Chapter Seven: Moonlight

   "Aren't you going to introduce us?" Chris asked, walking up to Syne who was receiving a kiss on the cheek by Lit.

   Chris was looking at Lit with something close to… disdain? Annoyance? Jealousy? That last part was highly doubtful though. Chris wasn't jealous of anything. He wasn't jealous at all. But why was he looking at his friend like that??

   Syne resisted the urge to stand in front of his friend, as if to protect him. It was a silly thought though, Lit was taller and more muscular than he was, it was supposed to be the other way around if it calls for protection.

   "This is my friend Lit", Syne said, chuckling as Lit put a heavy arm around his shoulders. He was really heavy though. "Lit, this is Chris. My aunt's boyfriend".

   It kinda hurt to say the last word and from the light squeeze his friend gave him, it seemed he could tell.

   "Nice to meet you", Chris politely said, extending a hand for a handshake which Lit accepted.

   "And that is Dave. Another friend", he continued after the handshake. He pointed his orange-haired friend who was the color of a tomato as he was surrounded by his twin cousins. That was unexpected. 

   "He looks like he's about to explode", Lit muttered, a chuckle on his lips.

   He was right. Normally Dave wasn't shy, in fact, he was one of the wildest if not the wildest in their friend group and so him being quiet was…interesting.

   "So Dave is… gay?" Chris asked.

   Syne and Lit exchanged looks. Was Dave gay? Honestly, nobody knew what his sexuality really was because he never talked about it but they did tease him about being gay. They'd never seen him with a woman or man… it's like he was always single.

   "I really don't know, but I'd bet on it if u could", Syne answered, looking at the way the twins were flirting with his friend right after forcing him to seat between them. 

   "So, if he was gay and was interested in the twins… is it? I mean, the twins… are– are they– ?", Chris sighed, rubbing his chin in confusion.

   "They come in one package", Syne confirmed, shocking the two men. "And that only happens if they're attracted to you, which hasn't happened again in over five years".

   "Just like Priscilla".

   "Yeah", Syne agreed with his friend.

And just like Priscilla's wives, his cousins were rich.

   "I think the celebration should start", Chris said, back to his look of annoyance. 

   Syne nodded. "Sure". His parents and siblings were already coming downstairs anyway.

   Lit let go of him and followed to seat beside Syne's brother, Kayne, who was excited to see him. 

   Syne's Mom came from the kitchen, cake in hand on a tray and his Dad and Jayne at both sides beginning the birthday song. It was weird, Syne felt himself getting emotional…just because of a song. So fucking weird.

   Like three hours, that's how long they used to collect gifts, eat the cake, drink, eat dinner, play some games, tell jokes and the list goes on… Again, weird.

   Syne stood at the door, making sure to hug and thank his friends and family and wish them a safe trip home. The twins offered to drive Dave and Lit home– mostly Dave, but his Aunt and Chris were allowed to stay in the guest room for the night. He wondered why his mother even bothered, sometimes she was just too nice for his liking. But he decided not to show that he cared about their presence after all, he had a great birthday party with those close to him and that was enough for him. He knew he'd even be getting more birthday wishes and gifts from the family members that couldn't come and that made him excited.

   This was seriously the best birthday party of his life. Even though he didn't even dance.

*****

   It was midnight and Syne had already given up on sleep. There were a few reasons for that.

  One, he'd slept in the afternoon. Two, he'd eaten too much and his stomach was upset. Three, Chris and his aunt were in the same house as he was, probably in the same bed and were probably… God, he was pissed at that thought. Pretty stupid, honestly, liking someone that was in a relationship– a terrible one but still…

   He rise from his bed in surprise and caution as he heard a knock on his door. Who the hell was knocking on his door at midnight?!

   He tiptoed slowly to his door as the person wasn't giving up, pressed his head to the door and whispered as loud as he could.

   "Who is it?"

   "Me", he heard a familiar voice say.

   He paused in surprise deciding whether to open the door or not. Then slowly, he unlocked his door so he could see the person behind the door to be sure.

   "Hi", Chris said softly, placing a hand on the door and pushing it wide open. He looked disheveled and he was dressed in just shorts, leaving his chest bare for everyone to see. Those glistening abs though…

   So fucking sexy.

   "W– what are you doing here?" Syne asked, moving backwards slowly as he entered.

   Chris smiled. "Last time I checked, your parents invited me to stay".

   "I mean my room", Syne said, sure that this man was deliberately missing his question.

   Chris kept quiet. He walked into the room fully, closing the door and proceeding to lock it. Then he turned back to Syne who was looking at him with shock written on his face.

   "I came to see you, Syne. Isn't it obvious?"