The sound of Chris's phone ringing jolted him out of his afternoon slump. He glanced at the screen and saw Marcus's name flashing across it. A flutter of excitement coursed through him at the thought of seeing his old friend again after two long years.
"Well, if it isn't the prodigal son himself," Chris said, answering the call. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Marcus's deep laugh echoed through the phone. "Just thought I'd let you know I'm back in town. I'll be swinging by your place in a bit."
Chris felt his heart rate quicken. "I'll be ready and waiting," he replied, unable to keep the smile out of his voice.
A short while later, there was a knock on Chris's apartment door. He swung it open to reveal Marcus, looking even more handsome than he remembered. Chris felt a pang of something that he quickly pushed down.
"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in," Chris said, crossing his arms. "You're looking...taller."
Marcus rolled his eyes. "You're such a dork. It's good to see you, man."
They exchanged playful insults as they caught up, but Chris couldn't help but notice the way Marcus's eyes kept drifting to his lips. He mentally shook himself. No, he couldn't go there. Marcus was his friend, and that's all he could ever be.
The conversation turned to Marcus's new girlfriend, which stung Chris more than he expected. He plastered a smile on his face and offered to take Marcus out for a welcome-home dinner.
Over dinner, Chris struggled to keep his feelings for Marcus hidden. He laughed and joked, but his mind was elsewhere. Marcus noticed his distant behavior and asked if everything was okay.
Chris took a deep breath and told Marcus that he had something to confess. Marcus's face went blank as Chris admitted that he had feelings for him. Marcus gently rejected Chris, saying that he valued their friendship too much to risk it.
Chris was hurt but tried to hide it, insisting that they could still be friends. Marcus left, and Chris was left alone with his thoughts, wondering if they could ever go back to the way things were.
Chris decided to focus on being the best friend he could be to Marcus, even if it meant hiding his true feelings. As he fell asleep that night, he couldn't help but dream of what could have been.
But for now, he would push those thoughts aside and be the friend that Marcus needed. After all, that's what true love was all about, right?
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