It’s hard not to think he dreamed it. Wilder wakes up actually unsure if he did dream kissing Bash, it wouldn’t be the first time. Of course, the two other times it happened had been weird dreams all around: elephants, Gallagher in the style of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, Marifer as a ginger. Just wrong all around. And he’d always woken up feeling odd and awkward, and a little guilty, not giving himself the breathing room to realize what his mind had been trying to tell him for months. But this time was different. He felt...light. Refreshed. Understood. He felt a tingle tinge his chest turquoise, like shallow water to dip his toes into. The color of energy, of balance, patience, wholeness. He thought about the kiss and nothing else for the entire day. By the evening he felt his insides might be completely blue. He gave himself that day knowingly, so that the next day he could sit and think about what happens when you wake up from a dream. He and Marifer had planned to leave for California in the morning, and Wilder didn’t want to go without saying bye to everyone important to him. The campus spent the week filled with crowds of students loading their rides and dragging their luggage. Wilder weaves through people to find Bash where he’d asked to meet him, which was nowhere in particular because he’s bad with specifics, so they’re both lucky Wilder could spot Bash in a crowd with his eyes closed. “Hey.” Wilder breathes out, smiling wide. He’s happy to see him, but doesn’t want to seem too eager. “All packed? I keep feeling like I’m gonna forget something.” @gallagherisms