I Am Tired Of Being A Hero-Chapter 166: Confession

Ravi could not sleep that night, how could he when the traces of Arlen still lingered on his lips? He traced it with trembling fingers as he rolled on his bed.

Arlen had kissed him.

Ravi had forgotten just how many times he had said those words to himself that night. He was so distracted that he had almost added milk to the instant noodles he was making. Asher had been so alarmed that it did not help the point that he was making that he was fine.

The teenager had wanted to make the food but Ravi had refused several times.

It was just instant noodles and did not take as much time as other meals would have. Not to mention that it was something that Asher really liked eating.

Rather than stir-fried noodles, he made a clear noodle soup with a soy and beef base. He used minced meat rather than square cut.

It wasn’t his best because his mind kept going back to hot lips on his and those fingers caressing his. But the meal was delicious and warm. The noodles were al dente and absorbed the umami of the broth while the soy was light yet warm. It left a memorable aftertaste on one’s tongue.

The fact that his little scheme had caused Asher such heartache made him feel guilty, now his little one was sleeping, it was time for Ravi to roll around on his bed as he completed all and everything about the kiss.

He could not sleep. Should he go and see Arlen, with the trouble he caused, he should still be in the office, right?

No, that sounded like the actions of a crazy person, Ravi thought. But he soon stood up, he was just being a concerned police officer alright.

Changing into a casual outfit, he pulled the sweater so that one side of his shoulder would show. Standing in front of the mirror, the oversized sweater looked like it was about to swallow him but it also made him look exceedingly fragile and delicate, does Arlen like this type?

Doesn’t it look like he was doing too much?

The steady presence of Malik’s energy outside his mind had disappeared. His friend was probably using all of his wits to evade capture by Arlen’s older brother.

Turning around, he paused, from this angle, it made him look much younger.

Nope.

He changed clothes more than ten times before settling for an olive green sweater, beige trousers, and brown sneakers. He checked to make sure that Asher was sleeping before he jogged out of the house. Closing his gate, he turned when he bumped into someone.

"Ouch!" A familiar pained cry sounded and Ravi moved back instantly to see someone in a dark blue police uniform, his lips twitched and he smiled.

"Arlen."

"I probably should have called first. Where are you sneaking off to?"

"I am not sneaking off.:"

"You were looking left and right. I even thought that it was a thief."

Ravi chuckled, "In Harlem. That is just not possible. I was...I was coming to see you.’’ Ravi confessed, looking up to see a trace of trepidation on Arlen’s face and his heart sank.

He suddenly wished he had not come out. As for the bravery he was so known for, at this moment, it was non-existent, he wanted to reach out to stop Arlen from speaking, from saying the words that he so feared.

That kiss had been a mistake. A moment of high emotions. Fueled by Adrenaline.

"Ravi, can we talk?"

He should have opened the gate and let him inside but Ravi did not, his shoulders were square and he faced front, drawing everything in him.

"Sure. What do you want to tell me?"

Arlen looked at the locked gate and felt that it was better this way, it would be easier to walk away when he was not inside the house.

His voice shook as he started to speak, he stepped closer, causing Ravi to involuntarily step back, "Ravi." He breathed his voice light and with so many concealed emotions that Ravi wanted to console him. To hug him and tell him that everything would be alright.

"Today. I was so afraid, I have never been this afraid in my life."

"I know," Ravi whispered, the sheer terror he had seen in those blue depths was not something that he could forget so easily.

Arlen was quiet and then he looked up, his eyes resolute, "I was thinking that if something had.,..If I did not tell you how I feel, I...I would not be able to bear it. Ravi, listen to me. When I see you, I can breathe easier." Arlen rubbed his hair but he did not break eye contact with Ravi, those blue eyes were fixed on Ravi, "When you are near me, it is as if my soul is reaching out to dance with you." He chuckled, the laughter filled with either self-pity or self-mocking, Ravi could not tell which, "I thought it was just friendship. It is not. I mean, you are my closest friend but this is different. Ravi, it is different with you. Everything is different with you. You are different." Arlen wanted to reach for him but he held himself back, pouring everything in my heart, "I did not when this started but now, you are everything to me. I have a book in my head with your name on it, and every day I just want to fill it with everything about you. The things you like, the things you hate. Your favorite food, show, sports. Everything. I am sorry, I am probably not saying this right so I would say outright, Ravi, I like you. I like everything about you." Arlen thought he was brave but at this moment he closed his eyes, not wanting to see the expression in Ravi’s eyes, "You don’t have to say it back. You do not have to say anything, I just wanted to let you know. And it would be my greatest honor if you would consider me."