Chris shut himself in his room, dimmed the lights, and hit accept.

The screen lit up, and there was Ash — hair tousled, sitting back against his pillows, that lazy smile tugging at his lips. Just seeing his face made Chris’s pulse race.

“Hey, stranger,” Ash murmured. “You look… flushed. What’s got you so worked up?”

Chris rolled his eyes, though his voice came out quieter than he intended. “Nothing. Just tired.”

Ash tilted his head, smirking. “Mhm. Sure.”

The call stretched naturally, at first — little updates, casual teasing. But it didn’t stay light for long. Ash had a way of pulling him closer with just his voice, with the way he stared through the screen like no one else existed.

“Four days,” Ash said suddenly, his voice low. “That’s all that’s left. You’ve been counting, haven’t you?”

Chris bit his lip, refusing to answer.

Ash grinned. “Knew it.” He shifted, leaning closer to the camera. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed this. Missed you.”

Heat crawled up Chris’s neck. He swallowed, trying not to fidget under the blankets. “You’re so dramatic.”

“Not dramatic,” Ash shot back smoothly. “Just honest. You drive me insane, Chris. Even like this.”

Chris couldn’t stop the nervous laugh that slipped out. He pulled his blanket tighter, glancing at the door like Tianna might suddenly walk in.

Ash noticed, of course. “You’re trying to keep quiet,” he teased, eyes gleaming. “Don’t. I want to hear you.”

Chris’s breath caught. “Ash…”

“Take off your hoodie,” Ash said suddenly, his voice dropping. “C’mon. Let me see you.”

Chris froze. “You’re insane.”

“And you love it.” Ash’s grin widened. “Please? Just for me.”

With a roll of his eyes — and a heart that wouldn’t slow down — Chris tugged the hoodie over his head, tossing it aside. The air felt colder against his skin, goosebumps rising instantly, but Ash’s gaze heated him from the inside out.

“God, you’re gorgeous,” Ash breathed. His hand disappeared under his own blanket, his movements lazy but deliberate. “I can’t wait to have you under me again. Bet you’re already hard just from hearing me, aren’t you?”

Chris groaned, covering his face with one hand. “Ash, shut up—”

“Don’t hide from me.” Ash’s tone sharpened, though his smile stayed. “Show me.”

Chris hesitated, but when Ash licked his lips and whispered, “Please, baby,” his resistance cracked. With trembling fingers, he lowered the phone just enough to give Ash a glimpse.

“Fuck,” Ash muttered, his voice rougher now. “Touch yourself. Slow. I want to watch you fall apart.”

Chris’s chest heaved. He tried to keep his breathing steady, but the second his hand moved, Ash’s voice was in his ear, filthy and commanding.

“Faster. No—slower. I wanna see you squirm. Look at me while you do it.”

Chris obeyed, eyes darting between Ash’s face on the screen and his own body. His heart pounded so hard he thought his mom might hear it downstairs. Every time he bit back a sound, Ash pushed harder.

“You’re trying so hard to be quiet,” Ash taunted. “Bet you’re biting your fist right now, aren’t you?”

Chris actually was, teeth digging into his knuckles, muffling the moans that kept threatening to spill. Ash laughed softly, like he could see right through him.

“Don’t hold back, Chris. I want to hear how much you need me. Four days… and I’ll be right there, making you scream for real.”

Chris’s head fell back, eyes squeezing shut as a broken sound slipped past his lips. Ash’s smile grew wicked.

“There it is,” he purred. “That’s my boy.”

Chris didn’t last much longer under Ash’s relentless words. When it was finally over, he collapsed back against his pillows, chest heaving, his body trembling from the release. He could barely hold the phone steady.

Ash was grinning on the other end, flushed and satisfied. “I’m just preparing you,” he murmured, voice low and smug. “For what’s to come.”

Chris muttered something incoherent, half a laugh, half a curse. His face was hot, his throat dry, and he couldn’t stop smiling even if he wanted to.

By the time they finally hung up, Chris lay staring at his ceiling in the dark, pulse still racing, a giddy smile refusing to leave his lips. Four days suddenly felt both unbearably long… and not nearly enough.

Dinner that evening felt different.

Chris walked downstairs, freshly showered, hair damp, wearing the most casual expression he could manage. But Tiana noticed the slight pink in his cheeks, the distracted way he kept chewing his lip. His mom noticed too — of course she did. Moms always knew.

Halfway through the meal, with everyone talking over each other about school, plans, and Tianna’s “crackhead ex,” Chris suddenly set down his fork. His palms were sweaty.

“Um,” he began, and four pairs of eyes turned to him. His stomach flipped.

“I just… I wanna say something. And I don’t want it to be, like… a big deal, because you all probably already know but—” He swallowed, forcing the words out. “I’m gay.”

The table went quiet for half a beat.

Then his mom gave him a look so soft it almost broke him. “Honey, we’ve always known.”

Tiana smirked, spearing another piece of chicken. “Yeah. The dramatic blushes every time Ash texted you? Not exactly subtle.”

His dad chuckled, shaking his head. “You actually didn't have to say it you know boy.”

Chris blinked fast, biting the inside of his cheek as relief crashed into him. His chest felt lighter than it had in years.

“Seriously,” his mom added, reaching over to squeeze his hand. “We love you. Always will.”

Chris exhaled, a shaky laugh spilling out of him. “Okay. Cool. Great. Just—thought I should… make it official.”

Tiana raised her glass of water like a toast. “Officially out, officially still annoying. Cheers.”

Everyone laughed, and Chris couldn’t help but smile. For once, everything felt right. Even with Ash still four days away, even with the future uncertain — at this table, in this moment, he felt completely, undeniably himself.