“How the hell did you convince me to watch this again?” Cameron groaned, covering his eyes for what must have been the hundredth time since Aleksi had hit play. If he hadn’t known it before, he certainly did now: He was not a horror movie person. “Jesus, how does anyone sit through- oh my God, where did her head go, Leksi?”

God, Cameron was just too cute. Aleksi snorted, a soft amusement written on his face as he peer up at the other man from where he lay with his head on Cameron’s thigh. “I told you I’ve been watching stuff like this since I was little, called you a baby, and then when that didn’t work, I puppy eyed you?” He retorted, lips crooking upwards at the other. Emerald eyes glistened with mischief as he reached up, patted Camerons cheek soothingly. “It’s okay, Cam. If you’re too scared I can hold your hand.”

There was no mistaking the tease in his voice, the playful jab that had the blonde sulking, turning to nip at the fingers that brushed his cheek in silent scolding. “Brat. Those goddamn puppy eyes will be the death of me, I swear. It should be illegal to have such a powerful weapon in ones possession.” Cameron sighed dramatically, the corners of his lips ghosting upwards into a wry smile. “I’ll live through it, but we’re watching something I pick next, and you’re the one whose door I’m knocking on at two am when I have nightmares from this shit.”

“Deal. If it gets to be too much, I’ll just give you a key.” The contact, the closeness- it felt dangerous. Warm and safe and more comfortable than he had ever allowed himself to be before. God, he was in deep, wasn’t he? How had he gotten so attached so quickly?

Because you make terrible choices, Aleksi. Always have. It figures the first guy since Ryan you fall for would have to be a guy who, if he likes boys at all, is in the closet, who has a girlfriend. Unattainable, that was what Cameron was. Aleksi knew it, as well as he knew his own name. And if he was smart? He’d run, put distance between them. Nix their friendship before it could go any further.

That thought pained him more than the thought of breaking his own heart like this.

“Comfortable?” Cameron questioned, running his fingers through the other mans hair gently, thumbing along his cheek fondly. A chuckle escaped him, ice blue eyes soft as he gazed down at the man laid out using his lap as a pillow. He really was too adorable. Guilt gnawed at Cameron once more. He should come clean, tell Aleksi he remembered everything that happened. Tell Emily what he’d done. She’d be furious- no. She’d be heartbroken. It wasn’t fair what he was doing to her and he knew it. She genuinely loved him. And it wasn’t as though he didn’t care for her. He imagined he could spend eternity with her and at least be content, even if it was never going to be that burning fire gnawing him alive that he’d felt with each meeting of his and Aleksi’s lips.

He was a coward, and he hated himself for it. He was going to end up hurting the both of them, wasn’t he? So why couldn’t he make himself stop? He’d always had an iron will, able to bite back the urges, ignore what he really wanted. He knew what was expected of him, after all. And yet, somehow this bratty little thing had managed to worm his way past every defense he had.

“Very. If photography doesn’t pan out, I could see you having a very lucrative and successful career as a professional cuddle buddy.” Aleksi hummed, emerald eyes drifting shut. His fingers settled on his chest contentedly, barely even paying attention to the movie. If he had his way, they would stay this way forever. Even if it never went beyond this, Aleksi thought he could be happy with just this- with fingers in his hair, brushing softly through dark curls, tugging carefully every now and again, fingernails scraping along his scalp. With Cameron’s deep, smooth voice rumbling in his ears, seeming to match the pounding beat of his own heart in his chest. “

The sound of a chainsaw echoed through the room, screams emanating from the tv as Cameron shrieked, turning his head to bury into the couch, skin even paler than normal. Nope, he was not enjoying this film at all. Shakes and trembles ran through him, fingers curling into the couch tightly. How the hell had the killer even managed to catch up to the main character when he was just shambling along and they were running? Chalk it up to horror movie logic he’d never understand, he supposed. He felt like he was going to be sick.

Another soft snort sounded from Cameron’s lap, before Aleksi was sitting up. He didn’t hesitate to slide without thought into Cameron’s lap, straddling the man and drawing his face into the crook of his neck. “Oh, come here, you big baby, I’ve got you.” He crooned playfully, fingers tangling into blonde locks. “It’s just a movie, Cam. If I had thought it would spook you this badly, I wouldn’t have put it on.” A sigh escaped him, lips brushing to the crown of the older mans head. “I’ve got you. It’s not real, it’s ok. We don’t have to finish watching it, ok? Just take a moment to breath and we’ll put on a romcom or something.”

“This is embarrassing.” Cameron huffed, his voice muffled against Aleksi as he buried his face into the younger man. “You must think I’m the biggest loser, being scared of a dumb movie.” His arms wound tight around the others waist, keeping him cradled close on his lap. “Hey uhm… Em’s not back until tomorrow…. Could… I maybe crash here tonight?” It was dangerous, and he knew it. But he didn’t want this to end quite yet. He genuinely didn’t want to be alone in his apartment after the movie- he was spooked, no matter how humiliated he felt by that. But more importantly, he wanted just a little longer with the younger man in his arms, no matter how awful and selfish that was.

“Hey, it’s ok.” Aleksi soothed, stroking through platinum tresses gently. “They aren’t for everyone, and that’s alright. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” He promised. “Everyone gets scared of things. It’s completely normal. And yeah, you can crash tonight.” A pause, before Aleksi was sliding his fingers under the others chin, drawing his face up, rubbing their noses together sweetly. “As long as you make me breakfast in the morning. But for now, lets put on something fun, ok?”

A little nod, before Cameron was burying his face back into Aleksi’s shoulder.

Tomorrow, he’d do the right thing. Tonight? Tonight he’d let himself be selfish and pretend this was his to have.