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Cinnamon always had a hatred for Valentine's Day.
He hated the fact that people would shove it in his face, expecting him to be happy about it when in reality, he really feels so lonely on that day. Cinnamon never really had anybody to trust... Except for Mint.
Having been friends since childhood, it's no mistake that they have a strong bond. The truth is, Cinnamon always had feelings for him but fear would always stab him in the back whenever he thought of confessing his feelings. Something was so difficult about it, even though he knew that Mint would still be his friend no matter the circumstance.
And here he was, curled up in a ball, crying and reduced to tears in his room in hopes that Mint wouldn't hear him. The thought of being so lonely on such a day... The thought of everything... Everything was so overwhelming. He tried his best to blink back his tears but they continued to stream down his cheeks like a waterfall, and as a result, worsening his sobs.
He wished he could just forget about everything and move on, but moving on takes time -- too much time, as he interprets, and he didn't like the thought of it.
His crying softened when he heard a gentle knock on the door, obviously distracted from his thoughts.
"Cinnamon? Is everything alright?" called a soothing voice from the other side of the door.
Cinnamon's crying went back to normal upon hearing those words. Mint heard him. It was no use trying to hide his tears.
"I'm coming in, okay?"
Cinnamon didn't respond, nor did he look up.
Mint gently twisted the doorknob, and an obvious look of genuine concern spread across his face when he saw Cinnamon in such a depressing state. It hurt to see him like that.
He sat down beside him and put his arm around Cinnamon's shoulder, and the crying male shuddered from the touch.
"It's okay, I'm here with you now. I won't leave you until you feel better, alright?" Mint said reassuringly. He was almost on the verge of tears just by seeing him like this. He really did care, he really did want him to be happy.
"Mint.. I'm s-so... Sor-sorry..." Cinnamon stuttered, the tears preventing him from speaking clearly.
Mint looked puzzled for a moment but managed to catch what he said.
"Why are you sorry? There's nothing to apologize for..." He muttered, leaning in a bit closer.
Cinnamon let the tears take over him for a while, resulting in a pause.
"I'm s-sorry that.. you- hic- need to s-see me... like t-this..."
"Cinnamon... It's perfectly fine to cry... So, please, don't apologize for it, okay? I'll always be by your side."
A long pause accompanied by the sound of soft sobs followed until Mint leaned in and enveloped him in a warm embrace. He could feel Cinnamon trembling against his embrace, slowly but surely calming down the more he held on to the hug.
"Mint... I-I... love you....a lot..." He confessed out of the blue.
The words spilled out of Cinnamon's mouth as if automatically, both panic and happiness rising in him. He swear he saw Mint's eyes widen a little, and he pulled away from the hug, trying to process the situation.
Cinnamon gulped and wiped away his tears, hesitating to make eye contact with Mint. He really did just say what he wanted to say. He felt as if a weight had been lifted from his chest, but not completely, He had to wait for what Mint had to say.
Mint took hold of one of Cinnamon's hands and hugged him yet again, and the orange-haired boy's heart rate sped up.
"Cinnamon... Do you even know how much that means to me..? I'm so happy.. y-you finally said it." Mint sounded like he was about to cry, his voice breaking slightly. "I love you too, CInnamon," He loved him, really, and he was so glad and so thankful that he dared to say it to him. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
It was as if the atmosphere of the room finally brightened up, a bright and genuine smile appearing on Cinnamon's face as he started shedding tears of joy. Words could not describe his feelings of pure euphoria just from those words alone. His heart pounded heavily in his chest, with emotions tightening around it, threatening to burst.
"Thank you... For a-always loving me...." Cinnamon muttered, the words being at the same volume of a whisper.
He sobbed into Mint's shoulder yet again, not caring how many times he cried today. Cinnamon was just overjoyed that Mint felt the same way. Mutual feelings. That's what they called it, and he finally knew how it feels to have someone love you back. He wiped away his tears.
Mint gave Cinnamon a peck on his cheek, making Cinnamon's face turn red. He chuckled.
Maybe he won't be so lonely anymore.
He will always be loved. Something he never expected.