Milo shouldn’t have been nervous.

It wasn’t even a date.

Technically.

They were just… walking.

That’s it.

Just two people, side by side, wandering through the city as the sun dipped lower, painting everything in soft gold and pink.

Totally normal.

Except—

“Why are you so quiet?” Kai asked gently.

Milo blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. “I’m not quiet.”

“You are.”

“I’m thinking.”

Kai glanced at him, a small smile tugging at his lips. “That sounds dangerous.”

Milo huffed a laugh. “Wow. Okay.”

Their shoulders brushed.

Light.

Accidental.

And yet—

Neither of them moved away.

Milo became painfully aware of it. The warmth. The closeness. The way Kai’s arm stayed just barely against his.

His heart started doing that thing again.

Fast. Uneven.

Stupid.

“So,” Kai said after a moment, softer now, “what are you thinking about?”

Milo hesitated.

Then, honest before he could stop himself—

“You.”

Kai stopped walking.

Milo took another step before realizing, then turned back, immediately regretting everything.

“I—wait, that sounded—”

Kai was staring at him.

Not surprised.

Not teasing.

Just… focused.

“You were thinking about me?” Kai asked quietly.

Milo’s face burned. “A normal amount.”

“That doesn’t sound normal.”

“It’s normal enough.”

Kai stepped closer.

Slow.

Careful.

Like he was giving Milo time to pull away.

Milo didn’t.

“…what kind of thoughts?” Kai asked.

Milo let out a shaky breath, trying to laugh it off, but it came out softer than he meant.

“The kind where I’m starting to think I might be in trouble.”

Kai’s expression shifted.

Just slightly.

“…because of me?” he asked.

Milo nodded, just once.

“Yeah.”

Silence settled between them.

Not awkward.

Not this time.

Just heavy with something neither of them had said yet—but both of them felt.

Kai’s gaze flicked down.

To Milo’s lips.

Then back up.

Milo noticed.

Of course he did.

His breath caught.

“Oh,” he whispered.

Kai stepped closer again.

Now there was barely any space left.

“Milo,” he said softly.

“Yeah?”

“You can tell me to stop.”

Milo shook his head immediately.

“No. Don’t.”

That was all it took.

Kai’s hand lifted—hesitating for just a second—before gently brushing against Milo’s wrist.

Warm.

Careful.

Like he was holding something fragile.

Milo’s fingers curled instinctively, catching onto the edge of Kai’s sleeve.

And then—

They both leaned in.

At the same time.

Their lips met softly.

Tentative.

Like neither of them fully believed it was happening.

Milo’s breath hitched against Kai’s mouth, his free hand instinctively gripping the front of Kai’s hoodie just to steady himself.

Kai responded instantly, his other hand coming up—hovering for a second before settling lightly at Milo’s side.

The kiss deepened, just a little.

Still soft.

Still unsure.

But real.

Very real.

Milo felt it everywhere—warmth rushing through his chest, his face burning, his thoughts completely gone except for this.

Kai.

Kai kissing him.

After a moment, they pulled back.

Barely.

Foreheads almost touching.

Neither of them let go.

“…hi,” Milo whispered, a little breathless.

Kai let out the softest laugh.

“…hi.”

They stayed like that for a second.

Two.

Three.

Then Milo smiled—small, a little shy in a way he wasn’t used to.

“Okay,” he murmured. “Yeah. I’m definitely in trouble.”

Kai’s cheeks flushed faintly.

But he didn’t look away.

“…yeah,” he said quietly. “Me too.”

And this time—

When Milo leaned in again—

There was no hesitation at all.