You quietly slip into the room, thinking you were alone, but the soft hum of conversation stops you in your tracks. Tod and Alex are sitting on the edge of the couch, voices low, eyes serious.

“I… I think I’m in love with her,” Tod admits first, staring at his hands. “But I don’t want to mess this up between us. You know… us.”

Alex swallows, nodding slowly. “I know. I feel the same. Every time she laugh, or smile at me… it hits me. Hard. But Tod’s right—we can’t risk ruining our friendship. Not over this.”

Tod lets out a short, humorless laugh. “So what, we just… keep it buried? Pretend it doesn’t exist?”

“We agree not to push it,” Alex says firmly. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t care. We just… wait. Let her make the first move if she ever feel the same. If she some day choose one of us… I’ll be genuinely happy. Right?”

Tod nods, relief and longing fighting across his face. “Right. Same here. No secrets, no pressure. Just… love quietly, in the background. And if she choose me… or you… it’ll be okay. We’ll still be friends.”

They fall into a comfortable silence, the weight of their confessions lingering, but not suffocating. The air is thick with unspoken admiration, with the understanding that they both love you, yet are willing to put friendship first.