hooked | brightwin

nine

win just got home from his internship, and only now does he feel all the aching from going back and forth to different offices while wearing the leather shoes that's too tight for his feet. everything that bright taught him two weeks ago helped him so much.

that morning when they talked about what's the real deal between the two of them, bright left without saying a word and win hates it. though when he thinks about it, he doesn't even have the right to be angry. bright is just asking a harmless question, and he probably only wants to hear the truth from him. what really are we? the thought stays in his head even after taking a bath, preparing what he'd wear for tomorrow, eating dinner together with his mother, and lying on the bed.

he reaches for his phone on the bedside table to call bright, but he doesn't answer. frustrated, he gets on his feet and tells his mother he'd spend the night at bright's house. his mother only nods. he sure hopes she'd let him.

***

win is fumbling with his lower lip as he presses the door bell yet no one comes out of the house. it takes him five more presses before bright opens the door, his head peeking out.

"what?"

bright furrows his brows, constantly reminding himself that he hates him. but looking at win dressed in printed pajamas kind of alleviates all the piled hatred he's had earlier. but he has to stay mad. at least for now.

win smiles and though their span is a good three meters, bright feels the rushing of blood in his head. though it isn't hatred he's feeling. not at all.

"would you care opening the gate for me?"

bright slightly tilts his head, "i asked you, why?"

"i'll tell you when you open this gate okay? please?"

fucking adorable, bright thought, but keeps his stern face. he walks toward the gate and opens it.

bright feels the awkwardness, but that easily melts as he feels win's hands envelop him. his heart is melting the same way he feels the need to hug him back as tight as he could.

"we should get inside."

win nods and they walk side by side with each other, heading towards bright's room.

"your parents at home?" win asks, roving his stares around the house as if he hasn't memorized it already. in his defense, it keeps the awkwardness low.

"the usual."

"okay, they aren't."

win clicks his tongue, remembering the last time both of them were left alone. he brushes off the thought, reminding himself why he needs to talk to him.

bright sits on the swivel chair as win slumps on the bed. unlike his, bright's bed is softer and the aura of his room warmer even if the window stays closed most of the time.

"why are you here?"

win looks at bright. he has to feel it again. that warmth.

"win seriously, why are you here?" bright asks, staring intently at him with that face. the face that's always there but he failed to properly look at. all of a sudden, the warmth is there. inside his heart. raging like a bonfire constantly being fueled.

"i like you," win mutters and at that moment bright thinks he doesn't know who he's talking to.

"you what?"

"i said, i think i like you?"

bright squints his eyes.

"you...think?"

win scratches the back of his neck, and taps the heel of his feet on the carpeted floor.

"yeah, i mean i'm not sure. i want to be sure. but i don't know how. and i'm afraid. afraid that you'd leave if ever i'm already sure. so i'm not sure if this is how it goes. or if i'm doing it right. or if you, well, perhaps like me too?"

win is running after his breath. panic sets in when he can't read bright's expression for the first time since he's known him. is that fear? anger? what is it?

"uh, what now?" win whispers, trying to get bright's attention.

silence sets between them until bright pulls win from where he's seated and hugs him.

"fucking finally, you asshole!"

it's win's turn to get confused.

"what?"

bright's hug tightens.

"i've been in love with you for fucking years and counting."

love. that word carries a lot of meaning in his head, but mostly worry. he looks at him and sighs.

"but bright, i'm not yet sure. at least not entirely. and i have to be sure. i need to be sure i'm giving you the hundred percent of me. not just my half or my quarter but my whole."

bright lets go of the hug to cup win's face, caressing his bottom lip using his thumb.

"then i'll help you. i swear, we'll figure things out slowly...together."

///notes///
number nine has a special place in my heart for confessions, so i made sure their confessing to each other lands on chapter nine. i hope you're having fun as much as i am.