A/N(i am working on another book y'all might drop it todayðð)
The days following their night together felt different, but in the best way. It wasn't like the typical awkwardness that usually followed, especially for someone like Kareem, who hated feeling vulnerable. But there was something about Santi that made it easier to slip into a new kind of rhythmâone that wasn't about fighting for space or being distant just because it was easier.
They didn't talk about that morning, about how Santi's body had been pressed into Kareem's, how his arms had been wrapped around him like he couldn't let go. It wasn't something that needed words to explain. It was just something they both knew was there.
Kareem was at his own place later that week, trying to unwind after a long day, when his phone buzzed. He picked it up, eyes skimming over the text from Santi.
Santi: You good?
Kareem: Yeah. Just chillin'. You?
Santi: Bored as hell. You wanna come over?
Kareem stared at the message for a few seconds. Part of him wanted to decline, to keep things normal, but another part of himâthe part that had been slowly warming to Santiâwanted to see him again.
Kareem: Bet. I'll be there in a bit.
He didn't overthink it. The usual routine of coming up with an excuse or figuring out why he shouldn't go out was gone. Santi made it easy, so damn easy to just... be. Kareem grabbed his jacket, slipped his shoes on, and headed out.
When he arrived at Santi's apartment, the familiar feeling of walking into his space felt almost too comfortable. No surprise, though. They'd spent time together before, hung out enough to make it feel like just another one of their nights.
Santi greeted him with a lazy smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes but still made something inside of Kareem shift. "You good?" Santi asked, standing by the door.
Kareem nodded, still not saying much. The less said, the easier it was for him to just... exist.
"Let's go kick back," Santi said, his tone casual, like it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. They went to the living room, dropped down on the couch, and Santi immediately pulled out a joint, lighting it up before handing it to Kareem.
"You still smoking 24/7?" Kareem teased, reaching for the joint.
Santi shrugged, unfazed. "I mean, shit, it works."
Kareem took a drag and passed it back, letting the smoke fill his lungs. leaning back. He was so used to pushing people away, so used to staying distant, but it was harder to do when Santi made it look so easy to just... exist in the same space without all the extra shit.
The night went on, and it felt effortless. No games, no pressureâjust two people chilling, talking about the dumb shit that didn't matter, and sharing a few laughs.
At one point, Santi took the remote and flicked through the channels aimlessly. It wasn't until a movie started playing that they both got quiet. The film was something randomâsome action flick neither of them were particularly invested inâbut it didn't matter. The quiet was comfortable.
Kareem caught himself glancing at Santi out of the corner of his eye. It wasn't anything too obvious, but he noticed the way Santi's expression softened when he was focused on something, how his lips barely moved when he spoke. Something in Kareem shifted again, something that he didn't know how to name.
And then, out of nowhere, Santi turned toward him, his face so close that Kareem could feel the warmth of his breath.
"You good?" Santi's voice was low, almost teasing, but there was something softer thereâsomething that wasn't the usual sarcastic edge.
Kareem's heart skipped a beat, his chest tightening. "I'm straight," he replied, his voice coming out rougher than he intended.
Santi's hand found its way to Kareem's knee, and Kareem froze for a moment, surprised by the suddenness. But instead of pulling away, like he would've done with anyone else, he just let Santi's hand stay there. He didn't know why, but it didn't feel wrong.
Santi didn't pull away either. His thumb brushed gently over Kareem's knee, his gaze meeting Kareem's with an intensity that left the air between them thick. The space between them felt charged now, but there was no rush. No pressure.
"I like it when you're close," Santi said, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes never leaving Kareem's.
Kareem swallowed, unsure how to respond. But he didn't have to say anything because Santi seemed to read him anyway.
The next thing Kareem knew, Santi's lips were on hisâgentle at first, a soft press of warmth, and then more urgent as Santi leaned in, deepening the kiss. Kareem's breath hitched, and for a moment, all he could focus on was the feeling of Santi's body close to his. The taste of weed still lingered on Santi's lips, and Kareem didn't pull back, didn't question it. He just let himself get lost in the moment, his hands finding their way to Santi's back, pulling him closer.