You Plus Me Equals

Leo's voice caught in his throat and his breathing slowed.

'Was this his punishment? Had he just died while laying there, and now he was being haunted by the most beautiful angel, keeping him company?' It sure felt like it. Because this moment was magical. It felt perfect.

Leo hesitated. Because it also reminded him that no matter how perfect the moment was. No matter how perfect the feeling was. He wasn't the one who should be here, anyone else should, because he and Max would never work out.

That he was lying in the shadows. Max so far away in the light. Their worlds barely mixing, barely touching was an irony he almost wanted to cry at.

Even nature had separated them.

Max's hand sat there, still extended. A small gesture that welcomed Leo into his world. In his warmth, all he had to do was take it.

But he hesitated.

"Leo, you know I want you right? I didn't realize where you were coming from before... ... How things had seemed to you."

"I didn't realize I actually liked spending time with you, and not just because it was familiar... ... Altho maybe that was a part of it at one point. A part I didn't even notice."

Leo winced at those words he didn't want to hear coming out of Max's mouth again. 'Does this kid know how to lie at all?'

"But that isn't why I like you... And I do like you, Leo."

Leo gasped, realizing he had stopped breathing the moment.

"I like you Leo" had fallen off those gorgeous pink lips to jab his s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e heart like a flaming knife.

"I want to date you."

"Because you are you,"

"Because you are funny, caring, s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e, smart,"

"And because you are Leo and I wouldn't have anyone else."

"But especially since we are already in that kind of relationship even if you don't agree to it."

"Because there has never been a single moment since I said your name for the very first time that I have wanted to be JUST your friend," Max paused.

"I have never thought of you as a friend once, not once because you are more than that to me." Max let that sink in.

Since Leo was still staring at Max stunned, unable to move. Max seemed to make up his mind. Max knelt down into the darkness and tucked one of Leo's stray curls behind his ear.

Leo shivered from that one touch. As it almost seared his skin. The heat it brought warming him everywhere.

"Leo, For me, it has always been something else. And that something else started the moment I touched you... The moment you said my name and electricity ran up my spine."

Leo saw Max hesitate. And c.o.c.ked his head to the side slightly.

"I have never, not been confident in anything. I always do everything head on... But the idea that you can reject me... That you did reject me."

"It hurt. And it hurt worse, finding out that you have misunderstood my intent."

"That you thought I liked you simply because I know someone who has the same interests as you."

"It has been the only time in my life I have been so scared, and anxious."

"You want to try again? To start over fresh?" Leo asked quietly, uncertainly.

'Was that what he was saying?'

Since they were now eye level with each other and Max was still touching Leo's face with his right hand lightly. They were both in the shadows. And Leo was nervous that Max's face and reactions were hiding in the darkness.

Leo wasn't sure what emotion passed across Max's face when he said those words.

'Relief, exhaustion, happiness, anger... Nothing at all? He wanted to know!'