Win and Dew â A Quiet Moment
Later that evening, after most of the guests had left, Win sitting alone on the back porch, his elbows resting on his knees, staring out at the moonlit garden. His usual smirk was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
Dew stepped outside, a beer in hand. He didnât say anything at first, just stood beside Win, leaning against the railing. The silence between them was comfortable, easy.
âYouâre quiet tonight,â Dew said finally, his tone softer than usual.
Win glanced at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. âJust thinking.â
Dew raised an eyebrow. âThatâs dangerous.â
Win chuckled, the sound low and warm. âIâm serious. Itâs⦠weird, isnât it? How everything feels so normal now. Like we didnât almost die six months ago.â
Dewâs expression softened. âNormalâs not a bad thing.â
âNo,â Win agreed, his voice quieter now. âItâs not.â
They lapsed into silence again, the soft hum of crickets filling the air. Then, after a moment, Win turned to Dew, his gaze steady.
âYou know,â he said, his tone casual but his eyes betraying something deeper, âyou donât have to keep carrying everything on your shoulders.â
Dew frowned slightly. âWhat are you talking about?â
âYou know exactly what Iâm talking about,â Win said, leaning back slightly. âYouâre always the one holding the line, the one making sure everyone else is okay. But whoâs making sure youâre okay?â
Dewâs jaw tightened, but he didnât respond right away. Instead, he looked out at the garden, his grip on the beer bottle tightening slightly.
âYou donât have to do it alone, Dew,â Win said, his voice softer now. âYouâve got people who care about you. Who want to help.â
Dew turned to him, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, they just looked at each other, something unspoken passing between them.
Then, slowly, Dew set the beer down on the railing and stepped closer.
âI know,â he said quietly. His gaze flicked to Winâs lips, and for a split second, he hesitated.
But Win didnât.
He leaned in, closing the distance between them, his lips brushing against Dewâs in a kiss that was soft and unhurried, but no less intense. Dew froze for a heartbeat, then melted into it, his hands coming up to grip Winâs shoulders as he kissed him back.
When they finally pulled apart, Win was grinning, his usual cocky smirk back in place. âTook you long enough.â
Dew rolled his eyes, but there was a faint smile on his lips. âYouâre impossible.â
âAnd you like it,â Win shot back, his grin widening.
Dew shook his head, but the warmth in his gaze betrayed him. âYeah,â he admitted softly. âI do.â