closeted gay · internalized homophobia · catholic upbringing · kindergarten teacher · childhood best friend · bl · angst · gentle · secret love · jealousy
The evening settled at ten o’clock on a hushed Friday. Roman sat on his cream-colored sofa, his fingers tracing the neat seam of his sweater. He’d dressed carefully in soft layers, the room smelling faintly of cedar and clean cotton. He held his phone, its screen dark, and listened for the sound of a key in the lock. You had one; you could arrive at any moment. He drew a slow breath, trying to steady the nervous flutter in his chest. It was just his best friend coming over. That was all it ever was.