9
Daeron and Joffrey, two close friends who harbored unspoken feelings for each other, found themselves in the cozy comfort of Daeron's TV room. The day was ripe for relaxation, and Daeron, ever the questioner, asked, "What do you wanna do today?"
Joffrey, not needing to ponder the question for long, replied with a hint of longing in his voice, "Right now, I want to sit on the couch, watch cheesy movies, eat popcorn, and snuggle."
Without hesitation, they settled onto the plush couch, ready for a day filled with cinematic romance and popcorn indulgence.
As the hours passed and the sappy movies played on, Joffrey, fidgety with the need for activity, began to explore his surroundings. In a corner of the room, he stumbled upon a notebook.
"Is that yours?" he inquired, curiosity piqued.
Daeron, with a hint of mystery in his eyes, responded, "Yeah, why?"
"Is it a diary or something?" Joffrey probed further.
With a subtle smile, Daeron replied, "No, it's something special."
Joffrey's curiosity got the best of him, and he persisted, "Why is it special?"
"Look at it, then you'll find out," Daeron encouraged him.
"Are you sure it's not your diary?" Joffrey teased.
Daeron chuckled softly and confirmed, "Yes, I'm sure."
With gentle hesitation, Joffrey opened the notebook to its first page, and his eyes widened as he beheld a beautifully drawn picture of Tessarion, Daeron's beloved dog.
"You never told me you could draw, Uncle," Joffrey remarked, his gaze still fixed on the image.
"You never asked," Daeron replied with a shrug, his humility shining through.
Joffrey continued to flip through the pages, discovering a world of artistry created by Daeron. There was a majestic wolf, a whimsical treehouse nestled among the branches, and a warm and inviting campfire.
However, Joffrey paused when he reached a particular page—a drawing of himself. He was depicted wearing Daeron's clothes, and he couldn't help but ask, "Why did you draw me, and why at this moment?"
Daeron's voice held a hint of fondness as he answered, "Because you looked so gorgeous, and it's not just that moment. Keep looking."
Intrigued, Joffrey kept turning the pages. Each one revealed another aspect of himself through Daeron's eyes. The moonlight framed him beautifully with a full moon behind him, and there were heartwarming scenes of him playing with Daeron's dog, and his dog Tyraxes.
Page after page, it was all him—moments, expressions, and feelings captured in exquisite detail. Joffrey felt his heart swell with emotion.
"There are only two blank pages left," Daeron mentioned softly, "but the most recent one is still of you—of how you looked a few hours ago, asleep, with your brow furrowed ever so lightly, the blanket tucked in around you."
Joffrey couldn't contain his feelings any longer. He closed the book with a determined thud and climbed into Daeron's lap, their eyes meeting as he leaned in for a tender kiss.
"That was the most cheesy thing ever," Joffrey admitted with a playful grin.
Daeron chuckled and replied, "But you're blushing."
"Hey, I said it was cheesy," Joffrey retorted, "I did not say that I didn't like it."
Daeron's heart swelled with warmth as he confessed, "I'm glad you like the drawings."
In that moment, amidst the pages of the notebook filled with their shared memories and emotions, Daeron and Joffrey discovered that sometimes, it takes the cheesiest of gestures to bridge the gap between unspoken love and a future filled with shared dreams.