deli & adrian
🤡
not once has deli heard adrian swear, so when he did, he knew: adrian was really going through it. in some horrific way, this moment felt like deja vu. he thinks back to when they first started this whole ordeal and how he was doing anything he could to lighten the mood. if only it was that easy now. nothing could have prepared him for this moment. this sobering realization about what they were doing, pretending to be boyfriends to appease adrian’s parents… and maybe adrian really couldn’t care less about him in the end, that he could live with; all he knew was that this- this thing with adrian’s family weighs heavy and this was really a huge deal for him. for the first time, deli started to wonder and really consider how this will play out. for the first time, deli felt nervous not for himself but on adrian’s behalf. he doesn’t want to mess anything up for him. he wants to make a good impression. he wants it to go so well so that he’ll never have to witness adrian looking this way again. once again, adrian seemed to have the magic - rare - ability to make him shut up. what could he possibly say to make adrian feel better? deli held adrian’s hand firmly in his and continued to squeeze for reassurance as he thought about what to say. “nooo don’t pass out, you’re so sexy aha,” deli tried to joke half-heartedly. though the delivery was clearly a weak one, it helped relieved at least some of the tension he was holding in his body. “i don’t blame you for being nervous. from what you’ve told me, your family seems intense but who’s to say it won’t go well! i’m charming, remember?” he nudges adrian on the shoulder. thankfully, the joke lands a bit better this time around and he’s able to offer a hopeful smile.
— 🌌
the response throws adrian so off guard that he bursts out into laughter, the reaction surprising even adrian himself. did deli really think adrian was... sexy? the thought makes his stomach burst out into butterflies. but he said it in such a joking and lighthearted way, maybe he was trying to lighten the mood as he usually does. suddenly, the warmth that he feels turns a bit colder and more akin to disappointment. but why would he be disappointment? it’s not like they’re officially together, anyways. adrian, feeling just a teensy bit worse, lets go of their hands and sighs. he’s not quite sure what exactly he’s even sighing at, anyways. “yeah, they’re intense. like really intense. so if you want to back out, this is the last time you can do it, just let me know. no hard feelings, i promise.”
despite the jumble of emotions adrian feels, deli’s smile feels grounding.“but you really are charming, though. and i thought it was part of your cool guy thing at first but you’re so good at connecting with other people and making them comfortable.” adrian judges deli back, a soft smile growing on his face. “anyone would be lucky to be your boyfriend. seriously.”














