The familiar jingle of the coffee shop door brought a smile to Wyatt's face as he looked up from his laptop. Benji, his best friend and partner in crime, had arrived.
"Well if it isn't the hermit himself," Benji said, sliding into the seat across from Wyatt. "You've got a little something on your face there, Hermit."
Wyatt's hand flew to his cheek, feeling the heat that had crept up at Benji's words. "Oh, shut up. I do not."
Benji just laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Sure, sure. You keep telling yourself that."
As they bantered back and forth, Wyatt couldn't help but notice the way Benji's hand would brush against his own as they reached for their coffees. It was a subtle move, one that Wyatt was sure was unintentional. But still, his heart skipped a beat every time it happened.
Benji leaned in closer, his arm resting on the back of Wyatt's chair. Wyatt tensed up, unsure of how to react. He had always known that Benji was confident, charismatic even. But he had never quite realized just how much he affected Wyatt.
"You know, Wyatt," Benji said, his voice low and suggestive. "I've always thought you were cute."
Wyatt choked on his coffee, sputtering and coughing as he tried to regain his composure. Benji just laughed, patting him on the back.
"You okay there, Hermit?"
Wyatt nodded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He tried to play it cool, but he could feel the heat in his cheeks giving him away.
Benji leaned back, a smirk on his face. Wyatt couldn't help but steal glances at him, admiring the way he held himself with such confidence. And then, Benji caught him staring.
He winked, and Wyatt's heart skipped a beat. He realized, with a jolt, that he had feelings for Benji. Feelings that went beyond friendship.
Benji made another subtle move, resting his hand on Wyatt's leg. Wyatt tensed up again, but this time he didn't pull away. He was surprised at how natural it felt, how right.
Benji took this as a sign, leaning in for a kiss. Wyatt hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. But then he gave in, allowing the tension between them to finally be released.
As they pulled away, Benji smiled at Wyatt. "I've been wanting to do that for a long time, Hermit."
Wyatt couldn't help but smile back. "I think I've been wanting you to, too."
The tension between them had been building for a long time, but now, as they sat there in the coffee shop, Wyatt couldn't help but feel relieved. Relieved that he had finally admitted his feelings, and relieved that Benji felt the same way.
The rest of the day passed in a blur, as they laughed and talked and flirted. And as they left the coffee shop, hand in hand, Wyatt couldn't help but feel grateful for the tension that had brought them together.
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