Danny sat in the corner of the bustling café, his fingers drumming nervously on the table. His eyes darted to the door every few seconds, waiting. The sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow that did nothing to ease the fluttering in his chest. He was early, of course. He always was.

Chad arrived right on time, his tall frame & confident stride instantly catching Danny's eye. His heart skipped a beat as Chad spotted him and broke into that easy, charming smile that never failed to make Danny’s knees weak.

“Hey, Danny,” Chad greeted, sliding into the seat opposite him. “Sorry I’m late.”

They talked about their classes, mutual friends, and plans for the weekend. But underneath the casual banter, there was a tension, a palpable sense of something unspoken.

As the minutes ticked by, Danny found himself lost in Chad’s stories, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about his latest adventures.

He loved listening to Chad, loved the way he could make even the most mundane details seem exciting. But today, something felt different. There was a weight in the air, a sense that things were about to change.

Finally, Chad leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious. “Danny, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

Danny’s heart pounded in his chest. “What is it?”

Chad took a deep breath.

“I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and I realize that I... I have feelings for you. More than just friends. I’ve had them for a while now, and I can’t keep pretending like I don’t.”

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Danny’s mind raced, his heart swelling with a mixture of relief and joy.

“Chad, I... I feel the same way. I’ve been afraid to say anything because I didn’t want to ruin what we have.”

Chad’s smile returned, brighter and more genuine than ever. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.”

They sat there for a moment, grinning at each other like idiots, the rest of the world fading away. Then, without another word, Chad reached across the table and took Danny’s hand in his. The touch was electrifying, sending a thrill through Danny’s entire body.

“Let’s not waste any more time,” Chad said softly. “I want to be with you, Danny. For real.”

Danny squeezed Chad’s hand, his heart soaring. “Me too. More than anything.”

As they left the café, hand in hand, Danny felt a sense of hope and excitement that he hadn’t felt in a long time. This was the beginning of something beautiful, something real. And for the first time, he couldn’t wait to see what the future held for them.

Danny laughed, the sound shaky. “You’re not late. I’m just... early.”

Chad chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’re always early.”

They settled into easy conversation, the kind that flowed naturally between two people who had known each other for years.