Chapter 11

These days, Kanan's journey often leads to two destinations: Nathaniel's house and The View. Today, he was more nervous than usual as he was en route to Nathaniel's house for their planned dinner and baking lessons. Perhaps it was the aftermath of Nathaniel's gesture. He dubbed them Happiness rings, not traditional promise rings but Happiness. Kanan found his actions cute. As he admired the ring adorning his fingers, he couldn't help but wonder if Nathaniel harbored romantic feelings for him. Yet, Kanan resisted the urge to overanalyze choosing, instead savoring the moment and letting things unfold naturally. Deep down, he knew something shifted in him after that night. Despite the simplicity of the rings, their impact was significant. He didn't need to remove it; its presence was a reminder of Nathaniel's thoughtfulness.

As Kanan neared Nathaniel's house, the familiar sight never failed to leave him in awe. Parking and making his way to the front door, he was greeted by Nathaniel, who swung the door open with a warm smile. "Just on time," He greeted Kanan warmly.

Kanan chuckled, noticing Nathaniel's anticipation. "Were you waiting by the door all this time?" He teased.

"Maybe," Nathaniel smiled.

Upon entering the house, Kanan's gaze naturally drifted toward the kitchen, the heart of their culinary adventures for the day. "What's on the menu for today?" He inquired.

"I hope you don't mind seafood," Nathaniel replied with a grin. "We're having Shrimp Scampi-the best you'll ever taste." He boasted confidently. "And for dessert?"

"Some simple chocolate chip cookies," Kanan responded. "Not the burnt kind," He added playfully.

"Anything but burnt cookies," Nathaniel laughed.

Without delay, they made their way to the kitchen. Nathaniel suggested starting with the cookies, and Kanan readily agreed. Nathaniel offered Kanan an apron and selected one for himself. Gathering the ingredients he purchased based on Kanan's careful instructions, Nathaniel arranged them neatly on the countertop. Kanan, taking on the role of a mentor, encouraged Nathaniel to take the lead in the baking process while he provided guidance and assistance. With patience, Kanan instructed Nathaniel to measure the ingredients. As they stood side by side in the kitchen, Nathaniel couldn't resist the urge to flick a bit of flour toward Kanan, inducing laughter from them both. With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Kanan wiped some flour on Nathaniel's cheeks in return. Their playful antics added excitement to the moment. They measured the ingredients and mixed the dough, with occasional bumps, and hands brushed against each other, making Kanan feel conscious of Nathaniel.

Kanan watched as Nathaniel worked the cookie dough while occasionally glancing at him. "You're doing great," Kanan made sure to compliment him.

With the dough prepared and shaped into almost perfect rounds, Kanan, who had initially taken the initiative to preheat the oven, arranged the cookie trays, ensuring even spacing. Nathaniel watched with admiration as Kanan set the timer and trays in the oven. As if he felt a sudden surge of affection towards Kanan, caught up in the moment, he blurted out, "I like you."

The words hung in the air, a declaration of affection that took surprise. Kanan eyes widen in surprise. He turned to face Nathaniel, his heart racing with excitement and uncertainty. He didn't know how to respond, and all that left his lips was, "The cookies will be ready in 12-15 minutes,"

~~

Silence enveloped them. Kanan, ensuring the cookies had finished and left them to cool, had retreated to the backyard. Nathaniel's impulsive confession lingered in the air, leaving a tension between them. Awareness dawned on him only after the words left his lips. He understood Kanan's reaction; it was a lot to process. Nathaniel could try and dismiss his words-saying he meant as friends betraying his genuine emotions. Despite his inner turmoil, Nathaniel continued with dinner preparations, though his mood covered his initial enthusiasm.

He couldn't shake the sadness that overcame him after Kanan's actions. It felt like a silent rejection, leaving him with a sense of uncertainty. Occasionally, he stole glances at Kanan, hoping to gauge his expression. Noticing that he didn't take off, Nathaniel wanted to interpret it as a sign of hope. Wanting to give Kanan some space to process, Nathaniel kept his distance, allowing the silence to stretch between them like an unspoken agreement. Perhaps, with time, they would find the courage to address the elephant in the room.

Reflecting on the rings he impulsively bought that night, Nathaniel couldn't help but wonder if Kanan would bolt at the sight of them. After all, who gifts a ring to someone they aren't romantically involved with, or even close friends? It made him question whether friends even exchanged such gifts. But deep down, Nathaniel knew his intentions were rooted in a genuine desire for their happiness. Since taking Emily's advice and choosing himself, Nathaniel felt a sense of purpose and contentment. It was as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders after casting away what his family thought of him and filling his space with Kanan.

Admittedly, Nathaniel acknowledged he might have taken things too far. He surprised himself with his impulsiveness-buying rings and making a sudden confession. Perhaps it stemmed from desperation, a longing to express his feelings for Kanan. He couldn't deny that his feelings would only intensify with time. Every moment with Kanan gave him immense joy and a promise of new adventures. Maybe deep down, Nathaniel yearned for a reason to hold on to Kanan forever, knowing that his feelings wouldn't allow them to remain friends.

With the final touches added to the dishes and the table set, Nathaniel took a moment to admire the plating before him. The aroma of the meal filled the air. With a sense of satisfaction, he nodded to himself, pleased with the outcome of his efforts. With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Nathaniel went to where Kanan was to announce dinner was ready. "Dinners ready," He said.

As he looked at Kanan's expression, he braced himself for any signs of discomfort, expecting furrowed brows or a frown. However, to his surprise, Kanan's face remained calm. The absence of any unfavorable reaction caught Nathaniel off guard, making him second-guess his initial expectations. He couldn't help but feel relief wash over him, realizing that perhaps his confession hadn't disrupted their dynamic as much as he feared. As they sat down to eat, the silence continued at the table; only the clinking of utensils against the plate filled the room. Nathaniel couldn't help but notice the lack of conversation. Maybe it was time he said something, apologized even.

"This shrimp scampi is amazing," Kanan finally spoke. "There was a reason you were so confident."

"It turned out delicious," Nathaniel replied. Despite his earlier lack of enthusiasm, he was glad it turned out well. Savoring the food, despite the awkwardness of the moment, their shared appreciation of the food broke the silence.

"About what you said," Kanan began, setting his fork aside and meeting Nathaniel's gaze head-on. "I want to make sure you didn't misinterpret my actions. I didn't expect you to say something like that-maybe I did. Still, I needed some time to process it properly. I went outside to think it over seriously because I didn't want to give a half-hearted answer, and your presence was distracting. And honestly, that ring you gave me got me thinking about the possibility." Nathaniel listened intently, his eyes fixed on Kanan as he continued. "After careful consideration and assessing my feelings, I can't say I dislike the idea of a romantic relationship with you," Kanan admitted, both trying to hide the smile that tugged at their lips. "But at the same time, I don't think my feelings are quite there yet. It's more like a crush, I guess. I genuinely enjoy being with you and our interactions. So, how about we take some time to get to know each other better? Let's go on some dates and spend even more time together."

Upon hearing Kanan's response, Nathaniel couldn't contain the happiness that flooded his heart. Knowing that Kanan had taken his confession seriously and considered it with genuine care made him fall for him even more. A smile spread across his face, unable to hide his delight. "I understand," Nathaniel said. "Knowing you have a crush on me and are willing to take a chance at this is more than I could have hoped for. I'll use this opportunity to have you fall head over heels for me." Nathaniel looked forward to the journey ahead, knowing they had taken the first step towards something special. "I could just hug you right now. Can I?"

"What's stopping you?" Kanan replied. Nathaniel rose from his seat, a gentle smile on his face as he went around the table to where Kanan sat. With each step, his heart beat faster, anticipation bubbling within him. As he reached Kanan, Nathaniel didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around him, pulling him into a warm embrace. Meeting him halfway, Kanan turned to face Nathaniel, wrapping his arms around him in return. Kanan welcomed the hug, leaning into Nathaniel's comforting embrace. At that moment, with Kanan in his arms, Nathaniel couldn't deny his feelings. Just touching him sent a wave of warmth through his body, igniting a fire within him that he couldn't ignore. Reluctant to let go, Nathaniel held onto Kanan tighter, savoring the closeness. And when Kanan took the liberty of moving his hands along Nathanie's back, Nathaniel felt a dangerous rush.

"We should finish eating before dinner gets cold," Kanan told him, glancing at the food on their plates.

"Just ten more minutes." Nathaniel pleaded, the fondness of the moment evident in his tone.

Kanan chuckled, surprised by Nathaniel's sudden clinginess, "I never pegged you as the clingy type." He teased. "The food is too good not to enjoy it now."

"Ok. Let's eat." Nathaniel agreed, hesitant in his release. They took their seat. As they continued to enjoy their meal, Nathaniel found himself stealing glances at Kanan, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his presence. Their conversations flowed easily, a mix of light-hearted banter and meaningful exchanges that deepened their connection with each passing minute. As they savored the last of the meal, Nathaniel couldn't help but feel grateful for the simple pleasure of great food and good company.

"The food was good. Now it's time for the cookies." Kanan declared, fetching the cookies from the kitchen. He returned with freshly baked cookies, offering Nathaniel the first bite of a gooey chocolate chip cookie.

"As expected, they taste great," Nathaniel spoke, reaching for another cookie.

"I'm the best at what I do,"

"Now that we're on the first page of our relationship," Nathaniel felt the need to address an important matter. "As you can see, I can be clingy. If at any point I make you feel uncomfortable or I do anything you don't like, let me know immediately, and I'll stop. I never want you to feel that way. I want us to be on the same page for anything, whether I'm kissing you or..."

"I get it," Kanan interjected, cutting off Nathaniel before he could finish knowing what he would say. "Nathan, I'm not one to hold back when it comes to things I dislike." He reassured him, his tone firm yet gentle.

Nathaniel couldn't help but remember Kanan's straightforward nature, a quality he admired since they first met. Still, he felt it was crucial to establish clear communication, ensuring they both felt comfortable and respected in their budding relationship.

"Great," Nathaniel said, relieved by Kanan's understanding. "Now that we've established that, how about we finish the evening with a movie?"

"Sounds perfect," Kanan eagerly agreed. They went to the living room, ready to enjoy the rest of their evening.