Blood, Sweat and Tears

Weeks passed as the two men spent their days and nights together. Eating, sleeping, anime, essays, and most of all, writing. Lunaria and Soleil's adventure had to come to an end. They needed to hand in the novel to their teacher.

Nathans's eyes sped along the screen, reading the entire story from start to finish. And the more he read, the more he could feel his cheeks flush. In between daily life and quests, he read about their bond, which grew stronger, more loving. Lunaria was so cold initially but found someone to understand him, while Soleil seemed to learn more about boundaries and different forms of attraction and love.

Even now that he read it, he could see their life mirrored in the storing. It was embarrassing to see their fights, dates, life at home, and friends all on paper like this. It felt more like a large love letter than a novella. It felt disturbing, especially when he looked at their small arguments over the past weeks. Though Johnathan had been very patient, Nathan knew he was venting his emotions, loneliness, and brokenness.

Was Johnathan an angel? Love is blind, but is it also insane? Nathan didn't know. He couldn't understand why the man was still so madly in love and obsessed with him. It scared him but was also reassuring.

Nathan's gaze shifted to the words on the screen, feeling a swell of emotion in his chest. Lunaria and Soleil were no longer by themselves. They had multiple people on the way. And even the bane of Lunaria's existence became an ally. Someone filled with pain and regret but saved by a stranger.

Florian had met Aiden, and their encounter had brought about a profound change in Florian's perspective. Aiden had become a catalyst for Florian's growth, a beacon of understanding and acceptance. They found solace in each other's arms through their shared experiences of pain and loss—a fragile connection born from despair.

The realization that Florian had found someone who saw him for who he was and embraced his past without judgment filled Nathan's heart with a mixture of joy and bittersweet longing. He understood that their paths had diverged, and they had found their respective life partners, but the bond they shared as friends remained unbreakable.

Not only had Florian found love and healing in Aiden's arms, but Nathan had also formed new connections. Jessica and Serena had become dear friends, providing him with the support and understanding he had yearned for. Their presence in his life was a testament to the power of friendship and the ability to forge meaningful connections even in the face of adversity.

As Nathan closed the document, he couldn't help but smile. The journey they had embarked on, both in their fictional world and in their own lives, had been filled with blood, sweat, and tears. They had faced their pasts, confronted their demons, and emerged stronger on the other side.

Taking a sip of his now lukewarm tea, Nathan sighed slightly. It was a little sad that the story was now over. They no longer had silly excuses to visit each other to write. Though Johnathan had started writing a new series, it was a little erotic, and he didn't want Nathan to read it. He would blush and hide his screen and scream from the embarrassment.

It was just very, very cute.

The table buzzed, his phone ringing loudly. Nathan put down his cup and picked up the phone, taking the call as soon as he saw who called.

"I'm not ready." The voice said with a quiver. "I don't want to say goodbye."

"You are such a drama queen at times, John. We need to hand it in. We already pushed it to the complete end of the deadline."

"B-but..."

Nathan chuckled. "I'm pressing send."

"Nate, you meanie," Johnathan said, sounding as if he was about to burst into tears.

"Well, I did want to take you and the group to a theme park. You know, like a group date?" Nathan said as his finger hovered over his trackpad, ready to hand in the assignment.

"Send it! Now! Yesterday!" Johnathan suddenly screamed over the phone. "When are we going? I cannot believe this! Nate is asking me on a date!"

Nathan handed in the novella with a chuckle, ending their writing journey together. In the background, with Johnathan, he could hear Jessica laughing brightly and Serena trying to calm down the man.

"John, don't bother them too much, okay? If they complain about you, then the date is canceled." With a smirk on his face, the words came out.

"U-understood."

"Please don't tell me you got... excited from this?"

"I want to go see you."

Nathan couldn't help but laugh. The man still acted like a dog; he could just picture his cute eyes begging him. As Nathan laughed, a warmth spread through his chest. Johnathan's enthusiasm was infectious, and Nathan couldn't deny that he looked forward to their group date at the theme park. It would be a chance for them to create new memories and celebrate the completion of their novel.

"I'm excited to see you too, John," Nathan replied, his voice filled with affection. "Just make sure you behave and don't scare off Jessica and Serena."

"I promise I'll be on my best behavior," Johnathan declared with determination and playfulness. "I'll even bring my A-game for the roller coasters!"

Nathan shook his head, still chuckling. "Just remember to hold on tight. You don't want to fall off and ruin our fun."

Their conversation continued with a playful banter that eased any lingering tension and reminded them of their strong bond. At that moment, Nathan couldn't help but feel grateful for the friendships he had formed and the love that surrounded him.

"If you promise to call Florian and invite him and Aiden and won't be out too late with the girls..."

"Y-yes! I promise!" Johnathan yelled excitedly, getting more laughs from the girls.

Nathan snorted slightly before he continued his words. "I'll let you stay over. You'll finally be able to use your key."

"I'll sleep on the couch then. Just go to sleep." Johnathan said, trying not to be too happy about it.

With a deep inhale, Nathan spoke, his cheeks flushed and his voice trembling slightly, preparing himself mentally to give the man a reward he would like. "I want you to sleep with me."