Sneak Peek — Os & Maybe you're friends

Choosing this SP was so hard because of how spoilerish everything is or how much I'd rather have you read it in the chapter... I might get sneaky next time and post without names :)

The second part is a half of the moment that I mentioned, where Os realizes how much of a wet cat the Oracle is 😹

 As always, unedited!

“Missing them?” he asks.

“Who?”

“Os.”

Your brows raise.

“You seem close,” he says.

Do you? Well. Maybe. But how close is this “close?” You can’t tell… You’re not strangers anymore, but you don’t know if you can call yourself their friend. There’s still so much you don’t know about them, so much you’re not privy to. You can’t compare to their friends—in the knowledge about Os, in your skills, status, or upbringing. But then, it doesn’t always matter in a relationship.

Though maybe it matters more for someone of Os’s standing.

“We…” You pause. “We get along.” You wish you could give a different answer, but you won’t lie to their friend.

“Really?” Kasmenos tilts his head. “You’ve been quite casual with them. It’s like you’re old friends.”

“It’s probably just a sign of my poor etiquette.” Another aspect in which you lack.

He narrows his eyes and hums, but he doesn’t press for another answer.

And what would he want to know? What could he have noticed? He has barely been around you two.

Unless Os told him something about you…

<...>

Os sighs quietly and stands. You look at them. They step closer, wrapping their hands around your shoulders, and pull you forward, embracing you. Your freeze in shock, your heart beating quicker.

They simply hold you, their hands stroking your back. You relax slowly, the side of your head pressed against their stomach, and close your eyes, focusing on your breathing.

Your hands lift to hold on to their sides lightly. You don’t dare to hug them fully, but you should be allowed to touch them like this, right?

Your heart fills with overflowing sweetness, so full of it you feel like it’ll burst. The sweetness warms you, melting you like an ice cube in front a flame. A pleasant sensation you’re not used to. You don’t know what to do with it. What to do with the way it makes you acutely aware of Os’s every breath, their every motion.

Afraid of how much it unravels you, leaving you feel open, bare, you pull back, releasing Os. Their hands slide from your shoulders, returning to their sides. You look up at them, meeting their warm gaze.

Maybe. Maybe you are friends…

Os shows a small smile. They flick your forehead, and you startle.

“Don’t make that face,” they say.

You rub your forehead, frowning at them. “What face?”

Their smile widens. “Never mind.”