Chapter seventeen

“You’re the one causing all this! I don’t understand you at all,” Madin says, his voice sharp, his hands clenching into fists. “Why would you even come with me if you’re going to act like this? Are you regretting it already?”

Arthur sits on the edge of the bed, his head low. For a moment, he doesn’t respond, running a hand through his hair as if trying to collect his thoughts. Then he looks up, his face a mixture of emotions.

“When did I say I regret coming with you?” Arthur says. “In fact, you came with me, Madin—not the other way around. And for the record, I’m not acting like this because I don’t want to be here. I’m like this because I don’t know what’s happening to me. I don’t know what to feel or how to feel. All I know is that I want to be close to you. That hasn’t changed.”

Madin blinks, caught off guard by the sudden honesty. “So... you want to be close to me, but you’re confused?”

Arthur nods. “Yes. I’m confused because all the feelings I had for you when I thought you were a girl—they’re still here. They haven’t gone away. And I don’t know what that means. I don’t know if it’s because they’ll eventually fade now that I know the truth, or... or if I love you for who you are.”

Madin stares at him, his emotions swirling between hope and hurt. “So what you’re saying is, you’re confused because I’m a boy? That’s what this is about?”

Arthur shifts uncomfortably but doesn’t deny it. “I... I guess, yes.”

Madin moves closer, his tone growing firmer. “If you still feel the same after knowing I’m not a girl, what more do you need? Isn’t that confirmation enough that you love me for me.”

Arthur opens his mouth to respond, but Madin doesn’t let him.

“You said your feelings for me are getting stronger every day. Was that a lie?”

“No,” Arthur says quickly, his voice softer now. “Why would I lie about that?”

“Then what’s your problem?!” Madin’s voice rises slightly, his frustration spilling over. “How can these feelings just go away if they’re growing, even after you know my real identity? It’s who we are Arthur. Stop running from it. And if you’re planning to leave me once you figure out how to get rid of your feelings, then we might as well end this now.”

Madin gets off the bed and turns toward the door, ready to leave. But before he can take more than a step, Arthur grabs his wrist, pulling him back.

“Wait” Arthur says, his voice full of desperation. In one swift motion, he pulls Madin down onto the bed.

Madin falls onto his back, and Arthur hovers over him, his weight supported by his arms.

“Can you just... give me some time to process all of this? Please?” Arthur asks, his voice trembling slightly. His gaze is locked on Madin’s, pleading for understanding.

Madin glares at him, hurt flickering in his eyes. “But what if your feelings do vanish for real? You’ll leave me, won’t you? Isn’t that what you want deep down? Arthur, I can’t keep doing this. If you’re going to leave, then just say it now, and we can both move on. Before we hurt each other even more.”

“How can you say that so casually?” Arthur exclaims, his voice cracking. “I’ve told you a thousand times that I want to be with you! And for that reason, I’m not letting you go anywhere.”

“Kiss me,” Madin whispers suddenly, his voice barely audible.

Arthur freezes, his breath hitching. “What?”

“Kiss me,” Madin repeats, louder this time, his dark eyes boring into Arthur’s. “If you say you want to be with me, then stop avoiding it. Stop running. Prove it to me.”

Arthur’s heart races, every muscle in his body tense. He has been fighting his emotions, keeping them at bay, but something in Madin’s words breaks through his defenses.

Slowly, Arthur leans down, their faces inches apart. He studies Madin’s face, his gaze lingering on every detail— and finally, his soft, slightly parted lips.

He hesitates for only a moment before closing the distance, his lips pressing against Madin’s.

The kiss is tentative at first, but when Madin wraps his arms around Arthur’s neck, pulling him closer, it deepens.

Arthur doesn’t understand how something so simple can feel so right. The doubts and fears in his mind fade away, replaced by an overwhelming warmth that spreads through his chest.

When they finally pull apart, both are breathing heavily. Madin’s hands remain on Arthur’s shoulders, holding him firmly in place.

“See?” Madin says softly, a small smile playing on his lips. “It’s not wrong when it feels this right.”

Arthur lets out a shaky sigh, his forehead resting against Madin’s. “I don’t know how to make sense of any of this, but... I know I want to figure it out. With you.”

Madin nods, his fingers brushing against Arthur’s cheek. “Then stop fighting it. Let’s stop all this arguing and just be together. Let’s cherish what we have. Even if it feels complicated or different, don’t you love how it feels when we’re together? Because I do.”

Arthur looks into his eyes, sincerity shining in his own. “I do too.”

“Then let’s do this. Let’s be together,” Madin says, his voice barely audible.

Arthur exhales deeply, his lips curving into a small smile. “Okay. And... I love you too,” he admits, answering Madin's confession earlier.

Madin’s face lights up, a bright smile spreading across his features. He throws his arms around Arthur, pulling him into a tight embrace. Arthur lets himself relax, his arms wrapping around Madin in return.

For the first time in what feels like forever, there’s no tension between them—only warmth and a shared sense of belonging.

Moments later, exhaustion takes over, and the two of them fall asleep, still holding each other close.