(BL) Friendship On Fire

For the next few days. Aiden was on a mission. And it was to avoid Hunter at any cost. 

Aiden wasn't just ignoring him—he was avoiding him like the plague. In the hallways, in class, even in the cafeteria, Aiden never met his eyes. And if Hunter approached him, Aiden would suddenly remember he had somewhere else to be. If Hunter tried to talk to him, Aiden would act like he didn't hear him.

At first, Hunter convinced himself Aiden was just busy or stressed. But as the days turned into weeks, the truth settled in his gut like a stone. Aiden was really ignoring him.

The worst part? Hunter had no one else to talk to. He never really spoke much to anyone besides Aiden. And now, with Aiden gone, he found himself going completely mute, like a puppy abandoned by its owner.

Although feeling embarrassed, Hunter would still wait near Aiden's locker, still hovered outside of their favorite spots and wait for Aiden to come, praying for Aiden to acknowledge him. Just once, just one word, just one glance. 

But Aiden never came, never spoke to him or even spared him a single glance. 

For the past few days, Hunter slept on the streets because Aiden never responded to his texts or picked his calls. However, Hunter felt like even if Aiden showed him mercy again, he won't ever sleep at Aiden's house ever again. 

Sam was the first to notice the heartbroken and lovesick puppy. 

"Dude," Sam groaned, plopping down beside Hunter on the school stairs. "You look like someone ran over your dog, resurrected it, and then ran it over again."

Hunter blinked at him. "…What?"

"You're all sad and gloomy. It's depressing to look at," Sam squinting at him. "You're usually like a puppy. All wagging tails and stupid smiles when you see Aiden. But now you're—" He mimicked a dead fish with his tongue hanging out.

Hunter sighed, rubbing his face. "I did something I should've never done."

Sam's eyebrows shot up. "Oh my God, did you kill someone?"

"What? No!"

"Sell a kidney?"

"No!"

"…Adopt a stray cat?"

"Sam, what—"

"I don't know, man! You look like someone with secrets!"

Hunter took a deep breath, staring at the ground. Then, before he could stop himself, the words spilled out. 

"I kissed Aiden."

Sam choked on the air itself. "YOU WHAT?"

Hunter flinched at his over exaggerated voice. "Keep it down!"

Sam grabbed Hunter's shoulders dramatically, shaking him aggressively. "YOU SKIPPED THE CONFESSION AND WENT STRAIGHT FOR THE KISS?!"

Hunter groaned in pain, covering his ears. "I—I wasn't thinking straight, okay. It just…happened."

Sam let go of him, staring blankly. "Man. No wonder Aiden is avoiding you. I would have avoided you too if you tried to kiss me."

"Why the hell will I kiss you? You're disgusting!" Hunter gave him a disgusted look." 

"Well damn. No need to insult me like that. I was giving an example," Sam gripped his chest in fake pain. 

Hunter sighed. "You think I ruined everything?"

"Well, duh! You ambushed him with a smooch! That's like breaking the bro code or something. Poor guy probably short-circuited."

Hunter groaned louder, flopping against the stair railing. "I know, I know. I messed up. He's never going to talk to me again. I ruined my whole life. I can live without food but I can't live without Aiden. "

Sam clicked his tongue. "Alright, tragic love story aside. So you really like him?"

Hunter blushed and nodded sheepishly. "Obviously."

Sam hummed. "And here I thought you were just a clingy weirdo."

"I am a clingy weirdo," Hunter muttered the truth. 

Sam nudged him playfully. "Okay, but did he kiss back? Or was it like a sneak attack?"

"…More like a sneak attack."

"Oof. Yeah, you're doomed."

Hunter groaned again, burying his head in his arms. "Kill me now."

Sam gave him a pitiful look, patting his shoulder. "Oh, I can absolutely help to kill you." 

 🙂🙂🙂

Hunter wasn't the smartest guy when it came to planning things. He was more of a go with the flow type. But desperate times called for desperate measures. Aiden had been avoiding him for weeks, and Hunter couldn't take it anymore. He needed to trap Aiden into talking to him no matter what.

So he devised a plan.

Get to school early and block Aiden's path in a dark alley before he could escape.

Corner him near the wall, ensuring there was no way to avoid physical contact.

Look him in the eye, speak from the heart, and get his best friend back.

Simple. Foolproof. No way it could go wrong.

Or so he thought.

Hunter arrived before Aiden, pacing in front of Aiden's path to home like a man on a mission. His heart thumped in his chest and his fingers twitched with nerves. 

Okay, okay. Stay calm. Don't look desperate.

The moment he spotted Aiden coming down the street, he immediately stepped into his path.

Aiden, as expected, froze upon seeing him. His eyes darted around like a trapped animal. But before he could run this time Hunter was ready to pounce on him. 

Hunter lifted his chin. "You're not running this time."

Aiden blinked bewilderedly. Then, in the dumbest and most Aiden way possible…he turned around like he was suddenly interested in walking in the opposite direction.

"Aiden? Just listen to me. That's not even your way, stupid. Where are you going?" 

Aiden turned back but dramatically raised his phone to his ear. "Sorry, I'm on a call. Hello? Yeah, I'm on my way–"

"Idiot!" Hunter narrowed his eyes, he was really stressed. "Your phone is off. Stop pretending." 

Aiden cares less about logic. He gasped more loudly. "Whoa, bad signal. I need to walk further away, away and away."

"You absolute dumbass."

Realizing he was caught, Aiden opted for his next escape tactic–speed. He tried to dart past Hunter, but Hunter, who was anticipating this, threw his arms out to block him.

Aiden swerved. Hunter swerved with him. Aiden tried the fake left, go right maneuver. Hunter matched his movement.

Left. Right. Left again. They ended up doing some weird dance in the middle of the alley, earning weird looks from passing people.

"Aiden," Hunter huffed, exasperated. "Stop running away!" 

Aiden, still refusing to meet his gaze, suddenly ducked under Hunter's arm and made a break for it.

Oh, hell no. Hunter spun around, reached his hand out, and grabbed Aiden's wrist only for Aiden to jerk away like Hunter's touch physically burned him.

That hurt Hunter more than anything. 

Aiden looked panicked too. He couldn't look in Hunter's eyes or face. "Oh no, I forgot—I…uh, I'm allergic to human contact now. Yeah. Just developed it last night."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Of course," Aiden nodded solemnly. "It's very tragic."

Hunter stared at him with sadness. This wasn't funny anymore. "You're really trying that hard to avoid me?"

Aiden's expression faltered for half a second before he turned his head. "I—I have class."

"That's a bold statement from someone who never pays attention in class and only survives on cheating his way in exams," Hunter crossed his arms.

That hit the nerve. Aiden throws him an offensive glare. "Wow, rude."

Hunter exhaled sharply. He felt like a deflating balloon as his patience was wearing thin. "Aiden. Please. Just tell me what's wrong."

Aiden's fingers clenched around the strap of his bag. He looked like he wanted to bolt. Instead, he forced a fake, overly cheerful smile. "Nothing's wrong! Everything's awesome! You're awesome, I'm awesome, life is so awesome—"

"You're a terrible liar."

"I know."

"Then just say something. I know why you're avoiding me. But I'd rather have you confront me instead of running like this every time you see me. It hurts me. Please don't do this," Hunter begged while rubbing his temples anguishly. "You won't even let me touch you as if I'm some kind of deadly disease." 

Aiden stiffened awkwardly. "That's…That's not true."

"Really–?" Hunter reached for his wrist again slowly and hesitantly only for Aiden to flinch and took a step back.

Hunter's heart clenched at the action. That's it. That's all I needed to see.

He let his hand fall. His chest ached in ways he didn't know how to describe.

But Hunter was done playing games and got his feelings hurt every time.

For weeks, Aiden had avoided him, dodging his texts, skipping their usual lunch spot, and even going as far as changing his usual routes to class. At first, Hunter told himself to be patient, to let Aiden come around on his own. But patience had never been his strong suit, and Aiden was pushing it.

So today, he wasn't letting Aiden escape without a final confrontation even though he's fully aware he would be the only one left heartbroken.

The moment Aiden walked out of class, Hunter was already there, leaning against the lockers, arms crossed. Aiden stiffened the second he saw him, his usual carefree expression vanishing into sheer panic.

Hunter grabbed his wrist and pushed him back against the wall, caging him in with both arms. His voice was strong, but not angry…just tired. 

"Tell me what's wrong. If you have questions about that night just ask me. I'll answer them truthfully." 

Aiden struggled weakly, refusing to meet Hunter's eyes. "N-Nothing's wrong. I'm just busy—"

Hunter raised an eyebrow in frustration. "Busy doing what? Avoiding me?"

Aiden gulped loudly, his eyes darting everywhere except at Hunter. "No! I mean…kind of. But I have my reasons!"

"Then tell me." Hunter's grip tightened slightly before he exhaled.

For the first time in weeks, Aiden stopped struggling. His breathing was uneven, his hands clenched into nervous fists. And then, to Hunter's complete shock.

Aiden's eyes welled up with tears.

Hunter felt his heart drop at the sight. He stared at Aiden in pure horror. "Aiden—"

But before he could do anything, Aiden suddenly broke down, his shoulders shaking as tears slipped down his cheeks.

Hunter was horrified. He had never seen Aiden cry like this before…not even when he failed all his exams and dramatically declared his life was over. 

His hands fell from Aiden's wrists instantly. "Shit—I mean, crap, I didn't mean—Aiden, don't cry!"

Aiden wiped his face harshly, his lower lip trembled badly. "You—you idiot! How can I not cry when you—"

Hunter was frozen in place, staring at him helplessly. "What did I do?"

Aiden sniffled, glaring at him with red-rimmed eyes and an accusation which was strong enough to pierce through Hunter's heart. 

"It's weird to be your friend now."

Everything inside of Hunter halted for a moment. His lips parted slightly but no sound came out. His lungs forgot how to pull in air. His body forgot how to move. He just stood there frozen, stunned, like the world had suddenly stopped. 

His mind refused to process the words at first, as if they had come from somewhere far away. But Aiden was right in front of him, and his expression twisted in accusation.

Then, slowly, the shock gave way to something deeper.

Shame. He felt ashamed. 

Aiden wiped his eyes again but his stubborn tears kept falling down. "That time…when I heard you say you like me…I thought if I just pretend I didn't hear those words at the playground, then everything would be fine! That we'd just…stay the same."

Shock after shock. Hunter never realized Aiden had heard everything he talked to Sam that day. 

Aiden's gaze flashed with discomfort before it hardened. "But then…that night."

Hunter immediately paled. His fingers went ice cold as Aiden fixed him with an accusing look.

"Why did you have to kiss me, Hunter?! I'm your friend. So, why did you do it?" 

A deep and suffocating humiliation crawled up Hunter's throat, burning hot against his neck. And suddenly he was aware of the way Aiden was looking at him with disgust in his eyes.

His fingers curled, then uncurled, then curled again at his sides, unsure whether to hold onto something or hide away. His body burned with heat, his ears, his neck, his entire face flushing in mortification.

He had never felt so exposed and embarrassed. 

Aiden wasn't just avoiding him because of some misunderstanding. He was avoiding him because he hated what happened that night.

Hunter's mind blanked for a few seconds, before a sickening thought crept in his head. 

Aiden finds me disgusting now?

His chest ached but he managed to look at Aiden's crying face. "Do you…do you find me disgusting?"

Aiden's head snapped up at that. His expression twisted into something confused and frustrated, like he hadn't even considered that possibility.

"Wh-What? No! It's not—" Aiden groaned and dragged his hands through his hair. "It's just—I don't get it! Friends don't feel that way about each other, right? Friends aren't supposed to like each other like that!"

Hunter's eyes darkened and his face turned emotionless. "Says who?"

Aiden drank up his shock and cried out. "S-Says—says everyone! That's just how things work! We're friends, Hunter! We've always been friends! You're supposed to like, I don't know, some girl! Not me! What even happened to you? You've never acted like this before!"

Hunter clenched his fists, offended. "Nothing happened to me, Aiden! I didn't wake up one day and decide to fall for you! It just happened! You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to like my dumbass best friend who barely takes anything seriously?"

Aiden flinched at that, his throat bobbing. "Then…you're just confused. Maybe you're just…mistaken. Maybe you're just really attached to me because we've been together for so long. That's not love, Hunter. It's…it's just—"

Hunter let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You really think I don't know my own feelings?"

Aiden didn't answer. His silence said everything.

Hunter exhaled slowly. His anger melted away and replaced with a deep and crushing exhaustion. He felt like he was trying to explain something to someone who simply refused to understand.

"You know what?" he said quietly. "Forget it."

Aiden blinked perplexedly. "What?"

"I'm sorry," Hunter whispered because nothing he said would change the way Aiden was looking at him. "I won't bother you anymore. No need to run and exhaust yourself. Don't do so much hard work because I'll never bother you from now on."

Aiden's eyes widened. He looked startled, like he hadn't expected that response. "Wait, that's not what I—"

"You don't have to run away from me," Hunter cut him off with a sharp look. "I'll stay away from you. That's what you want, right?" 

Aiden's mouth opened, but no words came out. He looked guilty.

But he still didn't reach out. He still didn't say anything.

Hunter swallowed hard and turned away first.

He walked off without looking back.

Aiden watched him go, gripping his bag so tightly he wanted to rip it in pieces.

"Shit."

Aiden stood frozen, watching Hunter disappear down the hallway. His hands clenched at his sides, heart pounding for reasons he didn't understand.

This is for the best…right?

Hunter just needed time. Yeah, that had to be it. He was just confused. If they spent some time apart, Hunter would realize it himself, and everything would go back to normal.

Aiden exhaled, forcing himself to nod.

Yeah…just give it some time. 

Hunter would be fine. And when he finally got over those feelings, they could go back to the way they were.

Nothing had to change.

So why did Aiden feel so uneasy?