It has been about two months since I came back home from the hospital. Melody moved out a while ago since her residency started. This means that Bad and I are the only ones living in the house. Just like before. But now, it seems like despite everything, we are impossibly closer than before everything started. Now that we know that there is no possibility of anyone watching us at any time, Bad and I have somehow subconsciously started spending more time together, and having the freedom of talking about anything and doing anything we wanted, even if would be considered dumb, as to not feel judged. Because Bad and I have known for a while now that we genuinely don't judge each other. The worst we can ever do to each other is offend the other through jokes and teasing.

I've been having so much fun with Bad that I even end up forgetting that I'm so deeply in love with him. The feeling becomes very present in my mind and heart whenever Bad does kind or loving gestures for me. It makes my heart skip a beat. Things in life have been great, if not perfect! But... a selfish part of me wishes to be more than friends with Bad. But I've been trying to hide that desire as best I can. It's okay. I'm fine. I've been fine just being Bad's best friend for years. I can gladly continue to just be his friend.

Currently, Bad and I are on the couch, randomly watching the TV together. We are very close together, with my head resting comfortably on Bad's shoulder. We've recently been in this position a lot when chilling at the couch. It first started when I was dozing off while watching TV with Bad one day, and my head ended up on his shoulder. Once I acknowledged what I was doing, I immediately sat up properly and apologized to Bad, but he said that it was fine. That I could rest my body right next to his if I wanted to. So, I cautiously got in the same position, and Bad did no protest. I then found myself doing it more often over time.

As we continue to watch the TV, I start noticing that Bad is fiddling with his fingers. It's as if he's anxious or nervous about something, but why? The fidgeting continues for a few more seconds until I decide that I should probably say something about it. But Bad says something first. He says, "Skeppy... you know I love you, right?"

That takes me off guard for a moment. Huh? Where did that come from? I say, "Of course I do. I love you too, Bad."

After a shuddery breath, Bad says, "...You know, you're the most amazing person I've ever met."

After a second of silence, I say, "Wha- where is this coming from...?"

I sit up so that I can look at Bad properly, no longer resting my head on his shoulder. Bad thinks for a moment before he sighs. He turns his body a little bit to face me properly. He says, "Skeppy... I- I need to tell you something."

"...Okay...?"

Bad thinks for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. He then says, "Skeppy, I told you that I know about everything that Quackity did to you, from the scene at the gathering to how he pushed you on the street. But I never told you that I actually know why Quackity was driven to do what he did to you. And no, I don't just mean about the fact that he got jealous of our close friendship, but of the reason why he got so worried that him and I would end up breaking up so that I could then start dating... someone else who liked me."

My eyes widen at that. Wait a minute- no... he knows? He knows about my feelings for him? F*ck- no no no... This can't be happening right now. Is he telling me this just to let me know that there's no way that him and I have a chance of dating? Is that what he's planning to do? To crush my feelings? I hurriedly start scooting away from Bad as I start rambling, "Oh sh*t- Bad- I- I- I... I'm sorry- I didn't want you to know! I wasn't planning on confessing as I was fine with just being friends- but I understand if you don't wanna even be that with me anymore-"

Bad then quickly grabs my hand, stopping me from getting any further away from him. He exclaims, "Wait- Skeppy! It's okay! I don't mind- it doesn't bother me!"

I pause at that. What...? I look up at him and ask, "What do you mean by that?"

Bad lets out a short breath. He then slowly says, "Skeppy, I... I told you before that I feel guilty for what happened to you as I feel that it is partly my fault for not paying as much attention and deciding to be ignorant of the signs around me. I still feel a bit guilty... but I didn't tell you that I also feel guilty because I could've prevented any of this pain and trouble from happening... on both you and Quackity if... I recognized my feelings for you sooner. I... have realized a bit too late that I have romantic feelings for you, Skeppy. I adjusted very quickly after breaking up with Quackity because... well... my heart already decided to dedicate itself to loving someone else. I was just too naive and oblivious to realize that I am in love with you. I always have been, so I'm sorry that my idiot self didn't realize it sooner."

I stare at Bad blankly for a moment. I'm trying to collect my thoughts. But it's currently a bit hard as my head is mostly filled with the loud beating of my heart. He... loves me? Bad loves me...? He's in love with me!? I grow oblivious to how nervous Bad is getting at my silence. He then says, "It may be a bit selfish and inconvenient of me to be confessing to you now after everything that happened. So I understand if you don't want to be my boyfriend-"

I immediately snap at that. I abruptly say, cutting him off, "No!! I- I want that- I want to be your boyfriend!"

I can feel blush forming on my cheeks. I notice that a tint of pink has formed on Bad's cheeks. He says breathlessly, "Really...?"

I give a slight pout to that. I say, "Of course I do! It's basically my dream to be able to claim you as mine..."

Bad stares at me for a moment before smiling at me in such a lovestruck way. It makes my heart melt. He gently reaches out a hand to place on my cheek. Once he does so, I immediately melt into his touch, closing my eyes for a moment at the warmth. I somehow manage to find the strength to open my eyes so that I can look at Bad. Bad starts gently stroking my cheek with his thumb, almost making me let out a whine at the amount of love that I'm receiving right now. Bad says, "I think it has been my heart's dream as well for such a long time, but I was too ignorant to notice. So I'm sorry about that. I promise that from now on, I'll listen to my heart more often."

I let out a shuddery breath at that. I then catch myself glancing down to Bad's lips. I then get the surge of confidence to do something. Hopefully, Bad is thinking the same thing as me. I look at Bad in the eyes and say, "And what is your heart telling you now?"

Almost immediately, Bad glances down to look at my lips. He then says in a soft tone, "To kiss you..."

"So do it."

With that, there is no more hesitation in Bad as he dives in to kiss my lips. He starts out slow, but there is so much passion in the kiss as he continues to hold my cheek in his hand. It is clear that the kiss is bound to get more heated. It quickly does, as our lips move in a steady, fast rhythm, taking short, quick breaths whenever we part our lips just to quickly connect them again. I wrap my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss and hold him as close as I can. Bad reciprocates the action by moving his hand that is on my cheek onto the back of my head to grip my hair gently while his other hand grabs my waist to pull me in closer.

We kiss so passionately to fill our hearts with so much love. We continue kissing for what feels like forever, but it is most likely just a few minutes. We finally stopped kissing to take in big breaths of air, as our lungs felt like they were starting to lack oxygen. We stare at each other with half lidded eyes as we catch our breaths. Soon, Bad breaks the silence by saying, "So... you now get to claim me as yours, and I get to claim you as mine, okay?"

I smile at the thought. We're finally going to be official... my dream is coming true right now. I grin at Bad cheekily yet so lovingly and say, "That sounds perfect."