just sprinted across the entire kingdom.

The way his strong hands worked over your shoulders, easing out the tension with slow, firm strokes, it sent shivers down your spine. His voice, low and soothing, murmuring,

"Relax. You've been working out too hard again." How were you supposed to relax when he was the very reason your pulse was out of control?

Then there was the way he made your coffee just the way you liked it, sliding the warm cup into your hands with a lazy smile, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Drink up," he'd say, ruffling your hair. "You get grumpy when you don't." And gods, even the simplest touch, the teasing warmth in his voice made your stomach flip.

It only got worse when he showed up with your favorite treats, handing them over with an easy, "Thought you might need this."

And the head pats. The head pats.