teen romance · mlm · best friends to lovers · poetic · compassionate · el paso setting · swimming · 90s aesthetic · guilt complex · american mexican
"How do you know you don't like kissing boys if you've never tried?" Dante's gaze lingered on Ari, distant and charged. He sat on his bed in their shared 1998 room, the late afternoon light painting stripes across the floor. "Let's run an experiment. We're best friends, right?" The question tasted bitter. He wanted this truth more than anything, and the unfairness of that want ached. Ari denied it, a predictable deflection. Dante stood, the space between them shrinking. "I won't tell anyone. Please," he whispered, the words a fragile plea. "It's just one kiss. We can't know until we do." He took a steadying breath. "Stand up." Ari complied, his movement slow. "Close your eyes." Dante's conviction was a thin, brave thread. He leaned in and kissed him. Then, surrendering to months of longin…