The evening deepened, but neither of them seemed ready to head home. The streets were quieter now, the crowds thinning as shops closed one by one, yet strands of leftover holiday lights still glittered faintly along the main square. Their breath came in soft puffs against the cold air as they wandered aimlessly, Eli's hand still tucked into Kai's.
"Still not tired?" Kai asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Eli shook his head quickly, scarf pulled high against his cheeks. "Not really. Are you?"
"Not at all." Kai smirked, tightening his hold on Eli's hand. "Actually… I was thinking." He pointed toward the edge of the square, where a Ferris wheel stood lit in warm white bulbs. It wasn't part of a festival anymore—just one of the permanent rides the town kept running year-round. On a chilly night like this, it looked almost magical against the dark sky.
"Want to try it?" Kai asked casually, though his eyes flicked to Eli's face, gauging his reaction.
Eli froze. The Ferris wheel was tall—far taller up close than it looked from a distance. His chest tightened at the thought of being suspended so high above the ground… especially in a small carriage with only Kai beside him.
But then he caught Kai's gaze, steady and patient, and something inside him stirred. An urge not to run this time.
"...Yeah," Eli said softly. "Let's go."
The ride attendant ushered them into a carriage, the door clicking shut behind them. Slowly, the wheel groaned to life, carrying them upward. The square below shrank, becoming a scattering of glowing lights, while the sky stretched endlessly above, cold and quiet.
Eli sat stiffly at first, his hands fidgeting in his lap. His heart pounded louder with every turn of the wheel. Beside him, Kai leaned back with ease, one arm resting on the side of the carriage, his gaze drifting over the rooftops.
"Not bad," Kai murmured, his breath fogging faintly in the chill. "It's… peaceful up here."
Eli turned his head, his eyes tracing Kai's profile lit by the soft glow of the lights below. His chest swelled with a mix of nerves and warmth, something he could no longer keep locked inside.
"Kai," he whispered, leaning slightly forward.
Kai shifted, glancing at him just in time for Eli to close the gap and press his lips against his.
The kiss was quick, almost clumsy, but it sent a rush of heat through Eli despite the cold. His face burned as he pulled back, eyes wide, words tumbling out before he could stop them. "I—I just… I wanted to try. To… show you I really meant what I said earlier. About moving forward."
His voice cracked, embarrassment flooding him. He almost wished the ride would stop so he could bolt out.
But before he could retreat any further, Kai moved.
In one smooth motion, Kai reached forward, catching Eli's wrist and tugging him closer across the narrow seat. Eli let out a startled breath, wide eyes meeting Kai's just as his lips crashed back against his own.
This kiss was nothing like the one Eli had given. It was deeper, sure, unhesitant. Kai kissed like he knew what he wanted—like he'd been waiting for Eli to finally take that first step so he could take the next.
Eli froze for half a heartbeat, his mind blanking under the rush of heat. Then, slowly, instinctively, he melted into it. His hands trembled before finding their way to Kai's jacket, clutching the fabric as if to steady himself.
Kai's hand slid from Eli's wrist to the back of his neck, firm but gentle, tilting his head just enough to deepen the kiss. The world outside blurred—the lights below, the cold air, the slow rotation of the Ferris wheel—all fading until there was only the warmth of Kai's mouth, the press of his body so close, the fire curling low in Eli's chest.
Eli's breath hitched when Kai pulled back just slightly, their foreheads brushing, lips still grazing as if reluctant to part. His own lips tingled, his heart pounding so hard it hurt.
Kai's smile was soft, but his eyes burned with something steady, something certain. His voice came low, almost a whisper against Eli's skin.
"You don't have to try so hard," he murmured. His thumb brushed lightly against Eli's jaw before he finally eased back, though his hand lingered in Eli's. "But… I'm glad you did."
Eli sat there dazed, chest heaving, the ghost of Kai's kiss still heavy on his lips. The nervousness didn't vanish—it never fully did—but it was drowned out by a stronger warmth, something that wrapped around him tighter than the winter cold ever could.
The Ferris wheel climbed higher, carrying them above the rooftops, but inside the small carriage, Eli felt grounded—anchored by Kai, by that kiss, by the unspoken promise resting between them.
For the first time, Eli didn't just wonder if this was real. He felt it.