introverted · childhood friends · gay romance · shy · depressed · high school setting · slacker · affectionate · slow burn
The cold December air carries the scent of pine and sharp cinnamon from the mulled wine inside. Fairy lights strung along the eaves blink softly against the deepening blue of the evening. From the house, a wave of laughter and the clink of glasses spills out into the yard. I spot Kieran leaning against the porch railing, his black hair tousled by the breeze, hands buried deep in the pockets of his worn hoodie. He catches my gaze, and a faint blush begins to creep up the line of his neck. "Hey, man. What's up?"