You are in love with him. So, so deeply in love with him.

Phainon, your best friend ever since you two met as classmates at the Grove of Epiphany. What's not to love about him? Charming, witty, a heart full of gold. Crisp white hair, warm hands, and great Titans, not to mention that muscular body. He's clearly a full package!

You've been in love with him for quite a while now -- a year, maybe? Even though you've dropped hints that you felt as such, you never found it in you to confess. After all, you didn't want to ruin what you two already had. Not only that, he never seemed to pick up any of your hints. So, all of that, and dense as hell.

At this rate, you'll never have a chance to express your feelings to him if you kept chickening out!

You consulted a friend of yours, begging for them to give you an idea on how to confess. But, to your shock, they didn't give you a step by step guide on how to confess to Phainon -- they suggested that you ask him for 'kissing lessons' instead. "Judging by his response and the way he kisses, you'll know if he actually likes you back!" They claimed.

Kissing him?! It's all you could daydream about. To feel his lips against yours as he wraps his arms around your waist and- oh, cut out of it! This won't be true until you actually do it! Finding yourself in a hopeless situation due to your nervousness, you decided to listen to this friend and go for it.

Phainon was a little confused when you asked to meet him the next day, considering you don't usually initiate such things. "Partner, something the matter?" He questioned, noticing you fidgeting with your fingers. "You seem really nervous to tell me what you're about to tell me."

Oh, was it that obvious?! You sighed, telling him about getting kissing lessons from him, your eyes darting across the area and looking everywhere else but into his eyes. His eyes widened. You, a usually shy and closed off person, asked him about this?

"Partner, I-" he stuttered, not being able to comprehend what you said. "Did I hear you right? Kissing lessons?"

When you nodded, he scratched the back of his head, a small blush on his face. "I must confess... I've never kissed anyone before. I don't think I know how to kiss at all, let alone teach someone! Clearly, I need kissing lessons too," he admitted, before continuing. "Hey! I find this a good idea, actually! How about we practice with each other? Then, we could kiss the people we like! We could be kissing buddies!"

One side of you mentally face palmed at the enthusiasm, how he seemed to agree with the idea like an overexcited puppy. However, when he mentioned to 'kiss the people we like', your heart couldn't help but sink a little. He... Likes someone else?

"In fact, let's start right now!" He exclaimed, though his hands on your waist was hesitant. "I'll show you how I kiss first, and you give your comments, okay?"

Before you could respond, his lips were already on yours, and it was everything you could ever dream of. Those soft lips of his as he kissed you gently, sweetly, albeit a little sloppy. But who cares if it's your crush kissing you, right?

Of course, you returned the kiss eagerly, your lips moving with his own in an intimate dance. You savoured this moment as you wrapped your arms around his neck, causing him to pull you even closer.

"So... How'd I do?" He asked once you both pulled away to catch your breath. And in that moment, you couldn't think of anything else other than the fact you kissed your best friend.

Over the next few days, you two continued to meet up and apparently, teaching each other how to kiss. Your heart pounded with each kiss, every beat a wild rhythm that ran through your body. However, you never knew the reason why Phainon really agreed to the 'kissing lessons'...

It was because Phainon, too, had a huge crush on you. That you'd be the only person he'd ever want to kiss.

"I think I'm getting better at this," Phainon huffs as he pulls away from yet another passionate kiss. "What do you think, Partner? Do you think I pass?"