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Reddoons was never really someone for romance. Every time he thought about it, he didn't really see the appeal — and it's not like people haven't tried to get him to understand either, he's plenty attractive and he knows it, but he always thought that he'd much prefer them as friends than as romantic partners. He spent too much time thinking about his studies or hobbies to really care about the lack of romance in his life — because with problems like a science test he hasn't studied for steadily approaching, who has time to mope about not having someone to go on cute dates with?
Ash was just the new person in his class this year, with nothing standout about him (except for maybe the dark purple highlights, but they blended in quite well with his already jet black hair), but from the moment Red first saw him he knew he was a goner. Ash wasn't even paying attention to him, too occupied with writing something in his notebook, but every time he raised his head to look back at the board Red felt all of the air leave his lungs. He was stunned, only realizing that he'd been staring very obviously when one of his friends came over and loudly clapped him on the back.
"Dude, are you okay?"
"Yeah, sorry, just zoned out for a minute. Where do you want to sit?"
Admittedly, that was all the way back in September and Red hasn't made that much progress in his journey of trying to get with Ash — hell, at this point he'd take even befriending him. On that first day they actually ended up sitting closer to Ash than Red realized they were going to, so he managed a "smooth" introduction.
("Hey, do you have a pencil I could borrow?"
"Uh, yeah, sure. Here."
"Thanks. I'm Red, by the way."
"Ash."
The half smile he sent his way after that didn't leave Red's head for a week.)
Now, Red can't go on like this any longer and is hell bent on confessing to Ash. He can handle getting rejected, he just can't stand acting like such a dumbass whenever Ash is around him. If he wanted to woo him, he needed to get close to him. And what better opportunity than a group project their English teacher is forcing on them?
He already got his friend on board with the plan — coincidentally, he's friends with one of the few people Ash seems to hang around, so their group kind of just morphed together for the project. Ash didn't really seem that put off by two guys he doesn't know that well joining him and his friend, but, hey, as long as he gets a good grade, who's complaining? Red's foolproof plan was sure to work now that he had the most difficult part of it out of the way. All he had to do now was get Ash to be his friend — but not force him, ease him into a solid platonic relationship. He'd take that as a win, but he is hoping for more than that.
When his friend texted him that their part of the project was done, he texted Ash so they could meet up at the library and get their work done — and immediately after sending the message realized how insane all of this actually was. Sure, he thought it'd work, and so far it looked promising, but isn't it still kind of weird that he's going this far just to get close to a guy he had a crush on? He's heard plenty of horror stories from other people about lengths they've went to for just a chance with their crush, and this seems pretty tame in comparison, but isn't it still messed up that he's planning this with different intentions and Ash has no idea? What if they don't work well together at all and all of this was for noth—
A notification sound from his phone interrupts his thoughts.
sure. 4 tomorrow work for you?
He replies with a very casual "Yeah! See you then."
Maybe this isn't as bad as he thinks it'll be.
He feels like throwing up all over again when he actually gets to the library the next day. However, once he actually saw Ash he felt all his nerves melt away. He wasn't even doing anything, just sitting at a table and staring at something on his phone, but he still looked perfect to Red. He now felt like throwing up for a whole different reason.
After actually settling down and starting their work, he had to say that him and Ash worked... Really well together. He didn't even have to adapt his personality to him like he does for most people, they immediately clicked on their own — and Red felt like this is the most he's ever enjoyed another person's company. Ash looked like he was having fun, too, which was the most important part.
The more progress on the project they achieved, the more their conversations drifted from the topic of school and their studies — eventually diverging into talking about past and current relationships.
"Yeah, there's this guy I'm really into. I'm trying my best to win him over but I'm not sure how well it's working since I'm kind of a total idiot when he's around." Red figured he'd make use of some of his denseness to bring this up in front of Ash without him noticing.
"Well, that doesn't mean anything since you're an idiot all the time. And... You're into guys?"
"Mostly. You?"
"Yeah. Though, no one right now."
"I can respect that. My crush definitely wasn't something I thought I'd open this school year with, but damn if he isn't perfect, so it's totally worth it."
At that Ash looked away, back at the textbook in front of him, nodding and twirling the pen he was holding. Red didn't notice any kind of special reaction from him after the conversation, but he still felt like this was a good step. It felt like him and Ash were actually becoming proper friends.
That day is one Red thinks he'll never forget. He loved all of his friends, new and old, but the way he felt with Ash was something completely new to him — and it didn't even come close to how he felt about his friends. If this was even a fraction of what love was like, he finally felt like he understood.
After that project and realizing how well they clicked together, they ended up getting a lot closer and hanging out a lot more, even outside of school. Unfortunately, Red still felt like he was getting nowhere with the original purpose of his plan, y'know, actually getting with with Ash, but he didn't actually mind it. Just his company was enough, no matter the intentions behind it.
He didn't really expect it to change any time soon, but he guessed Ash had different plans after inviting him out for dinner after school. It wasn't unusual for them to go out somewhere together, but dinner definitely sounded a lot more... Important than usual. Not to mention he looked different today — not a bad difference, just looked like he put in more effort in the way he presented himself. Red isn't the brightest when it comes to things like romance, but he'd say he improved a lot over the months of him liking Ash — he knew a confession plan when he saw one, and he definitely wasn't letting him be the first to confess after months of turmoil.
After seeing the sunset that was happening as soon as they walked out of the school building, he guessed there was no better or more cliché chance he had than this one.
"Hey, Ash."
"Hmm?"
Ash turned to him looking only slightly interested, distracted by something in his thoughts, and Red had to take a moment to appreciate his looks yet again. Maybe he could tell him to do his hair like this more often, later.
"I like you. Romantically. And a lot."
"...Really? Why?"
(In retrospect, he really should've seen this as the bait for compliments Ash meant it as, but he still fell for it.)
"What do you mean why? Have you seen yourself? Not only are you by far the most gorgeous person I've ever seen, you're smart, funny, talented and passionate at everything you do. I liked you from the moment I saw you, dude. It only got worse when I actually got to know you." Red could only stand there in disbelief at Ash's "doubt" of his feelings for him, while Ash hummed trying to process his response.
"I guess it makes sense. Also... Dude? After just confessing your undying love for me with the lamest confession ever? Seriously?" He probably enjoyed the shit eating grin on Ash's face a little too much.
"Shut up." He tried acting upset and shoving his arm, but he ended up smiling too either way.
"I like you too. Maybe I haven't really known it from the first day, but... You got there eventually and that's all that matters." The smile has turned much gentler now and Red thinks he can even see Ash's cheeks turning a warmer color.
"So... Can we turn this dinner into an actual date?" He can't help the hopeful tone his voice takes. Ash gets a bit closer to him — and he's suddenly feeling his own face turn warm.
"Sure. But before that..."
When Ash's lips finally meet his, Red swears he can feel his heart beat out of his chest. He thinks he truly flatlined when he felt his arms wrap around his shoulders.
Ash pulls away for a moment, only to scold him — "Breathe, idiot."
Red mutters a weak apology while catching his breath, trying and failing to appear put together.
The smile Ash gives him in response is one he thinks he'll remember for the rest of his life.