Adrian woke up suddenly. His breath was uneven. His sheets tangled around his legs.
He stared at the ceiling, blinking. Then reality hit him. "…What the hell?", he had a wet dream about Rion.
He sat up slowly, running a hand down his face. Rion. Of all people.
Adrian groaned and dropped back onto the bed. "This is getting out of hand."
He reached for his phone, trying to distract himself and froze. A notification.
Rion:Sure. When?
Adrian stared at the message longer than necessary.
Then typed.
The café. This evening. He hesitated… then sent it.
A reply came almost immediately.
Rion:Okay. It's a date then.
Adrian's heart skipped.
It's not a date, he told himself quickly. it's just a conversation.
The Moonlight Café looked the same as always.But Adrian didn't feel the same. He checked the door. Then his phone. Then the door again.
"Relax," he muttered.
The bell above the entrance chimed.
Adrian looked up, And there he was.
Rion walked in like he belonged anywhere he stepped. Tall. Effortless. Blonde hair catching the light just enough to be distracting.
Adrian swallowed. Why am I noticing that?
Rion spotted him and smiled. "Hey."
"Hey," Adrian replied, a little too quickly.
Rion sat across from him, leaning back casually. "You look nervous."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not," Adrian repeated, frowning slightly.
Rion smirked but didn't push it.
A brief silence settled between them. Adrian cleared his throat. "So… your date. How did it go?"
Rion shrugged. "Didn't work out."
Adrian nodded. "Oh."
"But it's fine," Rion added. "I'm already on another one."
Adrian blinked. "Another...." He stopped. Then said quickly, "We are not on a date."
Rion raised an eyebrow. "Relax. I didn't say we were."
Adrian shifted in his seat. Why does it feel like he did?
To fill the silence, Rion leaned forward slightly. "So… your music."
Adrian looked up.
"I saw a video of you," Rion continued. "On YouTube."
Adrian stiffened. "You did?"
"You're good," Rion said simply. "Really good."
Adrian looked away, suddenly unsure what to do with his hands. "Thanks."
"You should sing for me sometime."
Adrian let out a small laugh. "Yeah… maybe."
Rion tilted his head, studying him. "You're beautiful, you know."
Adrian froze. There it was again. "Don't call me that," he said quickly. The words came out sharper than he intended.
Rion didn't react immediately. He just watched him. Then, calmly, "I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable," he said. "But I was just stating a fact."
Something in Adrian's chest tightened. He looked down at the table. "…Okay."
The air shifted slightly. Rion leaned back again, changing the subject. "Do you play golf?"
Adrian blinked. "What?"
"Golf."
"I've never tried it."
"You should," Rion said. "It's relaxing. Competitive, but in a quiet way."
Adrian watched him as he spoke. The way his expression changed. The way his voice softened when he talked about something he loved.
It was…, Adrian caught himself staring. He looked away quickly. Why am I like this?
"I could teach you sometime," Rion added.
Adrian nodded slowly. "Yeah… maybe."
Rion smiled.
And just like that, Adrian felt it again. That strange, unfamiliar pull.
"You have a nice smile," Rion said.
Adrian's face heated instantly. "I...uh..." He stood up abruptly. "It's late. I should go."
Rion raised an eyebrow but stood as well. "I'll walk you."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
They stepped outside together. The night air was cool. Quiet. Too quiet.
Adrian shoved his hands into his pockets, walking a little faster than necessary.
"We're friends," he said suddenly.
Rion glanced at him. "Okay."
Adrian nodded, almost to himself. "Yeah. Friends."
Rion didn't argue. But the small smirk on his face said everything.