The apartment felt quieter than usual, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Kareem sat on the couch, his phone in his hand, but his mind wasn't really on it. His thoughts kept drifting back to Santi. The way he held him, kissed him, the way Santi always seemed to be near, just a step behind him like he was never really far. It wasn't something Kareem was used to-someone always wanting to be that close, needing him that much.
But for some reason, with Santi, it felt... different. Real.
The soft sound of Santi's footsteps caught Kareem's attention, and before he could look up, Santi was standing right in front of him. He leaned down, brushing his lips over Kareem's forehead, a simple gesture, but one that always made Kareem's heart flutter just a little.
"You good, papi?" Santi's voice was low, his usual teasing replaced with a softness Kareem had grown used to. It wasn't the playful Santi he had first met. It was the one who cared, the one who needed him just as much as he needed Santi.
Kareem swallowed, meeting Santi's eyes. "Yeah," he murmured, his voice quieter than usual. He shifted on the couch, patting the seat next to him. "Come sit down."
Santi smiled and slid beside him, pulling Kareem closer until they were pressed up against each other, their legs tangled together. Kareem didn't pull away. He didn't want to. The weight of Santi's arm over his shoulder, the way Santi's hand moved to rub his neck-it all felt too good to resist.
For a moment, they just sat there in silence. It wasn't awkward; it was comfortable. Kareem rested his head on Santi's shoulder, and Santi kissed the top of his head, his fingers playing with the ends of Kareem's hair.
"You know," Santi started softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm glad we're doing this. I mean, we're doing this, right? No more pretending."
Kareem lifted his head, meeting Santi's eyes. His heart skipped a beat, a nervous flutter in his chest, but he didn't look away. "Yeah, we're doing this," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. "I think I'm done pretending."
Santi's lips curled up into a soft smile, the kind that was all for Kareem. "Good," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "'Cause I'm in love with you, papi. I don't wanna pretend no more either."
Kareem froze for a moment, those words sinking in like a weight in his chest. It wasn't like he hadn't felt it before, the way he needed Santi, the way his heart sped up whenever he was near. But hearing it out loud-coming from Santi-was different. It felt real. It felt right.
He swallowed hard, his throat tight. "I'm in love with you too," he said quietly, almost as if he was testing the words out. "I think I always was. I just... I didn't know how to say it."
Santi's smile widened, his eyes softening with something deep. "You don't have to say it. I know, papi. I can feel it."
Kareem couldn't stop the smile that tugged at his lips. For once, he felt like he didn't need to hide. He didn't need to guard himself or keep up walls. Not with Santi.
There was a silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was peaceful, as if both of them were just content in the moment.
"Wanna go out? Like, for real?" Santi broke the silence, the playful edge creeping back into his voice. He was still holding Kareem, but now his hands were rubbing against his sides like he couldn't get enough of the closeness. "Get out the house, do something? We've been cooped up in here too long."
Kareem raised an eyebrow, but the thought of going out with Santi sounded... nice. Not something he ever imagined, but something he could get used to. The idea of them out in public, together, with no pretenses-it was a strange thought. But the more he thought about it, the more it felt right.
"Where would we even go?" Kareem asked, glancing at Santi as he relaxed into the couch, letting his arm drape across his shoulders.
Santi smirked, his eyes darkening with mischief. "Let's just go. Wherever. I just want to be with you. Ain't that enough?"
Kareem couldn't argue with that logic. He knew Santi didn't need an elaborate plan to have a good time. But more than that, he realized he didn't need a plan either. He just needed to be with Santi.
He nodded, a little smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Alright, let's go then."
Santi stood up, pulling Kareem with him. Before they could get fully up, though, Santi leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Kareem's lips, slow and sweet. When they broke apart, he kept his forehead pressed against Kareem's, his eyes soft. "I love you, papi. Don't ever forget that."
Kareem felt his heart race at the words, the sincerity in them. "I won't," he whispered, a smile spreading across his face. "I love you too."
Santi grinned, satisfied, and tugged him toward the door. "Good. Now let's go make some memories."