A/N: Steamy scene (mild?) ahead .. please proceed with caution if reading in public spaces. <3

>*<*>*<

The grayish clouds rapidly clumping together is the only warning most people stuck outdoors receive ahead of a huge downpour in the middle of an otherwise sunny day. The unanticipated drop in temperatures is a welcoming change in the midst of this heatwave and Bright thoroughly enjoys from the window of his eighth floor apartment, this sight of a drenched city illuminated by the thunderous lightning flashes and vicious sheets of rain repeatedly hitting the hard asphalt.

It sets the tone of his mood quite well. The current manic weather portrays his disorderly emotions as a candid snapshot - stormy fears running rampant in his racing heart, his hands twitch like leaves under these violent winds with anxiety as the brimming insecurity holding his willpower hostage rumbles similar to the raging thunder overhead.

Perched on the cosy window seat and engulfed in a thick quilt, Bright zones out, following the trail of raindrops splattered across the huge glass pane. He longs for a cup of honeyed tea to soothe his rather parched throat and shriveled heart. Or perhaps, it was merely a particular someone's company that he's craving for - to chase away the biting loneliness perpetually wrecking him from the inside. Having Mew around to share his joy and comfortable silences with forever or even simply to share a hot beverage with on this cold day would be like a dream come true for him. Gone are the days where the reality of having Mew around felt like a dangerous game of spin the bottle. His feelings always under siege whenever Mew glances in his direction or smiled generously or laughed without a care in the world at Bright's lame jokes.

Oh, how he longs for those simple days to be back!

Yes, it was hard to hide the conspicuous heart eyes and his monstrous crush when it was just the two of them in their shared flat. Considered himself lucky that Mew's observational skills are equivalent to the blindness of a bat. It kept him safe and well shielded from a potential wrath and enabled him to continue making moon eyes at Mew.

Bright was used to drowning, intoxicated with every prolonged stare and accidental touch he sought from his best friend - tongue tripping over itself, inconsolable in its misery to reveal secrets that he once swore to take to his grave, the longer it became obvious Mew only saw him as a good friend. He was also used to restraining those reckless urges, mindful of the apocalypse awaiting on the other side should Bright ever slip up and blindside Mew with his unwanted confession. Pretty sure, he was careless enough that their friends noticed and decided to tease him about it. Bright had to shut them real hard before Mew was ever subjected to the hearsay of his feelings, petrified of the nerd's reaction and likely suspicions sure to follow that unforeseen declaration.

Maybe Bright was right in fearing the downfall, just not regarding the source of it. Because his terrors did manifest and Mew decided (for reasons unknown so far) that he had enough of Bright in his life. Perhaps, others recognizing that he is enthralled with Mew is enough of a jinx? There he was freaking out that none of their friends with the exception of Leo is capable of keeping his secret from Mew, so Bright took extreme pains to refute their conjecture every single time they brought up his clinginess towards Mew. Turns out, it didn't matter in the end because Mew still chose to walk out, kept avoiding him and refused to explain the reasons why.

His coveted daydream shattered right in front of his eyes and Bright was helpless to do anything but watch from sidelines, a mere spectator to the horror show, as everything in his life went straight to hell.

<*>

The short two-raps on the door pulls Bright from the maudlin haze, confused as to who would call on him at this time and in such a horrible weather. Deliberately waits, no making a sound, hoping whoever is on the other side would leave mistaking he's away at the moment. Bright glares at the oak door when the knocking repeats after a short break, not really interested in answering the door but then, grudgingly parting ways from his cosy spot. It could be one of his friends, worried that he ditched class today and came by to check on him. He sighs, mentally preparing himself to be nagged or worse, interrogated.

Nevertheless, Bright still takes light steps intent on checking out his guest through the peep-hole first to decide whether to welcome them or continue his ghosting act. He's a few feet away from the entrance when with a slight click and turn, the door is unlocked from the outside.

He stands still as a ghost, unprepared for the last person to be walking inside the apartment. Mew strolls in almost distractedly, turns around after locking the door and stops short at noticing Bright.

~

Bright is the first one to break the ice. He examines Mew like a starving man would eye a feast, double-checking the travel sized bag in his pale veiny hands with a renewed sense of mounting hope. Of course, logic soon steps up to screams the other possibilities of Mew sneaking into their home when Bright is supposed to be at class. But he opts to ignore these warnings, hell-bent on changing Mew's mind.

"Hey," Bright starts oddly flustered, as though he's meeting Mew for the first time. Might as well be since they just spent the last few weeks acting like a cop and thief on the run from each other. "H-how are you, Mew?"

Mew blinks, teeth worrying his lower lip in an obvious nerves tic and Bright feels a rush of affection flooding him. "I- er, I'm fine." Strolling towards the couch, Mew drops the bag near his feet to self-consciously wrap his hands around himself, rubbing his palms over his hands and suddenly interested in studying the interior of their flat. It takes far longer for Bright than he's likes to notice that Mew is shivering.

What he previously dismissed as jitters is partly a reaction to the cold and damp clothes as well. Mew must have gotten caught unawares by the unexpected rainfall and didn't manage to escape in time. His soft blue sweater slightly clings to his body and a couple of noticeable droplets run down from his nape and wet fringe to disappear inside the shirt. As always, Mew is a vision to behold - even more so, in this moment with his damp clothes invitingly mapping the contours of his slender body and those ripped skinny black jeans accentuating his priceless assets.

"You're wet." He announces quickly averting his thirsty gaze and then belatedly bites his tongue, as the phrasing of his words catches up with him. Outside the building, a large clap of thunder echoes. The burning flush on Mew's cheeks indicate he didn't miss it either. The way his face flames in embarrassment and the pink tip of his tongue pokes out to wet his lips nearly gives Bright a heart attack. Feet stumbling over his way to grab towels, he glances back and then away, adjusting his abruptly dry throat. "I- ah ... I'll get you something warm to change into."

Bright doesn't touch the can of worms as to why he needs to dig through his wardrobe to lend Mew something to wear when they both share this apartment. Correction: shared. Neither of them comment on the stiff silence descending after that. Mew follows after him and remains fidgeting in the middle of the room. He immediately grabs a fresh pair of towels and Mew receives them with a mumbled 'thanks' and a bowed head. Bright pushes down the questions and keeps his thoughts to himself. Now is not the time to push even if he has Mew alone with him for once and not running away at the slightest opportunity. He has no intention of risking Mew's healthy by chasing him away with unwanted inquires. Bright is happy to spend time with him together again - even if it's at the expense of his raging boner and dirty mind.

As he shifts through a row of hoodies and shirts in his closet to pick a suitable choice for Mew, the guy finally speaks up without being prompted. "I'm just here to get the rest of my things. I will be out of your hair soon."

Bright has to close his eyes, still facing away from Mew and counts to ten. Satisfied at having his temper under control, he turns back with a green hoodie (his favourite and Mew's too) and shorts clutched in his hands. "Here, you can wear these."

Doesn't acknowledge the befuddled frowns Mew dons or his adorably frustrated pouts peeking from under the towel he rubs his hair with. Simply behaves as though, Bright didn't hear his best friend casually allude to moving out of their home - as if this is something they previously discussed and agreed upon. They didn't! And its time, they faced that fact ... once this topic comes up naturally though. Bright is in no hurry to confront Mew since it always seemed to drive the nerd farther away from him. Nope. This time he intends to drag this issue and play ignorant until Mew has no other choice than to start the conversation himself. Yeah, let him broach this subject whenever he's ready - Bright is happy to wait till then.

"You hungry?" Bright asks next, moving towards the kitchen. He gets stopped by a frustrated growl and a cornered animal look swirling in depths of Mew's expressive large eyes. He changes directions and steps closer to the nerd instead. "Are you okay?" He asks in the same soft tone he always uses when Mew's upset.

Tamping down a smile at his hesitant denial, Bright takes over the towel from Mew's unresponsive hands and begins gently rubbing his hair.

They're close. Far too close to each other than they have been in weeks. Bright could smell the mild scent of jasmine filtering through his senses, the heat radiating through the tiny space left between them. The puffs of hot breath he could feel hitting his neck is tangible even as Mew visibly struggles to not sway towards the warmth Bright's body is offering. Bright, himself is having trouble recalling why it is such a bad idea to eliminate the leftover distance between them. He feels high as a kite, as though he drunk too many beers in one go and is now out of control. His mind and body are clearly on different pages - one wanting to play it safe while the other driven by abandonment issues seeks physical contact, a confirmation that he's needed and loved in return.

This petty quandary mocks and belittles him, especially since the reason for his love-sickness is literally few inches away, quiet and strangely comfortable around him, as if the last month has been nothing but a product of Bright's vivid imagination. That the terms between him and Mew have never soured and they're currently on verge of giving into the attraction sparking inside them. The space - the four inch space turns all the more unacceptable as they continue to stare at each other. Breaths hitch as their darkened eyes rove over each other, wetting their lips in a nervous fashion and generally doing everything but make a goddamn move in the right direction.

It's nuisance is what it is. To come so tortuously near to his crush and not hug him or touch him. Nearly acts on that impulse too and halting just short of crossing a line, horrified at what he's about to do. Mew certainly appears to have no qualms and even whines as Bright tries to step back, guilty about whatever it is he's doing - even if its going with the instinctual commands firing at him.

Mew clutches at his shirt then, those beautiful deep eyes looking at him from below his dark lashes and Bright is gone, a willing victim surrendering to the wonderful embrace from his beloved. A rapidly fading voice in the back of his head tries to remind him something. It sounds a lot like the anxiety riddled paranoia he's used to - millions of question marks and fears that tormented till now - and Bright gladly cuts that voice short by attending to a pliant Mew in his arms. He forgets everything and focus on the burning skin his hands desperately seek, the towel discarded somewhere on the floor as Bright blindly leads them to the closest hard surface he can find without taking his eyes off Mew.

~

The next couple of minutes are lost in pressing his lips against Mew's, sucking and biting them - their buzzing chemistry exploding into flames as Bright slides his hands under Mew's shirt and pulling it off completely over his head. His own black shirt soon joins the blue material on the ground. He instantly surges back to attach himself to the beautiful squirming mess in his hands and wonders for a quick second if he had died and reached heaven.

Mew lets Bright push him harder against the smooth counter of their wardrobe, head thrown back and allowing more access to his pretty neck. He immediately settles on nipping and sucking hickeys to the pale and inviting skin - marking his territory for the world to see and back off. Bright digs his hands painfully into Mew's narrow hips, sliding a leg between the nerd's legs and sets a slow pace to rut together. The tangle of their limbs and feet digging into his back as Mew holds on for dear life, the tugging of hands in his hair - everything, every single sensation is heightened ten fold because of the guy causing these responses within him. Bright just cannot get enough of Mew and his delirious moans that keep egging him on. The heat pooling in his stomach is clouding his brain, all rational thought left except to chase after this wonderful pleasure.

He lets his hands wander north tracing Mew's erratic heartbeat as he continues to kiss him senseless and lightly grazes the perked up nipple with his nail. The low mewl his action propels makes him repeat it over and over again, until Bright pulls away to tease it with his mouth instead. He laps at the pebbled skin, swirling his tongue over the nub and teasing with his teeth. Generally drives Mew insane with his ministrations till the other guy is a moaning, desperate mess.

"Bright." Mew gasps - a request and ragged demand at once. He arches, legs wrapped around Bright's waist as he easily lifts them up to support Mew's weight. Panting and near driven out of his mind with want, the introvert alternates between gripping Bright's shoulder and his dark hair, all the while begging him for more. "Please ... Bright. I- ah. Oh god!"

Meanwhile, Bright is a man on mission, relentless in his pursuit to make Mew come undone. He presses against the bulge in Mew's pants, thrusting lazily into the heat, the sweet friction nearly doing him in and nips his way to those lush lips once more. Slides a hand down to one of the thighs to squeeze his perfect ass, Bright mummers a constant stream of compliments and groans into the wet heat as Mew seizes him in a tight embrace. The tentative kisses places on his cheeks and the way Mew widens his eyes checking for his response immediately afterwards makes his heart skip and a bubble of hysteria to float close to popping. Bright cannot believe he has Mew, eager and enthusiastic to lock lips with him.

He breathes in the unique amazing scent of Mew, burying his face in the crook of his neck and just savors the moment. Feels the hesitant run of fingers in his mane and chuckles. Even after making out, Mew is so careful and timid when touching him back. It makes him fall deeper and harder in love, never wanting to let go of this enchanting person ever again.

Leaning back, Bright studies the artwork he left on his best friend. The blooming red and purplish marks near his chest and neck, the ravished look Mew sport - eyes blown wide with lust and swollen lips - are evidence that he did this. Bright is the reason Mew is appearing this way, tired and breathing hard as though they had just run a marathon. His dick throbs, rubbing against Mew's erection no longer enough and craving for a release. But Bright wants Mew to come first. He palms him over the jeans, unsure if the shy bookworm is ready for some 'under the pants' action yet. The way Mew quickly bucks into his hands, whining and letting out gibberish confirms to Bright that he made the right move. Still, he slowly unzips the jeans and squeezes the leaking cock straining against Mew's boxes in slow movements. Mew sucks in a strangled breath, his abdominal muscles contracting as Bright increases the pace of jerking his clothed dick. The glistering chest at his eye level demands he pay equal attention too and Bright stares mesmerized, as his fantasies are finally coming true!

~

He ducks down, a grin lifting the corner of his lips as he goes about multiplying those love bites on Mew's torso. He speeds up his hand movements, pulling and gripping the hard-on at regular intervals and could feel Mew is really close to coming apart at the seams. His own pleasure starts to build up untouched, as he simply goes about wringing an orgasm out of Mew.

Bright glances at the mirror they're leaning over to take in their reflections - wanting, no, needing to watch Mew and his enticing expressions - not wanting to stop nibbling at the taunt skin even for a second.

They make for a really pretty picture. Both of them together in this intricate dance of passion, entwined and devouring each other. Okay, its mostly Bright doing the ravishing part. Still, taking in the way Mew submits and allowing Bright to do whatever he wants with him, the trust shining in his eyes and his obedience, it just does weird things to the gooey center where his heart is supposed to reside. Tugs at his strings and makes Bright want to do everything in his power to cherish and protect Mew for the rest of eternity.

His eyes skate over the image of pale, super bright skin caressed by tanned hands, pinkish imprints of large fingers blossoming on the narrow and jutting hips. Drinks in greedily the amazing contrast of their bodies fusing together like two immovable pieces of magnet becoming one. Lingers on the miles of milky skin exposed - both in front of him and staring back from the mirror - travelling up and towards Mew's side profile, face scrunched shut as waves of pleasure roll over him. Bright grins again, smug that he's the one to invoke such a strong reaction out of Mew. Wants to see his own face beaming with happiness at having his wildest and most desperate dream come true - Mew actually returning his feelings and putting an end to his years long angsty pining.

He's repeatedly pulled towards the ruby colored lips pursed in concentration and tails over to Mew's sharp jawline and then his neck adorned with bites like an expensive choker. Bright couldn't resist adding just one more mark to this breathtaking collection. The pleasant buzzing in his heart intensifies as he leisurely makes his way to the top - dropping a chaste feathery kiss to the bobbing Adam's apple and slants his head, the perfect angle to steal a glimpse of his Cheshire's grin. Even in this steamy moment, Bright cannot help but think like a passionate photographer that he is at heart. Hands itching with a desire to capture their intimate moments and many more.

The low moans in his ear and the swiftly reverberating vibrations from his chest, nearly pushes Bright over the edge. Bursting with uncontained ecstasy, he tunes in to his own lips mapping Mew's collarbone fist - next time he will definitely remember to snag a black-and white shot of this intimacy - the chestnut shaped lips curving in a huge smile at the silent promise. The crown of his long, black hair brushes past Mew's red tinged ears and Bright smirks at a ticklish Mew affected by his minor head shake. The purring grows louder and louder as he eventually manages to wrench his attention from Mew (rather forcibly) to meet the slant, cat-like eyes lit up in victory and disdain, gaze back at him.

He recoils at the horrifying reflection, of the utterly wrong image in his place smirking at him and somehow still continuing to touch his Mew like he has all the right in the world. Bright steps back, rage and confusion growing as he gently rights Mew in his hold, to avoid hurting him from a sudden drop. But it doesn't change anything. Its as though Bright is glued to the spot and incapable of averting his eyes from the vision enacted inside the large rectangular strip of mirror. Gulf is currently kissing Mew fiercely and Mew is reciprocating with equal fervor.

And Bright- he feels sick to his stomach seeing the guy he loves accepting the advances from his bitter rival and actually enjoying it. As though, Mew is genuinely interested in Gulf like that. As if he didn't just make out with Bright few seconds earlier. Apparently, Mew got over him in that short gap. But how? And when did Gulf even move into his place and replace Bright?

The quivering, previously good stemming from his chest abruptly turns into pain and Bright doubles over clutching at source of discomfort and just refuses to acknowledge what he's seeing. He looks at Mew hoping to get an answer, something that explains his behaviour but all he finds is a cold hard glare instead. That really hurts, this hatred in Mew's usually kind eyes and Bright just can't take it anymore, this agony and maze of theories. Continuing to step backwards, he stumbles over his feet and falls ...

<*>

Bright jolts awake, shaken from the pangs of nightmare cutting off his oxygen supply and the terrifying sensation of falling to his death. He looks around frantically only to realize he had dozed off observing the rain soaked buildings and vehicles trudging over the roads below. He rubs his face and screams into his hands as the faint vestiges of Gulf and Mew together refuses to vanish from his mind.

"Its just a stupid dream." He mutters, clenching his fists. "Just a dream. No, no. Mew is simply being friendly with Gulf. Its not real. There's nothing going on between them.There isn't."

Sighs, heartbeat slowly returning to normal as complete awareness creeps in and his rational thought makes a reappearance. Notices the buzzing is still echoing around and finds its actually his phone pinging with text notifications. Ignoring it for now, he checks for any signs that prove perhaps he wasn't dreaming all of it. After all, Bright ditched his class for a reason and laid in wait hoping for his best friend to sneak in and collect his forgotten stuff from their apartment. A keen sweep across the room disputes that theory and he slumps back, hating himself some more for his idiocy. Yet, Bright cannot dismiss the theme behind this awful dream as quickly.

The symbolism and parallels to his real life and concerns are aptly utilized by his subconscious memory to scare him thoroughly. He could do nothing for now since Mew (both the real one and in his dreams) refuses to give him a hint on where it all went wrong! Gulf on the other hand though, yeah, he might slip up if Bright happened to phrase his insults right. Still, he's pretty freaked out by this whole thing and has to actively divert his mind from replaying those horrendous images. His attention befalls on his phone discarded next to him. Picking it up, he checks out the string of messages spamming his inbox. These are all from unknown numbers, not saved in his contacts and for a brief second, Bright considers deleting the entire contents of his messages without bothering to check them. He's so not in the mood for the typical simping texts he gets from fans who managed to figure out his number.

At the last moment though, Bright recalls that he discreetly pinged some of his fan club members to keep him updated about Mew's whereabouts. Anxious once again, he thumbs through them to stop at a message containing attachment. Opening the files it is clear the sender tried to stealthily snap a pic of Mew - normally Bright of all people frowns at this behaviour, but desperate times - and mostly succeeded to getting few blurred shots of a party and Mew in the background.

One damning photo survives the frenzy movements on the dance floor and Bright is left gobsmacked, clutching the hard evidence of a laughing Mew back-hugged by a ridiculously pleased Gulf.

What was it that they say about mirrors and reflections? Ah, yes. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Looks like Bright's was wrong all along and maybe, Gulf and Mew had progressed to being more than just friends.

>*<*>*<

A/N: Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter! I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback. What do you think about Bright's strategy to keep an eye on Mew? I sure hope you guys are liking this story and its slow pacing so far...

Anyways, till we meet again! The next update might be little slow and I plan to post a chapter next for my Winbright fic - *Secret Love* . Take care guys. xoxo