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ARCJEC shrieks as they try to dodge TAZ, their weaponised pillow being lost in the process. TAZ wraps her arms around him from behind, trapping him in a hug, and throws herself backwards. ARCJEC gets pulled down with her. They both lie on the couch, laughing breathlessly, ARCJEC’s back to TAZ’s front, her arms wrapped securely around him.
TAZ (teasing, lighthearted): You’re such an asshole.
ARCJEC rests his head on her chest while they both try to calm their laughter. As they quiet down, ARCJEC sighs in contentment, listening to TAZ’s heartbeat. There’s a pause.
ARCJEC (whispering, nervous): I love you.
Beat. TAZ props herself on her elbows, to look at him.
TAZ (quiet): As friends?
ARCJEC (laughing): Of course as friends!
ARCJEC (nervous again): But… maybe as something else as well…
TAZ looks hesitant but hopeful, and she gently prompts them forward.
TAZ: What do you mean?
ARCJEC: Like… you’re my best friend in the whole world, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. You’re funny and determined and confident and so incredibly strong - more than just physically. Your smile is beautiful and your laugh is the happiest thing I think I’ll ever hear. And when you take my hand, or play with my hair, or sling your arm around my shoulders, or — fuck, even when you just say ‘hi’ — my stomach fills with butterflies. My hands get sweaty and my mouth goes dry and I feel kinda dizzy but in a good way, like just getting to hang out makes me really happy and excited. Fuck, whenever I’m around you my heart feels like it’s about to explode and I– I just– I don’t think that’s ‘just friends’ anymore…
ARCJEC sucks in a deep breath, fingers tapping against each other anxiously. TAZ stays silent for a moment. ARCJEC huffs out a humourless laugh.
ARCJEC: M-Maybe I’m being weird, maybe it’s just me. Nothing we do together is overtly romantic, like in the movies or whatever. We just hang out and play games and talk and shit like that. It’s normal to be happy when spending time with friends – that’s kinda the point – so maybe I’m just overreacting or something…
TAZ: Well, if it is weird, then I guess I’m weird too.
ARCJEC inhales sharply.
ARCJEC: Y-Yeah?
TAZ: Yeah.
TAZ sits up, ARCJEC’s head falling into her lap. She looks down at him as she talks.
TAZ: I get what you mean. I get butterflies whenever you hug me, and when you smile I think my heart just about combusts. You’re so fucking smart, and talented, and kind, and I think you’re adorable. You make breathing easier, and you remind me that the world can be beautiful. I feel so god damn lucky that I get to be your friend. I want to spend every day with you, even if it seems stupid, because getting to just hang out with you is the best thing ever to me. Because fucking hell, I love you too.
TAZ reaches down and pushes loose strands of ARCJEC’s hair behind their ear. ARCJEC takes her hand before she can pull it back, holding it close as they take a shaky breath.
ARCJEC (dazed): Holy shit…
ARCJEC sits up, repositioning himself in TAZ’s lap with his head leaning against her shoulder. Her arms wrap securely around him again, her head resting on his. There’s a pause.
ARCJEC: So.
TAZ: So.
ARCJEC: So now what?
TAZ: Well I mean… wanna go out?
ARCJE: Go out?
TAZ: Would you like to start dating?
ARCJEC: Oh…
TAZ (reassuring): You don’t have to choose right away. It’s ok if you need time.
ARCJEC: No it’s not that. It’s just…
ARCJEC shuts their eyes tight as they take a broken breath.
ARCJEC: This isn’t going to change anything, is it? Nothing’s going to be different between us?
TAZ: What do you mean?
ARCJEC: Like- like you know how in the movies once two characters fall in love they act completely different when in love than when they do normally? Or like if two characters get together and one has to change to fit the other, and it’s seen as better? That’s not gonna happen with us, right?
TAZ: I sure as fuck hope not, because that’s not why I fell in love with you. Those bastards in the movies are great examples of what fake love is. You don’t fall in love with someone for how they are in a relationship, for starters – if someone only loves you for a relationship, and not for you, their ‘love’ is bullshit and not worth your time. Secondly, two people in a relationship should always meet in the middle. One person shouldn’t have to completely change for the other, that’s not healthy. If someone wants you to change absolutely everything about yourself for them then they don’t really love you. So yeah, I wouldn't want that happening for us.
ARCJEC buries his face in TAZ’s shoulder, sighing in relief. Then he snorts, looking happier, and nudges TAZ.
ARCJEC (teasing): Since when did you become some sort of ‘love guru’?
TAZ: It’s not called ‘being a love guru’, it’s called ‘being a decent fucking person’.
ARCJEC bursts out laughing, and TAZ quickly joins in. They take a minute to calm down.
ARCJEC (relieved): Well I’m glad. I wouldn’t want anything to take away my best friend.
TAZ (blushing lightly): Oh yeah?
ARCJEC: Yeah. After all…
ARCJEC shifts, turning around so that he’s facing TAZ while still being sat in her lap. His legs wrap around her waist and his arms wrap over her shoulders.
ARCJEC: It was my best friend who I fell in love with, wasn’t it?
ARCJEC and TAZ stare at each other for a moment, TAZ tilting her head so that their foreheads touch. It’s peaceful. After a while ARCJEC breaks eye contact. Both of them are blushing lightly.
ARCJEC (quiet): Yeah, I’d like to start dating…
TAZ lets out a breath, sounding euphoric. A pause.
TAZ (hesitant): There is one change I’d like to happen…
ARCJEC: Yeah?
TAZ (regaining confidence): Just… more stuff like this. The cuddling, I mean. It’s nice.
ARCJEC (blushing): Of course.
TAZ sighs in contentment. She kicks her legs out across the couch and leans back, lying her and ARCJEC down once more. ARCJEC rests his head in the crook between her neck and shoulder, hugging her around the waist. TAZ cuddles him to her.
TAZ (relaxed, content): Gods, you’re so fucking warm.
ARCJEC (sleepily): Yeah well you’re really comfy, so there.
ARCJEC’s eyes slide closed on impulse, TAZ giggling at the sleep-induced slurring of their speech. She closes her own eyes with a satisfied deep breath out. Both fall asleep blushing.