"Wale, let's grab a bite; I'm positively famished."

Swivelling his chair with an air of nonchalance, Wale fixed his best friend with a long, scrutinising gaze-a habit that had long tested Kind's patience.

"Why on earth are you glaring at me like that? Your hunger is entirely your own doing. You really ought not to have skipped breakfast and lunch, simply loitering about, awaiting my presence, only to pester me now. I've told you more times than I care to count: I'm practising intermittent fasting."

Wale remained unfazed, his stare unbroken, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. He had, at the very least, expected Kind to drop some hint regarding his feelings, yet the man remained maddeningly tight-lipped, his actions revealing nothing.

"Oi, Kind!" Wale suddenly sprang from his chair, grabbing Kind's hand just as the latter began to make his escape. "Why won't you talk to me, K? How long do you intend to conceal your true feelings?"

"What is it that you want, exactly? You're insufferable..."

A sly smile tugged at Wale's lips. "Quite the temper we have today, don't we K? I thought I was meant to be the grouchy one here."

"Must you say that while holding my hand, you dummy?"

"It's just one hand, K. I could always grab both if it pleases you," Wale teased, inching closer as Kind hastily withdrew, freeing himself from Wale's grip.

"Flirt with your girlfriend, not me."

"Kind, wait!" Wale's anxiety began to rise. He had hoped they could at least converse after work before their proposed dinner plans. Had I misread everything? he wondered. "Don't you have something to say? Talk to me, K."

The sudden softness in Wale's voice caught Kind off guard. For a moment, he wanted to ask what had cast such a shadow over his friend's mood. Yet, he reminded himself why he had been avoiding Wale all along. It was safer this way to avoid any risk of entangling himself between his best friend and his girlfriend. "You're as irritating as ever. I'm leaving."

The slamming of the door left Wale with unanswered questions. It was fortunate they were the only two left in the open office otherwise, it would have been unbecoming of him having someone witness his desperate need to win his friend's affections, with the poor excuse as having lunch. 

"Perhaps I've been the coward all along," Wale mused quietly. "Maybe I'm the one lacking the courage to admit I already know the truth. His truth."