LOVE SPEAKS[I'm attracted to you]

The house was quiet, the soft hum of the night settling over them. His friend had dragged an extra blanket onto the bed, lying next to him like they had done so many times before.

Even after all these years, his friend never changed. No matter how cold he acted, how distant he became, his friend never treated him differently. He never hesitated to show kindness—to remind him that he wasn't alone.

"You know," his friend mumbled sleepily, "no matter how much you push people away, I'll always be here."

He didn't answer. But in the dim light, he turned his head slightly, staring at the ceiling.

A quiet knock came at the door.

His friend groaned. "Who's that at this hour?"

The door creaked open, and she stepped inside. Dressed in soft pajamas, her hair slightly messy from sleep, she looked different in the warm glow of the hallway light—softer, more real.

The family friend tensed slightly, sitting up. His friend, sensing the shift, smirked. "Well, I'm out." He stretched lazily and slid off the bed. "Good luck, lover boy."

The family friend shot him a glare, but his friend only chuckled and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Now, it was just the two of them.

She hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. "I couldn't sleep."

He studied her quietly. "So you came here?"

She nodded, then sat on the edge of the bed. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, she turned to him, her gaze steady. "I know."

His heart skipped a beat. "…Know what?"

She smiled slightly. "That you're afraid."

He looked away.

She sighed. "You don't have to tell me now. Or tomorrow. Or even next month." She tilted her head, watching him. "But I'll wait."

His breath caught.

"I'll wait," she repeated, softer this time, "until you're ready to say it yourself."

His grip tightened on the blanket. He wanted to say something—anything—but no words came.

Instead, she stood up, giving him one last look before heading to the door. She paused, her hand on the handle.

"Goodnight," she murmured.

And then she was gone.

He let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair.

She would wait.

And that terrified him more than anything.

In the morning.

Her brother stretched as he walked out of his room, heading toward the kitchen. Just as he turned the corner, he nearly crashed into her.

"Woah—" He caught her shoulders before she could stumble back.

She blinked up at him, still groggy from sleep. "Morning?"

He smirked. "More like afternoon. You slept forever."

She rolled her eyes. "Not my fault I was comfortable."

He chuckled. "Well, lucky you. No school today, so I brought you food." He gestured toward the tray in his hands. "Come on, before it gets cold."

They walked back to her room, and she climbed onto the bed, ready to eat. But before she could take a bite, another knock sounded at the door.

The family friend stepped inside.

Her brother raised an eyebrow. "Oh, look who decided to make an appearance."

The family friend ignored him and walked closer. His expression was unreadable, but there was something different about him today—something heavier in his eyes.

Then, without warning, he spoke.

"I like you."

Silence.

Her brother froze. "Wait… what?"

She stared at him, fork still in her hand. "You—"

"I like you," he repeated, his voice quieter but firm. "And I have for a long time."

Her heart pounded, her vision blurring with sudden tears.

Her brother looked between them, completely shocked. "You're joking."

But the family friend wasn't joking. His gaze stayed on her, steady and unwavering.

"I was afraid," he admitted. "Afraid that if I told you, everything would change. That I'd mess this up. That I'd lose you." His hands clenched at his sides. "But last night, when you said you'd wait… I realized something."

She swallowed hard. "What?"

His voice softened. "That I don't want you to wait. I don't want to keep running from this."

A single tear slipped down her cheek, then another. Before she could stop herself, she jumped off the bed and threw herself into his arms.

He stiffened at first, but then his arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly.

Her brother groaned. "Great. Now I have to deal with this."

She laughed through her tears, burying her face in his chest. "You're an idiot for waiting this long."

His hold on her tightened slightly. "I know."

Her brother sighed. "Fine. Whatever. But if you hurt her, I will be the one to make you regret it."

The family friend smirked. "You think you can take me?"

Her brother crossed his arms. "I know I can."

She laughed again, shaking her head. This was her family—flawed, complicated, and absolutely perfect.

And finally, finally, he was truly a part of it.

She stayed in his arms for a while, warmth spreading through her chest. When she finally pulled away, she wiped her tears and smiled up at him.

"You're really bad at talking, you know that?" she teased.

Her brother smirked. "Oh, trust me, I know."

The family friend simply nodded. "I do know."

Her brother raised an eyebrow. "You're just gonna keep answering in four words, aren't you?"

The family friend shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not."

She giggled, wiping the last of her tears. "You're impossible."

He tilted his head slightly. "I know that too."

Her brother groaned. "This is gonna be painful."

She nudged him. "Oh, hush. Let him take his time."

For the next few minutes, they talked—well, they talked while he replied with exactly four words each time. It was almost amusing how consistent he was.

Her brother eventually rolled his eyes. "Alright, enough of this." He pulled out his phone and walked toward the window. "Time to call Grandpa."

The family friend stiffened slightly, but he didn't say anything.

After a few rings, the old man's voice came through the speaker. "What is it?"

Her brother grinned. "Hey, Grandpa. Just calling to say you might wanna congratulate your grandson."

There was a pause. "Hmph. So, he finally confessed?"

She blushed, glancing at the family friend, who had a slight frown. "…Maybe."

The old man chuckled. "Took you long enough."

The family friend sighed. "I know it did."

Her brother shook his head. "He's been answering in four words all day."

The old man hummed. "Sounds about right."

She smiled. "Thank you, Grandpa."

The old man's voice softened. "I'm happy for you both. But I'm busy right now, so don't expect me to sit here and chat."

Her brother laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Talk later."

And just like that, the call ended.

The family friend let out a small breath, rubbing the back of his neck.

Her brother grinned. "Well, at least Grandpa didn't scold you."

The family friend simply replied, "That is a relief."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Are you really gonna keep this four-word thing up?"

He smirked slightly. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Her brother groaned. "This is my nightmare."

And for the first time in a long while, laughter filled the room—genuine, warm, and filled with something deeper.

Something like home.