Sky's breath caught. Because he did understand that feeling. That certainty. That sense of rightness when he looked at Chris.
But this was different. This had to be different.
"Chris is my age," Sky said carefully. "And he wants to be with me. We chose each other. That's the difference."
Vale's laugh was soft. Bitter. "You think that matters? Choice? Want? Those are just words people use to pretend they have control." His eyes found Sky's again, blazing with conviction. "Cory will choose me. Because it's inevitable. And I'm patient. I'm the only real option."
"That's... not love," Sky said, but his voice sounded weak even to his own ears. What would he do if Chris had a crush on a girl and he was uncertain he wouldn't have him?
He shook his head. He could not even bring himself to think about that. He was in a better place now.
Breathe in. Out.
Sky's hands clenched. "It's not the same. Chris and I are equals. We both have agency. We both chose this."
