Sam lowered his head, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I… I want to take my basketball to the national team. That's my dream. I want to live my life on my own terms, by my own choices."
But then—almost without realizing—words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"And… I want you to stay with me forever."
As soon as he said it, Sam froze. His heart skipped a beat, panic rushing through him. He bit his lip, suddenly unable to look up, afraid of Loir's reaction.
Loir, however, didn't say anything right away. Instead, he simply smiled—quietly, warmly, like he'd just heard the sweetest thing in the world.
Sam finally gathered the courage to raise his eyes, his chest tightening.
"Loir… when did you start loving me?"
Loir tilted his head, his gaze soft, almost nostalgic.
"That's a long story," he admitted. "From a time when you didn't even know I existed. When I hadn't even realized yet that I liked… boys. That I liked you."
Sam blinked, startled. "Me? That long ago?"
Loir's smile grew faint as memories flickered across his face.
"Yes. Back when you used to come near our old house in your little half-pants. You'd always run around playing basketball, while I was with my friends. But then I'd notice you… sitting alone on the swing in the corner, so quiet, just watching the world."
Sam's jaw dropped in disbelief, his curiosity lighting up his features.
"Wait… really? I don't remember ever seeing you back then!"
Loir leaned closer, his voice dropping into something soft, almost shy.
"You've been handsome since you were a kid."
Sam's heart thudded at the words, and before either of them realized it, their faces inched closer, lips about to meet—
When suddenly—
"Brother!"
The door flew open and little Mini rushed in, clutching a toy. "Help me put my toys away! I want to read now."
Loir instantly jerked back, his face flushed crimson. Sam pressed his lips together to hold back a laugh, while Loir busied himself avoiding his eyes.
Together, the two of them helped Mini gather up her scattered toys. Once everything was tidied, Loir set her gently on the sofa, placing a can of chocolate milkshake into her small hands.
"Mini," Loir asked with a smile, "which book do you want to read today?"
The little girl pointed eagerly at one from the shelf. "That one!"
But before Loir could fetch it, Mini waddled straight over to Sam. Her big eyes sparkled as she tilted her head.
"Brother, you're so handsome. When I grow up, I'll marry you, okay?"
Both Sam and Loir blinked, then burst into laughter. Sam reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately.
"Mini, I already love your brother Loir very much. If I married you, wouldn't that hurt him?"
Mini froze, her little mouth making an "O." She hopped off the sofa, pattering over to Loir instead. Wrapping her tiny arms around his leg, she whispered, "Brother, I love you too much. I don't want you to be sad. I'll find a husband in the future who's just as handsome as your friend. Will you help me?"
Loir's chest shook with laughter, and Sam couldn't hold back his grin either.
The awkwardness from earlier slowly melted away, replaced by warmth and lightheartedness. Together, the three of them spent the rest of the afternoon in Loir's personal library, flipping through books and enjoying the quiet comfort of each other's company.