Current Aesthetic

Pretty Cool

Dedicated to the awesome AllTheFeelsLoveMe for whom this was written. I [platonically] love you, my dear clone.

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Cameron was, naturally, an awkward person - even while buying cereal at the store. Ari had one hand clutched in the back of Cameron's jacket and the other hand typing away at their phone with the other, Cameron made sure not to move too quickly and jar their shoulder.

"What kind of cereal did Kei want, again?" he asked, shuffling his feet, and stared at the shelves. He couldn't remember if it was Cheerios or Froot Loops. Or was it Life? Corn Flakes? Or maybe it was -

"He says Cheerios. Chill." Cameron would be lying if he said that Ari didn't always seem to calm him down. He smiled widely at his friend. The two of them continued to move about the store, gathering all the food needed for the week. "I'm glad you let me come along," Ari said, giving a little laugh. It was a soft sound and absolutely melted every one of Cameron's thoughts in that moment.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Cameron coughed, the back of his neck warm as he struggled to find something to say. He ducked his head down as he checked himself out. He said, "So... some, uh, some people are really cool. You know?"

Ari grinned at him again. "Yeah, I guess so."

"But like, some people are really cool. Cooler than others."

"Sure, I can see that."

They were leaving the shop and heading towards the car by that point. Cameron had the uncomfortable compulsion to clear this throat. He continued down the reckless path of the conversation nonetheless, "Like, in a 'kiss me' way. It's - it's stupid, nevermind."

"No, it's fine," Ari said softly, helping Cameron load the bags into trunk of the car, "I just never really thought of it that way."

"Yeah, I kinda think some people are that cool." He was pretty sure he was as red as Ari's shirt at that point, his flatmate sending him a weird glance. "Yup, pretty cool."

Ari was silent for a moment, then they blinked. "Wait," they said, with that stupid, stupid smile again, "do you mean me?"

"Well," Cameron's voice definitely cracked; he buried his face in his hands. "If you want to kiss me, please do."

Ari laughed, it wasn't cold or cruel, but Cameron couldn't be sure. He startled when Ari's hands tucked themselves against his face and lifted him up. Cameron stared at Ari, completely awed at the way they looked at him. "It's fine. We're fine." And really, Cameron felt so assured by those words that he would have sworn it was some stupid television drama. "You could have just asked."

Cameron's eyes widened and elation seemed to soar through his chest; Ari moved a little closer and, eyes closed, softly pressed their lips against Cameron's, who could only watch in wonder as Ari pulled back. "Wow," he said, voice cracking again and pupils blown wide, "This feels really cliche."

Ari just laughed and kissed him again. And it was pretty cool.