The Lover I Have Cultivated Since Childhood

I went over to my childhood friend's place to retrieve something I'd left behind.

By accident, I overheard a conversation between him and another man.

"Stuck, damn it!"

"What should we do? Want me to help?"

"Sure, come on over!"

"Get lost. Just get stuck there."

I clamped my hand over my mouth, eyes wide as saucers.

The guy I had a crush on was gay!

1.

I stood frozen outside his room, reeling from what I'd overheard.

Who would have thought that the guy I'd been secretly pining for all these years was gay?

My heart sank as I processed the information. Even though it was an unrequited crush, it still stung.

I thought, "Well, if he's already with someone, I guess I should move on.

There's no use hanging on to a lost cause."

I turned to leave, wanting to give them their privacy.

Just as I was about to head out, the door swung open.

I turned around and saw a tall, striking man with a chiseled face and an icy demeanor walking out.

I thought to myself, "Damn, he's ridiculously good-looking.

Too bad he's gay too.

Why do all the handsome guys have to be taken these days?"

He glanced at me, hesitated, and then asked, "Looking for Charles?"

I nodded automatically but then quickly shook my head, suddenly unsure.

Seeing my indecision, he frowned and called out to the room, "Charles, someone's here to see you."

Before I could react, the door opened again, and Charles Xavier emerged in a cotton pajama set.

His hair was tousled as if he'd just rolled out of bed, and his pajamas were only half-buttoned.

Even so, he looked as handsome as ever, though his expression was less than thrilled.

I thought, "Maybe they didn't finish their... activities?

But why is this gorgeous guy coming out?"

Charles spotted me, and his face lit up with a smile. "Oh, Lillian? What's up? Miss me or something?"

He started walking toward me, and I instinctively took a few steps back, pressing against the wooden railing.

"Don't come too close," I said, trying to avoid catching any unwelcome scents.

I thought, "Besides, he is flirting with me while his crush is still around!"

2.

Charles halted at my words, confusion evident on his face. "Lillian, are you okay? Why are you acting like you're scared of me? Am I a creep?"

I thought, "If I catch a whiff of semen from you, it would be creepy!"

The stunning man who had come out first said, "Charles, you two go ahead and chat. I'll just go grab that for you."

Charles gave him a nod and a smirk. "Thanks, Laird, you're best!"

Laird Borden rolled his eyes, turned on his heel, and headed downstairs, leaving Charles and me in an awkward silence.

I wondered, "What's he going to fetch?

It can't be...

I don't even want to know.

My mind's already in the gutter."

Charles leaned in closer, studying my face with an amused look. "Hey, Lillian, you're making some pretty strange faces. What's going on in that head of yours?"

My face flushed uncontrollably, and I stammered, "Nothing, nothing! Just, uh, stay away from me."

I pushed him away, my mind momentarily drifting into a different scene.

Charles squinted at me, observing my behavior closely. "Lillian, something's definitely off. Wait a minute... are you actually into me?"

My eyes widened in shock, and before I could deny anything, I saw Laird walking back up the stairs.

I thought, "Oh no, he definitely heard that. Please don't let him think I'm some kind of third wheel!"

"Here."

Laird reached Charles and handed him a cylindrical object. I didn't dare to look closely, but it seemed like some sort of tube.