Would it be a bad feeling to love him? 

Earl wondered as he moved closer to Alder’s face. He looked so peaceful in the moonlight. His nose and cheeks were tinted pink from the cold air, and his hair became messy from the wind. 

What am I doing?

He lifted his head away and began to shake Alder’s shoulder,

“Huh?”

“You fell asleep... Would you like to stay the night at my place?” He whispered.

“Yeah,” He grunted as he stumbled onto his feet. Earl let Alder lean on his arm as they slowly walked the sidewalk back to the apartment complex. As they rode up the elevator in the large building, Alder didn’t realize how close he had gotten to Earl. With a quick shock of energy from embarrassment, he jumped away from Earl towards the other side of the elevator.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t realize how close I had gotten,” He blushed and turned away.

“Don’t worry, I know you're just tired.” The elevator doors opened and Earl scooped up Alder’s arm and dragged him out to the hall.

“Hey, what the hell!” Alder shouted while being dragged.

“You're tired and we need to get some sleep! Don’t be angry at me now.” Once they arrived at the apartment Alder quickly passed out on the couch and Earl went off to his bedroom.

Earl tossed and turned before giving up on trying to sleep. Something was bothering him. Every time he would close his eyes all he could see was Alder’s face in the moonlight. The stars on his ceiling weren’t helping either; they made his heart flutter every time he saw their glow. Love wasn’t something he wanted, right? Everything was so set in stone before he met Alder. Now he has the chance to love whomever he chooses. 

Why do I want to choose him? He thought as tears fell down his cheeks, and he covered his face in his blanket. 

“Earl?” Alder creaked open his door and whispered,

“I can't sleep and I kept hearing noises from your room.” He looked over to see Earl trying to wipe his tears,

“Are you ok? What's wrong?” He rushed over and sat at the end of the bed.

“I,” He paused. “I just have a lot on my mind right now.”

“Everything will be ok, you know you will always have me to talk to,” Alder solaced. Earl looked up at Alder’s face and the glow of the fake stars on the ceiling and the genuine kindness he shared put his whole body in a daze. He felt the same feeling from the park earlier, and the urge to get closer filled his thoughts. As he leaned in he lifted his hand to brush a strand of Alder’s hair, while he gazed into his eyes. Immediately Alder’s cheeks blazed as he realized what was happening,

“Earl? What are you doing?”

He shot his hands away immediately. “I’m so sorry! I don’t know what came over me.” Earl turned his head away blushing, “Why? Why did I do that?” His mind filled with doubts. Alder watched him confused, but he knew he had to act now or he will never have his chance,

"Look at me." Earl turned towards Alder to find his lips touching his. His eyes flew open and his cheeks burned red.

He smells like blooming flowers,

 Tears rolled down his face, slipping into the cracks between their cheeks. Alder was so gentle, which let Earl fall deeper into his embrace. Earl slipped his hands around Alder’s back and pulled him up onto his lap. Their small gasps for air and slight movements filled the room. As Alder let Earl’s lips go and wiped the tears from their cheeks he was pulled into a tight hug.

“You feel right.” Earl emitted as tears dripped down his cheeks.