The day of the event is here, and Gabriel couldn't help but feel the buzz of excitement that had been building up for weeks, going to the convention for the first time with Ryden. However instead of staying at the hotel he and his sister had rented for easy access to the convention—where he would be cosplaying—he had decided to stay in his own apartment for day one. This way, he could meet up with Ryden for the first day of the event without raising any suspicions. After all, it would be strange for him to go alone or to show up before Ryden did.

Gabriel dressed casually, opting for a graphic shirt, paired with worn-in cargo jeans. He didn't plan on carrying anything except his wallet and keys, figuring most of the essentials he'd need for the day were already with his sister. He had hoped for a smooth start, but as he glanced at his reflection in the mirror, he sighed. His hair was unruly, as if fate had decided it was a bad hair day. He tried taming it, but it was no use. It wasn't like he was trying to impress Ryden, but still, he wished he could appear a bit more put-together.

His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. A message from Ryden popped up: 'I'm ready, waiting downstairs.' Gabriel took a final look in the mirror, adjusting his shirt one last time before heading out the door.

When he reached the downstairs, he spotted Ryden right away. Today, he was dressed in a sharp navy button-up, paired with black slacks, and a small crossbody bag. He looked a bit more formal than Gabriel had expected, but it suited him perfectly. Ryden noticed him and waved.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Gabriel called out as he jogged down the stairs. It was still early, and the convention they were attending wasn't particularly well-known. They had decided to meet up early to grab breakfast before heading to the event, and Gabriel was glad to have the time to chat.

"No worries," Ryden said with a smile, his gaze drifting to Gabriel's shirt. "Nice shirt, by the way."

Gabriel looked down at his Dark Souls graphic tee, a slight flush creeping into his cheeks. "Yeah, I got this a while ago. It's one of my favorite games."

They continued walking toward a nearby coffee shop, with Gabriel doing most of the talking. He eagerly recommended a handful of games he thought Ryden would enjoy, his voice animated as he described everything from obscure indie gems to major titles he thought Ryden might find intriguing. Ryden listened attentively, nodding every now and then, offering a comment here and there. Gabriel couldn't help but feel a little more at ease as their conversation flowed effortlessly.

After finishing their breakfast, Gabriel and Ryden made their way to the convention. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation, though it wasn't nearly as packed as the last event Gabriel had attended. Still, a handful of eager attendees were already lined up outside. Thankfully, the wait wasn't long, and soon they were inside. The moment Gabriel stepped through the doors, he was greeted by the familiar sight of cosplayers scattered throughout the venue. His heart quickened. The energy of the convention filled the air, and Gabriel felt the familiar excitement stir within him. Cosplay was more than just a hobby—it was a passion that allowed him to bring beloved characters to life. It was also his livelihood, but that aspect never dulled the joy he felt in participating.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Let's get a picture with some of the cosplayers," Gabriel suggested, his eyes scanning the scene for a group to join. As he turned to look for Ryden, he realized he couldn't see him through the crowd. A few people were blocking his view. Gabriel maneuvered through the throngs of people, weaving in and out until he spotted Ryden, who had seemingly gotten separated.

Gabriel reached out and grabbed Ryden's arm, gently pulling him back into the flow of the crowd. The convention floor wasn't overly crowded, but it was busy enough with new attendees still streaming in. "Don't get lost now," Gabriel teased, giving him a playful grin. "Wanna hold hands?" he added with a wink, his voice light and teasing.

To his surprise, Ryden's face immediately flushed, his ears turning bright red. Gabriel blinked, momentarily taken aback by the reaction. He hadn't expected that kind of response, and it left him momentarily speechless.

"Maybe for a bit," Ryden replied, his voice a little softer than usual.

Gabriel felt a rush of warmth flood his cheeks. It was his turn to feel shy, but he quickly masked it with a confident smile as he reached for Ryden's hand. The simple gesture made his heart race in a way he hadn't expected, but it also felt strangely comforting. He guided Ryden away from the bustling crowd, his height giving him the advantage of easily spotting openings in the sea of people. He marveled at the sensation of holding Ryden's hand—it was a simple, natural connection that made everything feel right, and Gabriel couldn't help but feel a growing fondness for the trust Ryden placed in him. He didn't want this moment to end, so he moved slowly, savoring the intimacy of the gesture, hoping Ryden wouldn't notice how reluctant he was to let go.

They eventually made their way to a quieter part of the venue, where the crowd thinned out. With a soft sigh, Gabriel reluctantly released Ryden's hand. His heart felt heavy as he did so, but he knew that any further physical closeness might be pushing boundaries. Maybe next time, there will be another opportunity, but for now, this moment is over. Gabriel tried to mask the flush on his face, feeling both embarrassed and elated at the same time, but he kept his composure. He turned to Ryden, checking in with a teasing grin, "Are you okay? I didn't pull you too hard, did I?"

Ryden chuckled, his smile warm and reassuring. "No, and thank you for that," he said, his eyes bright with appreciation. He gestured between them with a mock-serious look. "If it wasn't for your height advantage, it would've taken ages to get out of that crowd."

Gabriel couldn't help but laugh, standing a little taller as if to emphasize the height difference. He leaned down just slightly, the proximity between them making his heart race all over again. It was a quiet test, a way to see how much closeness was comfortable for both of them. He wasn't sure if he was pushing his luck, but something in the air felt different, almost electric.

Ryden just stared at him for a moment, a playful smile tugging at his lips, until he seemed to realize just how close they had become. His face turned a shade darker, and he stammered, "Should we go?"

Gabriel felt his courage falter, his earlier bravado slipping away. He cleared his throat, trying to maintain a sense of composure. "Yeah, let's go," he replied, his voice steady despite the fluttering in his chest.

The rest of the day unfolded in a blur of excitement as they immersed themselves in the convention's events. They wandered through the artist alley, picking out some unique merchandise and chatting with creators about their work. Gabriel snapped a few pictures with cosplayers, enjoying the vibrant creativity around him. Despite the rush of his earlier emotions, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment with Ryden by his side. Their bond was something special—something he hoped would only grow stronger as the day went on.