The cabin was quiet again. Only the soft crackle of the fireplace broke the stillness.
Pete was in the kitchen, trying (and failing) to flip pancakes without destroying them.
Mek sat on the counter, legs swinging, watching with a smirk. "You're not exactly chef material."
Pete squinted at the mangled pancake. "Rude. That was a perfect flip in my soul."
Mek chuckled, then reached over and wiped flour from Pete's cheek.
Pete froze.
Mek's hand lingered on his face, gentle, warm.
"You're cute when you're chaotic," Mek whispered.
Pete leaned into the touch just slightly. "And you're cute when you admit you like me."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Mek rolled his eyes but didn't pull away.
Pete turned back to the pan and mumbled, "If you're so skilled, make the next one."
"I will. Just watch—"
Mek grabbed the pan, flipped the batter like a pro, and—bam. Perfect.
Pete blinked. "Okay, I'm in love."
Mek froze.
Pete froze.
Dead. Silence.
Pete slowly turned to him. "Wait—"
Mek's eyes were wide. "What did you just—"
"I didn't—I mean I did but I didn't mean to say it—"
"You said you're in love."
Pete set the pan down, took a step closer. "Yeah. Yeah, I did."
Mek's breath caught.
Pete smiled, a little nervous, a little proud. "And I meant it."
Mek stared at him, a hundred emotions swimming behind his eyes.
Fear. Hope. Shock. Wonder.
And then—
He laughed.
Not cruel. Not mocking. Just... soft and stunned.
"You're insane."
Pete nodded. "Fully. For you."
Mek looked down at his hands.
"I've never heard those words without them being a lie," he said quietly.
Pete gently took his hand. "Then let me ruin that trend."
And he said it again.
Softer.
Surer.
"I love you, Mek."
Mek looked up—eyes shiny, lips trembling.
"I..." he paused. "I'm not ready to say it."
"That's okay," Pete said immediately. "You don't have to."
"I feel it," Mek added, voice cracking. "I don't know how to say it yet, but I— I feel it."
Pete leaned in and kissed him, slow and warm, like he was kissing away every broken memory tied to those words.
And Mek kissed him back.
Because love wasn't something he could say just yet.
But in that kiss?
He screamed it.