Chapter Text
(Ivan POV):
After the game was over, our team won by 4 points. We all huddle around each other, cheering and jumping around. Though I don’t exactly match their energy. Sure I’m happy and smiling gleefully but my eyes are locked on the silver haired boy cheering in the front row. Our gazes meet and I take the opportunity to flee from the crowd of players, jogging towards him.
He gets up from his seat, approaching me, flushed cheeks and a sincere smile paints his face beautifully, “You did great out there, Ivan.” he says shyly, his gaze flickering away from mine every few seconds nervously.
“Thanks, it helped knowing that you were here.” I respond, feeling my own face flush while admiring him. I suppress the urge to kiss him right here, no matter how perfect the moment seems.
He takes a deep breath, rubbing small bits of my jersey between his fingers anxiously before speaking, “About that, Ivan. I…I don’t really know how to word this but, I like you…a lot. Honestly I-I think I’m in love with you.” He stammers while his face flushes more as he speaks. He looks down, unable to meet my eyes.
For a second, I’m completely speechless. Not in a million years did I ever think that Till would reciprocate my feelings. So now that it’s happening, it feels surreal. Though I quickly snap out of my trance and make an attempt at a response, “Till, I…” Before I can say anything else, he interrupts.
“I’m sorry Ivan, it’s okay if you don’t feel the same. This-this was really stupid…” He rambles, balling his hands into fists. His eyes slightly water up and he turns to leave.
I grab his arm softly, but enough to grab his attention. The second he turns back around to look at me, I tuck a strand of gray hair behind his ear, my hand then trailing down to cup his cheek. “Till. I love you so much, I have practically since we first met. And if I could be your boyfriend, it would mean the world to me.” I say, all of my pent up feelings spilling out of my mouth uncontrollably. I don’t bother to fight the cheesy smile forming on my lips, or the blush growing across my face.
“Ivan…” He whispers softly, a similar expression on his face.
Without another second of hesitation, my free hand cups his other cheek and I lean down to kiss him. He quickly reciprocates the kiss, placing his hands on my shoulders. After a few seconds that felt like an eternity of bliss, we both pull apart from the kiss and sit in silence for a moment after that. Until I speak up, “Uh, can I do that again…?”
“Don’t push it…” He mumbles, jokingly rolling his eyes. Without another word he stands on his tiptoes and pulls me in for another kiss. This time my hands find themselves around his waist, pulling him in closer to close any possible distance between us. He pulls away from the kiss after a few seconds. I find myself letting out a small chuckle at his beet red face.
Though our moment is suddenly interrupted by a series of voices calling my name. “So Ivan, who’s your date for the celebration tonight?” Ryota asks, curiosity clearly present in his voice. The other members of the team listen intently, also curious.
“Ah, right. Till, will you go out with me tonight? We’re going out to eat.” I say, my gaze adverts to Till.
His face flushes even deeper, “What?! Tonight? Um, yeah… okay!” he agrees anxiously. The offer obviously took him off guard even though he agreed.
I smile, then look back at my team. They’re all dumbfounded and silent. That is until Ryota speaks up, “Uh, good for you dude!” He says, at first confused but by the end of his phrase he seems genuinely happy for me. He pats me on the back before giving Till a small smile. Most of the team follows suit or does something along the lines of those gestures. The few that don’t are the assholes that vandalized Till’s locker, though I don’t pay attention to them in this perfect moment.
After the team and I get changed, and a few teammates meet up with their dates, we start the walk to a diner just down the road from our school. We decided on it since it’s so close and the game was pretty exhausting. Though I’m not exhausted at all, in fact I’m lively and full of energy. My liveliness skyrockets when Till’s hand gently brushes against my own, and after that it happens again. Though this time feels intentional. My suspicion is confirmed when Till nervously puts his hand in my own, avoiding my gaze after doing so.
I smile happily, and hold his hand a bit tighter. I stare at him for a moment before he locks eyes with me. His complexion is slightly flushed, and the electric teal hue of his eyes peeks out through his long lashes when he looks up at me. Not only that but the dimness of the night sky and the slight illumination of streetlights makes him look absolutely ethereal. What did I ever do to deserve him?
My thoughts of admiring Till are interrupted when we arrive at the diner and take our seats at a few tables that were pushed together to accommodate us.
We order our food and drinks then get to chatting. Till and I are simply having our own conversation in the corner while everyone else talks, occasionally starting random side conversations.
“...Why are you staring at me like that, you weirdo?” Till asks teasingly, resting his palm on his cheek.
“You just look so pretty wearing my jersey.” I reply, reaching over to him and pushing a piece of hair out of his face.
His cheeks flush a soft pink color and he gets flustered at my comment, “I don’t even know what you see in me…” He replies, a slight twinge of doubt lingers in his voice as he speaks even though he attempts to play the remark off as a joke.
I lean in closer to Till, gaining a more serious tone of voice, “Till, you are everything I could ever ask for and more. You’re beautiful, and if I could stare into your eyes forever, I would.” I respond without a second of hesitation. I gently caress his cheek and give him a sincere and loving smile.
His face reddens and a small smile forms across his lips. Without another word, he leans in and kisses me. I kiss back, cupping his cheeks with my hands. The kiss only lasts a few seconds before Till pulls away. He’s most likely some sort of nervous or embarrassed with my team around. I don’t blame him for thinking that way based on his past experiences with them.
We all leave the diner an hour later. Till and I say our goodbyes, then we start the walk back home. When we arrive, I ask Till if I can sleepover at his house and he agrees.