It was crazy how quickly the time passed. Nearly one year prior, they’d were caught in an uncertain middle ground. They’d been lingering on the brink of friendship, just beginning to push to something deeper. Somewhere along the line, this – the heat of a hand intertwined in his, those bright eyes fixing on him from behind glasses, that stifled laughter, and Julien’s shoulder nudging against him – became routine. Still, he inevitably lost every single fight to suppress his own grin. His eyes softened when they landed on Julien. He bit his bottom lip only to release it with his own warm smile and fought the urge to slyly insinuate that maybe, just maybe, he’d been saving romance for that upcoming anniversary celebration.<br/><br/>Maddison’s initial hint of disappointment and seeming disinterest pushed aside nerves. Leave it to Maddison to put things into perspective – to find some way to lighten the mood when Everett and Julien had been so tense. Juno was equally unenthused. Still, Everett couldn’t help but read a hint of perturbation threaded in Maddison’s final, cool statement. Everett’s doubt glimmered for a breath of a moment, snuffed by the confidence of years of friendship. He was digging too deeply, he told himself, driven by his own anxiety to search for signs of disapproval that didn’t exist. Juno would go to the gym, as always. In the morning, Everett would be at Maddison’s door. And tonight, he’d walk home with Julien, like always. Life would push on and things would be normal and this, Julien’s hand intertwined with his, unashamed of who might see, could slowly become routine.<br/><br/>“Yeah, I guess that’s it,” Everett hummed. “And damn straight, I’m bragging,” he addressed Juno, smile widening as he added, “My boyfriend’s<i>hot</i>.” After a lifetime spent in hiding – unaware and unwilling to acknowledge parts of himself that he once assumed were broken – it became second nature. So, there was something in finally saying it out loud – something in brazenly naming their relationship even just in the confines of the art room – that sent a giddy shiver down Everett’s spine. Still, he kept his attention on Julien, scanning for his reaction.<br/><br/>Julien spoke on their behalf in response to Juno’s offer. He squeezed Everett’s hand and, immediately after, Everett pulled his hand away in favor of wrapping his arm around Julien’s waist to pull him in closer. He fought the temptation to kiss him right then and there, still afraid of scaring their friends off so soon after the announcement, still uncertain where he and Julien stood on less private displays of affection. “Jules,” Everett beamed in response to Julien seeking confirmation of his invitation. Everett looked forward to their time after school – their casual evenings in when he could soak up Julien’s company. “You know I wouldn’t have it any other way.”