Finally, it was time for them to spend by themselves and Wale had been in anticipation for months to have a private moment with Kind. The previous weeks had been nothing but deadline  at work after another and any attempt he'd initiated for him and Kind to meet afterwards were rejected, or rather accompanied with a lot of excuses.

Wale's plan was working well since he initially had intended to make Kind drunk enough to spend the night as they used to while in university and seeing that midnight was fast approaching, he didn't bother to notify his best friend of that. While watching Kind yap on about why he'd been preoccupied at work, Wale's mind was more on other things as he reminisced over his childhood memories,  his closeness to Kind and when he'd began keeping secrets from him.  A smile escaped him when Kind stood up and began searching for something to eat in the fridge. 

Kind had several stages of intoxication. First, he'd begin dancing to any music even if it were only playing in his head. Secondly he'd grow exceedingly quiet as the onset of level three begun when he'd grab anything edible to eat as soon as he'd compensated his silence with a detailed story or two. However, in the recent days, Kind had been keeping his guard up and this new secrecy  of his caused Wale displeasure. 

"I had a plan and you are a vital part of it K." Wale said however, his best friend only stared at him without a word, his expression plain and unreadable. 

After a brief silence, Kind poured himself another glass of wine, completing his third bottle. "It's been a while since you called me by that letter. You only do that when Cherry isn't around."

"That name is not for everyone..."

"I want you to help me cut your pride down to a size then show the world and Cherry you're not a heartless boyfriend that people think you are." Kind cut in, unable to keep up appearances any longer. He wanted to finish this conversation and be done with his promise to Cherry.

"Are you hinting that I did something to Cherry? Did she say something?" 

With a stern look, Kind asked, "When are you planning to propose dummy?"

'What? I just wanted to get you drunk and have you confess your feelings but you want to talk about my girlfriend? Propose?'

"Don't look at me like that Wale. Ten years is a long time to date someone. You will end up loosing her when she gets tired of waiting for you."

Wale felt rather teased than surprised however, he took it as an opportunity to irritate his best friend. He had no intention of discussing Cherry tonight for he too had his own mission tonight.

"I was planning on proposing to you today, that's why I insisted you come over the weekend K." 

"The hell... I'm being serious dummy." Kind frowned then gulped the remnants of the wine in his glass, an act that excited Wale further.

"Careful K, remember you're a lightweight."

"Don't you dare say I'm drunk! If you're not planning on marring her just end the relationship already! I'd hate to date you if I was her."

"I'd treat you differently if you were in her place K," Wale replied while flashing a satisfied grin. He liked seeing his friend's nervous reactions for a drunk Kind was easy to manipulate and mess with. 'I know she put you up to this and you must be biting your tongue just to let the words out of your mouth but if that is what you want, I'll do it.'

"You're getting on my nerves. Are you going to marry her or not?" Kind asked looking straight at Wale.

They were sharing the same couch, something that Wale had purposely done to corner Kind the moment he grew silent upon reaching level three. He moved closer to him and was relieved when Kind didn't attempt to flee as he normally did while sober. "You always say I'm annoying whenever I strike a nerve. Worse is calling me dummy whenever you're nervous K. Which is it? Are you going to marry me or should I go ahead and ask Cherry instead?"

To Wale's surprise, Kind maintained his gaze as if he were studying his features. "This closeness is not good for my heart."

"What?" Wale asked, seeming surprised for that hadn't been the reaction he had expected and what followed after took him off guard even more for Kind raised his hand to touch Wale's cheeks gently as if he were yearning for him. He then proceeded to slide his hand from Wale's neck to his chest and for a moment, Wale hadn't realized he'd stopped breathing. To make matter's worse, he wore a light vest. It had been a habit of his to get comfortable the moment he got home.

"Why is it that you only call me K when she is not here?" Kind asked again, pressing his hands on his best friend's chest and to hide his nervousness, Wale grabbed Kind's hand and pulled them behind his back. 

They were hugging. 

"I can feel the loud thudding coming from your heart K. Are you nervous to tell me the truth?" Wale asked despite reservations that nibbled at the edge of his conscience to end the intimate moment.

"What truth?"

Wale beamed, unable to contain his excitement when he felt his best friend hugging him back. Kind's vulnerability had been stimulated. 

"I know you like me K, but I don't know for how long. Will you tell me, please?"

Kind squeezed himself into the hug, not wanting to let go. "Since high school."

'So it's been that long, huh.'  "Why didn't you tell me how you felt? I would have..." Wale stopped, not knowing how to put his thoughts into words without hurting his friend's feelings. He wanted to show Kind he respected how he felt even if he can't reciprocate back his feelings back.

"I couldn't since you had started dating Cherry. Besides, you're straight and I've always known I'm gay."

This sudden declaration cut Wale deep. It had only been months back that he'd discovered his friend's true feelings. Kind had drunk himself with friends to a stupor and kept mumbling his name while asleep. Upon noticing his state, Kind's drinking buddies called Wale was came to pick him up which he did grudgingly since at that time, Kind had successfully avoided him for a while in and out of work, taking on outdoor projects that kept him out of the office and any attempts to reach him were futile.

Freeing himself from Wale's embrace, Kind quickly reached for a stolen kiss, convincing himself that if he was going to persuade Wale to marry Cherry, he'd have to make his best friend stay away from him completely but then Wale's unresponsiveness made his throat run dry.

Emitting a chuckle, Kind pulled away and looked at Wale's stunned face. "This is what you get for playing with my heart. I've never liked you dummy. I always loved you and I hate that I can't let go so hate me. At least, that might push me to finally move on." 

Still taken by surprise, Wale squinted his eyes to a narrow glint and he tried to digest what had just happened and what was said, an expression that left a misunderstanding to Kind.

"That's right. That's the look I want you to have whenever you think of me." Kind spoke, turning to reach for the bottle of wine. He wanted to finish the rest of it in one gulp and leave but it had been empty. Still, he was hellbent on saying what he wanted to say and get it over with as chocking as it felt. 

"You must marry her Wale." 

"Why are you speaking on her behalf K?" Wale asked, his eyes on his best friend then shifted to look at his trembling hands that gripped at the empty bottle. 

"Why are you not kicking me out? You are supposed to ask me to never see you again..." 

"Don't take anymore wine." Wale interrupted while reaching for the empty bottle to which Kind pulled away and stood up. Letting out a light chuckle, he wobbled slowly to the opposite seat in front of Wale and sat on it. "I'm aware you'll ask me what to get her for your ten year anniversary. Get her an engagement ring and propose. That is all she wants."

"Will you be my best man then?" Wale asked but immediately regretted asking Kind that question upon seeing his hurt expression. "I told you before that I have a plan and you are a vital part of it but you've been avoiding me. Were you planning on running away after my wedding to Cherry?"

"That's a lovely idea, except I'd do that before the big day, don't you think?"

"What about our friendship K? You're my only family... You're important to me." Wale said showing an exasperated expression.

"Then give me a reason to stay and torture myself at the sight of you in love with someone else! Ten years of watching you two has been torturous! Listening to you speak of your bedroom activities has had me broken to pieces I can hardly break further than this! I'm exhausted, wining like a child yearning for something that does not belong to me, yet it's always within my grasp!"

"I'll kiss you again!" Wale said abruptly, surprising himself that he'd go to any length not to loose his best friend. "I mean...I can't love you the same way obviously...but...if that will make you stop avoiding me, I'd gladly do it." 

"I'm greedy you dummy. I want more than just a kiss."

"You..." Wale stopped, knowing full well what Kind meant but couldn't bring himself to rephrase it.

"You see, I've accepted my unrequited love life but I'd gladly push you to the wall if I have to. You asked me today at the restaurant to make an offer correct? I want to go all the way Wale. It's been ten years watching you love someone else and I'm done doing being nice."